PRESS RELEASE_Deerfield Beach, FL. August 9, 2018 –Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (BPCL) has partnered with travel agency and tour operator Viva Travel to host Latin sensation Jacob Forever onboard the Grand Classica for a one-of-a-kind cruise this Labor Day weekend. Setting sail August 31, this exclusive cruise will feature a concert on Saturday, September 1 at 8pm on the top deck. “We are thrilled to partner with Viva Travel for this special Latin cruise and welcome a new set of music lovers onboard the Grand Classica this Labor Day weekend,” shares Oneil Khosa, CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. “Given our unique short cruise itinerary and a dedicated cruise terminal, we are a perfect host for musical events like this and full shop charters for larger groups.” “Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line shares the same passion for travel, new experiences and quality time with family and friends as our team at Viva Travel,” shares Chairman and CEO at Viva Travel Peter Regalado. “We look forward to this Labor Day weekend cruise as a way to fuse the best in Latin music and cruising to offer an unforgettable experience unique to any other cruise of its kind. With hit songs like Hasta Que Se Seque El Malecón, Forever is sure to provide guests a spectacular live show.” The Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Viva Travel cruise starts at $349 per person including the concert, based on double occupancy. For more information on Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s partnership with Viva Travel or to book this Labor Day Cruise, please visit www.bahamasparadisecruise.com or call 888-361.3250. PRESS RELEASE_Miami, Florida (August 7, 2018) – Yesterday, Azamara Club Cruisesâ celebrated a rare occurrence as two of its three vessels, Azamara Pursuit – currently on its maiden voyage – and Azamara Journey – welcoming new officers – met in Haugesund, Norway. The meeting was celebrated with a variety of activities including an on-shore gathering, which brought the guests and crew from each ship together, as well as a sail away party featuring Norwegian cuisine, cocktails and entertainment.
“Azamara Pursuit, joining its highly award-winning sister, Azamara Journey, marks a new era for the Azamara brand,” said Larry Pimentel, President & CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “To celebrate the special meeting of the two ships, we could not think of a better way to welcome the new ship and team members than with a celebration that brings together our crew and guests. We are thrilled to do this in Norway – one of Azamara’s most popular destinations.” Exploring the Destination As part of its land programing, enabling guests to explore deeper into Haugsesund, Azamara offered guests from both ships an exclusive tour of Kyvik Herring Factory, led by the executive chefs onboard Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Journey. During the tour, travelers met the local producers who are committed to keeping Norway’s vibrant Herring fishing tradition alive and learned the process of salting, seasoning, and preserving the fish for use in classic cuisine. On-Shore Party To give guests the opportunity to celebrate with crew from both ships, Azamara and the port of Haugesund hosted a party on the pier upon arrival and as guests were returning from their day exploring. The event featured a display of authentic Norwegian customs with a flag parade led by local children dressed in Bunad, traditional Norwegian folk costumes that are worn for special events. The event also included the opportunity for guests to join the plaque ceremony between both captains, the Haugesund Mayor and the port officials. Sail Away Party The celebration continued on-board the vessels with a party showcasing Azamara’s commitment to Destination Immersionâ. As the ships departed from port, both blew their horns in unison as guests and crew waved goodbye. They also toasted the sister ships meeting with a cocktail mixed with Linie Akvavit – a signature liquor of Norway – all to the sounds of “We Are Family.” The evening concluded with Azamara’s white night-inspired sail away party with a special Scandinavian twist. Exploring Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Journey Guests and crew had the opportunity to tour each ship upon arrival in port. They were guided through the various spaces of the ship including the restaurants, pool deck, fitness center, and more. About the Destination and Voyages The port town of Haugesund is considered one of the country’s principal cultural centers and known as the birthplace of Norway. The lands around Haugesund were lands of power during the Viking Age, and the first king of Norway lived very near by the present city center. Azamara Journey is sailing the 15-Night Journey to North Cape and Azamara Pursuit is sailing the 12-Night Norway Intensive Voyage with eight stops in Scandinavian country. PRESS RELEASE_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 8, 2018) – Princess Cruises has revealed the line’s newly enhanced beverage menus, featuring globally inspired signature cocktail offerings created by master mixologist Rob Floyd. As one of the most significant beverage changes in the history of the company, destination-specific ingredients have been carefully selected to tantalize guests’ taste buds with flavors from every corner of the world. In addition to the new cocktails, the line has added 20 new high-end and exotic spirits, 39 new wines by the glass, and 17 new international and craft beers to the new menu. "As part of our continued commitment to the guest experience, we are thrilled to debut new menus throughout the bars and