Cruise
Seabourn switches itinerary on 90-day Grand Africa Voyage
Seabourn has made modifications to its 90-day Grand Africa Voyage, featuring a new itinerary that will take travellers to the East, South, and West Coasts of the continent. Changes were made to the original itinerary to prioritize the safety of guests and to avoid the Red Sea, while designing a new itinerary. The length of the journey remains unchanged, and includes in-depth exploration of the continent with only one repeat port. Seabourn Sojourn will still sail roundtrip from Barcelona departing on Nov. 30, 2024. The new itinerary includes visits to 42 marquee and off-the-beaten-path...
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas floats out for testing
Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas is making its way to the open ocean for the first time to begin five days of testing. The sea trial, also known as one of the final construction milestones, begins just 10 weeks ahead of the new vacation’s homecoming party and official introduction in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in July 2024. More than 900 experts, specialists across areas like naval architecture, engineering, navigation and design, are on Utopia to push the ship to its limits and make sure it’s ready for smooth sailing. The teams are carrying out...
TDC’s Training Academy returns from sea with Virgin Voyages
Transat Distribution Canada (TDC) held its first Training Academy since 2019, this time with a focus on cruising. Eighty travel professionals from across the TDC network took part in the event, including from the Transat Travel/Voyages Transat agencies, franchisees and affiliates, and the agent@home program. The week-long event left the port of Miami on April 20 for the Caribbean, with stops in three countries, returning home on April 26. "I'm really proud to say that TDC is a pioneer in Canada in its association with Virgin Voyage," says Sandra Wesson, TDC's director of...
A first look at Queen Anne, Cunard’s first new ship in 14 years
It’s a milestone week for Cunard as the cruise line welcomed Queen Anne to her homeport in Southampton, England, officially marking the first new ship in 14 years to join its fleet. “Queen Anne is the 249th ship in our 184 year seafaring history,” Cunard president Katie McAlister announced onboard the ship during a preview event for members of the travel trade and international media, including PressToday. “We are renowned worldwide for our distinctive timeless British heritage and luxury experience.” A significant milestone Alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen...
Jamaica poised for continued growth in the cruise market
Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has revealed that the country's tourism sector is poised for continued growth in the cruise market, while noting that cruise shipping recorded 1.26 million arrivals in 2023, 48.3 per cent above 2022 figures. Speaking April 30 during his opening presentation of the 2024/2025 Sectoral Debate in Parliament, Minister Bartlett said, “I am pleased to say that the expectation is that the 2024/25 vessel arrivals and passenger count will equal or exceed those in the 2023/24 fiscal year despite the challenges in the...
MSC Cruises reveals Caribbean itineraries for 2024/2025
MSC Cruises has released the itineraries for its summer 2024 and winter 2024/2025 sailings to the Caribbean, featuring some of the most coveted destinations in the region including The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Martinique, Mexico and more. While sailing their chosen itineraries, guests can indulge in a plethora of unforgettable onboard experiences including international gourmet dining, world-class entertainment, award-wining activities for families, luxurious spa and fitness centres as well as stylish accommodation to meet the needs of all. Ashore,...
HAL is testing renewable fuels aboard Rotterdam
Holland America Line recently announced the start of a long-term biofuel test on its flagship, Rotterdam, leveraging 100 per cent low carbon intensity biofuel while sailing within the Norwegian World Heritage Fjords. The ship bunkered the biofuel before leaving the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, April 27, 2024, and will operate one of its four engines using low carbon intensity oil derived from organic waste or residues and certified according to the EU Renewable Energy Directive while in the Fjords. The GoodFuels MR1-100 sustainable biofuel supplied by FincoEnergies will...
Virgin Voyages confirms delivery date for Brilliant Lady
Virgin Voyages has confirmed the delivery of the fourth vessel in its fleet, the Brilliant Lady. Hitting the high seas in September of 2025, this ship will embark on the ultimate cross-country sea trip with a series of longer itineraries up to 14 nights, unlike anything Virgin Voyages has offered before. For her inaugural season, Brilliant Lady’s North American tour will feature highly requested homeports and iconic ports of calls like New York City to Bermuda and Canada, Los Angeles to Mexico, Miami to the ABC Islands, and Seattle to Alaska, along with one epic voyage through...