(PRESS RELEASE)_​MIAMI, June 29, 2021 – Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas will be the song of the summer when it sets sail to the Mediterranean in May 2022 on a mix of new immersive and varied itineraries departing from Greece, Italy, Spain and Israel. Joining the cruise line’s previously announced European lineup, including guest favorite Anthem of the Seas and the brand-new Odyssey of the Seas, Rhapsody expands on a summer of bold with new ways to explore more than 25 must-see destinations in the Greek Isles, southern France, Italy, Turkey, Croatia and more. The new summer 2022 sailings on Rhapsody will open today.

Starting on May 23, Rhapsody will set off into summer with ‘open-jaw,’ 7-night cruise vacations departing from Rome and Ravenna, Italy; Athens, Greece; and Barcelona, Spain. Guests have their choice of a combination of Greek and Adriatic, Greek Isles and Western Mediterranean itineraries that feature visits to culture-rich, historic ports of call, such as Split, Croatia; Cannes and Nice, France; Crete and Mykonos, Greece and Florence and Sicily, Italy.

Royal Caribbean’s summer playlist of chart-topping Europe cruises continues in August when Rhapsody charts course for Israel, where it will homeport in Haifa – a first for the cruise line – through Oct. 31. With an alluring lineup of 3- to 8-night round-trip itineraries to Greece, the Greek Isles and Cyprus, travelers can dive into the culture and learn about the Ancient Greek heritage of destinations such as Limassol, Cyprus and Athens, Greece, and marvel at the stunning natural beauty of the eastern Mediterranean coastline along the way. Adventures are also in store for guests who hop off to explore the Greek islands of Santorini, Rhodes and Mykonos, famed for their tranquil beaches and picturesque coastal villages.

From shore to shore, travelers on board Rhapsody will vacation in style and comfort. To start, the highlights on deck include pools, whirlpools, a rock-climbing wall, an outdoor movie screen and the Vitality Spa & Fitness Center. Food lovers will be spoilt for choice by the wide variety of eateries, from Italian cuisine at Giovanni’s Table to Izumi, the hottest sushi spot at sea. Rhapsody also touts activities for every traveler and family from day to night, such as the show-stopping playbill of Royal Caribbean’s signature, world-renowned entertainment and bars, lounges and the casino. Kids will have a blast on their own too while at the award-winning Adventure Ocean, and the youngest of travelers are well taken care of at the Royal Babies & Tots Nursery.

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, June 28, 2021 – As Carnival Cruise Line guests return to cruising this summer, they will find expanded functionality of the award-winning HUB App, which will include enhanced food and beverage features, spa and shore excursion booking capabilities, virtual queuing for onboard venues, and updated health and safety information.

The most popular app in cruising with more than 8 million total downloads and 4.6+ rating in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, the HUB App is leading the way in Carnival’s efforts at providing a more contactless and convenient shipboard environment once cruising resumes.

“In today’s world, smart phones have become ubiquitous for travelers, and they provide a great platform to help our guests make the most of their cruise vacation.  We continue to leverage the popularity of the HUB App to enhance our guests’ pre-cruise and onboard experience,” said Ron Dillehay, Carnival’s vice president of guest marketing & technology. “The updates we are announcing today will build upon the convenient features that have made the HUB App the most popular app in cruising, and further enhance our guest experience on board.”

New offerings include:

• Expanded Food Delivery, Additional F&B Capabilities:  The HUB App was the first app to enable pizza and beer delivery, and this popular function will be expanded to include the delivery of a variety of culinary and beverage offerings anywhere on board. Menus for all shipboard dining and beverage offerings will be available in a digital form using QR codes.  The HUB App will also be expanded to include dining check-in functionality to additional guests and venues, in addition to Your Time Dining.

 

• Virtual Reservations & Queuing: Guests will soon be able to reserve seats virtually for various venues on board and be alerted when it is time to arrive for their function.  Additionally, guests will be able to check-in to virtual queues for select locations on board, including guest services, and be alerted when their place in line is ready.  Guests will also leverage the HUB App to reserve tickets for BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea debuting on Mardi Gras July 31 from Port Canaveral.

