New Pan Am Jet Service

Youtube strikes again... Check out this old commercial from 1958 regarding the "New" Pan Am 707 Jet service. Oh those were the good old days.

Times sure has changed

RCI expands Smoke-Free Areas

Royal Caribbean announced today they will make all staterooms & suite non smoking. So starting January, you will have to step outside on the balcony, designated Bar/lounge areas, or the outer decks.

According to Royal Caribbean, "violations of the smoking policy will result in cleaning charges to the guest's onboard account". WELL... I don't smoke but did you have to state it like that? The defend their policy as part of their new contemporary approach to healthier lifestyles for their guest. And it doesn't hurt that, SURVEY SHOWS ... "Strong support of the new smoking policy"

So there you have it.

Open Seating Test on RCI

Royal Caribbean International has confirmed it will be testing the the open seating dining concept on the Freedom of the Seas from October 14 thru December 16. The flexible dining program is in response to Holland America's "As you Wish" open seaing on their ships. Holland will expand the concept to fleet wide over the next year. Holland America like Princess will still have the traditional seating on some of the restaurants.

I personally think the flexible dining is here to stay. Some people will still prefer traditional set dining hours but there are many people, like myself who like the flexible concept.

United Hires New Pilots

United Airlines Opens Online Application for New Pilots Today - UAL will begin accepting applications for 100 new pilots. It is the first time they have hired since 2001.

“We’re investing in our business; and our expansion in international markets enables us to add to our team of the best, highly skilled professional aviators in the world,” says Captain Hank Krakowski, vice president of Flight Operations. “United’s industry-leading, advanced qualification training program ensures that our pilots are technically proficient and have also mastered the crew-based, collaborative decision making and real-world problem solving that sets United pilots apart.”

The entire rcruitment will be conducted online...
If interested contact United

Carnival's CEO Retires

Carnival Cruise Line's President and CEO, Bob Dickinson announced that he will retire at the end of the year. I was completely surprised by the annoucement. I met Bob in 1995 at a Cruise Convention, that day we had some of the most inspirering conversation which shaped my career in the industry. Bob Dickinson is one of the cruise industry most recognizable and influential executives. We will miss him.

"I have been blessed to have had a long, fun-filled career helping to build Carnival and the cruise industry," Dickinson said. "I'm still having fun so giving all of that up has been a very difficult decision, but I'll be 65 next month and have been pondering this with my family for some time. I look forward to working with Gerry who will inherit what I believe is the most talented and dedicated management team in the cruise industry."

Dickinson's boss for some time, Carnival Corp. Chairman and CEO Micky Arison, said: "Bob has truly achieved legendary status in the travel industry. There is simply no other travel industry executive who is as well known and respected as he." Arison called Dickinson "one of the most influential people in the development of the modern-day cruise industry" who will be missed "not only by everyone here at Carnival, but by travel agents, his competitors and the media who loved his often humorous sound bites."

Gerry Cahill will assume the responsibility of President and CEO immediately "so that there is an ample transtition period," the company said David Bernstein, Carnival Corp.'s vice president and treasurer, will become the company's CFO, also effective immediately.

New FunshipIsland website

Funshipisland.com - I just found this website, designed obviously by Carnival Cruise Line. It is full of Flash and interactive elements to give you an idea of what your experience might be on a cruise. I think it is kind of fun to play and click around.

Go Check it out Funshipisland.com

New Cruise Line - Azamara

Azamara Cruises - is the new deluxe cruise line launched by parent company Royal Caribbean earlier this year. They have two - 710 passengers ships, the Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest. If you get a chance to experience this cruise line you should. Prices for Interliners are reasonable especially right now, since the general public does not have much awareness of this new cruise line.

InterlineRates.com has a Bermuda Cruise from Newark starting at $599, they are going fast though. While I was writing this blog two of them sold out. WOW

Check it out at InterlineRates.com

InterlineRates.com - One Day Sale

http://www.InterlineRates.com has a one day Interline Appreciation Sale on the 4th of July. Check out all the repositioning and Pacific Coastal Cruise for September and October. It must be booked online, sale ends midnight.

HAL launched Culinary Arts

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE launched a Culinary Arts Center program for kids and teens, using the same million-dollar kitchens from the Culinary Arts Center it has on its ships. Starting this summer, the line will offer complimentary, 45-minute classes that will incorporate dishes from breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Richard Meadows, HAL executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, said, "Learning about the culinary arts and cooking isn't just for adults." Recipes include: Bear Tracks (Alaska-themed cookies), ice cream sandwiches, soft pretzels, granola bars and saltwater taffy. Check out the detail on Holland America's Website

Costa's Newest Homeport

COSTA CRUISES will this winter operate Indian Ocean cruises that depart from Mauritius. The line said it would become the first major cruise line to homeport a ship on Mauritius, an island nation east of Madagascar. Between Dec. 22 and March 1, the 1,000-passenger Costa Marina will run six 14-day cruises departing on Saturdays and calling in Kenya and nearby islands, including Madagascar and Reunion. Costa CEO Pier Luigi Foschi said that judging from the itinerary's advance bookings, it will be a popular itinerary.

Seabourn's New Ship

SEABOURN CRUISE LINE will name its new ship the Seabourn Odyssey and debut the $250 million new-build in Venice in mid-2009. The 225-suite ship is currently under construction at Italy's T. Mariotti shipyard; it will be the first addition to Seabourn's fleet in close to 20 years. The line said that plans for the vessel's maiden voyages are expected to be released by the end of this year. Seabourn President Pamela Conover said that out of hundreds of names the line considered, it wanted a name that would reflect the ship's primary purpose: "to wander the globe, carrying our guests to the world's most exciting ... destinations."