Cruise
Viking Set To Expand Its Ocean Fleet
Viking recently unveiled plans to expand its ocean fleet with a new agreement with Fincantieri that could see the delivery of six additional ships by 2027. The new understanding expands Viking’s partnership with Fincantieri, raising the company’s total ocean ship order and options to 16 – the highest-ever for a shipyard from a single owner. The agreement for the six additional ships, which will be delivered in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, is subject to specific conditions. “When we launched our first ocean ship in 2015, we set out to reinvent ocean cruising. We focus on the...
TravelBrands Cruises Offers Prepaid Gratuities
Through May 29, TravelBrands Cruises, by Encore Cruises, is offering travellers free prepaid gratuities on upcoming sailings with all of its cruise partners. The exclusive promotion is applicable on sailings between July 1 and Aug. 31 for bookings in a balcony stateroom or above. The bookings can be with any of TravelBrands’ cruise line partners. The free prepaid gratuities are applicable to first and second passengers in the stateroom only. Travellers are expected to save over $35 per stateroom per day with this offer. Passengers will be given the prepaid gratuity in the form of...
Windstar Opens The Books On New Asia Tours
The capitals, villages and ports of Asia are among both the oldest and the newest of the world and Windstar Cruises will offer culturally curious travellers seven different cruise tour options to explore the region aboard the 212-guest Star Legend in 2018-19. The cruise line has announced that the new season of Asia Cruise Tours is open for booking, presenting guests multiple choices to experience the region from the culturally rich combination of China, Japan and South Korea, to thoughtful exploration of Southeast Asia’s customs and temples. Asia Cruise Tours start at $5,099 per...
Celebrity Edge Puts The ‘Ahh’ In Spa
Celebrity Cruises has unveiled details about The Spa on Celebrity Edge, inspired by nature and featuring more than 22,000 sq. ft. of space for guests to renew, restore, and reinvigorate. “Our aspiration for The Spa was the same aspiration we have for Celebrity Edge – to provide our guests with a deeper and more profound connection to the sea,” said Celebrity president Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “To start the revolution in relaxation, we turned once again to the visionary Kelly Hoppen to completely transform the spa experience and develop an atmosphere that envelops you in luxury and...
Disney Cruise Line Unveils Fall 2019 Itineraries
In fall 2019, Disney Cruise Line will return to favourite destinations and home ports on a variety of itineraries, including adventures to Bermuda, Bahamas, Baja, Canada and the Caribbean. With cruises ranging from two-night getaways to week-long vacations and beyond, this season of sailings offers countless opportunities for families to delight in Disney magic, explore exotic locales and make lifelong memories together. Bookings open on May 24. The Disney Magic returns to New York in September for a selection of departures to a diverse collection of destinations, including Bermuda,...
NCL’s Bliss A Sure Winner At Sea
As the first cruise ship specifically designed with features and amenities for sailing in Alaska, Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) new Norwegian Bliss is taking the cruise experience up a notch, reports assistant editor, Greg Coates in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. The 4,000-passenger Bliss is the third ship in the line’s Breakaway Plus class and 16th in its fleet. Unique features include a large, 180-degree Observation Lounge – perfect for Alaska cruises – the largest racetrack at sea and the line's most extensive Haven to date. Speaking with Travel Courier...
Ensemble Expands Small Ship Program
Ensemble Travel Group has expanded its small ship program by welcoming three new niche partners to its network of preferred partners – American Queen Steamboat Company, Hurtigruten (pictured), and Victory Cruise Lines. The move comes after careful analysis of the experiential marketplace, as well as input from members across Canada and the US. “While each partner delivers unique features to our cruise portfolio, they all command a high price point and are in a growth mode by upgrading their respective fleets in the last year or so, both of which are key to our members’...
TravelBrands Launches Facebook Contest For Agents
TravelBrands Cruises, by Encore Cruises, has partnered with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) to give travel agents a chance to win prizes based on bookings made between May 14-25. Prizes include a free seven-night cruise for two aboard the Norwegian Bliss and multiple sets of $50 in Loyalty Rewards points. To participate in the contest, agents will receive one ballot for every NCL booking made by phone and two ballots for every booking made online during the contest period. Members of the “Your TravelBrands BDM” Facebook group will earn double ballots. Agents who answer fun Norwegian...