Cruise
Safe Travels
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled a range of new worldwide measures to restart the sector. The new measures are have designed to rebuild confidence among consumers so they can travel safely once the restrictions are lifted. Called Safe Travels, the new protocols provide consistency to destinations and countries as well as guidance to travel providers, operators and travellers on the new approach to health and hygiene in the post COVID-19 world. The health and safety of travellers and workers is put at the heart of the new global protocols, which have been...
Voices In The Mist
2020 was shaping up to be a banner year for travel with endless itinerary options, a bounty of direct flight routes and a slew of travellers eager to embark on adventures. The Travel Corporation had its centennial to celebrate, Goway Travel planned on promoting its 50th anniversary and G Adventures was gearing up to mark 30 years in business. Instead, plans were turned upside down by COVID-19 and tour operators were forced to make tough decisions and enforce drastic cost saving measures resulting in layoffs, terminations and downsizing as international travel came to a grinding...
Hurtigruten Plans Gradual Phase-In Of Operations
As a response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Hurtigruten – the world’s largest expedition cruise line – will extend the temporary suspension of worldwide sailings to Mid-June. The company aims to gradually restart operations from June 16. Hurtigruten CEO Daniel Skjeldam explained: “We are two months into what is a truly extraordinary situation. In one way or another, the consequences of the pandemic impact us all.” Skjeldam said that as the company extends suspension of pole-to-pole operations of their fleet of small, custom built ships until June 15, and hopes to...
Ashford Leaving Holland America
Orlando Ashford is leaving his post as president of Holland America Line at the end of May. Ashford, who heads the premium cruise line within the Carnival Corporation family of brands, has been at the company for nearly five and half years and led a rejuvenation of the brand through an emphasis on enhanced onboard entertainment, live music and culinary experiences. Since November 2014, he has served as president of Holland America Line, overseeing its sales and marketing, revenue management, deployment and itinerary planning, public relations, hotel operations and...
Join Sip & Sail Cocktail Hour with AmaWaterways
AmaWaterways launched its new virtual “Sip & Sail” Cocktail Hour on April 22. The first in the series was hosted by Kristin Karst, co-founder of AmaWaterways and Godmother of AmaKristina, who was joined by eight of the leading river cruise line’s travel industry Godmothers. Close to 2,000 travel advisors attended. The live onscreen “Sip & Sail” series was launched to help the line remain personally connected with travel advisors and past guests until AmaWaterways’ much anticipated return to the rivers. “I am overjoyed by the tremendous turnout and feedback on our...
Something Special From Adventure Canada
Adventure Canada is paying an additional 5% commission for May bookings. The offer is for new Ocean Endeavour bookings only and must be confirmed with a registration form and deposit by May 30. The offer doesn't apply to Antarctica sailings. "Our travel partners mean the world to us. In these times, the value of travel advisors shines more than ever through the wealth of their knowledge , connections and communities," says Mathew Bradley-Swan, Adventure Canada's director of business development. "As a thank you for your loyalty and hard work, we are offering bonus commissions for...
More Appreciation For Agents
Tourism Ireland is offering up a big thank you to travel agents all across Canada for their support and partnership. When the time is right, we look forward to getting out and meeting in person to share the world-famous ‘céad míle fáilte - ‘a hundred thousand welcomes.’ Tourism Ireland offers a number of support programs for agents, including: The Ireland Specialist Program Content Library: 45K video and images free to use Ireland Insiders Facebook Group - Exclusive to Travel Agents Sign up to our monthly e-zine for updates on events, fams and...
COVID 19 Update: Transat, Princess, HAL, NCLH
Transat is advising that due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, we must extend the suspension of our flights until June 30, 2020. The carrier says that the decision was a difficult one and is the result of the travel restrictions still in place, as well as the continued uncertainty about when the borders will reopen, both in Canada and at the destinations to which we fly. In this context, Transat says that it must accept that a resumption of flight operations prior to this date is not feasible. And the company states that: “Given this situation beyond our control, we’re...