Cruise
Princess Savings
Princess Cruises has launched an “Anniversary Sale” running through Feb. 28, offering savings of up to $600 in onboard spending money per stateroom on select cruises and cruisetours sailing to all destinations departing summer 2017 through spring 2018. And, guests booking a balcony category stateroom or higher receive free specialty dining. The Anniversary Sale gives guests booking an interior or oceanview stateroom up to $300 onboard spending money per stateroom. Guests booking a balcony, mini-suite or suite receive up to $600 onboard spending money per stateroom, plus free...
Amadeus River Cruises Coming to Canada
Exclusive Tours is bringing Amadeus River Cruises (formerly known as Luftner) to Canada, giving travel agencies additional river cruise options for clientele looking for a luxury onboard experience through the rivers of Europe. Amadeus, which has 10 ships in its fleet, is a newly formed brand of Luftner Cruises, a family owned organization, established nearly 40 years ago and considered one of the most respected lines in the European river cruise market. Amadeus sails through all of the European rivers with English speaking staff offering “outstanding service levels and exquisite...
Setting A New Course
When Orlando Ashford assumed the presidency of Holland America Line (HAL) two years ago, his first major decision was to axe the onboard disco concept, bowing to the reality that it was, by then, way past its sell-by date, reports Montreal editor, Mike Dunbar in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Now he’s on a mission to broaden the line’s appeal to a multi-generational audience through a series of “innovative concepts” featured on the line’s eight-month-old flagship vessel – the 99,500-ton, 2,650-guest Koningsdam. Holland America has long enjoyed a...
Cunard Introduces Wine and Spirit Education Courses at Sea
Cunard has partnered with the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) to launch the first ever WSET-certified wine and spirit courses to be available on its flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2. WSET works with Approved Programme Providers in more than 70 countries to offer its qualifications to interested enthusiasts and industry professionals, ranging from Level 1 Awards in Wines, Spirits and Sake to the prestigious Level 4 Diploma in Wines and Spirits. The partnership with Cunard is the first time WSET courses will be available to guests on a transatlantic or round-world cruise...
Encore Adds Cunard to Lineup
Encore Cruises has added Cunard as its newest partner, and, in celebration, is offering agents 2X Loyalty Points on all bookings made by Dec. 31. Cunard features three beautifully appointed ships – the Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Guests can enjoy many unique features including watching a show in the “Royal Boxes” to enjoying “Illuminations” – the only planetarium at sea. Guests can also take dancing lessons, enjoy “Afternoon Tea” and even take “fencing lessons” in the Queens room. Cunard also offers the first multi-level library at sea and...
Royal Caribbean Opens Sailings to Cuba
Royal Caribbean International has opened bookings for its newly announced Cuba sailings. The newly revitalized Empress of the Seas will make history for the cruise line with its first visit to Cuba during a five-night sailing departing Miami on April 19. The ship will then reposition to Tampa offering two itineraries with calls to Havana on April 30 (seven-night sailing) and May 20 (five-night sailing). Empress of the Seas will homeport in Tampa for the 2017 summer season – the cruise line’s first-ever summer program from the destination – offering a series of four- and...
Cuba Bound
A number of major cruise lines have now received permission from the Cuban government to begin offering cruises to the destination. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has received approval from the government of the Republic of Cuba to operate cruises to Cuba, beginning March 2017. All three of the company’s brands – Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises – will offer US travellers the opportunity to visit Cuba on select sailings starting next year. The company’s first cruise to Cuba will set sail from PortMiami on Oceania Cruises’ Marina...
Celestyal On Course In Canada
Celestyal Cruises has another major tour operator offering its Cuba itineraries, further welcome news for a company that believes it's making major inroads in Canada and elsewhere, reports Ian Stalker in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. Air Canada Vacations announced in late September that it will offer Celestyal's week-long Cuba sailings that circumvent Cuba, with calls that include ones in Havana, Cienfuegos, Santiago de Cuba, and the Isle of Youth and also visit Montego Bay, Jamaica as well. ACV clients will actually be boarding and disembarking in Montego...