Cruise
HAL’s Veendam Rescues Pilot
On Jan. 25, while en route to Lahaina, Hawaii, Holland America Line’s (HAL) Veendam answered a request for assistance from the United States Coast Guard to rescue a pilot who had ditched his single-engine Cirrus SR-22 after he experienced a mechanical issue with the fuel system. The pilot was located approximately 225 nautical miles off the coast of Maui, Hawaii. In partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, Veendam was able to successfully rescue the pilot, who deployed the aircraft’s airframe parachute system and safely exited the plane into a life raft. HAL crew members brought...
Encore Offering $500 Daily Giveaway
Encore Cruises, together with Royal Caribbean International, are launching a an exclusive “Royal Love Affair” travel agent incentive that will give away $500 a day over the course of 14 days to 14 lucky agents. Valid on all new bookings made between Jan. 26 and Feb. 12, each day an agent makes a booking on any seven-plus night Royal Caribbean sailing departing on or before April 30, in any category, they qualify to be entered into that day’s $500 draw. A total of 14 $500 Visa gift cards will be awarded during the incentive, and the winner for each of the 14 weekday draws will...
Princess to Host Seahawks Fan Cruise
They or may not be Super Bowl champs -- that will be decided on Feb. 1 -- but Princess Cruises, the official cruise line of the Seattle Seahawks, is still set to celebrate with the team during its “Sail with the Seahawks – A Cruise for the 12s,” featuring a seven-night Alaska cruise over Father’s Day, departing from Seattle on Crown Princess on June 20. Guests will enjoy the ultimate in player interactions and onboard fan activities including: Meet and greet autograph signings and photo opportunities with Seattle Seahawks players; Q&A “Chalk Talks” with alumni players;...
CLIA Offers New Individual Agent Benefits
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has unveiled new Individual Agent Membership benefits available at http://cruising.org/membership-center/agent-membership/premium-agent-cruise-line-offers . All 26 CLIA North American cruise line members are now offering an unprecedented number of special offers valued at an estimated $5,000. These offers, exclusively for 2015 CLIA agent members, include bonus commissions, reduced cruise rates for agent personal travel, priority fam trip invitations and special benefits for CLIA-certified agent members. CLIA collaborated with travel...
Carnival Vista Unveiled
Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled details of its most innovative ship ever, Carnival Vista, set to debut in spring 2016. Designed to connect guests to the ocean with sweeping views and plenty to do both outdoors and in, officials say Carnival Vista will take cruising to new heights and introduce an exciting array of groundbreaking new features including: SkyRide, a suspended open-air cycling experience; the world’s first IMAX Theatre on a ship; an expanded water park featuring the colourful Kaleid-O-Slide, the line’s first raft-riding water tube slide; Seafood Shack, a delectable...
Registration Open for ‘Sea U’ 2015
Encore Cruises has opened registration for its fourth annual “Sea U” seminar-at-sea program, and this year for the first time it will run the program in both English and French. This year's event takes place Nov. 29 to Dec. 6, sailing a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary aboard the Norwegian Getaway. Sailing roundtrip out of Miami, the cruise will stop in Great Stirrup Cay, Ocho Rios, George Town and Cozumel. Cost of participation is US$777 per person, taxes in, cruise only (air is available upon request), and includes prepaid gratuities, an Ultimate Dining Package (value...
Silversea: Shore Excursions, WiFi Included
Silversea Cruises is kicking off 2015 with an enticing new program that includes shore excursions and WiFi, now available for new bookings on any of the line's 52 Mediterranean cruises this year. “We're delighted to enhance the value proposition for our guests with the launch of this new ultra-inclusive pricing initiative,” said Kristian Anderson, Silversea's senior vice-president and general manager for the Americas. “Our company is known for pioneering the concept of all-inclusive voyaging. By including shore excursions and WiFi in the cruise fare, we're making the Silversea...
‘PartnerSHIPS’ With HAL
Holland America Line (HAL) has launched a new travel agent support program called PartnerSHIPS, rolling out all of the cruise line's trade programs and services into a single platform making it easier for travel professionals to have full access to an at-a-glance menu of resources. “We had a lot of conversations with our travel partners and the outcome is PartnerSHIPS,” said Eva Jenner, Holland America’s vice-president, North America field, charter and incentive sales. “The program includes several new amenity packages for groups, new marketing tools, a lower override...