Cruise
SAILING THE OCEAN BLUE
Viking Cruises has now launched its ocean product line -- Viking Ocean Cruises -- marking the introduction of the travel industry's first new cruise line in nearly a decade. Developed from the ground up to return the focus of cruising to the destination, Viking Ocean Cruises will begin sailing in May 2015 with its first vessel, the Viking Star, embarking on maiden voyages in Scandinavia and the Baltic; and the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. Viking Cruises has aggressive expansion plans in both the ocean and river cruise categories, with a second ocean ship on order for delivery in 2016...
BLOUNT CRUISING WITH SAVINGS
Blount Small Ship Adventures is making summer travel planning even more enticing with a $1,000 savings per couple on sailings of its popular "Islands of New England" itinerary, including new Enrichment Cruises focusing on Arts & Crafts Adventure, Food & Wine Discovery and Native American History. To take advantage of the savings, bookings must be made by May 31, 2013. The six-night "Islands of New England" cruise immerses guests in the classic summer destination of New England's waterways and islands with visits to six ports including Cuttyhunk, MA, Nantucket Island, MA and Block Island, RI...
PRINCESS IN AMERICA
Princess Cruises has opened the books on its 2014-15 Americas program - including Caribbean, Panama Canal, Canada & New England and West Coast cruises. The new sailings include Regal Princess' debut in the Caribbean as well as Royal Princess' first cruises to Canada & New England roundtrip from New York. On the West Coast, new roundtrip sailings from Vancouver add another departure port for Hawaii and California Coastal cruises, and Crown Princess, the line's newest ship on the West Coast, will offer its first full season sailing from Los Angeles. In total, 11 ships will sail on 355...
HAL REBRANDS ALASKA CRUISETOUR PROGRAM
Holland America Line (HAL) has rebranded its popular Alaska CruiseTour program with the new name Land+Sea Journeys. According to officials, the change reflects substantial program updates designed to appeal to the desires of today's travellers. With more time in the marquee destinations and less overland travel time, HAL guests will have more opportunities than ever to explore and personalize their Great Land vacations. Land+Sea Journeys offer the benefit of combining the "must-see"of Denali National Park with the "seldom seen"wonders of the Yukon, including one- or two-night stays in the...
WINDSTAR UNVEILS NEW VOYAGE COLLECTION
Windstar Cruises has announced the debut of its new all-suite yacht, Star Pride, and the 2014 Pride Voyage Collection. The new voyages are open for sale and feature four new itineraries exclusive to the all-suite yacht, including Windstar's new itinerary through the Black Sea. Star Pride's nine distinctive voyages highlight small-ship ports throughout the Mediterranean seas and French Riviera, tucking into tiny harbours and hidden coves that others can't reach. The collection features voyages from May 5 to Oct. 21, 2014. "We are thrilled to welcome Star Pride to our fleet in Spring 2014,...
CLIA PICKS 2013 HALL OF FAMERS
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced three inductees into the 2013 Cruise Industry Hall of Fame. Honoured at the Hall of Fame Dinner & Awards gala at the ninth annual cruise3sixty conference at the Vancouver Convention Centre will be: Mark Conroy, executive advisor for Prestige Cruise Holdings and past president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Michelle Fee, CEO of CruisePlanners, and Michael Drever, past president, CEO and founder of Expedia CruiseShipCenters. CLIA's Hall of Fame is one of the highlights of the conference, providing an opportunity to celebrate the...
CARNIVAL SAYS ‘NO’ TO EUROPE
Carnival Cruise Lines is pulling out of Europe and will not be sending any ships to either the UK or the Mediterranean in 2014. Carnival made the announcement in a letter addressed to UK agents, stating that its US passengers - who make up the majority of its capacity - would be hesitant to pay increased Atlantic airfares. "We have made the decision to keep the rest of the fleet sailing from our US home ports. Given the current market conditions, increasing airfares, and the fact that most of our guests are from the US, we have decided to not deploy a Carnival ship to Europe in 2014,"stated...
CRUISE3SIXTY APPROACHES SELL-OUT STATUS
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reports that the ninth annual cruise3sixty conference and trade show is reaching near sell-out status, with nearly 1,300 national and international travel selling professionals registered to attend the event set for June 19-23 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Cruise3sixty is the largest cruise focused travel agent conference in North America, and is attracting participants from nearly all 50 states and Canadian provinces as well as international representation, including a contingent of 40 from Australia. Approximately 46% of the agent audience...