(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Sept. 15, 2021 – Paving the way for the biggest adventure yet, Royal Caribbean International has announced the world’s largest cruise ship, Wonder of the Seas, will debut in the U.S. and Europe. The highly anticipated ship is set to sail from its home in Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean on March 4, 2022, before making its way to Barcelona and Rome to kick off summer vacations in May. Families and travelers alike have a new wave of possibilities across Wonder’s eight distinct neighborhoods, an Oasis Class first, that include all-new features such as the Suite Neighborhood, a cantilevered pool bar named The Vue, and Wonder Playscape – an interactive, open-air kids’ play area with awe-inspiring views. With returning favorites also on deck, like The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; Central Park, the neighborhood filled with real plants from end to end; and the vibrant Caribbean-inspired pool deck experience, the innovative, new ship invites adventurers of all ages to reimagine, explore and make memories once again. “The momentum taking off across bookings and our returning ships in the U.S. and Europe is significant. With half of our fleet sailing again, we are encouraged by what we’re seeing. These regions are in the position to welcome a brand-new, innovative ship like Wonder of the Seas,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Wonder will shine bright as the world’s newest wonder in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. And what’s in store is the ultimate vacation experience that highlights the very best of Royal Caribbean, reimagines renowned favorites and introduces new adventures every guest, no matter their age, can enjoy.” Building on 50-plus years of unparalleled adventures and firsts, Royal Caribbean is setting the bar for the ultimate vacation with more ways to wonder than ever. The renowned Oasis Class neighborhood concept comes to life on Wonder with never-before-seen experiences and returning, bolder favorites, including: (PRESS RELEASE)_NEW ALBANY, Ind., Sept. 15, 2021 – American Queen Steamboat Company®, a Hornblower® Family Company and leading U.S.-flagged river cruise operator, invites guests to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of Nashville with newly added itineraries sailing to and from Music City. With the addition of the new American Countess™ to the cruise line’s fleet of authentic paddlewheelers, the cruise line has updated its programming for 2022 with a reimagined Music City Stay Package, more special edition voyages featuring Nashville and additional performances on board by country music legend, Lee Greenwood. From Clarksville’s (Nashville’s port for American Queen Steamboat Company) proximity to Music Row to Memphis’ Beale Street to Louisville’s bourbon heritage, guests will delight in the discoveries that await on these itineraries each anchored by the sounds of Nashville’s incredible music scene. Special edition voyage highlights include the Bourbon – An American Spirit itinerary sailing from Louisville to Nashville, the Celebrate the 70’s voyage, sailing from St. Louis to Nashville, and the Star-Spangled Cruise, sailing from Memphis to Nashville. Celebrating the Fourth of July, the Star-Spangled cruise offered on the American Countess and American Queen® will also welcome world-renowned country music artist and Grand Ole Opry member Lee Greenwood on board for a special performance for both sailings. “With demand for our close-to-home offerings still on the rise, expanding our offerings that celebrate the many dynamic U.S. river cities we visit, like Nashville, was a natural next step in ensuring we are meeting the interests of our guests,” shares Shawn Bierdz, president, American Queen Steamboat Company and Victory Cruise Lines. “Whether a novice fan or country music aficionado, Nashville is an incredible destination. We look forward to further showcasing the city to our guests throughout the 2022 season.” Guests sailing on the Star-Spangled Cruises can also choose to experience the three-day, two-night Nashville Music City Stay Package which features some of Nashville’s most celebrated and renowned musical attractions, including the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. With the City Stay Package, not only will guests get a behind-the-scenes look at the Grand Ole Opry through a backstage tour, but they can also enjoy one of the institution’s acclaimed, once-in-a-lifetime music performances. Tours of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, or more aptly the “Smithsonian of country music,” are also available for guests. Available on multiple sailings throughout the 2022 season, the expanded Nashville City Stay package also includes luxurious accommodations at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and delicious, classic American breakfast at the hotel each morning, in addition to roundtrip ground transportation. (PRESS RELEASE)_Hurtigruten Expeditions’ battery-hybrid powered MS Fridtjof Nansen has made history with the northernmost naming ceremony for a passenger ship – at the location where expedition cruising began in 1896. In spectacular