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.

Published on: September 3, 2009

Royal Caribbean International’s 225,000-ton Oasis of the Seas will allow passengers to make reservations for onboard entertainment from three months to four days before sailing. The pre-booking will embed a reservation in the passengers’ SeaPass cards. The complimentary reservation guarantees entrance to the show, but does not reserve a specific seat. Seat selection remains first-come, first-served. The system will only to be used for Oasis, which enters service in December, and sister ship Allure of the Seas, due out a year later. The new reservation system was revealed during a webcast with Royal Caribbean President Adam Goldstein and two executives in charge of onboard features. Those who change their mind about which shows to see can amend their show reservations onboard, either at the ship’s box office or through the interactive TV in every stateroom, said Charly McDonald, director of guest services and entertainment technical operations. If guests without reservations want to attend a show, there will be standby seating available as long as there is room.

In other news, Oasis will have an online waiver for all of the “extreme activities” onboard, including the FlowRider surf attraction, rock climbing walls, ice skating and the zipline that soars over the Boardwalk. The one waiver can be used for all those adventures, so guests don’t have to fill out a new one for each activity.

Also, Oasis will have a nursery at sea that will care for children age 6 to 36 months. It was beta-tested on Splendour of the Seas. The nursery will be able to care for up to 15 children at a time, so reservations are recommended. For more information, visit www.oasisoftheseas.com.

Published on: September 4, 2009

Royal Caribbean International’s new Oasis of the Seas, due out in December, will feature 13 retail venues, including a Coach store and 10,000 square feet of open-air shopping. Located in the Central Park neighborhood, Coach will unveil its first dedicated store at sea. Custom built to the brand’s standards, the Coach store will offer handbags, leather goods, sunglasses and scarves. Other retailers include Breitling watches, Italian jewelry designer Pianegonda, Lucky Brand, Eileen Fisher, DC Apparel and Forest & Fauna, makers of organic T-shirts and garments. Oasis of the Seas also will carry a number of new brands, including jewelry from Roberto Coin, Charriol and Yvel, and cosmetics by Chanel and Christian Dior, among others.

The Boardwalk neighborhood will feature Star Pier, with ’tween and teen apparel by Roxy, Quiksilver and DC Apparel; and a DJ station and Nintendo Wii. Pinwheels will feature clothes and toys by kid-favored brands such as Crayola, Lego stations and other popular games. Candy Beach is a candy store, offering more than 72 varieties to mix and match, as well as vintage candy treats from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.

On the Royal Promenade, guests will find Prince & Greene, a trendy fashion boutique with labels such as Betsey Johnson, Calypso, Kenneth Cole, Ed Hardy, Marc Jacobs and Ben Sherman. Regalia will be an opulent boutique that sells fine jewelry and timepieces. Solera is the duty-free store with cosmetics, skincare and fragrance from Chanel, Dior, La Prairie, Lancôme, Shiseido and “doctor-brand” regimens. Willow features casual sportswear including organic clothing and brands including Eileen Fisher, JMP, and Forest & Fauna. On the Boardwalk is Carousel Cart near the hand-carved carousel; it offers apparel, accessories and souvenirs. In the Pool and Sports Zone, the open-air Breeze will stock light reads, sunglasses, tote bags and sun care products. For more information, visit www.oasisoftheseas.com