Cruise
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...
Brand Evolution
Under the heat of the sun in Miami last week, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) unveiled and christened its newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape, along with godfather, international music sensation Pitbull, who also performed before a large crowd of VIP guests made up largely of travel trade and media at PortMiami, reports assistant editor, Greg Coates – who's just back from checking out the new ship – in this week's digital edition of Travel Courier. The festivities took place just prior to a two-night inaugural sailing to nowhere. Helping the international singer christen the...
Princess Takes Pub Grub To A New Level
Princess Cruises is pairing gourmet small dishes inspired by pub favourites with craft beers, cocktails and wines with the debut of The Salty Dog Gastropub aboard Crown Princess. The menu offerings, including a signature burger, were developed in collaboration with former executive chef of Umami Burger and current chef of Plan Check Kitchen + Bar in Los Angeles Ernesto Uchimura, who was recently awarded “Chef of the Year: The Comfort Master,” from Los Angeles Magazine. Presented within the Wheelhouse Bar nightly, guests can choose three small plates from The Salty Dog menu...
Discover The Joys Of Cruising
Princess Cruises has unveiled a new web video series for first-time cruisers called “Cat's First Cruise.” The series features Cat Greenleaf, three-time Emmy award winner and host of Talk Stoop with Cat Greenleaf, and is designed as a useful resource for travel consultants working with vacationers interested in taking their first cruise. Viewers will follow Greenleaf, a busy professional, wife and mother of two young boys, as they plan and embark on their first cruise aboard Regal Princess. Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, observed: “We're thrilled to introduce this...