(PRESS RELEASE)_NEW YORK (October 25, 2022) – Start spreading the news! Against the iconic backdrop of Lady Liberty and the lower Manhattan skyline, Celebrity Cruises’ newest and most luxurious ship Celebrity Beyond celebrated its arrival in the New York region today, marking its much anticipated North American debut. The latest in the industry-transforming Edge Series®, Celebrity Beyond will officially set sail on its inaugural U.S. season from the Port of Bayonne on October 26, offering guests the chance to experience beauty and wonder at sea like never before. Celebrity Beyond and her crew of over 1,400, sailed into port at Cape Liberty, Bayonne with trailblazer Captain Kate McCue, the first and only American female cruise ship captain, on the Bridge, along with Captain Dimitris Kafetzis, who had the honor of completing the ship’s transatlantic crossing. Following a series of European sailings earlier this summer, the ship now embarks for the first time from U.S shores on a variety of Caribbean itineraries, where guests will visit the picturesque islands of St. Thomas, St. Maarten, the Bahamas, Grand Caymans and more. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (Oct 25, 2022) – Virgin Voyages, Richard Branson’s award-winning cruise line and the youngest fleet at sea, is welcoming its second ship, Valiant Lady, to the iconic Miami skyline, marking another major milestone for the growing brand. Valiant Lady joins her sister ship, Scarlet Lady, in PortMiami for her MerMaiden voyage on Sunday, Oct. 30. Launching its US-based operations just over one year ago, Virgin’s newest ship, Valiant Lady, will set sail from PortMiami, introducing new six- and eight-night itineraries including Roatan, San Juan and St. Croix, all with stops at the brand's exclusive Beach Club at Bimini on every voyage. The award-winning company – backed by Virgin Group, Bain Capital and a collective of blue chip investors – continues to make waves in the travel industry, elevating all there is to love about cruising with a new, exclusively adult and relaxed luxury experience. Often referenced as a boutique hotel at sea, Valiant Lady arrives on the heels of a record bookings month for the new brand, signaling the continued rise of the cruise industry to pre-pandemic volumes. (PRESS RELEASE)_When Carnival Cruise Line guests start sailing on Carnival Luminosa, they will find an array of special features that make the ship unique to the fleet. Only found on Carnival Luminosa and serving as the centerpiece of the 10-deck-high atrium is a particularly monumental bronze sculpture titled “Reclining Woman 2004” that was specially commissioned for this ship from world-renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero. The multi-million-dollar sculpture, more than 11 feet in length and weighing nearly one ton, depicts a female figure, daydreaming in a reclining position with a subtle and ironic facial expression. She serves as a good luck charm to the ship, her crew and guests. Other unique features include a two-deck-high sliding sky dome over the ship’s large pool deck, allowing the area to be used in all types of weather; a collection of 120 Murano glass light fixtures and chandeliers; and a sunset deck bar perfect for enjoying a drink in an enchanting atmosphere. The ship will also feature one of the fleet’s largest spas spanning across two decks with one of the most expansive thermal areas, as well as a large casino with beautiful sea views, nearly 200 new slot machines catering to all tastes, a variety of table games and a nearby arcade with games for guests of all ages to enjoy. “While Carnival Luminosa will feel like a Carnival ship through and through with our signature service and offerings, the ship will offer her own unique features that our guests are going to love,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. Carnival Luminosa will serve as the first Carnival ship to be homeported in Brisbane, Australia with a variety of itineraries beginning on Nov. 6, 2022 and running through April 13, 2023. The ship will then reposition for seasonal service from Seattle to Alaska next May, including some first-time-for-Carnival destinations. Carnival Luminosa is a sister ship to the four other Spirit-class ships in the Carnival fleet and will be home to many of the activities and experiences from other Carnival ships that guests have come to know and love as well as some new spaces. 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)_Seattle, Wash., Oct. 24, 2022 — Cruise ships are often called floating cities. Every function of a shoreside town needs to be provided while traveling the world, and countless team members work together to seamlessly run each ship. For the first time ever, Holland America Line is bringing that story to life in a new, engaging show called “A City on the Sea.” A storytelling event featured in the ships’ World Stage, “A City on the Sea” lifts the curtain on cruise ship operations through immersive video footage and interviews. Presented with live narration by the ship’s cruise and travel director — who is joined by additional shipboard officers like the captain and crew — guests are taken on an illuminating and delightful journey behind closed doors while also meeting the people who call Holland America Line ships their home away from home. “‘A City on the Sea’ is a unique interpretation of a behind-the-scenes view by not only showing how our ships operate, but also by sharing some amazing stories of the people who make it happen,” said Michael Smith, senior vice president, guest experience and product development, Holland America Line. “We put a lot of thought into how we can make this show a transformative moment where the complexity of running a floating city becomes a celebration of the