Cruise
Celebrity Has Big Plans For 2023-2024 Caribbean Season
Celebrity Cruises is taking its 2023-2024 Caribbean season to new heights with the addition of its newest ship, Celebrity Ascent. With eight ships navigating the island region, including three from the Edge Series, and itineraries ranging from 4 nights to 12 nights, guests will have more options to choose from when planning their dream vacation. Celebrity Ascent, the fourth ship in the Edge Series, which made its way from concept to construction on Nov. 22, 2021, will make its maiden voyage on Dec. 3, 2023. After departing from Ft. Lauderdale, it will explore the Eastern...
American Queen Voyages Launches New Partnership
American Queen Voyages is partnering with Dr. Michelle Fournet, director of the Sound Science Research Collective, for the inaugural Alaska expedition season of Ocean Victory. The acoustic ecologist is a leading expert in the communication of North Pacific humpback whales, profiled along with her Sound Science Research Collective team in the acclaimed documentary “Fathom”, now streaming on AppleTV+. As part of the partnership, Fournet and the Sound Science Research Collective will collaborate with the American Queen Voyages expedition team and California Polytechnic State...
UPDATED: Changing The Rules
UPDATE: In a social media post, ACTA advises that it has received clarification from the Government of Canada that fully-vaccinated travellers can take a rapid antigen test conducted anytime on the day of or before travel (similar to USA). This corrects the previous announcement of "within 24 hours." The change is effective February 28. With recent data indicating that the latest wave of COVID-19 -- driven by the Omicron variant -- has passed its peak in Canada, the federal government has rolled out some changes to its current border measures that take effect at the end of...
Love Letters To Alaska
Dear Alaska, you amaze me … Fans who declare their love for Alaska in a letter or poem can enter to win one of 10 suites, including a grand prize Neptune Suite, on a 2022 cruise to the Great Land in Holland America Line’s “Love Letters to Alaska” contest. This year, the cruise line celebrates 75 years of Alaska exploration, and the Love Letters contest is a tribute to the beloved cruising region. Launched on Valentine’s Day and running through March 15, 2022, entrants can visit www.loveletterstoalaska.com and tell Holland America Line why they love Alaska or why...
Cruise Bookings Charting A New Course
According to GlobalData, the COVID-19 pandemic has seen cruise bookings shifting away from intermediaries with cruise tourists opting to book directly with the cruise line rather than through an Online Travel Agent (OTA) or a high-street agency. The data and analytics company reports that industry revenue from cruise intermediaries in 2021 increased by 65% year-on-year (YoY) from $11.8 billion to $19.5 billion. However, cruise passengers have increased at a significantly higher rate. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise tourism had risen by 95% YoY from...
Virgin Voyages Valiant Lady Sets Sail
Virgin Voyages has introduced its latest ship, the Valiant Lady. In March, the Valiant Lady will sail around the UK, gracing the ports of London International Cruise Terminal (Tilbury) and Liverpool ahead of its limited bookable MerMaiden voyage from Portsmouth before it docks at its homeport in Barcelona. Speaking of the arrival of Valiant Lady in the UK, Tom McAlpin, CEO of Virgin Voyages, said: “Following the success of our first lady ship, Scarlet Lady, we are so excited to debut Valiant Lady this March and begin our European tour. The lifting of UK travel restrictions has...
TravelBrands Sets Sail With Tradewind Voyages
TravelBrands Encore Cruises has added Tradewind Voyages as a new cruise line partner. Tradewind Voyages is a cruise line like no other, offering adventure seekers a sailing experience that allows guests to connect with the elements of the natural world. It’s a sustainable cruise line using its sails without using the main propulsion engines. The Captain will plot courses using local winds and currents, giving guests an authentic sailing experience. Nathalie Tanious, COO, TravelBrands, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to provide agents with a wide variety of options for...
CLIA Takes CDC To Task
In a statement following the CDC’s release of new guidelines for the cruise industry, CLIA points out in a statement that: “The protocols adopted by every CLIA cruise-line member remain unequaled by other industries. Cruise lines are a model for adopting and employing highly effective, layered mitigation measures and have proven their effectiveness in a way that is unmatched by virtually any other commercial setting.” It continues: “Unlike any other travel, tourism, hospitality, or entertainment sector, cruise ships test all persons boarding, have medical, isolation and...