Cruise
Learn and Earn With Cunard
Cunard has released a new video offering agents information about special offers for their clients, as well as a chance to win extra cash. The newest short video features Cunard’s British Bellman teddy bear, Windsor, Cunard head of marketing, Angus Struthers and Cunard North America vice-president, Stanley Birge, who highlight Queen Mary 2’s extensive 2016 refit and The Ultimate Upgrade offer. Agents who watch the video by Dec. 15 will become eligible to win a $500 American Express gift card. The video can accessed by logging in to OneSource at...
Tiffany at Sea
Royal Caribbean International is expanding guests' shopping opportunities aboard Oasis of the Seas with the opening of Tiffany & Co.'s first ever free-standing boutique at sea. The store is located in the ship’s Central Park neighbourhood and will offer a full selection of Tiffany jewelry, including engagement rings and the recently introduced Tiffany T and Atlas collections, as well as Swiss made CT60 watches. The Tiffany & Co. boutique (to be operated by Royal Caribbean International) will extend 875 square feet and feature meticulous attention to detail and noble...
Scenic Launches Mekong River Cruise Program
Scenic is expanding its geographic offerings into the heart of South East Asia with eight new itineraries exploring the culturally rich Mekong River destinations of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand. Along the delta between Ho Chi Minh City and Siem Reap, guests will see floating canal villages, verdant paddy fields and picturesque islands, as well as the 12th-century Angkor Wat and World Heritage cities of Luang Prabang and Hoi An. In Myanmar, the imprint of colonial legacies is revealed in iconic temples, Buddhist art and the gold- and diamond-encrusted Shwedagon Pagoda. To...
MSC Kicks Off Holiday Season
MSC Cruises is kicking off the holiday season with hot Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals starting Nov. 26 and lasting through Dec. 2. The sale includes up to 30% off select seven-night or longer Caribbean Spring and Winter 2016-2017 sailings on the MSC Divina, as well as up to $400 in shipboard credit per stateroom. Prices start from US$399 per person for a seven-night sailing. Sailings qualifying for the promotion, leaving from Miami, include, but are not limited to: May 7 (Mother’s Day cruise): stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Nassau, Bahamas –...
It’s ‘Grinchmas Time’ Aboard Carnival
Carnival Cruise Line is helping make the upcoming holiday season a little extra special with shipboard appearances by none other than The Grinch – part of the line’s exclusive “Seuss at Sea” program in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Decked out in his signature “Santy Claus” costume, the legendary green character – who’s as “cuddly as a cactus” and “charming as an eel” – will surprise and delight guests of all ages as he makes appearances on all Carnival holiday cruises taking place throughout December. Never a fan of the holidays, The Grinch will...
Virtuoso Ends 14-Year Relationship With Disney
In response to a new onboard booking policy at Disney's Magical Cruise Company, Virtuoso has terminated a 14-year preferred supplier relationship with Walt Disney Travel Co. While Disney has announced a cap of 10% for onboard bookings, Virtuoso says its agency members routinely earn commissions significantly higher than the cap allows for existing clients who book their next cruise while still onboard the ship. Citing the commission cap as an unfortunate decision, Virtuoso says that “focusing on partners who demonstrate support of the travel advisor community is its guiding...
Crystal Luxury Air Taking Shape
Crystal Cruises' expansion plans are forging ahead with the purchase of a Boeing Business Jet B777-200LR, which will offer an array of global itineraries for its expanded brand extension, Crystal Luxury Air. The announcement comes on the heels of Crystal’s groundbreaking news in July of an extensive brand expansion, which will include extravagant air vacations around the world aboard a luxurious Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. In addition to doubling the initial air projections with the expanded aircraft fleet, Crystal will work with the Registry of Aruba in developing and securing an...
‘Countdown to Koningsdam’
In anticipation of the launch of ms Koningsdam in April, Holland America Line (HAL) is debuting a series of short videos called “Countdown to Koningsdam” that will detail construction updates as the ship nears completion. Hosted by Jonathan Rogers, Koningsdam’s inaugural cruise director, each video features one of the ship’s officers or a Holland America executive who will share ongoing developments on board the line’s newest vessel, currently being built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy. “The process of building a ship is fascinating and fast-paced, and...