(PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (June 11, 2019) – From more than 13,000 images submitted by the public in the “Sea to Sky Princess Photo Contest,” Princess Cruises today announced the grand-prize consumer winner and shared the images that embody discovery and inspires exploration. Carol Lahnum from Juneau, Alaska, submitted the winning consumer photo of Brown’s Cave at Mendenhall Glacier, located in the state’s capital. In addition, Princess Cruises employees also submitted their destination photos and Mark Harris, based a in Seattle, Wash., was named the grand-prize employee winner with his photo of a hidden café in Mykonos, Greece, captured on his Mediterranean cruise. These images and nearly a 1,000 others will be featured in Sky Princess staterooms and stateroom corridors. “Congratulations to Carol and Mark and the other entrants whose images were selected to showcase the inspiring destinations we visit and be featured onboard our new Sky Princess,” said Rai Caluori, Princess Cruises executive vice president of guest experience and product development. “These remarkable shots share cherished memories traveling the world in the iconic places we take our guests.” With a destination collection of 380 ports and scenic attractions on seven continents to capture, the “Sea to Sky Princess” contest invited entrants to submit their favorite photos portraying their most treasured vacation vistas. From the vibrant and colorful Caribbean culture, to the landmarks of Europe, to wildlife in Alaska or a scenic shot from a balcony or top deck on board, images were judged by a panel looking for scenic beauty, creativity, originality, style and high-quality images that captured the spirit of connecting to a destination in a meaningful way through discovery and exploration. “I captured this image one morning when we paddled the two miles across Mendenhall Lake, then climbed up, over, then under the glacier,” said Lahnum. “Around 8 am, after we had climbed down into the cave, the sun started to peak into the entrance of the cave and this image was captured. It’s a long exposure image so that I could capture the flowing waters all around me.” The new 3,660-guest Sky Princess debuts in October 2019, sailing a series of Mediterranean cruises, followed by a season of Caribbean voyages from Ft. Lauderdale. More details can be found at www.princess.com/skyprincess. (PRESS RELEASE)_TORONTO- June 11, 2019 – Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages President and CEO Tom McAlpin announced the appointment of Captain Wendy Williams as Master of Scarlet Lady. When Captain Williams takes the helm of Scarlet Lady in spring 2020, she will become the first Canadian woman to be captain of a ship for a major cruise brand. The company also announced a brand-new lineup of itineraries for their premier 2020 season.
“Captain Wendy’s extensive maritime background makes her an excellent choice to lead the Scarlet Lady, but it is her spirit and drive to approach life at sea differently that make her the perfect fit to join the Virgin Voyages family,” said Tom McAlpin, president and chief executive officer for Virgin Voyages. Originally from the coastal city of Sept-Îles, Quebec on the Northeastern coast of Canada, Captain Williams now resides on her hobby farm on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Captain Williams has more than 28 years of experience working on ships at sea. Her extensive background includes more than a decade as a deckhand in commercial fishing off the western coast of Canada as well as working as a ferryboat captain. Although she has spent more than 15 years working on the bridge of mega cruise ships, her role with Virgin Voyages will be her first promotion to Master of a cruise ship. “I have salt water in my veins and nothing brings me more joy than being at sea,” said Captain Wendy Williams. “It’s a dream come true to be working with Virgin Voyages, a company that is focused on creating an incredible experience not only for our Sailors but for our Crew as well; while also taking action to minimize our footprint on our oceans.” Just last year, Virgin Voyages announced its Scarlet Squad program, an initiative dedicated to bridging the gender gap in leadership roles across the maritime industry, where women represent less than three percent of the workforce. The program aims to recruit, support and mentor female shipboard talent, and to grow opportunities for leadership roles in marine, technical and hotel management positions on board. While Virgin Voyages is still in the early stages of the crew for Scarlet Lady, the company has already recruited Captain Williams as well as nearly a dozen other female officers, including Jill Anderson as hotel director, Christin Wenge as safety officer, Lindsay Kerber as environmental officer, among other incredibly talented female engineers as well as second and third officers. Virgin Voyages’ intention is to create an onboard environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to reach their full potential. New Voyage Offerings In response to the U.S. government’s new restrictions on travel to Cuba from the United States, Virgin Voyages has also developed an exciting lineup of new itineraries featuring destinations that its Sailors expressed interest in exploring while on a voyage aboard Scarlet Lady. Continuing the company’s mission to provide its Sailors with epic day and nighttime experiences, the all new itineraries will feature multiple late-night sail aways, including a midnight departure on all new sailings. Virgin Voyages will now offer five-night Riviera Maya sailings to Cozumel/Playa Del Carmen, Mexico. Cozumel and Playa del Carmen offer opportunities for Sailors to experience some of the world’s