(PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (October 24, 2018) – The six-course, fine-dining experience from award-winning Chef Curtis Stone at SHARE aboard Princess Cruises has been revamped with fresh menu offerings, including butter-poached chunks of Alaska King Crab and hard-roasted, double-boned Brown Butter Duroc Pork Chop. In addition, new “Crafted by Curtis” dishes on the main dining room menu are also rolling out fleetwide.

Guests dining in SHARE aboard Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess have the rare opportunity to enjoy world-class cuisine of award-winning chef and restaurateur, Curtis Stone. Born in Melbourne, Australia and trained in Michelin-starred kitchens of Marco Pierre White, Stone’s restaurants Maude and Gwen are two of Los Angeles’ most desired reservations. Now brining his expertise to SHARE, he has curated this menu comprised of artfully displayed dishes made from the finest ingredients at sea for a dining experience guests savor for years to come.

“Throughout my partnership with Princess Cruises, we’ve always worked together to create inspired dishes using a fresh approach to fine dining,” said Chef Stone. “We share a passion for bringing people together through food that creates happiness around the table. These new offerings at both SHARE and on the ‘Crafted by Curtis’ section of the main menu will continue to excite their senses, creating lifelong memories as they explore the world on their cruise.”

A sampling of new SHARE menu items, available in November, include:

Kanpachi – salt-water amberjack tuna thinly sliced and quick-cured in lime, featuring chilies, avocado and almonds
Alaska King Crab – butter poached chunks of crab with “pee-wee potato salad” and confit egg yolk
Brown Butter Duroc Pork Chop for Two – a hard roasted double-bone pork rack, with confit carrots, broccoli purée and a jus of whole grain mustard
Almond Marzipan – warm cake paired with strawberry coulis, candied almonds and crème fraiche ice cream

SHARE guests begin with an appetizer, followed by salad and handmade pasta, indulge in main courses from both sea and land, and finish with a decadent dessert. A cover charge of $29 per person includes one selection from each course. A carefully selected list of wine vintages from around the globe handpicked by Chef Stone and his personal sommelier round out the meal.

The complete and refreshed SHARE menu can be found at www.princess.com/curtisstone.

Guests choosing a “Crafted by Curtis” menu item in the main dining rooms can now choose from new options including Steamed Mussels, Chorizo and White Wine, Beef Tenderloin Tips and Mushroom Cobbler. These new dishes join guest favorites Chicken and Leek Pot Pie and Roasted Pork Belly.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Miami, FL (October 2018) – As part of Destination Immersion®, Azamara Club Cruises® has launched the City Stays program – in collaboration with Cox & Kings, the world’s leading luxury tour operator. City Stays programs are available before and after sailings and offer curated travel experiences with emphasis on local connections, allowing Azamara guests additional time to explore the iconic arrival or departure ports.

“As a leader in delivering authentic cultural experiences across the globe, the expansion of Azamara’s land offerings to include City Stays programs in key markets enhances our guests’ connection with the destination by providing opportunities to explore a city from a local’s perspective,” said Larry Pimentel, President & CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “Now that we have the opportunity to visit more destinations with our new ship, Azamara Pursuit, we will continue to expand our City Stays program across most if not all of our turnaround ports, reinforcing Azamara’s commitment to Destination Immersion experiences.”

Cox & Kings’ President Patrick Richards adds, “we’re thrilled to partner with Azamara on the new City Stays program. We’ve customized some truly special experiences in some of the world’s greatest cities and look forward to showcasing these to Azamara guests.”

The City Stays program includes accommodations for three or more nights, select meals, and transportation services from the port to the hotel, as well as a prearranged transfer from the airport. Highlights from the new City Stays, available before and after select Azamara Club Cruises’ voyages, include:

Singapore – Dive into Singapore’s renowned culinary culture with a local food critic as a guide. Travelers will set off on a scavenger hunt through the city’s cultural sites and enjoy private visits with local artisans, including a fifth-generation baker, a master of making paper houses, and a coffee connoisseur.

Barcelona, Spain – Travelers go beyond the traditional sights of one of Europe’s most dynamic cities. Guests can expect to visit a fourth-generation candy artisan, stroll through the unique district of Born – an artistic neighborhood with luxury shopping and museums - and experience a flamenco performance at night. On a food exploration of the city, guests will enjoy a meal with a local family while learning about their history, they will have a gourmet picnic lunch in the park with a Spanish family and join a local wine connoisseur in the evening to try a selection of Spain’s best wines, some of which are more than 30 years old.

