Cruise
Royal Caribbean Opens 2015-16 Caribbean Itineraries
Royal Caribbean International has unveiled its Bahamas and Southern and short Caribbean program for the 2015-16 seasons. Independence of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas will sail a variety of itineraries from the homeports of Port Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Royal Caribbean’s 2015-16 Bahamas, and Southern and short Caribbean vacations are now open for booking, except for Majesty of the Seas, which will open next week. From May through October...
Tauck Christens New Inspire
Members of the Tauck family, Tauck executives, the company’s board of directors, special guests and local dignitaries gathered dockside in Basel, Switzerland, April 3 to christen Tauck’s newest riverboat, the ms Inspire. Tauck Cruise Director Lynn Hardcastle offered a traditional blessing, and the ship officially entered service moments later when Tauck Cruise Director Bridget Ashton cut a ceremonial ribbon to send a bottle of Moët & Chandon champagne crashing against the ship’s hull. Joining Hardcastle and Ashton as honourary godmothers to the Inspire were Tauck Cruise...
Silver Simplicity
Silversea Cruises has introduced Silver Simplicity, a new simplified sales program for groups. Silver Simplicity is available for new group bookings on all future 2014 and 2015 voyages, replacing the Group Amenity Point (GAP) program. Group travel is a highly lucrative market for agents looking to boost their income. By reaching out to local schools, companies, houses of worship and other organizations to leverage a group interest or need, agents can effectively maximize their earning potential. And Silversea’s eight ships, offering more than 700 worldwide destinations, can...
A New Arrival For Emerald Waterways
Emerald Waterways has taken delivery of the first of four new Star Ships it ordered for 2014 and 2015. The Emerald Sky was delivered to the company’s owners recently in Lobith, Northern Holland and will be christened by British style icon Twiggy on April 9 in Amsterdam. The Emerald Star will be delivered by the end of April, and the Emerald Sun and the Emerald Dawn are currently under construction for delivery in early 2015. The new ships feature a number of new guest amenities, deluxe suites and staterooms as well as new features not seen on other river cruise ships, including...
Grand Circle Acquires River Cloud II
River cruise company Grand Circle Cruise Line has acquired the River Cloud II, a 90-passenger ship that will operate Grand Circle’s new river cruise tour in Bordeaux, beginning in March 2015. Renamed the M/S Chanson, the river ship was acquired from Sea Cloud Cruises. “We are delighted to add the Chanson to our award-winning fleet,” said CEO Vince Cook. “With its capacity of just 90 passengers, our new ship can enter small ports that are inaccessible to larger ships, allowing our travellers to explore small villages and towns, engage with local people, and experience the...
Stormy Weather
In this week's issue of Canadian Travel Press, western editor Ted Davis reports that tourism interests on the scenic coast of BC north of Vancouver Island have already let it be known that they are very dismayed with the cancellation of a popular BC Ferries tour route for the upcoming travel season. The BC government has announced the dismantling of the Discovery Coast Passage route, taking the large and comfortable Queen of Chilliwack out of service and replacing it with a much less usable vessel. The MS Nimpkish is small, slow and offers almost no passenger amenities. Passengers will...
Nova Star Cruises Ready To Set Sail
Travellers can now make reservations to travel aboard Nova Star, the brand new, 161-metre cruise-ferry, that will make daily round-trip crossings between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Portland, Maine beginning May 15, 2014. One-way fares range from $79 to $139 for adults and $39 to $64 for children five to 12 years of age, depending on the date of travel. Children under the age of five will travel free all season long. During the 10-hour voyage, passengers on Nova Star will have access to three restaurants, including fine dining and a buffet, a theatre and conference centre for live...
Deneuve Christens Uniworld’s S.S. Catherine
Press Today's Greg Coates reports that under sunny skies and with a full orchestra playing in the background, French actress Catherine Deneuve christened Uniworld's new Super Ship, the S.S. Catherine, yesterday in Lyon, France. The ceremony included the breaking of a bottle of Dom Perignon across the bow of the ship, which features 80 staterooms, five suites and one Royal Presidential Suite. The event was attended by about 150 industry guests, who are then taking part in a three-day inauguration...