Cruise
Changes At Virgin Voyages, McAlpin Retiring, Saverimuttu Named CEO
Virgin Voyages has closed on a $550 million capital raise to accelerate its growth plans. The funding round was led by funds managed by the Private Equity Group of Ares Management (“Ares”) and also includes additional capital from existing investors including Virgin Group and Bain Capital. The new funding raise will enable Virgin Voyages to strengthen its financial position while supporting the brand’s rapid expansion into international markets, with a relentless focus on creating an outstanding and innovative customer experience. As Virgin Voyages looks ahead to its next...
A Little Adventure For TTAND’s Top Performers
The Travel Agent Next Door rewarded its top performers with a 12-day High Arctic Explorer Expedition on the Ocean Endeavour hosted by Adventure Canada last month. TTAND’s top performers trip rewards the top agencies as well as top individual advisors. Flemming Friisdahl, TTAND Founder and CEO, said: “We have different annual targets for our individual advisors and for our agencies who have multiple affiliate agents. This way an individual advisor gets recognized for their hard work and achievement during the year and they are not competing against an agency which has multiple...
Seabourn Integrates Trade Site Onto OneSource
Seabourn has migrated its travel advisor website to OneSource Travel Advisor Center. The strategic move underscores Seabourn's dedication to providing unparalleled assistance and resources to its valued travel advisor partners, streamlining their experience and fostering business growth. The newly launched trade website offers a dynamic array of sales tools and resources, empowering travel partners to amplify their Seabourn business. From meticulously tailored marketing assets that can be personalized to suit specific needs, to convenient access to upcoming training opportunities...
Come Sail Away And Discover Martinique, Tahiti And Beyond
Yacht charter company Dream Yacht Worldwide has expanded its Easy Crewed yacht product to four new destinations — the British Virgin Islands, Martinique, Tahiti and Seychelles — for those clients looking for a private yacht experience. The concept, which launched last year in Greece and Croatia, was designed for those who are new to chartering. The charter program builds upon the company’s Cabin Cruise vacations, which consists of booking a private staterooms on a catamaran with other guests versus having the entire yacht for the group. “If you’ve always wanted to try...
Carnival Cruise Line, Bacardi, ecoSPIRITS Partner On Initiative
A new pilot program is introducing closed-loop packaging to the cruise industry aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships through a collaboration that includes leading family-owned spirits company Bacardi and innovative circular economy technology company ecoSPIRITS. The pilot will determine if re-usable containers developed by ecoSPIRITS can be used to serve BACARDI rum on Carnival ships, in turn reducing single-use packaging by 95%. The concept is being tested for three months on three ships operating from Miami: Carnival Celebration, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Sunrise. Zachary...
Azamara Offers Deal of the Year for Group Travellers
Azamara has announced an exclusive group offer for Azamara Groups to receive a reduction of 1:12 tour conductor credits and no deposit for 90 days. In addition, for a limited time only, Azamara has introduced its best affinity group deal of the year on select sailings between Aug. 24 and Nov. 3, 2023. Travel advisors can earn double Group Amenities Plus (GAP) points to customize experiences during a group voyage, such as premium cocktail parties, private wine tastings, complimentary Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and more. Michelle Lardizabal, Chief Sales Officer at Azamara,...
HTA Welcomes The Responsible Return Of NCL To Maui
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced its return to Kahului, Maui, with the guidance and encouragement of the Maui community, Hawai‘i State Governor Josh Green and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. NCL’s Pride of America, which has an 18-year history of cruising the Hawaiian Islands year-round, will recommence its weekly overnight calls to Kahului beginning Sept. 3, 2023. Earlier this month, the cruise line paused its calls to Maui, to avoid stressing local resources due to the devastating wildfires in Lahaina on the island’s west side. David J. Herrera, president of...
Set Sail With Scenic Canada And Learn
Scenic is hosting 20 “Ultra-Luxury River Cruises Information Sessions” events across Canada in September and October. The 90-minute interactive sessions put experts in front of the participants to offer insights into: the ultra-luxury river cruising experience in Europe and Southeast Asia, the benefits of small ship cruising, how Scenic’s extensive range of handcrafted enriching river voyages and products immerse guests into the heart of local life, and discover what’s new for Scenic in 2024, as well as learn about more about current money-saving offers. Insights,...