Cruise
Silversea appointment
Silversea Cruises has announced the appointment of Kristian C. Anderson as its new vice-president of sales for North America, effective mid-June. In this position, based in Fort Lauderdale, he will develop sales strategies and initiatives to increase revenue in the US and Canadian markets, and oversee a sales team dedicated to helping travel agents grow and expand their luxury travel business. Anderson, who will report directly to Ellen Bettridge, Silversea's president of the Americas, has nearly 25 years of sales and management experience with several top travel companies. Most recently,...
Crystal honours heroes past and present
Crystal Cruises is honouring heroes past and present with onboard get-togethers for veterans and loved ones of all nations on every cruise. Activities planned for the upcoming American Memorial Day weekend promise to be extra special, with a unique Crystal Adventure to the WWII landing beaches of Normandy, and each ship remembering those who have died in service of their nation, as follows: !!! Crystal Symphony: Four-Star Marine General Anthony Zinni, former Commander in Chief of U.S. Central Command, will host an open forum at sea on May 26. On Memorial Day itself, Crystal president Gregg...
Adventure at the Westin Bayshore
The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver has unveiled its packages for the 2012 summer season, which runs from June 1 to Aug. 31. Partnering with Prince of Whales Adventure Tours, the Westin Bayshore offers two packages that include overnight accommodations. One package has guests cruising on the high-speed, 74 passenger vessel, Ocean Magic. The other has guests experiencing an adrenaline rush as they take off in a sea plane, bound for Victoria. Both packages allow guests to witness a variety of whales, sea lions, eagles, sea birds and more in their natural habitat. The Ultimate Day Tour package is...
Royal Caribbean puts 9 in Europe
Royal Caribbean International is adding the Legend of the Seas and the Vision of the Seas to the fleet of ships it will have sailing in Europe in 2013. In all, Royal Caribbean will have a total of nine vessels operating European programs next year. The Legend of the Seas and Vision of the Seas augment the already announced U.K.-based Independence of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas; Barcelona-based Liberty of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas; and Italy-based Navigator of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas to offer a total of 276 sailings to 88 ports on 58...
Goway’s cruising in OZ
Goway has launched its first brochure dedicated to cruise travellers bound for Australia. The operator notes that selling cruise trip packages can be challenging for agents these days with the amount of non- commissionable elements, including airfares, shore excursions, etc. A strategy to improve selling cruises is by offering add-on services from land extensions, pre- or post-cruise accommodations or shore excursions in Australia, all of which are fully commissionable through Goway. Goway points out that travellers should spend time on land to see more of Australia and it offers many cruise...
Revitalized Millennium sets sail
The Celebrity Millennium set sail last week after completing completing Celebrity Cruises' "solsticizing" process which incorporates a host of the venue and experiences that cruise passengers enjoy on the line's Solstice Class ships. In all Celebrity Cruises has invested $140 million in less than two years to "solsticize" four of its Millennium class ships. Celebrity's president & CEO, Dan Hanrahan said: "Solsticizing has been such an exciting initiative for us, and more importantly, for our guests, as indicated by their response to each of our Solsticized ships. Our Millennium Class ships...
Thinking big at Vacation.com
Vacation.com hosted some 1,200 travel agents, suppliers and staff aboard Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas last week for its 14th International Conference & Trade Show. "Think Big" was the theme and Vacation.com Canada's Christine James said: "This year's conference sets the standard as the ultimate travel industry event ... Participation has exceeded expectations and with our action-packed seven days of education, entertainment and networking, it's no surprise we sold out early." This year's event marked Vacation.com's first-ever International Conference at sea and featured...
Costa doubling up in Asia
Costa Cruises plans to position a second cruise ship in Asia beginning in May 2013. Currently, the line operates the 2,394-passenger Costa Victoria in Asia and will start sailing from Shanghai May 18, 2012. The Costa Victoria replaces the 1,680-passenger Costa Classica, which has been repositioned to the Mediterranean. In May 2013 the 2,680-passenger Costa Atlantica will also be deployed in the region, giving Costa a combined total passenger capacity of 5,074 -- a 67% increase. With the debut of Costa Victoria in May 2012 and Costa Atlantica in May 2013, Costa Cruises will offer a unique...