Grandeur of the Seas arrived in Freeport, The Bahamas, this morning at approximately 10:15 a.m. ET, with all 2,224 guests and 796 crew safe and accounted for. Royal Caribbean International’s President and CEO Adam Goldstein and a Guest Care team have arrived in Freeport to meet with guests.

While en route to CocoCay, The Bahamas, the ship experienced a fire in the mooring area in the aft of the ship at approximately 2:50 a.m. ET. The fire was extinguished at 4:58 a.m. and the ship was redirected to Freeport for further evaluation. In an abundance of caution, the Captain mustered all guests to their assembly stations during the incident. Guests were released from their muster stations at 6:56 a.m.

Grandeur of the Seas will remain docked in Freeport overnight. The aft area affected by fire has been cordoned off, but most public areas and staterooms are safe and accessible. Throughout, the ship’s power, propulsion and communications systems functioned uninterrupted. Guests have the option to spend the day on board or ashore in Freeport while a number of guests in affected staterooms will be put up in Freeport hotels.

The safety of our guests and crew is our top priority, and we will continue to focus on their needs and concerns currently. The onboard medical staff has responded to several calls for medical assistance, but none of them have been medical emergencies. The calls have included fainting, reports of high blood pressure and an ankle sprain.

A dedicated telephone hotline has been established for family members of guests at 1-888-824-0012 or internationally at +1-408-916-9000. The cruise line requests that only families of guests use the telephone numbers in order to help ease call volume and ensure that they can receive information as quickly as possible.

Grandeur of the Seas was on a seven-night sailing that departed Baltimore, Maryland, on May 24, and had included port calls to Port Canaveral, Florida; CocoCay and Nassau, The Bahamas.

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Princess Cruises is marking Memorial Day with a sale on more than 60 worldwide cruise vacations. Beginning today and running through May 28, the Memorial Day Sale features air savings to intriguing destinations such as Hawaii and Tahiti, Asia and Europe. Passengers can save up to $700 in air savings for two passengers. More information about the cruise sale and pricing can be found at princess.com/sale.

Examples of cruise deals include:

• Tahiti cruise – 10 days: $1,879 interior; $2,469 balcony (air savings up to $350)

• Asia cruise – 10 days: $1,269 interior; $1,999 balcony (air savings up to $250)

• Greek Isles cruise – 12 days: $1,079 interior; $1,579 balcony (air savings up to $200)

• Mediterranean cruise – 12 days: $1,229 interior; $1,629 balcony (air savings up to $200)

• Hawaiian Island cruise – 15 days: $1,599 interior; $2,299 balcony (air savings up to $100)

In addition to the Memorial Day Sale, Princess is also reminding passengers that the line offers a special onboard credit program with benefits for active military members and veterans. This credit of up to $250 (depending upon the length of the cruise) is available year round, and can be combined with the credit available through the Memorial Day Sale. Past passengers who have qualified for retired or veteran-status Military Personnel Benefits on previous sailings will have this discount automatically applied to their booking. Air savings are available to passengers booking Princess eZAir flights in conjunction with the cruise. Princess eZAir gives passengers easy and full control of their flights and the ability to seamlessly coordinate them with their cruise itinerary.

All cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy and include all applicable government fees and taxes.The Memorial Day Sale runs from 12:01 a.m. PT on May 23 through 11:59 p.m. PT on May 28, 2013 and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

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Windstar Cruises, a leader in yacht-style cruising, announces the debut of its new all-suite yacht, Star Pride, and the 2014 Pride Voyage Collection. The new voyages open for sale today, and feature four new itineraries exclusive to the all-suite yacht, including Windstar’s new itinerary through the Black Sea. Star Pride’s nine distinctive voyages highlight small-ship ports throughout the Mediterranean seas and French Riviera, tucking into tiny harbors and hidden coves that others can’t reach. The collection features voyages from May 5 to October 21, 2014.

“We are thrilled to welcome Star Pride to our fleet in Spring 2014, enabling Windstar to cruise a global set of itineraries to new destinations including our new Black Sea Tapestry voyage,” said Hans Birkholz, Windstar Cruises’ chief executive officer. “With a maximum of 212 guests on board, Star Pride delivers our promise of the private yacht experience in a casually elegant setting, all while exploring some of the world’s most legendary destinations and hidden harbors.”

