Cruise
Virtuoso to expand Cruise Ship Tours program across Canada
Virtuoso has successfully hosted four Cruise Ship Tours events in Canada in partnership with Viking, Silversea, Seabourn and Cunard, with plans to continue the program throughout 2024 and beyond. Designed exclusively for the network’s Canadian advisors, the Cruise Ship Tours provide a first-hand look at preferred partner cruise lines, which is then passed along to their clients as prospective passengers. The private tours have taken place in Vancouver, with future events slated around Canada’s various ports, including Halifax, Toronto, Montréal and Quebec City. “Experiencing a...
Carnival orders three more ships for new class of vessel
Carnival has placed an order for three new ships for its namesake Carnival Cruise Line brand for a new class of vessel, at nearly 230,000 gross registered tonnes. The agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri provides for the design, engineering, and construction of these liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ships, which will be delivered in the summers of 2029, 2031 and 2033, respectively. "We are proud to be known as America's cruise line with tremendous guest loyalty and an outstanding team that has enabled us to deliver memorable vacations to over 100 million guests,"...
Princess reveals 19 destinations for 2026 Alaska season
Princess Cruises has unveiled its biggest-ever Alaska season for 2026, highlighted by the debut of the newest ship in its fleet, Star Princess. The exciting, expanded Alaska program for 2026 features eight ships, 180 departures, and 19 destinations, providing travellers with an unparalleled selection of Alaska adventures by sea, or by both land and sea. For the first time, guests will have the opportunity to explore Alaska aboard a Sphere Class ship as Star Princess sails her first summer season in the Great Land, offering unparalleled views of glaciers and wildlife. As the...
Silversea names Barbara Biffi as SVP, global sales
Silversea has appointedd Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice-president, global sales, effective immediately. Since first joining the company in 2007, Biffi has held various positions at Silversea, gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests, and the company’s strategic goals. Set to relocate to Miami, Biffi takes responsibility for Silversea’s global sales strategy across all channels from Massimo Brancaleoni, who, having strengthened the company’s industry-leading position, departs to pursue other opportunities. “I congratulate Barbara Biffi...
Virgin Voyages invites guests aged 18-26 to sail for free
Virgin Voyages is opening its gangways to “kids” to sail for free. Before embarking on the uncharted journey of moving into a new dorm, searching for a job or turning 21, “kids” ages 18-26 are invited to set sail aboard Virgin Voyages with their parents, guardians and caregivers at no extra cost. For a limited time, Virgin Voyages is inviting (adult) kids on a free holiday on the high seas. “If you’re old enough to vote, you’re old enough to sail” was the thinking that inspired Virgin Voyages’ (cheeky) definition of “children.” As a brand celebrated for its...
Seabourn modifies 2025 spring bookings with 18 maiden calls
Seabourn has modified the spring 2025 itineraries for Seabourn Encore to include a series of new voyages to Southeast Asia, Japan, Hawaii, the Panama Canal and the Mediterranean between March and May 2025. The new deployment features 36 destinations in 18 countries, and many “firsts” for Seabourn Encore, including 18 maiden calls and the ship’s first transit through the historical Panama Canal and its first-ever visit to the U.S. Seabourn Encore was originally scheduled to sail westbound from Asia to Europe. However, changes were made to the original planned itineraries to...
Windstar partners with Revelex to streamline global bookings
Windstar Cruises is investing in technology to make it easier for travel advisors to do business with the small ship line, today announcing a new integration with its first booking engine partner - Revelex. Revelex aggregates cruise inventory (across 40+ major lines) and makes it seamless for advisors to book cruises on a global scale, all in one online location. “Revelex’s Power Agent 5 offers access to a global cruise API, allowing our travel advisor customers greater control of the booking process,” explains Revelex senior vice-president of sales Joe Romans. “The Revelex...
Tauck releases new tech to help boost agent sales
Tauck has partnered with Approach Guides to develop a new technology that allows travel advisors to add custom sales messages, group pricing and other trip details to supercharge their group sales. The new technology builds on Tauck’s existing partnership with Approach Guides, as the two companies already work closely together on a wide array of “Content Experiences,” or pre-built marketing pages that advisors can easily co-brand and share with clients and prospective clients via social media, email and other methods. Tauck’s existing Content Experiences cover a range...