Cruise
NCL, Katy Perry Light It Up In Iceland
“I stand before you tonight filled with pride, excitement and joy, as this christening marks the welcoming of a new ship and the ushering in of a new era in cruising,” Frank Del Rio, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., said on stage during the christening ceremony for Norwegian Prima in Reykjavík, Iceland. Norwegian Prima is the first of six ships on order as part of the groundbreaking Prima Class, dubbed the next generation of NCL’s ships. Next year the company will launch three new ships, one across each of its brands, including Oceania Cruises and...
Scenic Group Strengthens Senior Leadership Team
Scenic Group continues to strengthen its global leadership team with the addition of two highly-regarded industry veterans and internal promotions. As Scenic Group looks to increase its fleet of luxury and ultra-luxury yachts, it has looked to beef up its ocean team and recently recruited luxury tourism industry professional Claudius Docekal, who has joined the global senior leadership team as Vice President of Product – Ocean. This key strategic hire is part of a larger restructure which enables the business to achieve its ambitious future growth plans. Docekal joins Scenic Group...
Doubling Up
Hurtigruten Americas has more than doubled its Canadian sales team this summer and will now significantly increase its presence in the Canadian travel trade market with greater support and outreach. The company handles both Hurtigruten Expeditions and Hurtigruten Norway, which has operated the Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express since 1893. Émilie Giguère, Jake Rogers, and Carmen Wakileh have recently joined the Canadian sales team alongside Kristin Erz, Sales Director (Canada) and Carly Biggart, VP Sales (Americas). Kristin Erz, Sales Director, Canada, said: “We are so...
Windstar Cruises Sets Sail To Arabia in 2023-2024
Windstar Cruises has released its new brochure -- available to order or access online – featuring its newest offering -- cruises to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf. Windstar Cruises President, Christopher Prelog said: “With impressive UNESCO sights, beautiful beaches and wildlife, top-rated golf courses, amazing snorkeling and diving, and of course, great shopping, Windstar is excited to introduce our guests to the Red Sea and Persian Gulf with new itineraries in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar.” Cruises begin November, 2023, on the...
Uniworld Offers Update On Policies
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is advising that while it will continue to require its guests to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 through 2022, it has made the careful and informed decision to not require COVID vaccinations for guests traveling with Uniworld in 2023. However, the company said that guests will be required to follow the entry requirements specified by each country visited along their itinerary -- by river, land or rail. Uniworld advises that entry guidelines for travel to each destination can be found on its Travel Requirements page and guests are responsible for...
Carnival Offers Update On Protocols
Carnival Cruise Line is advising guests and travel agents of additional updates to its pre-cruise testing protocols for unvaccinated guests for voyages departing Sept. 6, 2022, and later. The changes are consistent with what local destinations have advised will be acceptable for arriving cruise guests, and Carnival will continue to work closely with local destinations to protect the health of its guests, crew and the communities the cruise line visits. The updated protocols are: In addition to lab administered tests, self-testing is accepted for unvaccinated guests on cruises...
MSC Seascape Completes Sea Trials
MSC Seascape has successfully completed its first intensive systems tests at sea during a multiple-day trial between Aug. 17 to Aug. 20. This will be the fourth ship in the Seaside class and second Seaside EVO ship built by Fincantieri in Italy, one of the world’s largest ship building groups. The Seaside EVO ships are an evolution of the innovative and popular Seaside class with striking design features, stunning public spaces, and exciting experiences for guests. The 169,400 GT ship will be delivered to MSC Cruises in late November and will come into service in December 2022,...
8th Earl of Carnarvon Names Viking’s Newest Ship
Viking has named its newest river ship, the Viking Osiris, with a celebration in Luxor, Egypt. As part of the event, the company’s first ceremonial godfather, George Herbert, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship—an evolution of the naval tradition that dates back thousands of years. Designed specifically to navigate the Nile, the state-of-the-art ship was built at Massara shipyard in Cairo and will sail Viking’s bestselling Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. The naming of the Viking Osiris comes as Egypt marks...