Destinations
Universal Offers Sneak Peek of New Dockside Inn
Universal Orlando Resort revealed a first look at its newest and eighth hotel, Universal’s Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites – opening on March 17. This first look gives guests a preview of the inspiration for Dockside Inn and Suites, designed to evoke the feeling of being surrounded by the sea from the shore and catching the sunset from beneath a pier. Dockside Inn and Suites is the second hotel in Universal Orlando’s Value category and will add 2,050 guest rooms to the destination by the end of 2020, featuring both standard rooms and spacious two-bedroom...
Victory Sails The Great Lakes
Victory Cruise Lines, committed to small-ship cruising on the Great Lakes and the North American and Canadian coasts, has introduced new 2020 voyage itineraries and city stays for Victory II following a successful 2019 season. Operated by American Queen Steamboat Company, a Hornblower Families Company, the 202-guest Victory II will offer three new itineraries, including a new Great Lakes voyage from Chicago to Niagara Falls with a post-cruise stay in Niagara Falls. Cruisers who book before March 31 can take advantage of savings on select itineraries, including up to $2,000 off per...
Carnival Fascination to Move to Mobile in 2022
Carnival Cruise Line reports that Carnival Fascination will move from its current homeport of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and be based in Mobile, Ala., effective Jan. 16, 2022. Carnival Fantasy will continue its popular four- and five-day cruise schedule from Mobile through January 2022, at which time Carnival Fascination, will pick up the itineraries. Carnival Fascination itineraries from Mobile are open for sale. Guests currently booked on Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Fascination through January 2022 will not be affected and voyages will operate as planned. “Carnival Fascination...
Transat Unveils Enhanced Summer Lineup for Ontario
Air Transat has unveiled its 2020 summer flight program for Ontario, featuring 95 direct flights a week from Toronto to Europe, the South and the United States – and a new direct flight to Faro, Portugal. Air Transat’s new program features 14 weekly flights to London (England), up from nine flights a week in summer 2019. There will be five direct flights a week to Manchester (England), Dublin (Ireland), Glasgow (Scotland) and Paris (France). Options will also abound for Italy, with seven direct flights a week to Rome, two to Venice and one to Lamezia. Travellers will find eight...
Another Record-Breaking Year for Canada
O Canada! Destination Canada is celebrating a third consecutive record-breaking year for tourism in Canada with 22.1 million travellers visiting in 2019, according to Statistics Canada. Tourism plays a significant role in the national economy, generating an estimated $104.9 billion in tourism expenditures in 2019, supporting approximately one in 10 jobs in communities across Canada and contributes an estimated $43.5 billion in Gross Domestic Product. “This record number of arrivals shows once more that tourism is a strong and sustainable sector that benefits businesses and...
HAL Cancels Four Westerdam Asia Sailings
Due to the uncertainty of ports accepting cruise ships in Asia, Holland America Line (HAL) has cancelled Westerdam’s four March and April 2020 Asia cruises. The cancelled cruises include: March 14-28, 14-day South Korea and Japan, sailing roundtrip Yokohama, Japan; March 28 - April 11, 14-day Japan Explorer, sailing roundtrip Yokohama; April 11-25, 14-day Japan and Russia, sailing roundtrip Yokohama; April 25-May 10, 16-day North Pacific Crossing, sailing Yokohama to Vancouver. Details and itineraries regarding Westerdam deployment through early May will be provided in the coming...
Operators Scramble To Get Cayo Largo Passengers Home
A damaged runway has forced the temporary closure of Cayo Largo airport in Cuba and has several Canadian tour operators scrambling to get passengers home. Both Transat and Sunwing have clients on the island and are finding alternative ways to get them home. “Due to the damaged runway at Cayo Largo airport, we had to work with the Cuban authorities to put in place a plan to bring our clients home,” Transat's Marie-Christine Pouliot told PressToday. “[On Feb. 19] 160 passengers were transferred to the city of Batabanó on board a ferry that can accommodate up to 300 passengers....
Porter Releases Stephenville Flight Schedule
Porter Airlines has released its 2020 schedule for Stephenville, Nfld., with round-trip flights operating from Halifax beginning June 6 and operating through Sept. 26. Flights operate up to twice weekly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Flights also connect with Ottawa and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport on the same aircraft. Other destinations in the Porter network are accessible from these points. Flights are currently available for...