Royal Caribbean International will base the Liberty of the Seas in Barcelona in 2011. The line said the cruise ship sector in Spain continues to grow at an annual rate of between 8 and 10 percent, despite the fall in tourism. Royal Caribbean predicts a 60 percent growth in guest volume in 2010, compared with a growth of 30 percent in 2009.
American Cruise Lines is rolling out a new commission program for travel agents. Travel agents working with American Cruise Lines can now earn up to 13 percent commission on all individual commissionable bookings.
The $62 million Mahogany Bay Cruise Center in Roatan, Honduras, officially opened Feb. 10 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local dignitaries and VIPs. The ceremony kicked off the center’s 2010 cruise season, which will see about 200 cruise ship visits and 500,000 passengers in the coming year.
Since acquiring the paddlewheeler Queen of the West, American Cruise Lines has been working to enhance the ship, which was built in 1996.
Royal Caribbean International will base the 2,446-passenger Grandeur of the Seas in Palma de Mallorca in summer 2011.
Azamara Club Cruises is officially relaunching in April with celebratory maiden voyages and the addition of new amenities.