Cruise
NCL unveils 2014/2015 Caribbean itineraries
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled its deployment for the fall and winter 2014/2015 season with eight ships sailing to the Caribbean and Bahamas and Florida from five homeports -- Miami, New York, Tampa, Houston and New Orleans. Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Pearl will set sail from Miami, while Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Gem will continue to depart from New York. Norwegian Sun debuts in Tampa while Norwegian Dawn will be introduced to New Orleans. As previously announced, Norwegian Jewel will set sail from Houston. The line will also increase its seven-day...
Kids Sail Free’ with Crystal
Crystal Cruises has more opportunities for family friendly summer travel with its new "Kids Sail Free"offers in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. On four June and July voyages, cruisers age 17 and under can travel free when sharing a third berth stateroom with two adults. In the Baltic, there will be Crystal Serenity sailings of 10 days each on June 25 and July 20 and 30, through Stockholm (overnight), Sweden; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg, Russia (two overnights); Helsinki, Finland; Berlin/Warnemünde, Germany; and Copenhagen, Denmark. A seven-day sailing through the...
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...