(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, FL - September 15, 2022 - With more than one year into operations, First Mates are soaking up all that Virgin Voyages has to offer, including an epic experience for clients, competitive commissions with no NCFs and engaging events designed around the travel agent community. On the heels of its new LetsGoBook reservations platform – an advisor-friendly interface created to streamline the booking process – Virgin Voyages is proving, once again, that it’s “Brilliant To Do Business With.” As a thank you to First Mates’ continued passion and dedication to the new, award-winning travel brand, Virgin Voyages is excited to announce its first-ever First Mate Spectacular Soiree and the launch of its Golden Ink Awards. The top 100 North American First Mates with the most bookings between Nov. 1, 2021 - Oct. 31, 2022 will be invited to pack their chicest nautical stripes and come aboard for a complimentary and exclusive getaway in January. Departing from Miami on Jan. 4, 2023, this four-night soiree aboard the brand’s second ship, Valiant Lady, will treat the top-selling First Mates to the sun-soaked destinations of Key West and Bimini including a stop at Virgin Voyages’ signature Beach Club. Each First Mate attendee will be invited to bring a guest to share the experience with and will be treated to a gorgeous Sea Terrace cabin along with $200 in Sailor Loot to spend on-board. Members from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) will also be in attendance. (PRESS RELEASE)_Geneva, Switzerland – September 15, 2022 – MSC World Europa is set to feature fresh and exciting entertainment options that take the guest experience to the next level—complimenting the cutting-edge technology onboard MSC Cruises’ most innovative and environmentally advanced new flagship. Guests of all ages will be able to enjoy awe-inspiring entertainment from morning to night, including three new concert-style shows in the multipurpose Luna Park Arena; five new full-scale theater productions in the World Theater; four themed experiences in the Panorama Lounge; and surprise pop-up entertainment throughout the ship. Steve Leatham, MSC Cruises Global Head of Entertainment, said: “The brand-new interactive entertainment featured on board MSC World Europa will be unlike anything that our guests have ever experienced, combining futuristic technology and unique specially designed venues. From surprise moments that will take place during the entirety of the cruise to spectacular shows and state-of the-art venues, our guests will be blown away by the abundance of fantastic entertainment options on board as they find themselves at the heart of productions and immerse themselves in incredible performances and activities.” The rich assortment of entertainment on board includes: (PRESS RELEASE)_MÁLAGA, Spain (14 September 2022) – Seatrade Cruise Awards, the premier awards programme for the cruise industry, made its announcement of this year’s winners during the Seatrade Cruise Med Welcome Reception on 14 September 2022. “Serving as more than just an award scheme, the Seatrade Cruise Awards are a benchmark that continues to push the boundaries of the cruise industry in excellence and innovation,” says Mary Bond, Group Director of Seatrade Cruise. “We proudly honour and celebrate our 2022 winners for their incredible achievements that are leading the way for industry-wide development.” The selection of winners was judged by an independent panel of 15 judges that features the leading voices from the international cruise community from key sectors that include hospitality, operations, marketing and technology that range from editors to professors, consultants to principals, managing directors to chief executive officers and are representatives from V. Ships Leisure, CHART Management Consultants, Pace University, Cruise Baltic, LizGammon.com, Cruise Planners, Jacoby Advisors, MedCruise, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Europe, Seatrade Cruise Review, Oracle Hospitality, Cruise Europe, Ocean Technologies Group. (PRESS RELEASE)_Malaga, September 14th, 2022. National Geographic Expeditions has selected Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services to collaborate in the field of cruise shore excursions with the debut of National Geographic Day Tours, a collection of one-day and half-day itineraries inspired by National Geographic’s spirit of exploration. National Geographic Day Tours will launch during summer 2023 initially to Mediterranean destinations, with an expanded global rollout in the future. National Geographic Day Tours, operated by Intercruises, are designed to deliver upon the captivating storytelling and experiences inspired by National Geographic’s incredible legacy of exploration and understanding of the world. All tours will focus on topics such as conservation, culture and history and follow the criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI – Sept.14, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Celebration, is one more milestone closer to her highly-anticipated debut in her homeport of PortMiami after successfully completing sea trials in the Baltic Sea. Carnival Celebration set sail on her first round of sea trials Monday, September 5, from Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, the same shipyard where Celebration’s sister ship, Mardi Gras, was built. Carnival Celebration had a full contingent of officers, technicians and engineers on board to thoroughly test the ship’s technical, mechanical and navigational systems. “During her sea trials, Carnival Celebration underwent several tests, which are meant to determine the ship’s capability and her performance. We’ve done many maneuvering tests, such as endurance tests, steering tests, speed tests and thrusters tests. The ship performed wonderfully, and shortly, we will get her out and start cruising,” said Capt. Vincenzo Alcaras. Carnival Celebration’s arrival to Miami will continue the cruise line’s 50th birthday celebration. The ship will feature several unique zones, including 820 Biscayne – a tribute to Miami, where Carnival Cruise Line was born, showcasing styles and flavors of the 305. Celebration will also include many of the features that made Mardi Gras one of the most anticipated cruise ships, including BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first roller coaster at sea, an atrium spanning three decks and guest-favorites like Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse, and Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant. Following an inaugural 6-day voyage to the Eastern Caribbean, Carnival Celebration will launch year-round, seven-day cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean from PortMiami beginning Nov. 21. The week-long voyages will visit destinations like San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Mexico and Grand Turk. For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation on Carnival Celebration now, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site. (PRESS RELEASE)_FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (14 September 2022) – The world’s largest cruise trade conference, Seatrade Cruise Global, will host its 2023 conference and exhibition at the newly renovated Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center, 27-30 March 2023. The four-day event is expected to attract more than 10,000 attendees, bringing together cruise professionals, thought leaders and innovators from all facets of the industry.
