The cruise industry had a lot of good news in 2007. New cruise ships were launched, technology was improved, onboard options were enhanced, and cruise passengers were treated to new wonderful worldwide destinations.
The year 2007 had some sad cruise news, too. Two cruise ships sank, resulting in two deaths, but hundreds were rescued. Other ships were retired. Cruise lines added fuel surcharges, and unfortunately had outbreaks of norovirus and passengers overboard. Let's look back at 2007.
January - MS Nordkapp Hits Rocks in Antarctica
Deception Island Photo (c) Linda Garrison
The Norwegian Coastal Voyage (now Hurtigruten Cruises) Nordkapp struck rocks as it entered the volcanic caldera of Deception Island, near the Antarctic peninsula on January 30. The ship suffered significant damage to the hull, but there were no injuries and the passengers were evacuated to another NCV ship the MS Nordnorge. Several parties monitored the possibility of oil or gas leakage for weeks after the accident, but found no traces of discharge. Anyone who has traveled to Antarctica was relieved to hear the good news!
February - Ambassadors International, Inc. Purchases Windstar Cruises
Wind Surf Photo (c) Linda Garrison
Holland America, a division of Carnvial Corporation, sold its luxury boutique line Windstar Cruises to Ambassadors International, Inc., which also owns Majestic America Line. The Seattle-based Majestic America was created by Ambassadors in 2006 when it acquired two lines: American West Steamboat and the vessels of Delta Queen. The sale was announced in February and completed in April 2007. Under the terms of the agreement, Windstar was sold for $100 million.
March - Apollo Management L.P. Buys Oceania Cruises
Oceania Insignia Photo (c) Linda Garrison
Apollo Management invests about $850 million to purchase Oceania Cruises. Oceania Cruises will remain a wholly independent brand, operating with the support of Apollo’s $12 billion private equity fund. Oceania Cruises’ founding management team remain stake holders in the new venture.
March - Carnival Freedom Launched
Photo Courtesy of Carnival Cruises
The Carnival Freedom became the 22th ship in the Carnival Cruise Lines' fleet on March 4. The new 3000-passenger, 110,000-ton ship is a sister ship to the Carnival Liberty, which was launched in 2005. The Carnival Freedom offers a wide range of amenities including: 22 lounges and bars, a 13,300-square-foot spa, a jogging track, Internet café, and four swimming pools – one with a 214-foot-long water slide.
April - Emerald Princess Sets Sail on Inaugural Cruise
Photo Courtesy of Princess Cruises
The new Emerald Princess welcomed its first passengers on board on April 11, as it set sail on its maiden voyage from Rome's seaport, the town of Civitavecchia.
The 113,000-ton Emerald Princess' first cruise was a 12-day Greek Isles voyage to Venice that took passengers to some of the most scenic spots in the Mediterranean and Aegean, including Naples/Capri, Santorini, Rhodes, Kusadasi (for Ephesus), Mykonos, Athens (Piraeus), Katakolon (for Olympia), Corfu and Dubrovnik. Thereafter the Emerald Princess will offer a series of Greek Isles and Grand Mediterranean cruises before crossing the Atlantic to Ft. Lauderdale in October.
I cruised on the Emerald Princess in May, and loved the ship and it's Mediterranean itinerary.
April - MS Fram Built for Greenland and Antarctic Cruising
The 12,700 GRT, 318 passenger MS Fram set off for its maiden voyage in April, 2007. The christening ceremony took place in Oslo on May 19, 2007. The Fram is an expedition ship sailing the North Atlantic to Greenland, Iceland, and points north in the summer and Antarctica in the winter. The Fram has two interesting Pole to Pole longitudinal world cruises in its first year, starting in Greenland in September and ending in Antarctica and South America 66 days later, followed by a return trip to Greenland following the Antarctica sailing season.April - Royal Caribbean Takes Delivery of Liberty of the Seas
Photo Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International took delivery of its newest Freedom-class ship, Liberty of the Seas, from Aker Yards during an April 18 ceremony in Turku, Finland. Just days away from making her U.S. debut on May 3, 2007, the ship was the first in Royal Caribbean's fleet to showcase new and distinctive wellness, family and wedding programming, which will be rolled out fleet-wide. Liberty shares the title of world's largest cruise ship with sister ship, Freedom of the Seas, which launched in May 2006.
April - Royal Princess Sails on Inaugural Cruise from Barcelona
Photo Courtesy of Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises welcomed its second ship in the same month when the new Royal Princess sailed from Barcelona. A sister ship to the line's Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess, the 30,200-ton Royal Princess offers passengers a boutique version of Princess' onboard options -- including a variety of dining and entertainment choices and a large number of cabins with private balconies - all offered in intimate surroundings.
April - Sea Diamond Sinks Near Greek Island of Santorini
Santorini Photo (c) Linda Garrison
The Louis Cruise Lines' Sea Diamond sank in the volcanic caldera of Santorini, about 15 hours after its 1,200 passengers and 400 crew members were evacuated. Two passengers, a father and daughter from France, remained missing and presumed drowned. The ship hit rocks as she attempted to anchor.
May - Celebrity Cruises Launches Azamara Cruises
Photo Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises
The launch of a new ship is a momentous occasion for any cruise line, but Celebrity Cruises made the introduction of the Azamara Journey on May 5 especially significant. Celebrity not only marked the launch of the 710-guest ship, but also introduced an entirely new, deluxe cruise brand: "Azamara Cruises."
