Cruise
Sunwing expands Mediterranean cruise options
Sunwing is expanding its cruise offerings with new Mediterranean sailings departing from Barcelona, Spain this summer aboard Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. A Western Mediterranean itinerary is available aboard the Norwegian Epic, NCL's newest cruise ship, with seven-night cruises departing Sundays from June 17 to Sept. 2. Itineraries include the following ports of call in Spain, Italy and France: Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Provence. Cruise packages include roundtrip flights from Toronto as well as transfers to and from the Barcelona airport to the cruise pier. Sunwing...
Crystal expands Asian specialty cuisine
Crystal Cruises is bringing "Chinese comfort food"to the Crystal Serenity. Debuting as a casual dinner option in the ship's Tastes café, the menu of traditional, "down home"Chinese food, such as steamed dumplings, noodles, soups, fried rice and vegetables, is a more relaxed, regional dining experience to complement Crystal's upscale Nobu specialty restaurant. Under the direction of Malaysian chef Jennifer Pei Vun Lee, the program debuts this month on Crystal Serenity's 2012 World Cruise. Among the dim sum-like delicacies that will be available are Steamed Shrimp and Pork Shiaomai;...
Silversea debuts 19 new overland tours
For the cultural traveller who strives to achieve intimacy with far-off places, Silversea Cruises has added 19 new mid-voyage land adventures. In total, the company will offer more than 50 specially tailored overland excursions this year. Unlike a partial-day shore tour, these single- or multiple-day inland adventures offer travellers more time to enjoy an interactive and immersive experience with the people, history, wildlife and natural attractions that lie just beyond the ports of call. "These extended off-ship programs are life-enriching opportunities that enable our guests to spend more...
InnerSea adds third ship in Alaska
Building on a sold-out 2011 inaugural season in Alaska, InnerSea Discoveries has diversified its cruising options in Alaska for this year with the addition of the 76-guest Wilderness Explorer sailing a new Northern Passages and Glacier Bay itinerary between Juneau and Sitka, Alaska. The ship joins the 60-guest Wilderness Adventurer and 76-guest Wilderness Discoverer together sailing 10 itineraries in Alaska ranging from seven- to 21-nights. Guided by nature and wildlife, InnerSea Discoveries' itineraries are flexible and designed to maximize wildlife viewing opportunities and adventure...
New Silversea program puts the focus on slow food
Silversea Cruises has introduced a new "Slow Food Adventure in Tuscany"land option that will debut this year on three Mediterranean voyages. In collaboration with Slow Food Italy, Silversea has designed an exclusive three-night program that will highlight the culinary and cultural traditions of Tuscany and introduce participants to local wine producers and products that adhere to the Slow Food philosophy of preserving biodiversity and gastronomic traditions. The program will be conducted with one or more members of Silversea's own culinary team on hand to provide participants with expert...
Carnival revamps MICE web site
Carnival Cruise Lines' web site for meeting, corporate event and incentive planners, http://www.carnivalmeetings.com , has been revamped and features more intuitive, user-friendly features than ever before. The enhanced site is filled with up-to-date and detailed information on the line's 23-ship fleet, as well as the benefits and value of hosting a program with Carnival. Meeting, corporate event and incentive planners will be able to easily locate all information needed for planning their next value-driven program utilizing the new and intuitive layout. According to Joni Rein, Carnival's...
Crystal ends 2011 with record bookings
Crystal Cruises closed the year with its highest ever December booking week for its subsequent year of cruises - more than double the revenue of any prior year for the last week in December. According to officials, with the Dec. 31 expiration of "Book Now"fares, agents rushed to book 2012 cruises at the line's lowest rates. With the beginning of the New Year, Crystal has announced a new "Book Now"deadline of Feb. 28 for 2012 and early 2013 cruises. Crystal president Gregg Michel attributes the booking success to Crystal's "Book Now"fares and the compelling price/value equation of its...
Royal Caribbean has ‘Vision’ in the Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International opened Vision of the Seas' winter 2012-13 Caribbean season for sale. Travellers can choose among 19 Caribbean and Panama Canal cruises, ranging from 10 to 15 nights and sailing roundtrip from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. According to officials, Vision of the Seas' new seasonal itineraries are destination rich and visit smaller Caribbean islands less travelled by the cruise line's larger ships. Variations of a 10-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary features calls at Tortola, St. Maarten, Dominica, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Croix and Martinique. Cruisers...