CRUISES: Disney Takes Possession of the Fantasy

2/9/2012 - Disney took possession yesterday of its newest ship, the "Disney Fantasy" (pictured), at a shipyard in Germany. The ship will depart Feb. 16 for the trans-Atlantic crossing to Port Canaveral. See www.disneycruise.com. Carnival Cruise Lines announced its 2013 plans for the "Carnival Miracle" and the "Carnival Splendor." The "Miracle" will go to the U.S. West Coast to take over the Alaska and Hawaii routes currently operated by the "Carnival Spirit" (which will be repositioned to Australia), a seasonal Mexican Riviera program, and a Panama Canal voyage. Meanwhile, the "Splendor" will move to New York next year to take over a Caribbean schedule from the "Miracle." The "Splendor" will undergo a major drydock overhaul this December, and it will operate three 13- to 18-night South America voyages before it arrives east. See www.carnival.com. Cunard will observe this year's Diamond Jubilee for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II with a "royal rendezvous" of its three ships on June 5. The occasion will mark the first time all three vessels have arrived and departed together in formation at their Southampton homeport. See www.cunard.com. Holland America Line posted more details about its 2012 Mediterranean season. The line will operate 32 different itineraries in the region (seven to 42 days) on seven ships. Highlights include the 62-day "Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage" aboard the "Prinsendam" this spring and the new 17-day "Spanish Rhapsody" itinerary aboard the "Rotterdam." Fares for seven-day Med sailings start from $699 ppdo. See www.hollandamerica.com. Viking River Cruises will operate Douro River sailings in Portugal and Spain next year aboard the "Viking Douro." The 10-day cruise/land packages include stops in Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto before the cruise portion begins. You can lock in two-for-one fares plus $1,100 airfare discounts per couple for these trips. See www.vikingrivercruises.com. MSC Cruises will allow a second guest to sail free when the first passenger books the Feb. 28 four-night Bahamas voyage aboard the "MSC Poesia" by Feb. 15. Fares start from $449 ppdo. See www.msccruisesusa.com. Celebrity Cruises will expand its "Celebrity Life" onboard activities program this year by offering "Celebrity Life Plus" options on its trans-Atlantic voyages. The activities will range from art classes and special-interest lectures to fitness sessions, wine tastings, and cooking demonstrations. See www.cruisingpower.com. Cruise lines around the world (including CLIA members) announced the immediate adoption of new emergency drill policies that require musters for passengers before a ship leaves the embarkation port. If passengers board a ship after that muster has happened, they will be given separate safety briefings as quickly as possible. See CLIA's announcement for more details. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will do away with the five percent discount for bookings made via its web site by the end of this month. The line says it wants to give agents a level playing field with consistent fares that consumers can't beat by going to its web site. (Credit: Meyer Werft)