lounges aboard Princess ships," said Mario Siebaldi, senior vice president of guest operations for Princess Cruises. "Broadening the scope of our beverage options by partnering with notable industry leaders like Rob Floyd on globally inspired cocktails, as well as increasing our selection of beers and wines on board are all part of our aim to provide guests the best cruise vacation experience at sea. And with our new shareable drink recipes, guests can recreate their favorite memories once back at home over and over again." Highlights of the new onboard offerings include a set of signature cocktails designed by Floyd, who used fresh ingredients and destination inspiration to develop a portfolio of new drinks for Princess Cruises. Bars and lounges throughout the ships will also feature new, themed menus, so guests can have fun exploring the different offerings at the various bars on board. "I was truly inspired by ingredients from all the amazing destinations that Princess Cruises sails" said Rob Floyd. "Guests will be able to enjoy a wide selection of fully realized drinks that combine what I refer to as the Three T’s: taste, technique, and tale.” PRESS RELEASE_MIAMI, Aug. 7, 2018 – A picture may be worth a thousand words, but what if it was possible to “hear” what it sounds like? In a move that will redefine the modern vacation album, Royal Caribbean International has designed and built a first-of-its-kind tool that transforms travelers’ most memorable photos into an original, shareable soundtrack with a video to match. More than a year in the making, SoundSeeker™ is a groundbreaking, patent-pending digital experience powered by artificial intelligence (AI). The innovative tool is specifically designed to use machine learning to seamlessly create original soundtracks based on the content of each photograph.
By simply visiting www.SoundSeeker.com, users can upload three photos of their choice, and the AI analyzes them based on color, landscape, backdrop, emotion, body language and facial expression. SoundSeeker then turns them into a shareable and one-of-a kind soundtrack – virtually DJing life’s most brag-worthy moments. Fans can follow along on Royal Caribbean’s social channels, and by searching #SoundSeeker. “SoundSeeker is the latest proof point of Royal Caribbean innovation and how we focus it on delivering unexpected, memorable experiences; whether that is the SkyPad, which uniquely combines bungee jumping with virtual reality or live streaming your favorite shows from the middle of the ocean using VOOM, the fastest internet at sea,” said Jim Berra, chief marketing officer, Royal Caribbean International. “People of all ages crave new ways to share their best experiences on social media. This unprecedented tool allows you to put a completely unique, multisensory spin on sharing those memories – now friends and followers can see and hear your life’s adventures.” Royal Caribbean teamed up with experts from Berklee College of Music, and technologists from around the world, to create the unique song generator. Berklee leveraged music theory to create a roadmap for the tool that helps determine the musical pairing to photos, accounting for pitch, tempo and instrumental combinations, among others. The contributors from Berklee’s Institute for Creative Entrepreneurship (BerkleeICE) – an on-campus initiative that promotes entrepreneurialism in part by engaging Berklee students and faculty with emerging creative technologies – included Electronic Production and Design Chair Michael Bierylo, associate professors Ben Hogue and Michael Sweet, and assistant professor Jean-Luc Sinclair. Seatrade Cruise features a feature called "In My World," which spotlights different sectors of the cruise industry. Here is the latest installment. "In My World is your chance to have a monthly catch-up with some of cruising’s most exceptional innovators on the trends that matter the most; the talking points you care about and the issues facing the future of your industry. The game is changing for upscale cruising - and there's plenty to be excited about. With new innovations inspiring a wave of new trends, we're delighted to share with you the third chapter from our In My World series - which puts the spotlight on the luxury cruise sector." By Douglas Prothero, CEO- Ritz Carlton Yacht Collection -- Having weathered well through some economic volatility and showcased good growth during 2017, the luxury vacation market continues to thrive. Worth well over US $1bn, it has successfully distinguished what a discerning traveler needs while continuing to evolve to meet an ever-growing set of expectations. And the luxury cruise industry has proved itself to be no exception. From forward-thinking partnerships with innovative lifestyle brands, to developing unique, carefully curated itineraries, cruise lines continue to advance their luxury product offerings to not only satisfy today’s cruisers, but also engage a new market of potential guests. The start of The Ritz-Carlton story at sea As the first luxury hotel company to bring their unmatched experience to sea through The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, we now find ourselves in a unique position, expanding into new and exciting territory. The launch of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is also in tandem with cruise industry growth - the demand for cruising has increased over 20% in the last five years, and Cruise Line Industry Association (CLIA) estimates that 27.2 million people will cruise globally throughout 2018. READ MORE. PRESS RELEASE_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 6, 2018) – The “Ernesto,” the signature burger of The Salty Dog Gastropub aboard select Princess