Texas residents Shirley Campbell and Cynthia Jeffries had planned to spend several weeks cruising Europe on the trip of a lifetime. The friends booked two back-to-back cruises on two different cruise lines. The first cruise was great. But the second cruise caused Campbell to become very ill, which forced her to abandon ship. Why? Too much cigarette smoke.
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Cruise executives at the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping convention in Miami said deteriorating consumer confidence, a recoiling in discretionary spending and widespread job loss has hurt their bottom line, forcing them to slash fares and pump up onboard spending bonuses just to stay afloat.
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Launched last month in Naples by Sophia Loren, the MSC Fantasia is billed as “the most beautiful ship in the world.” The stunning vessel has all makings for a classic European cruise experience and that, unfortunately, includes too much cigarette smoke.
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At this time of year, just about everyone devotes a column to predictions for the year ahead. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I can tell you the shape of things to come on the high seas in 2009: no fuel supplements (for now), massive tonnage, new luxury, greener ships, ship makeovers, and — would you believe? — zip-lining and a carousel.
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The economy is slumping and cruise lines are scrambling to fill their berths. What does that mean for you? Great deals on a cruise vacation — and a good excuse for spending that tax rebate check. Anita Dunham-Potter has the details.
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Cruise line executives speaking at the annual Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami last week presented a surprisingly rosy outlook despite record oil prices and the U.S. economy’s bleak outlook. Still, with 36 new ships to be delivered within the next four years they can’t afford to feel any other way.
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