(PRESS RELEASE)_SAINT-NAZAIRE, FRANCE (Feb. 7, 2022) – The height of new luxury took one step closer to becoming a reality as Celebrity BeyondSM successfully completed her sea trials over the weekend and returned to the Chantiers de l’ Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. In less than 80 days, the fleet’s crown-jewel makes her highly anticipated debut on April 27, 2022, when she sets sail from Southampton, England.
The latest ship in Celebrity Cruises®’ industry-changing Edge Series®, Celebrity Beyond conducted her sea trials during the first week of February in the Bay of Biscay near the shipyard. Overseen by more than 50 crew members, including Captain Kate McCue, engineers and nautical experts, the ship showcased that its strength, excellence and superb sailing capabilities go beyond its breath-taking amenities. It displayed a superior level of comfort, safety, maneuverability and fuel efficiency, the latter due in part to the revolutionary design of the ship’s Parabolic Ultrabow. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Feb. 3, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests and travel advisors of changes to its fleet deployment plan, including two ships leaving the Carnival fleet, as it continues to implement its successful restart of guest operations in the U.S. and adjusts for the continued uncertainty of cruising in Australia. Carnival had previously shared that Carnival Sensation’s restart was delayed, and that Carnival Ecstasy would move from Jacksonville, Fla. to Mobile, Ala. to operate what were previously planned as the Carnival Sensation itineraries, effective with the Mar. 5, 2022 restart. In addition, Carnival said that Carnival Spirit would go to Jacksonville to take over the Mar. 7, 2022 restart in Jacksonville, operating the previously scheduled Carnival Ecstasy itineraries. Carnival is now announcing the following updates: (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Feb. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, new-luxury cruise brand Celebrity Cruises® announced a new program designed to offer confidence and ease when guests sailing want to add a pre- and post-cruise land experience. The newly launched Hotels by Celebrity℠ offers guests sailing with Celebrity a curated list of 4- and 5-star hotels at exclusive rates, creating a streamlined and stress-free experience when planning cruise vacations. Hotels by Celebrity will go beyond simply helping guests book a place to stay before or after their sailings, with a seamless experience providing access to some of the world's best hotels at attractive rates in the world's most beautiful cities and ports Celebrity visits. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (February 3, 2022) - Celebrity Cruises® announced today its 2024 sailings to the awe-inspiring Galapagos Islands, featuring breathtaking itineraries that offer guests opportunities to explore the destination’s unspoiled natural beauty and adventure. Setting sail in January 2024, aboard one of the brand’s three uniquely intimate and stunning ships – Celebrity Flora®, Celebrity Xpedition® or Celebrity Xploration® – guests will be able to choose from six seven-night itineraries that are carefully curated to ensure wanderlust travelers experience all this extraordinary archipelago offers. A naturalist’s dream, travelers will be immersed in an undiscovered paradise, complete with incredible flora, rare wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and exotic adventures. From walking among tortoises and snorkeling alongside penguins in their natural habitat, to hiking otherworldly volcanic moonscapes, a natural playground abounds in the Galapagos. (PRESS RELEASE)_SEATTLE, WA, February 3, 2022 – U.S. headquartered Windstar Cruises has hired Cristienne (Cris) De Souza as the small ship cruise line’s director of revenue planning. The new position reports to Windstar’s Vice President of Revenue and Itinerary Planning Kristin Badgett and is based in Miami, Florida – Windstar’s official new headquarters beginning June of 2022. De Souza will work with Badgett to determine strategy and implement pricing for the Windstar fleet, including all six yachts. She will collaborate closely with Windstar’s parent company, Xanterra Travel Collection, to review strategies for achieving optimal pricing on all of Windstar’s itineraries and for all on-board amenities. She also will assist with analytics and recommendations on new deployment for future Windstar sailing destinations and offerings. (PRESS RELEASE)_WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 3, 2022) – United States Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr. said restoring intra-regional travel was an integral first step for restoring Caribbean tourism, and that Puerto Rico could be a key player in boosting tourism for the region and beyond. Speaking in Washington, D.C. where he was attending the