Crystal Symphony Diverts to the Bahamas to Avoid Arrest
A luxury cruise ship has skipped its call to Miami and diverted to the Bahamas after a U.S. judge ordered its seizure as part of a lawsuit over unpaid fuel bills.The Crystal Symphony, operated by Genting Hong Kong's Crystal Cruises, was scheduled to conclude a Caribbean voyage in Miami on Saturday, but the ship sailed to the Bahamian island of Bimini instead after a federal judge in Miami granted an order to arrest the 781-foot, Bahamas-flagged vessel over unpaid fuel bills.Bunker supplier Peninsula Petroleum Far East sued the ship and Crystal Cruises…
Shipbuilding: Ice-Class Expedition Yacht Named Crystal Endeavor
Crystal Endeavor, the 164 x 23-m, 20,200 GT ice-class expedition yacht was built at MV Werften and recently named in in Stralsund.The first luxury expedition yacht with ice class built in Germany is being dubbed 'the fastest, highest-performance and most spacious expedition mega yacht in its sector' with a passenger space ratio of more than 100. Her Polar Class PC6 classification enables her to navigate Arctic and Antarctic regions. She offers a total of 100 suites of between 28 and 105 m² with 24-hour butler service for a maximum of 200 passengers.
Crystal Cruises' Bookings Surge
Crystal Cruises reports a 38% increase in advance bookings & an increase of $93 million in revenue over the same time last year. The cruise line says it kicked off 2013 with 'Book Now Fares', direct mail increases, strong travel agent promotional support worldwide, and robust onboard bookings. In just the past two months, Crystal has also reaped a half dozen travel magazine awards voted by the traveling public and professional travel agents, underscored by service, food, entertainment and design ratings gained from its post-cruise Quality Assurance guest surveys.
Crystal Cruises Booking Boom Despite Fare Increases
Reservations for Crystal Cruises surged with the highest ever August booking week and month recorded in its history. Crystal Cruises report that With the expiration of its August 31 "Book Now" fares, travel agents booked more than 110% more revenue than any prior year during the same week and for the entire month of August. Effective September 1, Crystal has launched a new "Book Now" deadline of October 31, 2012 for its worldwide lineup of 2012, 2013 and early 2014 cruises. While the new series of "Book Now" fares offer generous bonus savings of as much as $3000 per person…
MRG Acquires Cook Inlet Tug & Barge
Marine Resources Group (MRG), a family of companies that operate tug and barge fleets throughout the United States, is expanding into the Alaska harbor services business. MRG announced that it is acquiring the assets of Cook Inlet Tug & Barge, based in Anchorage, which it will operate as an independent subsidiary, effective Jan. 1, 2011. The family-owned Alaska company, which traces its history to 1923, has 10 employees and operates three tugs and one barge. “Cook Inlet Tug & Barge is a perfect fit for our group,” said Paul Stevens, MRG chief executive officer. Steve Scalzo, MRG chief operating officer, said Capt. Carl Anderson, current owner, will remain at Cook Inlet Tug & Barge in a consulting capacity to support the business during the transition.
MRG Acquires Cook Inlet Tug & Barge
Marine Resources Group (MRG), a family of companies that operate tug and barge fleets throughout the United States, is expanding into the Alaska harbor services business. MRG announced today that it is acquiring the assets of Cook Inlet Tug & Barge, based in Anchorage, which it will operate as an independent subsidiary, effective Jan. 1, 2011. The family-owned Alaska company, which traces its history to 1923, has 10 employees and operates three tugs and one barge. “Cook Inlet Tug & Barge is a perfect fit for our group,” said Paul Stevens, MRG chief executive officer. Steve Scalzo, MRG chief operating officer, said Capt. Carl Anderson, current owner, will remain at Cook Inlet Tug & Barge in a consulting capacity to support the business during the transition.
Coast Guard, Sheriff Dept. Sign Agreement
The U.S. Coast Guard and Orange County Sheriff's Department (OCSD) signed a memorandum of agreement on Monday, May 12, 2008. The agreement delineates the specific responsibilities of each agency when responding to maritime incidents in Orange County, Calif. "The purpose of this mutual assistance agreement is to formally solidify the work we already do together in Orange County waters," said Capt. Paul E. Wiedenhoeft, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach who also serves as the Captain of the Port.
