Cruise
Brothers, sisters make Celebrity Ascent naming ceremony a family affair
The naming ceremony for Celebrity Ascent at Port Everglades on Dec. 1 was a memorable family affair. For the first time Celebrity Cruises chose brothers Dimitrios and Tasos Kafetzis as co-captains, and sisters Sandy Yawn, star of Bravo TV's hit franchise Below Deck, and Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism, as co-godmothers. “Captain Dimitrios spent his entire maritime career spanning more than three decades with Celebrity Cruises. He started as apprentice officer in 1990 onboard Celebrity’s first vessel, the Horizon,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, who was...
Viking returns to Antarctica for third season
Viking is celebrating the start of its third expedition season in Antarctica, as the Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris have arrived again in the region. Both ships will spend the Austral summer in Antarctica, before returning to North America’s Great Lakes for voyages throughout the spring, summer and early fall. To meet strong demand for Antarctica voyages, Viking has also announced that the 2025-2026 season is now open for booking, including a new 87-day expedition, From the Arctic to Antarctica, sailing from Nuuk, Greenland to Ushuaia, Argentina. Departing in September...
Norwegian Viva christened in Miami
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is celebrating the christening of Norwegian Viva, the company’s newest vessel and the second ship in the award-winning Prima Class. David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “To christen Norwegian Viva in Miami is incredibly special to many of us at NCL, not only because Miami is our hometown, but also because we can share this moment with our local family and friends.” Herrera continued: “Launching a ship is no solo endeavor. I am overwhelmed with gratitude towards the entire NCL team, our partners and especially our...
Celestyal adds to its itineraries in 2024 and 2025
Celestyal has added three new countries -- Croatia, Montenegro and Italy – and six new ports -- Kefalonia, Katakolo and Corfu-- in Greece; Dubrovnik in Croatia; Kotor in Montenegro; and Bari in Italy) for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. The Celestyal Journey, will commence its season on March 2, 2024 with a brand-new cruise itinerary. Celestyal Journey’s new seven-night “Heavenly Adriatic” cruise will feature full days in Kefalonia, Kotor, Bari, and Corfu, as well as a late-night stay in Dubrovnik. The announcement follows the recent unveiling of a complete Celestyal fleet...
Riviera River Cruises extends discount, offers free FAM cabins
Riviera River Cruises has extended a discount for travellers and is offering a new incentive for travel advisors through the month of December. The cruise company’s $500 per person discount on 2024 or 2025 river cruises from eight to 15 days, including exclusive departures for solo travellers, has been extended. Additionally, travel advisors can earn a free FAM cabin on any 2024 cruise up to eight days – normally $499 per person – by booking two cabins on a 2025 departure. Marilyn Conroy, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing North America for Riviera River Cruises,...
Royal Caribbean welcomes Icon of the Seas
After 900 days of construction, Royal Caribbean International has welcomed the Icon of the Seas to its fleet, just two months before its January 2024 debut. In attendance at the celebration were more than 1,200 crew members and workers, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer. Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said: “Today, we are celebrating more than a new ship; it’s also the celebration of the culmination of more than 50 years of innovation and...
AmaWaterways hosts travel agents aboard the AmaBella on the Danube
Thirty five travel professionals cruised the beautiful Danube from Vilshofen, Germany to Budapest for 7 nights on the AmaBella. Ports of call included Vilshofen and Passau (Germany), Linz, Weissenkirchen and Vienna (Austria), Bratislava (Slovakia) and Budapest (Hungary). One of the highlights was the start of the European Christmas Market season. Seen in the top photo, from l to r, aboard AmaWaterways AmaBella (Small Group) are David Rotyik - Cruise Director; Daniel Marinov – Captain; Sandra Gardiner - Director of Sales for Canada at AmaWaterways River Cruises; Scotty...
MSC Cruises continuing to enhance guest experience
MSC Cruises has announced a new infrastructure development program for Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas. The agreement was signed recently at a ceremony in Bimini attended by the country’s Prime Minister The Honourable Philip Davis and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Honourable Chester Cooper along with other government officials. The cruise line’s further investment for the island stays true to the original vision for the island, which was to create a positive long-term impact both in terms of the environment and the local...