Cruise
MSC Cruises Doubling Cuba Presence
MSC Cruises will be strengthening its presence in Cuba by home-porting a second ship in Havana from the winter 2016-2017 season in order to continue to meet rising demand for the destination. Canada continues to be a prominent cruise market for MSC Cruises and with over one million Canadian sun-seekers travelling to Cuba each year, and after a successful inaugural season, in December 2016, MSC Opera will sail its second Cuban winter, offering eight-day (seven-night) cruises from Havana to Montego Bay (Jamaica), Georgetown (Cayman Islands), Cozumel (Mexico) and back to Havana. Guests will...
Future Is Bright For Cuba
At this year's FITCuba show – held last week in Havana – Transat founder, Jean-Marc Eustache praised Cuba's tourism trade and then heard kind words in turn for his company from the highest official in Cuban tourism. Eustache told a gathering during FITCuba that there's been a long partnership between Cuba and Transat and “I'm deeply convinced the future is bright for Cuba.” Eustache added Transat is a “true partner for its Cuba friends.” Cuba tourism minister Manuel Marrero in turn praised Transat, telling the same Havana gathering that Transat has shown “much...
Encore Welcomes Fathom To Its Portfolio
Encore Cruises has announced that Fathom, the newest brand in the Carnival Corporation & plc family, is now part of its line-up, bringing Encore’s portfolio to a total of 17 cruise line partners. Fathom is bringing “impact travel” to life aboard the 704-passenger Adonia, the smallest ship in the P&O fleet. Pioneered by Fathom, impact travel is a whole new category of travel – it’s travel with purpose. Impact travel with Fathom provides the opportunity to build community with like-minded travellers, become immersed in another culture, and work alongside its people...
Viking Ocean Christens Second Ship in London
Less than a year after launching its first ship, Viking Star, Viking Ocean Cruises has officially welcomed its second ship, Viking Sea, to its fleet. Though Viking’s ocean ships are classified as “small ships,” the 930-guest, 47,800-ton Viking Sea is the largest ship ever launched in London, England. After passing through the Thames Barrier, the ship received a warm welcome by 28 able sea men, who manned the yardarms of the Cutty Sark – the iconic 19th Century British clipper ship – and saluted Viking Sea as it arrived in Greenwich. After arriving in Greenwich, Viking Sea...
Adventure Canada Ready For 2017
Adventure Canada has unveiled its new brochure, highlighting expeditions to the Canadian Arctic, East Coast and Greenland, headlined by the company’s Northwest Passage departures. To mark Canada’s 150th Anniversary in 2017, Adventure Canada has created a sailing season which celebrates its specialty: Canada’s most remote, pristine, and wild places. Building on the impending 2016 season, the 198-passenger Ocean Endeavour will once again start its summer journey in Quebec City in 2017. The season begins with the Mighty Saint Lawrence voyage, one of National Geographic...
New Culinary Experiences to Debut on QM2
Cunard will introduce new dining options as well as a host of enhancements to Queen Mary 2's existing restaurants during a major refit taking place in June. Queen Mary 2 will see the creation of the entirely new Carinthia Lounge that will serve alternative breakfast and lunchtime offerings together with bespoke premium coffees; the addition of The Verandah restaurant evoking memories of the famous Grill on the original Queen Mary; a completely transformed Kings Court Buffet; new Queens and Princess Grill menus and completely refurbished restaurants for guests staying in suites and a...
Take Me To The River
French America Line is getting set to introduce boutique US river experiences with the August launch of the newly refurbished 75-stateroom Louisiane, sailing from its home port of New Orleans. Inaugural sailings begin Aug. 22. The elegant ship celebrates regional food, music and history during cruise tours of five to 10 days, visiting places where larger riverboats cannot navigate along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Red Rivers, as well as the Intracoastal Waterway of the Gulf Coast. “We’ve orchestrated an unprecedented array of onboard services and amenities...
Crystal Puts The Spotlight On The Big Easy
Crystal Cruises has introduced three new Caribbean itineraries which either start or end in New Orleans for November and December. The voyages, each 14 days in length aboard the Crystal Serenity, set out on varied island routes and either begin or end with an overnight stay in The Big Easy. “There’s something about traveling to destinations that are entirely different than one’s usual surroundings – from the climate to the cuisine – that creates a true sense of vacation,” says Crystal president Edie Rodriguez. “Many of our guests live in areas that experience snow and...