 

• New Safety Content:  Guests will be able to check-in for their cruise via the HUB App with the ability to submit necessary health information, including a health questionnaire and other time-saving steps prior to departure, and new safety content, including new notifications to help guests complete their muster check-in on board.

 
Additional enhancements to the HUB App capabilities will be rolled out in the coming months. 
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These new enhancements complement the variety of functions that provide a seamless vacation experience from beginning to end, including advance spa and shore excursion reservations, a popular chat feature, a full listing of food, beverage and entertainment offerings, youth program check-in and check-out information and easy access to guests shipboard Sail & Sign accounts.

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)_Los Angeles (June 28, 2021) – Viking® (www.viking.com) celebrated today the latest milestone in its return to service as guests were welcomed on board in Iceland. Over the weekend, guests boarded the award-winning Viking Sky® in Reykjavík, where the ship will homeport this summer along with sister ship Viking Jupiter®. Both ships will sail the new Iceland’s Natural Beauty itinerary through early September 2021. Offered as part of Viking’s Welcome Back collection, exclusively available for vaccinated guests, the voyage currently underway is the first of 19 sailings roundtrip from Reykjavík. The eight-day circumnavigation of Iceland calls upon coastal towns of Akureyri, Seydisfjördur, Heimaey and more before returning to the capital city.

                “On behalf of the entire Viking family of guests and crew, we are delighted to be back in Iceland—and we thank the government for its support as we continue restarting operations,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “This stunning island of fire and ice inspired the original Vikings when they charted new territory, so it especially fitting as a key destination in our ‘Welcome Back’ collection. We look forward to introducing even more guests to this beautiful Nordic country over the summer.”

Viking restarted operations in May and has been sailing in England with British guests since May 22. Nearly 100 percent of guests on these sailings provided exceptionally high ratings. On June 15, the company welcomed American guests back on board in Bermuda. In July 2021, Viking will also launch Welcome Back sailings in the Mediterranean with three ocean ships homeported in Valletta, Malta – and will restart its European river operations with select itineraries in Portugal, France and along the Rhine.

Viking Health & Safety Program

Those who sail Welcome Back 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—and a strong network of dedicated shoreside labs for Viking river ships in Europe—all guests and crew will receive frequent 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.

Booking Details

                Limited space is still available on 2021 summer sailings. Call Viking toll free at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or contact a travel agent.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., June 21, 2021 — Holland America Line is gearing up to restart cruising out of Port of San Diego in California beginning with a season of cruises to Mexico, Hawaii and along the California coast aboard Koningsdam and Zuiderdam. The cruise line has expanded the season with the addition of six new cruise departures for Zuiderdam and two new cruises on Koningsdam, offering a total of 40 cruises from San Diego from September 2021 through April 2022.

With the resumption of service on the West Coast, Holland America Line also is looking toward cruising in the Caribbean with four ships. All sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the season will begin Oct. 23, 2021, with Nieuw Amsterdam. The ship will be joined by the new Rotterdam Nov. 3, Eurodam Nov. 14 and Nieuw Statendam Nov. 21. Caribbean cruises range in length from four to 14 days, span the entire region and include a call at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s award-winning private island.

“San Diego has always been an incredible homeport for our ships, and we are eager to restart on the West Coast with two ships operating an expanded season, including the debut of Koningsdam on these itineraries and close-to-home California cruises that our guests are going to love,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “We’ve also been anticipating announcing our plans for the Caribbean and we’re thrilled to have four ships in the region, including our new Rotterdam. Cruising is back and having vaccinated ships for these cruises in 2021 ensures that we can deliver the experience just how our guests remember and expect. We’re ready to cruise!”

A Cruise Experience That is a Cruise

The on-board cruise experience will offer amenities that are a hallmark of the brand. Dining will be available in all restaurants and specialty venues, as well as room service. Entertainment will be in full swing in the main show lounge, and live music and dancing will be featured in Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Rock Room.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world leader in exploration travel, is expanding its global offering to one of the most iconic destinations on the planet: The Galapagos Islands.

