Don Menzies Managing Director Travelcom

Dozens of cruise ships have been affected this last week by the massive storm which has lashed the Caribbean and the East Coast of America.

The storm-of-a-lifetime, Hurricane Sandy, made landfall in the Caribbean last week and finally landed on the American East Coast at the beginning of this week.

The Port of New York was closed down on Sunday night, which affected Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Gem, due to arrive on Tuesday.

Captain Roger Gustvsen posted on NCL's Facebook page that Gem weathered the storm "safely at sea, out of the storm's path," about 400 nautical miles off the southeast coast of New York City.

And New York-based ship, Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Miracle, ended up beating the storm home by missing out a couple of scheduled port stops.

Other Carnival ships were also affected, with Carnival Fantasy spending last Thursday at sea in the Bahamas, instead of visiting Freeport, Carnival Sensation reducing its voyage down to three days, and the cancellation of departures of Carnival Pride from Baltimore and Carnival Glory from Norfolk.

Other ships, which altered their course, skipped ports or delayed their sailings were Royal Caribbean's Jewel of the Seas, NCL's Norwegian Sky, Holland America's Eurodam, as well as dozens of others.

Carnival's senior cruise Director John Heald expressed his amazement at the force of the storm in Carnival Cruise Line's blog.

'I have to say I can't remember a storm that has affected so many ships and forced the closure of ports, and in the case of the Carnival Glory and Carnival Pride, the cancellation of two cruises.”

Affected cruise passengers are being provided with refunds, future cruise credits, hotel accommodation and meals.

Future of CIC Australian cruises uncertain

Stricken cruise company, Classic International Cruises, has confirmed their Australian season will not now go ahead, despite assurances earlier this week that CIC Australia was not affected by the company's financial issues in Europe.

Four of the company's ships have been arrested in Europe for non-payment of bills.

It was hoped that MS Delphin would be chartered from UK-based Cruise and Maritime Voyages to cover the Australian season instead of MV Athena, which remains under arrest in France.

However there has been availability problems with the MS Delphin and the liquidators have had no choice but to call in administrators.

There remains some hope they may find another suitable vessel but meanwhile customers who are booked with CIC this season are being urged to contact their travel agent.

Those wishing to register a claim with the administrators can complete an 'Informal Proof of Debt Form” which is available on the Lawler Partners website at www.lawlerpartners.com.au

Big cruise ships on the increase

The construction of big cruise ships is on the increase reflecting the growing popularity of cruise holidays.

Three major names in the cruising world, Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International are all about to build new big ships.

Holland America's new 2660-passenger ship will be delivered ready to sail in 2015, while Carnival's 4000-passenger ship will be ready in 2016.

Carnival Cruise Line's president told Cruise Weekly that the company's strategy included the introduction of two to three ships per year across the different Carnival brands.

And nothing is yet agreed but Royal Caribbean International is also looking at the construction of an Oasis-style mega-liner to be delivered in 2016.

Cunard's 2014 World Cruises

Bookings are now open for Cunard's 2014 World Voyage programme.

And Australasian passengers will be well-served by all three ‘Queens' during their world voyages.

Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 will make a total of 17 calls at Australian ports.