surroundings at latitude 78˚ North in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, the local community joined the celebrations of one of the world’s greenest and most advanced cruise ships. “We are thrilled to celebrate more than 125 years of exploration and adventure travel where it all began. We couldn’t be prouder acknowledging this important milestone by naming this engineering marvel at the spot where our founder Richard With pioneered modern-day expedition cruising,” said Hurtigruten Group CEO Daniel Skjeldam. Since founding expedition cruising in 1896 with sailings to the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard, often dubbed “next to the North Pole”, Hurtigruten Expeditions has grown to become the largest and leading expedition cruise operator in the world. Replacing the traditional bottle of champagne with a chunk of ice, godmothers and environmental advocates Hilde Fålun Strøm and Sunniva Sørby, named MS Fridtjof Nansen by continuing a Hurtigruten Expeditions ritual invented by polar hero Roald Amundsen himself As Sørby and Strøm crushed the ice against the hybrid powered ship’s raked bow, the explorers quoted Amundsen’s words from when he named polar ship Maud in 1917. “It is not my intention to dishonor the glorious grape, but already now you shall get the taste of your real environment. For the ice you have been built, in the ice you shall stay most of your life, and in the ice, you shall solve your tasks.” The traditional godmother gift was also replaced by a joint donation to local projects by Sørby and Strøm’s Hearts in the Ice project and Hurtigruten Foundation. To honor the century-long Svalbard heritage, MS Fridtjof Nansen is also the first cruise ship ever to be registered in Longyearbyen. “By naming this unprecedented ship after Fridtjof Nansen, on Svalbard, we pay tribute to him as an explorer and a scientist and to the rich arctic legacy of Hurtigruten Expeditions. We also salute our long-lasting relationship with the Svalbard community. This small-sized, battery-hybrid powered expedition ship will explore all waters – and she will do so proudly calling Svalbard home,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen. Hurtigruten Expeditions offers a wide range of all-year expedition cruises and on-land experiences to Svalbard – and expeditions to more than 30 countries and 250 destinations across the world. The company just added both the Galapagos Islands and pioneering expeditions to the unique West African archipelagos of the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde to their range of offers. “Exploration is who we are. We will always explore. Today is a very special day for me and all my colleagues onboard this magnificent ship. We are thrilled to welcome guests onboard MS Fridtjof Nansen to co-explore the remote corners of the globe with us – and wholeheartedly committed to explore in the most sustainable and respectful manner,” said MS Fridtjof Nansen Captain Bent Ivar Gangdal. (PRESS RELEASE)_FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA., Sept. 14, 2021 – Offering an opportunity for travelers to experience the new luxe-adventure cruise brand closer to home, Atlas Ocean Voyages announced a new, special Caribbean voyage aboard World Navigator today. On this unique 10-night itinerary, guests can opt for Atlas’ Caribbean Golfing Tour and play at five of the region’s top courses, while all the details are taken care of, on board and on the greens, for a seamless and unforgettable golf cruise vacation. World Navigator’s new Caribbean voyage will sail round-trip from Barbados on October 19, 2021, and call at Anguilla, St. Barts, St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Travelers who book now can enjoy 40 percent savings on the voyage. For more information about World Navigator’s new 10-night, Caribbean golfing voyage, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. “We have created an enviable program that will provide golfers the opportunity to play multiple, world-class courses in some of the Caribbean’s most exclusive and elegant destinations,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “And World Navigator’s new elite Caribbean voyage is also a convenient opportunity for travelers to experience Atlas Ocean Voyages and our All Inclusive All The Way at a great value and in a region that is closer to home.” Golfing enthusiasts can combine World Navigator’s Caribbean voyage with play at the region’s premier, exclusive championship golf courses. Golfing guests can play at acclaimed links, including the Royal St. Kitts Golf Club, Four Seasons Resort Nevis, Cedar Valley Golf Club, Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club, and the private-island Canouan Estate. Guests can focus on the game as all the details are taken care of, such as all associated green and golf club fees; transportation of guests and clubs to and from the ship and course; free golf club storage on board; clubs polishing and shoe shining; shared golf cart (subject to availability); and more. World Navigator’s Caribbean Golfing Tour is completely inclusive at $3,240 per guest. Atlas’ signature All Inclusive All The Way provides all guests a complete and seamless experience by including complimentary round-trip air travel, choice of a shore excursion at every port, unlimited premium wine and spirits, international beers and coffees, prepaid gratuities, polar parkas, emergency medical evacuation insurance, WiFi and L’OCCITANE bath amenities. In every stateroom, guests enjoy plush robes, slippers and binoculars to use throughout the voyage, personalized coffee, teas and bar service, and butler service in suites. Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand designed for discerning, fun-seeking travelers to immerse in unique and awe-inspiring moments in remote and captivating destinations. World Navigator, Atlas’ first ship, has begun service and will sail Caribbean, South America and Antarctica for winter 2021/22; and the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Arctic, and Central and South America in summer 2022. The cruise brand’s second ship, World Traveller, launches in July 2022, with three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, to join the fleet by the end of 2023. At 9,930 GRTs, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ships are Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified. The luxe-adventure cruise brand welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something brand new’ in its ongoing marketing campaign “At Last… Atlas” (www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/itstime.) For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. Travel Advisors can call 1.844.44.ATLAS (1.844.442.8527) to book their clients on an unforgettable luxe-adventure expedition. (PRESS RELEASE)_BALTIMORE (Sept. 12, 2021) – Carnival Cruise Line is the first cruise line to set sail from the Port of Baltimore since the industry-wide pause in operations. Carnival Pride is set to depart today on a seven-day cruise to The Bahamas, visiting the popular destinations of Nassau, Freeport and the private island of Half Moon Cay. Prior to departure, a “Back to Fun” event was held in the terminal during which Carnival President Christine Duffy, Carnival Pride Captain Maurizio Ruggiero and Port of Baltimore Executive Director William P. Doyle cut the ceremonial ribbon and officially welcomed the first guests on board. “We’re thrilled to be back in Baltimore, providing our guests with the relaxing vacation they’ve been so patiently waiting for but also supporting the local economy and offering our crew members an opportunity to support their families back home,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Baltimore has been a wonderful partner for more than a decade and we are delighted to get Back to Fun in this key market which serves hundreds of thousands of guests in the Northeast and along the Atlantic Coast.” “What a great day for the Port of Baltimore!” said Port of Baltimore Executive Director William P. Doyle. “We have waited a long time to welcome back the Carnival Pride to Charm City. Baltimore’s Cruise Maryland is terrific -- our cruise terminal is directly off Interstate 95 and BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport is only 15 minutes away. The cruise terminal sits alongside Baltimore’s world famous Inner Harbor, as well as Federal Hill, Fort McHenry, and Fells Point. There’s plenty of sightseeing, dining, and shopping options. So cruise from Baltimore, enjoy our great city, and sail to some of the most incredible tropical paradises in the world.” Carnival Cruise Line launched the first year-round cruise program from Baltimore in 2009 and since then has carried well over one million guests, making Carnival the number one cruise operator from the port. In November, a newer ship, Carnival Legend, will replace Carnival Pride in Baltimore when Carnival Pride shifts to departures from Tampa. Carnival offers the widest array of cruise options from Baltimore, including:
Carnival’s operational protocols exceed the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more information on our protocols, click here. 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, September 10, 2021 – For a limited time, Crystal Cruises is offering guests the chance to enjoy the sea breezes and alfresco options of a Verandah stateroom at incredible ocean-view pricing. The Limited-Time Veranda Event invites travelers to take advantage of the line’s lowest-ever Verandah stateroom fares starting at just $1,449 per guest on select all-inclusive seven- to 21-night Caribbean and Bahamas voyages aboard Crystal Symphony, November 2021 – March 2022. In addition to never-before-seen cruise savings, guests on these select sailings will receive a $125 “As You Wish” shipboard credit that may be used to enjoy indulgent spa services, book excursions and adventures ashore, and more. Already boasting one of the highest space-per-guest ratios in the industry with nearly twice the space per guest as ships of similar scale, Crystal Symphony will sail at a 50 percent max capacity on these voyages affording guests the ultimate in social spaciousness with a whopping 140 gross tons of space per guest. In addition to abundant social distancing, guests will also enjoy peace of mind of sailing with a 100 percent vaccinated crew as well as a mandatory vaccine requirement for all guests who