Cruise
Carnival Contest Gives Agents Chance to Win Cruise
Carnival is kicking off the new year with a contest awarding a free cruise for two aboard the new Carnival Vista complete with free airfare as part of the new “Mike’s Mic Podcast Giveaway,” which runs through Feb. 28. When listening to the new series of podcasts featuring Carnival’s senior managing director of trade sales Mike Julius, agents will automatically be entered to win the grand prize – a free cruise for two in balcony accommodations aboard Carnival Vista originating from a North American homeport, including round-trip airfare. “We told travel agents in 2014...
Celebrity Unveils 2016-2017 Caribbean Cruise Lineup
Earlier than ever before, Celebrity Cruises has revealed its new lineup of cruise vacations in the Caribbean. Celebrity's Captain's Club members have the first opportunity to choose and book from more than 100 getaways that set sail October 2016 - April 2017. The premium brand's season offers vacationers visits to 31 Caribbean destinations onboard seven Celebrity ships – Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Reflection and Celebrity Silhouette. And, guests now can immerse themselves in the Caribbean with the...
Steaming Ahead Toward Global Emissions Standards
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will retrofit 19 of its ships with advanced emissions purification (AEP) systems, underscoring its commitment to meet or exceed important environmental standards. These systems, also known as scrubbers, will remove more than 97% of the sulfur dioxide emissions generated by the ships' diesel engines. The move will position RCL ahead of all forthcoming International Maritime Organization Emission Control Area emissions standards, and will ensure compliance with existing European Union standards. Additionally, the decision to install AEP systems instead of...
Agencies Cruising to New CLIA Membership Program
Cruise Lines International Association’s (CLIA) new membership structure has received an enthusiastic welcome by travel agencies and agents. Unveiled in early October, the three-tiered program offers benefits to all member host agencies, consortia and individual travel agents. The highest program level – Premium Diamond – is enjoying strong enrollment and registration by North American agencies. Members since the program’s inception include Automobile Club (AAA) of Southern California, Avoya Travel, Cruises & Tours Unlimited, Cruise Planners, CruiseOne, Cruises Inc.,...
European Waterways Ramps Up Service to Agents
For travel agents and tour operators, selling European Waterways’ unique luxury hotel barge cruising vacations can be as easy as “point and click,” says managing director Derek Banks (pictured). “We have been expanding our sales staff and enhancing our sales tools to ensure all our agents receive timely, superior service on every call or correspondence.” Among these tools is a secure, password-protected agent web site, where a user-friendly reservations system allows them to check availability and pricing, make reservations online for clients, and download sales and...
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Cruisers should get their Fins Up and shakers of salt ready, as the first-ever floating Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant and 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar will soon set sail onboard the all-new Norwegian Escape. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Kevin Sheehan announced the news at a company-wide event, with the help of a very special guest – the legendary Jimmy Buffett who performed for the crowd. Norwegian’s exclusive partnership with Margaritaville Holdings LLC extends to Norwegian’s island destinations including the new Harvest Caye in Belize and Great Stirrup Cay,...
Carnival to Offer Unique, Longer Length Voyages
Carnival Cruise Lines is set to offer a special series 10- to 14-day voyages on six different ships between October 2015 and February 2016 that feature extended calls at destinations throughout the Caribbean, Bermuda, Mexican Riviera and The Bahamas. Reservations are open on 11 different voyages offered on Carnival Miracle, Carnival Dream, Carnival Glory and Carnival Sunshine which depart from Long Beach, Calif., Port Canaveral, Fla., San Juan, Miami, and New Orleans and visit more than two dozen tropical destinations, including less travelled ports like Bonaire, Martinique, Dominica,...
Carnival Orders Two New Ships
Carnival Corporation & plc has placed new cruise ship orders with Fincantieri for two of its brands – Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line. Carnival Cruise Line's as-yet-unnamed 3,954-passenger vessel, which is the 26th ship in the line's fleet, will offer many of the newest and most popular features from Carnival's current ships, along with several innovations that will be exclusive to this vessel. The delivery date for the new cruise ship is scheduled for March 2018. Homeport and itinerary information will be announced at a later date. The new ship will be a sister...