(PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 20, 2019) – Princess Cruises announced today its newest production show, Rock Opera. Debuting onboard Sky Princess (December 2019) and Enchanted Princess (June 2020), this one-of-a-kind production will feature incredible costumes inspired by glamorous avant garde fashion with a musical soundtrack spanning classic rock, opera and musical theater. It will be brought to life by special guest tenor and America’s Got Talent Alum Brian Justin Crum.

Rock Opera was created exclusively for Princess Cruises by Director and Choreographer Danny Teeson, Musical Arranger Nelson Kole, Scenic Designer John Lacovelli and Costume Designer Jackson Lowell.

“Rock Opera takes our guests on a musical journey, featuring our 8-piece live orchestra playing iconic rock songs. Our production and costume design team were inspired by one of New York City’s most glamorous evenings of the year, the Met Gala.” said Denise Saviss, Princess Cruises’ vice president of entertainment experience. “Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess guests should anticipate an unforgettable evening of music that transcends language and celebrates the diversity of our crew and guests from around the world. Rock Opera features songs in English, Spanish, Latin and a Princess first – sign language.”

World-Class Rock Tenor Brian Justin Crum, of America’s Got Talent: The Champions, will join the talented singers, dancers and musicians for the inaugural season of Sky Princess.

A native of San Diego, California, Crum brings his pure vocal tone, broad range and high contrast emotional delivery that found him success in the world of musical theater and on the Billboard charts. He’s performed with several Broadway companies before launching a pop career with credits including Wicked, Grease, Next to Normal and touring companies of The Addams Family and We Will Rock You. He found a broader audience in 2016 as a finalist on NBC’s America’s Got Talent finishing in fourth place. That same year, he released Show Me Love, which made its way to the top of the Billboard Dance Charts.

Rock Opera’s creative team includes:

Director and Choreographer Danny Teeson – choreographed for Grammy Award-winning artists Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Paula Abdul and Brit Award winners Robbie Williams and Tom Jones, with whom he won the VH1 Best Video Award for Sex Bomb. Teeson has acted as Carrie Underwood’s creative director, conceptualizing and directing her Carnival Ride Tour, ACM Awards performance and was seen on Oxygen Networks hit show Dance Your Ass Off as a resident judge. Teeson also created and choreographed the award-winning show for Princess Cruises - Fantastic Journey which won a Themed Entertainment Association award for Outstanding Achievement.

Musical Arranger Nelson Kole – began his career on the Las Vegas strip where he accompanied headliners such as Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight and the Pips and soon became musical director/arranger for Don Rickles and Ben Vereen. As arranger and musical director of the 2009 Academy Awards, Kole worked with Beyoncé, Hugh Jackman, Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron and Queen Latifah.

Scenic Designer John Lacovelli – won the Emmy Award for his production design of the A&E presentation of Peter Pan, staring Cathy Rigby, which was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Revival. His television production design credits include The Old Settler, The Gin Game, Ed, Babylon and Resurrection Blvd. He’s received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle for Lifetime Achievement in Scenic Design and is a member of The Art Directors Guild.

Costume Designer Jackson Lowell – has designed costumes for many celebrities and concert tours including Katy Perry, Pink, Paula Abdul, Jennifer Aniston, Cate Blanchett, Cindy Crawford, Elton John, Brad Pitt, Barbra Streisand and Usher. His television show credits include American Idol, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Lost, Private Practice and Scrubs. Lowell has also designed for many notable dance companies, including Hubbard Street Dance Company, Paul Taylor, San Francisco Ballet, Twyla Tharp, Oakland Dance Company and Philadanco.

More details about the robust onboard features and itineraries of new cruise ships Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess can be found at www.princess.com.

(PRESS RELEASE)_CALABASAS, CA – (August 20, 2019) – Highly acclaimed, award-winning luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways today launched its 2020 Europe, Asia & Africa Extensive Brochure. Following a record-breaking year in 2019, the company continues to innovate with another new ship, AmaSiena, along with the addition of unique itineraries and new land extensions – including an itinerary specifically curated for the revolutionary AmaMagna.

