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| The Front Page |
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 Top Story
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Our Top 10 Caribbean Cruise Experiences
My neighbor is off this week on a Caribbean cruise, and in wondering how she's faring, I was thinking of my own Top 10 list of The Best Caribbean Cruise Experiences. From viewing ruins on a Cozumel shore trip to exploring the rainforest of Martinque, from onboard dining to private island experiences, here is my Top 10 list of those experiences that have made a Caribbean cruise special for me. Come along for my list and contribute your own list of top experiences....
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Captain's Blogbook
One of a Kind
A few weeks ago Holland America Line put out a release about reaching the "135 years in business mark" It was an innocuous press release, not destined for greatness in the grand scheme of media desires for more meaty news.
But after the events of the past few weeks -- the bankruptcy filings of several well-known consumer brands, the public reporting by the media that Sears and Gap are teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, the purchase of Wendy's by Arby's, and the news of airlines seeking mergers to survive -- we thought it appropriate to reflect on Holland America's storied anniversary.
Any firm in business for 135 years has learned to adapt to market conditions. Founded in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on April 18, 1873, Holland America was named the the Netherlands-America Steamship Company and sailed as a cargo line carrying goods from Europe on steam and sailing vessels. That was less than a decade after the end of the Civil War; the telephone, automobile and airplane were yet to be invented. In the late 19th and early 20th century, the line adapted its business mission to carry thousands of immigrants to North America. In two World Wars it supported the allied cause. In the 1960s it survived the industry's rocky transition from "transportation" to "cruising." And in the early 2000s it re-energized its onboard product.
Certainly ownership by parent Carnival Corp. -- which purchased the line in 1989 -- has brought stability, financing clout, new ships and a hands-off ownership approach. Smart management over the years has retained the product's historical charisma while upgrading its amenities. But in the end, it's all about having a product people want and desire. Since its founding, Holland America Line has carried more than 10 million passengers. We wish the line a belated happy birthday! Reaching the 135 year mark is an admirable achievement -- certainly one far too few firms will ever reach.
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Southern Cruising Features
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Cruise Impressions: "Toy Story-The Musical" Debuts
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Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their beloved toy pals return in a new musical production, "Toy Story - The Musical," onboard Disney Wonder. Yes, your favorite toys are back but this time appearing on stage at sea. They sing, they dance, they wow! Editor Susan J. Young watched the debut of this delightful musical onboard the ship at Port Canaveral. Join us for her impressions and original photos.
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"The Orchestra Is Coming to Town," Says Sasso
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Next January, MSC Cruises' Orchestra, that line's largest ship ever to sail from a southern U.S. port, will operate Caribbean cruises from Port Everglades, FL. Later this year,the MSC Lirica will also sail from that port. On a $6.5 billion track to expansion, MSC will boast 25,000 berths by late 2009 on 12 ships. Rick Sasso, MSC Cruises USA's president and CEO, is orchestrating the American introduction. So take it away maestro!
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Gerry Cahill and Other Cruise Execs Talk "Economy"
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What's the cruise industry's outlook given a weakening U.S. economy? Cruise executives gave their perspective during a recent "State of the Industry" discussion at the 2008 Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami Beach, FL. Gerry Cahill, president and CEO, Carnival Cruise Lines, gave the lead-off assessment, followed by insights from Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises and Holland America executives. What's ahead?
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Dan Hanrahan: State of the Cruise Industry Address
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Due to a family medical emergency, we missed attending the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention for the first time in seven years! Many thanks to Marilyn Green, a superb cruise writer and a good friend, for sending us an audio tape of the State of the Industry address given by Dan Hanrahan, president and CEO, Celebrity Cruises, and chairman of Cruise Lines International Association. Also thanks to Andy Newman who supplied photos.
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Reader Cruise Reports
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Reader Blog Comments: Our Silver Shadow Cruise
We're blogging through Dec. 22 from Silversea Cruises' Silver Shadow. Do you have any comments on our blogs? Or perhaps a question about the cruise or the line? Or just any comments relative to a trip you've taken on this ship or line?... if so send us an email. Click read more to read some reader comments on our blogs.
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Finding the Fun on FunShipIsland.com
An inquring reader, C.B., asks us how one can find the "fun things" within Carnival's razzle-dazzle FunShipIsland.com site. We had previously looked at the site and admired many of its features. But our reader brings up a good point. Some of the neatest features she was looking for are buried within the site. We asked Carnival for a response -- and got one. Read on for the scoop!
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Beer Included on Silversea?
Readers Henry and Kristen from Texas write that they were intrigued by the inclusive nature of the Silversea product while browsing our site but wondered if beer was included within the cruise fare? Henry pointed out that both our profile and the Silversea Web site list wine, champagne and spirits as included but he wasn't sure if "spirits" covered beer. We asked Silversea about this. Read on for the line's response.
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