CruiseOne is removing job insecurity from the cruise booking equation by offering the "first ever comprehensive" job loss travel insurance policy. CruiseAssurance offers consumers the security of knowing that they can cancel their cruise, on any cruise line, up to the last minute, and beyond, because of an unexpected layoff.

"The hurdle our agents are experiencing is that consumers are waiting," Steven M. Hattem, vice president, marketing for CruiseOne, told Travel Trade. "They are waiting because they're not sure if they're going to have a job and be able to afford a vacation."

CruiseAssurance, Hattem added, takes that thought process out of the equation. "There's no need to wait anymore. You can plan a cruise, pay your money and you're protected if for any reason you lose your job."

Making the policy even more enticing for clients is that the job loss insurance comes at no extra cost to clients purchasing CruiseOne's basic travel insurance.

Dwain Wall, general manager of CruiseOne, added, "In today's environment, it is crucial for businesses to step up to the plate showing we understand consumer challenges... Our 'CruiseAssurance' policy takes the concept of job loss insurance to a new level, easing the concerns of consumers at no charge and on any cruise line of their choice."

Under the CruiseAssurance policy, travelers booking a cruise can cancel their trip up to the day of departure, or even while on their cruise. The only requirements are that travelers purchase an entry-level travel insurance plan (administered by Travel Guard) from their CruiseOne agent and present their termination letter. One year of employment is required. CruiseAssurance applies to bookings made March 1 through May 2, for cruises departing any time.

The CruiseAssurance initiative is an exclusive benefit to consumers booking through one of more than 500 CruiseOne agents nationwide.

"We felt very strongly that this was necessary and will be a real added benefit to our agents in being able to get more consumers to make the actual buying decision because they have one less thing to be concerned about."
"Our agents now feel like they're being armed with something really new, unique and really exclusive. Nobody else has this," Hattem added.

Carnival Sensation Adds "Evolutions of Fun"

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation and emerged with a host of new facilities and features, including a sprawling Carnival WaterWorks, the exclusive adults-only retreat Serenity, and redesigned tropical themed main pool. Ninety-eight balconies were also incorporated onto existing oceanview staterooms and a new Circle C facility for 12- to 14-year olds was added, as well.

The extensive renovation, which took place during a 35-day dry dock, is part of Carnival's "Evolutions of Fun" refurbishment program for the line's eight Fantasy-class vessels. Carnival Sensation is the fourth "Fun Ship" to receive the upgrades, joining the Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Fantasy, which have already been renovated. The four remaining Fantasy-class ships will be refurbished over the next few years.

Carnival Sensation resumed its year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruise program from Port Canaveral last week. Three-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Nassau while four-day voyages depart Sundays and call at Freeport and Nassau.
"With its wide variety of on-board facilities and convenient three- and four-day schedule from Port Canaveral -- located in close proximity to Central Florida's many attractions and theme parks -- Carnival Sensation has been a popular choice for 'Fun Ship' guests, particularly families," said Roberta Jacoby, Carnival's senior vice president of hotel operations. "And with the new water park, updated pool area and other guest-pleasing features, we're making a terrific, value-packed vacation choice even more attractive to consumers," she added.
Ninety-eight existing oceanview staterooms on the Carnival Sensation have been retrofitted with balconies, creating expansive new cabins measuring approximately 230 square feet. Twenty-four of the new balcony cabins are located mid-ship, 12 are near the stern, and the other 62 are located aft, with several of these accommodations featuring extended balconies. Additionally, a number of the Carnival Sensation's suites have been modified to feature larger, extended balconies.

All of the Carnival Sensation's 1,026 staterooms have been completely remodeled with new wall coverings, tile work, carpeting and light fixtures. Additionally, virtually all dining, dancing and entertainment venues, as well as all guest corridors, have been renovated with a host of cosmetic enhancements.

NCL to Sail From Port Canaveral in 2010/11

Separately, NCL announced that for the first time in more than 11 years, it will homeport a ship seasonally at Port Canaveral, beginning October 2010. The 1,936-passenger Norwegian Sun will sail alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, departing every Saturday from Oct. 9, 2010 through April 16, 2011.

"As part of our homeland cruising initiative, we are always looking for attractive ports in which to base our ships," said Kevin Sheehan, NCL's president and CEO. "By bringing Norwegian Sun to Port Canaveral, we are offering cruisers in Central Florida and to those vacationing in Orlando quick and easy access to Freestyle Cruising. In addition, Port Canaveral offers our guests a wide range of pre- and post-cruise packages with the ability to visit a number of family attractions."

Norwegian Sun's seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise will stop in Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. The Western Caribbean cruises will call in Cozumel, Santo Tomás de Castilla (Guatemala), Belize City and Key West. Since there is no port repetition, the two itineraries can be combined.

NCL will also offer seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from Miami on Norwegian Pearl from Oct. 10, 2010 through April 10, 2011. Western Caribbean sailings include Roatán, Belize City, Costa Maya and Key West. Eastern Caribbean sailings include Samaná, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay. These two itineraries can be combined.

Norwegian Dawn will sail alternating five-day Western Caribbean and nine-day Southern Caribbean cruises out of Miami, from Nov. 14, 2010 through April 22, 2011. Western Caribbean sailings include Grand Cayman and Cozumel. Southern Caribbean includes Samaná, Tortola, Antigua; Barbados; and St. Kitts. Norwegian Dawn's five- and nine-day sailings can be combined to create a 14-day Caribbean cruise.

Also from Miami, NCL has extended Norwegian Sky's three- and four- day cruises to the Bahamas through April 18, 2011. Four-day Bahamas cruises on Mondays include full-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay. On Fridays, the ship sails a weekend getaway, three-day Bahamas itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. on Monday.

These cruises go on sale Feb. 12. Call me to book any of these cruises at (706) 579-5005.

Caribbean Princess Adds Features

Caribbean Princess has just emerged from an extensive three-week drydock to add a piazza-style atrium with the wine, seafood and cheese bar, International Café and Vines; the adults-only Sanctuary; seven new suites; and a more centrally located casino. Work is also nearly complete on a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant.
These amenities became passenger favorites when they debuted aboard Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess over the last three years, and are being added to a number of ships, including Golden Princess in May. The company has already introduced many of these features on Star Princess and Grand Princess.

"We want to give passengers who sail aboard any of our large ships the opportunity to enjoy the innovative amenities that have become hallmarks of the Princess cruise experience," said Jan Swartz, executive vice president of Princess Cruises.

As part of the renovation, the 3,080-passenger ship -- which debuted in 2004 -- made other changes including a new location for the sports court, a new Limelight boutique, new shore excursions and Captain's Circle desks, new Internet café and library, and the addition of flat-screen TVs in all staterooms.