Cruise

TRANSAT UNVEILS 2013-2015 CRUISE COLLECTION

Transat Holidays is rounding out its 2013 season with the launch of its Cruise Collection 2013-2015 brochure, highlighted by a number of new promotions. Transat continues to expand its collection by offering new cruise products from some of the world’s most popular cruise lines, including Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Star Clippers and Uniworld River Cruises. Combined, these cruise lines sail the seven seas and some of the world’s most stunning rivers. As recently announced, Transat Holidays has added the unique Cuba Cruise line for those who wish to explore Cuba’s cultural richness, as well as river cruises with AmaWaterways.

Transat has launched a new star rating system for ships of major cruise lines featured in the brochure. More detailed information on the unique highlights of some of the newest ships is also available, making it easier for consumers and agents to compare the different characteristics and attributes of each cruise. Ratings are based on Transat Holidays’ selection criteria and its own appreciation of ship features. Maps for the majority of itineraries are also available to facilitate browsing through the hundreds of available routes. Itinerary details can now be accessed online at Transat’s web site.

Back by popular demand and exclusive to Transat Holidays, the Costa Magica offers sailings from La Romana every Monday from Dec. 23 to March 24, 2014. The seven-night Lesser Antilles itinerary features the islands of Catalina, Tortola, Antigua, Martinique, Guadeloupe and St. Maarten. Packages include roundtrip airfare and transfers from a variety of gateways across Eastern Canada. Also exclusive to Transat is the MSC Musica, with sailings from La Romana every Sunday from Dec. 22, 2013 to March 16, 2014. This program is only offered from Quebec and targets a French-speaking clientele. The package includes roundtrip airfare, and the exotic, seven-night Southern Caribbean itinerary features St. Maarten, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Antigua, Tortola, Santo Domingo and La Romana. Both cruises are offered in conjunction with an optional one-week pre- or post-stay at a selection of all-inclusive resorts in La Romana.

For Florida cruise passengers, Transat offers a professional delivery service that provides direct delivery of clients’ luggage from the Fort Lauderdale airport to the Port of Miami or Port Everglades. With this service, clients can simply hop off the plane, claim their luggage at the airport and hand it to an attendant, who will have it delivered to their stateroom on the ship.

Cruise promotions include savings of up to $200 per couple when booking a Europe cruise in conjunction with an Air Transat flight departing between April 1 and Oct. 31, 2014. The offer is valid for bookings made by Dec. 31 and valid for all European destinations served by Air Transat. In Florida, travellers can save up to $100 per couple. (http://www.transatholidays.com)