(PRESS RELEASE)_London, Friday 11th March 2022: Virgin Voyages is calling it – cruising is back. After the brand has seen bookings surge by 178% in the last six months, 2022 is set to see a strong return across the industry as cruising sails towards pre-pandemic levels. After two years of restrictions, a study of 14,000 travellers by the brand finds consumer appetite for cruising has rocketed, with 96% keen to cruise this year. Compared to global holidaymakers, UK travellers are hungry to explore, citing destinations as the lead factor in picking a cruise (69%). Whilst the desire for travel is high, the data also indicates consumer confidence continues to rebuild with the health and safety protocols of a ship being the third most important factor (29%). The findings were released as Virgin Voyages today launches its second lady ship, Valiant Lady, at London International Cruise Terminal, Tilbury, demonstrating the continued success of the lifestyle and travel brand by Sir Richard Branson, with the UK being a fundamental focus. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, March 10, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line is making health screening simpler and quicker for guests. After a successful pilot of VeriFLY™ by Daon, a secure and free digital health app allowing vaccinated guests to easily submit pre-embarkation information, Carnival has launched the app fleetwide for all ships in all of its U.S. homeports, making Carnival the largest cruise line to utilize VeriFLY. Guests who use the VeriFLY app can expect the time it takes to complete the health assessment process during embarkation to be cut in half. “VeriFLY helps our guests easily and securely complete pre-embarkation tasks right from their smartphone. Guests can save time at the port and get on board faster by completing the process via VeriFLY,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. Using the app has been an easy choice for guests from the start. In the pilot program’s first test in January, ahead of a cruise on Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral, more than 85 percent of the 2,000 guests who opened an email invitation followed through by downloading the VeriFLY app. (PRESS RELEASE)_VALENCIA, Calif., March 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Echoing the travel industry's excitement at the news that the Canadian authorities are once again welcoming cruise ships, Cunard is eager to call on Vancouver and the spectacular region of Alaska this summer and beyond. Cunard returned to Alaska in 2019 to much fanfare and excitement, and now looks ahead with great enthusiasm to their 2022 summer Alaska season on Queen Elizabeth. The ship will again sail through the storied waters and landscapes of the Last Frontier, featuring the blue hues of the immense Hubbard Glacier, and Glacier Bay National Park – where visitors are awed by some of the world's most spectacular tidewater glaciers. (PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., March 10, 2022 — As part of its “Worry-Free Promise,” Holland America Line is giving consumers the confidence to make travel plans through the summer with the extension of its Flexible Cancellation Plan book-by date to May 31, 2022. The cruise line previously expanded the eligibility to cruise departures through Sept. 30, 2022.
Under the Flexible Cancellation Plan, guests who make a new booking by May 31, 2022, for itineraries that depart on or before Sept. 30, can cancel for any reason and receive a Future Cruise Credit in the amount of any cancellation fees that normally would be incurred. Cancellations must be made up to 30 days before departure. (PRESS RELEASE)_NASSAU, Bahamas, March 10, 2022 – As Carnival continues its year-long 50th birthday festivities, the company today marked 50 years of visiting one of its most popular destinations, The Bahamas, with a celebration in Nassau. Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy was joined by Bahamas Prime Minister The most Honourable Philip Brave Davis; Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister The Honourable Chester Cooper; Miss Universe Bahamas Chantel O’Brian; Bahamas Tourism industry and other community leaders; along with Carnival leadership. The Royal Bahamas Defense Force Marching Band kicked off the festivities held in Pompey Square, followed by performances from Bahamian singer Simmone Bowe and spoken word artist Joinel Juene. The event culminated with the cutting of a 50th birthday cake for Carnival and the upbeat sounds of a traditional Bahamian Junkanoo Band, which brought everyone to their feet. (PRESS RELEASE)_Port of Palm Beach, Fla. – (March 10, 2022) – Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line welcomed former MLB players and baseball fanatics onboard for an “All-Stars at Sea” sailing on Saturday, March 5th. With Hall-of-Famer Andre Dawson and a handful of other MLB greats in attendance for this special sailing, fans got to watch the players live in action during a softball game in Freeport and participate in a lively Q&A onboard. Upon arriving to Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line transported its guests and team of players to a local softball field where a friendly match took place. Two teams including the MLB greats, cruise passengers and local Bahamian youth league players competed head-to-head until a tied game was called, ceremoniously. “We are honored to have hosted such a great group of all-stars onboard and to have provided our passengers – many of whom are passionate about baseball – with this unique cruising experience,” said Francis Riley, chief commercial officer. The “All-Stars at Sea” sailing was an exciting venture for Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line as the line prepares to rebrand in April. Its flagship vessel, Grand Classica, will enter dry dock on April 17th, reemerging as Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, the flagship of the all-new vacation brand, Margaritaville at Sea, on April 30th. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line announced its rebranding to Margaritaville at Sea at the end of last year. **Editor’s Note: Hi-res images of the “All-Stars at Sea” sailing are readily available for use at the following link: https://bit.ly/3sT2S6E. All images should be credited to Scott Shapiro at South Florida Insider. For information or to book a cruise, visit www.BahamasParadiseCruise.com/. Follow Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line on Facebook at Facebook.com/BPCruiseLine, Instagram @BahamasParadiseCruiseLine, and Twitter @BPCruiseLine. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, FL. - March 9, 2022 – Richard Branson’s epic new cruise line, Virgin Voyages, revealed its fleet-wide partnership with international film and music superstar, entrepreneur and style icon, Jennifer Lopez. The award-winning cruise line was founded by Richard Branson, a modern-day entrepreneur with a track record for challenging the status quo. The Virgin experience is redefining the nautical tradition of appointing a godmother from a ceremonial role to a truly modern, change-making partnership with undoubtedly one of the most powerful artists in the world.