Cruises ships will now be available on land for the first time, added as a featured item on the dinner menu of chef partner, Ernesto Uchimura’s Los Angeles based neighborhood restaurant and bar, Electric Owl. Developed in collaboration with Ernesto Uchimura, a founding chef of the original Umami Burger, the “Ernesto” is the signature offering at The Salty Dog Gastropub and the Salty Dog Grill, both found on select ships in the Princess Cruises fleet. The gastropub was unveiled in 2016 and the grill in 2017 as part of the line’s Come Back New Promise, $450 million multi-year product innovation and cruise ship renovation campaign to enhance the line’s onboard guest experience. The namesake burger consists of ribeye and short rib beef patty, grilled pork belly, caramelized kimchi, beer battered jalapeño, charred onion aioli and is topped with cave-aged Gruyère cheese. Uchimura’s creation has been voted “Best Burger at Sea” by Cruise Critic. “Creating the ‘Ernesto’ as my namesake burger and having it offered aboard Princess ships around the world has been such a proud moment for me,” said Uchimura. “As a chef, I have a passion for sharing my food with the world, and through this partnership I’ve been able to reach further than ever before. It was only fitting to bring the burger home to Los Angeles, and offer it to our guests here at Electric Owl. PRESS RELEASE_Deerfield Beach, FL. August 3, 2018 – Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (BPCL) is hosting PalmCon, Palm Beach County's original Comic-Con, aboard the Grand Classica, October 12-14 for its eighth annual comic and entertainment convention. Celebrating all things superheroes, anime, science fiction, video games, role playing games, fantasy card games and pop culture, this will be PalmCon’s first gathering at sea. “Since founding PalmCon in 2011, it has grown to become the premiere comic and pop culture event in my home town of Palm Beach County,” says PalmCon Founder Martin T. Pierro. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and sailing PalmCon towards a bold new horizon.” This one-of-a-kind Comic-Con-style sailing will feature award-winning comic guests, current celebrities, gaming, cosplay, writers/creators workshops, live entertainment, comics, toys, original art and contests. Guests can enjoy Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s amenities on board the Grand Classica including eight dining options, a spa, casino, shopping, live entertainment and more as they sail to Grand Bahama Island. Daily activities are planned, and guests can move freely from activity to activity based on their preferences. Friends and families will love this special cruise, with onboard activities available for all ages. Not only are the new superheroes and stars celebrated, but also the nostalgic ones that guests will remember from childhood. The Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s PalmCon cruise presented by Cosmic Times starts at $185 per person, based on double occupancy. For more information on PalmCon or to book Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s PalmCon cruise, please visit https://www.bahamasparadisecruise.com/deals.php or call 800.293.3832. PRESS RELEASE_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (August 2, 2018) – For its ninth annual Relaxation Report, Princess Cruises expanded the depth of its study to a global audience, adding representation from Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, United Kingdom, and Australia. The global results when it comes to relaxation and sleep are surprisingly similar across different countries. According to results of the survey by Wakefield Research for Princess Cruises, global adults aren’t dedicating time for sleep or relaxation, with more than half (51%) of global adults reporting they get less sleep than they need on an average night and 80 percent of adults are using weekend days to make up for sleep lost during the weekday. One way employees can set aside time to relax is to take a vacation, and the survey found that a little over half of those surveyed (55%) took all of the vacation days available to them in the last year with the UK respondents at the top of the list (76%) and the Japanese at the bottommost (28%). Of those who did not use all of their vacation days, the top reasons are: They had too much work to get done (38%) They couldn’t find a good time to take off (34%) There was a lack of support at work to take time off (25%) And when using their vacation days, 75 percent of those who are employed take days off to catch up on sleep – seven days on average per year. As one of the world’s largest international premium cruise brands, Princess Cruises is committed to ensuring its guests come back from vacation feeling refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated. As part of its Come Back New Promise, Princess Cruises partnered with leading experts in both the science and beauty of sleep to develop the Princess Luxury Bed. Together with board-certified sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus and designer Candice Olson, Princess Cruises now delivers its guests the ultimate night of sleep at sea. “Sleep continues to trouble people around the globe and across generations, whether at home or while traveling. Sleep is a vital, sensory experience that allows our bodies to recharge and recover from mental and physical strains,” said Dr. Breus. “By collaborating with Princess Cruises, I believe we've come up with some really unique aspects for not just the Princess Luxury Bed itself, but the entire experience that will allow guests to sleep really well on their cruise vacation." |
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