The four exclusive Star Pride 2014 European voyages include:

Black Sea Tapestry

For the first time, Windstar offers the enigmatic, once hidden, wonders of Europe’s Black Sea in signature Windstar yachting style. This seven-day, roundtrip voyage from Istanbul, Turkey departs June 13, 20; and September 8, 2014, and visits five new ports including Yalta, Sevastopol, and Odessa, Ukraine; Constanta (Bucharest), Romania; and Nessebar, Bulgaria. Highlights include: Istanbul’s elegant Blue Mosque; Swallow’s Nest Castle in Yalta; the intriguing Potemkin Steps in Odessa; Sevastopol’s beautiful beaches; and medieval Nessebar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its impressive collection of historic churches.

Pride of the Aegean

Explore the breadth of the Aegean Sea, from the southernmost azure tip of Crete to the soaring spires of Istanbul, in one comprehensive nine-day sailing departing from Athens, Greece or Istanbul, Turkey on June 4, and 27; August 30; September 15 and 24; and October 3, 12, and 21, 2014. Star Pride visits Monemvasia, Chania, Santorini, and Rhodes, Greece; and Bodrum, Kusadasi, and Cesme, Turkey. Highlights include: Chania’s beautiful Venetian mansions and churches; the whitewashed buildings and blue domes of Santorini; the ancient Acropolis of Lindos in Rhodes; Cesme’s 14th century Genoese castle, as well as the marble, myths, and magic of Athens and Istanbul’s world-famous Grand Bazaar.

Riviera Enchantment

Discover the glamour, the enchantment, the excitement, and the exquisite élan of the world’s most famous yachting playgrounds on this seven-day voyage roundtrip from Rome, Italy departing May 21; and August 6, 2014. Rome sets the stage for this exciting cruise which visits some of the world’s most glamorous ports along the French Riviera including Cannes, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Portoferraio, Portofino, and Portovenere, Italy. For an added thrill, guests sailing on the May 21 departure can add Windstar’s Grand Prix Cruise Package and experience the perfect combination of luxury cruising and Formula One racing.

Venetian Passageways

Uncover the wonders of Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, as Windstar overnights in this magical city on this nine-day voyage along the ancient trade routes through the narrow Corinth Canal, to the ancient oracle of Delphi, and into the majestic fjords of Montenegro. Star Pride departs July 6; and August 21, 2014 from Athens, Greece or Venice, Italy visiting Hydra, Corinth Canal, Delphi/Itea, and Zakynthos, Greece; Butrint, Albania; Kotor, Montenegro; and Dubrovnik and Hvar, Croatia.

Also new for 2014, is Windstar’s Sicilian Splendors voyage. Sail around the Isle of Sicily and discover wonders from the ruins of Pompeii and Capri’s Blue Grotto to Baroque marvels and the breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi Coast with this 10-day sailing roundtrip from Rome, Italy departing May 11, 2014. This new 2014 voyage visits five new ports including Catania, Porto Empedocle, and Trapani, Italy; and Valletta and Gozo, Malta; as well as Lipari (Sicily), Sorrento, and Capri, Italy, and also spends one romantic night at sea. Highlights include: the ancient city of Syracuse in Catania; historic tapestries and armor in Valletta’s Palazzo Parisio; and some of the world’s best-preserved Greek ruins at the Valley of the Temples in Porto Empedocle.

In addition, Star Pride will offer many Windstar favorites including:

• Classic Italy & Dalmatian Coast: Discover the magic of Venice, the grandeur of Rome and the captivating island of Capri before cruising the privileged waters of the Ionian Sea with visits to the breathtaking fjords of Montenegro and the sundrenched shores of Croatia on this eight-day cruise departing from Rome or Venice on July 15 and August 13, 2014.

• Glitter & Glam of the Rivieras: From the sparkling cities of Marseille and Portofino to the chic style of Monaco and Cannes, Star Pride explores the legendary ports of the world’s most privileged yachts on this seven-day voyage departing from Rome or Barcelona on July 23 and 30, 2014.

• Enchanting Greece & the Amalfi Coast: This seven-day cruise departing May 28, 2014, explores the idyllic islands, charming cobbled villages, spectacular scenery, and intriguing history of the heart of the Mediterranean.

Star Pride, with a guest capacity of 212 in 106 suites, will undergo several upgrades and changes in styling and décor to align with Windstar’s brand. Star Pride will showcase many signature Windstar experiences, including the line’s famous Sail Away party, Yacht Deck Barbecue gala and Open Bridge policy.

For more information about these new itineraries, hotel and land packages, and to book, contact a travel professional, call Windstar at 800-258-7245 or visit www.WindstarCruises.com.

