9 Extreme Cruise Ship Makeovers in 2012 Cruise Critic Cruise Ship Refurbishments, 2009 - 2012 Cruise ship makeovers, or refurbishments, have become multi-million-dollar events, with big-name lines angling to upgrade older ships in lieu of building new ones. Well in excess of $100 million will be spent on adding burrito and burger joints, ice-topped martini bars and fancy "spa" cabins to the nine patients detailed below. It's almost enough to make cruise fans forget about the dearth of prototypes due out in 2012 (with a couple notable exceptions, you'll have to wait until 2013 for the really new stuff). There are some pitfalls to refurbs -- many lines take the opportunity to add more "revenue opportunities." In other words, for-fee restaurants often replace fee-free spaces. But, as with anything else, the new options are just that ... optional. So strap on a pair of those nerdy looking safety goggles and check out nine mega-ships heading in for major surgery in 2012.

Ship: Carnival Spirit Cost of Surgery: $7 million Date & Location: January The Makeover: While not as comprehensive as other "extreme" refurbishments, what's intriguing about Carnival Spirit's "Aussification" is how much effort the cruise line made to tweak ship features to appeal to its new source market. (Beginning in October, the ship will be based in Sydney.) The big eye-catcher is the Green Thunder waterslide, a 180-foot-long twister that begins with a near-vertical drop. Serenity, Carnival's signature adults-only retreat, was also added. And, once the ship arrives at its new homeport, passengers will enjoy some unusual twists for the brand -- including a new top-deck barbecue venue; improved coffee for notoriously picky Aussies; more draught beers, in a nod to regional preference; and more cabins with interconnecting doors (cruising is incredibly popular with Australian families).

