Un-Cruise Adventures christens S.S. Legacy and launches Heritage Adventures

(News Release)

88-guest vessel sails in Alaska and on the Columbia and Snake Rivers

Seattle, WA, August 12, 2013 – On Thursday, August 8, 2013 Un-Cruise Adventures officially christened its newest vessel, the 88-guest S.S. Legacy, in a dockside celebration near company headquarters in Seattle, Washington.  The replica coastal steamer is the eighth vessel in the adventure cruise line’s fleet.

The S.S. Legacy sails Heritage Adventures taking guests back in time to the 1890s and early 1900s to explore history of the Klondike Gold Rush in Alaska and early explorers along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. The all-American crew–in 1890’s attire–brings history to life through short vignettes during the course of the day and staged dramas at night.

Chef Michael Sabourin joins Windstar Cruises as Corporate Executive Chef

(News Release)


Seattle, August 21, 2013 – Windstar Cruises announced today that Michael Sabourin has joined the company as Corporate Executive Chef.

In this role he is responsible for the creation of new dishes, galley training, menu design and enhancing the local culinary experience so Windstar guests can 'taste' the ports of call the leading small ship line visits. Chef Sabourin will report directly to Alan McGrory, Vice President of Hotel and Marine Operations.

Norwegian Cruise Line introduces senior officers for Norwegian Getaway's inaugural season

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that two seasoned captains, Rune Myre and Tommy Stensrud, will take the helm of Norwegian Getaway, the largest ship to homeport in Miami year-round launching in February.

In addition, Norwegian announced the additional senior officers that will deliver the line's newest ship: Staff Captain Niklas Persson, Chief Engineer Carsten Forsbo, Chief Engineer Oeystein Undrum and Hotel Director Sean Wumhoeringer.

Cunard Line celebrates 175th anniversary year with 2015 World Voyages and Exotic Cruises program

N E W S

Highlights include Gallipoli Commemoration, Chinese New Year celebration in China
and a fleetwide Cunard Royal Rendezvous in Southampton

White Star Premier Package introduced for Full World Voyage Guests

Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 in Sydney, Australia.  In 2015, she will meet sister ship Queen Victoria Down Under  in Sydney to celebrate the company’s 175 years of service. (Photo by James Morgan for Cunard Line)

 

 

Franconia, Cunard’s regular World Cruise ship before World War II, seen in Sydney, Australia in 1934
on the first of many visits to the port by Cunard ships. (Photo by Frederick Garner Wilson, courtesy of the
Australian National Maritime Museum)

 22 August 2013 – Fulfill the ultimate adventure aspiration and set sail with Cunard Line, the leader in sailing world voyages with more experience in offering these legendary itineraries than any other cruise line.

In 1922, Cunard invented the world voyage when Laconia set off on the first-ever circumnavigation of the globe by a passenger ship, and since then Cunard ships have undertaken more world voyages, carried more passengers on world voyages and visited more destinations during world voyages than any other line.

In 2015, Cunard will commemorate the 175^th year of the company’s founding, and the global voyages planned will celebrate this significant milestone in style.

Sailing, sailing in Canada and New England

   Out to Sea for August 17/13

   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox

   Growing numbers of people are discovering that a great way to explore Atlantic Canada and New England is by cruise ship.

The lighthouse on the rocks at Peggy's Cove is a popular tourist attraction on cruise ship shore excursions from Halifax. (Jim Fox photo)

   Leisurely seven-to 10-day cruises enjoying Canada's “natural” air-conditioning in the summertime and fresh ocean and St. Lawrence River breezes are a big draw.

   It used to be the Maritimes were a prime fall foliage cruise destination, and still are, but there’s a much longer season now from April to November.

   Cruising isn’t just for tropical island getaways and hot fun in the wintertime as record numbers of people are sailing in Atlantic Canada.

   A record 660,000 cruisers on 25 cruise lines that ply these placid waters will visit this season, a more than 10-per-cent jump over the past two years, the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association says.

A deer makes a run for it along the Cabot Trail on a cruise ship shore excursion. (Barbara Fox photo)

Groundbreaking card benefits now to include ability to earn and redeem points on three brands: Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. FAMILY OF BRANDS AND BANK OF AMERICA
RENEW PARTNERSHIP AND LAUNCH NEW AFFINITY CARDS

MIAMI – Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Bank of America today announced the multi-year renewal of their affinity partnership and the launch of new credit cards that will offer unique benefits created for enthusiasts of the Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International brands.