human spirit and all that we’re capable of accomplishing.” “A City on the Sea” explores areas on board like the engine room to show the miracle of modern engineering and the laundry to see how thousands of linens are processed daily. Guests will explore staples of a town like bakeries, restaurants, theaters, grocery stores and hardware shops, all without leaving the ship. Engineers, medical staff, musicians and stateroom attendants describe the challenges and opportunities of working on a cruise ship, while one captain talks about how he views himself as the mayor of the “city.” Guests will meet team members who have a friendship that spans decades and hear from a tailor whose family relationship with Holland America Line spans generations. “A City on the Sea” is a daytime presentation that debuts on the historic Oct. 15 transatlantic voyage aboard Rotterdam and will be offered on every cruise fleetwide starting in early 2023. For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com. (PRESS RELEASE)_Geneva, Switzerland – October 24, 2022 – MSC Cruises—the world’s fastest growing cruise line—and Chantiers de l’Atlantique—a world leader in building innovative cruise ships—marked the official start of construction today on MSC’s second World Class ship by cutting the vessel’s first steel. The cruise line also revealed the ship will be named MSC World America and be dedicated to the U.S market when she comes into service in 2025. The announcement makes this the first of MSC Cruises’ LNG-powered ships to be deployed in North America and yet another of the line’s flagships to be customized for the American market. Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: “MSC World America is testament to our ambitious growth plans in the U.S. and the Caribbean and further solidifies MSC Cruises as a major player in the North American market with another of our largest, most glamorous ships coming to the region. In addition to delivering a state-of-the-art cruise experience, MSC World America exemplifies our commitment to sustainability with its advanced environmental technology. The ship will continue to elevate our guest experience in the Caribbean, and we look forward to raising the bar on what travelers can expect, whether they’re loyal cruisers or enjoying their first vacation at sea.” (PRESS RELEASE)_VALENCIA, Calif., Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cunard announces an exciting new line-up for Alaska 2023's InsightsTM enrichment program with one of the most recognized personalities of outdoor adventure - Bear Grylls OBE - headlining the season. Grylls will be joining Queen Elizabeth's maiden 2023 Alaska voyage, roundtrip out of Vancouver on June 8, where he will share his experiences as one of the youngest climbers of Mount Everest, bestselling author, TV presenter and all-round adventurer. This will be Bear's first appearance on a cruise ship and the first time he returns to Alaska since his memorable visit with President Barack Obama in 2015. Guests aboard this 12-night voyage will experience the stunning Glacier Bay National Park, Tracy Arm Fjord and Hubbard Glacier, with port calls in Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka and more. Award-winning naturalist Dr. Rachel Cartwright and a Cultural Heritage Guide from Alaska Native Voices will also be featured on this voyage as guests luxuriate on Queen Elizabeth through the breath-taking landscape of Alaska. Cunard will offer six additional voyages in the region throughout June, July and August, each showcasing a different explorer as part of the Insights Program. (PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (October 22, 2022) – The Love Boat….promises something for everyone…proved true today as the cast members from the original scripted show “The Love Boat” met with the hosts of CBS’s romantic adventure dating show “The Real Love Boat,” Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell, and The Real Love Boat Crew. “Rebecca and I grew up watching the original ‘Love Boat’ and our show is inspired by that beloved series so to meet the original cast was just a wonderful experience,” said Jerry O’Connell, host of “The Real Love Boat.” Princess Cruises Celebrations Ambassador Jill Whelan (Vicki Stubing), is joined by fellow "Love Boat" cast members Cynthia Lauren Tewes (Julie McCoy), Bernie Kopell (Doc), Fred Grandy (Gopher) and Ted Lange (Isaac) were onboard as they departed for a specially-themed “Love Boat” cruise leaving from the Port of Los Angeles on a seven-day roundtrip Mexican Riviera cruise onboard Discovery Princess. The original ensemble cast will celebrate their friend and everyone's favorite cruise ship Captain Stubing with a tribute to Actor Gavin MacLeod. Together they will also share their favorite memories from the show and participate in various guest activities, including a renewal of vows for guests. “The Real Love Boat,” hosted by Rebecca Romijn and Jerry O’Connell, is set on a luxury Princess Cruises ship and they are joined by the ship’s crew members – Captain Paolo Arrigo, Ezra Freeman (Bartender) and Matt Mitcham (Cruise Director) – bringing singles together to cruise the Mediterranean while looking for love. With over 40 combined years working in the industry, Arrigo, Freeman and Mitcham bring their real-world expertise to help the Singles find love in this adventure of a lifetime. Destination dates, challenges and surprise new singles are testing the couples’ compatibility and chemistry. Like the beloved original scripted series set aboard a Princess cruise ship, the indispensable crew members play pivotal roles in the matchmaking and navigation of the romantic (and sometimes turbulent) waters ahead. “The Real Love Boat” airs on the CBS Television Network 9/8c and is