Ship: Sapphire Princess Cost of Surgery: Undisclosed Date & Location: January 7 - February 4, Canada The Makeover: Over the past half decade, Princess Cruises has been busy standardizing its eight Grand-glass ships -- adding poolside jumbotrons (Movies Under the Stars), "Piazza-style" atriums and adult-only deck spaces (the Sanctuary) initially found only on the line's newest vessels, Crown (2006), Emerald (2007) and Ruby Princess. Sapphire emerged from a month-long refurbishment in February 2012, gaining said signature features -- and the makeover couldn't have come soon enough. The formerly dull atrium has been transformed into the effervescent Piazza, a public area with a wine and tapas bar, bakery, pizzeria and performance space. And after years of dedicated service, the rest of the ship benefited from the refit, too. Throughout Sapphire, passengers will find new bar countertops, tiling, teak decking around the main pool, furniture in the casino, an upgraded buffet and a new top-deck "lawn court" (artificial grass) for putting, bocce and croquet. Ship: Costa NeoRomantica Cost of Surgery: $120 million Date & Location: October 2011 - February 2012, Genoa The Makeover: The refurbishment was so ambitious that Costa Cruises renamed the ship. The 18-year-old Costa Romantica spent 3.5 months in dry-dock, from which it emerged with a slew of new cabins, features and interior design, and a new(ish) name, Costa neoRomantica. Two half-decks were added on the bow-side, comprising 111 new accommodations. Throughout the ship, the number of cabins and suites featuring balconies grew to 160, and total passenger capacity went from 1,697 to 1,800. New spaces include a wine and cheese bar with 100 vinos and cheeses from around the world; a coffee and chocolate bar; an Italian pizzeria; a cabaret lounge; a nightclub; and the beach club-styled Lido Bar Monte Carlo. The line also added a 45,000-plus-square-foot wellness area to neoRomantica. The space features a gym, thalassotherapy pool, treatment rooms, sauna, Turkish bath, 50 spa cabins and six suites, and a special spa restaurant. Ship: Swan Hellenic's Minerva Cost of Surgery: $15 million Date & Location: February 2012, Germany The Makeover: Minerva's overhaul was the 350-passenger vessel's first update since its original conversion from a military "spy ship." The refurb saw massive balconies added to 32 cabins, an upgrade of all 181 en suite passenger cabin facilities and the creation of new public areas. Specifically, among a host of more minor updates, a new main lounge called Orpheus was added to the promenade deck (pictured). The new lounge features panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows and a sprawling dance floor. Under the hood enhancements were also made to improve efficiency and environmental performance. Ship: Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas Cost of Surgery: $54 million Date & Location: March, Singapore The Makeover: The 15-year-old Rhapsody, one of six "mid-size," 1,998-passenger Vision-class ships, will gain a number of features found on Oasis and Allure of the Seas. New dining venues include Izumi (Asian), Giovanni's Table (Italian) and the Park Cafe, a bistro concept borrowed from Oasis and Allure -- minus the park setting found on those ships. There are some non-Oasis twists, too. The massive hanging sculpture will be removed from Rhapsody's 60-foot-high, seven-deck Centrum to make way for cirque du Soleil-style aerial performances, and the Centrum's Champagne Bar will become the 60's-style R Bar, complete with iconic furnishings and signature cocktails. Royal is also adding a pair of lounges for its top past passengers and those staying in suites (one lounge for "Diamonds," one for "Diamond Plus" and suite pax). On a more controversial note, an outdoor movie screen will be installed near the ship's main pool. Finally, look for the integration of a slew of new technology-based amenities, including digital signage and iPads in every cabin. Sister ships Grandeur of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas will undergo similar surgery in May and December, respectively. Ship: Celebrity Millennium Cost of Surgery: $35-$40 million Date & Location: April 21 - May 12, Bahamas The Makeover: The 11-year-old Celebrity Millennium will be the final ship in its namesake class to get sliced up in Celebrity's hard-to-pronounce, $140 million "Solstice-ization" program. The goal is to take the quirky Millennium quartet, known for their whimsical art (see Rubanesque nudes by the indoor pool) and colorful spaces, and make them look more like the line's newer, sleeker, more amenity-laden (read: more for-fee options) Solstice-class ships. Millennium will emerge with 100 new or redesigned AquaClass spa cabins, which feature massage showers, aromatherapy products and passes to the spa's thermal suites; a 24-hour wine bar (the "enomatic" dispensing system makes that work); an ice-topped martini bar featuring juggling servers; a trio of alternative restaurants; and a gelateria. The new dining venues include Qsine ($40 per person), where patrons order whimsical dishes off of iPads and presentation -- think sushi lollipops or spring rolls served in springs -- is the focus; Bistro on 5, a creperie ($5); and Blu, the AquaClass-passenger-only restaurant serving "clean" Mediterranean cuisine (lots of broiled seafood). Millennium will also gain an iLounge, where iEverythings (except iPad 2's) will be on sale at onshore price points. Finally, and less favorably for passengers, the ship will get more crowded; 60 new cabins will be inserted throughout. Ship: Crystal Symphony Cost of Surgery: $15 million Date & Location: June 1 - 16, Germany The Makeover: In June, luxe line Crystal Cruises will spend almost $1 million a day to spruce up its 922-passenger Crystal Symphony. Rather than putting cash into new for-fee restaurants or theme bars, the line is focusing on reinventing the ship by redesigning lounges and public spaces. These include the jazz-era-style Avenue Saloon, the Galaxy Lounge (main theater) and the Bridge Lounge (the spot for card players). When you're dealing with teak, mohair and marble, the cost adds up. One example of what's in store: The Avenue Saloon, said Crystal in a statement, will gain a plethora of fancy new seating, including "antique-style, brass-tack couches, a large red wall sofa, and embossed-leaf barstools." Look around and you'll also find hand-tufted carpets, textured wall upholstery and edge-lit glass shelves behind the bar. It's not all about pleasing Crystal's affluent 60-plus set. A new layout for both the Fantasia kids play area and Waves teen video arcade is also on tap. Grandchildren of that 60-plus set will have access to bean bag chairs, an "interactive" white board and video game stations. Ship: Carnival Conquest Cost of Surgery: Not revealed, but part of the $500 million Fun Ship 2.0 program Date & Location: October 14 - 28, N/A The Makeover: Fun Ship 2.0 sounds a bit year 2000, but we won't begrudge the name of Carnival's multi-year, 14-ship, $500 million refurb program, which covers eating, (a lot of) drinking and laughing. In late October, Carnival Conquest 2.0 will emerge with a pair of new fee-free casual dining venues, Guy's Burger Joint, a beef-and-bun venue associated with self-promotion machine Guy Fiere, and the Blue Iguana Cantina, a taco and burrito venue. Conquest will also get four new theme bars, including one celebrating rum drinks (RedFrog Rum Bar), tequila drinks (Blue Iguana Tequila Bar), drinks made by a pharmacist/wizard (Alchemy Bar, with it's multitude of mixed cocktails) and drinks to be consumed while watching the big game (EA Sports Bar). For those wishing to flex their funny bone, Conquest will re-debut with the "Punchliners Comedy Club & Brunch Presented by George Lopez." Also look out for: Sister ship Carnival Glory is getting a similar refurb in November, with Carnival Dream and Carnival Splendor getting pared-down versions in October and December, respectively. Ship: Serenade of the Seas Cost of Surgery: About $20 million Date & Location: November, Cadiz, Spain The Makeover: Like sister ship Radiance of the Seas, which enjoyed a $20 million Oasis-style upgrade in June 2010, Serenade will gain eight new dining venues culled from the game-changing Oasis-class duo. Among the new restaurants -- complimentary and for-fee -- are Giovanni's Table, a "family-style" Italian restaurant with a $15 cover charge for lunch and $20 for dinner; the Park Cafe, a fee-free addition specializing in paninis and salads; and Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse (dinner-only, $25 per person). The ships will also gain cabin upgrades throughout -- as with Rhapsody, the line is making iPads a standard in-room inclusion -- a jumbotron installed near the main pool and a Royal Babies and Tots Nursery space, which is open to children ages 6 months to 36 months at a cost of $8 per hour. That omnipresent Wi-Fi and digital signage will be post-November experience, too. ~~ Cruise Critic

