In typical English-style pomp and circumstance and drizzly weather, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Independence of the Seas was christened in Southampton

Southampton will be Independence’s homeport for the summer. Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean chairman and CEO, called Independence “the largest, most innovative cruise ship ever to sail from these shores.” He noted that Britons are the line’s second largest source market after Americans. ‘We as a cruise company and Britain as a cruise market have grown up together,’ he said.

Godmother Elizabeth Hill, selected in a UK nationwide search for an “ordinary woman” who has made an extraordinary contribution to the common good, operates a farm where troubled and learning disabled children can learn new skills. Fain called her an “unsung hero.”

Like Cunard’s Queen Victoria’s godmother, Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall, Hill’s christening was marred by an unbreakable bottle. Is this an English thing.

Disney Cruise Line becomes the last major cruise line to institute a fuel surcharge. The company is implementing a fee of $8 per person, per day for the first two passengers in a stateroom and $3 per day for all other guests. The supplement is effective for new bookings only, made on or after May 28.

The amount will be capped at $112 each for the first and second person in a stateroom and $42 each for all other guests in the room.

Joe Ueberroth, Chairman and CEO of the Company, stated, “We are committed to operating the 2008 season of Majestic America Line while conducting our exit of the business in an orderly and effective manner. Several credible parties have expressed a sincere interest in acquiring some and/or all the assets of Majestic America Line and building upon the efforts and investments we have made in delivering unique cruise experiences that celebrate American history, culture and our magnificent waterways.

In addition, our decision to exit Majestic America Line enables us to focus our efforts and investments on the successes of Windstar Cruises. Our dedicated American crew remain committed to providing our customers with extraordinary cruises and key vendors and business partners are working with us to ensure a smooth transition.”

The Company has a conference call scheduled on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 to discuss the financial results for the first quarter of 2008 and at that time management will elaborate further on the decision to sell Majestic America Line.

Compagnie des Iles du Ponant’s Le Ponant is due to reach the French Mediterranean coast this weekend and will head to the yards in La Ciotat for a check-up and some light refurbishment following its hijacking off the coast of Somalia three weeks ago.

‘The crew wasn’t harmed and the ship didn’t suffer any real damage,’ said Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée, head of the company. He added that the three-masted vessel would receive some improvements that had been planned for the autumn.

After that, Le Ponant will sail to Naples, where she will resume her planned schedule on May 5.

‘Only four cruises were cancelled, of which three were charters,’ said Eric Lustman, CIP’s commercial director. ‘All our customers were very understanding and supported us. For two of these cruises, sailing was switched to a land tour. The others have postponed their charter to the autumn.’