Famous for its unique nature and wildlife, the isolated archipelago some 600 miles (1000 kilometers) off the coast of Ecuador has mesmerized travelers and scientists for centuries. 

From January 2022, Hurtigruten Expeditions will expand its breadth of destinations to include the Galapagos Islands offering modern-day explorers in-depth adventures described as ‘beyond imagination’.

“We are extremely excited to expand our South America offering to one of the most spectacular destinations on the planet. We have seen a clear trend of travelers seeking out truly unique and meaningful travel experiences, with a sharp increase in demand for the type of small ships / big experiences we offer. The pandemic has dramatically pushed this development forward. There is huge pent-up demand for traveling right now, and we are responding with this breathtaking new destination,” said Hurtigruten Group CEO Daniel Skjeldam.

Two pioneers - one partnership

To offer guests one-of-a-kind experiences, Hurtigruten Expeditions has entered into a long-term strategic partnership with Ecuador-based Metropolitan Touring, the most experienced and renowned travel company in the Galapagos.

Guests will explore the Galapagos in style and comfort onboard the fully upgraded 90-guest MS Santa Cruz II, adding to Hurtigruten Expeditions’ growing fleet of small purpose-built expedition cruise ships.

(PRESS RELEASE)_CALABASAS, CA – (June 24, 2021) – Luxury river cruise innovator AmaWaterways today announced a new partnership with the global leader in family history and consumer genomics, Ancestry®. The groundbreaking collaboration provides a unique opportunity for guests to discover details pertaining to their specific family history while enjoying the incomparable river cruise experience that AmaWaterways is known for. With an uptick in consumers embracing heritage travel, the special Ancestry® Experience package allows travelers to further personalize and enrich their river cruise experience through pre-cruise private consultation and family history research, onboard presentations and curated excursions accompanied by an expert genealogist throughout the cruise.
 
“Having grown up along the legendary Elbe River in Germany, I am personally overjoyed by this new collaboration that provides our guests with a unique opportunity to connect with their European roots, through personalized research and specially curated experiences,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “Maintaining or creating cherished family connections is more important than ever, and this partnership with the industry-leading team at Ancestry® provides the perfect setting to bring our guests’ treasured family stories to life.”
 
The first cruise in the series, Heritage on the River: Your Personalized Ancestry® Experience, will depart July 30, 2022, on board the 156-guest AmaStella. Guests will embark in Amsterdam on an unforgettable seven-night river cruise along the Rhine River, visiting Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland while tracing their roots and following along in their ancestors’ footsteps.
 
“At its core, Ancestry is a family history company, and we are constantly looking for new ways to help others uncover their own personal stories and to bring deeper meaning to their findings through genealogical research and heritage travel,” said Jon Lambert, director of global client relations for Ancestry. “We found this same passion for creating enriching life-changing experiences with AmaWaterways Co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst. Their European heritage and appreciation of cultural diversity fit perfectly with Ancestry’s mission to empower journeys of self-discovery to change lives.”
 
This enriching Ancestry experience begins as soon as the river cruise reservation is made with AmaWaterways. Each guest who signs up will be matched with an expert from AncestryProGenealogists®, Ancestry’s professional research division, who will conduct a one-hour welcome call to discuss aspects of their family that are of particular interest. From there, the genealogist will conduct a five-hour consultation and research phase delving into family background and identifying places of interest that the guest may visit or pass by during their river cruise.
 
Once on board, an expert genealogist will offer presentations to provide insight into what life was like for guests’ ancestors and highlight the types of records that are available for them to learn more. As guests travel through different regions where their ancestors lived, the genealogist will explain the history behind those areas, providing an unparalleled understanding of the past and a glimpse of their ancestors’ everyday lives.
 
