Cruise
Viking River Celebrates Travel Agents
Viking River Cruises welcomed the latest additions to its fleet this week with the christening of six new Viking Longships during a waterfront celebration in Amsterdam. And, recognizing the contribution the travel trade has made to the growth of the river cruise industry, Viking honoured six of its key partners by naming them as ceremonial godmothers for the six new ships. The christening event marks another year of impressive expansion for Viking, occurring just two years after the company set a second Guinness World Record for the most new ships launched in a single day, and just...
Cunard Spring Savings Event
Cunard has introduced a Spring Savings Event featuring up to two-for-one savings on select 2016 voyages on Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth. Bookings must be made by April 15. The offer features transatlantic crossing fares from US$799; Mediterranean fares from US$599; New England & Canada fares from US$1,199; Caribbean fares from US$1,249; and Northern Europe fares from...
Travel Agent Appreciation Month at Silversea
Silversea Cruises is rolling out a special pair of rewards to express its appreciation for travel agents throughout the month of March. The new incentives include a $250 Visa Gift Card available to agents on 69 voyages when booked by March 31. And the new “Sell Three, Sail Free” program enables agents to earn their own complimentary familiarization cruise when they book (during the same time period) three new suites on any 2016 voyage. “We're showing our deep appreciation for the loyalty and support of the travel agent community with an exceptional opportunity for our agent...
Earn 12% on Transat River Cruise Package
Agents booking a Transat river cruise package to Paris & Normandy or to Bordeaux with AmaWaterways can now earn 12% commission on the entire cruise package. Transat's exclusive cruise packages include flight, transfers, cruise and shipboard gratuities. Booking is simpler than ever through the Cruise Call Centre or the regular booking system. Transat cruise advantages offer free checked baggage of up to 25 kg to France, free flight protection which offers peace of mind in the event of a delay and more. Travellers can also benefit from onboard inclusions such as buffet and à la...
NCL Tackles Sagging Loonie
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is tackling Canada's weak loonie head on by offering travellers a Canadian At Par promotion (launched March 1) or its “Free At Sea” initiative in which guests can choose two of four onboard amenity offers – from free unlimited beverages, a free specialty dining package, shore excursion credits or a free 250-minute Internet package. “It’s become clear to us that the Canadian consumer has been impacted by the disparity between the Canadian and US dollar. Our Canadian Pricing At Par promotion is our attempt to address this directly, and show both our...
Empress of the Seas Ready for Cuba
Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean’s senior VP of sales, trade support and service, has confirmed rumours that the line’s smallest ship has been brought back into service to operate Cuba cruises once the island destination puts out the welcome mat for shipboard vacationers. “That’s the plan,” Freed said during a visit to St. Nazaire’s STX France shipyard to tour the almost completed Harmony of the Seas; the line’s third and largest Oasis class vessel. The 2,020-passenger Empress of the Seas is currently undergoing a stem-to-stern refit following a stint with Pullmantur...
NCL Introduces Norwegian Joy
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled the English and Chinese names for the world's first purpose-built cruise liner for the China market – Norwegian Joy. “After closely studying the Chinese cruise market for several years, we wanted to be clear about what we will deliver to our guests on this spectacular vessel,” said NCL Holdings chief executive officer Frank Del Rio. “Norwegian Joy will provide the same sense of freedom and flexibility found on all Norwegian Cruise Line ships, but with resort-style vacation experiences and amenities designed specifically with the Chinese...
Silversea Takes Divers to New Depths
Silversea Expeditions has unveiled its collection of Scuba Diving Expedition Voyages for 2016 and 2017, offering diving enthusiasts the chance to delve underwater and explore some of the world's most remote destinations at top diving sites in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. The 120-guest, all-suite Silver Discoverer, the latest addition to the line's expedition fleet, will feature 20 voyages offering scuba diving opportunities for experienced divers in such regions as the Maldives, Australia's Great Barrier Reef, the Palau archipelago, and the Andaman Islands. The diving program...