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Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, was christened by the legendary Rockettes® during a ceremony officiated by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” hosted the highly anticipated ceremony. “The arrival of the Norwegian Breakaway—the largest cruise ship to homeport in Manhattan—is another proof point of the growth and success of New York City’s $200 million cruise sector, a cornerstone of the City’s $55 billion tourism industry,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

Throughout the christening ceremony simulcast in ten venues around the ship, Norwegian Breakaway’s spectacular onboard amenities and entertainment were showcased in front of more than 4,000 guests. From live performances by Slam Allen, Howl at the Moon, Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy, along with Burn the Floor and a show stomping finale featuring Rock of Ages, Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship ever to homeport in Manhattan, kicked off its arrival to New York City in style. “New York’s ship is home where she belongs,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We’ve been anticipating this moment for more than two years and are so thrilled to finally have Norwegian Breakaway amongst New York City’s greatest icons. We thank the City of New York for the warm welcome and are looking forward to a very successful inaugural season.”

Boasting hull artwork designed by pop icon and America’s most popular living artist, Peter Max, Norwegian Breakaway was designed as New York’s ship inside and out. On board, guests will enjoy the high-caliber dining and entertainment options that New York City is known for worldwide, including three new restaurants by Food Network star and acclaimed New York chef Geoffrey Zakarian. The ship’s groundbreaking design also includes an open-air boardwalk called The Waterfront, the largest aqua park at sea, with five waterslides, and a wide array of accommodations including 60 suites in The Haven, innovative studios for solo travelers, ocean view staterooms, balcony and mini-suite staterooms for families.

“The cruise industry in New York City continues to thrive, with a total economic impact of nearly $200 million last year alone, which is why we have made significant investments to accommodate a new generation of ships like the Norwegian Breakaway” said NYCEDC Executive Director Kyle Kimball. “The Norwegian Breakaway, a state-of-the-art ship, will ensure the continued growth in this critical industry, generating millions of dollars in spending, creating jobs and helping to maintain our reputation as a cruise capital of the world.”

“Last year, New York City welcomed a record 52 million visitors, an all-time high—with the addition of Norwegian Breakaway, there will be even more opportunities for visitors to experience and enjoy the best that New York City has to offer, both on land and at sea,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta. Norwegian Breakaway will begin her weekly seven-day cruises to Bermuda, throughout the summer, on Sunday, May 12 with a special guest onboard, Kevin Sheehan, the line’s Chief Executive Officer. From October through April, Norwegian Breakaway will offer seven-day voyages from the heart of Manhattan to the Bahamas and Florida, as well as two 12-day sailings to the Southern Caribbean.

Designed as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway brings the best of NYC to sea from her year-round homeport in Manhattan, offering the high-caliber dining and entertainment options that New York is known for worldwide. The ship’s groundbreaking design includes an open-air boardwalk, The Waterfront, and 678 Ocean Place; a wide range of indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that will create a whole new complex at sea that enhances guests’ connection with the ocean. Norwegian Breakaway’s entertainment includes three Broadway shows: five-time Tony nominated ROCK OF AGES; the dance sensation BURN THE FLOOR; and CIRQUE DREAMS & DINNER JUNGLE FANTASY. The famed comedy troupe The Second City, Howl at the Moon dueling pianos, and New York’s own Slam Allen also perform on the vessel. Norwegian Breakaway features an exciting fireworks show on every cruise that will dazzle guests on the second to last night at sea each week, and is the grand finale of a decadent 1980s-themed deck party.

Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian has also debuted his first restaurant at sea on Norwegian Breakaway: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian, along with two additional venues, The Raw Bar and Ocean Blue on the Waterfront. Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss,” opened an extension of his popular bakery, Carlo’s Bake Shop, onbard. The ship features a total of 27 dining options on board and an Ice Bar, which is kept at 17 degrees Fahrenheit and features New York City-inspired specialty cocktails, as well as ice sculptures of the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty to pay homage to New York City.

The top decks of Norwegian Breakaway feature the first Aqua Park at sea with five full-size water slides, including twin Free Fall slides, the first ever at sea, and a three-story sports complex that includes the largest ropes course at sea, a nine-hole miniature golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall and more. The ship also offers a rich mix of stateroom options including The Haven™ by Norwegian, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship and 22 additional Suites located throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers; Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa.

For more information on the incredible features and accommodations on Norwegian Breakaway, visit www.breakaway.ncl.com.

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In celebration of Earth Day, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today highlighted the ongoing efforts of its member lines to protect the ocean environment. CLIA and its members lines have a vested interest in protecting the environment, not only because it is the responsible thing to do — but also because clean oceans and beaches are essential to the cruise experience. The international environmental standards that apply to the cruise line industry are stringent and comprehensive and are established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a United Nations agency, as well as national laws of port States where cruise ships visit. The cruise industry, however, employs practices and procedures that are substantially more protective of the environment than are required by regulation and CLIA member lines must meet and often exceed all applicable environmental regulations on a ship’s voyage.

