Cruise
Fewer crowds, more choice, more space: Avalon Waterways sets a course to offer it all
These days, more and more travellers are looking for experiences that are more personal, more spacious and more connected – and Avalon Waterways has the data to prove it. According to new guest research from the river cruise line, 62% of travellers say they prefer cruising on ships carrying fewer than 150 guests – a model Avalon has long embraced with Suite Ships averaging just 150 passengers, roughly 30% fewer than many river cruise vessels. Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways, said that: “Travellers today are redefining luxury. Space. Personalization. Freedom to...
A new opportunity for advisors: river-to-ocean cruising from Windstar
For travel advisors with clients who can’t decide between a river cruise or an ocean cruise, Windstar Cruises is setting sail with a new category of travel -- river-to-ocean cruising that connects both experiences in a single journey. And that means, no changing ships; no interruptions; just a seamless way to move beyond the river and into a much broader world of exploration. Designed to help advisors retain and grow their most valuable clients, these sailings also create new opportunities for group bookings and specialty travel, including wine-focused sailings. Driving this...
Avalon Waterways reveals 2026-2027 booking trends of note
Avalon Waterways is helping travel advisors capture both last-minute summer travellers and early planners by spotlighting the cruises to book now for 2026 and the itineraries already trending as the most popular for 2027 as it rides the momentum of a record-setting sales year and continued strong demand for European river cruising. For advisors working with clients eager to sail Europe this summer, Avalon still has limited availability on several standout itineraries across the Rhine, Danube and Rhône Rivers – offering immersive experiences in some of the continent’s most iconic...
TTAND celebrates trio of awards from Celebrity Cruises
There are champagne corks popping as the Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) celebrates three awards from Celebrity Cruises for 2025, including the Partner of the Year for the third time. Celebrity’s Allan Brooks and Brenda Yeomans were at the TTAND office in Toronto last week to present the awards. The three awards won by TTAND are: Partner of the Year Canada; Key Account of the Year and the Top 50 North America award. Flemming Friisdahl, TTAND CEO said: “We are extremely honoured to receive three awards from Celebrity. They are great partners and being named Partner of the Year...
Explora Journeys makes itinerary changes for winter 2026-2027 season
Explora Journeys has confirmed that EXPLORA II will operate from November 2026 to March 2027 exclusively in the Mediterranean with the originally planned Middle East deployment no longer taking place. The company said that the decision was being made well in advance, following careful consideration and reflecting Explora Journeys’ commitment to providing guests and travel advisors with clarity and confidence as they plan their future Journeys. Instead, EXPLORA II will operate itineraries across the Western Mediterranean, inviting guests to experience the region during the...
Azamara Cruises launches “A Suite Story” global contest
Azamara Cruises has launched “A Suite Story” -- a global contest inviting its community to help inspire the names of new suites aboard Azamara Quest. One grand prize winner will also receive the opportunity to sail on Quest’s 1-night preview cruise out of Miami following its Azamara Forward renovations on Dec. 17, 2026. The contest invites guests, crew members, travel advisors, and employees to submit the name of a meaningful city, that guests have sailed to on Azamara cruises, along with the personal story behind their connection to the...
ACTA Opens Applications for Aurora Expeditions Cruise Experience and 2026 Avalon Waterways European River Cruise Summit
ACTA has announce a first-of-its-kind immersive educational expedition experience in partnership with Aurora Expeditions. The unique professional development opportunity will take place June 9–16, 2026, aboard the Sylvia Earle, sailing through Iceland’s Westfjords region. Designed for ACTA member travel advisors seeking deeper knowledge and hands-on training, this experiential learning opportunity will be limited to 30 participants. A professional development participation fee of USD $3,250 per person, based on double occupancy, will be payable directly to Aurora Expeditions...
HX Expeditions introduces CAD Pricing, 130th Anniversary offer
Responding to feedback from the Canadian travel trade community seeking greater pricing flexibility amid ongoing currency fluctuations, HX Expeditions has introduced a new option that allows Canadian guests and travel advisors to book expedition voyages in Canadian dollars. Carla Brake, Senior Director of Sales, Americas at HX Expeditions, based in Toronto, explained that: “Offering pricing in Canadian dollars strengthens our commitment to the Canadian market. It gives our advisor partners greater clarity when quoting voyages and allows travelers to plan their expedition with the...