Published on: September 28, 2009

Port Canaveral will receive nearly $5 million from the Department of Homeland Security with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (AARA) funding for its new police department and purchase of a fireboat. Of the $54 million in Group 2 funds from the Port Security Grant Program, Port Canaveral received the largest single award and more than notable ports such as Jacksonville ($910,320), Port Everglades ($190,000), Savannah ($499,855) and Boston ($1,896,000) in the same category. Canaveral’s grant was second only to Group 1 recipients Long Beach ($7.8 million), Los Angeles ($6 million) and the Port of Oakland ($7.6 million). The Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners established the police department in late 2008 as the culmination of a four-year initiative to enhance public safety at the world’s second-busiest cruise port. It is the first seaport police department in Florida. The grant fully will fund current plans for staffing, a public safety complex, and a new fireboat. For more information, visit www.portcanaveral.org.

Holland America is making some big changes to its frequent cruiser program, the Mariner Society, in an effort to build more loyalty among customers.

Criticized in the past for having one of the weakest frequent cruiser programs in the business, the line announced Monday it would offer its most loyal fans everything from free laundry service to discounted drinks, spa treatments and gift shop purchases.

Under the new program customers will receive ever larger perks and discounts as the number of days they have sailed with the line grows. The program will have four categories:  

-- Star Mariner. The entry level status given to every customer who has completed a single cruise. Star Mariner card holders will receive special offers on select sailings, a 50% discount for third and fourth passengers in a cabin on select sailings, access to hosted sailings with Holland America Ambassadors, a Welcome Back Embarkation Brunch on future cruises, a subscription to the Mariner Magazine and a Mariner Champagne Brunch on future cruises.

-- Two-Star Mariner. Customers must chalk up 30 cruise days to reach this level. Two-Star passengers receive all the amenities of a Star Mariner plus shopping discounts (15% off merchandise purchased from ShopHollandAmerica.com and 10% off logo apparel items bought at onboard gift shops), a free ship photo, annual cruise planner and recognition pin.

Three–Star Mariner.Attained after a customer records 75 cruise days. Three-Star passengers receive all Two-Star amenities plus a 10% discount on select spa treatments; a 25% discount on all wine packages, mini-bar purchases, Explorations Café drinks and alternative restaurant surcharges; special advanced notice of new itineraries; and a waiver of air deviation fees.

Four-Star Mariner. The program's top tier, reserved for customers who have earned 200 cruise days or more. Four-Star Mariners receive all Three-Star benefits plus free fare for third and fourth passengers on select sailings; free wine tasting and laundry/pressing; a 50% discount on all wine packages, mini-bar purchases, Explorations Café drinks and alternative restaurant surcharges; a 15% discount on logo apparel items onboard in the gift shops; priority tender service and check-in; priority shore excursion pre-booking; and a free subscription to Food and Wine or Travel and Leisure magazine.

In addition to earning a Cruise Day credit for each actual day sailed with the line, passengers can earn "bonus" Cruise Day credits when booking a suite or making onboard purchases.

The new Mariner Society Rewards Program will roll out fleetwide by October 18, 2009.