Cruise Line News

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES
on April 6 will permanently switch itineraries operated by the Fantasy and the Sensation, due to a technical issue with the propulsion system on the Sensation. The ship is unable to operate at maximum cruising speed to complete five-day itineraries to Bahamas and Grand Turk and will take over the Fantasy's three- and four-day itineraries to the Bahamas. The Fantasy will take over the Sensation's route.

THE FANTASY AND SENSATION
are sister ships with the same features, amenities, accommodations and layout, and passengers' reservations will automatically change from one ship to the other; booking numbers and stateroom assignments will stay the same. Guests also can use their preexisting cruise documents.

PRINCESS CRUISES
canceled the remainder of its Caribbean cruise season and a transatlantic cruise on the Star Princess. The ship was taken out of service after a fire damaged 100 cabins; one person died and 11 people were injured in the fire. The ship's next scheduled sailing will be May 15, from Copenhagen, Denmark. Passengers booked on the canceled cruises will receive full refunds and a 25% credit toward future Princess cruises.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE
is getting loads of airtime. The Norwegian Jewel was the center of an episode of NBC's "The Apprentice." The two teams faced off to create a 30-second ad for NCL's Freestyle Cruising concept. On April 6 HBO will air "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise," a documentary about the first cruise for gay and lesbian families, which was held on the Norwegian Dawn.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN
is wearing its heart on its sleeve -- or at least on its building. The line kicked off its Travel Agent Appreciation Month on April 1 by unveiling the slogan: "Royal Caribbean Recommends Using a Travel Agent" and by hanging a giant banner from its Miami headquarters. Other facets of the campaign: a sweepstakes for bookings made in April for travel between August and December and Travel Agent Appreciation Month promos in newspaper and online ads.

Crystal Introduces Private Adventures
The trend toward enhancement of the shore side of a cruise experience continues with the news that Crystal Cruises has launched "Crystal Private Adventures" to further personalize its guests' shore experiences. The line's Private Adventures specialists will accommodate everything from personalized arrangements to a private chartered yacht. Crystal Private Adventures is offered to guests already booked on a Crystal cruise for a $100 nonrefundable charge, due upon receipt of request.

If the guest accepts the personalized shore program, the service fee is applied to the booking. There are three ways to pre-reserve. Agents or clients may go to [www.crystalcruises.com] and click on "Crystal Private Adventures" under the Crystal Adventures (shore excursion) tab. Guests complete the online form and e-mail it directly to [PrivateAdventures@crystalcruises.com]. Also, a form is included in the 90-day preliminary documents sent to all guests, with a direct return fax number to the Crystal Private Adventures desk. Or, agents or guests may call 866-446-6625 to discuss details. All verbal requests must then be confirmed in writing via email or fax. Details of each Crystal Private Adventure are shared with the respective ship in advance of sail date, and guests receive a confirmed agenda and tour tickets upon boarding