Cruise
Cruising To The Top
Cunard has named Richard Meadows as the new president of Cunard Line – North America. Meadows will take over his new role on Dec. 1, 2014, reporting to David Noyes, CEO of Cunard Line. As well, Meadows will retain his role as president of Seabourn. Noyes said of the appointment of Meadows: “With Rick having worked at so many brands within the Carnival Corporation portfolio, we are eager to leverage his knowledge, experience and skills to advance the Cunard brand in North America.” And he continued: “His background in leading Seabourn is particularly valuable, as he...
Windstar Goes Year-Round in Tahiti
Windstar Cruises has announced plans to sail year-round in the South Pacific, allowing guests to explore the Society and Tuamotu Islands of Tahiti. Continuous voyages begin May 26, 2015 aboard the renovated, 148-passenger Wind Spirit. Itineraries will include the seven-day “Dreams of Tahiti” voyage, which was launched in May after Windstar’s 10-year hiatus from the region, as well as new extended 10- and 11-day journeys that include stops in the Tuamotu Islands – widely known as a diver’s and snorkeller’s paradise. “When we returned to Tahiti this year, we knew it...
NCL Completes Acquisition of Prestige Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has completed its previously announced acquisition of Prestige Cruises International, Inc., parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, in cash and stock for a total transaction consideration of $3.025 billion, including the assumption of debt. With this acquisition, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings operates a portfolio of brands that span all market segments in the cruise industry, from contemporary to upper-premium to luxury. Each brand offers differentiated experiences in their respective segments. Oceania Cruises offers an...
Alitours Sailing to Cuba
Alitours is offering week-long Cuba Cruise sailings around Cuba on the Louis Cristal vessel, with Jan. 5, 12, 19 and 26 sailings that leave Havana on Monday and return the following Monday starting at $909, plus taxes of $590 p.p. The rates include air travel from Toronto to Havana and transfers to and from the Cuban capital's port. The vessel will call at Holguin; Santiago de Cuba; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Cienfuegos/Trinidad; and the Isle of Youth. Cuba Cruise's season is Dec. 22 to March...
Author Gabaldon New Avalon Godmother
Shortly after announcing that Canada’s own Jann Arden will be christening the Avalon Tranquility II next year, Avalon Waterways has announced yet another christening and celebrity godmother. Acclaimed author of the award-winning No. 1 New York Times-bestselling OUTLANDER novels Diana Gabaldon will christen the Avalon Tapestry II, the first Avalon Suite Ship to be christened in France. Of her godmother duties, Gabaldon commented, “I’ve been invited to do everything from leading parades to being installed as a Lady of the Quebec Garrison of the 78th Highlanders – but being...
Cruise Savings
Just in time for the peak Caribbean cruise booking season, Air Canada Vacations (ACV) is offering free prepaid gratuities on all winter cruise packages. This includes cruises with the following: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival, Disney, Princess, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Costa, Cunard, Azamara and AMAWaterways. Prepaid gratuities are applicable for winter cruise packages booked with Air Canada Vacations between Nov. 15 and Nov. 19 for travel between Dec. 1 and April 30, 2015. The offer is applicable to first and second passengers, who...
Encore Partners With CroisiEurope
Encore Cruises has launched a new partnership with CroisiEurope and is celebrating the news with an exclusive US$200 in savings on select spring 2015 departures. The offer is valid on all new bookings made by Nov. 30. When customers book one of three CroisiEurope spring 2015 cruises, they will save US$100 per person, or up to US$200 per stateroom. The three cruises are: “The Treasures of the Celebrated Rhine River” itinerary, an eight-night Amsterdam to Basel (or reverse) sailing, with departures on April 1, 17 and 25; “Cruise on the Ijsselmeer, Holland’s Largest...
Uniworld’s River Tosca to Resume Egypt Sailings
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection has announced they will set sail once again on Egypt’s Nile River aboard the all-suite River Tosca, commencing October 2015. Uniworld is one of several companies in The Travel Corporation family of brands, including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations and Contiki to bring travel back to Egypt. According to The Travel Corporation’s CEO, Brett Tollman, “We are seeing a pent-up demand for the destination and are delighted to be able to elevate our support for this truly remarkable part of the world.” Uniworld will resume its first sailing...