(PRESS RELEASE)_ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – April 25, 2019 – With just 66 days until the official debut of Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Cruises has unveiled three new cutting-edge partnerships for the revolutionary new ship: A world-renowned conservationist turned Godmother, a one-of-a-kind designer with an unmatched vision, and a leading university specializing in marine and atmospheric sciences.
“We are also thrilled to unveil three one-of-a-kind partnerships, which help underscore our passion for protecting this beautiful archipelago,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “Each of these new partners are helping shape a better tomorrow for our planet in one way or another – whether it’s through the research, sustainable material sourcing or conservation – and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this sea change.” Lutoff-Perlo also added: “These new partnerships are accentuating the already incredible work we’ve done with our other partners, including the amazing Francesca Bucci of BG Studio International, a New York City hospitality design firm – who designed every aspect of this stunning new ship – and the world-renowned marine scientist and regional destination expert Dr. Ellen Prager – who crafted new and exciting science- and discovery-based programming exclusive to Celebrity Flora.” A GODMOTHER WITH PURPOSE Naturally, sharing Celebrity’s passion for environmental stewardship was the most important factor in choosing a godmother for one of the most eco-friendly ships of its size in the Galapagos Islands. No one was a better match than Yolanda Kakabadse. Recognized as a prominent environmental leader and a global champion of sustainable development and biodiversity preservation, Kakabadse is a former Minister of Environment for the Republic of Ecuador and a former president of both the International Union for Conservation of Nature and World Wildlife Fund International. Kakabadse is passionate about reducing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of food waste, and is a member of Champions 12.3. She has dedicated her career to leaving the world a better place. (PRESS RELEASE)_Miami, FL April 2019: Boutique cruise line, Azamara Club Cruises, is thrilled to announce the complete list of 2021 and winter/spring 2022 itineraries. Committed to its Destination Immersion® programming, guests can expect over 140 overnight stays around the world; and deepen their discovery of Eastern Europe with expanded itineraries to the Black Sea and Turkey, including overnights in Istanbul and a chance to explore hidden gems including Antalya and Sinop. “Being a leader in Destination Immersion means staying ahead, which is why we’re thrilled to introduce our complete list of 2021 and winter/spring 2022 itineraries” says Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “With our commitment to connect people with culture, our guests can uncover world wonders, including new destinations such as Guyayaquil, Ecuador, with an overland expedition to the Galapagos Islands. We will also return to Japan, one of our most popular country-intensive itineraries, which visits marquee ports like Tokyo and Kobe, as well as the remote treasures of Kitakyushu and Kanazawa.” 10 Maiden Ports Include: Amami, Japan Arica, Chile Brest, France Fraser Island, Australia Guayaquil, Ecuador Manta, Ecuador Milos, Greece Pylos, Greece Tema (Accra), Ghana Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland Highlights of the 2021 and winter/spring 2022 itineraries and shore excursions include: In 2021, Azamara more than doubled its overnights in France and Spain since 2015 – examples of shore excursions include: · Andalusian Gastronomy Experience in Seville, Spain – Among the warm Mudéjar and Gothic style buildings of Seville, guests will learn how to cook like Sevillanos at the Taller Andaluz de Cocina. The Andalusian Cooking Workshop is located near the Mercado de Triano—a historical food market located a short distance from the city’s center. An unforgettable experience guided by a local, professional chef, participants will prepare the region’s quintessential dishes, later tasting them with the group. · Nantes/Loire Valley – A returning port for Azamara guests, travelers will experience old-world French culture with a visit to the privately owned, Chateau de Goulaine, which has been home to the Goulaine Family for over 1,000 years. Chateau-goers will marvel at splendors like the 15th century kitchen and winery; a local white wine tasting is included. Immediately after, visitors will drive 45-minutes to Clisson, a town known for its Medieval, Italian atmosphere and former middle ages fortress, Castle of Clisson. Azamara Travels Deeper into Turkey – highlights of the shore excursion programming include: · Complete Istanbul, Turkey – Azamara will spend three overnights in Turkey’s largest city, providing