Cruise
Fascination Getting Multi-Million-Dollar Makeover
Carnival Fascination will undergo an extensive multi-million-dollar dry dock that will add a variety of popular food and beverage innovations, including Guy’s Burger Joint developed by Food Network star Guy Fieri, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery, Cherry on Top sweets shop, the poolside RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar, and a Bonsai Sushi Express venue. The spaces will be added during a two-week dry dock taking place Feb. 4-17 in Freeport, The Bahamas, prior to the ship resuming its year-round schedule of seven-day southern...
Victoria Cruises Expands Yangtze Excursion Options
Victoria Cruises will debut two new excursions when its 2018 sailing season on China’s Yangtze River commences in March. As an alternative to Shibaozhai, where passengers experience an impressive 12-storey wooden pagoda dating back to the 18th century, the only American-managed line on China’s Yangtze will include the Jade Emperor Scenic Area in Fengdu on select departures. The Jade Emperor is the supreme deity of Chinese Taoism. The sacred scenic area lies on the northern side of Yangtze west of Mingshan Mountain and east of Shuangguishan National Forest. At more than 100 feet...
All-Star Line-Up for MSC
MSC Cruises has announced the line-up for the official launch and Naming Ceremony of MSC Seaside, which will be held on Dec. 21 in Miami. As part of the traditional Naming Ceremony that is held for every new ship, MSC will welcome special guests and entertainment, Miami authorities, global media and key partners from across the travel industry. Headlining entertainment for the event will be international superstar, Ricky Martin, who will perform some of his most popular hits. Also taking to the stage will be world-famous tenor, Andrea Bocelli. Making a guest appearance at the...
Carnival Bringing Sunshine to Charleston
Carnival Cruise Line will position a newer, larger ship to Charleston when the 3,002-passenger Carnival Sunshine kicks off a year-round schedule of four- and five-day cruises in May 2019. Carnival Sunshine provides a new vacation choice from Charleston and features one of the widest arrays of food, beverage and entertainment options within the Carnival fleet, including open-air attractions like the WaterWorks aqua park and SportSquare recreation area, a three-deck-high adults-only retreat featuring a waterfall and adjoining pool, several specialty restaurants and more than 550...
Tahiti Welcomes The World At TTE
The Tahiti Travel Exchange (TTE) took place last week at the Tahiti Pearl Island Resort, with over 120 travel agents, suppliers and tour operators taking part, reports PressToday's James Donald who attended the event. Some 30 suppliers – including the likes of Air Tahiti Nui, Sofitel Hotels and Paul Gauguin Cruises – were on hand for the Exchange, and moved from table to table offering agents nine minute presentations on their products and services. And it was certainly a popular format with the agents that we travelled with on our FAM trip. Before the roundtable presentations...
European Waterways Brings Back Italy Opera Cruise
European Waterways is bringing back its popular Opera Cruise for guests who book the seven-night, Aug. 26, 2018 departure of its La Bella Vita hotel barge, the largest vessel in the company’s fleet with capacity for up to 20 guests. In addition to a cruise on the Po Valley in Venice, the Opera Cruise includes a stay in a four-star hotel on the night prior to the cruise, extra dinner, and premium seats to watch Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” in the Arena di Verona, a Roman amphitheatre renowned for staging some of the most lavish, large-scale productions in the world. Opera cruise...
Crystal Enhances Elite Partner Program
Crystal has unveiled an enhanced rewards program for travel professionals, with added benefits – including increased commissions – for top agents selling the line’s Ocean, River and Yacht Expedition experiences. The Elite Partner Program is open to all agents with qualifying revenue and includes tiered incentivized levels that increase commissions and add valuable resources and complimentary travel rewards with increased sales. New for 2018 are customized direct marketing campaigns and confirmation of complimentary earned voyages up to 60 days prior to voyage departure date for...
Princess to Name Next Ship Sky Princess
Princess Cruises has announced its fourth Royal-class ship will be named Sky Princess. Sister ship to Royal Princess, Regal Princess and Majestic Princess, Sky Princess is scheduled to debut in October 2019 on a series of Mediterranean voyages. The 143,700 ton, 3,660-passenger vessel will feature an evolution of the successful design platform used for previous Royal-class ships. Highlights include a soaring central Piazza-style atrium, Princess Live! entertainment venue, the relaxing adults-only Sanctuary, Camp Discovery youth and teen centres, and a variety of dining venues...