National Governors Association winter meeting, Governor Bryan concurred with Caribbean leaders on the importance of rebooting intra-Caribbean travel, while lamenting the inconvenience of needing to transit through Miami when traveling to a neighboring island. To avert such time-consuming diversions he suggested a “greater hopper system” out of Puerto Rico: “That's a great hub so you can get to some of the smaller islands that are emerging as tourism destinations,” as well as flying people who want to get to their homes in other Caribbean nations. “So I think that Puerto Rico needs to develop that Caribbean hub and they need to develop their transit flights from Europe, as well as South America. That would have a huge impact on not only Puerto Rico, but also smaller islands,” he said. Additionally, the governor asserted Puerto Rico, because of its proximity to the USVI and its massive agricultural, production and shipping resources, can “single-handedly lower the cost of living in the Caribbean by establishing these food and service hubs in Puerto Rico, traveling out to our smaller islands”. (PRESS RELEASE)_Fort Lauderdale, FL – Feb. 3, 2022 – American Queen Voyages™, part of Hornblower® Group, announces the expedition team for the inaugural Alaska season of Ocean Victory™. The new 186-guest vessel will sail between Vancouver, B.C., and Sitka, Alaska, on 12 and 13-day cruises beginning May 7, 2022, marking the cruise line’s entry into expedition cruising. The team, led by previously announced Director of Expedition Peter Szyszka, will create unique expedition experiences for guests working closely with the award-winning American Queen Voyages shore excursions team, researchers from California Polytechnic State University, naturalist interpreters and Alaska Native and First Nations leaders. “This skilled team of expedition leaders we’ve assembled for Ocean Victory’s inaugural season provides a wealth of experience in Alaska’s wilderness as well as a deep passion for the destination itself,” said Szyszka. “Our team has been drawn to American Queen Voyages to share Alaska’s beauty up close through encounter travel experiences with this world-class expedition vessel.” The American Queen Voyages’ Ocean Victory inaugural expedition leadership team includes: (PRESS RELEASE)_VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Cunard announces the return of the extraordinary Literature Festival at Sea, curated by the programming team of The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival aboard flagship Queen Mary 2 in 2022, featuring a line-up of some of the world's finest talent, including Bernardine Evaristo, Ian Rankin, Alexander McCall Smith, Mary Beard and Richard Osman. The seven-night Transatlantic crossing, which departs New York for Southampton on December 3, 2022 will include a plethora of workshops, talks and readings as Queen Mary 2 sails across the Atlantic. (PRESS RELEASE)_Doha, Qatar, 2 February 2021: Qatar Tourism has announced new superyacht luxury cruises in partnership with Emerald Cruises, sailing from Doha launching in January 2023. Emerald Azzurra will offer a seven-night, eight-day itineraries from Doha, with stops at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Khasab, Oman; Fujairah, UAE; Zighy Bay, Oman; and Dubai and vice versa. Pre and post cruise tours are available where guests can opt for a three-day package to explore the sites and culture of Qatar. Highlights include the National Museum of Qatar, designed by French architect Jean Nouvel, in the style of a desert rose; or a visit to Souq Waqif, to purchase local souvenirs and spices. Visitors can take a trip into the desert and visit the Inland Sea, before enjoying dune bashing and a camel ride. The news comes as construction continues on the new Grand Cruise Terminal located in central Doha, near the Museum of Islamic Art and Souq Waqif. The terminal will have the capacity to host two megaships and will offer various attractions, including an aquarium and art gallery. (PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., Feb. 1, 2022 — To honor and thank first responders and healthcare workers, Holland America Line is extending its Military Appreciation Offer to members of these communities with $100 Onboard Spending Money. The premium cruise line is now also including heroes in Canada, along with the U.S., in the offer.
The bonus credit is available for select Have It All cruise bookings to a variety of destinations through May 2022. Reservations must be made by March 15, 2022. “As a company committed to service, we wanted to recognize those who continue to give incredibly selfless service with an extra ‘thank you’ for answering the call,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “Our hope is that while they are relaxing on vacation with us, they can enjoy their time on board just a little more.” |
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