best diving, as the area is home to 26 coral species. Sailors will also have the opportunity to explore ecological and archeological treasures, including Mayan ruins, or even opt to explore neighboring Tulum, the elevated Bohemian sanctuary with picturesque beaches and diverse nightlife. For those who just want a quick getaway, Virgin Voyages’ four-night sailings will now become Fire and Sunset Soirées including a sunset departure from Key West and a midnight departure from Bimini. Sailors will experience the cultural and boating paradise of Key West, paired with a day of rejuvenation in Bimini, Bahamas that’s topped off by an exclusive late-night beach bonfire soiree. This celebration under the stars is exclusive to these sailings, and the artistic fire installations draw inspiration from the fireball sculptures on Branson’s Necker Island and the alluring communal nature of a traditional beachside bonfire. In response to Sailor demand for longer voyages aboard Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages has developed special seven-night sailings for the 2020 festive holiday season. Those looking to get a jump start on their holiday planning can opt for the all-new Holidaze and Nights and New Year’s Ahoy voyages, which fall over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays respectively, and feature stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic and late-night sail aways in both Bimini, Bahamas and San Juan, Puerto Rico. All voyages will feature a stop in Bimini, Bahamas, home to The Beach Club, a private club for Virgin Voyages Sailors while Scarlet Lady is on the island. For more information on Scarlet Lady, future Sailors and First Mates (travel partners) are invited to check out Virgin Voyages by visiting www.virginvoyages.com. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (June 10, 2019) – Carnival Cruise Line and the Port of Baltimore celebrated a historic milestone with a “Decade of Fun” celebration aboard Carnival Pride to mark the 10-year anniversary of Carnival’s year-round cruising from the port.
Carnival launched Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program in 2009 and over the past decade the line as carried more than 1 million guests. The festivities were highlighted by a reciprocal exchange of maritime gifts with Carnival President Christine Duffy presenting the Cruise Maryland’s General Manager Cynthia Burman with a ship’s bell while Burman presented Duffy with a maritime international clock. Carnival Pride offers a wide range of attractive cruise options from Baltimore including week-long voyages to tropical ports throughout the Bahamas and Bermuda as well as 14-day Carnival Journeys cruises visiting Caribbean destinations and partial Panama Canal transits. Guests sailing aboard Carnival Pride enjoy a variety of features, including a Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub, Bonsai Sushi serving authentic Asian delicacies, and Guy’s Burger Joint developed in tandem with Food Network star and longtime Carnival partner Guy Fieri. The ship also boasts nearly 700 balcony staterooms – perfect for viewing the passing scenery – as well as a massive water park highlighted by Green Thunder, a drop-down slide that’s among the fastest and steepest at sea. “Baltimore is an important part of our homeport deployment strategy and the port has been a great partner for the past 10 years,” Duffy said “Our cruises from Baltimore on board Carnival Pride continuously earn high marks from guests who appreciate the ease of sailing from this convenient and centrally located port,” she added. “We are very proud to recognize 10 years of year-round cruising with Carnival Cruise Line,” said Maryland Port Administration Executive Director James J. White. “Many Maryland families and those in other states have sailed from the Port of Baltimore on Carnival Pride and have had the vacation of their lifetimes. We are very happy to have Carnival here in Maryland and look forward to many more years of seeing their beautiful ship at our port.” Baltimore is an integral component of Carnival’s ship deployment strategy in which the line positions ships near large U.S. population bases along the East and West Coasts and the Gulf of Mexico. Including Baltimore, Carnival sails from 20 different North American homeports providing a cost-effective means for guests to get to and from their cruise. It’s estimated that roughly half of the U.S. population is within a day’s drive of a Carnival homeport. Carnival launched Baltimore’s first year-round cruise program in 2010 and the departures attract guests from across the Northeast and other regions. Carnival and other cruise operators generate $204 million in direct expenditures and account for more than 3,100 jobs and $175 million in wages toward the Maryland economy. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (June 10, 2019)—Carnival Cruise Line and Thrillist have teamed up to launch “Island Hoppers,” a first-of-its-kind comedy competition show at sea, aiming to find the cruise line’s next comedy star to perform at its shipboard Punchliner Comedy Clubs. The mobile-first series is hosted by award-winning actor James Van Der Beek and was filmed during a recent Caribbean cruise aboard Carnival Horizon. Over the course of seven episodes, Van Der Beek takes viewers on a journey as three up-and-coming comedians compete in entertaining challenges, judged by longtime Punchliner Comedy Club veterans Billy D. Washington, Jodi White and William Lee Martin. “Island Hoppers” will air June 11, on Thrillist’s Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter channels. Hilarity ensues as the challengers demonstrate their creative cocktail-making skills at Carnival Horizon’s Alchemy Bar while