(PRESS RELEASE)_Geneva, Switzerland and Saint-Nazaire, France – April 24, 2023 - MSC Cruises’ second liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ship MSC Euribia has successfully completed her deep-water intensive systems tests during a four-day trial in the Atlantic Ocean. MSC Cruises’ latest flagship will next receive her finishing touches at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France before being officially delivered to MSC Cruises on May 31. MSC Euribia will be MSC Cruises’ 22nd ship to join its fleet and be able to accommodate up to 6,327 passengers. The ship will be officially named on June 8 in Copenhagen, Denmark before sailing a maiden inaugural season in Northern Europe from her homeport in Kiel, Germany. The future of cruising looks bright at Cruise360,
held at the Broward County Convention Center. Just ask Gerry and Pam. Related: Gigi in the 561 Podcast on Cruise360 By Gerry Barker
"Believe." That message was delivered loud and clear at the Cruise Lines International Association's (CLIA) Cruise360, their annual conference and trade show, held at the Broward County Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale, April 18-23. Described by CLIA as "Our biggest professional development event of the year, Cruise360 features a week's worth of professional development, ship inspections, networking and the latest industry trends." This year's event was sold out, with some 1,800 travel advisors in attendance, including 500 first-timers. As an organization, CLIA represents "95% of the world’s ocean-going cruise capacity, as well as 54,000 travel agents, and 15,000 of the largest travel agencies in the world." Headquartered in Washington, DC, it has regional offices in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australasia. CLIA’s vice president of industry and trade relations, Charles Sylvia, did his best Ted Lasso imitation at Thursday's general session, encouraging advisors to "Believe" in the opportunity to sell the world's best vacation experience. That sentiment was echoed by CLIA president and CEO, Kelly Craighead, along with cruise line executives and senior sales leaders throughout the conference. CLIA also shared their "2023 State of the Cruise Industry," which highlighted a number of trends and statistics, including:
Protecting the environment and sustainability were also top-of-mind topics for panelists. The overarching message to advisors was cruising is sailing into a bright future, and there's not been a better time to be selling cruise vacations. (PRESS RELEASE)_APRIL 20, 2023: Warner Bros. Discovery has produced and is set to launch a new docu-series ‘Maritime Masters: Expedition Antarctica’ revealing the exclusive behind-the-scenes view of ultra-luxury cruise ships.
The series showcases life on board Scenic Eclipse, the world’s first discovery yacht operated by Scenic, with an all-access-areas look at world-class professionals at sea and key characters from the Scenic crew taking viewers on a voyage of discovery. From gastronomic cuisine and personalized in-suite butler services to soaring above by helicopter and diving deep below in a custom-designed submarine, Warner Bros. Discovery documents what it takes to journey to some of the world’s most pristine and culturally rich travel destinations across seven continents, including Antarctica, while delivering life-changing travel experiences for guests. Added details and a teaser video is available for viewing at: www.scenicusa.com/maritime-masters. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, FL - April 20, 2023 – Virgin Voyages, today, announced that it has partnered with a leading brand in the poker industry, the World Poker Tour (WPT). Together they will deliver a world-class poker experience during every sailing aboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, which offers four and five-night cruises departing from the brand’s homeport in Miami. As an industry first, Virgin Voyages has established a standing poker venue, the exclusive “WPT at Sea” Poker Room (wptatsea.com). Utilizing eight custom poker tables and staffed with professional dealers in an incredible space on the ship, the room offers beginner training, cash games, satellites and WPT Prize Package tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $80 to $320. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, FL, April 20, 2023 – Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, is delighted to partner with multi-award-winning whisky brand Chapter 7 on the creation of an exclusive 20-year-old small-batch cask of whisky to celebrate the launch of its stunning new ship, Vista, and the brand’s 20th anniversary. Just 304 bottles of the whisky will be drawn and will be available for purchase by guests sailing on board Vista during her inaugural season this summer. This exciting partnership comes as part of a long-term collaboration with Oceania Cruises and cruise retail market leader Harding+. “We are excited about the immersive approach that Harding+ and Chapter 7 are bringing to the launch of Vista and the continuing celebrations of our 20th anniversary,” said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “The importance of guest understanding is at the heart of this partnership, and innovative, emotional approaches in telling our brand stories, which engage all the senses, are at the heart of Oceania Cruises.” Sebastian Harding, Director of Operations at Chapter 7 Whisky, added, “We are honored to bring our 20-year aged special cask to such a special occasion for Oceania Cruises. We believe a cask is like a character in a novel, where the best ones tug at the heartstrings and don’t let go. We believe our 304 specially curated bottles can play just that role of character for Vista’s guests, as they discover something special that perfectly complements their cruise experience.” The 1,200-guest ship caters to inquisitive travelers, food and wine connoisseurs and affluent individuals, and Harding+’s