(PRESS RELEASE)_Geneva, Switzerland – June 23, 2022 – Just weeks after returning its entire fleet to sea, MSC Cruises announced the relaunch of its popular Gala Night today, giving guests the perfect excuse to find their favorite elegant outfit and join officers and crew for stylish events and exciting activities taking place throughout the ship. Guests of all ages will find joy in the return of the most extravagant night of the cruise, which features special dining experiences, unique performances, photo opportunities and parties. Steve Leatham, Global Head of Entertainment, MSC Cruises, said, “Gala Night has always been one of the most anticipated events of the MSC Cruises experience, and we are excited to bring it back alongside our full entertainment program. With a variety of celebratory events taking place throughout the evening, Gala Night is the ideal setting for guests from all around the world to come together, feel special and celebrate – something that we have all dearly missed over the last two of years.” (PRESS RELEASE)_Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – June 24, 2022 – MSC Cruises is launching a new group booking promotion this summer, allowing U.S.-based travel advisors and their clients to reap the rewards on cruises sailing worldwide through November 2023. Today the world’s third largest and fastest growing cruise brand announced new incentives on all group bookings* including discounted cruise fares, free berths, bonus amenity points, and more. New groups of eight or more staterooms booked between June 23, 2022, and August 31, 2022 – for sailings departing November 1, 2022, through November 30, 2023 – will be eligible for the following:
(PRESS RELEASE)_ MONACO – June 22, 2022…A&K Travel Group Ltd., the pioneering travel company owned by Geoffrey Kent and Heritage (the industrial holding company chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio), has acquired the luxury cruise vessels Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The two ships will resume service in 2023 after undergoing extensive refurbishment and will operate under the award-winning “Crystal Cruises” brand that has also been acquired by A&K Travel Group Ltd. “I am thrilled to start this new chapter and to be back in an industry that has always had, and always will have a special place in my heart. Thirty-five years ago, my family acquired control of Sitmar Cruises, building three of the first purpose-built cruise ships, and 30 years ago my family pioneered a new way of cruising. Our goal was to deliver the best experience, pampering guests from all over the world with around-the-clock butler service and extraordinary culinary experiences. Selling the cruise business that belonged to my family for a quarter of a century was a difficult decision, as I knew I would miss this industry immensely. Therefore, when the opportunity arose to acquire Crystal Cruises, I did not think about it twice. Having next to me my incredible friend and inspiring leader Geoffrey Kent makes this venture even more enjoyable,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Co-Chairman of A&K Travel Group Ltd., Crystal Cruises and Abercrombie & Kent. (PRESS RELEASE)_ATHENS, GREECE (June 22, 2022)— Celestyal Cruises, the award-winning, number one choice for cruise travelers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, comes to the rescue of last-minute travelers this summer, with it’s “Biggest Ever Sale”featuring savings of up to 44 percent off select 2022 sailings booked from now through July 11, 2022. Prices start as low as $353 on the three-night “Iconic Aegean”itinerary, which is normally priced at $610, reflecting a savings of 42 percent. The popular seven-night,“Idyllic Aegean” itinerary, which is normally priced at $1,500 has been reduced by 44 percent to just $845*. The three-night “Iconic Aegean” sets sail from Athens and calls upon Mykonos, Kusadasi (Turkey), Patmos, Crete (Heraklion) and Santorini. The seven-night “Idyllic Aegean” begins in Athens and visits Thessaloniki, Kusadasi (Turkey), Rhodes, Crete (Heraklion), Santorini, Mykonos and Milos. All cruises include the Celestyal All-Inclusive Experience with unlimited classic drinks, locally-inspired cuisine on-board, entertainment, select shore excursions, port and service charges (including fuel surcharges) and gratuities. Solo travelers also enjoy no single supplement on select sailings from Celestyal, a “Solo Traveler” multi-award winner.
