Cruise
HAL adds 325 videos to web site
Holland America Line (HAL) has dramatically increased its video library on http://www.hollandamerica.com with the recent addition of 325 short videos showcasing the line's shore excursions in Alaska and select ports around the world. Featuring 275 videos on Alaska tours and 53 port overviews with shore excursion details, viewers can get a glimpse of select tours before departing on a cruise and deciding which ones to book. Whether it's a flightseeing tour in Anchorage, Alaska, or exploring the streets of Quebec City -- the line's top-rated port call -- the videos show the beauty and diversity...
Viking River sailing into France’s Bordeaux region
Viking River Cruises has introduced a new itinerary in France's Bordeaux region for 2014 that will celebrate the senses. The eight-day cruise -- Châteaux, Rivers & Wine -- allows guests to enjoy the beauty and history of Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region, while exploring some of the world's finest names in wine. Guests will sail on Viking Forseti, marking the first time an award-winning Viking Longship will be deployed in France. Châteaux, Rivers & Wine takes guests on a unique exploration of the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers, through the region that has for centuries...
Costa introduces future flagship, Costa Diadema
The first block of the hull of Costa Cruises' future flagship, Costa Diadema, was laid this week at Fincantieri's Marghera, Italy, shipyard forming the central part of the ship. Diadema in Italian means "tiara"and the name was selected for the new ship that will serve as the crown jewel and flagship of the Costa Cruises fleet. During a ceremony, the block -- weighing approximately 496 tons, measuring 51.5 feet wide by 95 feet long -- was lifted by a crane and laid in the dry dock where the ship will be built. Construction and fitting out will continue until Oct. 30, 2014, the scheduled date...
Crystal unveils Northern Europe options
Shorter summer voyages with more overnight calls highlight Crystal Cruises' Baltic, Scandinavian and British Isles 2013 cruise collection. Beginning June 8 aboard the Crystal Serenity, three new seven-day itineraries and five 10-day luxury cruises will take guests to some of the region's most beautiful, culturally significant cities and landscapes in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, Estonia, Germany, Belgium, Finland, Russia and the UK, including Ireland. Crystal's Northern Europe cruises also offer a more than 25% increase in local overnights, with double the nights in...
Viking River takes guests behind closed doors
Beginning next year, Viking River Cruises will offer guests an expertly curated Oxford & Highclere Castle land extension that gives travellers the rare chance to explore Highclere Castle, the setting for Downton Abbey on PBS's MASTERPIECE, and other well-known British landmarks. Offered as a pre- or post- extension on the popular Cities of Light or Paris & the Heart of Normandy itineraries, the Oxford & Highclere Castle package is priced at $1,399 p.p. and is composed of a three-night stay in the rolling hills of England's countryside. Guests will enjoy an exclusive insider's look at...
CLIA appointment
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced that Alison Turner, formerly the director for international public relations at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., has been named the association's new director of marketing communications with responsibility for consumer and travel agent-related marketing communications and media relations. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Turner will report to Margaret Murphy, senior vice-president, marketing and trade relations. Turner's experience includes external communications, marketing campaigns, branding and identity, public and media relations, crisis...
Royal Caribbean offering all-inclusive beverage packages
Royal Caribbean International is expanding its existing onboard beverage program to include two new packages designed to streamline and enhance the onboard guest experience. The cruise line is introducing two new beverage packages - Classic and Premium, which will allow guests to pay one price at the beginning of their cruise vacation and enjoy a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages at greater savings and convenience for the duration of their voyage. Complementing the new beverage packages is a variety of specialty dining packages, which allow guests to pre-book the cruise...
Season of Savings’ with Princess
The holiday season is also a "Season of Savings"at Princess Cruises as the line launches a new sale on cruises that runs from Dec. 13-21. Passengers can take advantage of cruise deals with savings of up to $1,000 p.p. plus up to $100 onboard credit per stateroom. The sale includes some of the line's most popular cruise destinations, including Alaska, intriguing European destinations such as the Greek Isles and British Isles, plus Hawaii from Los Angeles and San Francisco, as well as Caribbean cruises from both Ft. Lauderdale and Galveston. In addition to cruise special fares, passengers...