Cruise
China New Home for Quantum of the Seas
In a somewhat surprise announcement, Royal Caribbean International reports that its newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, will make its home port in Shanghai (Baoshan), China. The ship will reposition to China in May 2015, following an inaugural winter season sailing out of New York Harbor to the Caribbean. In China, Quantum of the Seas will join Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas in Asia, increasing the company’s capacity in the region by 66%. “Consumers in China have grown to expect the best the world has to offer, and Quantum of the Seas meets that standard like no other...
Gauguin Unveils 2015 Collection
Paul Gauguin Cruises has released its new Voyages by Gauguin 2015 Collection brochure. The brochure features 52 voyages by the cruise line’s two deluxe small ships, which both offer an elegant yet casual ambiance, luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, trademark Polynesian hospitality, and all-inclusive value. Fleet distinctions, dining venues, entertainment, activities, destination guides, deck plans, and sailing schedules are also highlighted. For 2015, seven- to 14-night voyages are offered on both ships, with The Gauguin sailing in French Polynesia, Tahiti, and the South...
Crystal Releases 25th Anniversary Cruise Atlas
Crystal Cruises has released its Worldwide Cruise Atlas for all of 2015 and early 2016, detailing the line’s 72 luxury cruises visiting all seven continents aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. The 175-page brochure, artfully designed to commemorate Crystal’s 25th anniversary, is also filled with additional cruise planning tools, from info about onboard programming to exquisitely-appointed accommodations. The “Destination Insider’s Guide” lists ports of call by country and is newly enhanced to include more local tips for destinations, boldly highlighting UNESCO sites...
Carnival LIVE Debuts With Sold-Out Shows
The official launch of the one-of-a-kind Carnival LIVE Concert Series kicked off last week with sold-out performances by world-renowned rock band Styx. Fans packed the show lounges on Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Fascination for an intimate, captivating live performance that brought audiences to their feet. The Carnival LIVE Concert Series offers guests sailing on select Carnival Cruise Lines ships the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive onboard performance by a diverse roster of popular music artists while ships are docked at a port of call. Carnival has booked 49 performance dates...
Triumph to Sail From Galveston, San Juan
For the very first time, Carnival Cruise Lines is offering 10- and 11-day cruises between Galveston and San Juan featuring visits to six different Caribbean destinations on one itinerary. Two 11-day cruises sail from Galveston to San Juan Oct. 24, 2015, and Jan. 16, 2016, and two 10-day cruises from San Juan to Galveston depart Nov. 4, 2015, and Jan. 27, 2016. These longer-length tropical itineraries feature an array of Caribbean ports and are a first in terms of Carnival’s Texas-based cruise program, which also includes year-round four-and five-day Mexico cruises and seven-day...
Dream On From the Big Easy
New Orleans’ largest year-round cruise ship, the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream, departed on its inaugural six-day cruise from the Big Easy yesterday afternoon, further solidifying Carnival’s distinction of the port’s largest cruise operator with two ships carrying more than 400,000 passengers annually. The special six-day voyage, visiting Costa Maya, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), and Cozumel, departed from the newly refurbished Erato Street Cruise Terminal, which has undergone a $2.3 million upgrade to accommodate a ship as large as the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. Beginning...
Avalon Offers Clients Three Ways to Save
Will it be a generous air credit, or convenient pre-paid on-board gratuities? Perhaps a 10% discount on a European river cruise sounds most inviting? All three are available for travellers booking an Avalon Waterways cruise by June 24. And agents don’t even have to figure out which will be the best deal for their clients as Avalon will select the maximum saving option. The company has just released its 254-page brochure for next year with cruises showcasing Europe’s history, culture, romance, food and wine. In all, Avalon will feature 27 itineraries ranging from five to 24 days...
NCL Launches Sun and Fun Bonus Day Sale
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched a Sun and Fun Bonus Day Sale, offering exceptional savings on all of the line’s Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida, Bermuda and Hawaii cruises. Guests who book a Norwegian cruise vacation through April 18 can receive up to $200 per stateroom to spend on board. Travellers can chase the sun on board Norwegian Getaway as it sails seven-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean from its year-round homeport of Miami. The line’s newest ship visits tropical ports of call including Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau,...