Holland America logo on the funnel of the Zaandam. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

    It may not be fair to blame the Veendam for the Norovirus outbreak currently underway.  The Los Angeles Times reports that the vomiting and diarrhea disease commonly associated with cruise ships and nursing homes has been circulating in …

It’s that Noro time of year; Veendam outbreak eyeballed by CDC as Eden not a paradise for passengers Read more »

AquaClass Staterooms $3,699 USD

From Cruise Critic: — Passengers sailing in Celebrity Cruises’ AquaClass cabins will no longer receive free daily bottled water, starting immediately. In a statement, the line said that passengers in AquaClass, along with those in Sky and Celebrity suites, will …

Tempest in a bottle of water as Celebrity executives prove their IQ’s are lower than h2o Read more »

The Seaborne Legend arrives at St. Maarten. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

  NAf. 13 million secured for expansion of prison Sint Maarten November 05, 2015 8:34 AM  From Dutch Legal Portal POINTE BLANCHE-Government has “secured” approximately NAf. 13 million from the country’s capital investment budget for the expansion of the Point …

Rejoice, Tourists! St. Maarten adding prison capacity for it’s many criminals Read more »

A Dutch treat! THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

Dutch Island Dreaming It’s rare to find a Southern Caribbean itinerary that doesn’t require sailing out of Puerto Rico. That distinction is only the beginning of what makes Navigator of the Seas’ new itineraries so different. Depart from Miami for …

Itinerary with distinction: go Dutch! Read more »

The Celebrity Equinox is one of many ships that work European schedules from spring to fall and offers great value on trans-Atlantic crossings. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo.

That long-planned trip coming up to cruise the Greek Isles or tour an European capital before boarding a ship? It may be time to be sure that you bought travel insurance or to review your policy and speak to your …

Terror threats loom for cruise travelers in Europe; cruise lines cancel trips to Greece & Turkey Read more »

Wind Spirit at anchor at Antigua. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

From Maritime Executive Windstar Cruises‘ 200-passenger boutique cruise ship Star Pride ran aground off of Isla de Coiba, Panama during anchoring maneuvers. The company said that all guests and crew are safe, but there is hull damage and the vessel is unable …

Star Pride ran aground while anchoring; all aboard transferred to another ship for trip home Read more »

Disney Magic

  Juan Manuel Palma Ortega charged with molesting child aboard Disney Magic From WSVN MIAMI (Dec. 26, 2015) — A Honduran man is behind bars, Thursday, after he was accused of molesting an 11-year-old girl aboard a Disney cruise ship. …

Juan Manuel Palma Ortega charged with molesting child aboard Disney Magic Read more »

Lawn Club on Equinox. Not quite what one might expect at sea but at least the passengers don't have to worry about pushing the lawnmower. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

Two Celebrity Cruises Ships to Undergo Bold, New Refresh (Editor’s Note: This report on how Celebrity is giving yet another makeover to two of the remaining older ships in its fleet is from Celebrity Cruises while the captions and photos …

Celebrity brings two elder ships up to Solstice-class luxury Read more »

MSC Lirica heads to sea after stop at Cadiz, Spain. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

With crime in mind for cruise passengers to the Bahamas, the cruise lines find a way to separate the felons from their customers MSC Cruises to Create Exclusive Bahamian Marine Reserve Island Experience for Caribbean Cruise Guests 12/17/2015 Geneva, Switzerland, …

MSC lands its own island in Bahamas Read more »

St. Croix depends heavily on tourists for its economy. Hotels, snorkeling, restaurants and nightclubs are filled with visitors. THE PRIVATEER CLAUSE photo

Wounded man flees shooter in Smith Bay From The Virgin Islands Daily News BY ASHLEY MAYRIANNE JONES (DAILY NEWS STAFF) Published: December 17, 2015   ST. THOMAS – A man was shot in the thigh in Smith Bay on Tuesday …

Gunfire and violence in Virgin Islands will make any visitor from Chicago feel right at home Read more »