Cruise
CLIA Extends Voluntary Suspension To Sept. 15
In a statement just issued by CLIA, the association has announced that its ocean-going cruise line members will voluntarily extend the suspension of cruise operations from U.S. ports until September 15, 2020. CLIA says that: “Due to the ongoing situation within the U.S. related to COVID-19, CLIA member cruise lines have decided to voluntarily extend the period of suspended passenger operations.” The association continues: “The current No Sail Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will expire on July 24, and although we had hoped that cruise...
Whirlpool Jet Boat Ready To Launch
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours will launch it 29th season on Canada Day (July 1, 2020), allowing passengers to experience one-of-a-kind thrill rides in the scenic Niagara Gorge while staying protected from COVID-19. The company’s president, John Kinney said: “We can’t wait to get back on the water like we have for nearly three decades. We’ve put a number of enhanced safety measures in place to help our guests get outdoors and make the most of summer.” Among the new safety protocols Whirlpool has implemented at its operations on both sides of the Niagara River in Queenston, ON...
Virtual Reality: Key Part Of Booking Process
According to GlobalData, virtual reality may become a key component in the booking process going forward. In its latest consumer survey, the data and analytics company reports that a total 45% of global travellers remain extremely concerned about the outbreak of COVID-19, making it clear that consumer uncertainty remains one of the greatest barriers facing operators. Making virtual reality (VR) a key component in the booking process may act as an additional tool to ease consumer uncertainty, creating an advantage for travel companies that incorporate it. Johanna Bonhill-Smith,...
Join The Movement With #timetotravel
The Canadian Travel & Tourism Roundtable has sent an open letter -- signed by 130 senior travel and tourism executives -- to Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau and the provincial Premiers urging them to reopen this country’s travel and tourism industry as soon as possible. The letter begins by telling the country’s leaders: “As a society, we have faced a threat like no other, COVID-19. And we are still dealing with it. Under the leadership of our governments, we agreed to implement tough decisions to protect our health and safety. We shut down our schools, our businesses, and...
TravelBrands Expands Uplift Partnership
TravelBrands has expanded its partnership with Uplift, allowing travel agents and their clients to use Uplift to pay over time for cruise vacations, vacation packages, Exotik Journeys product, Sunquest packages and more. Frank DeMarinis, CEO, TravelBrands, explained: “We partnered with Uplift to help our agents give their clients the vacation of their dreams. Now, travellers can book future travel of almost any kind through TravelBrands without worrying about paying for it all at once. This innovative technology truly makes travel accessible to everyone and helps connect people to...
Cruise News: Silversea, Riviera River, Windstar And More
Silversea is rolling out Virtual Visits, a new weekly video series designed to engage and inform travel partners. Nurturing the cruise line’s strong relationships with the travel agent community, representatives from Silversea's global sales and marketing teams are hosting short video presentations of 15 minutes or less that travel advisors can view at their convenience to keep up to date with the company’s latest news. Delivered through a dedicated new platform, sales team members address key areas of interest, from product developments and destination insights to new offers and...
Cruise Update: Bahamas Paradise, AQSC, NCL
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line will resume sailings onboard Grand Celebration July 25 and onboard the Grand Classica Oct. 2. As well, the cruise line’s Cruise & Stay Program – allowing guests to extend their stay in the Bahamas for up to four nights at one of the company’s resort partners -- will also be available for bookings beginning Oct. 2. And as Bahamas Paradise prepares for its anticipated return, it rolling out an extensive list of new preventative measures designed to ensure the wellness of both passengers and crew. Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise...
Celestyal Postpones Sailings To July 30
Celestyal Cruises is further suspending sailings until July 30 due to the ongoing travel restrictions and temporary port closures within the region in which the cruise line operates. The Greek government recently announced that the Greek tourism season will gradually restart in the next few weeks with international flights from select countries resuming in July. Celestyal Cruises says it will continue to monitor the phased opening of Greece to North American travellers while working closely with the Greek authorities on the development of enhanced health and safety...