Bermuda's Minister of Business Development and Tourism, Wayne Furbert presented the 2012 Royal Caribbean International Hospitality Awards on board the Celebrity Summit. Royal Caribbean's Vice-President of Government relations for the Caribbean, Latin America and Asia, Michael Ronan joined other members of Bermuda's government to present the awards.

The winners of the Hospitality Awards were

• Nikhil Hassell, who received $5000 and is attending Johnson and Wales University in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Dwayne Fubler, who recieved $10,000 and is attending Florida International University
• Simon Benevides, who received $5,000 and is attending the University of Guelph, Ontatio, Canada

“To date, this program has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship funds to 65 young Bermudians to assist them in tourism related studies,” said the Minister. “I am pleased to join with Royal Caribbean in awarding three deserving young Bermudians with scholarships.”

The Minister concluded by saying the Government is committed to helping young Bermudians achieve excellence in the hospitality industry. “This initiative celebrates that achievement and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Royal Caribbean Cruise Line International for their significant contribution and support that they continue to share.”

Earlier this year, Royal Caribbean announced they would transfer Monarch of the Seas out of their fleet and into sister company Pullmantur Cruises in April 2013.  Now we know that Monarch of the Seas will be home based year round in Curacao when that transfer is complete.

Monarch of the Seas will offer 7 night Southern Caribbean itineraries to ports in Venezuela, Panama, Colombia and Aruba.

The decision wraps up two months of negotiations between the cruise line and the Minister of Tourism.

Port Everglades Terminal 18, home to Roya Caribbean' Oasis of the Sea and Allure of the Seas, has a brand new piece of art on display.

"Cruising School", a public art installation by Washington, D.C., sculptor Larry Kirkland can now be viewed by the 12,000 cruise guests that pass through the terminal each week.

The artwork is made up of 300 painted aluminum fish suspended from a swirling oval bracket attached to the ceiling, which cast shadows on the walls when they rotate.  The art cost $605,000.

Voyager of the Seas has been in Asia for a few weeks and there's definitely a lot of enthusiasm about a ship that large in the area.  Nelia Neri of the Philippines had the opportunity to sail on her after first sailing on her back in 1999 and shared her experience.

The author decided to make this a family trip, which included 38 people and boarded the cruise in Singapore for a five-day cruise to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Phuket.

Family bonding was the name of the game during the cruise. Everyone would meet at the Windjammer Cafe for breakfast and then get off the ship for sightseeing and to have lunch in a resto serving the typical food of the place. Dinner time found all of us on three adjoining tables at the Carmen dining room planning the next day’s sked.

The cruise seems to have rekindled the sort of memories from the author's first cruise on Voyager and it sounded like all 38 people really enjoyed their time aboard.

Just as my late parents happily announced to relatives and friends that our 60th anniversary gift to them of a Caribbean cruise was a gift like no other, our four sons, two daughters-in-law and six grandchildren gratefully proclaimed that the Spice of Asia cruise on board the Voyager of the Seas was a vacation treat like no other.

Royal Caribbean has announced a memorial service to remember Mike Semler, who recently passed away suddenly last month.  Semler was Royal Caribbean's Wichita call center director.

Royal Caribbean said the public service will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, at the Beech Activity Center, 9710 E. Central in Wichita, Kansas.

Semler, 50, was the director of trade support and service and was director of the facility in Wichita, which he helped to launch in 1999.

An active community leader, Semler held board appointments for United Way of the Plains, Kansas Communities in Schools, Go Witchita, and most was Chairman of the Kansas Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In lieu of flowers, the family has established that donations may be made to either the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas or the Kansas Humane Society. Donations may be sent to:

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas
2016 N. Amidon
Wichita, KS 67203
Please indicate that it is in Memory of Mikel Semler.
Credit card donations may be made via phone at (316) 838-9474.

The Washington Post has posted an in-depth look at Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas' cruise director Ricky Matthews and how Ricky has made the job his own.

