Cruise
What A View
Pam Hoffee, President of Avalon Waterways, described the christening ceremony for Avalon Waterways’ 14th Suite Ship in Europe as “years in the making.” Originally set to debut in 2020, Avalon View got its long awaited time in the spotlight yesterday in Bratislava, as 15-time Emmy Award-winning host, executive producer and anchor Meredith Vieira took on duties as the ship’s godmother. “Today we thank those with a vision of what could be and the hands to craft it so. Such beauty as this magnificent vessel now begins its river journey. Around every bend lies a new sight to...
AQV Celebrates Ocean Navigator’s Return
American Queen Voyages is celebrating the return of Ocean Navigator, the final Lakes & Oceans vessel to be added back to the fleet, as it welcomes its first guests in over two years. The 202-guest boutique coastal ship, a sister to Ocean Voyager, was greeted in downtown Savannah at River Street Market Landing by city leaders and dignitaries, including Mayor Van R. Johnson, who toured the vessel, visiting with crew and officers before an afternoon guest embarkation. John Waggoner, founder & chairman, American Queen Voyages, said: “The Great America-tion summer is nearing,...
NCL Cruises Back To Hawai’i
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced the return to service of Pride of America, the only cruise ship to sail Hawai’i year-round. NCL’s Pride of America, which is the fifteenth ship in its fleet to return to service, sails weekly seven-day, roundtrip voyages from Honolulu, providing guests nearly 100 hours of port time and the ability to explore four islands in a week’s span. The itinerary includes overnights in Maui and Kauai, allowing for more immersive experiences on land, and unforgettable sights of the Napali Coast. NCL has two remaining ships that will be...
Royal Caribbean Cruising To New Records
Royal Caribbean International reports that it set set new records recently, with the largest single booking day and the highest volume booking week, March 26 – April 1, in its 53-year history. The strong demand and new bookings come on the heels of more than 1.5 million guests having sailed with the line since January 2021, alongside consistently record-high guest satisfaction ratings across its ships and private destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee on the north coast of Haiti. Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said that:...
Holland America Is Back In Canada
Holland America Line will be the first cruise line to return to Canadian cruising following a more than two year industrywide pause due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Koningsdam will call at Victoria, British Columbia, Saturday, April 9, restarting the cruise industry in Canada. The following day the ship will end its current seven-day cruise at Port of Vancouver, its homeport for the summer Alaska season. Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, said: “We are thrilled to be the first cruise line back into Canada after such a long absence, and we look forward to...
Celebrity Beyond Arrives
Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo honoured the thousands of engineers, architects, designers, contractors, shipyard employees and Celebrity Cruises teams as the brand took delivery of Celebrity Beyond today (April 6). And it was a particularly special moment, marking the shipyard’s first physical delivery ceremony since the pandemic. As part of the historic moment, Lutoff-Perlo was joined by Royal Caribbean Group’s President and CEO Jason Liberty and the ship’s captain, Kate McCue, as they officially took ownership from the shipyard and completed the...
Holland America Steps Up To Help Ukrainian Refugees
Holland America Line's Volendam will be used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees as part of an agreement announced by Netherlands and City of Rotterdam government officials. The ship will dock in Rotterdam for three months to provide a temporary home for approximately 1,500 Ukrainians, part of a larger commitment from the Netherlands to accommodate 50,000 people who fled the war in their homeland. Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line, said: “We are in a unique position to accommodate the immediate need for food and housing, so we felt it was very important to work with...
Hurtigruten Group Takes Stake In Metropolitan Touring
Hurtigruten Group has acquired a ‘significant minority stake’ in Metropolitan Touring, one of South America’s leading travel companies and pioneers in the Galápagos Islands. The long-term investment sees Hurtigruten Group take a 24.9% share in the company with headquarters in Quito, Ecuador, and further demonstrates Hurtigruten Group’s global growth ambitions in the adventure travel market. CEO of Hurtigruten Group Daniel Skjeldam said: “This investment signifies our growth journey, and we are delighted to invest in Metropolitan Touring, a proud South American company...