having to perform a comedic act and offer their best one-liners as they traverse the heart-racing Mystic Mountain Jamaican bobsled ride during a call in Ocho Rios. “I’m not really a host, and I’m definitely not a standup,” said Van Der Beek. “But this show is so unique I feel like that worked in our favor. As a writer and actor, I have a huge appreciation for what it takes to get up in front of a room full of strangers and make people laugh, so it was a joy to jump in and play with a group this talented and hilarious. Plus, we all got to be on the Carnival Horizon, which just made everything fun.” “Entertaining 5 million guests across 26 ships is not an easy job. We’re always looking for top talent to add to our roster, so finding the perfect comedian is quite the task,” said Chris Nelson, Carnival’s vice president of entertainment. “That’s why we’re really excited to partner with Thrillist on this new and creative way to bring new comedians to our comedy club roster. Our guests love fun – comedy is part of our DNA – so we’re particularly thrilled that we are able to showcase incredible talent on every sailing.” “Travel and fun is at the heart of what we cover every single day at Thrillist and ‘Island Hoppers’ is a perfect extension of that. We’re excited to bring this new series to our audience and offer them an entertaining and unique view of all of the fun that can be had aboard a Carnival ship,” said Thrillist President Ocean MacAdams. Carnival’s Punchliner Comedy Clubs are the largest purveyors of comedy in the world with 27,000 shows annually across the line’s 26-ship fleet. Boasting more comedy performances than any land-based comedy club in the world, the Punchliner Comedy Clubs feature a lineup of top-notch talent who perform 30-minute shows, including family-friendly and adults-only sets, multiple times each voyage. All performances are offered on a complimentary basis. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, June 10, 2019 – In true Royal Caribbean International fashion, Spectrum of the Seas will once again raise the bar in the Asian cruise market as the revolutionary ship plans new overnight stays in Tokyo, Japan in summer 2020. Built to deliver great vacation experiences, the first Quantum Ultra Class ship boasts the cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, innovative dining concepts, and stunning features and adventures – many of which have never before been seen at sea. In summer 2020, Spectrum of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas will each sail two special cruises into Tokyo’s brand-new cruise terminal, Shinkyaku Pier, offering guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience to take in the city’s vibrant energy as it comes alive during this exciting time. Spectrum will depart on July 25 and August 2 from Shanghai, China to Tokyo, and Voyager will offer itineraries beginning July 26 out of Hong Kong and August 2 from Tokyo, each staying overnight. Adding to the excitement, Quantum of the Seas will begin sailing from Singapore in 2019, and with both Spectrum and Quantum sailing from Singapore this year, this marks the start of Royal Caribbean’s Double Quantum Year in the region. “Our ships are designed and created to deliver unforgettable vacation experiences to our guests, and we are proud to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience in Tokyo next summer,” said Bert Hernandez, President, Royal Caribbean China. (PRESS RELEASE)_ CELEBRATION, Fla. (June 6, 2019) – In fall 2020, Disney Cruise Line will enchant guests of all ages with Halloween and winter holiday celebrations on sailings departing from New York, California, Texas and Florida. The 2020 fall season offers a range of itineraries that will visit a variety of tropical locales, with most sailings featuring that extra-special Disney holiday sparkle. Halloween on the High Seas returns to Disney Cruise Line in September and October 2020 with spooky good times for the entire family. On select sailings across the fleet, guests are treated to a “mouse-querade” costume party, lively entertainment, ghoulish food and beverage delights, trick-or-treating, seasonal kids’ activities, a villainous party just for adults and a ghostly ship takeover with elaborate décor and a magical pumpkin tree. From early November through December, the Disney Cruise Line fleet is decked from bow-to-stern with holiday cheer and entertainment during Very Merrytime Cruises. Holiday adventures are unwrapped for the whole family with merry parties, a tree lighting ceremony, festive activities, special food and beverage surprises, favorite characters in their finest holiday attire, a winter wonderland ball with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a flurry of “Frozen” snowfall. Bookings open to the public June 13, 2019. More details on 2020 itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2020 page of disneycruise.com. Sailings to Bermuda and Canada from New York The Disney Magic returns to New York in October for sailings to Bermuda and Canada, all featuring Halloween on the High Seas. Three five-night cruises offer two days in Bermuda, giving guests extra time to indulge in the island’s famous pink-sand beaches, abundant water activities, stylish shopping and distinctive blend of British and Caribbean culture. One five-night cruise will visit Canada’s charming seaport cities including Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada’s oldest incorporated city, which is home to outdoor activities and an impressive natural phenomenon called the “reversing falls rapids.” Guests on this sailing will also visit Halifax, the provincial capital of Nova Scotia. Rich in maritime history, Nova Scotia boasts Victorian-style public gardens and one of