Cruise
Crystal Mozart Christened in Vienna
Crystal River Cruises' Crystal Mozart was officially welcomed to the luxury line's fleet Monday (July 11) in Vienna, Austria. During an elegant ceremony attended by local dignitaries, media and distinguished executives from Crystal, the “Queen of Europe’s Rivers” was christened by Godmother Elisabeth Gürtler, managing director of both the Hotel Sacher, Vienna’s most famous hotel, and the city’s historic Spanish Riding School. Mozart’s maiden voyage on July 13 will mark the official launch of Crystal River Cruises, which will see four additional river yachts launched by...
Sailing With Sunwing
Sunwing Vacations has launched its 2016/2017 cruise brochure featuring sailing with MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). When customers reserve their stateroom with Sunwing on either MSC or NCL, packages include direct roundtrip flights on Sunwing Airlines, pier transfers and all onboard meals. Families can also benefit from free accommodation for children on select sailings. Travellers booking MSC with Sunwing can fly direct from Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, and new for this season, Ottawa and Halifax to join the MSC Opera in Havana. Eastern and Western Caribbean...
Carnival Offers Agents ‘Cruise Night’ Sales Kit
Travel agents can now access Carnival Cruise Line’s new “Cruise Night Kit,” a sales and marketing tool featuring a variety of materials for planning a successful cruise night event. The kit can be accessed via the “Onboard With You” section of GoCCL.com, the line’s travel agent Internet portal. Carnival’s sales experts have assembled a wide range of proven sales and marketing resources that are most requested by travel agents to create the ideal “cruise night.” These include: customizable invitations; Carnival Cruise Line product presentation; tips on how to host a...
Exclusive From Ponant
PONANT has launched its 2017 Exclusive Collection – a selection of cruises designed in partnership with brands sharing the same values of excellence with PONANT. For the first two editions, PONANT is offering an oenology cruise in partnership with Château Latour and another for art lovers in conjunction with Christie’s. These two voyages feature unique programs, combining private access and distinguished guest speakers to offer passengers an exclusive travel experience. The Oenology Cruise, called “Vines & Ocean,” is in partnership with Artémis Domaines, Château Latour,...
AmaWaterways, Backroads Expand Relationship
AmaWaterways and Backroads have launched an expanded 2017 line-up of active river cruise departures. The companies will offer more than 100 sailings in 2017, further developing their growing alliance to bring active adventure biking, walking and hiking tours to the world’s most renowned river cruise destinations. “Our work with Backroads has been a resounding success so far, enhancing the experience of our guests, while attracting a new category of travellers to the rapidly expanding river cruise market,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice-president and co-owner of...
Crystal Unveils New River Cruise Designs
As Crystal River Cruises launched the first of its seven river vessels, Crystal Mozart in Vienna yesterday (July 11), the luxury line has simultaneously announced design plans for the next phase of its four newly built river yachts. The river yachts, Crystal Ravel, Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy (pictured, artist's rendering) and Crystal Mahler, are set to embark in spring and summer of next year. “Emulation has never been part of our formula for success, rather, we have enjoyed a long reputation for innovating and leading the way in luxury travel experiences,” says Crystal...
Delaney Takes Over At Windstar
John Delaney is the new president of Windstar Cruises. Delaney, a seasoned cruise veteran, takes over his new role on July 19. Delaney was formerly senior vice-president of global marketing and sales for Seabourn Cruise Line, as well as holding posts with both The Walt Disney Company and Holland America Line. Andrew N. Todd, chief executive officer of Xanterra Parks & Resorts, parent company of Windstar Cruises, said: “We are very pleased to welcome John on-board. Cruise vacationers and our guests have every reason to expect a new era of exciting, wonderful and memorable...
Remastered QM2 Makes US Debut
Cunard’s flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 sailed into its US homeport, Brooklyn, on July 6 after a significant refit costing in the region of US$132 million. The refit was conducted in the Blohm + Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, one of the only shipyards in the world large enough to hold Queen Mary 2. It was a 24-hour-a-day operation, with more than a million man hours put into the refurbishment, during a 25-day period. Highlights include: Redesign and refurbishment of the Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites and restaurants, as well as Britannia staterooms, the latter to be...