Cruise
Costa Is Counting The Days
It is just 150 days until Costa Cruises celebrates its new flagship, Costa Diadema. On Nov. 7, the cruise line will host a special christening event in Genoa, Italy, where Costa Cruises was founded and is headquartered. For the first time, the ship's godmother will be selected from among participants in a worldwide travel agent competition to be held from July to September. The christening will celebrate the city of Genoa and Costa Diadema's guests, as well as its godmother, who will join an impressive list of celebrities who have christened other Costa ships, including Claudia...
NCL ‘DASH’ Sale
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched its popular “DASH” sale, offering savings on all sailings of three days or longer, fleet-wide. Travellers who book a cruise from June 15 through June 21 can receive up to $250 per stateroom to spend on board depending on the category of stateroom booked. Air credits up to $1,000, Military, AARP and Latitudes Rewards discounts also apply to select sailings. Norwegian Getaway sails seven-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean from its year-round homeport, Miami. The line’s newest ship visits tropical ports of call including Philipsburg, St....
Secrets to a Successful Family Reunion at Sea
Family focused activities for a range of ages, superior dining and entertainment, good value and stress-free planning are among the top reasons that cruise lines are in demand for family reunion vacations, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). CLIA says the inclusive nature of a cruise helps keep families on a budget. There are no worries about who is going to pay for dinner or an activity as almost all meals, entertainment and activities are included in the rate. Extras, such as specialty restaurants, can be decided ahead of time. Kids even sail for free on...
HAL Excursion Features ‘Game of Thrones’ Experience
Holland America Line (HAL) is featuring a new “Experience the Game of Thrones” shore excursion at Belfast, Northern Ireland, offering guests a behind-the-scenes look at many of the locations where the hit show is filmed. The tour begins at Castle Ward, which fans know as Winterfell, and travels to Audley’s Castle – a backdrop for many scenes and the site of Robb Stark’s camp. Throughout the tour, die-hard fans will learn about special effects and costuming, test their knowledge of show trivia and hone their archery skills. Participants also will have a photo opportunity with...
Oceania’s Regatta Begins Summer Season in Alaska
Oceania Cruises welcomed Regatta back to the fleet following an extensive dry dock, making it the final ship of three sister ships to undergo a $50 million collective refurbishment. The ship set sail on a 10-night “Majesty of Alaska” voyage, signaling the beginning of another summer season in Alaska for Oceania Cruises. Sister ships Nautica and Insignia emerged from dry dock and re-entered service last month. Renovating three ships from bow to stern in a six-week time period marks the largest refurbishment program in Oceania Cruises’ history. The multimillion-dollar makeover...
NCL Offers Bermuda, Bahamas Booking Bonus
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched its Bermuda and Bahamas & Florida Bonus Days, offering savings on the line’s Bermuda and Bahamas & Florida cruises. Travellers who book a Bermuda or Bahamas & Florida cruise vacation by June 14 can receive up to $100 per stateroom to spend on board. Guests looking to set sail from the Big Apple can do so aboard Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway’s sister-ship. Breakaway is currently sailing seven-day cruises to Bermuda through Sept. 28 offering guests three full days to explore King’s Wharf, Bermuda and unwind on the...
Set Sail for Savings with Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International is offering travellers special cruise savings on select sailings that set sail as early as August. Through June 30, travellers will receive 50% savings off of the cruise fare for the second guest, booked in the same stateroom with a full-fare guest. The offer applies to new individual and named group bookings in all stateroom categories and sailings to the Caribbean, the Bahamas or Bermuda departing between Aug. 1 and Dec. 15. This promotion excludes sailings on Quantum of the Seas, as well as third and additional guests. Another option for families is...
Beyond Niagara
In this week's issue of Canadian Travel Press, executive editor, Bob Mowat reports that as Hornblower Niagara Cruises sails its way into its first season in the Niagara Gorge, the travel trade here shouldn't be too surprised by all the new things that it has put on the itinerary. Consider the fact that today Hornblower has over 1,000 employees and operates 70 vessels. Hornblower Inc.'s chairman and CEO, Terry MacRae will tell you that "we're one of those companies that's an overnight success after a third of a century in business. More people know about us now than ever before. But in...