(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Feb. 14, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line announced the next phase of its 2022 fleet deployment update, including new ship assignments for Port Canaveral and Jacksonville, Fla. and additional itineraries and ship assignments for an expanded offering of summer 2022 sailings from Seattle to Alaska. Known as America’s cruise line, Carnival operates 10 year-round homeports in the U.S., the most of any cruise line, and by March, will have resumed service in all 10 of its year-round U.S. homeports. With the opening of the Alaska season in May, Carnival will have returned its entire fleet to service, less than 10 months after resuming operations, completing an impressive and successful restart of its guest operations and setting the pace for the rest of the U.S. cruise industry. (PRESS RELEASE)_FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA., Feb. 14, 2022 – Atlas Ocean Voyages announced new executive appointments today in its ongoing pursuit to elevate the overall luxe-adventure experience. Colleen Rodriguez is appointed Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Vice President of Marketing and Jacqueline Leyva takes on the helm of Guest Services, Reservations, and Air-Sea as Senior Director. On the Sales front, Robert Cao is appointed Senior Director of Charters, Meetings and Incentives, while Oya Bekisoglu is named Regional Sales Director of Central U.S., and Anthony Iozzia to Regional Sales Director of Northeast, New England and Eastern Canada. The new appointments expand Atlas’ marketing, guest services and sales capacity and add more than 140 years of travel and cruise industry experience to Atlas as the luxe-adventure cruise line continues to gain momentum. For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. “Atlas Ocean Voyages’ signature luxe-adventure style has quickly gained adopters and devotees throughout World Navigator’s first five months in operation,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “We are responding to our rapid growth by bringing on these new Atlas executives and their extensive experiences in small-ship, luxury cruising sector. Each will play a critical role in promoting and supporting our valued travel partners, as well as augment Atlas’ administration and U.S.-based operations." MIAMI_ Virgin Voyages shiny new Terminal V is officially open. In a ceremony attended by Virgin Voyages executives, including Sir Richard Branson and CEO Tom McAlpin, and Miami Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the ribbon was cut for the 100,000-square-foot home of Virgin's debut ship, Scarlet Lady, which home ports here. First announced in 2018, construction of the terminal started in late 2020. Branson said he hopes when guests see how beautiful the lounge is, they may never want to leave. Take a look for yourself in the slide show below, along with a video of the ribbon-cutting. (Reported by GERRY BARKER) (PRESS RELEASE)_PAPENBURG, Germany (Feb. 11, 2022) — The Disney Wish hit the water for the first time today when it floated out of an enclosed building dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Marking the world’s first look at the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the major construction milestone was celebrated in true Disney style with fireworks, musical fanfare and a special appearance by Captain Minnie Mouse. It took about five hours and 29 million gallons (110,000 cubic meters) of water from the River Ems to flood the building dock, followed by a breathtaking exit as the ship sailed out with only 3 feet of clearance on either side. When it sets sail this summer, the Disney Wish will be filled with innovative new experiences steeped in Disney storytelling, including the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, immersive dining experiences themed to “Frozen” and Marvel, and a high-end lounge set in the Star Wars galaxy. The ship will sail its maiden voyage on July 14 from Port Canaveral, Florida. The Disney Wish is the first of three new Disney Cruise Line ships to be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard through 2025. Each will be powered by liquefied natural gas and weigh approximately 144,000 gross tons. To learn more about the Disney Wish or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Feb 11, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line’s next new ship Carnival Celebration was floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland today, which signifies a major step in her construction. Watch video of Carnival Celebration float out ceremony here. Carnival Celebration will now move alongside the shipyard’s outfitting pier and into the next phase of construction, where the focus will shift to work on what all Carnival ships are known for: the fun. (PRESS RELEASE)_ LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 10, 2022 – As football fans gear up for the biggest game of the year this coming weekend, Carnival Cruise Line hosted a special student Q&A session at Long Beach’s Polytechnic High School (Long Beach Poly) with Professional Quarterback Justin Herbert and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy on Thursday, February 10, 2022. Members of the Long Beach Poly varsity football team and students of the school’s PAC RIM business pathway and Female Leadership Academy had the opportunity to ask Herbert and Duffy questions. To show their support for the Long Beach Poly Football team and help them with their current fundraising efforts for CIF Championship rings for all team members, Carnival presented the team with a $15,000 donation and Herbert contributed a signed football and jersey to be auctioned. Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia, Long Beach Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Jill Baker and Board Member Erik Miller were also in attendance. Carnival Cruise Line is the number one cruise operator on the West Coast with three ships operating from the Port of Long Beach’s historic cruise terminal, and the event is part of the company’s commitment to supporting its homeport communities. For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site. (PRESS RELEASE)_Fort Lauderdale, FL – Feb. 10, 2022 – American Queen Voyages™, part of the Hornblower® Group, is partnering with Dr. Michelle Fournet, director of the Sound Science Research Collective, for the inaugural Alaska expedition season of Ocean Victory™. The acclaimed acoustic ecologist is a leading expert in the communication of North Pacific humpback whales, profiled along with her Sound Science Research Collective team in the acclaimed documentary “Fathom”, now streaming on AppleTV+. As part of the partnership, Fournet