“We are always looking to innovate and add new offerings and experiences to surpass the expectations of our guests, and 2020 will be yet another amazing year,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “With a new ship, new itineraries and a continued focus on personalizing our guest experience, our loyal returning guests and first-time river cruisers have even more ways to explore the fascinating regions along some of the most iconic rivers in Europe, South East Asia and Africa!”

New Ship, AmaSiena, Launching July 2020

AmaWaterways will expand its fleet with the addition of its 24th ship arriving in July 2020, the elegant 156-passenger AmaSiena. Set to sail along the legendary Rhine, breathtaking Moselle and peaceful Main rivers, AmaSiena will be a warm, inviting ship offering plenty of space for guests to unwind. Sister ship to AmaMora (2019) AmaLea (2018) and AmaKristina (2017), AmaSiena will feature AmaWaterways’ signature twin-balcony staterooms, a choice of dining venues including the intimate Chef’s Table Restaurant, a Sun Deck walking track, a pool with swim-up bar and a fitness room.  As part of AmaWaterways’ popular Wellness Program, guests will also be able to join group exercise classes – including morning stretches, core strengthening and resistance band workouts – led by a professionally trained onboard Wellness Host.

(PRESS RELEASE)_VALENCIA, Calif., August 20, 2019 – This week, August 18-24, Cunard’s luxury ocean liner Queen Mary 2 will provide the setting for a new film by Oscar® winning filmmaker Steven Soderbergh (“Oceans 11,” “Traffic” and “Behind the Candelabra”) with an Oscar® and Emmy® award-winning cast and crew.

The movie, “Let Them All Talk” (a working title) is being filmed on Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 on her iconic seven-day Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton. HBO Max has acquired rights to the film and stars Meryl Streep, Candice Bergen, Gemma Chan, Lucas Hedges and Dianne Wiest. Gregory Jacobs is producing, with Ken Meyer and Joseph Malloch executive producing.

For onboard movie buffs, Queen Mary 2 guests will have the exciting opportunity to appear in the film as extras.

“It’s thrilling to have Steven Soderbergh and his stellar cast filming their new movie on our flagship Queen Mary 2,” said Josh Leibowitz, SVP Cunard North America. “Our guests will have a rare opportunity to be part of a major Hollywood feature film, and join Cunard’s rich legacy with the entertainment industry.”

Cunard has a long history of hosting stars of stage and screen onboard their iconic ships. Luminaries such as Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth, Wes Anderson, and Tilda Swinton have all sailed with the line. Sting performed a set in Queen Mary 2’s Royal Court Theatre; Ed Sheeran wrote part of his last album on a Crossing; and Francis Ford Coppola sailed recently to work on his book while at sea. In December 2017, Queen Mary 2 hosted the first-ever major movie premiere with the star-studded event for 20th Century Fox's "The Greatest Showman" starring Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson, and Zendaya.

For more information about Cunard, or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Advisor, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com.

(PRINCESS NEWS)_Princess Cruises is offering guests up to 40% off and free room upgrades on select voyages from December 2019 to May 2020. Now through September 9, 2019, the sale includes cruises to top destinations like the Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, Hawaii, and California Coast.

Guests can book this special cruise deal in select stateroom categories with a deposit of only 10 percent per guest.

Example fares include:

• Mexican Riviera on Royal Princess - 7 days: interior $599 on January 4, 2020
• Pacific Wine Country on Star Princess – 7 days; interior $599 on April 7, 2020
• Caribbean on Regal Princess – 7 days; interior $619 on January 19, 2020
• Panama Canal on Emerald Princess – 15 days; interior $999 on December 3 ,2019
• Hawaii on Grand Princess – 15 days; interior $1199 on January 27, 2020

 
More information about the Princess Cruises sale can be found at www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/.

The sale is available now and runs through 11:59 p.m. PST on September 9, 2019. This offer is available to residents of the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bermuda and the District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, FL (AUGUST 2019) – In celebration of World Photography Day, Azamara – the cruise line committed to Destination Immersionâ – is pleased to announce its new Snap & Sail Photo Contest. Open to all adventure seekers, the contest is designed to inspire individuals to share their travel stories with the chance to become the next Azamara content creator. The winner of Azamara’s Snap & Sail Photo Contest will win a spot aboard Azamara Journey’s 13-Night Tango, Salsa & Samba Voyage, where they will be tasked with capturing images that showcase the brand’s authentic cultural experiences.