(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, June 22, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line – proudly known as America’s cruise line – is teaming up with Costa Cruises – Italy’s favorite cruise line – creating a new concept for Carnival’s North American guests when COSTA® by CARNIVAL® debuts in the spring of 2023 and Costa Venezia TM joins the Carnival fleet sailing from New York. Costa Venezia will be followed by Costa Firenze TM arriving in the spring of 2024 to sail from Long Beach. Carnival will operate the ships, which will marry the great service, food and entertainment that Carnival’s guests enjoy with Costa’s Italian design features. “Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze will bring Carnival’s guests the ambiance and beauty of Italy,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re going to invite our guests to Choose Fun with Carnival, Italian Style!” (PRESS RELEASE)_Saint-Nazaire, France, June 21, 2022 – The Cruise Division of MSC Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique celebrated two important milestones over the weekend for MSC Cruises’ first two liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels, both under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France. MSC World Europa successfully completed her first set of sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean. The tests included measuring the performance of the ship’s engines, along with assessing its maneuverability, fuel consumption, safety systems, speed and stopping distances. MSC World Europa will be the first LNG vessel to join the cruise line’s fleet in November 2022 and is set to become the largest LNG-powered cruise ship in the world. Meanwhile, MSC Euribia was floated out and moved to a wet dock for work to continue on the ship before she joins MSC Cruises’ fleet in June 2023. (PRESS RELEASE)_For three decades, an antique Rolls Royce has been sailing the high seas – on board Carnival Ecstasy. Now, the well-known fixture will continue its travels on Carnival Cruise Line’s next new ship, Carnival Celebration. The vintage car, a 1934 Rolls Royce Saloon, was carefully offloaded from Carnival Ecstasy while the ship was docked in Mobile, Ala. last Thursday (click here to see video). It is being carefully shipped to the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland where Carnival Celebration is under construction. The car thousands of Carnival guests have admired and taken pictures of over the years will soon find a new home adjacent to The Gateway, a two-deck zone aboard Carnival Celebration which celebrates travel and the excitement of exploring new destinations. The Gateway zone includes The Golden Jubilee, a bar venue highlighting Carnival’s evolution of ships over the last 50 years. The bar will feature memorabilia and original pieces from several of Carnival’s earlier vessels and so the Rolls Royce will add to the nostalgia. Carnival Ecstasy’s designer searched all over the United Kingdom to find the perfect car to fit the space outside the ship’s Rolls Royce Café. It was acquired from a small antique car dealer in the hills of Northern Wales. Carnival Ecstasy is finishing its final sailing season and will be retired in October. Carnival Celebration, the second of Carnival Cruise Line’s new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered ships will begin service in early November with a 14-day transatlantic voyage from London (Southampton) to its homeport of PortMiami. Her arrival will continue the celebration of Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, FL, JUNE 21, 2022 – It’s the island paradise so beautiful that French artist Paul Gauguin couldn’t stop painting it. Fletcher Christian didn’t want to leave it and mutinied (on the HMS Bounty) to stay there. Remote, tropical, romantic, and beautiful – it’s one of the world’s most aspirational places to visit: The Islands of Tahiti, otherwise known as French Polynesia. The Islands of Tahiti are best accessed via small ship – allowing effortless travel amongst some of French Polynesia’s most storied and iconic 121 islands and atolls. Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises simply knows it best, having sailed the longest of any operator in the region and celebrating 35 years of Tahitian sailings in 2022. It’s also the only destination where the U.S.-based cruise line sails year-round, giving guests ample opportunity to plan a once-in-a-lifetime visit in any season. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI – JUNE 17, 2022 – On June 14, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. hosted day one of its three-day national recruitment drive in partnership with Royal Caribbean Group. The event takes place June 14 through June 16 at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex with over 500 Barbadians expected to be hired by the end of the first round. “We are very encouraged by the number of applicants who turned out for the partnership recruitment event hosted by Royal Caribbean Group and the government of Barbados,” said Wendy McDonald, regional vice president, government relations for the Caribbean, Royal Caribbean Group. “We have met some very qualified and excited candidates, and we look forward to welcoming them to help us deliver the best vacation experiences to our guests.” (PRESS RELEASE)_NEW YORK, June 16, 2022 – With Carnival Magic’s arrival to the Manhattan Cruise Terminal today, Carnival Cruise Line marks its return to guest operations from the city in more than two years and celebrates its restart in all 14 of its U.S. homeports. To commemorate the special day, Carnival Magic team members welcomed guests on board with a “Back to Fun” event that included a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and lots of fanfare. “With our return to New York today, we now have restarted guest operations in all of 14 of our U.S. homeports,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “New York has been a wonderful partner for more than two decades, and we are delighted to provide versatile vacation options from this popular market again.” |
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