New Cruise Trends: Paddle-Wheelers, Chef Tables, More

Travel + Leisure

03.20.12
By Jane WooldridgeCruises + Ships, Events + FestivalsComments

Look for a new cruise ship with a dozen outdoor eateries from Norwegian Cruise Line, a chic new chef’s table concept on Princess Cruises’ next ship and a return of wheelers on U.S. rivers. Those nuggets were among news revealed at last week’s Cruise Shipping Miami, an annual cruise industry trade show held each year in March.

But the topic that drew the most attention in this year following the Costa Concordia tragedy and other incidents was safety at sea. Cruise company executives focused on safety during their annual “State of the Industry’’ presentation. Lines showed off the newest simulators used to train shipboard staff for potential emergencies; seminars focused on medical care at sea. At the week’s end the U.S. Coast Guard announced its review of each ship’s safety procedures will now include observing a passenger safety drill now that cruise ships have changed their own rules to require safety drills before a ship leaves port.

Among more upbeat developments:

● Luxury cruise lines will continue to focus on destinations, adding exotic new itineraries and overnights in port, while larger ships will continue to focus on ship-board amenities in more familiar destinations that can accommodate big vessels. Destinations encouraging new port development at this year’s conference included Batumi, a Georgian city on the Black Sea; Klaipeda, Lithuania; Busan in South Korea and the islands of Indonesia.

● Two companies will be rolling on U.S. rivers this summer with paddle-wheelers. New is the Great American Steamboat Company, which purchased and refurbished the 436-passenger Steamboat American Queen, formerly part of the Delta Queen and Majestic companies; the American Queen goes into service in April and will call Memphis home. American Cruise Lines will bring it’s newly built 150-passenger boat, Queen of the Mississippi, into service in August, with sailings starting in New Orleans and other Mississippi cities... American Cruise Lines announced at the conference that it is beginning construction on yet another new ship; no itinerary or launch date was announced.

● Outdoor dining will be a hallmark of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway, due to launch in April of 2013. Restaurants, shops and bars will line an oceanfront boardwalk spanning three ship decks.

● Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess, launching in June 2013, will include the Chef’s Table Lumiere, a chef’s table surrounded by a curtain of light that offers privacy for diners.

● Hong Kong opens its new cruise terminal on the site of the former Kai Tak airport in mid-2013 in easy reach of attractions including Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple, Lei Yu Mun Seafood Bazaar and the Festival Walk Shopping complex.

~~ Jane Wooldridge is Travel + Leisure's Cruise correspondent.

Dear Travel Agent Partners and friends of Carnival,

40 years ago this month, Carnival Cruise Lines was launched with a converted transatlantic ocean liner and a dream of entrepreneur Ted Arison, a pioneer in the modern-day cruise industry who set out to realize his vision of making a vacation experience once reserved for the very rich accessible to the average person.

