Cruise Pulse: News and Notes for Oct. 27, 2015

2015 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Float Lineup Includes Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean will have a float once again, but will not have a theme on a specific ship of theirs like they have in the past.
Source: Cruise Ship News

Costa and AIDA Donate to Refugee Relief
Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises are donating a total of 200,000 euros in Italy and Germany to support refugee relief in Europe.
Source: Cruise Radio

Empress of the Seas to Rejoin Royal Caribbean’s Fleet
During its third quarter earnings call with investors last week, Royal Caribbean confirmed it will move the ship back to its fleet as part of the restructuring of Pullmantur following sluggish demand, particularly in Latin America.
Source: World of Cruising

'Spotless ships': High standards drive new Norwegian Cruise Line CEO
It takes just a few minutes with the new boss, Frank Del Rio, to get the sense that the goal post has been moved even further.
Source: USA Today

Holland America Cruise Ship to Mark Start of Busy Year for New Orleans
Holland America Line’s Westerdam will call on the Port of New Orleans’ Julia Street Cruise Terminal Tuesday, marking what officials said will be the first of 19 port calls in New Orleans by seven cruise ships through 2016.
Source: The New Orleans Advocate

Grapevine: High Hopes on Gulf Coast for Carnival’s Charleston Cruise Ship
A lot will be riding on the Carnival Fantasy after it leaves Charleston for its next tour of duty.
Source: The Post and Courier

108 Cruise Ships to Iceland This Season
This year, Iceland saw a total of 108 cruise ships, arriving from as early as March right through to Oct. 24.
Source: Iceland Monitor