Cruise
Celebrity Orders Two New Iconic Ships
Celebrity Cruises has taken a bold step in ship design with the signing of a letter of intent for a new class of vessels. The two 2,900-guest, 117,000-gross-registered-ton ships, developed under the project name EDGE, will build upon the modern luxury experience of the brand’s Millennium and Solstice Class vessels. At 984 feet long, 123 feet wide and 190 feet high, Project EDGE will “deliver small ship itineraries with large ship amenities.” “The addition of two project EDGE vessels to our fleet delivers on our long-term strategic plan of moderate capacity growth, and...
‘ReadySetSail’ With HAL
With the 2015 cruising season quickly approaching, Holland America Line (HAL) has launched a new “ReadySetSail” promotion that enables guests to take advantage of special offers, including an onboard spending credit for suite guests. And, to reward agents who encourage their clients to book early, the line is launching a sweepstakes tied to ReadySetSail that features exceptional offers on select summer 2015 sailings. Travel professionals who make ReadySetSail bookings by Feb. 28, 2015, will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a seven-day cruise for two in a suite with...
Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Get New CEOs
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. named two senior company executives to chart the future course of the company’s two largest brands. Michael Bayley, who worked his way up from an assistant purser’s position aboard the Nordic Prince, will serve as president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, while Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, whose career at the company began in the New England sales office, will serve as president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. Both appointments are effective immediately. Said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, “This is a happy day...
Encore Launches ‘12 Days of Holiday Wow!’
Encore Cruises is celebrating the holidays with a special new agent incentive called “12 Days of Holiday WOW,” which will award 12 lucky agents $1,000 each. Running from Dec. 5-16, agents simply need to book and apply payment on any Royal Caribbean cruise of seven nights or more, in any category, that departs any time before June 30, 2015, and their name will be entered in a draw to win one of 12 $1,000 Visa gift cards. Draws will be held and winners announced three days after each booking date in order to allow agents two days from the day the booking was made to apply...
Princess Introduces 50th Anniversary Sale
Princess Cruises is celebrating 50 years of cruising and kicking off its Wave season with its biggest sale ever featuring savings on vacation destinations around the globe. During the Princess Cruises 50th Anniversary Sale, guests can save up to $500 per person on all cruise vacations seven days and longer, sailing between May and December 2015. In addition, guests will enjoy free dining for two at one of the line’s specialty restaurants and receive up to $200 per stateroom of free onboard credit to be spent as they wish, including on commemorative 50th anniversary keepsakes, a...
Virgin to Launch Cruise Line
The Virgin Group has launched plans for the formation of Virgin Cruises. The company will be based in the Miami area and plans to design and construct two new world class cruise ships. Launch dates have not been announced. “We plan to shake up the cruise industry and deliver a holiday that customers will absolutely love,” said Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder. “They’ll be sailing on the latest ships offering a great quality, a real sense of fun and many exciting activities all delivered with the famed Virgin service.” Tom McAlpin joins the Virgin Cruise management...
Win a Cruise and Sail Away on MSC Divina
Set sail with Sunwing Vacations aboard the luxurious MSC Divina. This elegant ship is the star of the MSC fleet, and it's not hard to understand why with comforts and conveniences to suit the vacation style of every traveller. Amenities include a Broadway-style theatre; infinity pool; water park; kid's club; Aurea spa; adults-only area; exclusive MSC Yacht Club area with butler service; plus restaurants including Villa Rossa, Eataly, Galaxy and more. And new this year, book the CHEERS beverage package and receive unlimited mealtime drinks for the duration of the cruise. With an...
Silversea Rolls Out New ‘Silver Wave’ Offer
Silversea is offering a special booking incentive valid for a limited time on a variety of global itineraries. The new Silver Wave promotion provides guests with a complimentary suite upgrade plus an onboard spending credit of up to $1,000 per suite that can be used for shore excursions, spa treatments, specialty restaurants, boutique purchases and more. Silver Wave is available for new bookings made by Dec. 31 on 31 select voyages sailing in 2015 – including both traditional ocean-going and expedition cruises. “Now is the time for savvy, value-conscious travellers to take...