Cruise
Emerald Puts Spotlight on Famed Christmas Markets
Emerald Waterways is inviting travellers to celebrate the magic of the holiday season with one of several winter sailings that focus on Europe’s most beloved Christmas markets. The 15-day Christmas Markets of Europe cruise, which visits many of Europe’s famed Christmas markets, departs from Amsterdam on Dec. 4, 2018 and concludes on Dec. 18 in Budapest. Prices start at $4,995 per person, double. Emerald Waterways also offers travellers a chance to experience the Christmas Markets on shorter sailings with eight-day itineraries: Danube Delights Christmas Market from Budapest to...
Celebrity Expands ‘All Included’ Program for 2018
Celebrity Cruises has unveiled an expanded “All Included” roster of Caribbean cruises for 2018. In response to overwhelming demand, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Regina and Saskatoon are joining the program as new points of departure. Packages, which are also available from Hamilton, London and Ottawa, take off and set sail weekly from Feb. 3 to April 1. Travellers taking advantage of the All Included cruise experience receive roundtrip flights, ground transfers, unlimited drinks, covered taxes and gratuities, a pre-cruise hotel night for western departure cities and a seven-night...
NCL Announces 2017/18 Meet The Winemaker Lineup
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has revealed the lineup for the brand’s 2017/18 Meet The Winemaker Cruises, a selection of cruises aboard Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Dawn during which guests will have the opportunity to wine and dine with leaders and legends of the winemaking industry. In 2015, the Michael Mondavi Family partnered with Norwegian to introduce the line’s first branded wine bar aboard Norwegian Escape – The Cellars, A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar – boasting a curated wine list and service provided by a Court of Master Sommeliers certified Sommelier. The venue...
Crystal Expands 2018 Spring River Options
Crystal River Cruises has unveiled four new 2018 itineraries for its second “Rhine Class” vessel, Crystal Mahler. In April and May next year, the new river ship will sail three seven-day “Danube Serenade” routes between Budapest and Vienna, and one 11-day “Reflections on the Danube” sailing. The new voyages are a shorter complement to Mahler’s 16-day “Grand Europe” itineraries, which sail between Amsterdam and Budapest for most of the year, cruising the Rhine and Main Rivers. The newly added itineraries depart April 10, 17, 24 and May 1 and visit European hamlets...
Disney Set To Expand the Magic
A Star Wars-themed resort hotel and a new ship are among the expansion plans recently announced by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts during D23 Expo 2017 in Anaheim, Ca. Walt Disney Parks and Resort chairman Bob Chapek also provided details about the 14-acre Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge coming to Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida and Disneyland Resort in Southern California in 2019. The two new signature attractions and immersive experiences include character encounters with BB8, Chewbacca, Rex and Kylo Ren. Expansion highlights: Walt Disney World (Florida) Plans at...
Carnival Paying Commission on Future Cruise Credits
Carnival Cruise Line is now paying travel agents commission on Future Cruise Credits applied to new bookings. The new commission structure calculates commission based on the value of the cruise prior to the application of the Future Cruise Credit. Previously, the line calculated commission on these bookings after a Future Cruise Credit was applied. “Our team is always listening and looking for ways to offer the best sales and service support we can to travel agents and this commission enhancement is a reflection of that goal,” said Carnival’s vice-president of Sales &...
All About Leadership
Expedition cruise specialist Silversea has established a new leadership training academy aimed at recruiting and developing high-quality talent to join its expedition teams. Featured on every expedition voyage, expedition teams include some of the world's most knowledgeable and experienced specialists in the areas of wildlife, biology, anthropology, geology, history, and more. They give lectures, run workshops, lead Zodiac® trips and guide nature walks—activities all designed to ensure an enriching experience for guests. The multi-phase training initiative begins with remote...
Norwegian Sun Sailing From Port Canaveral
Norwegian Cruise Line has picked Port Canaveral to host the Norwegian Sun, which will offer all-inclusive four-day cruises to Havana, Cuba and Key West, and three-day cruises to the Bahamas beginning May 2018. Port CEO Captain John Murray commented: “Port Canaveral is proud of our cruise partner, NCL, and we welcome their growth plans for the future.” He continued that the announcement “validates the Port's on-going investments in state-of-the art facilities and continuous improvement in cruise operations. Our record numbers of passenger movements year after year, demonstrates...