(PRESS RELEASE)_CALABASAS, CA – (May 10, 2021) – To celebrate National Nurses Week, award-winning luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways has opened a selection of Europe sailings between October through December 2021 for eligible frontline medical heroes to enjoy a complimentary river cruise with one paying guest in the same stateroom. Frontline medical heroes enrolled in the program can now redeem their complimentary cruise certificate on a choice of 30 sailing dates in 2021. In addition, in honor of National Nurses Week, the complimentary river cruise offer* is re-opened for a limited time to active medical professionals and active first responders who may not have had the opportunity to enroll last year. “Our frontline medical heroes have worked tirelessly over the past year to keep our communities safe, and they deserve so much recognition for their unwavering dedication,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “It is our honor to provide these selfless individuals with a much-needed break on a memorable river cruise vacation, where they can rest easy and enjoy leisurely days full of discovery in magnificent European destinations!” Frontline medical heroes can choose from a wide variety of seven-night itineraries on several of AmaWaterways’ award-winning ships. Welcoming on average 150 guests, ships sail national waterways, docking in the center of iconic towns, historical villages and spectacular vineyard regions along the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers. Highlights of the itineraries include:
During their cruise, frontline medical heroes will experience the high level of luxury for which AmaWaterways is known – including spacious staterooms, a wide choice of expertly guided shore excursions included in every port, award-winning dining, enhanced health and safety protocols, personalized service and extensive amenities including open-air Sun Decks with heated pools or whirlpools. Known for its culinary experiences, AmaWaterways provides guests with exquisite, regionally-inspired cuisine at every meal, paired with hand-selected wines and beer with every lunch and dinner. Guests also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ships and Entertainment-On-Demand systems in each stateroom. To take advantage of this offer, frontline medical heroes are encouraged to contact their trusted travel advisor, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com/Hero. *Frontline Medical Heroes offer is only applicable to active medical professionals and active first responders with valid ID. This limited time offer is not combinable with any other promotions. See website for terms & conditions that may apply. To book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred Travel Advisor, visit AmaWaterways.com or call 1.800.626.0126. Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook at Facebook.com/AmaWaterways, Instagram @AmaWaterways, Twitter @AmaWaterways, and YouTube at YouTube.com/AmaWaterways. (PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., May 7, 2021 — It was smooth seas and fair winds for Holland America Line’s newest ship, Rotterdam, which returned in the evening of May 6 to Fincantieri’s Marghera (Venice) shipyard in Italy, after successfully completing two sets of sea trials off the country’s Adriatic coast. Rotterdam left Marghera April 25 and performed the preliminary sea trials over two days before going into dry dock at Fincantieri’s Trieste shipyard where standard pre-delivery hull maintenance and painting were performed. The ship started its official sea trials on May 3, returning to Marghera May 6, where the final steps in the construction process will be completed. Rotterdam is scheduled for delivery July 30. “The successful completion of sea trials gives us great confidence as we head into the final weeks of outfitting for Rotterdam and prepare for delivery of this historic ship.” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “Construction of Rotterdam has continued through the global challenges of the past year with Fincantieri maintaining the highest level of dedication to staying on schedule. Congratulations to everyone involved for completing this significant milestone.” During sea trials, Rotterdam underwent a series of rigorous performance tests on the ship’s systems, machinery and engines. Captain Werner Timmers, Staff Captain Kevin Beirnaert, acting Chief Engineer Stefan Dullaert and other members of Rotterdam’s designated senior bridge and engineering teams participated in testing the ship’s maneuvering characteristics and safety systems in collaboration with the shipyard’s team of naval architects, engineers and builders. About Rotterdam The third vessel in the Pinnacle Class series, Rotterdam will carry 2,668 guests and feature highly successful amenities and innovations introduced with her sister ships, including the 270-degree surround-screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant and the popular Grand Dutch Café. Delivering the best entertainment at sea, Rotterdam celebrates live music with an exclusive collection of world-class performances each night. Throughout the ship, Rotterdam will showcase Holland America Line hallmarks that drive one of the highest guest repeat rates in the industry: exquisite cuisine guided by eight of the world’s leading chefs; gracious, award-winning service; and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, including family and single accommodations. Rotterdam is the seventh ship to bear the name for Holland America Line and the 17th ship constructed for the brand by Italian shipyard Fincantieri. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com. (PRESS RELEASE)_Miami, May 7, 2021 – Crystal Cruises continues to expand choices for travelers eager to return to the peerless excellence of the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line with the addition of 15 new Caribbean sailings departing roundtrip from St. Maarten aboard Crystal Symphony this August through December. The newly added voyages are part of Crystal Symphony’s 10-night Luxury Caribbean Escapes* and offer guests the option of cruising roundtrip from either Philipsburg, St. Maarten, on 15 voyages beginning August 2nd, or the previously announced voyages departing roundtrip from St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, on 15 voyages beginning August 5th. All of Crystal’s 10-night Luxury Caribbean Escapes, including a holiday cruise, will explore the tropical beauty of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago**, St. Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands. Reservations for the new 15 voyages from St. Maarten open May 12, 2021. The addition of St. Maarten as a port of departure expands the air options for guests as major U.S. cities provide airlift into the country. The itineraries, together with the recently announced 10-night Luxury Iceland Expeditions aboard Crystal Endeavor and 7-night Luxury Bahamas Escapes aboard Crystal Serenity, comprise the resumption of service of 97 percent of Crystal’s ocean-going fleet. “Crystal continues to be at the forefront of the return to cruising, and true to our Crystal hallmarks of Service, Space, Quality, Choices and Destinations, our goal is to ensure guests have abundant options to tailor their travel experiences to their personal tastes,” said Jack Anderson, president of Crystal. “As we look toward welcoming our Crystal family back to explore the Caribbean and the globe with us, the five pillars of the Crystal experience remain at the core of everything we do as they have for more than 30 years, providing our guests with confidence and certainty that we will continue to deliver the finest experiences on carefully crafted itineraries with uncompromising service and near limitless options.” (PRESS RELEASE)_Los Angeles (May 6, 2021) – Viking® (www.viking.com) announced today that it will restart operations in the Mediterranean with new ocean voyages for vaccinated guests beginning this summer. Offered as part of Viking’s Welcome Back collection, Viking Venus® and Viking Sea® will homeport in the Maltese capital city of Valletta—a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site—and sail two different 11-day roundtrip itineraries in the Mediterranean. As a result of strong demand, Viking also announced today it is adding more sailing dates this summer for its Welcome Back voyages around Iceland and Bermuda. Guests on the new Malta & Adriatic Jewels itinerary will overnight in Valletta and then sail to Montenegro and Croatia, calling in Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar and Šibenik, before returning to the Maltese archipelago, with a stop in Gozo and finally back to Valletta. Guests on the new Malta & Greek Isles Discovery itinerary will also overnight in Valletta and then sail to Greece, calling in Kalamata, Athens, Santorini, Rhodes and Souda Bay, before returning to Valletta. Viking Venus and Viking Sea will sail the itineraries between July and early October 2021. Delivered in April 2021, Viking Venus is Viking’s newest ocean ship and will be named in the England on May 17, 2021 by ceremonial godmother and iconic British broadcaster Anne Diamond. “We thank the government of Malta for its support and enthusiasm as we continue restarting operations,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Malta is a fantastic destination, with ancient history, rich culture and a central location in the Mediterranean. We began calling in Malta in 2016 and look forward to welcoming guests back to some of the most historically significant and naturally beautiful areas of the Med—in both the Maltese archipelago, as well as along the Croatian coast, and around Greek islands this summer.” Today’s news follows Viking’s recent announcements of Welcome Back ocean voyages in England, Iceland and Bermuda, beginning in May 2021. The company is actively working on developing additional Welcome Back itineraries in a variety of other destinations, with the goal of announcing further 2021 sailings as soon as government approvals are given. Those who sail these new voyages will also experience Viking’s industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking’s Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corps—and most recently led Washington State’s medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean ship, all guests and crew will receive daily quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests. New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms. And additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey. A complete overview of the Viking Health & Safety Program can be found at: www.viking.com/health-safety. (PRESS RELEASE)_New Albany, IN, May 6, 2021 – American Queen Steamboat Company™ and Victory Cruise Lines, part of the Hornblower® Group, have announced a Spring Sale for 2022 where guests can save up to $2,000 per stateroom on select American Queen Steamboat Company 2022 itineraries and up to $4,000 per stateroom on Victory Cruise Line 2022 voyages when booked by June 30, 2021. “We are witnessing an unprecedented demand for our 2021 sailings and are tracking to sell out the entire season,” shares Shawn Bierdz, president American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines. “Looking ahead to our 2022 season, we are excited to offer guests an added incentive as they continue to seek out our close-to-hoe, domestic itineraries.” The U.S.-flagged American Queen Steamboat Company currently has two boats sailing the Mississippi and Ohio rivers – the newly christened American Countess™ and boutique-style American Duchess,™ which began operating at reduced capacity in March 2021. The river cruise line will resume service of a third vessel, th American Empress™ sailing the Columbia and Snake rivers, June 14, 2021. The Spring Sale is also applicable to Victory Cruise Lines’ 2022 itineraries. Charting all-new routes in addition to returning favorites, Victory Cruise Lines guests will travel to some of North America’s most desirable destinations on immersive and educational itineraries. Guests who book by June 30, 2021, can maximize savings and enjoy up to $4,000 off per stateroom on select 2022 Victory Cruise Lines itineraries including the Ocean Victory and its inaugural season in Alaska, as well as new itineraries to Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula and sailings along the U.S. southeastern seaboard. Spring Sale 2022: https://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/special-offers/ For additional information on the Spring Sale 2022 and reservations, contact American Queen Steamboat Company or Victory Cruise Lines at 833-598-0119/ 833-926-1817, visit us online at www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com /www.victorycruiselines.com or call a travel agent. (PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 5, 2021) – Princess, the world’s leading international premium cruise line, today unveiled Dine My Way, another flexible MedallionClass enhancement that makes it easy for guests to pre-plan and tailor their dining experiences, and pairs with the revolutionary OceanNow® on demand service to offer the ultimate in onboard dining flexibility and convenience. Dine My Way, gives guests the freedom to make reservations in onboard dining rooms and specialty restaurants at times they prefer and with whom they wish to dine. Dine My Way also helps to optimize capacities in dining rooms and restaurants on board, manage wait times, and gives guests significantly more flexibility. When making a reservation, guests will be able to:
“We believe guests are going to love the control and customization Dine My Way offers,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “Instead of restricting dining choices during the pandemic, we’ve been able to expand the options for our guests and thanks to the unique, innovative capabilities of the OceanMedallion, reduce wait times and eliminate the need to stand in line.” In addition, Princess’ OceanNow on-demand menu has been expanded to include entrees and beverage options from restaurants through-out the ship with guest's requests delivered directly to their location. OceanNow orders can be made using the MedallionClass app on a smart device, via the stateroom TV, or by having a crew member place the order on the guest’s behalf. OceanNow will also include many expanded personalization options so you can order your perfect coffee drink, select your favorite steak sauce toppings, or pizza condiments providing more customization than ever. “Guests have always appreciated the convenience of OceanNow, and because the pandemic has expanded people’s use of ‘on-demand’ direct delivery services, we think even more guests will embrace the ability to order what they desire and have it delivered to them wherever they are on board,” notes Mario Siebaldi, Princess Cruises senior vice president of Guest Experience. “It not only prevents unnecessary queuing, more importantly it elevates the guest experience.” Princess MedallionClass vacations are enabled by the award-winning OceanMedallion, a wearable device that pairs with IoT-driven innovation to significantly enhance and personalize the guest experience. In addition to service on demand, Princess MedallionClass Vacations are also marked by touchless embarkation and disembarkation, frictionless commerce, and keyless stateroom entry. Additional contactless capabilities accessible using smart phones and tablets include way-finding; family and friends locator; and interactive fun. (PRESS RELEASE)_FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA., May 5, 2021 – Bringing experienced, fun-seeking and like-spirited travelers on once-in-a-lifetime journeys in remote and bucket-list destinations, Atlas Ocean Voyages is preparing to unveil World Navigator’s spring/summer 2022 deployment. With departures from March through November 2022, World Navigator will sail six- to 16-night itineraries in the Arctic, British Isles, the Norwegian Fjords, Iceland and Greenland, the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas, and Central and South America. In tandem with the new deployment, Atlas is introducing Future Cruise Certificates, which are open bookings secured with deposit for a future Atlas sailing. Additionally, the luxe-adventure cruise brand is matching travelers’ deposits when they purchase an Atlas Future Cruise Certificate between now through May 16 and redeem their certificate for a spring/summer 2022, World Navigator voyage. Called Reserve and Receive, the offer effectively amounts to a $1,000 or $1,500 savings per stateroom or suite, respectively. World Navigator’s spring/summer 2022 itineraries will be detailed on May 17. For more information about Atlas’ Future Cruise Certificate offer, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/offers. “World Navigator’s new spring/summer 2022 season will deliver more once-in-a-lifetime moments to travelers in more bucket-list destinations,” said Carlos Garzon, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Atlas Ocean Voyages. “We are also pleased to introduce Atlas Future Cruise Certificates, which provide travelers maximum flexibility to choose a future Atlas voyage at their convenience. We are happy to offer these benefits to the explorers, fun-seekers and trailblazers seeking the most incredible journey, ever.” Travelers who purchase Atlas Future Cruise Certificates from May 5 through 16, 2021, will have their deposits matched by Atlas when they redeem it for any spring/summer 2022, World Navigator voyage. Future Cruise Certificates can be purchased with a deposit of $500 per guest for staterooms and $750 per guest for suites, all based on double occupancy. Travelers don’t need to decide on a specific voyage, now, but have until March 31, 2022 to apply their Future Cruise Certificates to a specific, applicable voyage. There is no cash value to Atlas’ matching offer. Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand designed for experienced and fun-seeking travelers to immerse in exciting and awe-inspiring moments in less-visited, bucket-list destinations. Launching in July 2021, World Navigator fosters a refined and convivial ambience for up to 196 guests and features the most-modern hygiene and cleanliness measures incorporated into her state-of-the-art design. At 9,930 GRTs, World Navigator features SeaSpa, the first L’OCCITANE spa at sea, and is Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified. World Navigator will be joined by World Traveller and World Seeker in 2022 and World Adventurer and World Discoverer in 2023. Atlas’ signature All Inclusive All The Way provides all guests a complete and seamless experience by including complimentary round-trip air travel, choice of a shore excursion at every port, prepaid gratuities, polar parkas, emergency medical evacuation insurance, premium wine and spirits, international beers and coffees, Wi-Fi, L’OCCITANE bath amenities, and regionally inspired gourmet dining. In every stateroom, guests enjoy binoculars to use on board, en suite coffee, tea and personalized bar service, and butler service in suites. Atlas welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something brand new’ in the brand’s ongoing marketing campaign “At Last… Atlas” (www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/itstime.) To learn more, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. Travel Advisors can call 1.844.44.ATLAS (1.844.442.8527) to book their clients on an unforgettable luxe-adventure expedition. (PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., May 5, 2021 — Working in close coordination with the government of Greece, Holland America Line has received approval to restart cruising from Piraeus (Athens) in August with four departures aboard Eurodam. Bookings for these cruises will open May 6. Departing Aug. 15 and 29, the “Idyllic Greek Isles” itinerary features Kotor, Montenegro, plus the Greek isles of Kékira (Corfu), Thíra (Santorini) and Mykonos. “Ancient Wonders” departs Aug. 22 to explore Haifa, Israel, as well as Náfplion, Mykonos and Rhodes in Greece. Both options can be combined to form a longer, back-to-back 14-day Collectors’ Voyage. A seven-day “Adriatic Allure” itinerary departing Sept. 5 will sail from Piraeus to Venice, Italy, with calls at Mykonos, Katakolon (Olympia) and Crete (Chania), Greece, and Sarandë, Albania. Additional Mediterranean cruises aboard Eurodam through the fall will be announced in the coming weeks and include ports in Italy and Greece. Eurodam returns to the United States to begin sailing its published Caribbean cruises in mid-November. “Everyone at Holland America Line has been preparing for our return to service, and we are grateful to the government of Greece for allowing us to show that we can safely operate our