The rest, they say, is history! Many of us in this business have grown up together, evolving through decades of growth to the incredible cruise industry we work in today! It's with this in mind that we want to thank you for your continued support, while we take a moment together to look back on our wonderful 40 year history:

THROUGH THE YEARS . . .
1972 - Maiden voyage of Carnival's first ship, the TSS Mardi Gras.

1975 - Carnival purchases Empress of Britain, enters service as the TSS Carnivale.

1978 - The Festivale, formerly the S.A. Vaal, undergoes $30 million refurbishment, begins service for Carnival as the largest and fastest vessel sailing from Miami to the Caribbean.

1982 - Debut of the Tropicale, the first new cruise ship the cruise industry has seen in many years; ship marks the beginning of an industry-wide multi-billion-dollar shipbuilding boom.

1984 - Carnival becomes first cruise line to advertise on network T.V. with the premiere of new advertising campaign starring company spokesperson Kathie Lee Gifford (then Johnson).

1985 - Debut of 46,052-ton Holiday.

1986 - Launch of 47,262-ton Jubilee.

1987 - The 47,262-ton Celebration enters service.
Carnival earns distinction as "Most Popular Cruise Line in the World," carrying more passengers than any other cruise line.

Carnival Cruise Lines undertakes its initial public offering on Wall Street, raising approximately $400 million to fuel future expansion; entity later becomes Carnival Corporation & plc, a multi-line worldwide cruise conglomerate.

1990 - The 70,367-ton Carnival Fantasy - the first and namesake vessel in the highly successful "Fantasy-class" -- enters service as first new ship ever placed on three- and four-day Bahamas cruise program from Miami. Eventually, Carnival would construct eight "Fantasy-class" vessels, the most cruise ships in a single class.

1991 - Launch of 70,367-ton Carnival Ecstasy.

1993 - Carnival introduces its third 70,367-ton SuperLiner, Carnival Sensation.

1994 - Debut of 70,367-ton Carnival Fascination.

1995 - 70,367-ton Carnival Imagination enters service.

1996 - Carnival’s launches sixth “Fantasy-class” vessel, Carnival Inspiration.

Carnival debuts the first passenger vessel to exceed 100,000 tons, the 101,353-ton Carnival Destiny, at the time the world's largest cruise ship.

1998 - Introduction of seventh “Fantasy-class” vessel, the Carnival Elation, the first new cruise ship deployed on the West Coast.

1999 - Debut of the 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph, Carnival’s second “Destiny-class” vessel.

2000 - A third “Destiny-class” vessel, the 102,000-ton Carnival Victory, is launched.

2001 - Carnival introduces a new class of vessel with the launch of the 88,500-ton Carnival Spirit, the first new “Fun Ship” ever positioned in the Alaska and Hawaii markets.

2002 - A second “Spirit-class” vessel, the Carnival Pride, is launched.
Carnival's third "Spirit-class" ship, Carnival Legend, enters service.
Debut of the 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest, beginning a new class of vessel for the line.

2003 - Second 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” ship, the Carnival Glory, enter service.

2004 - Carnival Miracle, the fourth in Carnival’s “Spirit-class,” debuts.
A third 110,000-ton "Conquest-class" ship, Carnival Valor, sets sail.

2005 - A fourth 110,000-ton “Conquest-class” vessel, Carnival Liberty, enters service July 20 operating Carnival’s first-ever Mediterranean cruise program.

2007 - Debut of Carnival’s fifth “Conquest-class” vessel, Carnival Freedom.

2008 - The new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor enters service, representing a new class of ship for the line.

2009 - The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream - the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed - is introduced in Europe Sept. 21, 2009.

2011 - A second 130,000-ton ship, Carnival Magic, enter services in Europe May 1 2011, and will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Galveston, Texas, Nov 14.

2012 - A third 130,000-ton ship, Carnival Breeze, is scheduled to enter service in June 3, 2012, operating 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona before repositioning to Miami on year-round six- and eight-day departures.

Here's to the next "40 Years of Fun", and don't forget to visit us on GoCCL.com!

Warm regards,
Joni Rein
Vice President of Worldwide Sales

FAA Reconsiders Takeoff, Landing Policy On
E-Readers, Other Devices

By Staci D. KramerMar 18, 2012 6:55 PM ET

Welcome news from Nick Bilton: the FAA finally is revisiting the policy that keeps Kindles, iPads and the like turned off during takeoffs and landing.

