A quick briefing of the latest news developing in the cruise industry.
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Holland America Line Updates Wine Policy
Holland America Line has announced that effective January 1, 2014, all guests will only be allowed to bring aboard 1 bottle of wine. The wine must be brought aboard in the ship’s embarkation port and will have a corkage fee of $20, up $2 from the current fee.
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Rockefeller Introduces Cruise Tax Bill
Senator Rockefeller has introduced two bills to the Senate that he claims would close tax loopholes and force cruise lines based in the United States to pay more taxes. Rockefeller claims that cruise lines that embark and disembark in the United States don’t pay enough in corporate taxes and claims that it is time for the cruise lines to “pay their fair share.”
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Royal Caribbean Moves Forward With Quantum Class
Royal Caribbean this past week laid the keel for the new Quantum of the Seas and cut the first plate of steel for her sister, Anthem of the Seas. Both milestones took place at the Meyer Werft Papenburg yard. The Quantum of the Seas is expected to launch in 2014 and the Anthem of the Seas in 2015.