cruises,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “The beautiful islands of Greece have been a highlight of our Mediterranean itineraries for decades, and we are honored to be able to restart out of Athens and give our guests a memorable vacation after all this time without cruise travel.” (PRESS RELEASE)_NEW ALBANY, Ind., May 3, 2021 – American Queen Steamboat Company™, a Hornblower® Family Company and leader in U.S. river cruising, has announced that the American Empress™, cruising the Columbia and Snake rivers, will resume operations beginning June 14, 2021. The line’s first 2021 Pacific Northwest sailing will feature the popular Pacific Northwest Splendor itinerary from Spokane, Wash. (Clarkston, Wash.) to Portland, Ore. (Vancouver, Wash.) and operate with enhanced SafeCruise™ health and safety protocols. Additionally, American Queen Steamboat Company is reporting the 2021 season is almost sold out including the newly christened American Countess™ and boutique-style American Duchess™, which both began operating at reduced capacity in March 2021. Following new Washington state guidelines, all American Empress sailings will require 100% guest and crew COVID-19 vaccinations to sail beginning June 14, ahead of the July 1, 2021, American Queen Steamboat Company fleetwide vaccine mandate. The vaccination requirement for the American Empress sailings expands upon the SafeCruise health and safety protocols already in place, which include, but is not limited to, pre-cruise COVID-19 testing of all guests and crew and a mask mandate in all public areas where social distancing is not possible. Additionally, American Queen Steamboat Company continues its partnership with leading health advisor, VIKAND Medical Solutions, and is operating under the discretion of the CDC regarding evolving guidelines to protect guests, crew and the communities the vessels visit. “Following our successful March restart with the American Countess and American Duchess on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, the added capacity of the American Empress in the Pacific Northwest will help meet the unprecedented guest demand to travel again,” shares Shawn Bierdz, president, American Queen Steamboat Company. “Our domestic, close-to-home itineraries continue to resonate with travelers, many new to cruising all together, along with seasoned ocean cruisers and our most loyal paddlewheel guests.” With the 2021 American Empress itineraries almost sold out and limited Nov. and Dec. itineraries remaining, the 2022 inventory is also seeing an influx of bookings. To meet this growing demand, American Queen Steamboat Company released its 2023 season in February of this year, marking the furthest out a season has been offered to guests and travel agent partners. Guests are encouraged to book soon to sail on upcoming Pacific Northwest 2022 itineraries on board the American Empress. The American Empress is the third American Queen Steamboat Company vessel to begin operating this year. In March 2021, the American Duchess was the first vessel to resume operations on the Mississippi River, followed by the newly debuted American Countess which also celebrated its inaugural season with a private christening ceremony. For additional information and reservations, please contact American Queen Steamboat Company at 888-749-5289, visit www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com or call a professional travel agent. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, May 3, 2021 – Crystal’s popular Book Now Savings (BNS) offer has been extended two additional weeks until May 19, at which time fares for over 280 sailings across the company’s award-winning fleet will increase. BNS are designed to reward guests who book early with the best fares across all Crystal brand experiences and currently offer reduced deposits and relaxed final payment and cancellation schedules, providing travelers with added peace of mind as they plan to explore the world again. The current savings are still available for a limited time on hundreds of itineraries across Crystal River Cruises and Crystal Expedition Cruises through 2022, Crystal (Ocean) Cruises through 2023 and Crystal Yacht Cruises into 2024. Before fares increase, guests continue to save up to $5,000 per stateroom on Ocean voyages around the world; up to $2,000 per suite on Crystal River Cruises’ voyages in Europe; up to $3,000 per suite on Crystal Yacht Cruises in the Seychelles, Adriatic, Turquoise Coast and Arabian Peninsula; and up to $9,000 per suite on Crystal Expedition Cruises aboard Crystal Endeavor, including recently announced Luxury Iceland Expeditions, as well as future voyages to Antarctica, South America, South Africa and Europe. A leader in unrivaled luxury cruising for 30 years, Crystal Cruises distinguishes its ships and its voyages with fine details and nuances that make a big impact for discerning travelers. All-inclusive experience with award-winning entertainment; diverse enrichment options; globally inspired dining; unlimited pours of fine wines, beers and premium spirits; and an unwavering standard of genuine, personal service for each guest underscores the Crystal difference. |
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