Cruise News Update - Travel Scouts

Missing Person Alert

Anne Evans - Holland America Rotterdam

• Age: 55 years old
• Ship: Holland America Rotterdam
• Voyage: 21-day round trip cruise
• Last Seen: St. Martin (Caribbean port)
• Status: Never returned to ship for departure
• Current Situation: Authorities actively searching
• Action: Contact information provided for anyone with sightings

Travel Security & Crowds

TSA Busy Travel Day Projection

• Projected Date: This coming Sunday
• Expected Volume: Over 3 million air travelers
• Ranking: Will be among top 10 busiest days in TSA history
• Note: All top 10 busiest days occurred in current year or previous year
• Advice for Cruisers: Plan accordingly, expect larger crowds when traveling to/from cruise ports

Man Overboard Incident

Disney Wonder - Passenger Presumed Dead

• Age: 73-year-old male passenger
• Ship: Disney Wonder
• Route: 5-day voyage from Melbourne, Australia to Auckland, New Zealand
• Incident: Saturday morning overboard
• Response:
  • Man overboard alert system activated (Disney ships among few with this technology)
  • Ship turned back immediately
  • 5-hour search conducted
  • Thermal imaging equipment deployed
• Outcome: Passenger could not be located, presumed dead

Hurricane Season Wrap-Up

2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season Conclusion

• Status: Coming to an end with only days remaining
• Current Forecast: No cyclone formation expected
• Season Performance: Matched expert predictions, ended on lower end of forecast range (favorable outcome)

Viewer Poll Results

Cruise Ship Size Preferences (8,000+ responses)

• Small ships (under 1,000 passengers): 8%
• Mid-size ships (1,000-2,500 passengers): 50% (largest group)
• Large ships (2,500-5,000 passengers): 33%
• Mega ships (5,000+ passengers): 9%

Current Viewer Poll

Question: How many cruises have you been on?

• A: Planning your first
• B: 1-5 times (caught the bug)
• C: 6-10 times
• D: 11+ times (addicted)

Death Investigation Update

Anna Kepner - Carnival Horizon

• Age: 18 years old
• Ship: Carnival Horizon
• Date: Early November
• Investigation: FBI actively investigating

Details from Grandparents' ABC News Interview:

Last Interaction:

• Had dinner together; Anna not feeling well
• Anna returned later, dressed up
• Played in casino together
• Last words: "Meemaw, I love you guys. I'll see you later."

Discovery:

• Medical alert called to specific stateroom number
• Room steward found Anna while cleaning
• Body concealed under bed (mattress pulled back)

Official Findings:

• Cause of death: Asphyxiation
• No signs of sexual assault
• No drugs or alcohol in system

Suspect Information:

• Stepson was in room with her
• Only person seen coming and going
• Grandparents not making accusations but noting circumstances
• Will let courts decide appropriate justice

Impact: Story has captivated cruise community and national attention

Loyalty Programs & Credit Card Integration

Industry Trend Analysis

Carnival Cruise Line Changes

• Transitioning loyalty program to rewards program
• Heavily tied to co-branded credit card usage
• Acknowledged messaging fumbles in announcement
• Goal: Mirror airline and hotel loyalty program success
• First of its kind in cruise industry

Why This Matters - Airline Industry Data:

Delta Airlines Example:

• Q2 Operating Profit: $2.1 billion (highest in America)
• Reality: Would have posted a LOSS without credit card kickback revenue
• Credit card program revenue is difference between profit and loss

Other Airlines with Same Model:

• American Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• United Airlines
• All would post losses without credit card loyalty program revenue

Royal Caribbean Group Plans

• CEO Jason Liberty's Statement: Working with co-branded credit card provider
• Goal: Tie loyalty program closer to credit card (avoiding Carnival's mistakes)
• Timeline: "Something very meaningful coming out very, very soon"
• Motivation: Maximize profits per investor interest

Industry Shift: Moving from travel-based loyalty to spending-based rewards (following airline/hotel model)

New Cruise Line Policies

Azamara Cruises Pre-Booking Options

Specialty Dining Pre-Booking

• Launch Date: December 1st
• Suite Guests & Discoverer Level: 150 days prior to embarkation
• All Other Guests: 140 days prior to embarkation

Future Additions

• Spa Treatment Pre-Booking: Rolling out early next year

About Azamara:

• Small but reputable cruise line
• Currently operates: 4 ships