Considering valuable feedback from exhibitors and attendees, the date change for the upcoming year mitigates challenges that may come with the potential of sharing Miami Beach with the Formula One Grand Prix event in 2023. The decision was made after close consultation with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), alongside other cruise line and industry partners. Seatrade Cruise Global will return to its customary April time frame in 2024 and onwards. (PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., Sept. 13, 2022 — Holland America Line is continuing to bolster its longer voyages departing from a North America homeport, and the 2024 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage is the newest addition. The 94-day journey that’s been more than 10 years in the making departs Jan. 3, 2024, aboard Volendam, sailing roundtrip from San Diego, California. Guests on this circumnavigation of the land Down Under will experience the vibrant Great Barrier Reef, natural wonders of Hawaii and the South Pacific, and lush landscapes of New Zealand — all without international air travel from the United States or with a convenient flight from Canada. (PRESS RELEASE)_CALABASAS, CA – (September 12, 2022) – Award-winning luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways today announced reservations are now open for its 2024 history-making Seven River Journey - Spring and Summer Editions. Continuing its path of innovation, AmaWaterways is introducing its longest and most epic journeys yet with the complete 49-night itinerary spent on board one luxurious ship, the AmaMora, and the first-time experience of sailing the complete length of the Rhine and Danube rivers including the seldom visited Danube Delta region leading to the Black Sea. “Since the debut of our Seven River Journeys in 2021, we have received tremendous demand from travelers who are looking to spend extra time immersing themselves in beautiful destinations throughout Europe,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “With the widespread popularity of these immersive longer itineraries, we are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Spring and Summer Editions showcase enriching itineraries on board a single, award-winning ship – making it easy for guests to sit back, relax and enjoy the unparalleled experience of cruising seamlessly between the North Sea and the Black Sea visiting the historical sites and rich culture of the 15 countries in between.” (PRESS RELEASE)_(September 13, 2022) – Hurtigruten Group, the world's leading adventure travel company, officially unveiled its latest broadcast, radio, and digital advertising campaign today in Denver and Minnesota’s ‘Twin Cities.’ Conceived to drive brand name awareness – by teaching consumers how to pronounce Hurtigruten – the campaign showcases the Hurtigruten Expeditionsand Hurtigruten Norwegian Coastal Express brands through iconic destination photography alongside the tagline ‘Hard to say. Impossible to forget.’ The $2 million campaign marks the most significant investment by the company in a single campaign in US, which will last two months, and for the first time, features radio and billboard advertising. (PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (September 12, 2022) – Princess Cruises, the world’s most iconic premium cruise brand and a brand of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK), today announced an exclusive five-year licensing agreement with Xponential Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: XPOF), the largest global franchisor of boutique fitness brands. With this unique partnership, Princess will leverage Xponential Fitness’s extensive content in concert with OneSpaWorld’s unparalleled expertise in the health, wellness and fitness at sea sector to become the first major cruise line offering multiple, curated fitness brands to create uniquely customizable guest fitness experiences at sea. Over the term of the agreement, a minimum of eight Xponential brands will be made available onboard each of Princess’ 15-ship fleet, resulting in a minimum total of 120 licensed studio experiences across the Princess fleet, featuring Xponential’s market-leading Club Pilates, Pure Barre, Yoga Six, CycleBar, Row House, AKT Dance, and StretchLab brands and fitness modalities to start, with more exciting Xponential Fitness offerings to come. |
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