Cruise
Let’s Get Uncomfortable About Racism
Canadian travel professionals are invited to join a virtual event -- “Let’s Get Uncomfortable: Confronting Anti-Black Racism in Canada’s Travel Industry” – set to take place tomorrow (July 7) from 5:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m. ET. With conversations about systemic, anti-Black racism dominating headlines and political discussions, companies are being urged to confront and correct internal biases. The travel industry is among those being taken to task for its lack of diversity, with calls to commit to anti-racist practices from various media outlets and to demonstrate “true...
Agents Choice Is Back … For A Limited Time
Just in case you missed it, Baxter Media is re-opening the 21st edition of the Agents' Choice Readership Survey, Canada's original and most authoritative travel industry survey. If you didn’t get a chance to vote in the Spring, we’re giving agents an extra two weeks to complete the survey. Vote for your favourite destinations, suppliers, brands and services in 40+ categories. We are still offering voters the chance to win one of five fantastic prizes: A delightful discovery through the sights, sounds, and tastes of ‘the big easy’ on Collette’s six-day Spotlight to New...
A Magic Mix
From bringing the first group of travellers to HMS Erebus — a shipwreck discovered west of O'Reilly Island in Nunavut from the Franklin Expedition of 1845, which remained clouted in mystery for 170 years — to working alongside the likes of Robert Bateman, Doris McCarthy and Margaret Atwood, Cedar Swan has many stories to tell from memorable Arctic expeditions. “Our visit to the Erebus last summer was absolutely phenomenal. We worked with Parks Canada to facilitate the first visit by civilians. It was such an honour and incredible experience,” the CEO of Adventure Canada tells...
AQSC Extends Service Suspension
American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) is extending its temporary suspension of operations on board the American Empress through August 2, 2020 and the American Duchess through August 16, 2020. The decision was made in an abundance of caution for the health and safety of its guests and crew. John Waggoner, CEO and founder of American Queen Steamboat Company, said that: “The decision to extend our suspension was disappointing, but necessary in order to prioritize the wellbeing of our guests, crew and partners. We have continued to monitor the climate surrounding COVID-19, we...
Celestyal Announces Further Sailing Suspension
Celestyal Cruises, which has sailings to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, has announced the further suspension of its sailings until the previously announced 2021 season, starting March 6, 2021. Celestyal was one of the first cruise lines worldwide to take an immediate decision to temporarily suspend cruise operations out of caution for its guests, crew and the local communities it serves in mid-March. The decisive action resulted in no COVID-19 cases on Celestyal’s ships, and the company was able to repatriate its guests and crew home safely before international...
Emerald Waterways Unveils Europe 2021
Emerald Waterways has opened the books on their 2021 river cruise season with no price increases from the 2021 preview brochure, complimentary or reduced airfare deals on all European sailing. Plus, to celebrate the nation’s birthday, Emerald Waterways is offering a Canada launch bonus of either an on-board credit or additional savings until July 15th. The upcoming season will feature a newly launched Star-Ship, Emerald Luna, new land extensions to Istanbul and Transylvania, and several fresh itineraries on some of Europe’s most popular rivers. All 2021 river cruise bookings...
Let’s Talk About Racism In The Travel Industry
Shalene Dudley can list off too many examples of the times she’s experienced racial discrimination while travelling — like being completely ignored in the check-in line for priority seating for flights or having to provide additional ID to prove her business platinum AMEX truly belongs to her. “A DMC representative in Cancun that I pre-arranged my transfer with, refused to believe that my final destination was the luxury five-star I showed him documentation for. I waited for over an hour until they received a phone confirmation. Even after this, he insisted that I must be a...
Carnival Pauses Through Sept. 30
Carnival Cruise Line is advising that it is extending its operational pause in North America through Sept. 30, 2020. Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, announced the extension, explaining that: “During this unprecedented pause in our business, we have continued to assess the operating environment and confer with public health, government and industry officials.” In a letter to passengers and agents, Duffy said that following the cruise industry’s announcement on June 19 that it would voluntarily extend its pause in North America, Carnival Cruise Line is now...