To enter the Snap & Sail Photo Contest:

• Post a destination photo from recent or past travels to a public Instagram account - the image must be in one of Azamara's current or upcoming destinations
• Include the following hashtags #AzamaraContestEntry and #SnapandSail
• In the caption, tell us what you love about the destination

Departing from Buenos Aires on December 8, 2019, the voyage will sail to ports along the pristine seashore of Uruguay and Brazil. The content creator will experience a performance at the historic Solis Theater in Montevideo during Uruguay’s traditional carnival celebration. While in Rio de Janeiro, they will take a scenic train ride through the rainforest to the top of Corcovado Mountain, which boasts the famous “Christ the Redeemer” statue as well as give travelers a 360-degree view of the area’s scenic cityscape and paradisiacal beaches. Before the sailing concludes, the winner will get an up-close view at the world’s largest non-migratory sea lion colony in Punta Del Este, Uruguay.

The contest begins August 19, 2019 at 4:00pm EDT and ends August 26, 2019 at 5:30pm EDT. The winners will be randomly selected and announced no later than September 2, 2019. There is no purchase necessary and the contest is open to the US and the UK only. In addition to the South America voyage, the winner will be awarded with a voyage of choice, based off availability, and also includes one round-trip flight**.  To learn more about Azamara, the Snap & Sail Photo Contest and the contest rules, please visit:www.azamara.com/world-photo-day-contest

In addition to the 13-Night Tango, Salsa & Samba Voyage, Azamara offers additional sailings to South America, including the 15-Night Chilean Fjords Voyage. Departing on February 4, 2020, travelers will have the chance to sail along the stunning coastlines of Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands and Uruguay. Making stops in Patagonia, naturalists will have the chance to kayak and fly fish while in port at Puerto Chacabuco, Chile. In the Falkland Islands, guests will marvel at the extensive King Penguin population at Volunteer Point. Debarking in Buenos Aires – often considered “the Paris of South America” – passengers looking for complete immersion into Argentine culture can dance the day away with a personal tango lesson.

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (Aug. 17, 2019) – Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced that its latest ship, Norwegian Encore, successfully completed a major construction milestone, when it emerged for the first time from the Meyer Werft ship building dock in Papenburg, Germany. 
 
Norwegian Encore will remain in the shipyard port for the final phase of construction, before her conveyance up the Ems River and towards the North Sea at the end of September. At nearly 1,100 feet long, with a gross tonnage of almost 170,000 and a guest capacity of 3,998, the ship will be delivered to the cruise line on Oct. 30, 2019. She will be christened in Miami on Nov. 21, 2019 and will commence seven-day voyages to the Caribbean on Nov. 24, 2019. 

“To see the ship emerge from the shipyard is always one of the most exciting construction milestones,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.  “Our partners at Meyer Werft have been committed to our vision for not only Norwegian Encore, but for this industry leading class of ships, supporting our dedication to delivering our guests the best cruise vacation at sea.”
 
Taking the brand’s exclusive, stand-out attractions to the next level, Norwegian Encore will feature the world’s longest race track at sea at 1,100 feet with four high-speed curves extending up to 13 feet over the side of the ship; the largest outdoor laser tag arena at nearly 10,000 square feet with the addition of augmented reality elements; and new immersive escape room and interactive theatre experiences in the 10,000-square-foot Galaxy Pavilion.
 
In addition to featuring many of the highly rated restaurants and lounges that have made the Breakaway Plus class one of the most innovative and successful in the company’s history, Norwegian Encore will debut a new elevated Italian dining experience, Onda by Scarpetta, in collaboration with LDV Hospitality. The Tony Award®-winning musical, “Kinky Boots” will headline the world-class entertainment on board, with returning guest favorites “The Choir of Man,” “Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical” and the rocking Beatles cover band of The Cavern Club. 
 
