Carnival Corporation Lines Raise Fuel Supplement

In a series of press releases today, Carnival Corporation brands have announced they will be increasing their fuel supplements. The increases will impact Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Costa, Cunard and Seabourn.

Carnival Corporation has stated that, starting with new bookings on or after April 21, 2008, they will increase the fuel supplement to $7/person per day for the first and second passengers, up to a maximum of $98/person per voyage, and for the first time implement a supplement of $2/person per day up to a maximum of $28/person per voyage for the third and fourth passengers as well.

Of course, for bookings made between November 7 and April 20, the originally-announced supplements of $5/person per day will apply.

What does this mean to you?

First off, if you're looking to book any of these lines, try to do so before April 21 for a bit of a savings. Secondly, expect to see the other lines (meaning Royal Caribbean, Azamara and Celebrity) following very soon.

Costa's Best Actress

Did you recognize French actress Marion Cotillard when she won the Best Actress Oscar on Sunday night? I'll admit, neither did I. But we should have, and not because we should have seen what by all accounts was a fabulous performance.

You can be sure Costa recognized her on Sunday, as they had pinpointed her talent and charm way back in May, 2007, when she became the Godmother of Costa Serena when she was christened in Cotillard's home country of France.

Have to admit, those Italian cruise lines have an eye for beauty and talent. While MSC has Sophia Loren, watch out now for Costa and their actress selections!

So, now for the really big questions: will La Vie en Rose be screened on Costa ships? Instead of going to Disneyworld, did Mademoiselle Cotillard head to "her" ship? And did passengers watching the Awards on Costa Serena get free champagne to celebrate her win?