2/24/09 – Malaga Traffic 2008 – 2009

Malaga has reported 352,875 transit passengers on 268 calls in 2008, an 11 percent increase over 2007, and 27,471 passengers on 35 homeported sailings.

The forecast for 2009 is for a total of 450,000 passengers. (Malaga did not break down the estimated homeported passengers.)

2/24/09 – Silversea Offers the World at 50% Off

Discerning luxury travelers with their sights set on the ultimate travel deal (not to mention the world’s hottest destinations and most exotic locales) will find incomparable value and exceptional savings opportunities now offered on over 75 Silversea voyages in 2009.  

For a limited time, savvy travelers can take advantage of unprecedented booking incentives on diverse itineraries exploring

2/24/09 – Costa’s New Blog Has Arrived

Costa Cruises, Italy’s largest tourism group and Europe’s no. 1 cruise company, has opened a new communication channel in Italy on the worldwide web: “blog.costacrociere.it”.

The purpose of the company’s new blog is to open a direct channel with guests on Costa’s ships and with all web users through an immediate and two-way communication space, keeping them constantly

2/24/09 – It Pays to Be Green

The Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) saved 120,000 litres of diesel, representing a cash saving of more than DKK ¾ million (SEK 1 million), according to a press release from the port.

CMP used 12% less diesel in 2008, and air pollution from its operations fell by an average of 19% compared to 2007.

“A number of factors contributed

2/24/09 – South America Cruise Capacity up 40 %

Cruise passenger capacity in South America will increase by 40 percent for the 2009-2010 season (November through April), compared to 2008-2009, according to estimates by Cruise Industry News.

The most significant jump is by MSC Cruises, which will sail with six ships in 09-10 (including the 2,550-passenger Orchestra), compared to four ships in 08-09, and is expected to

2/24/09 – Uruguayan Cruise Industry Posts Significant Growth

Uruguay’s cruise revenue, number of cruise passengers and ships all posted historic highs in the 2007/8 season, underlining the country’s ability to satisfy the increasing world appetite for more exotic and higher-end cruise destinations, reported Dr. Ana María Pascale, cruise travel director of Uruguay’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (Mintur).

During last year’s cruise season, which ran from November

2/24/09 – NCL Debuts Customized Guest Cruise Guide

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched a new, innovative and personalized approach to pre-cruise information with the debut of its “Welcome Aboard” booklet, a customized cruise guide featuring everything a guest needs to know in preparation for cruising with NCL.  The 21-page booklet is one of the more than 75 new programs and services launched as part of Partnership 2.0,

From the Cruise Industry News Newsletter, 2/17/09

Market Growth

The North American cruise capacity will grow from 10.9 million passengers at the start of 2009 to 13.3 million annually in 2012, based on new ship deliveries and known ship movements and passenger sourcing.

In addition to forecasting North American capacity growth, Cruise Industry News also tracks the European markets in this report, including the UK,

2/23/09 – MSC Cruises to Host Finals of ‘Miss Italia USA 2009′

MSC Cruises’ beautiful MSC Orchestra will welcome a bevy of beautiful women as it hosts the “Miss Italia USA 2009” finals of the Miss Italia del Mondo contest on its March 21 sailing.
 
Pageant finalists sailing on the cruise were selected during competitions held in Washington, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, Long Island, New Jersey, Ohio, Rhode Island,

2/23/09 – Saga Rose Travels Through Panama Canal for Final Round-the-World Cruise

One of the oldest