Rounding out this enriching experience, each guest will also receive a private onboard consultation with the expert genealogist to review their own family tree. They will also have the opportunity to enjoy an Ancestry-specific group excursion with their expert genealogist. In certain cases, travelers can delve even deeper with an optional add-on of an Ancestral Home Visit accompanied by an expert genealogist.
 
Taking guests into the heart of Europe, the elegantly appointed AmaStella, with her exceptional crew, offers the opportunity for guests to be pampered in spacious staterooms; indulge in delicious cuisine from a choice of dining venues including the intimate Chef’s Table Restaurant; and when not participating in one of the 23 included shore excursion choices, relax on an expansive sun deck, featuring a walking track and swimming pool with a swim-up bar. Active travelers will enjoy the onboard Wellness Program, which includes expertly guided fitness classes, as well as hiking and biking tours.
 
Reservations for the July 30, 2022, Heritage on the River: Your Personalized Ancestry® Experience are now open, with prices starting from $5,399*. Reserve any AmaWaterways river cruise through Europe and customize your personalized heritage experience with Ancestry, from a pre-journey consultation with your expert genealogist to an Ancestral Home Visit for an additional fee.
 
*Per person prices (air and port charges not included). Visit AmaWaterways.com/ancestry for full details.
 
To book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred Travel Advisor, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com. Follow AmaWaterways on Facebook at Facebook.com/AmaWaterways, Instagram @AmaWaterways, Twitter @AmaWaterways, and YouTube at YouTube.com/AmaWaterways.

(PRESS RELEASE)_STRALSUND, Germany, June 26, 2021 – Today, Crystal Expedition Cruises officially welcomed its new 20,200 GRT luxury expedition yacht Crystal Endeavor to the Crystal fleet as the ship was christened by Godmother Manuela Schwesig, Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Stralsund, Germany. Marking the occasion were executives from Genting Hong Kong (GHK) including Group President Colin Au; Crystal’s senior vice president, hotel operations, Bernie Leypold; the yacht’s master, Captain Jan Rautawaara; and MV WERFTEN’s president & CEO, Peter Fetten. Also, joining the milestone event was Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Affairs & Energy, Peter Altmaier, and Harry Glawe, Deputy Prime Minister of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Health.

Almost 100 people attended the ceremony that took place on the helipad of the ship, which is docked at MV WERFTEN in Stralsund, the shipyard that designed and built the vessel. Master of Ceremonies Keith Cox, Crystal’s vice president of entertainment, hosted the event which began with the playing of the German national anthem as Crystal crew members looked on from the upper deck of the ship. After a series of remarks and a musical performance by German Soloist Carina Smerdon Kärcher, Prime Minister Schwesig christened the ship. The event was livestreamed on the Crystal Cruises Facebook page so that members of the Crystal Family around the world could celebrate the occasion.

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, FL, June 17, 2021 – Crystal Expedition Cruises today announced the full roster of 2023 voyages as well as two early January 2024 itineraries for its luxury expedition yacht Crystal Endeavor.  The first ever “Made in Germany” Polar Class Six (PC6), all-suite, all-verandah ship will feature 27 world-spanning itineraries, taking guests on adventurous journeys to new and remote corners of the globe in bespoke luxury and comfort on the line’s state-of-the-art vessel.

Thoughtfully crafted itineraries range from 10 to 28 nights and will offer intrepid travelers a diverse range of adventures including expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic; South America and offshore islands; Cape Verde and the Canary Islands; the Mediterranean and Western Europe; the British and Scottish Isles; Iceland and the Faroe Islands; Norway, the North Cape and Svalbard; the Russian Arctic and the Northeast Passage; Japan and the Inland Sea; the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia’s Raja Ampat archipelago; and Australia including New Year’s Eve in Sydney.

“Our remote expeditions offer guests access to lands few people have ever laid eyes on, let alone set foot upon, and several you would be hard-pressed to find on a map,” said Jack Anderson, president of Crystal. “A number of places we visit are uninhabited by people but are incredibly alive with wildlife, and our immersive expeditions allow guests an up-close and intimate level of discovery, along with unparalleled comfort and luxury in the world’s remote locations. Balancing our remote expeditions are voyages that explore beloved destinations in a new way because of the size of the ship and the access it allows, as well as new destinations that offer intriguing cultural sights and natural beauty. With three types of voyages - Remote Expeditions, Destination Explorations and Cultural Discovery - there is a unique itinerary for every type of adventurer.”

