Cruise Pulse: News and Notes for Jan. 20, 2016

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From our high seas sailing of the world wide web, check out some of today's top cruise stories...

ESPN Caribbean Cruise Lines Programming: 2016 Lineup Features Major Sporting Events Including NFL Playoffs, EURO 2016 and Rio 2016 Now through August of 2016, ESPN will provide live coverage of the biggest sports events, more than 700 in total, aboard all major Caribbean cruise lines.

SeaDream Yacht Club Opens Reservations for 2017 Season SeaDream Yacht Club has started taking reservations for all its 2017 sailings in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean on SeaDream I and SeaDream II.

Australis Plans New Vessel for 2017 The expedition cruise line intends to build a new ship to replace the Via Australis which will transfer to new owner Lindblad Expeditions in April.

Tubman Moves Up Amid Regent Sales-Force Moves to Boost Trade Support Regent Seven Seas Cruises promoted Shawn Tubman to SVP Sales and Shemain Grasso to VP National Accounts.

JUST THE LINKS

American Queen Steamboat Co. president Ted Sykes says the cruise line has plans to grow. Additional vessels are likely to be acquired or chartered.

Once servicing China, Royal Caribbean International's new Ovation of the Seas will feature lecturers from the Forbidden City's Imperial Palace Museum and display pieces from its collection.

The Xiamen International Cruise Terminal in China saw an increase in cruise passengers in 2015 over 2014, and the Port of Rostock-Warnemunde in Germany similarly reported a strong 2015 cruise year.

In Carnival Corporation news, the Costa Crociere Foundation has begun its annual process to engage in social betterment and marine environmental protection projects, and P&O Cruises and Cunard Line have reported significant progress in reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Crew member and musician Cary Aria has released what he calls the "Cruisers National Anthem" or the "Cruisers Theme Song" with fun "Cruise Ship Crazy" song.

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