The FAA told Bilton it will take a “fresh look” at whether some devices can be used safely and how a policy could be framed. Smartphones aren’t included in the review.

U.S. airlines currently call for all devices to be turned off and stowed before planes can pull away from the gate despite a lack of data proving they are safety risks. Some airlines I fly allow use of cell phones until just before the door closes but insist my Kindle or other device be shut down considerably before that and sometimes as much as 30 or 45 minutes before landing.
The current personal electronics rule dating back to 2006 (described in this this FAA circular) canceled one that banned use of personal electronics and shifted responsibility completely to the operators.

It allows airlines to offer fliers the use of certain devices but only if the airline can prove each allowed device won’t interfere with the plane’s performance. As Bilton and the FAA point out, that hasn’t happened.

Why haven’t the airlines stepped up? To challenge the policy, each one has to test each device on each kind of plane it operates. If American Airlines has tested the iPad 2 on an MD-80, for instance, it wouldn’t be able to allow me to use the third-gen iPad when I leave for New York tomorrow on that same model plane. It’s much easier for them to avoid the problem and far less expensive than trying to run through the hoops every time a new device comes out.

What will change now? The FAA’s Laura Brown tell Bilton the agency is looking for ways to bring the various interested parties from airlines to unions to consumer associations and manufacturers together—passengers, too—to find a cost-effective solution. No details yet on how that could happen or would be funded. (Hmmm, Kickstarter?)

While the primary issue here is potential disruption of avionics, I’ve also been told by a number of flight attendants that having the devices out at all is a safety issue. In a previous reporting life, I covered the Sioux City plane crash and the various elements that contributed to who survived, who died, how and why. After numerous interviews with survivors, including most of the flight attendants on United Flight 232, I’m acutely sensitive to safety issues and I’ve thought about those concerns in that light.

Having headphones and music turned off makes sense. Ditto putting away heavy items like computers. Telling me a Kindle has to be put away when a book can stay on my lap or someone can hold onto a cup of hot coffee is just another way of justifying a policy that doesn’t have the data to back it up. I agree with Bilton:

"It is in everyone’s interest that we move from unscientific fears to real scientific testing."

In the meantime, that reminds me—I need to put the latest New Yorker in my bag.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY... MARCH 21, 1556 The Archbishop is Executed

When Henry VIII required a divorce from Catherine of Aragon, he turned to his Archbishop in Canterbury. Thomas Cranmer thus became the chief architect of the English Reformation. Cranmer denied papal authority over the English Church, paving the way for Henry's divorce and essentially nullifying the threat of excommunication. Cranmer compiled the Book of Common Prayer, which became the basis for Anglican liturgy for some 400 years. The wheel of fate turned, however when Queen Mary I reunited the Church of England with the Roman Catholic Church. Unfortunately for Cranmer, the Queen was the issue of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, whose divorce had been allowed by Cranmer. Queen Mary insisted on Cranmer's trial and execution for heresy. He was burned at the stake on this day in 1556.

CARNIVAL CORP. INTERESTED IN NEW CRUISE

TOURISM INITIATIVE IN MEXICO

March 15, 2012
By:  Susan Young
Travel Agent Central

Mexico Pavilion on the trade floor at Cruise Shipping Miami // Photo by Susan J. Young

Carnival Corporation may be coming through for Mexico in a big way. According to Mexico tourism sources, the world’s largest cruise company has signed a compromise to invest $150 million in port infrastructure in Mexico’s Pacific coast and Caribbean coast.

Carnival, which already has invested $100 million in Mexico's tourism infrastructure, is apparently interested in possibly developing two new projects, including a cruise terminal at Calica and one at Puerto Cortes in South Baja California.

It couldn’t have come at a better time for Mexican tourism and port officials, who are in south Florida for the Cruise Shipping Miami conference, seeking more cruise tourism and trying to get across the message that Mexico is safe for cruisers.

Still, the Carnival deal is not finalized, so there is no absolute investment as yet. But it's a move in the right direction, believe Mexican officials.

Carnival’s Mexican Commitment
A statement issued today by Mexico said Carnival Corporation had committed to investing in Mexico within the framework of the National Agreement for Tourism.

