(ROYAL CARIBBEAN)_Making an Icon begins with a bold idea: to create the world’s greatest vacation. Come fall 2023, Royal Caribbean International is bringing this game-changing vision to life with the introduction of #IconoftheSeas. You could say, Icon has been in the making for more than 50 years, combining the best of the cruise line’s past, present, and future. In the first episode of “Making an Icon,” Envisioning an Iconic Vacation, meet many of the innovators behind it all. From naval architects, interior designers, and industrial engineers to futurists and more, they share details from the early days of imagining the soon-to-be-revealed cruise ship and a sense of the revolutionary, evolutionary and familiar experiences to come. This is not just another ship, this is an extraordinary new class of adventure. Tap the link to learn more: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise...
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Aug. 17, 2022 - The award-winning Australian adventure travel company, Aurora Expeditions, has announced new treks in Patagonia, with the first voyage setting sail on Nov. 19, 2022. The two 10-day itineraries, Patagonia Discovery Trek and Torres Del Paine Explorer, dovetail seamlessly with Aurora Expeditions’ Antarctic sailings. The treks weave their way through the Patagonian wilderness, providing insight into this barren, but vibrant environment filled with fascinating flora and fauna. Sweeping across the border of Argentina and Chile, trekkers will experience the beauty of Patagonia, encountering everything from the dramatic mountain ranges and valleys with cascading rivers, to the glittering glaciers and azure lakes. (PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, WA, July 16, 2022 – Quark Expeditions, the global Leader in Polar Adventures, has expanded its overnight camping opportunities for guests in Greenland as part of this season’s portfolio of immersive experiences.
“Camping overnight in the Polar Regions has long captured the imaginations of our guests,” says Thomas Lennartz, Vice-President of Sales for Quark Expeditions. “We launched our first camping options in Antarctica, where guests could bed down for the night while gazing up at the indigo glow of an Antarctic night. Antarctic Camping has been such a huge success that we’re launching this season a new option for camping enthusiasts in the Arctic: the Greenland Camp Experience along the Tasermiut Fjord in South Greenland.”
Lennartz explains that the Greenland Camp Experience adventure option is available to guests who book the brand new itinerary, Greenland Adventure: Explore by Sea, Land and Air. “Overnight camping in South Greenland is by no means roughing it in the wild,” says Lennartz. “For starters, guests will travel on the technologically-advanced Ultramarine—which is equipped with two twin-engine helicopters and superb onboard amenities—and they’ll have the opportunity to join local Greenlandic hosts at one of the most exclusive camps in Greenland, located along the 70-km Tasermiut Fjord. Comfort and fine food, provided by a local chef, will be part of the camping experience—which is suitable for all ages and levels of ability.” (PRESS RELEASE)_Fort Lauderdale, FL – Aug. 16, 2022 – American Queen Voyages™, part of Hornblower® Group, announces Patrick Hood as Director of Health and Safety, Security, Quality and Environment (HSSQE). Reporting directly to Acting President David Giersdorf, Hood is responsible for training as well as compliance of company policies under the Hornblower Group’s RESPECT Management System along with oversight of all federal and maritime safety regulations. “I am delighted to welcome Patrick Hood to head our HSSQE functions and oversight as our Rivers, Lakes & Oceans and Expedition experiences grow across North America,” said Giersdorf. “His extensive experience in the maritime business and over a decade serving our nation in the U.S. Coast Guard is a welcomed asset to the team.” Patrick Hood joins American Queen Voyages with an accomplished compliance officer and marine safety career over the last two decades. Most recently, he served as HSSQE manager for leading shipping company Seabulk, overseeing all safety, environmental and quality functions and compliance officer for OSG Ship Management. In addition to service with top shipping companies, Hood served in port leadership capacities for the U.S. Coast Guard including Senior Marine Inspector, Port State Control Officer, Marine Casualty Investigator and other positions. For more information on American Queen Voyages, contact your travel professional or call 833-598-0119 or visit www.AQVoyages.com. (PRESS RELEASE)_GUILFORD, CT—August 8, 2022—The newest riverboat for the Mississippi River passed sea trials late last week and is on its way to New Orleans for an on-time start to its inaugural season on the Mighty Mississippi. American Cruise Lines announced today, that it has accepted delivery of the American Symphony from Chesapeake Shipbuilding as scheduled. American Symphony is the 5th riverboat in the Line’s ground-breaking new series and the 15th small ship built by Chesapeake for American. The 175-passenger new boat will immediately join the company’s expanding Mississippi River fleet. American Symphony’s first cruise is set to depart August 27th from New Orleans, and American Cruise Lines plans to christen the riverboat during its inaugural cruise on August 30th in Natchez, Mississippi. (PRESS RELEASE)_ MIAMI – August 16, 2022 – After announcing last Friday that it was revising pre-cruise vaccination and testing requirements that will allow more guests to sail, Carnival Cruise