are eligible for the vaccine. “Time well spent is the ultimate luxury and that remains even more true today, but in these times we can also add another very valuable luxury, the luxury of space,” explained Jack Anderson, president of Crystal. “With our Limited-Time Veranda Event we are offering guests tremendous space to indulge in ocean travel, the chance to open their verandah doors to fresh breezes, panoramic sea views and idyllic ports of call with the added confidence that our vaccination requirement and Crystal Clean+ protocols are in place to ensure a healthy, safe and pleasurable vacation experience.” (PRESS RELEASE)_As Azamara sets sail throughout the Greek Isles for the first time as an independent cruise company, guests aboard the ship had the opportunity to experience several new offerings. Highlights of the new experiences include: Immersive Programming… The first Destination CelebrationSM took place in Rhodes, Greece, the adaptation of AzAmazing Evenings®, which brings the culture and heritage of the destination to life onboard and designed with the health and safety of Azamara guests and crew in mind. Hosted on the pool deck, the exclusive, complimentary evening event featured music by Duo Violins with accompanying orchestra and a singer, as well as six Greek Gods in respective dress and insignia. Each guest was also provided with a local gift onboard following the event, which included Greek olive oil, olive soap and oregano to have as a keepsake. Encouraging guests to get off the ship and immerse themselves within the destination, the Greek Isles itinerary brought new shore excursion programming to better connect people with the local culture, including Tracing the Origins of Zorba, which transports guests on a journey outside the walls of Heraklion to Myrtia to learn about the life of Nikos Kazantzakis, Cretan writer and philosopher who was famous for his novel, Zorba the Greek. A visit to the museum dedicated to his work is followed by a private lunch in Archanes Village with traditional Cretan cuisine and a live Zorba dance performance, where guests are also invited to learn the traditional Greek folk dance. New Onboard Destination-Focused Experiences… Inspired by Azamara’s Destination Immersion approach to travel, onboard restaurants, such as Discoveries and Windows Café, have redesigned each menu to feature World Cuisine Selection dishes, which highlight some of the countries visits when sailing with Azamara, from the British Isles to Greece and Italy. Making a debut on Azamara Quest first, Azamara has partnered with Starboard Cruise Services – an LVMH Moët Hennessy company – on a destination-tailored retail program, offering experiential, cultural and artisanal touchpoints curated specifically for each travel journey of Azamara’s fleet of ships. Azamara has also taken a new approach to the traditional muster drill with a five-minute video that is conducted as soon as the guest boards the ship and before they enter their stateroom. The videos are staggered and timed to the guest’s check-in time, allowing guests to socially distance. Keeping health and safety top-of-mind, Azamara guests and crew are required to be vaccinated two-weeks prior to their sailing. Each guest and crew member are tested prior to boarding the ship. (PRESS RELEASE)_CALABASAS, CA – (September 10, 2021) – Award-winning luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways celebrated the launch of its newest ship – AmaDahlia – on the Nile River on September 6, sailing the Secrets of Egypt & The Nile itinerary. During the festivities, co-founders Rudi Schreiner and Kristin Karst surprised the ship’s first guests by joining them for a cocktail hour at the five-star Four Seasons Hotel Cairo At The First Residence where all guests enjoyed their four-day pre-cruise land packages. Guests then boarded the ship in Luxor where they were greeted by local musicians and an Egyptian whirling dervish performance before exploring the stunning AmaDahlia and embarking on an unforgettable 7-night river cruise experience. (Click HERE for a ship tour YouTube video.) “I am absolutely delighted to have our wonderful new AmaDahlia sailing the Nile River,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “It was truly such a joy to be with our guests as together we discovered the beautiful setting on board, reflecting the local culture and distinctive art of the region. Egypt has a very special place in my heart, and I am so excited to have many more guests experience the beauty of AmaDahlia and the unparalleled experiences that this itinerary offers.” In addition to having the river cruise line’s co-founders present during the ship’s inaugural sailing, guests also had the opportunity to interact with AmaWaterways’ Egyptian partner, Ahmed Atef El Wassief, president of Wings for Tourism Investment – an integrated travel services company known for their dedication to hospitality and professionalism and close collaboration with international partners. “We are so appreciative of our Egyptian partners, who helped us launch AmaDahlia on time to start her inaugural season as planned this September,” said Rudi Schreiner, president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “Their