Puerto Rico is Selected as the Host for the 18th Annual Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Conference and Tradeshow

Anybody going to Puerto Rico? I'd go there if someone can get me a cheapcaribbean cruise vacation package.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Puerto Rico, the major Caribbean homeport, will be the host of the 18th annual FCCA Conference and Tradeshow, to be held in early October of 2011. The FCCA Conference and Tradeshow is the only event where the top decision makers from the 15 FCCA Member Cruise Lines come together to share ideas and discuss industry trends. This Conference brings together over 1,200 members, including cruise executives, government officials, suppliers, tour operators and other important industry members. It is the most important event for developing relationships with the cruise industry and the destinations' private and public sectors, along with any company or product that can be benefitted by the industry.

The cruise industry is a major economic driver for Puerto Rico. "The cruise industry has a yearly economic impact of more than $240 million and generates close to 7,000 jobs. Puerto Rico's Economic Model for a New Economy recognizes the importance of this industry and identifies key initiatives to improve and expand its economic impact on the island," said Jose R. Perez-Riera, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development and Commerce of Puerto Rico.

Excerpt from this Source.

Royal Caribbean (RCL): Cruise for Profits

It seems like cruise companies are still making money despite offering cheap vacation cruise packages.

Royal Caribbean (RCL) cruise ship"Royal Caribbean (RCL) has nothing new or revolutionary going for it, but it's one of the strongest stocks in the market," says Mike Cintolo.

The editor of Cabot Top Ten Weekly explains, "With its nearly 40 cruise ships, the stock is a a pure-play on discretionary leisure spending, and its earnings can rise rapidly during improving times.

"And that's what investors are discounting now -- earnings fell from $2.82 per share in 2007 to 75 cents last year, but look set to get back to $2 per share this year and challenge new-high ground in 2011!

"Of course, not all the company's fortunes are tied to the industry, which is rebounding as consumers slowly open up their wallets again.

"Management, for instance, has been squeezing costs out of the system, helping earnings to bounce back quickly even as revenues rise at a slower rate.

"But the big idea here is that, with an upswing in the entire sector, Royal Caribbean's bottom line could far outpace expectations in the quarters to come (last quarter's figure topped estimates by 55%).

"RCL isn't as strong as many stocks from a bigger-picture perspective; shares are still 8% below their old peak of 38 from the spring.

"However, the stock has been one of the better performers since the market took off on September 1, and it gained steam late last month after one of its peers reported a terrific quarter.

"There's still some overhead above 35, but we think you buy a little around here, and then see how the stock reacts to earnings which are due out around November 1."

Source

Sick passengers quarantined on cruise ship after it ties up in Saint John, N.B.

This is one of the problems when going on a cruise. But don't let that prevent you from getting cheapcaribbean vacation packages.

SAINT JOHN, N.B. - At least 49 passengers aboard a cruise ship docked in New Brunswick have been told they can't go ashore after they showed flu-like symptoms.

The passengers are among more than 3,000 people travelling on the Caribbean Princess, which is docked in Saint John.

Harbour master John McCann says Health Canada and public health officials are monitoring the situation.

Not all of the passengers on board the ship can be screened for the gastrointestinal ailment.

Tourism operators in the city have been told to take precautions to avoid illness.

(CHSJ)

Source

US Blockade Stops Cruises from Landing in Cuba

Photo from escambray.cu

Thousands of cruise ships sail the waters around Cuba every year, but few of them are able to anchor in the island because of the US economic, financial and commercial blockade.

Over 1,000 cruise ships can´t land in Cuban ports due to the blockade.

Granma newspaper said the Torricelli Law approved by Washington sanctions ships from any country that dock in Cuban ports by banning them
from putting in at the US for six months.

The Cuban daily comments that 98 % of Caribbean cruises are controlled by the American industry and 70 % of liners sailing in the region have Florida as mother port.

So I guess it's all about controlling the flow of money.
Excerpt from escambray.cu

Travel deals! Caribbean cruises offer holiday class and fun

There's a lot of choices for cheap vacation packages below.

Every week, ABC15.com will showcase some of the best travel deals for Arizonans.

This week, why not consider spending a holiday in some exotic sun? With these great offers, you can escape for a week on a luxury cruise with family and friends... or some of us can dream!

AAA Arizona suggests these 7-day cruise deals:

Caribbean Princess from $399 for 7 days
-Southern Caribbean Princess cruise departs from San Juan, Puerto Rico
-Spacious poolside features a Time Square-style video screen playing movies and sports
-Formal and casual dining include open-kitchen-style cafes

Royal Caribbean International Voyager of the Seas from $499 for 7 days
-Western Caribbean Cruise departs from Galveston, Texas
-This ship showcases revolutionary naval engineering with a ton of recreational activities to choose from
-An ice skating rink and a rock climbing wall are just the beginning!

Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam from $699 for 7 days
-Southern Caribbean Christmas Cruise departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
-The sms Nieuw Amsterdam offers restaurants with panoramic ocean views
-New meets classic as this ship debuted just in July also showcases rich history including pieces from the Dutch Golden Age.

Excerpt from ABC15.

Cruise traffic soars at Port of Miami

Seems like a lot of people are picking up cheapcarribean vacation packages. More news confirm the increase in traffic from the port of Miami.

Excerpt from BIZJOURNALS:

Arrival of the Norwegian Epic helped the Port of Miami breaks its own record for cruise traffic in a fiscal year.

The port processed 4,145,053 passengers in the year ended Sept. 30, up from 4,110,100 for the prior year – an increase of 34,953.

“For the third year in a row, the Port of Miami has set a world mark for passenger traffic,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said in a news release. “We are pleased that, even in a time of economic difficulty, cruise traffic continues to grow.”

The July-September quarter was up 10 percent, which coincided with the arrival of the Epic.

This month, the Port of Miami kicks off its 2010-2011 cruise season with two additional new ships: the Celebrity Eclipse, which arrives Nov. 13, and Oceania Cruises' Marina, which will be christened Feb. 5.

Costa Cruises will return to the port after an absence of several years when the Atlantica arrives in January.

Record Number Of Passengers Flock To Port Of Miami

I thought economy was down? Seems like a lot of people are getting cheapcarribean cruises.

Here's an excerpt from CBS4:

The tough economy hasn't slowed travelers from visiting the Port of Miami.

Officials say the record 4.15 million people left out of the Port last year alone.
The Port actually credits the tough economy for the upswing because more vacationers are looking for more "bang for their buck" when spending money on a getaway.

From October 1, 2009 through September 30, 2010, The Port of Miami processed 4,145,053 passengers, compared to 4,110,100 for the same period last year.
From July-September, passenger traffic as a whole is up nearly 10 percent year over year.

"For the third year in a row, the Port of Miami has set a world mark for passenger traffic," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez. "We are pleased that even in a time of economic difficulty, cruise traffic continues to grow."