Cruise
Silversea Completes Northwest Passage Expedition
Luxury expedition cruise specialist Silversea's 132-guest Silver Explorer has successfully completed the company's first-ever journey through the legendary Northwest Passage. The 23-day voyage commenced in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland on Aug. 9 and concluded in Nome, Alaska on Sept. 1. It covered a distance of nearly 3,500 nautical miles, following a route through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago similar to Roald Amundsen's momentous east-to-west expedition of 1903 to 1906, the first successful navigation by boat through the passage. “Sailing the Northwest Passage is an experience...
Double Loyalty Points
Encore Cruises has introduced a “Back to School” promotion offering agents double Loyalty Points on every booking made between Sept. 2 and 7. Applicable to any cruise line, any ship, any departure and any category, agents will receive a total of 1,000 Loyalty Points on every new booking made during the promotion period. The only stipulation is the cruise duration must be seven nights or longer for bookings with Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruise Lines (South...
Norwegian Acquires Prestige Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Prestige Cruises International, Inc., parent company of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The cash and stock deal is reportedly for a total transaction of US$3.025 billion, including the assumption of debt. “The acquisition of Prestige represents an extraordinary opportunity for Norwegian Cruise Line to expand our market presence by adding two established, award-winning brands in the upscale cruise segment with loyal followings,” said Kevin Sheehan (pictured), Norwegian Cruise...
Cuba Cruise Secures Transat Flights
Cuba Cruise is launching its second season with a holiday package that combines convenient charter flights, airport transfers and seven-night circumnavigation cruise, available direct from the operator. According to officials, the hassle-free “Sky-to-Sea” package rivals any Cuban resort stay, providing intrepid travellers the opportunity to fly direct to Havana, cruise the Caribbean, and effortlessly explore Cuba’s vibrant cities, colonial villages, rolling countryside and world famous beaches – all in one seamless vacation. “We’re proud to offer an exclusive and...
Keel Laid For HAL’s Newest
Holland America Line (HAL) celebrated the keel laying of its new 2,650-guest Pinnacle Class ship on Aug. 22 at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy. A 680-ton block was lowered by crane into the yard’s building dock, marking the official beginning of construction. The 99,500-gross-ton ship is scheduled for delivery in February 2016. The event was attended by Holland America Line’s Keith Taylor, senior vice-president, fleet operations and Cyril Tatar, vice-president, new build and technical operations. “The keel laying of our new Pinnacle Class vessel heightens the...
Carnival Honours Top Travel Agencies
Two Canadian travel agencies were among the top 15 agencies Carnival Cruise Lines has honoured with its newly created “Excellence Awards.” They are Expedia CruiseShip Centers Scarborough East (Scarborough, Ont.) and Expression Voyages (Magog, Que.). Agencies were selected by Carnival’s sales team for their innovative marketing techniques, brand advocacy and sales success strategies. “We created the Excellence Awards as a way to celebrate the many success stories we hear of travel agencies that are building incredible business practices through new and innovative...
Norwegian Offers Alaska Savings
Norwegian Cruise Line has launched its Alaska Bonus Days. Travellers booking a 2015 cruise through Aug. 29 can take advantage of Norwegian’s seven-day “All-Inclusive Package,” valued at more than $2,400, for $899 per person. Norwegian Sun offers a series of seven-day cruises from either Vancouver or Whittier, Alaska, and explores the Inside Passage, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Sawyer Glacier and Hubbard Glacier. Norwegian Jewel offers seven-day cruises from Seattle every Saturday and visits Alaska favourites including Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan and...
Princess Introduces Regional Menus
When the new Regal Princess sails into Florida in November to begin a maiden Caribbean cruise season, it will debut a new Princess Cruises dining program showcasing regional culinary specialties designed to reflect the destinations its ships visit around the world. The new program will enable guests to enjoy regional menu items created with local produce, spices and seafood. The first special menus are inspired by the Caribbean in keeping with the ship’s fall itineraries. The regional cruise ship menus will eventually roll out across the fleet, and will include culinary specialties...