Cruise
Savoury Sailings
Holland America Line's (HAL) culinary programming is heating up with the introduction of new shipboard cooking shows produced in partnership with the long-running public television show America’s Test Kitchen (ATK), arguably the most popular and well-respected how-to-cook show on TV, reports Michael Baginski in this week's digital edition of Canadian Travel Press. Announced at a press conference at the New York's Institute of Culinary Education on Sept. 20, the new culinary program is part of a US$300-million fleet-wide investment that is “only just beginning,” says Holland...
Fleet Expansion
The American Queen Steamboat Company – which is the owner and operator of the American Queen and American Empress – has announced that the new American Duchess will join the U.S.-flagged fleet in June 2017. Construction begins soon on a recently purchased American-made hull that will become the third vessel of the Memphis-based company. The all-suite American Duchess will be the first purpose-built boutique paddlewheeler offering the river cruiser an intimate experience through America’s heartland. The 166-guest American Duchess follows in the pedigree of the line’s...
HAL Gets Cooking
Holland America Line (HAL) is turning up the heat on its culinary programming with the introduction of new shipboard cooking shows produced in partnership with the television show “America’s Test Kitchen.” HAL's shipboard Culinary Arts Center will be transformed to replicate the television set. Designed specifically for the cruise line, the shipboard shows will be hosted by Holland America chefs trained by America’s Test Kitchen culinary experts. Shipboard cooking demonstrations and hands-on workshops – with topics ranging from shaping Asian dumplings to making the perfect...
Katarina Line Adds Ships To Meet Demand
Katarina Line is expanding its fleet for 2017 with three new deluxe ships to meet demands for lavish, more comfortable cruising from North American travellers. Over the past three years, the Croatian DMC and small ship cruise company has added seven new ships as the popularity of small ship cruising continues to soar and tourism to Croatia reaches record numbers. The company is also increasing its outreach to North American travel agents with new incentives, trade show support, familiarization trips and a generous commission structure that provides agents with up to 20%...
Cruising a Family Affair: CLIA
In celebration of the recently held Grandparents Day, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has revealed its top five reasons cruise vacations are the best option for multi-generational families looking to travel together. According to The Family Travel Alliance, the demand for family friendly travel is one of the fastest-growing segments in the tourism industry and is responsible for more than one-third of all leisure vacations. And cruising is a perfect fit families planning a multi-generational vacation. “Cruise vacations offer a unique option for family members of all...
NCL Brings Back At-Par Pricing
Norwegian Cruise Line is relaunching its Canadian pricing at par promotion. The promo runs from Sept. 19 through October and will focus entirely on 2017 Europe. Norwegian is offering five ships in Europe next year – Epic, Getaway, Jade, Spirit and Star – covering all manner of European itineraries, including the Baltic, Mediterranean, Greece, and Adriatic. Norwegian decided to bring back the at-par promotion after feedback from the travel trade advising how price-driven the Canadian market has been in 2016. Dana Gain, national director of sales for Canada, notes that the company is...
NCL Reveals What’s New at Old Mill
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) called in Toronto earlier this week to update the trade on all its latest news. Close to 60 travel agents were on hand at the Old Mill event to “get to know” the cruise line's Canadian team, and gather “important tools, ideas and contacts to continue building... Norwegian Cruise Line business...” In appreciation, attendees were given $100 onboard credit for their next cruise with NCL. Pictured at the event are (l-r) NCL's Ian Smyth, BDM Eastern Ontario and Manitoba; Mary-Jo Cutaia, BDM Western Canada; and Dana Gain, National Director Sales,...
Crystal Offers ‘Crystal Sky Savings’
Crystal Cruises and Crystal River Cruises are offering discerning travellers thousands of dollars in savings for 2017 European voyages with a new value proposition, “Crystal Sky Savings.” The special offer features round-trip Business Class airfare for US$999 per person with Crystal Symphony ocean sailings throughout Western and Northern Europe, as well as the British Isles; and Crystal Mozart river cruises sailing round-trip from Vienna along the Danube River. For nearly two dozen voyages from April through December of next year, guests flying from one of 18 major North...