Nan Smith Cruises Specials

Muster Crackdown: Cruise Line Boots Passengers for Skipping Lifeboat Drill - Holland America Line

2012-02-02T08:48:00.000-08:00

February 1, 2012


Muster Crackdown: Cruise Line Boots Passenger for Skipping Lifeboat Drill
(2:30 p.m. EST) -- Are cruise lines getting tough when it comes to muster drills? A passenger on Holland America's Westerdam was made to debark Sunday in Port Everglades for "non-compliance" during the mandatory drill, in which passengers are told what to do in the case of emergency (including how to don a life jacket). The drill took place on Sunday afternoon just before Westerdam departed on a weeklong jazz-themed charter cruise. Member Blazeconsultingposted the news on the Cruise Critic message boards, and Holland America confirmed the debarkation. The poster stated that multiple passengers were debarked, but HAL countered that only one guest was involved. "The drill included alarm blasts and announcements throughout the ship, including instructions that failure to participate would result in disembarkation," said the line in a statement sent to Cruise Critic. The statement did not mention if there were other circumstances surrounding the debarkation, and HAL has declined to comment further on what "non-compliance" means. Some Cruise Critic readers have recently pointed to a new pre-sail warning. "It was announced that anyone who refused to attend would not be allowed to sail," posted member Himself (currently on Nieuw Amsterdam) on the boards. Other Holland America veterans said the line is now taking roll call at the muster stations, a policy that it had discontinued. In an e-mail, Holland America spokeswoman Sally Andrews confirmed that HAL's muster drills now include roll calls as well as "passenger announcements [that] refer to the fact that failure to participate may result in disembarkation, as was the case with this incident." The policy changes come in the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster, which has sparked vigorous debate about cruise line safety protocols. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a U.N. agency tasked with improving maritime safety, requires that a passenger ship must hold a muster drill within 24 hours of embarkation. The vast majority of cruise lines, however, fulfill the stipulation before departure. (For more on the drill, see our story on the mystery of the muster.) But while the IMO states that musters are a must, enforcement may be another story. "The only enforceable piece is that the ship completes the passenger muster as required," said Lt. Cmdr. Dan Brehm of the U.S. Coast Guard's Cruise Ship National Center of Expertise. "What they do to the passengers who don't show up is a company policy at that point." In an interview with Frommers , Ben Lyons, former safety and chief officer on Cunard's Queen Mary 2, and current chief officer for Lindblad, said the way individual lines take attendance and follow up on those who aren't there varies. "Not all lines use an emergency system that relies upon an actual roll call; instead, they have crew search all areas of the ship," Lyons told the publication. "If nobody is found, then everyone must be in the muster stations. In that scenario, a roll call will not be taken. (In a real situation, however, it is likely their method of searching would also be supplemented by an actual roll call.) Some lines that take roll calls and identify those who skipped the drill will hold a special meeting or drill the next morning; other cruise lines simply ignore the fact that you didn't attend." According to HAL's cruise contract, it appears that the line has always had the right to debark muster missers. Section 6 of the General Provisions, "Authority to Remove Passengers," states that passengers can "be denied transportation either before or during the cruise ... in situations where, [for example] you fail to abide by the rules or orders of the Master or other ship's officers." Attendance at the muster drill comes as an order of the master. Cruise Critic reached out to a number of lines, including Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines, to see how or if their muster policies have changed and how they enforce non-compliance. Only Harrison Liu -- speaking on a behalf of sister lines Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara Club Cruises -- responded. "Our three core brands haven't changed our muster drill policy and enforcement," Liu told Cruise Critic in an e-mail. "We wouldn't and haven't disembarked any guest as a result of missing the muster drill. Our staff and crew are empowered to engage our guests, convince them of the importance of this safety measure, and ensure compliance." We've also left messages by phone and e-mail with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruising's largest trade organization, to determine whether the industry's approach to muster drills is changing. --by Dan Askin, News Editor

Upgrade Your View Event and enjoy veranda stateroom accommodations at ocean view rates, or for $99 more

2011-11-10T12:49:00.000-08:00

Book November 1 — 30, 2011 to take advantage of our Upgrade Your View Event and enjoy veranda stateroom accommodations at ocean view rates, or for $99 more, on select Caribbean sailings.* Imagine unwinding on your private, spacious veranda as the vibrant tropical islands drift serenely by. Or dining alfresco as the sun sets over tranquil, turquoise waters. And the best part? You get to experience every veranda moment at exceptional savings.


