Cruise News Updates
Cruise Ship Explosion Injures Crew Member, Prompts Evacuation
On Wednesday, an explosion occurred in the engine room of the American Queen Voyages’ Ocean Navigator, a cruise ship docked at Maine’s Portland Harbor, leading to the injury of one crew member and the evacuation of 128 passengers.
The injured crew member was hospitalized with severe injuries.
The explosion, which occurred around 7:25 a.m., was caused by a generator catching fire but was quickly extinguished by the Portland firefighters and the ship’s crew.
In a statement, the line said, “Ocean Navigator suffered a generator fire Wednesday morning while in Portland, ME. No passengers were injured, and thanks to the quick action of our crew, everyone was safely evacuated from the vessel. One crew member has been injured and is receiving care at a local hospital for his non-life threatening injuries.”
The vessel, with a capacity of 202 people and built-in 2001 (refurbished in 2019), is set to depart Portland today.
Princess Cruises Announces Changes in Pricing Strategy
The early bird gets the worm.
Princess Cruises has announced a significant shift in its pricing strategy, discontinuing last-minute discounts for cruises close to departure.
Instead, the company now prioritizing customers who book in advance, emphasizing that early bookings will yield the best deals.
This change comes in response to rising consumer demand, according to Princess’s chief commercial officer, Terry Thorton, who called it a “dramatic shift.”
To underscore their commitment to this new approach, Princess introduced a best-price guarantee, ensuring they match any lower price for the same cruise and stateroom category, emphasizing that the optimal time to secure a spot on a 2024 or 2025 Princess cruise is at present.
New Residential Cruise Ship Sets Sail on May 2024
Another residential cruise company has entered the chat without a ship.
For $100,000, individuals can purchase a cabin on the Villa Vie Residences cruise ship and live aboard for over three years, starting its voyage in May 2024.
The base cabin, priced at $99,999, offers 160 to 180 square feet of space, excluding monthly fees ranging from $2,499 to $3,499 based on occupancy.
The cruise will travel to 420 ports in 147 countries, with cabins equipped with amenities like a queen bed, bathroom, internet, and workspace.
Guests can invite visitors for a daily port tax and gratuity fee, and the itinerary can even be segmented for shorter stays.
Cabins can be resold or leased later. The ship will feature typical cruise amenities, including entertainment, dining, pools, and even a pet spa.
CEO Mikael Petterson revealed plans to purchase an operational ship by year’s end.
https://cruiseradio.net/
Tags: Mikael Petterson, Carnival Corporation (CCL), Royal Caribbean Group (RCL), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), Cruise News