Rome, Italy – During this tour of Rome, travelers will explore beyond the traditional sights of this historic city. Journey to an organic farm on the outskirts of Rome, where travelers will learn how to make bread and gnocchi, forage for wild herbs, enjoy a lakefront lunch, visit a milk and cheese laboratory, and go on a horseback ride. Following the excursion, participants will receive an exclusive tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel – before public opening hours – and have dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Learn more about Azamara Club Cruises’ City Stays itineraries by visiting https://www.azamaraclubcruises.com/destinations/land-sea-packages/city-stays.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Geneva, Switzerland and Rome, Italy, October 18, 2018 – MSC Cruises and Fincantieri today announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of four ultra-luxury cruise ships for a total value in excess of EUR 2 billion. 

The ships, the first of which will be delivered in Spring 2023, will have gross tonnage of approximately 64,000 GT and will feature 500 staterooms. The remaining three ships will come into service one per year over the following three years.

The ships will feature, amongst other, the best and latest environmental technology and other cutting-edge maritime solutions at sea. They will also showcase highly-innovative design as well as introduce ground-breaking options for guest comfort and relaxation. 

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, said: “It is off the back of the great success of our ship-within-a-ship luxury concept that our guests asked us to enter into the ultra-luxury segment, as a natural evolution of the MSC Yacht Club. These ships will be able to offer unique itineraries, thanks to their size, and the guest services will be taken to another level, including our personalized MSC Yacht Club butler service, available 24/7.”

Mr Vago continued, “I am especially pleased to be able to further extend our partnership with Fincantieri through this new order. The award-winning Seaside and Seaside-Evo class have already been recognized as ground-breaking and innovative designs. We are now introducing another new class, which will establish a new standard of ultra-luxury at sea with ships that will showcase the quality and highest standards that are associated with Made in Italy.”

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “It is with pride that two great brands – an Italian one and one with a strong Italian DNA -, well-known all over the world, today announce an important construction program. We are extremely satisfied that, to launch a new class of ships in the luxury segment, MSC Cruises has recognized that our design will help them create a new generation of ships that will be cutting edge both in terms of  safety and technological content, and with particular attention paid to passenger comfort. With this project Fincantieri can count on 53 cruise ships in its order book, confirming its position as absolute market leader.”    

                    Free Tattoos, Chance to Win a Trip
​                                      at NY Event Oct. 20

(PRESS RELEASE)_PLANTATION, FL — October 18, 2018 — Virgin Voyages announced today that the company’s first ship, Scarlet Lady, will bring stylish tattoo artistry to the high seas with Squid Ink. To create this one-of-a-kind experience on board, Virgin Voyages has teamed up with the ink industry legends from World Famous Tattoo Ink. 

“Tattooing is a time-honored seafaring tradition, and we’re continuing that legacy with rock and roll style by bringing some of the best ink artists to sea,” said Tom McAlpin, president and chief executive officer for Virgin Voyages. “Our sailors are looking to make lifelong memories, and we think there's no better way to commemorate their first voyage with us than with a souvenir they'll never lose track of.”

When Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady sets sail in 2020, she will have two full time resident tattoo artists on board, handpicked by ink industry legend Lou Rubino Jr., the visionary behind World Famous Tattoo Ink, Soho Ink and Freshly Inked Magazine.  

Squid Ink will also feature a star-studded line-up of guest artists including the tattoo industry’s most sought-after trendsetters and celebrity artists. While details and timing are still to come, renowned artists to the likes of Spike TV’s Ink Master star Sarah Miller, surrealist specialist artist Arlo DiCristina and illustrative specialist Jime Litwalk have already committed to a guest artist appearance aboard the Scarlet Lady in 2020. Artists from the World Famous Pro Team have inked celebrities like Nick Cannon, JWoww, Nico Tortorella and Daymond John, among others. 

All Squid Ink tattoos will be created with World Famous Tattoo Ink original vegan ink, which is globally recognized to exceed safety standards with no animal by-products or testing. In addition to tattoos, Squid Ink will also offer body piercings as well as permanent makeup treatments using vegan-friendly Perma Blend pigments. 

“The World Famous Tattoo Ink family has been working with sailors, pirates and rock stars for more than 50 years,” said  Lou Rubino Jr., owner of World Famous Tattoo Ink. “As global acceptance of tattoos and body art continues to grow, partnering with Virgin Voyages gives us the unique opportunity to bring color to places people might have never thought possible before. We couldn’t be more excited to leave our mark on the sea travel industry.”