Launching this fall, Norwegian Encore will offer seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami beginning Nov. 24, 2019; Bermuda, and Canada and New England itineraries from New York City beginning Apr. 22, 2020; voyages to the Western Caribbean from Miami beginning Dec. 12, 2020; and in the spring of 2021 will make her West Coast debut and sail to Alaska from Seattle. 
 
For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line ships and their itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.
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(PRESS RELEASE)_For the second year in a row, Crystal has earned top honors from the travel professionals of Virtuoso. The company was awarded with two of the most prestigious accolades presented during the annual Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas: “Cruise Line of the Year” and “Most Luxurious Guest Experience.” The recognition is directly aligned with Crystal’s expressed credo of offering the world’s most discerning travelers an unrivaled travel experience, as well as its steadfast commitment to supporting and collaborating with the travel advisor community.

 “The luxurious experience our guests enjoy goes far beyond the elegant atmosphere and fine details they find onboard our ships. Luxury is whatever our guests want it to be – it’s about catering to their personal style and preferences while still delivering a consistently superb standard of excellence,” said Crystal’s Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales Carmen Roig, who along with her team, accepted the awards on the company’s behalf. “To be recognized by our partners at Virtuoso is a true honor. We are incredibly grateful for their support and partnership as well as the travel advisor community as a whole and thank them all for their continued loyalty to Crystal.”

Crystal’s people, who embody genuine warmth and provide personalized service, are at the heart of the award-winning Crystal experience, earning the line one of the highest guest loyalty rates in the industry. As the leader in luxury cruising for decades, Crystal offers a portfolio of experiences that appeal to a variety of global travelers, enabling travel partners to grow their business and reach new audiences.

Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity remain the most awarded luxury ships at sea, both having undergone extensive redesigns in 2017 and 2018 that saw the addition of more butler-serviced Penthouses, new dining concepts and high-tech amenities throughout both vessels.

With the youngest fleet in the river cruising industry, Crystal River Cruises’ four identical new-build ships – Crystal Bach, Crystal Debussy, Crystal Mahler and Crystal Ravel – are the first and only all-suite, all-balcony, all-butler-serviced ships on Europe’s rivers with every guest suite situated above the water line. The ships sail voyages packed with explorations of stunning landscapes and rich heritage along the Danube, Rhine, Main and Moselle rivers, offering guests an abundance of choices to explore in the way that best suits their interests. More than 200 inclusive Crystal Destination Discoveries ashore cater to the culinary, cultural, active and personal character of each destination, with additional immersive experiences also available.

Crystal Yacht Cruises’ Crystal Esprit takes travelers seeking exclusive, active experiences to the world’s most elite yachting playgrounds in the Adriatic and Seychelles, while the countdown to the August 2020 launch of Crystal Expedition Cruises’ Crystal Endeavor has begun. The German-built PC6 expedition yacht will explore the farthest reaches of the globe from the Russian Far East and Great Barrier Reef to the Antarctic and Northeast Passage. The ship will accommodate just 200 guests in butler-serviced, all-verandah suites with Crystal’s signature amenities, Michelin-inspired dining experiences – including Nobu’s Umi Uma – and a host of expert-led expeditions and cultural explorations.

(PRESS RELEASE)_​SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 15, 2019) – One of the world’s largest international premium cruise lines, Princess Cruises, in collaboration with Wakefield Research, today revealed the findings of its 10th Annual Relaxation survey. With ten years of data analyzing the sleep and vacation habits of adults, this year’s survey reinforces the stress and lack of relaxation experienced by adults globally. Results from the survey show more than half of those surveyed are getting less sleep than they need (52%) – a decrease of one percent from last year.

Taking time off is one of the ways for adults to relax and de-stress. The survey found that over half of those surveyed (58%) took all of the vacation days available to them in the last year. At 68%, UK respondents were the best at taking all of their vacation days, while Australians came in last at 43%. Just ahead of Australia and Indonesia (52%), 54% of Americans reported utilizing all of their time off. However, when using their vacation days, 81% of those who are employed take days off to catch up on sleep – an increase of four percent.