Line said today that its booking activity for Monday, Aug. 15 was nearly double the level for the equivalent day in 2019. Carnival announced simplified protocols last Friday that eliminated pre-cruise testing requirements for vaccinated guests, and eliminated the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who now will only need to show a negative test result at embarkation – effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 or later on voyages less than 16 nights. (The full announcement is available here.) “We have previously disclosed strong occupancy projections for the summer, and our bookings through the end of 2022 have also been very solid,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “With the further alignment of protocols to other vacation choices, our guests are booking the remaining 2022 inventory, and getting a head start planning for 2023. Mid-August is typically not a busy month for cruise bookings, but it’s clear that pent-up demand for Carnival has not been satisfied and guests are responding very favorably to our updated protocols.” Duffy reiterated that Carnival remains committed to the health and safety of guests, crew, and the communities it visits, and will continue to work with medical experts and public health officials to refine its protocols responsibly. 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)_MIAMI – August 16, 2022 – Virgin Voyages (“the Company”), the new lifestyle travel brand focused on delivering irresistible cruise vacations, today announced it has closed on $550 million in new capital raise to support its growth. The funding was led by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock and includes new external financing and additional capital from existing investors including Bain Capital Private Equity and Virgin Group. Virgin Voyages has also received additional, continued support from its existing lenders. The new funding will enable Virgin Voyages to continue the execution of its growth strategy and further strengthen its financial position as cruise demand continues to gain momentum. Virgin Voyages officially launched in August 2021 and currently operates two ships, Scarlet Lady traveling from the U.S. to the Caribbean, and Valiant Lady currently sailing in the Mediterranean. In just a short time, the brand has received strong third-party recognition for the unique cruising experiences it offers, including being awarded Cruise Critic’s “Best New Cruise Ship,” recognition on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2022 Cruising “Hot List,” and recently being named one of the top ocean cruise lines in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. In addition to receiving coveted industry accolades, Virgin Voyages also has twice as many five-star reviews on TripAdvisor than any other cruise ship. (PRESS RELEASE)_PONANT is collaborating with Smithsonian Journeys on a series of co-branded sailings for 2023. Each of the 21 itineraries will be led by two Smithsonian Journey Experts—whether an art historian, a solar astrophysicist, or an international relations expert—whose expertise and knowledge will shed new light on a destination and deepen travelers’ immersion in place. Among the new sailings is a 16-day sailing to eastern Indonesia, East Timor, and the Kimberley region of Australia, timed to the total eclipse of the sun that will take place on April 20, 2023—one of only five total solar eclipses remaining worldwide this decade. Smithsonian Journey Experts, Associate Director of Science at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Alex Young and Australian-American historian Craig Benjamin, will guide guests’ viewing of this spectacular three-plus hour cosmic event and other trip programming. Rates start at $20,480 per person. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI – August 16, 2022 – Today is National Roller Coaster Day and Carnival Cruise Line is getting its second BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster on Carnival Celebration ready for thrill seekers. A new video clip from the shipyard shows the roller coaster’s newly installed car on its track in preparation for test runs set to happen this week. Carnival Celebration’s construction is being completed at Meyer Turku in Finland and will introduce Carnival’s hometown homeport of Miami to yet another modern maritime marvel when it brings BOLT, and many other stunning Excel-class innovations, to PortMiami in the fall. The first BOLT, which carries the distinction of also being the first-ever roller coaster at sea, is already thrilling guests every day on sister ship Mardi Gras. (PRESS RELEASE)_(Fort Lauderdale, Fla. – August 16, 2022 – Guests on any of MSC Cruises’ modern, glamorous ships sailing from U.S. ports will find a fresh mix of onboard activities this summer—with options for everyone from solo travelers to large families. Today the world’s third largest and fastest-growing cruise brand announced plans to introduce new parties and themed events across its U.S. fleet, effective immediately. The company’s popular Family Deck Party is arriving on MSC Divina’s 7-night sailings from Port Canaveral this month, after receiving rave reviews from parents and children sailing onboard MSC Seashore. The Family Deck Party features classic fair and carnival games, a jumping castle, gladiator and Zorb-Sumo matches, balloon animals, face painting, prizes, and more. Plus, everyone leaves full thanks to all the fun finger foods and desserts available. The Family Deck Party will debut on MSC Meraviglia when she arrives in the U.S. in October. |
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