Cruise
Meet the top Canadian Virgin Voyages First Mates
The final night of Virgin Voyages’ First Mate Spectacular Soiree recognizing the cruise line’s top 100 First Mates (travel advisors) onboard Scarlet Lady this week cumulated with a special awards gala and an important save-the-date for 2025. “We have already nailed down the date for next year,” said John Diorio, vice president of North American sales for Virgin Voyages to a round of applause. “It’s done. Next year’s soiree date is Jan. 8-12, 2025. It’ll be on Valiant Lady. We want you to know first, that is the date we’re going to be celebrating our top 100. We’re...
Ponant offering free airfare on select Alaska sailings
Ponant is offering complimentary roundtrip airfare from U.S. gateways on a selection of 2024 sailings. Plus, travel advisors will receive one $250 gift card per booking made between Jan. 8 to Jan. 31, 2024. With sailings from Vancouver, Sitka, and Seward, the three itineraries (across eight departures) offer a range of perspectives on Alaska’s vast beauty. The presence of an experienced team of naturalist-guides will give guests a different perspective on the state’s primary forests, jagged mountains, majestic fjords, and wildlife-filled natural corridors. Emblematic Alaska The...
Celestyal Journey visiting Persian Gulf starting this November
Celestyal Cruises has announced that Celestyal Journey will visit four new countries and six new ports of call in the Persian Gulf beginning in November 2024. The new, seven-night “Desert Days” itinerary will set sail on November 9, from Doha, Qatar, and call for the first time in Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. The 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey joined the line in September last year. The new itinerary will run through Jan. 18, 2025 and subsequently return as a permanent feature for the winter season. Year-round sailings Celestyal has...
Catch a wave with Atlas Ocean Voyages
Atlas Ocean Voyages is setting sail with the launch of its January Savings Event which is combinable with its Second Guest Sails Free promotion that makes sailings to Antarctica, the Arctic, South America, the Caribbean, and Europe more enticing. In addition to the savings, several voyages now feature Up to 4 free Shore Excursions on select Cultural Expeditions, allowing guests to delve even deeper into the cultural wonders awaiting them. With less than 200 guests on board, Atlas Ocean Voyages offers an intimate yachting experience. The Second Guest Sails Free promotion is available...
HAL sailing to 50+ ports for 2025/2026 Asia season
Holland America Line's Westerdam is heading to Asia, where it will explore 11 countries from September 2025 through April 2026. The itineraries have a strong focus on Japan with 24 different ports around the country, as well as visits to Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Cruises depart from Hong Kong, China; Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan; and Singapore to some of Asia's most iconic cities — with up to 12 ports in a single cruise. Late departures and overnight stays allow extra time for guests to...
Royal Caribbean names Jeff Carpenter as strategic account manager
Royal Caribbean International has appointed Jeff Carpenter as strategic account manager for Western Canada, effective immediately. Previously, Carpenter worked as a business development manager at TravelBrands. His appointment fills a position previously held by Leanne Hill, who passed away last year. "My colleagues are thrilled that Jeff has joined our company. I know he is no stranger to you, and I'm sure you'll agree that Jeff is the perfect fit to takeover from our beloved Leanne," said Lisa Connell, director of sales for Royal Caribbean International Canada. "Leanne and Jeff...
Virgin Voyages celebrates top 100 First Mates
From a music video style safety video and a tattoo parlour onboard to a PJ-themed party hosted by a drag queen and stateroom light controls with settings like “hangover” or “get it on”, Virgin Voyages is known to do things a little bit differently. And the same goes for travel agents, who are instead known as First Mates for the adults-only cruise line. “In typical Virgin fashion, we have to have cheeky fun names for everything,” John Diorio, Virgin Voyages, vice president North American sales, tells PressToday during a one-on-one interview onboard Scarlet Lady. “First Mate...
Oceania has new trips to Asia & Africa for 2024/2025
Oceania Cruises has announced that its 1,250-guest ship Riviera will explore the continents of Africa and Asia at the end of 2024, and into 2025 with three brand new itineraries. The jewel of these itineraries is a once-in-a-lifetime 59-day Grand Voyage which offers guests the opportunity to explore the truly off-the-beaten path ports across Africa and Asia. Riviera will sail from Barcelona, call at the Canary Islands, before heading down the western coast of Africa with days at sea punctuating enticing ports in Senegal, Gambia, Ghana and an overnight stay in Walvis Bay, Namibia. At the...