Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas expects to make port at Labadee today, with a substantial load of humanitarian aid.

Cunard announced two new presentations as part of its Cunard Insights program. Author Kate Atkinson, and journalist Ken Walsh will present aboard Queen Mary. Atkinson is noted for being the winner of Whitebreak Book of the Year for “Behind the Scenes at the Museum, among other works. Walsh is the White House Correspondent for U.S. News and World Report and author of four books, including Feeding the Beast: The White House Versus the Press.

Celebrity Cruise Lines will refit their successful Millennium Class vessels to include some of the features seen on the newer Solstice Class.

Cunard floated out the Queen Elizabeth this week.

• Holland American to send ms Rotterdam on 30 day South American Cruises, one in 2010, two in 2011.
• Norwegian Cruise Line will add two Hawaii cruises on Pride of America in 2010.

Celebrity Cruise Lines has long had issues with the performance and reliability of the podded propulsion units built by Rolls-Royce. Call “Mermaid,” the units failed, or otherwise disappointed Celebrity numerous times in their early years of operation, leading to a few lawsuits. However the maker and user have settled at last, and the estimated amount figures to be about $65. This isn't in pure income in the pocket of Celebrity's mother company Royal Caribbean. Likely much of it will be based on expenses already written off. In their public comments, both companies seem to be putting as positive a face on the situation as they can. Neither wants to dwell on the issue in the public eye.