CLIA members have been at the forefront of wastewater treatment, emissions reduction and the development of innovative technologies to further reduce the environmental impact of cruising.

“I am extremely proud of the extensive investments and ongoing commitment of our member lines to safeguard the environment for future generations through responsible practices and continuous innovation,” said Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA. “The cruise industry has invested extensively to develop and implement wide range of new technologies that protect air and water quality and increase energy efficiency.”

Energy efficiency is a major focus of the cruise industry, which has adopted practices such as using recycled hot water to heat passenger cabins, using special window tinting to keep passageways cooler while using less air conditioning, and switching to low energy LED lights which last 25 times longer, use 80% less energy, and generate 50% less heat. All of these efforts also reduce air emissions. CLIA members have invested significantly over the last decade to develop and implement new technologies that help to reduce air emissions, including utilizing exhaust gas scrubbers, developing engines that run more efficiently and increasing the use of shore power, which involves a ship connecting to shore-side power and shutting down its own engines while in port.
Working with the IMO, the United States and other flag and port States, CLIA has participated in the development of consistent and uniform international standards governing waste management that apply to all member ships that travel internationally. CLIA members have also adopted the Cruise Industry Waste Management Practices and Procedures, which are even more protective than the existing regulatory requirements.

Many CLIA member lines offer programs to raise passenger awareness and to encourage them to conserve energy and contribute to the industry’s environmental stewardship efforts by recycling paper, plastic, aluminum cans and glass through the use of dedicated bins throughout the ship. Passengers are also encouraged to preserve energy like they would do at home, such as turning off lights when not in their cabins.

Additional initiatives and practices in place at CLIA member lines include the following:

— Several lines are in various stages of utilizing advanced wastewater
treatment systems which can produce water cleaner than most wastewater
treatment facilities in U.S. cities.

— One member line has installed solar panels on five ships — and on one
ship over 200 solar panels have been installed, which generate enough
power to operate approximately 7,000 LED lights.

— A number of member lines use fabric bags — including laundry, dry
cleaning, and shoe shine bags — in lieu of plastic bags, thereby
reducing plastic from the waste stream.

— Many lines are using ecological, non-toxic, slick hull coatings that save
as much as 5% of fuel usage for propulsion.

— Condensation from shipboard air conditioning units is reclaimed and then
re-used to wash the decks on a CLIA member line’s ships, saving up to
22.3 million gallons of fresh water in 2012 alone.

— One CLIA member line saves paper by using an E-Tickets program which
delivers cruise documents to guests electronically instead of on paper.
The passengers cruise documents are delivered as a PDF file through
email.

— Various ships are installing high-efficiency appliances onboard their
ships in order to minimize their impact on the environment. Every type of
appliance onboard the ships is evaluated for efficiency, including TV’s,
coffee makers, ovens and dishwashers.

— One CLIA member line is self-generating 87% of the water used on board
its ships, compared with 65% in 2008.

— One CLIA member line introduced a revolutionary system for fresh water
production that consumes 40% less power than traditional systems.

— Current shipboard recycling programs onboard one line’s ships eliminates
more than 900 tons of metal, glass, plastic and paper — approximately
45% of all solid waste generated — from traditional waste streams each
year.

— Through its robust waste management programs, one line has increased its
waste recycled and reused by over 75% while reducing the amount of waste
going to landfill by over 50% in the past five years.

The cruise industry is highlighting how its member lines are safeguarding the oceans and the environment through the recently launched ‘Cruise Forward’ industry-wide communications initiative. Specific examples of how cruise lines across the globe are actively working to reduce the overall environmental impact of cruising and preserve and protect pristine oceans, beaches and ports can be found online at www.cruiseforward.org.

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Carnival Cruise Lines announced today that it has implemented a program to significantly enhance emergency power capabilities, introduce new fire safety technology, and improve the level of operating redundancies across its entire 24-ship fleet. This enhancement program will cost more than $300 million, and rapid upgrades have already begun. The actions by Carnival Cruise Lines will expand the availability of hotel services for the comfort of its guests in the rare instance of a shipboard event that involves the loss of main power. In addition, the plan will reinforce key shipboard operating systems to further prevent a potential loss of primary power. The improvement plan is the result of a comprehensive operational review, overseen by parent company Carnival Corporation & plc, initiated immediately after the Carnival Triumph fire in February 2013.