available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI – October 21, 2022 – In celebration of Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month, Carnival Cruise Line guests can register to be the “first-to-know” about on-sale dates and special promotions, including an exclusive offer for guests who sign up, as well itineraries and other announcements about “Carnival Fun Italian Style” on Carnival Venezia™ and Carnival Firenze™. For more details, click here. Costa Venezia will join the Carnival fleet in the spring of 2023 and start guest operations as Carnival Venezia from New York City. Costa Firenze will join the fleet in 2024 and start guest operations as Carnival Firenze from Long Beach, Calif. “Just like their Carnival sisters, fun will be at the heart of Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze, but they will also carry a unique experience – incorporating the spectacular Italian atmosphere and rich culture they embody,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. Carnival Venezia and Carnival Firenze expand the cruise line’s presence in two of its 14 U.S. homeports. Carnival started sailing from New York in 1998 and has offered sailings there regularly with a variety of its ships. In Long Beach, Carnival embarks more guests than any other operator and has maintained a West Coast presence for more than 40 years – first cruising from Los Angeles in 1979. For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation on Carnival, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit http://www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, FLA, October, 20, 2022 – SeaDream Yacht Club reported today that the leading luxury yachting experience achieved its best historical booking week during the second week of October. Furthermore, the yachting line revealed that it’s best-booking week was the culmination of four consecutive weeks of record-breaking bookings, one greater than the previous. SeaDream attributed its success to luxury travelers’ pent-up demand to return to their favorite exclusive destinations in an intimate ambiance with an established and acclaimed brand. As a result, the line has achieved its best year in 21 years. For more information about SeaDream Yacht Club, please visit www.SeaDream.com. “It is gratifying to see that luxury travelers are choosing SeaDream as the world continues to reopen to tourism,” said Andreas Brynestad of SeaDream Yacht Club. “Our success is due in large part to our valued travel partners, who are confident that SeaDream will deliver an unforgettable, luxurious vacation to their clients aboard our twin mega-yachts. We thank travel advisors for recommending SeaDream and welcome their clients for a very different yachting adventure in the Caribbean and Europe.” SeaDream I and SeaDream II are currently finishing their Mediterranean season and will chart a course for the Caribbean in late November. In the Caribbean, SeaDream I will focus on the Leeward Islands on four- to eight-day voyages from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and St. Thomas, while SeaDream II will embark on six- to eight-day voyages throughout the idyllic Leeward and Windward Islands. Family owned and operated, SeaDream Yacht Club has achieved the industry’s highest accolades for its boutique yachting experience aboard twin casually elegant mega-yachts. Each accommodating a maximum of only 56 couples and manned by 95 exemplary crew members, SeaDream I and SeaDream II feature plentiful open deck spaces and call on small harbors and secluded ports around the world on seven- to 15-day voyages. The line’s “It’s Yachting, Not Cruising” trademark defines not only the small size of the vessels but their distinctive, luxurious onboard lifestyle. Guests enjoy highly anticipatory service on a nearly 1-to-1, staff-to-guest ratio and the fares include an expansive array of special services, activities, watersports equipment, gourmet cuisine, premium wine and beverages, and gratuities. For more information about SeaDream Yacht Club, please visit www.SeaDream.com or call in USA +1 800 707 4911, in EU +47 67 792 585. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Oct. 20, 2022 – A new era of vacations starts here. Royal Caribbean International has revealed the first look at the highly anticipated Icon of the Seas, the Icon of Vacations. Arriving in late 2023 ahead of its January 2024 debut, the first Icon Class ship will be the travel industry’s first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation. From the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure, with Icon, every kind of family and adventurer can experience their version of the ultimate family vacation. Vacationers can book their iconic adventure on Royal Caribbean’s website on Tuesday, Oct. 25. Crown & Anchor loyalty members can look out for special access on Monday, Oct. 24. “With each new ship, we raise the bar in the travel industry while enhancing what our guests know and love,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “From the moment they step on board, every experience is specifically designed to give them the best vacation anywhere on land and at sea. With Icon of the Seas, we’ve taken this to a new level and made the ultimate family vacation.” Whether “family vacation” means getting away as a family, couple or friends, Icon’s all-encompassing lineup features a variety of firsts and next-level favorites for everyone. There are adrenaline-pumping thrills, including the largest waterpark at sea, and unrivaled ways to chill with more ocean views and pools – one for each day of the week – than ever before, plus a blend of more than 40 new and returning dining, bar and nightlife options, and cutting-edge entertainment. |
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