Princess Cruises is committed to ensuring its guests come back from vacation feeling refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated. As part of its Come Back New Promise, and commitment to inspire vacations Princess Cruises partnered with board-certified sleep expert, Dr. Michael Breus to develop the Princess Luxury Bed offering guests the ultimate night of sleep at sea.

“Sleep allows our bodies to recharge and recover from mental and physical strains, which is important for overall health. Year over year, we continue to see how the lack of sleep negatively impacts people around the globe,” said Dr. Breus. “As people continue to take less vacation time, we know it’s more important than ever for people to maximize their time off. I’m proud to collaborate with Princess Cruises, one of the best known names in relaxation, to offer passengers the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed for them to lay their heads on at night.”

Rewards of Relaxation

Commitment to Relax – An overwhelming majority of adults (85%) set aside time specifically dedicated for relaxation on a weekly or more basis, increasing slightly from 84% in 2018.
Good Practice – Regular relaxation can become a way of life. More than 3 in 5 (61%) of those who set time aside every week to relax used all of their paid time off, compared to 40% of those who did not make time to relax every week.

(PRESS RELEASE)_FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 15, 2019) – With summer’s end just a month away, MSC Cruises USA — the North American arm of MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line — is helping travelers extend the season with a two-week Labor Day Upgrade Sale on a selection of sunny Caribbean cruises sailing from Miami. From August 15 to September 6, 2019 guests booking on select Caribbean cruises aboard MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, and MSC Divina with departure dates between November 2019 and January 2020 can take advantage of balcony staterooms available at ocean view rates.

Travelers can choose from three MSC Cruises’ ships sailing Miami to the Caribbean, each offering distinct features and design. With an enriching vacation experience inspired by MSC Cruises’ European heritage, MSC Cruises allows guests to explore the hidden gems of the Caribbean, connect with people from all over the world and discover new cultures.  All ships and itineraries included in the Labor Day sale will also visit MSC Cruises’ new private island destination in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, launching this November.

MSC Meraviglia will make its North American debut in October, and start regular 7-night sailings from Miami to the Caribbean on Nov. 10.  Highlights of this wondrous ship include a two-story Mediterranean-style promenade topped by the longest LED sky at sea; world-class entertainment including two exclusive, distinct Cirque du Soleil at Sea performances; a variety of dining venues including HOLA! Tapas, by two Michelin-starred chef Ramón Freixa, and Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café by the renowned pastry chef, Jean-Philippe Maury; and more. Highlight sailings available for the Labor Day promotion include:

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Aug. 14, 2019 – With the smashing success of Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean International is celebrating 100 days of Perfect Day with a double dose of adventure. The cruise line has revealed new, 4-night itineraries that now tout two visits to the industry’s leading private island destination. In one short getaway, guests will have twice the time to thrill and chill on their choice of nearly 40 sailings beginning Sept. 30, 2019. Three exclusive cruises also make their debut today, featuring the ultimate late-night island experience on Perfect Day, complete with extended hours and new adventures.

"Perfect Day at CocoCay has revolutionized private destinations in the vacation industry, and the resounding feedback from our guests is that they want more – more time and even more ways to experience the island,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We’re building on an incredible adventure that’s already winning the hearts of many.”  

Guests sailing on board Navigator and Mariner of the Seas on these select cruises can double down on adventure by chilling one day and dialing up the thrills the next, or hitting repeat on a combination of all their favorites. From plunging down the tallest waterslide in North America, Daredevil’s Peak, and soaring up to 450 feet in the air in the Up, Up & Away helium balloon, to relaxing in the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool, Oasis Lagoon; or on the pristine, white sand beaches, vacationers have plenty to choose from.

PERFECT DAYS TURN INTO PERFECT NIGHTS

Shining a whole new light on the ultimate short getaway are Royal Caribbean’s three one-of-a-kind cruises with late-night visits to the island on board Navigator.

Travelers of all ages will have the chance to extend the excitement long after the sun sets with traditional Bahamian-inspired activities, including a Junkanoo Jam Up Party, an island barbeque and performances by a calypso band and fire dancers, topped off with unforgettable farewell fireworks before setting sail.

for more details on the cruise line’s new itineraries to Perfect Day at CocoCay, visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com.