“All of Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships operate safely today. Each vessel already has effective systems in place to prevent, detect and respond to emergency situations, and we meet or exceed all regulatory requirements,” said Gerry Cahill, president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines. “However, by applying lessons learned through our fleet-wide operational review after the Carnival Triumph fire and by taking advantage of new technologies, we have identified areas for enhancement across our operations. These initiatives reflect our commitment to safe and reliable operations and an enjoyable cruising experience for the nearly 4.5 million guests who sail with Carnival Cruise Lines each year.”

• Increased Emergency Generator Power

The initial increase in emergency generator power across Carnival Cruise Lines’ fleet of 24 ships will be completed over the next several months. An additional emergency generator will be installed on each vessel to provide for 100 percent of stateroom and public toilets, fresh water and elevators in the unlikely event of a loss of main power. The work is already underway and will not affect scheduled itineraries. Upon completion of the initial phase, the line will install a second permanent back-up power system on each ship to provide an even greater level of hotel and guest services if main power is lost. These additional services will include expanded cooking facilities and cold food storage, as well as internet and telephone communications.
“Although every ship in our fleet currently has emergency back-up power which is designed to enable the continuous operation of safety equipment and some hotel services, it is our intent to significantly bolster that back-up power to support the core hotel services. With this improvement, we will better ensure guest comfort in the rare instance of a loss of main power,” said Cahill.

• Increased Fire Prevention, Detection and Suppression Systems

The company will also make additional investments in the newest and most technically advanced fire prevention, detection and suppression systems. This includes upgrading the existing water mist fire suppression systems already in place on Carnival vessels to the newest generation. When triggered, this high-pressure water mist system instantly creates a larger and thicker blanket of water droplets than the present system. As the water droplets evaporate, the system also rapidly cools any hot areas to prevent the possibility of a fire restarting.
“On Carnival Triumph, our fire systems were effective and our teams performed well in controlling and extinguishing the fire. However, we want to take advantage of the latest and most-advanced generation of fire safety systems to enhance the current extensive capabilities across our fleet,” added Cahill.

• Enhanced Operating Redundancies

All of Carnival Cruise Lines ships have two separate, redundant engine rooms. The company’s operational review has identified modifications to further decrease the likelihood of losing propulsion or primary power, as happened on Carnival Triumph in February. The modifications will include a reconfiguration of certain engine-related electrical components. On ships where these enhancements will be made, the design and fabrication of specialized components will require longer lead times for completion, in contrast to the immediate upgrades to back-up emergency power and other systems.
Last month, Carnival Cruise Lines announced results from the first phase of the company’s operational review, specifically addressing Carnival Triumph and Carnival Sunshine, both of which are currently out of service. The plan for each of these ships addresses each of the three areas outlined above.

• Company to Form New Safety & Reliability Review Board

Carnival Cruise Lines also announced the formation of a Safety & Reliability Review Board comprised of outside experts with significant expertise in marine and occupational safety, reliability and maintenance, marine regulatory compliance and quality control/assurance. The company already receives oversight and input from outside regulatory authorities and industry experts. The new Review Board will provide an additional, independent third-party perspective, drawing from deep experience across a number of relevant fields and organizations. The Review Board will be comprised of five external members. Active searches are underway for candidates with previous experience in organizations such as the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and National Transportation Safety Board, as well as leading airlines and equipment manufacturers. “The formation of our Safety & Reliability Review Board is an integral part of how Carnival Cruise Lines will drive continuous improvement across our fleet. We will be responsive to its recommendations,” said Cahill.

• Carnival Corporation & plc Fleet Enhancements

Parent company Carnival Corporation & plc previously announced a corporate-wide operational review of all 10 of its brands and 101 ships. The review process will include learnings from the recent incidents that can be applied across the corporation’s fleet. Carnival Corporation & plc has confirmed that, based on the results of the ongoing review, the latest versions of technologies and enhancements will also be implemented on the remainder of the fleet where they are not already present. The overall program of enhancements across the corporation’s 101-ship fleet, including Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships, is expected to cost between $600 and $700 million. “Our fleet already operates at a high standard of reliability. The investments announced today for Carnival Cruise Lines, and those we will continue to make, will reinforce our ability to consistently deliver the customer experience that 10 million people every year have come to expect from us across our fleet of 101 ships. Absolutely nothing is more important than the safety and comfort of our guests and crew, and we will use the full resources of our company to meet that commitment,” said Micky Arison, Chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc. Initial implementation of the upgrades to the Carnival Corporation & plc fleet will take place during the next several months. Each class of ship is different and often systems differ on ships within a class, so the enhancements will be tailored to each vessel. All findings from the operational review will be shared with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) as part of the industry-wide operational review announced in March.

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