Cruise
Crash Course for First-Time Cruisers
With many first-time cruisers ready to embark on the joys and possibilities of a cruise vacation, CLIA is offering agents the following tips that can be passed on to potential cruise clients. “With seemingly limitless destination options and exciting new features on an array of ships, there has never been a better time to take a cruise, whether it is your first cruise, you haven’t cruised in a decade or you cruise frequently,” said CLIA president Cindy D’Aoust. “The beauty of cruise travel is that each trip is customized to personal preferences, and CLIA, along with our...
Crystal CEO to Host Line’s First Holy Land Voyage Since 2012
Crystal chairman and CEO Edie Rodriguez will host the annual “President’s Cruise” in 2017 aboard Crystal Symphony, as the ship sails from Rome to Dubai on Nov. 4. The voyage marks the return of Crystal’s ocean ships to the Holy Land – the last voyage being in 2012 – and Arabian Peninsula, featuring calls to Limassol, Cyprus; Haifa and Ashdod, Israel; transit of the Suez Canal; Aqaba, Jordan; and Salalah and Muscat, Oman. For the 18-day sailing, Rodriguez and her husband, Tom, will join guests for festive receptions and parties, as well as specially planned experiences...
NCL Opens Books On Cuba Sailings
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has opened for sale its 2017 cruises to Cuba aboard Norwegian Sky. NCL is offering a series of five, four-day cruises from Miami to Cuba in May that will include an overnight in the capital of Havana. On May 1, Norwegian Sky will set sail on its first voyage to Havana, arriving on Tuesday morning and staying alongside until Wednesday evening, allowing guests the opportunity to go ashore and experience the island’s rich cultural traditions. Norwegian will also offer OFAC-compliant shore excursions, where guests aboard Norwegian Sky will have the...
Aqua Offers Agents Special ‘Educational’ Rates
Aqua Expeditions is offering travel agents and members of the travel trade a discounted rate to travel on select Aria Amazon and Aqua Mekong departures, to discover first-hand the unique guest experience for which the company is known. Agents will experience the exceptional levels of luxury, customer service and quality that Aqua Expeditions has created on board, and learn more about the culturally rich areas of the Peruvian Amazon and Mekong River. Three-, four- and seven-night educational departures are available on the Aria Amazon between Feb. 24 and March 3 and April 7 and 14....
Uniworld to Debut ‘U BY UNIWORLD’ in 2018
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is getting set to unveil its newest addition, U BY UNIWORLD, set to launch sales in March 2017 and begin sailings in early 2018. U BY UNIWORLD will offer immersive, authentic and adventurous experiences for the next generation of river cruisers along the Instagram and Snapchat-worthy rivers of Europe and cities such as Amsterdam (pictured), Paris and Budapest. “U BY UNIWORLD will deliver the same superb quality of authenticity and personalization that the Uniworld brand is celebrated for, while offering a new way for exploratory, younger...
Avalon Waives Single Supplement Fee
Avalon Waterways is waiving single supplement fees for single travellers booking a cruise by Jan. 3. All 2017 itineraries have five cabins set aside on every sailing for solo travellers. Avalon offers almost 30 European itineraries from eight to 24 days, many with themed departures available. These special sailings include expert talks and demonstrations, and range from art to music, wine to history and more. There is also a new Active Discovery cruise on the Danube with optional hiking, biking and canoeing excursions included. “Our solo passengers love the comfort and security on...
Viking Ocean Celebrates Float Out of Fourth Ship
Viking Ocean Cruises recently celebrated the float out of its fourth ship – the 930-passenger Viking Sun – marking a major construction milestone, and the first time that the new ship touched water. The traditional ceremony took place on Dec. 15 at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. Viking Sun will debut in late 2017 and will be marketed to travellers in North America, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. The ship will begin its maiden season sailing voyages to Cuba and the Caribbean, before embarking on a 141-day World Cruise that spans five continents, 35 countries and 66...
Building of Scenic Eclipse Begins
Scenic marked the official start of production of the world’s first Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse, with a steel cutting ceremony at the Uljanik Shipyard JSC in Pula, Croatia last month. The 228-passenger ultra-luxury mega yacht, designed especially for polar expedition cruising conditions, is scheduled for its maiden voyage in August 2018. “This is a momentous day for Scenic,” said Glen Moroney, chairman. “To see our vision start to come to life is very exciting and we look forward to watching the build progress over the next 18 months. We are extremely proud of the...