7-Night Eastern Caribbean onboard Celebrity Eclipse® 2012 Dates: Feb 4, 11, 18; Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Apr 7, 14	12-Night Caribbean onboard Celebrity SilhouetteSM 2012 Dates: Feb 22; Mar 5, 17
7-Night Eastern/Western Caribbean onboard Celebrity SolsticeSM 2012 Dates: Jan 22; Feb 5, 19; Mar 4, 11, 18, 25; Apr 1, 8

10/11-Night Ultimate Caribbean onboard Celebrity EquinoxSM 2012 Dates: Jan 2, Feb 3; Mar 16; Apr 6	12-Night Caribbean onboard Celebrity SilhouetteSM 2012 Dates: Mar 29; Apr 10

4/5-Night Caribbean onboard Celebrity Millennium® 2011 Dates: Nov 14, 28; Dec 3, 12, 17, 22, 26 2012 Dates: Jan 14, 19, 23, 28; Feb 2, 6, 11, 20, 25; Mar 1, 5, 10, 19, 29; Apr 2, 7, 16	7-Night Southern Caribbean onboard Celebrity Summit® 2011 Dates: Nov 19, 26; Dec 10, 17, 24, 31 2012 Dates: Feb 11, 25; Mar 10, 24, 31; Apr 7, 14

10 Night Ultimate Carib #cruise #celebrity

2011-10-29T09:51:00.001-07:00

10 Night Ultimate Carib - Holiday Cruise on Celebrity Equinox from Fort Lauderdale	more details
Celebrity Equinox

Sailing Date

Suite

Aqua

Concierge

Veranda

Ocean View

Interior

3/4 Rate

Single
Supplement

CAD

12/23/2011

$2,499*

$2,529*

$2,249*

$2,279*

$1,699*

$1,719*

$1,549*

$1,569*

$1,249*

$1,269*

$999*

$1,019*

150%

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Millennium

2011-10-29T08:49:00.001-07:00

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise #cruise #celebrity more details
Celebrity Millennium

Sailing Date

Suite

Aqua

Concierge

Veranda

Ocean View

Interior

3/4 Rate

Single
Supplement

CAD

11/19/2011

$379*

$319*

$299*

$199*

200%

Silverseas and Nan Smith Cruises

2011-09-26T12:19:00.001-07:00

Caribbean
Limited Time OFFER! book by November 11, 2011

Date	Days	From/To	Suite	Veranda
11/5/2011	9	Barbados to Fort Lauderdale	$3,199	$3,399
11/14/2011	9	Fort Lauderdale to Barbados	$3,199	$3,399
11/23/2011	9	Barbados to Fort Lauderdale	$3,199	$3,399
12/2/2011	9	Fort Lauderdale to Barbados	$3,199	$3,399
12/11/2011	9	Barbados to Fort Lauderdale	$3,199	$3,399
1/3/2012	7	Fort Lauderdale Round-trip	$2,899	$3,099

Very Special Cruise Only Fares Call Nan Smith Cruises and Travel for Details

Silverseas and Nan Smith Cruises

2011-09-26T11:34:00.001-07:00

Silversea offers the ultimate in luxury cruising … now at an exceptionally enticing price. All-inclusive fares from only $2,899 include fine wines, champagnes and spirits; service gratuities; and an ocean-view suite with personalized butler service. Plan your client’s winter getaway and take advantage of great rates on a choice of 27 sailings worldwide!

Crystal Cruises Specials

2011-09-21T15:50:00.001-07:00

Nan Smith Cruises and Travel is happy to be able to offer for a limited time to our clients on Crystal Cruises in 2012.

For a limited time only on every Crystal 2012 cruise, your clients will receive up to $4,000 per couple in additional savings OR competitively priced 2-for-fares. All new bookings made by October 31, 2011 will enjoy the best available fares aboard the cruise line voted World’s Best more than any other cruise line in history!

Plus, every 2012 itinerary features Free Air and either “As You Wish” spending credits of up to $2,000 (on select winter/spring sailings) OR free all-inclusive amenities such as complimentary gratuities, fine wines, premium spirits and more (beginning on Trans-Atlantic crossings), making the value of a Crystal vacation unrivaled among luxury lines.

