Cruise
CLIA cruising in new waters in Germany
At this year's ITB Berlin, CLIA announced that it was establishing CLIA Germany -- a new national association that will be headquartered in Hamburg and will be chaired by Michael Ungerer, CEO of AIDA Cruises. The move follows CLIA's Jan. 30 announcement which outlined its plans to expand its resources in Europe with CLIA Germany joining CLIA UK and Ireland and CLIA Netherlands as a part of CLIA's newly established global structure. Christine Duffy, president and CEO of CLIA, said that, "The establishment of CLIA Germany further expands our presence in Europe, one of the most important markets...
Tauck names newest vessels
Tauck has disclosed the names of the two new riverboats it will launch next year, and announced that the ships will each be considerably longer than the four sister-ships that currently comprise the company's fleet. The new ships, the Inspire and Savor, will both be 133 metres long, compared to Tauck's existing ships which each measure 108 metres. Despite being 23% longer, the two newbuilds will only accommodate 130 guests each, or just 10% more than its current ships. "Our existing riverboats - what we're now calling our Jewel Class vessels - already have the lowest passenger-to-ship-length...
Royal Caribbean offers month-long Europe Extravaganza
Royal Caribbean International is inviting travellers to rediscover Europe this summer, offering up to $400 in onboard spending credits in March with its Europe Extravaganza. Through March 31, those making a new booking of six nights or longer on one of nine ships plying European waters this year will enjoy an onboard credit to make their Europe cruise even more appealing. During the month-long sale, new individual bookings made with deposit will receive $50 onboard credit per inside stateroom; $100 per outside stateroom; $200 per balcony stateroom; and $400 per suite. Guests can apply their...
Free penthouses for agents with new Crystal program
Building on its popular "Sell 3/Sail Free"travel agent incentive program, Crystal Cruises has launched its newest, exclusive sales program -- "Sell 6/Sail Penthouse."The promotion rewards agents (and one guest) with a free ultra-luxe cruise in a butler-serviced Penthouse for booking six staterooms on any 2013 voyages. The new program upgrades agents from the Deluxe Stateroom they would receive for selling three staterooms; both offers will run concurrently throughout the year. "There is no better way to reward our valued travel agents for their sales efforts than to treat them to one of...
Avalon ‘waves’ single supplement fees
Avalon Waterways has some good news for single travellers - it is lifting the single supplement on a selection of cruises through Europe between April and October. The offer applies to 12 sailings, comprising a choice of itineraries from the eight-day Paris to Normandy's Landing Beaches to the 14-day Magnificent Europe, from Budapest to Amsterdam. Bookings must be made by April 23. "The sale represents a saving of up to $4,304,"says Stéphanie Bishop of Avalon Waterways. "Perfect for solo travellers, or two friends who love the space and privacy of their own cabins."Space is strictly...
Carnival expands Dream’s itineraries
Carnival Cruise Lines has expanded Carnival Dream's year-round schedule from Port Canaveral, Fla., to include never-before-offered eight-day Caribbean departures along with two new five-day options, and a one-of-a-kind four-port, seven-day eastern Caribbean itinerary. With these new options, Dream will offer six distinctly different five- to eight-day cruise programs from Port Canaveral. Carnival Dream's two new eight-day schedules include a three-port Southern Caribbean itinerary with extended stops at the islands of Aruba, Curacao and Grand Turk, and an eastern Caribbean itinerary featuring...
Crystal reports surge in advance bookings
Crystal Cruises is reporting a dramatic 38% increase in advance bookings and an increase of $93 million in revenue over the same time last year. The luxury line kicked off 2013 with Book Now Fares, direct mail increases, strong travel agent promotional support and robust onboard bookings. In just the past two months, Crystal has also reaped a half dozen impressive travel magazine awards voted by the travelling public and travel agents, underscored by record service, food, entertainment and design ratings gleaned from its post-cruise Quality Assurance guest surveys. Crystal's "year of new...
Royal Caribbean casts Chenoweth as newest godmother
Emmy and Tony award-winning Kristin Chenoweth is adding yet another accolade to her impressive resume -- godmother to Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas. The cruise line announced the appointment, which is steeped in maritime tradition, in an unconventional way during a red carpet-inspired commercial that aired during ABC television network's broadcast of the Oscars. Exemplifying what it means to be a leading lady both onstage and off, Chenoweth was chosen for her effervescent personality and ability to wow audiences. Her versatile range of roles made her a natural fit, given...