Cruise Bruise Blog
January 16, 2009
January 16, 2009
New Information On Mal de Debarquement Syndrome

Cruise Bruise received a letter from a visitor with this interesting information regarding Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS). We have numerous cases on this site for your reference. I thank Eady for this information.

"Though anecdotal, it seems like occurrences of Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS) are rising.

I've been directing an educational foundation in both Cologne, Germany and near the pleasure cruise capital of the world (Southeast Florida) between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

I noticed years ago that many of the students in my recreational therapy and balance refinement class presented with disequilibrium after cruises.

And, I discussed this issue in some detail with Industry Representatives at the 2008 Marine Hotel Association (MHA)Conference held in Hollywood, FL.

In addition, there was an interesting articles published recently that begins to get to the root causes of MdDS:

Angier, Natalie, The unsung system that makes walking possible, International Herald Tribune, October 29, 2008 is here

Just thought your readers might like to know more about this subject."

January 16, 2009
Cruise Industry Stocks Hit The Skids After Goldman Sachs Downgrade

With Paul Motter from Cruise Mates getting a chance to pump up his slumping stocks with a pitch to buy cruise industry stocks in an interview he did with the San Francisco Gate, saying that cruise industry stock is such a great  bargain right now, and with Lloyd's List pitching "the cruise industry is confident that the global economic challenges will not prevent it from posting record passenger volumes in 2009", one would think that I know absolutely nothing about cruise industry stocks, in spite of my extensive postings about them in this blog.

But, only a day after Motter's self-serving advice, and the pumping going on over at Lloyd's List, some real experts have come out to back up what I have been saying for months. Do NOT buy cruise industry stocks. If you haven't sold them yet, you are in for a big surprise.

Forbes has just posted sound advice from stock market industry leader Goldman Sachs. Analyst Steven Kent of Goldman downgraded the cruise sector to "Cautious," lowered Carnival's rating to "Sell" and downgraded Royal Caribbean shares to "Conviction List Sell."

"Net yield expectations are way too high given the deteriorating worldwide consumer, the massive supply hitting the market, cruise operators desire to fill these ships at any price, and a high exposure to more expensive Europe/Alaska cruises at the wrong time," Kent said.

Kent says that the industry has too many ships being built at the wrong time, has not canceled enough of those orders and is changing to more expensive exotic destinations at a time consumers are pulling back. In other words, making all the wrong moves in the worst economy. At least one line is not going to make through financial turmoil. Don't gamble on which one it would be.

In afternoon trading, Royal Caribbean shares fell 71 cents, or 6.8 percent, to $9.80. The stock has traded between $5.97 and $41.99 during the past 52 weeks.

Carnival shares lost 95 cents, or 4.4 percent, to $20.77. During the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between $14.85 and $45.22.

If you listen to Motter, I bet he has an acre of desert scrub in his backyard he would be willing to sell to you for a million dollars. If you want advice, on anything, go to somebody has no personal stake in the advice, reason enough to steer you wrong.

January 16, 2009
Pax Tell Of Carnival Six Hour Wait In 100 Degree Terminal Hell Hole
As promised, we have the story of Cruise Bruise visitor Charlee McWhirter, who went through hell trying to board a Carnival cruise in Galveston, Texas on December 18, 2008.

She says the terminal was jam-packed with passengers for six hours, in 100 degree weather, and they were told if they left, that they would lose all their money. Read this sad story here

January 16, 2009
Passenger With No Ticket Jumps Overboard And Drowns
I can't imagine, how a man would think that the cost of a $30 ticket for a harbor cruise at the end of a night of celebration for his senior prom, would be too much to pay.

But, apparently avoiding payment was the reason for jumping overboard in his Tuxedo. This is story that just begs you to read about it. The story of Everard Simmons is the latest to be added to our archive.  Read it here

January 16, 2009
Cayman Island Residents Not Happy With Carnival Cruise Lines' Plan

In George Town, Cayman Islands, 150 people attended a public meeting on the proposed cruise and cargo facilities to be built there.

The turn out was much heavier than expected, and the room was packed. Most of those attending were against the propose new plan to accomodate Carnival Cruise Lines.

Complaints were about dredging the harbor and harming the environment, and inspite of the millions spent, ships would still be moored offshore.

Representatives from the Port Authority and consultants selected to complete the EIA, CH2MHILL and representatives from the Ministry and Department of Environment and Ministry of Tourism and Environment were in attendance.

Walling Whittaker was concerned that an MOU had been signed for something the public did not understand. “We need more information. I’m not satisfied that enough rationale has been put forward for this project.”

He said cruise ship arrivals are declining and yet all this money was being spent on a cruise dock and the cruise ships were dictating what was being done. “My environment of George Town is much more important to me than Carnival [cruise lines],” he said.