Cruise
Costa Takes The Lead In China
The Costa Serena made its maiden call at the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal recently, joining the Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria in homeporting out of Shanghai year-round. The launch event was attended by Buhdy Bok, President of Costa Asia, Costa Cruises Pacific & China, and distinguished guests from the local government, trade partners and media. With the arrival of the Costa Serena, the cruise company has increased its capacity in the region by 74%, satisfying the rapidly growing demand and further enhancing its position as a leader in the Chinese...
Cruise Professionals Picks Sarracini
The Cruise Professionals has named Jason Sarracini to the newly created post of chief operating officer. In that role, Sarracini will oversee day-to-day operations and provide strategic leadership on business development, marketing initiatives, valued supplier partnerships, and the introduction of new digital platforms. Cruise Professionals founder and CEO, Mary Jean Tully said of the appointment: “Jason is a true innovator and top-level executive in the space where travel meets digital. I'm absolutely delighted to welcome him to the company.” Saracini is the founder of...
Smooth Sailing With Vacation.com
Vacation.com kicked off its 17th annual International Conference & Trade Show this past weekend aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas with several major announcements, including the launch of a new charitable program, Family Bonds, reports Press Today's Greg Coates from the event. With just over 1,200 travel agent members and leading travel suppliers on board (including about 140 from Canada), the event has been billed as the “largest travel industry event ever at sea,” reflecting this year’s conference theme, “Think Bigger.” Over the eight-day cruise (New...
TDC Agents Connect With Cruising
Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) is continuing to provide its members with in-depth cruise product training forums. This spring, it introduced the TDC Cruise Connect Roadshow in conjunction with 18 cruise partners to over 250 TDC delegates across five cities. The training events -- held in Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Quebec City and Montreal – offered TDC members hands-on workshops, presentations, panel discussions and the opportunity to dialogue with TDC's preferred suppliers at an exclusive TDC trade show. Susan Bowman, vice-president marketing and industry relations, TDC, said:...
Passport to Carnival
Carnival has assembled a comprehensive new library of ship tutorials from which travel agents can learn detailed facts and features of all 24 ships in the “Fun Ship” fleet. The tutorials are located within Carnival Passport, the line’s training portal for agents, and feature a wide range of sales and marketing information related to each ship, all in one convenient, centralized location. Specific details in each tutorial include: Ship facts including tonnage, number of staterooms and basis-two capacity; Information regarding dining, entertainment, onboard activities, public...
Making Memories With Hurtigruten
Based on its record sales growth in 2014, Hurtigruten is convinced that the popularity of its Antarctica voyages is directly related to a demand for travel that provides both remarkable moments and memories. Hurtigruten is offering the “Great Antarctica Expedition” in 2015, with the 20-day adventure set to depart on Nov. 29. Fares for the trip range from $11,783 to $21,579 per person, double. The same itinerary is available for Nov. 27, 2016. Gordon Dirker, managing director for Hurtigruten USA, observed: “For years Antarctica was perceived as an extreme, inaccessible and...
Exclusive Anthem Offer From Encore
With Royal Caribbean International preparing for the inaugural sailing of the Anthem of the Seas at the end of the month, Encore Cruises has unveiled an exclusive offer that features free prepaid gratuities on Nov. 10, 2015 through April 18, 2016 sailings on the Anthem of the Seas. The offer is valid on all new bookings made between April 23 and May 31 on the Anthem of the Seas on Caribbean and Bahamas sailings in any category, with Encore Cruises giving prepaid gratuities to the first and second passenger. RCI will also offer a free upgrade from an oceanview stateroom to a balcony and...
MSC Suspends Ukraine, Egypt Calls
MSC Cruises is suspending calls in Ukraine and Egypt by its ships, the Sinfonia, Opera, Fantasia and Musica. As a result, MSC will be offering its passengers a choice of a number of Mediterranean destinations as alternatives. The cruise company noted that it was making the change “in response to clear market demand” and as a result from the autumn of 2015 to the winter of 2016, the Sinfonia, Opera, Fantasia and Musica will variously incorporate the Greek islands of Rhodes and Crete, as well as Cyprus and Israel into their sailings. MSC said that the itinerary changes attest to...