The Azamara ship is scheduled to dock at Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Ha Long on a six-day journey up the Vietnamese coast. (VOV) - Travel operator Saigontourist welcomed US luxury liner, Azamara,and its 750 passengers and crew members to Vietnam, for the first time this year. Saigontourist is also collaborating with Malaysia's Star Cruises - the world's third largest cruise company,in a bid tosecure future tourism ventures.. The Vietnamese travel company is expected to receive 58 StarCruises to Vietnam from October 2013 to March 2014. From November 2011 to April 2013,Saigontourist welcomed 90SuperStar AquariusCruises and over 80 StarCruises. … [Read more...] about US luxury cruise ship sails in Vietnam waters
Cruise ships sailing
Cruise ship fire leaves guests stranded on Caribbean island
An engine fire on board a cruise ship operated by Carnival Corp left about 4,500 passengers and crew stranded in the U.S. Virgin Islands for a second day on Tuesday and forced the cruise operator to cut the trip short. The Carnival Liberty set sail from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Sunday with 3,346 guests and 1,150 crew on board and was a day into a week-long Caribbean cruise when the fire broke out. The fire was extinguished by the ship's automated suppression system, Carnival said. No guests or crew were injured. Passengers and crew were told to evacuate onshore on Monday after thick black smoke was seen rising from the ship while it was docked in St. Thomas, a Reuters reporter on board the vessel said. Staff distributed water and snacks in the port. Passengers were transferred to nearby hotels, where movies were screened and a buffet was served before they returned to spend the night on the ship. On Tuesday, every passenger was offered $150 credit to spend on board and free … [Read more...] about Cruise ship fire leaves guests stranded on Caribbean island
Cyprus cruise ship rescued migrants ‘refuse to disembark’
Almost 300 people, thought to be Syrian refugees, are refusing to disembark from a cruise ship that rescued them off the coast of Cyprus, officials say. Salamis Cruise Lines Managing Director Kikis Vassiliou said they were insisting they be taken to Italy. The cruise ship, Salamis Filoxenia, is in the port of Limassol and all those rescued are said to be in good health. The Cypriot defence ministry said 52 children were on the small fishing boat that had sent a distress signal. Of the 345 migrants plucked from the sea about 65 willingly left the ship at Limassol and were taken by bus to the Kokkinotrimithia camp not far from Nicosia. Negotiations with those refusing to leave were continuing on Friday morning with doctors, nurses, civil defence and Red Cross workers on hand. Meanwhile, 300 Russian passengers who had been due to continue their cruise to Haifa, Israel, had their journey cancelled and were put up in Limassol hotels. "We were supposed to sail at 10:30 tonight … [Read more...] about Cyprus cruise ship rescued migrants ‘refuse to disembark’
2,200 foreign tourists arrive on luxury cruise ship in Vietnam
2,200 foreign tourists and crew members arrived in Vietnam on board a luxury cruise ship 'Costa Classica' on November 1 for a four day tour of Ha Long Bay, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City. The tourists are mainly from Italy, Spain and England and after docking at Ha Long Port, they will be taken for boat rides on Ha Long Bay, visit the Yen Tu and Long Tien Pagoda and enjoy a traditional cultural program which will include a water puppetry show. On November 2, the ship will sail to Da Nang City and stay docked in Tien Sa Port. For two days the visitors will immerse in the history and culture of the Central region. The foreign visitors will tour Da Nang City, stroll along the Thu Bon River, visit Hoi An Ancient Town and see the rich cultural heritage of My Son Relic and the Ancient Capital of Hue. On November 4, the ship will sail to Ho Chi Minh City and dock at the Navi Oil Port. Visitors will be given tours of Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi and My Tho. Other than visiting well-known … [Read more...] about 2,200 foreign tourists arrive on luxury cruise ship in Vietnam
The world’s largest cruise ship Allure of the Seas put into service
The world's largest cruise ship "Allure of the Seas," built in Finnish Turku Shipyard, left Turku on Friday and proceeded directly to Florida Fort Lauderdale of the United States. The construction of cruise ship "Allure of the Seas" was completed and handed over to Royal Caribbean International on Oct. 28. The cruise ship will be serving its first cruise trip in December 2010. The "Allure of the Seas" is an architectural fantasy on the sea. It is 361-meters long, 66-meters wide, 72-meters high above the water, and its gross tonnage is up to 225,000 tons. There are altogether 16 decks and 2,704 passenger cabins in the vessel, which maximum capacity is 6,360 passengers and a crew of 2,100. … [Read more...] about The world’s largest cruise ship Allure of the Seas put into service