Book Now - Up to $4,000 Savings
Wherever in the world your clients wish to go, chances are Crystal will be there in 2012. 38 itineraries explore the Panama Canal, Caribbean, South America, Northern Europe and the Mediterranean including cruises to the Black Sea, Canary Islands and Holy Lands.

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A rich collection of 16 voyages to South America, Northern Europe & the Arctic, British Isles, New England & Canada, Panama Canal, the Pacific Coast, Hawaii & South Pacific, and Trans-Atlantic feature our exceptionally priced 2-for-1 fares.

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Celebrity Cruises Specials

2011-09-21T15:06:00.001-07:00

Enjoy your own outdoor retreat in paradise.   Upgrade to a veranda stateroom—free or $99.* Book by    September 30, 2011 to take advantage of our Upgrade Your View Event and enjoy veranda stateroom accommodations at ocean view rates, or for $99 more, on select Caribbean sailings.* Imagine unwinding on your private, spacious veranda as the vibrant tropical islands drift serenely by. Or dining alfresco as the sun sets over tranquil, turquoise waters. And the best par t? You get to experience every veranda moment at exceptional savings.

FREE UPGRADES
12-Night Eastern/Southern Caribbean
onboard Celebrity Silhouette◊
Cape Liberty, Bayonne round trip
2012 Dates: Jan 17;
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7-Night Eastern Caribbean
onboard Celebrity Eclipse®
Miami round trip
2011 Dates: Nov 12, 26; Dec 10
2012 Dates: Jan 7, 21; Feb 11, 18, 25;
Mar 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Apr 7, 14
Veranda from $ 9 49 †*

7-Night Eastern/Western Caribbean
onboard Celebrity Solstice®
Fort Lauderdale round trip
2011 Date: Dec 11
2012 Dates: Jan 8; Feb 5, 12, 19, 26;
Mar 4, 18, 25; Apr 1, 8
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$99 UPGRADE
10/11-Night Ultimate Caribbean onboard Celebrity Equinox◊
Fort Lauderdale round trip
2012 Dates: Jan 2, 23; Feb 3, 24; Mar 26; Apr 6
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Verandas are limited, so book now to take advantage of this spectacular upgrade offer.

Oceania Cruise Special Sailing

2011-09-21T14:37:00.001-07:00

Announcing 7 New Voyages for Fall 2012

2 for 1 Cruise Fares*
FREE Airfare*
Up to $5,000 Bonus Savings
per stateroom on select sailings*

As The Regatta cruises between New England and Canada, the opportunities for adventure on these sailings will be as spectacular as the scenery.

Oceania Cruise Special

2011-09-21T14:33:00.001-07:00

Announcing the 2012-13 Winter Collection

2 for 1 Cruise Fares*
FREE Airfare*
Up to $5,000 Bonus Savings
per stateroom*

This magnificent array of journeys features 22 new itineraries and 15 new ports of call plus all-new Grand Voyages ranging from 23 to 71 days. The stunning new Riviera will make her inaugural forays to the idyllic islands of the Caribbean. Her sister ship, Marina, explores the paradise of the South Pacific and the bold landscapes of Australia and New Zealand, sailing to intriguing locales such as the mystifying Easter Island for the first time. Nautica returns to the fabled shores of Africa and Asia. Regatta lingers amidst the glorious fall foliage of New England and Canada before heading south for the winter to the vibrant coasts of South America.

Nan Smith Cruises Specials

Muster Crackdown: Cruise Line Boots Passengers for Skipping Lifeboat Drill - Holland America Line

Upgrade Your View Event and enjoy veranda stateroom accommodations at ocean view rates, or for $99 more

10 Night Ultimate Carib #cruise #celebrity

5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise on Celebrity Millennium

Silverseas and Nan Smith Cruises

Silverseas and Nan Smith Cruises

Crystal Cruises Specials

Celebrity Cruises Specials

Oceania Cruise Special Sailing

2 for 1 Cruise Fares*FREE Airfare*Up to $5,000 Bonus Savingsper stateroom on select sailings*

Oceania Cruise Special

Announcing the 2012-13 Winter Collection

2 for 1 Cruise Fares*FREE Airfare*Up to $5,000 Bonus Savingsper stateroom*

2 for 1 Cruise Fares*
FREE Airfare*
Up to $5,000 Bonus Savings
per stateroom on select sailings*

2 for 1 Cruise Fares*
FREE Airfare*
Up to $5,000 Bonus Savings
per stateroom*