The statement said Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism Gloria Guevara Manzo and Carnival Cruise Lines President and CEO Gerard Cahill signed the compromise at Puerto Maya in Cozumel. The signing was witnessed by Mexican President Felipe Calderón Hinojosa.
It also said Cahill expressed his view that Mexico is an attractive destination for the development of tourist business and an important partner for Carnival.

After contacting Cahill's press office at Carnival Cruise Lines on Thursday afternoon, Travel Agent was told that Cahill met in Cozumel earlier this week with President Calderon, Minister of Tourism Manzo and Quintana Roo Governor Roberto Borge Angulo.

Carnival said Cahill provided the Mexican president, on behalf of the cruise line’s parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc, a letter expressing Carnival’s appreciation for the efforts of the Mexican tourism organizations and its interest in possible investments of $150 million in port projects in Calica and Puerto Cortes, located within Mexico’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts, respectively.

However, the cruise line said late Thursday that a final agreement had not yet been signed. Still, depending what happens moving forward, this could be a positive step for Mexico's tourism industry.

President Calderón affirmed that tourism is an important economic generator, but more importantly, that it is a source of higher-paying jobs. Tourism wages in Mexico are 30 percent higher than the average job in Mexico. And the tourism industry hires more women than other industries.

Calderón emphasized that the federal government has set the goal of becoming the fifth-most-visited country in the world by 2015. “For this reason, I congratulate Carnival and I recognize the significance of the decision that Carnival made to invest in our country,” Calderón said.

Secretary Manzo said that Mexico is living an historic moment for tourism. She said that thanks to the National Agreement of Tourism, Mexico has become a model for other nations, and that has been manifested in international efforts from such countries as Spain, Germany, Colombia and Brazil.

Any new ports are likely to generate more direct and indirect jobs in the tourist sector and will increase the arrival of cruise passengers to Mexico.

Cruise Shipping Miami
Mexico’s local, state and federal tourism officials were out in full force operating from a large Mexican Pavilion on the trade floor of Cruise Shipping Miami this week. Ninety participants in all, including officials from the Mexican Ministry of Tourism, the Mexico Tourism Board (MTB), state and local port and tourism officials, and other travel partners, were proactively telling cruise executives and cruise line staffers about their ports and tourism offerings.
And they were tackling “the safety issue” head on.

Mexico has a lot at stake. Cruise tourism adds $500 million annually to Mexico's economy in both revenue and jobs. "Every year more than five million visitors dock at Mexico's luxurious ports of call to experience our rich culture, climate, beaches and UNESCO World Heritage listed gastronomical offering," said Secretary Guevara in a press statement earlier this week.

In January 2012, Mexico has seen strong growth in the cruise sector of 7.1 percent. But while Gulf of Mexico ports like Cozumel and Costa Maya remain strong magnets for cruising, ports on Mexico’s Pacific Coast have had a rougher time the past year.

Major cruise lines have pulled ships from several West Coast ports, citing consumer safety concerns. Royal Caribbean International left the West Coast/Mexican Riviera market last year, saying it had a responsibility to its investors to use its ships in regions that commanded more advantageous cruise fares.

Earlier this year, numerous Carnival Cruise Lines passengers were robbed on a motorcoach as they returned from a line-sponsored eco-tour 40 miles outside Puerta Vallarta; that tour has since been suspended, but the line is still operating cruises that call at that port.
Violent crimes in Mexican Pacific Coast cities have not generally targeted cruise tourists. And, it’s fair to say that some cities visited by cruise ships elsewhere in the world have comparable or worse crime rates.

Secretary Guevara said Monday that "the main shipping companies in the world believe in Mexico and are willing to invest resources in our country which will multiply the number of arrivals and passengers. We are here to further promote the exceptional growth of the cruise sector in Mexico, which remains the top destination for cruise arrivals globally.”

Travel Agent spoke on Thursday with Governor Mario Lopez Valdez of Sinaloa, Mexico; Mazatlan is one of the main cities of Sinaloa state. The city was one of the original Pacific Coast destinations for cruising; cruise guests’ fun times ashore played out weekly on the 1970s-1980s television series, "The Love Boat.”

But escalating drug violence in the region and perceived safety concerns caused cruise lines to pull ships from Mazatlan last year. Holland America was one of those lines, but its ships are set to return to Mazatlan later this year and next; the line has said it will further evaluate the situation as the voyages near.

