Cruise
Silversea updates smoking policy
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, smoking will not be allowed in most areas of Silversea ships, including guest suites and guest suite verandas (including suites, staterooms, verandas and balconies on Silver Explorer); The Bar (main bar); and Pool Bar (except at designated tables). Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking is permitted in the following areas: The Connoisseur's Corner and in specifically designated outside areas. These areas include designated tables outside of the Panorama Lounge, La Terrazza and the Pool Bar, as well as on open Decks 9 and 10 aboard Silver Spirit, Silver Whisper and Silver...
Paul Gauguin releases 2013 preview brochure
Paul Gauguin Cruises has released its 2013 Voyages by Gauguin Preview Brochure featuring 19 itineraries with visits to 22 countries and 73 maiden ports by the cruise line's two luxurious small ships -- The Gauguin and its newest ship, the 90-guest m/v Tere Moana, which launches in December. The 24-page brochure, which can be viewed at http://www.pgcruises.com/e-brochure , presents the cruise line's fleet distinctions, dining venues, entertainment, activities, destination guides, itineraries, deck plans and sailing schedules. In 2013, The Gauguin, which completed a $7 million renovation...
Uniworld expands online presence
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' online presence continues to grow. The company has launched its first blog on Tumblr -- http://uniworld.tumblr.com -- with the purpose of sharing stories, expert advice, recipes and articles about river cruising through blog posts. Additionally, with the blog one can connect and engage with customers: existing past guests, new prospects and industry leaders/travel professionals. "The goal of Tumblr is to provide insider stories about Uniworld,"says Maria Grimardi, Uniworld's vice-president of marketing. "Our upcoming blog posts will feature first-hand...
CLIA develops tool kit for agents, clients
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released a Cruise Industry Safety Tool Kit for travel agents and their clients. First distributed at cruise3sixty, the industry's annual conference in April, the kit is available on CLIA's web site, www.cruising.org. The kit was designed to provide agents a turnkey package of materials with safety information and advice to be used to educate and reassure prospective cruise clients. It highlights the industry's excellent record and commitment to safety, describes cruise ship safety policies and procedures, as well as new global safety...
Crystal has new low solo fares for European voyages
Crystal Cruises has introduced a new solo travellers' sale on fall Mediterranean voyages. A significantly reduced solo supplement of just 10% can save individuals up to almost $900 off a private, deluxe outside stateroom (Category C) of their own. The savings are offered on eight 11- and 12-day Crystal Serenity sailings through the Black Sea, Middle East, Canary Islands, and entire Mediterranean. The all-inclusive luxury cruises embark in Athens, Istanbul, Venice, Barcelona, and Lisbon from September through November, with overnight visits and more time in both smaller, off-the-beaten-path...
G introduces West Africa booking incentive
West Africa has been dubbed one of the hottest new cruise destinations and G Adventures is offering travellers keen on testing the waters an special early booking incentive. Guests booking the complete 27-day Cape Town to Dakar trip will receive a 25% discount (promo code: G12WAEBB25) and 20% (promo code: G12WAEBB20) will be offered to those booking the 18-day Cape Town to Accra tour or 12-day Accra to Dakar trip. All bookings must be made before June 30. The 140-passenger Expedition, owned and operated by G Adventures, takes passengers up the coast of West Africa in April 2013. It stops at...
Silversea acquires Galapagos tourism company
The Silversea Group has purchased Canodros S.A., an Ecuadorian tourism company that operates in the Galapagos Islands, and their upmarket expedition ship, Galapagos Explorer II. Silversea plans to add Galapagos Explorer II to its fleet of six ships next year, after the all-suite, 100-guest vessel undergoes a major refurbishment in September 2013 and is given a new name, steps that will ensure consistency with the standards of the Silversea fleet. Until that time, Galapagos Explorer II will continue on its planned schedule of cruises and will continue to be operated by Canodros, which is based...
Silversea goes all-inclusive in the Med
Silversea Cruises has launched a new collection of five "Shore Amore"all-inclusive Mediterranean sojourns aboard Silver Spirit this summer that include roundtrip business class air and transfers, pre-cruise deluxe hotel stay with breakfast, exclusive, authentic local experience (such as a gondola ride along the Grand Canal in Venice) and choice of select small-group shore excursions in every port. Following are the new ultra-luxury sojourns: Barcelona to Venice, 12 days, July 22 to Aug. 2, from US$9,299 including business class air; Venice to Istanbul, 11 days, Aug. 2-13, from US$8,999;...