Cruise
HAL Ready For Return To Japan
Holland America is preparing to return to Japan after the Japanese government indicated in November that it is ready to start receiving international cruise ships after two-and-a-half years. Beginning in early 2023, Holland America’s Westerdam will set sail on a series of itineraries allowing its passengers to explore lands where ancient temples and cultures steeped in tradition mix with soaring skyscrapers and bustling capitals. Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line, said: “We’re grateful for the work that the Japanese authorities have done to allow for a return to...
Going Beyond With Celebrity Cruises
In the cruise industry, the second ship in a series is typically a carbon copy of the first due to intricate ship design and long construction lead times. It’s not until the third ship comes along that big changes can be made — and this is where Celebrity Beyond fits in — as the third ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge series. “On Dec. 4, 2018, we officially launched Celebrity Edge, the first ship in this brand new series. She was named to reflect her modern, ambitious, game-changing architecture and design. It was the culmination, for so many of us, after years of dreaming,...
ToursByLocals’ Shore Excursions Are Sailing
As the cruise industry continues its comeback, Vancouver-based ToursByLocals, , is reporting its shore excursion business has increased tenfold over the same period in 2021. To date in 2022, the company has booked more than 10,000 private shore excursions led by an experienced local guide, versus around 1,000 tours booked in the same period of 2021. ToursByLocals shore excursions allow cruisers to step off the ship and meet their personal guide for a day of exploring. Each excursion is tailored to the traveller’s wishes, in contrast to the mass tours offered by the cruise...
Explora Journeys Ready To Set Sail
Explora Journeys has unveiled details of the maiden voyage of the first of its six ships, EXPLORA I, that will set sail on July 17, 2023, from Southampton in the UK. The brand will make its debut with a 15-night inaugural journey to Northern Europe with calls to 12 ports in four countries under the title, ‘A Maiden Journey into Epic Fjords and the Arctic Circle’. Michael Ungerer, Chief Executive Officer, Explora Journeys, said: “Our vision and purpose from day one has been to create a travel and ocean experience like no other and we are thrilled that our ground-breaking new...
HAL Sets Sail With Super Sale From Canada
Holland America Line is expanding its “Canada Super Sale” with additional cruise dates in 2023 to provide Canadian cruisers more options to plan this year’s ultimate holiday gift or next year’s vacation. Featuring up to 20% off fares on select sailings, the exclusive offer runs through Dec. 31, 2022, and aims to help ease the exchange rate on departures from a convenient Canadian homeport, as well as a diverse selection of exciting Alaska, Panama Canal, Caribbean and European cruises. The Canada Super Sale is valid on select 2023 Panama Canal, Caribbean, Pacific Coast...
Agency Group Cruises For The Stars
The Stewart Travel Group is back from its cruise on the Danube River and it returned with in a cheque for $35,800 for Stars for Life, Foundation for Autism, a Charlottetown, PE non-profit organization. If you add the $15,500 that Travis and Paula Stewart, co-owners of Stewart Travel Group, presented to Stars For Life earlier this year, it’s been an overwhelming year for the company’s fundraising efforts. All of it is thanks to the guests of two full-charter river cruises in Europe which Stewart Travel Group hosted this year. Travis and Paula Stewart, co-owners of Stewart...
A World Cup Match To Remember
It was a great way to start the week. The industry gathered at Toronto’s Chelsea Hotel for the World Cup match between Switzerland and Brazil on Nov. 28. Hosted by Baxter Media and the Chelsea Hotel and with Switzerland Tourism, Globus family of brands and MSC Cruises as sponsors, it was definitely a nice way to spend the morning. In fact, those on hand had a chance to meet Switzerland Tourism’s new market manager for Canada, Oliver Weibel on his first day on the job (although he officially took over his post on Nov. 1) as well as chatting with Globus’ Carla Brake and...
What’s In A Name?
Silversea Cruises has officially named Silver Endeavour at a naming ceremony late last week. The cruise company held an expedition-style celebration in the Lemaire Channel, Antarctica, to inaugurate Silver Endeavour as the 11th ship in its fleet, and which was attended by executives from Silversea Cruises, the ship’s Godmother Felicity Aston MBE, and select members of the cruise line’s extended family, who witnessed an ice-sculpted champagne magnum smashed against Silver Endeavour’s hull to mark the cruise line’s third naming ceremony in just nine months. Jason...