By GERRY BARKER MIAMI BEACH — It’s billed as “the world’s largest event for cruise line executives and suppliers of cruise services,” and the 39th edition of Seatrade Cruise Global just concluded here at the Miami Beach Convention Center. What started as a magazine for the shipping industry in 1970 has steadily expanded to encompass conferences worldwide as cruising and cruise travel continues its upward growth. READ MORE. F&B@Sea 2024Video From Seatrade 2024
(Press Release) MIAMI, FL, April 10, 2024 - Windstar Cruises, a leader in small-ship luxury cruising, is excited to announce the expansion of its fleet with the addition of two all-suite motor yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer. The first of the two ships, new-build Star Seeker which is currently being constructed in the WestSEA shipyard, is expected to be delivered in December of 2025, followed by Star Explorer in December, 2026. (Press Release) Two acclaimed luxury boutique hotels in historic Nantucket town are open for the season just in time for the 48th Annual Daffodil Weekend. 21 Broad Hotel Step into the vibrant spirit of the Daffodil Festival with 21 Broad Hotel's Sip & Savor Springtime package capturing the vitality of the season on Nantucket. (Press Release) Seattle, Wash., April 11, 2024 — Holland America Line is adding to its award-winning entertainment lineup with the introduction of several new mainstage experiences in 2024. Four new shows will put a fresh spin on the classic cruise production format. Additional new productions tailored to various regions will provide a variety of performances focusing on the local culture where ships are cruising. Beyond the mainstage, Holland America Line is adding Rolling Stone Lounge to more ships and enhancing its popular Billboard Onboard music experience. “Over the past several years we’ve built one of the strongest entertainment experiences at sea, working with world-class musicians and dancers,” said Bill Prince, vice president of entertainment and enrichment. “Adding these new theater experiences continues to build on our momentum.” (Press Release) Guilford, CT—April 8, 2024—American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce two more new small ships coming in 2025, American Patriot and American Pioneer. These 125-passenger sister ships represent the 5th and 6th ships in the company’s Project Blue series of 12 new small ships for the U.S. market. The ships will be built at the company’s affiliated shipyard, Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Maryland. By Gerry Barker There's a new way to get to the Love Boat -- take the "B" train. On April 5, Princess Cruises, home of the iconic "Love Boat," and Brightline, Florida's intercity passenger rail service, unveiled a new "Rail & Sail" program at a reception for media and travel agents at Brightline's Orlando station. Under the program, guests taking a Princess cruise can utilize complimentary motor coach service from Brightline's Orlando and Fort Lauderdale stations to Port Canaveral and Port Everglades. In addition, passengers can take advantage of a value-added luggage express service where bags checked at their Brightline station will be "waiting for them securely in their stateroom upon arrival to the ship." To kick off the partnership, Brightline debuted four custom-designed cars featuring Princess’ Love Boat branding and popular ports of call. Princess branding is also featured inside Brightline's five Florida terminals. As invited guests enjoyed a glass of bubbly, representatives from both Princess and Brightline spoke about the new partnership. "This is a new concept for both of us," said Travis Christ, chief commercial officer for Brightline, adding, "we are very excited. This will take cruising to a whole new level." Vicki Johnson, Princess' senior vice-president of communications, echoed that, saying "We are so delighted by this partnership. It's a perfect fit for us." It was also announced that Princess guests can enjoy "special discounts of up to 15% when booking Smart and Premium Rail & Sail packages through Brightline’s web site. And for a limited time only, guests who book a Princess cruise through May 5 will receive a Brightline credit of up to $150 per person for its signature Smart and Premium class service based on stateroom type." Currently, Brightline offers 16 daily round trips between Miami and Orlando, with station stops at Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach. Princess has seven ships -- half of its entire fleet -- sailing out of Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades, and come November, they will inaugurate sailings from Port Canaveral. No doubt the legendary Capt. Stubing would approve. Additional information on the new Rail & Sail service is available at princess.com/Brightline or gobrightline.com Photos/Video by Gerry Barker (Press Release) On Monday, April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, beginning over the Pacific Ocean and heading northeast from Mexico, across a wide swath of the United States and into Canada. The first location that will experience totality is off Mexico’s Pacific Coast, around 11 a.m. PST. Holland America Line will have two ships, Koningsdam and Zaandam, positioned off the coast of Mexico for an ideal viewing of the total eclipse. Thanks to this positioning, guests will be some of the first to see totality, weather permitting. A livestream of the event aboard Koningsdam will begin at approximately 10:20 a.m. PST at the following link: https://fb.me/e/1ZJA7i7t9 MIAMI, April 5, 2024 – Having conquered the big screen (“Mean Girls”), the small screen (“Hallmark Channel”) and Broadway (“Spamalot”), actor Jonathan Bennett is ready to take on his next big role: the godfather of Carnival Cruise Line’s new 135,000 gross ton ship featuring Carnival Fun Italian Style. Carnival Cruise Line today named Bennett as the godfather for its next ship, Carnival Firenze, which is inspired by the city of Florence, Italy and is the second Carnival ship to sail with the Carnival Fun Italian Style theme. Carnival President Christine Duffy surprised Bennett with the news captured in this video. To make it even easier for Bennett to sail, the ship will be homeported in his backyard in Long Beach, Calif., where it will be christened on April 24 and embark on its first sailing on April 25. (Press Release) Miami, FL, April 5, 2024 - Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, is embarking on a new journey, announcing celebrated Italian-American chef, author, restaurateur and Emmy award-winning food personality Giada De Laurentiis as its Brand and Culinary Ambassador. De Laurentiis will also co-chair the line's new Culinary Advisory Board alongside renowned chef Jacques Pépin, a founding member of Oceania Cruises’ culinary team and the line’s original Executive Culinary Director. The Culinary Advisory Board will focus on guiding, developing and reinforcing Oceania Cruises’ commitment to serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea®. This role will include inviting acclaimed chefs and artisans from around the world to join the initiative as Oceania Cruises develops the next chapter in its culinary legacy. (Press Release) Geneva, Switzerland - April 4, 2024 – Today, MSC Cruises announced its world-class Food & Beverage offering is being brought to new heights with its brand-new beverage program, ‘World’s Greatest Bars’. This new and innovative concept brings some of the most acclaimed bars to MSC Cruises’ ships, offering guests a truly unique experience like never before at sea. |
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