The recent announcement by Royal Caribbean Cruises to axe 400 jobs owing to a 55 per cent increase to its fuel costs and a sharp drop in second quarter net income seems to be the least of its worries. ExpertCruiser hears that current employees at Royal Caribbean are very unhappy with how the layoffs were conducted and that moral is at an all time low.

Employees are upset that the company has not been recruiting from within, but has chosen to go outside the royal confines and hire talent from other cruise lines. In fact, two departments in Royal Caribbean are now being run by people poached from Carnival. One of which started last week! Given the fact that some of the fired employees had over twenty years service with Royal Caribbean seems all is not well.

What message is Royal Caribbean sending to its own troops when it gives long-time employees the heave-ho citing costs then turns around only to throw big sums of money to hook other cruise lines executives?  Also, why are they so focused on Carnival?  Hmmm.

Also, ex-employees are speaking out. A family member of a fired employee wrote the following on ExpertCruiser’s blog: “They made my fiancée sign a piece of paper stating that he would forfeit his severance if he talked to a news media or if he filed a lawsuit. They are basically holding their severances hostage. Royal Caribbean has tried to put up the front that they are family oriented and care for their employees and like to promote company loyalty. This was so opposite of their public persona.”

Clearly, Royal Caribbean is not a happy workplace.

The Carnival Fantasy, a 2,056-passenger cruise ship based in New Orleans, will end its voyage in Mobile on Saturday as a result of the fuel oil spill earlier this week that closed the Mississippi River, Carnival announced today. The ship will also depart from Mobile on Saturday Carnival said.

The line stated that passengers will return to the Port of New Orleans or Louis Armstrong International Airport via bus. Buses will also transport departing passengers from the Port of New Orleans to Mobile to board the Fantasy.

The Fantasy, which operates four- and five-day cruises to Mexico is expected to return to the Port of New Orleans when the spill is cleaned up.

Colorful strands of pearls and streamers adorning both sides of the hull add striking flair to the high-energy Norwegian Pearl. This ship revolutionizes cruising with the industry’s first onboard bowling alley. The four lane, ten-pin bowling alley is part of the sports bar/nightclub complex Bliss, which also features air hockey, foosball, arcade games and multiple flat screen televisions. By nightfall, Bliss converts to a sleek and modern lounge complete with a spacious dance floor, full bar, and mood-lit bowling.

Other features on the Pearl include Norwegian’s first rock-climbing wall and thalassotherapy pool, as well as two 535 square feet Deluxe Owner’s Suites. The Norwegian Pearl boasts 12 additional bars and lounges, such as the Stardust Theater, Magnum’s Champagne & Wine Bar, Corona Cigar Bar and the Java Cafe. Passengers can take advantage of Norwegian’s Freestyle Dining concept in one of 10 restaurants, including Cagney’s Steakhouse, La Cucina Italian, Mambos Latin/Tapas Restaurant and Lotus Garden Asian Restaurant. The Pearl features a variety of other public areas and amenities, and each stateroom offers a television, telephone and 24-hour room service.

Click here to read more about the Norwegian Pearl.

Want to know more about the Norwegian Pearl? Click here.

A grizzly bear attacked a young woman at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge at Cooper Landing on Wednesday, The young woman is a maid at the hotel.

According to reports the bear attacked her while she was on a hike around the resort. The bear had taken the woman by the head into the bushes but was scared away by a guest at the hotel.

The woman was identified as Abby Sisk, 21, of Utah — she is in critical condition at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

The lodge is now advising guests to use shuttles to the main lodge or walk in groups around the property. Several trails have been closed, including the one where Sisk was attacked.

Lodge general manager Dan Michels said no one saw any bear cubs nearby and staff members have no idea why the bear attacked. Troopers have looked for the bear, but have been unsuccessful thus far.

The 86-room Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge is one of five Princess Lodges in Alaska and is a frequent pre-and post-cruise excurison for Princess Cruises passengers.