“MyCruise Rewards,” one of the most unique new features of the cards, introduces a cruise-industry first: it gives cardmembers the ability to redeem points not only with the cruise brand that they choose for their affinity card, but also across the other two brands in the Royal Caribbean corporate family.

Through MyCruise Rewards, cardholders can earn discounts on cruise-related packages and redeem points for cruises, stateroom upgrades, specialty gifts, and onboard credit across all three cruise lines. The new cards provide double points for purchases on Azamara, Celebrity, and Royal, and one point for every dollar spent on all other purchases.

Carnival Cruise Lines introduces new quarterly travel agent survey

Survey features in-depth questions regarding trade relations, pricing, marketing strategies and more
 

MIAMI (August 19, 2013) – Seeking to gain additional feedback and insight from the travel agent community, Carnival Cruise Lines is conducting its first-ever travel agent survey to all registered users of GoCCL.com, the line’s travel agent Internet portal, as part of the ongoing Carnival Conversations trade outreach program.

The 63-question survey, which is being administered by an independent third party on a quarterly basis, is comprised of a wide variety of topics, including general trade relations sentiment, specific elements of the line’s current pricing structure, and preferred components for a potential future brochure.

Silversea welcomes acclaimed jazz guitarists Paul Brown and Marc Antoine to headline music series

(News Release)

(Ft. Lauderdale, FL -- August 19, 2013) Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises has tapped legendary contemporary jazz guitarists Paul Brown and Marc Antoine to perform on two special "Music under the Stars" voyages aboard its intimate, 540-guest Silver Spirit this year.

These unique music-themed sailings will each feature two concerts on stage in the elegant Show Lounge, as well as an outdoor performance during a sail-away cocktail party on the ship's pool deck (when departing Monte Carlo and St. Bart's), where the artist will have a chance to meet and mingle with guests.

Plus autographed copies of the musician's latest CD will be delivered to each guest's suite.

Norwegian Cruise Line plans to develop eco-friendly destination in Belize

Artist representation of the proposed destination 

Company has purchased 75 acres in Southern Belize 

BELIZE CITY – August 14, 2013 – Norwegian Cruise Line (NASDAQ: NCLH) announced today that it has purchased approximately 75 acres in Southern Belize for the planned development of an eco-friendly cruise destination. 

The land, called Harvest Caye, is made up of two adjoining islands in the Stann Creek and Toledo districts that had previously been approved for a resort development with an air strip.  Norwegian plans to invest $50 million in the project.

Super Saturday Sale offers vactioners onboard credits from Royal Caribbean

UP TO $100 ONBOARD CREDIT FOR SELECT AUTUMN SAILINGS FLEETWIDE

Vacationers Enjoy Double Offer and Unprecedented Value on
Unmatched Oasis-class Experience
MIAMI, August 16, 2013 – Just because summer is coming to an end doesn’t mean that the spirit of the season comes to a close.

Royal Caribbean International today announced a Super Saturday Sale for Saturday, August 17, 2013, offering U.S. and Canadian vacationers up to $100 onboard credit per stateroom when they make a new individual booking on any sailing, departing August 23 to October 31, 2013. 

Norwegian Cruise Line onboard and air credits offered short-term

NORWEGIANS BOOK IT LIKE IT’S HOT

Receive up to $250 to spend on board, up to $1,000 in air credits, and more

Norwegian Cruise Line is launching its popular DASH sale on all sailings of three days or longer, fleet-wide.

Guests who book a Norwegian cruise vacation from Tuesday, August 13 through Friday, August 16, 2013, can receive up to $250 per stateroom to spend on board (based on cruise length and stateroom category) and reduced deposits. Air credits of up to $1,000, Military and AARP discounts also apply to select sailings.

Sun Princess begins dramatic drydock transformation

$30 Million Refurbishment to Add New Features to Princess Cruises Ship, Including Sushi Restaurant and International Café

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 9, 2013) – Sun Princess has begun an extensive $30 million transformation that will refurbish and enhance the Princess Cruises ship.

During the two-week makeover, the vessel will receive a sparkling new atrium with Princess’ signature International Café, a new sushi and seafood venue, an updated Horizon Court buffet, and a refreshed Lotus Spa.