and the Sound Science Research Collective will collaborate with the American Queen Voyages expedition team and California Polytechnic State University researchers as Ocean Victory becomes an extension of their research lab. Sound Science Collective hydrophones will be used onboard Zodiacs to listen to the voices of Alaska’s whales in real-time. Guests will also learn and participate in whale tracking through fluke identification by uploading their own photos from the vessel to a scientific database following their seasonal movements. “‘Fathom’ has brought so much attention to the sophisticated communication of humpback whales and we look forward to working with American Queen Voyages to share that research with guests,” explains Dr. Michelle Fournet, director of Sound Science Research Collective. “Alaska is unlike any other place on earth, and spending time there is unique in that you’re able to peer right into the wilderness of the oceans while under the shadow of the mountains. There is no better way than on a boat to have that up close experience.” As behavioral ecologists that focus on acoustics, Fournet and the Sound Science Research Collective team use underwater sound to try and understand how marine mammals like North Pacific Humpback whales communicate and interpret the world. Dr. Fournet will sail on the May 6 maiden voyage of Ocean Victory from Vancouver to Sitka as she travels into the field for the summer. Fellow Sound Science Collective scientist, Andy Rogan, will join the June 17 voyage and Natalie Mastick will sail June 27 from Sitka to Vancouver. Guests will be active contributors to their research throughout the season as they learn first-hand from these scientists while onboard, with a rich itinerary that includes a series of enriching lectures and thrilling expedition activities. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, February 9, 2022 - Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary and destination-focused cruise line, today announced the appointment of Chef Alexis Quaretti as Director of Culinary Programs and Development. Quaretti previously served as a senior executive chef for Oceania Cruises and now returns to oversee all aspects of the development, introduction, and implementation of new concepts to continually elevate the most awarded dining experiences at sea across the line’s seven acclaimed ships and 12 restaurant brands. Originally from Fontainebleau, France, Quaretti started his career at some of the best restaurants in the world including the 1-Michelin-star Château de Marçay, the 3-Michelin-star L’Arpège, where he not only discovered but also refined his knowledge and appreciation for vegetable-based cuisine, and the 2-Michelin-star La Pyramide. In 2004 Quaretti joined Oceania Cruises and in 2008 was promoted to executive chef at the young age of 27. In 2010, he joined an Asian mogul to travel and cook between St. Tropez and Hong Kong before rejoining Oceania Cruises in 2012. Two years later he was promoted to senior executive chef, overseeing a brigade of 140 chefs onboard. In 2017, Alexis took an opportunity to spread his culinary wings and expand his career knowledge and creativity by taking on a leadership role at Viking River where he lead culinary development and menu implementation for all restaurants and food & beverage outlets for their ships across the globe. “We welcome Chef Alexis, one of the most influential chefs in hospitality, back to the Oceania Cruises family with open arms,” said Howard Sherman, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises. “He brings a unique perspective to the role, having been an integral part of our growth and prowess over the last 20 years helping build our reputation for serving the Finest Cuisine at Sea. Never resting on our laurels and always challenging ourselves to refine, create and further elevate, we are excited to have him at the helm steering our culinary future with his profound expertise and drive for excellence.” With his return, Quaretti plans to guide the line with his culinary philosophy which has been driven by his love and respect for a true “Cuisine du Marche,” where one respects nature, and with that, the changing seasons, ensuring the freshest and most flavorful ingredients are sourced and respectfully prepared. (PRESS RELEASE)_SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom, Feb. 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cunard - pioneers of luxury ocean travel, is delighted to announce the name of the new ship joining a world-renowned fleet, Queen Anne. Queen Anne will be Cunard's 249th ship and will make up a remarkable quartet of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. This will mark the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships at sea. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/3sl8o07 The name "Queen Anne" celebrates Cunard's rich heritage, royal history and refined status - joining a luxury contemporary fleet now honoring the names of each Queen Regnant over the last millennium. The Cunard team explored multiple naming options and inspired by Queen Anne's reign, engaged with British historian, author and television presenter, Kate Williams, to assist in the detailed research. Kate says: "It is so exciting that the fourth ship of the fleet will be named after Queen Anne. She has a fascinating tale to tell – one of queenship, unity of developing constitutional monarchy, a golden age of the arts. She was an inspiring woman, wildly popular with her people. She should be celebrated. This new ship in the Cunard fleet is the perfect way to do it!" (PRESS RELEASE)_VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 7, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cunard's Summer 2023 itineraries, which unveiled over 150 new, international voyages, has seen a record-breaking first two days of trading, with demand especially strong for Princess and Queens Grills Suites.
"We are thrilled by the robust response to our recently announced Summer 2023 voyage program, which has surpassed our record-breaking sales in 2021 when Queen Elizabeth's summer at sea sailings became available to book," said Jamie Paiko, vice president of Sales for Cunard North America. "Cunard's two strongest booking periods in more than a decade have happened in the last 12 months, which is a true reflection of Cunard's global appeal, and our guests' enthusiasm to re-join our luxury ocean travel experience." Cunard's Summer 2023 schedule includes 150 voyages calling at 120 unique ports in 35 countries, with 23 late evening departures and 15 overnight stays with voyages between two nights and 37 nights in duration. |
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