Costa Allegra Drifting in Indian Ocean following Electrical Fire

More Woes for Costa...  Allegra adrift following fire!



Costa Allegra, photo by Yerpo, CC



The Costa Allegra is adrift in the Indian Ocean, with no power, save, apparently, emergency lighting.  There are approximately 1,000 passengers and crew on board, none of whom were injured during the electrical fire that resulted in the power outage.



Now, in case you haven't been following the pirate stories, the Indian Ocean is an area in which pirates do, indeed, operate.  Thankfully, there IS protection on board, in the person of armed Italian Marines, according to a story in The Guardian.   Still, I'm saying a prayer for the safety of all aboard the Allegra.



Updates are being posted on the Costa Cruises website.   According to the latest:



 - A 295 ft French fishing boat is expected to reach the Allegra within a few hours.

- Several other vessels, and two tugs are also steaming towards her position.

- The tugs will presumably tow the cruise ship to safe harbor in the Seychelles

Please hold the ship and all those aboard in your thoughts. 

New Year - New Ships

Happy New Year, fellow cruisers! 

May your 2011 be filled with health, prosperity, time well spent with loved ones,

and at least a few happy days at sea.

What's new in cruising for the New Year?  Well, one thing is that we can look forward to welcoming a few brand new ships into the world of cruising in the months ahead.  Here's a quick run-down of expected new launches:

JANUARY

The maiden voyage of  Oceania's Marina departs Barcelona for Miami on the 22nd. A Regatta class ship, but a bit larger than her sisters, at 66,000 gross registered tons, she'll carry 1250 passengers.

The Disney Dream will arrive at her home part of Port Canaveral for her inagural sailing on the 26th.  She's the first in the newest (bigger) class of ships for Disney Cruises.  (130,000 tons; 4000 pax)

APRIL
German line Aida Cruises launches Aida Sol.  (71,000 tons; 2050 pax)

MAY
Carnival debuts their 23rd ship, the Carnival Magic, sister to the Deam. After a season of sailing from Barcelona, she'll arrive at her new homeport of Galveston in November.   (130,000 tons; 3690 pax)

JUNE
The Seabourn Quest, new from the Yachts of Seabourn will begin sailing the Mediterranean and Greek Isles in mid to late June.  (332,000 tons; 450 pax)

JULY

Costa brings us their sixteenth ship, the Costa Favolosa, sailing the Med fromVenice, beginning on the 7th.   (114,500 tons; 3000 pax)

A new Solstice Class ship, the Celebrity Silhouette embarks the 23rd from Hamburg to Rome on her inaugural, then sails the Med and Middle East before coming to Bayonne, NJ in the fall.  (122,000 tons; 2850 pax)

Happy New Year from Cruising Musings!

In this New Year, may we all

Live, Love, Cruise, and be Happy!

Take advantage or Cruise Ready Store's New Year Sale -  discounts up to 20%.
Through Jan 4. See Store home page for details.