quaternity model of working balances the cruise ship profile with guest needs, brand fit and insights, as well as Harding+ retail knowledge. Paul Cunningham, Director of Buying from Harding+, explained: “We always strive to make every cruise better and the storytelling behind the uniqueness of this one-off approach is sure to grab the attention of discerning guests in both the content and the channels we are using to bring things to life. We know Oceania Cruises guests are curious travelers and this premium approach fits the Vista story and style.” To celebrate the production of this one-off cask, Harding+ has produced a special film that tells the story of luxury, rarity and the creative passion behind the whisky-making process. The film brings to life the cask selection process and the journey that flows from that through to the bottling, the nosing and the palate test. The Harding+ Chapter 7 film can be viewed here. (PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., April 20, 2023 — Holland America Line will sail what is believed to be the first ever Grand Voyage “Pole-to-Pole" roundtrip from the United States in 2025. Details of the new 133-day sailing along with a simultaneous 124-day 2025 Grand World Voyage were announced today by President Gus Antorcha aboard Zuiderdam to Grand World Voyage guests currently sailing in the North Sea. With the Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole and Grand World Voyage both departing in January 2025, this will be the first time that Holland America Line is offering two Grand Voyages of more than 120 days simultaneously. The Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole aboard Volendam enables cruisers to visit five continents on a journey that travels south-to-north, while the Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam covers six continents on an east-to-west route, each conveniently sailing roundtrip from a U.S. homeport. (PRESS RELEASE)_GRAND TURK, April 21, 2023 – Carnival Cruise Line partnered with the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association (TCHTA) to welcome a group of students from Grand Turk’s H.J. Robinson High School and government leaders aboard Mardi Gras for an environmental ship tour in honor of Earth Day. Held as part of the TCHTA’s TCI Shines initiative, the tour included a look inside the ship’s engine control room, where visitors learned about the efficiency of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Inside the ship’s galleys, the group saw firsthand how food digestors are used to break down food waste. At the onboard recycling center, where waste is sorted and processed, the group witnessed the crew’s work that ensures as many items as possible are recycled and diverted from landfills. Last year, Carnival Cruise Line processed 11 million pounds of recyclables fleetwide. To watch a video highlighting these efforts, click here. (PRESS RELEASE)_SEATTLE, WA, April 18, 2023 – Quark Expeditions, the global leader in polar adventures, has launched the Snow Hill Promise to provide peace of mind for its industry-leading expeditions: if guests don’t reach the legendary Snow Hill colony in 2023, they will receive 50% off any applicable Arctic or Antarctic voyage in 2024. “We have the deepest Snow Hill experience in the industry,” said Thomas Lennartz, Vice-President of Sales and Client Experience for Quark Expeditions. “We were the first to reach its emperor penguin rookery in 2004, and we have successfully landed more people there than anyone else.” “With our mastery of this expedition comes respect for its challenges, and if even we can’t get there we’ll go to both ends of the earth to make it up to our guests,” said Lennartz. “Visit Snow Hill, or book at 50% off for an expedition with us next year.” To recap the Snow Hill Promise for Quark Expeditions guests: • Reach the Snow Hill colony in 2023, or receive 50% off any applicable 2024 Arctic or Antarctica expedition with Quark Expeditions • Available to all guests booked on Emperor Penguin Quest: Expedition to Snow Hill in November 2023 With the best team and Ultramarine’s unmatched helicopter capability, Quark Expeditions will do everything possible to land guests at Snow Hill. If conditions mean that this doesn’t happen, guests will still revel in the once-in-a-lifetime wonders of the Weddell Sea and explore the seventh continent’s eastern Peninsula, but with the added benefit of a return to the polar region of their choice at 50% off in 2024. Click to learn more about the Quark Expeditions Snow Hill Promise and this year’s available expeditions to one of the most exclusive wildlife locations on the planet. Rotterdam, Netherlands, April 18, 2023 — Holland America Line’s flagship Rotterdam arrived at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, this morning following a 150th Anniversary crossing that departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 3. The ship’s arrival on the exact date of Holland America Line’s 150th birthday kicked off all-day celebrations that included royalty, local dignitaries, port officials and guests who commemorated the special day. Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha was joined by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb and descendants of Holland America Line’s original founders for a celebration at Hotel New York, home to Holland America Line’s original headquarters from 1901 to 1977. “The celebration of 150 years is about more than our history, it’s about how we are building on the legacy of a great brand to make it relevant for the next 150 years,” said Antorcha. “From those first early days, we built our reputation on the care we provided to every person who stepped on board. And through the decades, whether that person was an immigrant, a titan of industry, a soldier or a vacationer, each of them was treated as though they were a guest in our own home. It is still a hallmark of our brand. |
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