Crystal Serenity Fire; Minor Damage Fixed

On November 17 while docked in Bermuda, a small fire broke out in Crystal Serenity's engine room. The flames were contained within one piece of equipment and were put out quickly. The crew and guests were not at risk during this incident.

Unfortunately, the fire necessitated the shutdown of one of six engines aboard the Serenity. This reduced sailing speed and meant a four-hour delay in returning to Miami for disembarkation. Crystal's staff worked hard to assist all passengers—those that booked Crystal air and those who made their plans independently—with any necessary adjustments to flights and land transportation.

Spare parts and mechanics met the Serenity at Miami where the repairs were made before the ship's turnaround to welcome guests aboard voyage #7328 (Tropical Passage through the Panama Canal).

For more information about Crystal Cruises, visit their website.

Fuel Surcharge Roundup

With oil hitting $100 per barrel last week, it's no wonder the cruise lines are instituting fuel surcharges for future sailings. Here's the roundup...

Crystal Cruises: In 2007, the line instituted a $5.00 per person per day fuel surcharge. 2008 cruises will carry a $7.00 per person per day fee. This applies to all 2008 sailings that are not paid in full by January 1, 2008. If you previously paid a 2008 voyage in full, you'll be assessed last year's lower surcharge.

Cunard: Beginning on February 1, 2008, Cunard will charge a $5 per person per day fuel surcharge, not to exceed $70 per person per cruise. The surcharge only applies to the first two passengers in the cabin; third and fourth passengers per cabin are not charged the fee. The surcharge applies to all existing and future bookings.

Oceania Cruises: This line will levy $7.00 per person per day as a fuel surcharge for all currently published sailings between now and April 2009. Avoid this fee by making final payment prior to December 1, 2007.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: If you pay your cruise invoice by December 1, 2007, you can avoid Regent's newly instituted fuel surcharge of $7.50 per person per day. This charge applies to all 2008 sailings.

SeaDream Yacht Club: Fuel surcharges are included in SeaDream's Port charges and are not broken out separately.

Silversea Cruises: All cruises booked on or after November 14, 2007 will be assessed a $10 per person per day fuel surcharge. Passengers who booked future voyages prior to the November 14 cutoff date will not be charged this fee.

Windstar Cruises: If you're sailing on the Wind Surf, Wind Spirit, or Wind Star between now and March 2009, you'll be assessed an $8.50 per person per day fuel surcharge. You can avoid this charge by paying your invoice in full by December 15, 2007.

Yachts of Seabourn: This line will charge a $5.00 per person per day fuel surcharge, not to exceed $70 per person per voyage for all sailings departing on or after February 1, 2008.

Nov. 17 Cross on SeaDream I Cancelled

Last week while sailing near Tangiers, SeaDream I damaged one of its stabilizers. In order to make the necessary repairs before its scheduled cross from Lisbon to San Juan, the November 17 itinerary was cancelled. While SeaDream Yacht Club originally hoped to simply delay departure until November 21, poor weather conditions prevented SeaDream I from immediately entering dry dock.

Cruise line executives from Miami flew to Lisbon to assist passengers who, while disappointed, were pleased with SeaDream's assistance with hotel arrangements in Lisbon and transportation home or to San Juan where they would have docked on November 28. A charter scheduled for the 28th was also cancelled.

SeaDream representatives were confident that the December 9th sailing would embark from San Juan as scheduled. Here's to hoping that the repairs are made swiftly and SeaDream I makes its way safely from Europe to the Caribbean.

I hope all of the "crossers" were able to enjoy their holiday, even without a SeaDream cruise, and with any luck they'll be yachting on an alternative itinerary soon.