True to the Virgin Voyages’ brand design ethos, the “Modern Romance of Sailing,” the inspiration behind Squid Ink is steeped in the traditions of sailing; with many historians crediting the expansion of tattooing to British colonial sailors who picked up the concept from aboriginal tribes while exploring the South Pacific. Squid Ink will feature exclusive voyage tattoos designed by the World Famous Tattoo Ink team for those sailors looking to commemorate their voyage. 

Virgin Voyages will encourage its crew members to also express themselves freely through tattoos if they wish; in a unique move for the cruise industry, the company has indicated that the hiring of shipboard candidates with visible tattoos is a-okay. 

To celebrate the news, Virgin Voyages is teaming up with the World Famous Ink team to give away 100 free nautical-inspired micro tattoos this Saturday, October 20, at Soho Ink in Manhattan, 285 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10012, located on the corner of Lafayette and Jersey street. The first 100 participants who head to Soho Ink at 12 p.m. on October 20 will be able to choose one of 10 free nautical inspired micro tattoos to ink themselves with. All who receive one of these tattoos and post about it on Instagram will be entered to win  a free Virgin voyage for two,* with a one in 100 chance to win the grand prize. New York based sailors can check out all of the details at www.virginvoyages.com/article/vvsquidink. Sailors who cannot make it to Soho Ink this Saturday, can also enter to win a free voyage (and a free nautical inspired micro tattoo while onboard)* now through November 16 by visiting www.virginvoyages.com. 

More details on the new travel brand’s onboard features and experiences will be revealed throughout the coming year. Future sailors and travel partners are invited to check out Virgin Voyages by visiting www.virginvoyages.com or following @virginvoyages on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

ABOUT VIRGIN VOYAGES

Virgin Voyages is a global travel brand committed to creating the world’s most irresistible holiday. With operations in the US, UK and Europe, Virgin Voyages currently has three ships on order with master shipbuilder Fincantieri. Virgin Voyages’ first ship, Scarlet Lady, will arrive at PortMiami in 2020 for her inaugural sailing season, where she will sail to the Caribbean hosting more than 2,770 sailors and 1,150 amazing crew from around the world. Keep watch on virginvoyages.com for more updates.

(ROYAL CARIBBEAN)_With full-scale stage, ice, aerial and aqua productions on board Symphony of the Seas, high-tech and high-energy entertainment is at every turn. But what does it take to make it all come to life? Producing a lineup of shows befitting of the world's largest cruise ship takes plenty of time, dedication and rehearsal. From the AquaTheater, showcasing jaw-dropping stunts by acrobats and high divers against a backdrop of stunning projections, to a cast of 48 drones joining their human counterparts for ice shows in Studio B, watch as the team puts on the finishing touches to ensure that each show is ready for opening night.

(PRESS RELEASE)_​MIAMI (October 16, 2018) – Carnival Cruise Line – The World's Most Popular Cruise Line®" – today announced a dry dock that will transform Carnival Victory into Carnival Radiance – representing the final phase of a $2 billion fleet enhancement program that has brought a consistent level of experiences from WaterWorks aqua parks, specialty dining, entertainment, enhanced accommodations and amenities, to the more than five million passengers who annually sail with the line. 

The refurbishment of Carnival Victory will add the line’s popular culinary, bar and entertainment innovations and complete an “any ship, any port, any itinerary” level of service and offerings across its fleet of 26 ships that is unparalleled in the cruise industry.  Following a 38-day dry dock in Cadiz, Spain, Carnival Radiance will enter service in 2020.  Homeport and itinerary details for the new Carnival Radiance will be announced in mid-November.   

Carnival Cruise Line fans who want to be the first to book on Carnival Radiance can get a head start by clicking here  where they can register to get a “first to know” alert and special promotional offer when itineraries are opened for sale.

 
(PRESS RELEASE)_FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (October 11, 2018) – Today officially marks the 60-day countdown until MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and leading cruise line in Europe, introduces MSC Armonia to Miami for the first time. Beginning December 10, 2018, MSC Armonia will offer unique 7-night Caribbean sailings departing from Miami and calling Montego Bay, Jamaica; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; and Cozumel, Mexico before arriving in Havana, the Cuban capital, on Saturday and staying overnight to Sunday.

MSC Cruises’ 7-night program to Cuba will include two days in the bustling city of Havana over the weekend. And, as excitement builds for this company-first, MSC Cruises will also introduce even more distinct culinary and entertainment features on board the ship to further elevate the guest experience, including elements of the Havana experience brought on board, a brand new specialty restaurant, original theater performances and more.