Itinerary highlights include a variety of unique polar expeditions including rare explorations of the remote Ross Sea in Antarctica and an epic 19-night expedition to the Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica showcasing all the region’s major highlights in one spectacular journey. A transit of the Northeast Passage reveals untouched lands teeming with wildlife, while expeditions to Russia’s Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya offer a chance to see polar bears, walrus, whales, seals and Arctic foxes.
Immersive cultural journeys of Japan in the autumn season explore historical sites, famous gardens and landscapes dressed in a symphony of red, yellow and orange foliage. Crystal Endeavor cruises the River Thames close to Tower Bridge in London, docks in the city center in Edinburgh and cruises into the heart of Seville, Rouen and Bordeaux. In Indonesia, the Raja Ampat archipelago offers some of the world’s ultimate snorkeling experiences in a wonderland of rare corals and colorful fish.

(PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif., (June 17, 2021) – Following collaboration with government officials, and evolving guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Princess is announcing its intent to return to service in the United States sailing from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Ft. Lauderdale this fall.

Starting between September 25 and November 28, 2021, cruises onboard eight Princess MedallionClass™ ships will once again take guests to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii, and the California Coast.

• Majestic Princess and Grand Princess: Los Angeles once again provides the springboard to a variety of destinations, including the California Coast and Mexico on seven-day cruises, and the Islands of Hawaii on 15-day cruises. Also available are three- to five-day Getaway cruises to the California Coast and Mexico.
• Ruby Princess: Sailing out of the iconic Port of San Francisco, Ruby Princess will start with seven-day California Coast cruises before adding 15-day cruises   exploring four distinct island jewels in Hawaii and 10-day Mexico cruises to the lineup.
• Enchanted Princess: Begins with two brand new cruises from Ft. Lauderdale to start her existing inaugural season of 10-day cruises to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean.
• Sky Princess, Regal Princess and Caribbean Princess: From Ft. Lauderdale, guests can island hop through the Caribbean with three-, five-, seven- and 14-day cruises available in the Eastern Caribbean that visit some of the best-known beaches in the world and the Western Caribbean that allows guests to explore Ancient Mayan Ruins and the beauty of unspoiled coral reefs and underwater caves.
• Crown Princess: Travels to the Panama Canal, from Ft. Lauderdale on a series of 10-day cruises to this iconic cruise wonder of the world.

 “As we continue our return to service, it is a thrill for us to be able to bring more cruise vacation options to our travel-starved guests,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We appreciate the support of government and port officials who we worked closely with to make these travel opportunities available, in a thoughtful and safe way, for our guests.”
 Dining, entertainment, and shore excursion details are currently being finalized and will be communicated in the coming weeks.

 Princess cruises sailing through 2021 are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination. Crew vaccinations will be in accordance with CDC guidelines.
 We will continue to monitor the latest guidance from the CDC as well as local, state and federal officials in the ports we sail from and those we visit and will adjust our on board protocols and vaccination requirements, as necessary. Should our vaccination approach change, we would notify guests prior to final payment.

 CRUISE WITH CONFIDENCE

As of now and subject to change as CDC guidance, medical, and public health guidance evolves, the line’s Cruise Health program provides steps to enhance public health. Please check regularly, as there will be updates as new procedures are finalized and existing protocols may evolve.
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 Updates to the cruise line’s Cruise with Confidence program are also being implemented, providing peace of mind for booked guests who may encounter an unexpected trip cancellation or interruption due to COVID-19. Guests can cancel for any reason up to 30 days before departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit for any cancellation fees and a refund of additional funds received to the original payment method. As an enhanced benefit, guests may cancel and receive the same Future Cruise Credit and refund within 30 days