local experience has been critical throughout all the design and construction period and we look forward to continuing to work together to share the iconic wonders of Egypt with our guests.” (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, September 9, 2021 – Today Crystal Cruises unveiled its 2022 Grand Voyage, Caribbean Idylls & Mediterranean Masterpieces, a 132-night, ocean-spanning odyssey on Crystal Serenity from Miami to Los Angeles, January 17 – May 29, 2022. The expansive, destination-rich itinerary calls upon 82 ports in 32 countries and includes 11 overnights in some of the world’s most iconic cities including Istanbul, Monte Carlo, Naples and Cannes, as well as the exclusive island enclaves of St. Barts, Madeira, the Canary Islands and more. Rarely repeating a port of call, the 2022 Grand Voyage allows guests to indulge their wanderlust with new destinations and in-depth explorations of each region. This new Grand Voyage replaces the line’s 2022 World Cruise, which was canceled because many countries on the original itinerary remain uncertain in their ability to welcome guests back at this time. “Our guests are extremely seasoned travelers who crave worldwide discovery, cultural immersion and the allure of exotic global destinations,” said Jack Anderson, president of Crystal. “This expansive 2022 Grand Voyage has been artfully crafted to showcase rare ports of call and unique experiences that offer our guests a new twist on even the most well-loved destinations, while inviting them to enjoy the indulgences of Michelin-level cuisine, personalized service, unmatched spaciousness and luxurious all-inclusive amenities and comforts that remain the hallmarks of the Crystal Experience. (PRESS RELEASE)_Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (September 9, 2021) — MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest and fastest growing major cruise brand, has announced that its glamorous ship, MSC Divina, has received approval from the CDC for its Conditional Sailing Certificate, following the successful completion of a simulated voyage last week. With approval granted, MSC Divina is set to not only become MSC Cruises’ 11th ship to resume cruising globally, but also the company’s first to set sail from its brand-new homeport, Orlando / Port Canaveral. “After officially resuming cruises from the U.S. with MSC Meraviglia in early August, we are thrilled to cross another significant milestone toward bringing our entire fleet back to sea around the world for safe, relaxing and enjoyable cruises,” said Rubén Rodríguez, President of MSC Cruises USA. “In the U.S. in particular, MSC Divina’s restart will bring us into an entirely new, easily accessible embarkation destination, providing our guests with more choice when cruising with us to popular destinations in The Bahamas and Caribbean, including our stunning new private island destination, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.” With MSC Divina’s upcoming restart, MSC Cruises’ guests can now select from a variety of 3-, 4- and 7-night itineraries from two embarkation ports in Florida: Miami and Orlando / Port Canaveral. Following MSC Divina’s restart, MSC Meraviglia will add 7-night cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean. All cruises will continue to operate under MSC Cruises’ industry-leading health and safety protocol, including testing measures, vaccine requirements, mask-wearing, social distancing, enhanced sanitization and more. With comprehensive health measures in place, cruisers on board can enjoy virtually the same experience they look forward to, with gourmet dining, award-winning entertainment and enriching activities. MSC Cruises itineraries from Florida ports also feature stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, named Best New Cruise Destination, where guests can enjoy the island’s natural beauty, discover local marine life and soak up the spirit of The Bahamas. With ships docking at the island from early morning into the evening — and often overnight — guests can spend a full day enjoying two miles of pristine, white sand beaches and activities including stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, thrilling wave runner rides and more. Health & Safety MSC Cruises’ top priority is protecting the health and safety of its guests, crew and the communities the Company’s ships visit. All MSC Cruises’ ships cruising from the U.S. will sail under the protection of the Company’s comprehensive health and safety protocol which includes COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for guests, fully vaccinated crew that are tested weekly, physical distancing, mask-wearing, protected shore excursions for guests who are not fully vaccinated, enhanced sanitation measures and personal hygiene recommendations, such as increased hand-washing and sanitizing stations. For additional details on MSC Cruises’ health and safety measures, please visit https://www.msccruisesusa.com/health-and-safety-measures. For more information on MSC Cruises’ first cruises from Port Canaveral and to book, guests should contact their preferred travel advisor, or visit www.msccruises.com. |
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