Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Celebration, is one more milestone closer to its highly-anticipated debut in its homeport of PortMiami after successfully completing sea trials in the Baltic Sea.
Carnival Celebration set sail on its first round of sea trials Sept. 5 from Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the same shipyard where Celebration’s sister ship, Mardi Gras, was built. Carnival Celebration had a full contingent of officers, technicians and engineers on board to thoroughly test the ship’s technical, mechanical and navigational systems.
The ship’s arrival...
For the first time since the pause in guest operations, Carnival Cruise Line will officially bring back its Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in The Hat and Friends across its fleet on sailings beginning Oct. 1.
The breakfast is part of the many exciting experiences in Carnival’s Seuss at Sea program, the line’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.
Guests are encouraged to pack their imagination, as well as their appetites, as the whole family embarks on a breakfast that’s part meal and part journey into the deliciously whimsical world of Dr....
Avalon Waterways will make its Douro debut with a new itinerary and Suite Ship – the Avalon Alegria – in 2024. Embarking on its first-ever sailings in Portugal, Avalon Waterways is poised to offer a new view of the Old World.
Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways, said: “We’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to add Portugal to our robust vacation portfolio and that day has finally arrived.”
Hoffee said: “Inviting our guests to sail the Douro for the first time, we’re bringing the Suite Ships of Avalon, the grandest views in cruising and whim-powered...
MSC Cruises wants MICE.
The cruise line is spearheading a new campaign with travel agents to attract meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) business for its winter 2022-2023 season and into summer 2023 by highlighting the advantages of ships as a better venue than hotels or resorts.
MSC’s initiative comes in response to requests from agents, multinational companies and event agencies who have all seen an upturn in demand for MICE business following the effects on the sector during 2020 and 2021 because of the global pandemic.
The company’s commercial teams in...
As part of its 45th Anniversary Celebration, Sky Bird Travel & Tours Inc. took its employees and their families on a 3-night cruise to the Bahamas. Over Labour Day weekend, Royal Caribbean welcomed the company aboard the Freedom of the Seas.
During the cruise, the company hosted a surprise appreciation event in the ship’s Star Lounge to honour employees of 10+ years. Upon arrival, guests posed for a portrait with their families and then Arvin Shah, President and CEO.
As guests arrived and mingled, Marketing Director Neetu Singh started the event with a lovely introduction...
The Cruise Division of MSC Group in partnership with Qatar Airways has announced that the naming ceremony for MSC Cruises’ new flagship, MSC World Europa, will take place on Nov. 13 in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where she will officially inaugurate the city’s brand-new Grand Cruise Terminal.
This latest announcement is part of MSC’s overall commitment to Qatar and the continued importance of the Middle East, where MSC Cruises is brand leader, and also supports Qatar’s Vision 2030 pledge to triple the number of international tourists visiting the country by that...
AmaWaterways has opened reservations for its 2024 history-making Seven River Journey -- Spring and Summer Editions.
The cruise company is introducing its longest and most epic journeys yet with the complete 49-night itinerary spent on board one ship, the AmaMora, and the first-time experience of sailing the complete length of the Rhine and Danube rivers including the seldom visited Danube Delta region leading to the Black Sea.
Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways, said that: “Since the debut of our Seven River Journeys in 2021, we have...
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises unveiled new offerings for 2023, including itineraries, excursions, and cruise extension options.
Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO, said that: “Innovation is always at top of mind for us at Uniworld. Each year, we strive to make the next river cruise season even better than the last. We’re rolling out fresh new offerings and expanding our portfolio with experiences that we’re confident both new and loyal guests will enjoy.”
In 2023, Uniworld will launch four new itineraries across Europe and beyond. The 15-day Grand Central...
Last month, Virgin Voyages hit a major milestone, celebrating its one year anniversary of its start in operations. Delivering an exclusively adult (kids-free) sailing experience, Richard Branson’s newest travel business is marking this celebration by introducing a new booking platform called LetsGoBook. Developed with First Mates’ (travel advisors) feedback at its core, the new tool allows advisors to book clients faster and easier.
The streamlined, advisor-friendly interface offers a simpler, intuitive system that takes the friction out of the booking process. Now, First Mates can...
Celestyal Cruises has unveiled details of a relaxed COVID-19 policy. The policy took effect for all sailings from Aug. 26, 2022 and requires that all guests 12 years of age and above must continue to be fully vaccinated including proof of a booster (if their original vaccine course was completed more than 270 days prior to embarkation).
All guests are required to have a certified negative COVID antigen test taken no more than 48 hours or a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to embarkation, as opposed to the earlier requirement of the test being taken 24 hours prior to...