“We are thrilled that in 60 days MSC Armonia will join MSC Seaside and MSC Divina in Miami, further enriching our offer to guests sailing from North America,” said Roberto Fusaro, president of MSC Cruises USA. “Not only will we offer MSC Cruises’ guests a brand new attractive itinerary, but also a variety of enhancements to make the MSC Armonia experience that much more memorable. On board, guests will delight in fresh entertainment and new gourmet culinary choices, while on shore, an overnight in Havana will allow guests to fully experience the culturally vibrant city.”

Highlights of the Cuba cruise include the following.

NEW ON BOARD CULINARY ENHANCEMENTS

A new, mouth-watering specialty restaurant

MSC Armonia will introduce a brand new specialty restaurant to the culinary line-up. The 38-seat “Surf & Turf” will serve a delectable menu for $35, where guests can select an appetizer, main co.urse and dessert from an assortment of gourmet options.

For example, patrons can dine on an appetizer of Slow Braised Pork Belly, paired with Jalapenos, radish slaw and topped with a pineapple BBQ sauce. For main courses, the Surf & Turf offers the best of both worlds, with a 6 oz filet mignon and 7 oz cold water lobster tail. Additional entrée highlights include a Lobster Thermidor, baked in shell with a mushroom cream sauce, and the 18 oz Certified Angus Beef Bone-in Ribeye. Desserts are as varied as they are delicious with a Guava cheese cake, dressed in a warm Rum sauce, a Red Velvet Cake, and a Seven Layers Mexican Chocolate cake.

Deerfield Beach, FL. October 11, 2018 – Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (BPCL), the only provider of two-night cruises and Cruise & Resort stays to Grand Bahama Island year-round from the Port of Palm Beach, announces a partnership with Brightline, the new intercity express train service currently connecting South Florida.  Now through October 31, 2018, guests sailing on Grand Classica can receive 25% off Smart Service and depart from the downtown MiamiCentral or Fort Lauderdale stations, avoiding the traffic and hassles of driving to the Port of Palm Beach. Once guests arrive at the downtown West Palm Beach Brightline Station, the ship is just a short rideshare away via Lyft. First time Lyft users can redeem $5 off their first two rides at www.lyft.com/invite/GOBRIGHTLINE

“A Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line vacation is about flexibility and convenience and Brightline makes the journey to the Port of Palm Beach for our guests in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties even easier,” shares Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line President Oneil Khosa. “We are delighted to pass along these exclusive savings to our guests and encourage Brightline riders to experience a cruise to Grand Bahama Island.”

Guests get a head start on their Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line vacation when taking Brightline with comfortable, stylish trains and lounges, refreshing drinks, snacks and reliable service. Upon boarding the ship at the Port of Palm Beach, a short rideshare from the West Palm Beach Brightline Station, guests will enjoy a full array of dining options, several bars and a variety of entertainment choices including Vegas-style shows in the theater, live music, casino action and more. Grand Classica also offers a full-service spa for treatments, pool deck games led by an energetic entertainment team, interactive kids’ programs, sail away shows and parties, and much more.

Once on Grand Bahama Island, cruisers will have plenty of time to soak up the sun and enjoy the beautiful beaches and fun-filled shore excursions. If booking a Cruise & Stay package, guests can take advantage of extra days to explore the gorgeous and tranquil island.  For Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line reservations, visit www.bahamasparadisecruise.com. To enjoy Brightline savings visit gobrightline.com and use promo code BPCRUISE.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Geneva, Switzerland (October 9th, 2018) – MSC Cruises - the Swiss-based world’s largest privately owned cruise line and brand market leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf and South Africa - announced that sales for MSC Grandiosa’s maiden voyage are now open exclusively for MSC Voyagers Club members through October 21. During this period, members will not only have the first selection of staterooms, but also receive a special 5% discount on top of to their 5% loyalty discount. Sales will open for all other guests on October 22, 2018.

Launching in November 2019, MSC Grandiosa will become the Company’s newest flagship, the biggest and richest in features to be built by MSC Cruises. The mega ship is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique (formerly, STX France) in Saint-Nazaire, France, and will be the first of two highly-innovative Meraviglia-Plus class ships to launch.

Departing on November 10, 2019, MSC Grandiosa will sail a robust itinerary through Northern Europe as well as the Mediterranean. Guests who will be the first to experience this state-of-the-art cruise ship can choose from a 10 or 13-night sailing, embarking in Hamburg and disembarking in Genoa, Italy or Marseille, France. MSC Grandiosa will also call Southampton, UK, Lisbon, Portugal and Barcelona, Spain. With an overnight stay in each port, guests will have more time to fully immerse themselves in each of the destinations.