The governor stressed that the experience to Mazatlan is safe for cruisers and “nobody has more experiences and beautiful things to show cruise guests.” Echoing that thought were Alejandro Higuera, the mayor of Mazatlan, and Ernesto Coppel, an entrepreneur and investor of $250 million in property and resorts in the region. He is the founder of Pueblo Bonito Resorts and Spas.

Oralia Rice, Sinaloa’s secretary of tourism, stressed that during Cruise Shipping Miami, she and other tourism officials have sought out options to chat with Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and other cruise lines - talking with many executives at this week's Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association gala dinner.

Rice also said Mexican officials have a meeting on Friday with Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
The officials say Mazatlan now has a protocol of security that it’s introducing to all of the lines. They stressed that there is now a downtown safety corridor from the piers to the downtown area with greater police presence.

Coppel said he’s “very optimistic about the future and the economy in Mexico,” which is generally growing at the pace of about 5 percent annually, something he said even China can’t match. It’s because of that growth, he says, that he has the confidence to invest, and otherwise, he simply wouldn’t do so.

The officials also stressed that there are 6,000 U.S. and Canadian citizens who live in Mazatlan on a permanent basis and can attest to its overall peacefulness for cruise tourists.

Officials also said that Mazatlan has put out bids for a new cruise terminal, something the lines have wanted. “I think this is a sign that we want to send to all the industry so they can say, ‘We’re ready to come back to Mazatlan,” Rice said.

Carnival Cruise Lines has no ships calling at Mazatlan, but said Thursday that it’s constantly monitoring the situation and would like to return in the future if conditions warrant.

Promotion-wise, Secretary Rice said the Mexico Tourism Board is partnering with her organization to help promote the region, giving the example of a $4.5 million campaign in November did just that. She said it’s needed to help prevent misperceptions in the U.S. market.
Elsewhere on the Pacific West Coast, Acapulco, also one of the oldest Mexican cruise tourism destinations, has also dealt with some safety issues. In the past at Cruise Shipping Miami, Mexican officials from Acapulco told Travel Agent that another challenge was assuring that such a traditional cruise port continues to refresh the shoreside experience for repeat cruisers, who may have gone ashore multiple times in the past.

Travel Agent spoke today to Julie Ruffini, undersecretary of tourism promotion for the State of Guerrero, home to Acapulco. “The cruise industry is very important to us,” Ruffini said, acknowledging the current challenges as cruise lines have reduced visits to the Pacific Coast. Only 14 cruise ships will visit Acapulco this year.

Yesterday, her group met with Michelle Paige, president and CEO, Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association. It’s just one example of the type of outreach being undertaken at Cruise Shipping Miami to bring back more ships.

What’s the message? “There has been lots of private and public investment in Acapulco,” she stressed. By year’s end, travelers will have a new sidewalk near the ocean, and a new bus system will provide better transport for cruise guests.

In addition, Fort San Diego and the famed cliff-diving show in Acapulco, both popular activities for cruisers, have both introduced evening lighting shows, which are helpful for those staying on ships with overnight or late night calls.

Eco-tourism options are also now attracting visitors, she said. “Acapulco is coming back and giving refreshment to its product,” Ruffini stressed.

Carnival Cruise Lines confirms that 22 passengers on a ship-sponsored excursion in Puerto Vallarta (during a voyage aboard the "Carnival Splendor" [pictured]) were robbed at gunpoint last Thursday afternoon. The group was apparently heading back to the ship when masked gunmen stopped the bus and robbed the passengers. Carnival says it's helping reimburse the cruisers for their losses and take care of replacement passports and other ID needs. The line has also canceled the excursion (a guided nature trail trek) until further notice.

InterContinental Hotels Group welcomed the 114-room Holiday Inn Buenos Aires-Ezeiza Airport in Argentina. The property features two restaurants, a fitness center, a spa, and other guest services.

American Cruise Lines has added seven additional cabins (three doubles and four singles) to its new paddlewheeler "Queen of the Mississippi" that's debuting in August. The line says the extra single cabins were added due to greater anticipated demand from solo passengers.

The 218-room Enchantment Resort in Sedona, Arizona, will wrap up the final phase of its property-wide renovation project this spring. The resort added an upgraded clubhouse with three dining venues, a larger pool area, and new shops.

(Credit: Carnival Cruise Lines)