“My artistic and social mission is to empower, inspire and entertain,” says Jennifer Lopez. “Any opportunity that I get to combine all these attributes into a partnership and collaboration is exciting for me. I admire Sir Richard and all he has built. I am inspired by Virgin Voyages’ dedication to creating irresistible experiences and focus on well-being, which all fits perfectly with my own lifestyle and brand ethos.” Looking ahead, Jennifer Lopez, Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages have big plans together. From Sailor experience development with an emphasis on well-being and fitness, to design collaborations and entertainment co-creations - all to be released throughout 2022 - she will be a fleet guardian unlike any in history. And to kick things off with style and glamor, Virgin Voyages will be exclusively introducing JLo Beauty as part of the on-board offering, bringing Jennifer’s amazing products to the high seas for the first time. (PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (March 9, 2022) – With the recent announcement from the Federal Minister of Transport in Canada announcing the safe resumption of cruising in Canadian ports, Princess Cruises has finalized programs and guest experiences for a full summer season of 2022 cruises and cruisetours to Alaska, as well as its popular summer and fall Canada & New England program. More guests choose Princess in Alaska than any other cruise line and the 2022 program features six ships, including the line’s newest ship, Discovery Princess. Offerings include 12 unique itineraries, totaling 140 departures and five glacier-viewing experiences, with visits to the Southeast Alaska towns of Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. Princess sails to and from Vancouver on its popular “Voyage of the Glaciers” seven-day cruises to and from Whittier, Alaska. More than 20 cruisetour options feature an unforgettable land tour visiting the magnificent Denali National Park and Princess Wilderness Lodges and include the "Voyage of the Glaciers" cruise. Alaska cruises sailing from Seattle and San Francisco visit Victoria, Canada, along with various ports in Alaska towns dependent upon itinerary. “The reopening of Canadian ports to the cruise industry is a bold and important move that significantly expands the array of travel opportunities available to guests while boosting the economies of the Canadian and Alaska destinations we visit by generating important revenue and job opportunities,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “We know firsthand how cherished these voyages are to both guests and those destinations following our shortened but successful return to Alaska in 2021 that was made possible with the passing of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act.” (PRESS RELEASE)_VALENCIA, Calif., March 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the eagerly anticipated name reveal of Cunard's newest ship, Queen Anne on February 8th, the luxury brand now introduces her first Captain, Inger Klein Thorhauge. Thorhauge will lead the team responsible for on board operations and take charge for the new Queen's maiden season. Thorhauge, Cunard's first female Captain, celebrates 25 years of service this year with the company and will sail Queen Anne from Italy, where she is currently being built, to Southampton ahead of her inaugural sailing in early 2024. Thorhauge, who became Captain of Queen Victoria in 2010, started her career in 1997 as Second Officer on board Cunard's Vistafjord. Originally from the Faroe Islands, her career with the company has seen her travel the world many times over as captain of Queen Victoria and more recently Queen Elizabeth. "I am very proud to be Cunard's first female captain, but to be named as the first captain of Queen Anne is the greatest honor. It means the absolute world to me to be a part of the next chapter of Cunard," Thorhauge comments. "I can't wait to see the reaction Queen Anne will receive from our guests when they first step on board, then to set sail and showcase our beautiful new ship to the world, visiting wonderful, and exciting ports! I can only begin to imagine the reception she will receive. When I discuss Queen Anne with Cunard crew it is so clear how excited and proud they are too, to welcome a new ship to the fleet. The crew are fundamental in delivering that quintessential Cunard experience, and I know they will continue to deliver the exceptionally high standards of our White Star Service on Queen Anne that our guests expect from us." Sharing captain duties will be David Hudson who started his career with Cunard in 2006. Itineraries for Queen Anne will be revealed in May 2022. Further news about Queen Anne's senior leadership team will be revealed over the coming months. Meet Captain Thorhauge and the rest of the team behind Queen Anne's incredible journey, from design through to sailing - https://youtu.be/GH19JQUIwMU For more information about Cunard, or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com. For travel agents interested in further information, please contact your Business Development Manager, visit OneSource or call Cunard toll free at 1-800-528-6273. |
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