the world’s largest natural harbors. Baja and Mexican Riviera Voyages from California The Disney Wonder sets sail from San Diego in September, with Halloween on the High Seas cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera. Baja itineraries of two, three, four and five nights highlight the region’s famous beaches and water activities with calls on Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. One seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise, with additional stops in Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta, completes the southern California sailings. On Nov. 6, the Disney Wonder departs San Diego for a 14-night Panama Canal crossing. Bahamas and Caribbean Cruises from Texas From late November through December, the Disney Wonder will make Galveston, Texas, its homeport for Very Merrytime Cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas, with four-, five-, six- and seven-night sailings. Caribbean itineraries include stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico and Grand Cayman. Bahamian cruises feature stops at Nassau, Bahamas and Key West, Florida, as well as Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. Tropical Island Vacations from Florida In fall 2020, the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream will sail to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Florida. Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruises will delight guests on most sailings. The Disney Fantasy will sail Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries ranging from three to eight nights, and the Disney Dream will sail three- and four-night Bahamian cruises to Nassau, Bahamas and Castaway Cay. Each of these cruises includes a day of fun in the sun on Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent. PRESS RELEASE)_FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. – OZ, a global consulting company enhancing customer experiences through digital wizardry, has announced its first annual CXDX Summit for travel and hospitality leaders in Florida. The event will be held at the historic rooftop lounge and terrace of the W Hotel in Miami on June 20, 2019. The summit will showcase the latest digital innovations and transformations (DX) that are driving superior customer experiences (CX) in the travel and hospitality industry. The event will host industry leaders such as Royal Caribbean International, American Airlines, Orange Lakes Resorts, Red Lobster, Willis Lease Financial and more, all of which are transforming CX through groundbreaking digital services and solutions, as well as an interactive area with stunning demonstrations of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and RFID technology, and a fascinating wine tasting hosted by Zeitgeist Cellars. Sessions from industry heavyweights include:
“We’re excited to bring industry leaders together to talk about the digital innovations that are driving their businesses forward. Customer experience could not be more important for the travel and hospitality industry, and attendees will have a chance to see how leading global companies are doing things right,” said Amjad Shamim, CEO of OZ. “With our extensive experience helping travel and hospitality companies transform CX, this event is the perfect curation of how companies are leveraging today’s solutions and what’s possible with tomorrow’s technology.” In addition to the speaking sessions, there will be an interactive zone where attendees can experience what’s possible when companies take a creative, strategic approach to digital experience (DX). OZ will showcase new applications of AR, VR, mixed reality and wearables. Attendees can move around a resort, check out the different activity and service offerings, make reservations at a restaurant, interact with a virtual host, and immerse themselves in a far-away destination. The event will conclude with a wine tasting food pairing and speaking session from Napa Valley-based Zeitgeist Cellars. Renowned vintner and owner Mark Porembski will discuss how digital innovations are changing the wine growing process. This event is open to all individuals who are looking to enhance the CX in the travel and hospitality industry. Space is limited and guests must be registered on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve your complimentary spot, please RSVP here. To learn more about OZ, please visit FollowOZ.com. (PRESS RELEASE)_U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (June 5, 2019) - Following the U.S. government's renewed restrictions on travel to Cuba, the U.S. Virgin Islands government is working closely with the cruise lines to help them as they race to rework their itineraries. The State Department announced this week that the United States will no longer permit visits to Cuba via passenger and recreational vessels, including cruise ships and yachts, nor on private and corporate aircraft. Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism Designee, said that since news of the policy shift, the Ports of the Virgin Islands has reached out to the cruise lines to offer inconvenienced passengers the opportunity to visit the Territory, including the less busy cruise destination of St. Croix. "We have been in contact with the lines about making calls to both St. Croix and St. Thomas," said Commissioner Designee Boschulte, who let executives know that the Territory's ports can accommodate diverted vessels on short notice. "We have the capacity and are encouraging the lines to experience St. Croix especially - an emerging tourism destination steeped in rich culture and heritage and whose stakeholders are prepared to provide a welcoming experience for cruise ship passengers," he said. Commissioner Designee Boschulte said the Ports of the Virgin Islands will closely monitor the impact of the new policy and explore solutions with cruise lines at next week's Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association's Platinum Associate Member Advisory Council Conference, taking place in St. Maarten. (PRESS RELEASE)_LITTLETON, Colorado – June 5, 2019 – On World Environment Day, the Globus family of brands is announcing plans to increase sustainability efforts and reduce waste while also contributing to The Ocean Cleanup: A non-profit organization focused on ridding the world’s oceans of plastics. As part of its increased sustainability efforts, the Globus family of brands – comprised of Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways – is asking travelers to choose e-documents over printed travel itineraries, prior to their vacations. When they choose the eco-friendly option – eliminating paper and plastic use and waste – the Globus family will donate funds to The Ocean Cleanup to aid in their unprecedented efforts to clean-up the world’s oceans. Over five trillion pieces of plastic currently litter the ocean. If left to circulate, the plastic will impact our ecosystems, health and economies. The Ocean Cleanup has developed advanced technologies to eliminate plastics in our oceans. The non-profit organization has plans to cleanup 50 percent (50%) of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in five (5) years. “It’s never been more important for companies to take a role in cleaning up our planet while also reducing and recycling waste,” said Scott Nisbet, chief executive officer and president of the Globus family of brands. “Now, we’re asking our travelers to join us by favoring electronic travel documents over paper ones. When they do, our planet benefits." (PRESS RELEASE)_CALABASAS, CA – (June 5, 2019) – Completing an exciting season of inaugural sailings, AmaWaterways celebrated the debut of AmaMora on the Rhine River on Monday, June 3. Embarking on her maiden voyage from Amsterdam to Basel, the 156-guest ship is the third of a trio of new ships introduced by the luxury river cruise line in 2019 – a record-breaking achievement since the company’s inception in 2002. AmaWaterways fleet now numbers 23 modern ships following the launch this spring of AmaDouro on the Douro River and AmaMagna on the Danube River. “We are always excited to introduce new ships to our innovative fleet, but this season has been especially rewarding, and significant, for us,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “We’re thrilled to introduce AmaMora to the Rhine River and look forward to continue exceeding our guests’ expectations with a luxurious onboard experience, enriching shore excursions, exquisite dining venues and of course, the AmaWaterways touch that turns an interesting voyage into an unforgettable personalized experience.” Like her sister ships AmaLea and AmaKristina, AmaMora offers 78 staterooms, almost all of which feature AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies. On board, guests can experience the line’s renowned cuisine including exquisite regionally-inspired dishes paired with hand-selected wines at the Main Restaurant and the intimate Chef’s Table Restaurant, as well as an all-day tapas menu, afternoon tea, complimentary daily Sip & Sail cocktail hour, and a 24-hour coffee station. Designed to meet the needs of discerning travelers, AmaMora features a wide range of amenities including connecting staterooms well-suited to meet the growing demand from multigenerational families. Guests looking to stay active even while on vacation can take advantage of the ship’s Wellness Program, featuring group fitness classes led by a dedicated Wellness Host and a well-equipped fitness center and Sun Deck walking track. As the newest member of the river cruise line best suited for active travelers, AmaMora carries a fleet of complimentary bicycles and organizes guided hiking and biking tours for guests to explore each incredible destination while cruising through The Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. For the more leisurely traveler, there is plenty of room to lounge by the heated Sun Deck pool, which features a swim-up bar; as well as enjoy massage and hair salon services. In addition, the ship features complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and in-room Entertainment-On-Demand. Guests looking to immerse themselves in the local culture will enjoy an extensive line-up of up to 20 complimentary tours to choose from during a seven-night cruise. Highlights include the spectacular Rhine Gorge lined with 40 castle ruins and special interest tours like the unforgettable Lahneck Castle visit by candlelight. AmaMora will be blessed by her Godmother, Co-President of Ensemble Travel Group Libbie Rice, alongside AmaWaterways’ executive team and local dignitaries during a christening ceremony in Lahnstein, Germany the week of July 15, 2019. Sailing between Amsterdam and Basel, AmaMora will offer the seven-night Enchanting Rhine and Captivating Rhine itineraries, and the festive Christmas Markets on the Rhine itineraries between November 25 and December 23. In addition, returning guests will be recognized with a special Christmas Markets on the Rhine sailing on board AmaMora, departing November 24 as part of the company’s first-ever Loyalty Appreciation Month. “We are very honored to have a river cruise company like AmaWaterways at the Port of Amsterdam,” said Monic van der Heijden, commercial manager of cruises at the Port of Amsterdam. “AmaWaterways is an example of an exceptional partner for the port due to important factors like their sustainable practices and disciplined captains.” |
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