“My job is to provide the best entertainment and to keep everyone busy,” said the 39-year-old Jamaican of his position with Royal Caribbean. “I need to be able to make the people move even if they’re sleepy.”

Matthews describes his job as captain, head chef, steward, waiter and comedian. He spends his day overseeing the many activities that are occurring around the ship.  For Matthews, it's all about setting the tone for passengers, "First impressions are important, so he strives to set the proper tone — fun, fun, fun — from the outset. During the first hours of the cruise, he strolls the decks like a one-man pep rally, waving his imaginary party flag. He joshes with guests and charms the female persuasion with endearing greetings of 'Hello, ladies.' They fall under his spell, as do their husbands."

Matthews' schedule with Royal Caribbean is also interesting, he spends two months at a time working for the cruise ship and then receives two months off to visit family or friends.  

He has spent a considerable amount of time working for Royal Caribbean.  Prior to Oasis of the Seas, Matthews worked on Majesty of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas. He occupied the cruise director chair on Oasis of the Seas from March to June, filling in for another cruise director on holiday.

You can read the entire look at Matthews' daily life aboard Oasis of the Seas and see exactly what his job entails.

Photo by Xiomara Amaro

Three cruise ship passengers from Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas won a court decision in Brazil after seeking compensation following a norovirus outbreak aboard the ship back in March 2010.

The ship departed from Port Santos, Brazil when 348 people onboard were contracted norovirus.  Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were some of the symptoms experienced by the passengers, who resorted to the court system to be reimbursed for the damage.

The attorney that specializes in consumer law, Ferrette Sueli Maria Gomes, was approached by three passengers dissatisfied with the consequences of the outbreak. 

One of the plantiffs was Freire Lourdes Domingues, 79, who was infected and claims to have almost died because of the  norovirus. The other two passengers who sought legal action felt changed in Vision's itinerary caused greater injury to them since they were prevented from getting off the ship at their destinations.  The trip included stops in Buzios, in Rio de Janeiro and Ilhabela in São Paulo coast. 

According to the lawyer, setting the value to be paid for each passenger fell to the judge, as Royal Caribbean did not offer to make a deal. The only deal the company was offering was a 25% discount on a future trip. 

Royal Caribbean had to pay about $33,000, including punitive damages and reimbursement of passages (R$ 2,994.00 each). The compensation was increased to Lourdes, due to contracting gastroenteritis. She received $12,000 in damages only. The other two tourists won £6,000 each by the hassles. 

Among the complaints made by passengers, is there being only one doctor to serve the people, without priority for children and seniors. Furthermore, it was alleged that the norovirus can spread via unwashed food and water, which was a possible sign of poor hygiene. 

When asked about the ruling, Royal Caribbean said in a written statement it is appealing the verdict. Royal Caribbean also announced that as soon as the symptoms were detected on board the Vision of the Seas,  the ship immediately reported the incident to the ANVISA and "took all actions necessary to ensure the welfare of the guests on board." 

The company also noted that viral outbreaks can not be directly related to the ship. "A virus from external sources can be installed on the vessel human transmission and thus did not cause any problems as food and water on the ship."

Royal Caribbean also mentioned that all ships coming to Brazil are subject to the control of various organs and meet strict standards, controls and taxes from international organizations. 

Famous southern cook Paula Deen is hosting a cruise aboard Royal Caribbean's Mariner of the Seas that will sail out of Galveston, Texas early next year.

The cruise leaves on January 27, 2013 and will visit Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.  The "2013 Cruise with Paula" event will begin with a “welcome pajama dessert party” with Paula.

Everyone who books the cruise package will receive an 8x10 photo with Paula and events onboard include

• Deen Family Olympics
• Not your Mama’s Meals with Paula & Bobby
• Q&A games with Paula and "the boys"
• Super Bowl party with "the boys"
• Jazz (or Gospel) brunch
• Slot tournament
• charity auction
• Final night BBQ including private cocktail party

There will also be goody bags and a "personal gift" from Paula herself.

If you're interested, you can book the cruise by going to the Cruise with Paula website.