guests with an action-packed one-and-a-half-day tour. Highlights include a trip to the ancient Hippodrome; St. Sophia Museum, which originated as a church in 360 AD under Constantine; and Topkapi Palace, a great walled complex hugging the shores of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn and also the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. · Returning Ports: Antalya and Sinop - Azamara will be returning to two of Turkey’s hidden gems, Antalya and Sinop. Nestled on the coast of the Mediterranean, guests going ashore in Antalya will discover the world-famous Greco-Roman amphitheater, Aspendos—one of the world’s most well-preserved theaters, with seating for 15,000 people, which is still being used today. New Grand Voyages: Azamara will offer new Grand Voyages where guests can book back-to-back sailings across the globe and receive Onboard Credit for each leg of their voyage plus free WiFi. Azamara’s Grand Voyages are designed for guests to opt in for longer sailings by visiting more destinations, connecting with locals and their culture, while simultaneously saving money on their booking. One example of a new Grand Voyage includes: 69-night circumnavigation of South America: Roundtrip out of Miami, starting January 2022, this voyage will give guests an immersive experience of South America, covering 32 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, and sails through Antarctic Sound. To learn more about Azamara’s 2021 and Winter/Spring 2022 Itineraries, please visit: www.azamara.com/2021-2022-voyages. (PRESS RELEASE)_(New York, New York, April 24, 2019) As Game of Thrones (GOT) airs its final season, it’s a great time for fans to visit the film locations! Variety Cruises, an award-winning boutique small ship cruise line offers GOT devotees a unique way to explore Croatia, Iceland and Spain on three different cruise itineraries. Fans can board a Variety Cruises' Mega Yacht and sail to some of the most iconic GOT locations including Dubrovnik, Croatia; Reykjavik, Iceland or Seville, Spain. Variety Cruises allows guests to explore the true identity of a destination, while enjoying the personal attention of its crew (with almost a 2/1 passenger/crew ratio). Guests will indeed feel like a King or Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Adriatic Sea Discover the natural and historical treasures of the Adriatic, Dalmatian and of the Ionian Seas. Cruises to Croatia, Albania, Montenegro and Greece. Dalmatian Coast: Croatia and Montenegro aboard the 17 Cabin M/Y Cabin Callisto- Sailing dates from June 7, 2019 - August 21, 2020 Tales of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania & Greece aboard the 17 Cabin M/Y Callisto- Sailing dates from May 31, 2019 - September 11, 2020 The cruise itineraries include two days to discover the medieval treasures of Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik was the main filming location in Croatia for King's Landing. The Baroque architecture was used as a backdrop for many of GOT’s iconic scenes. The cruise also includes a day in Split, a town on Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast, known for its beaches and the fortress like complex at its center, another GOT film location in Croatia. The medieval fortress Klis was featured in GOT season 4 when Daenerys Targaryen and her army marched towards Meereen to free the slaves. The streets of Meereen were shot both on Klis Fortress and in Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Iceland, the land of Ice & Fire, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic volcanic landscape of geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, glaciers and black-sand beaches. The Icelandic Saga aboard the 24 Cabin M/S Panorama- Sailing dates from June 8- September 14, 2019 Iceland capital, Reykjavik, home to the majority of the population, runs on geothermal power and offers a renowned nightlife scene as well as Viking history museums. Experience the landscapes shown from “North of the Wall.” The itinerary includes many recognizable GOT locations featured throughout all 8 seasons. Visit Grundafjordur, a quintessential Icelandic town with an optional excursion of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. This small fishing village lies next to striking Mt. Kirkjufell, or “Church Mountain”, one of the most photographed mountains in Iceland known in GOT as the mountain shaped like an arrowhead. Pictured in Game of Thrones season 7 when Jon Snow and his gang venture to find the army of the dead north of the wall. The spectacular Skogafoss waterfall in Iceland was used in the first episode of Season 8. The cruise program travels to exciting ports to visit iconic landscapes, glaciers and beaches featured in GOT. Spain & Portugal Discover history-rich Spain and Portugal on a small ship cruise adventure in an intimate environment (no more than 49 fellow passengers). The unique and varied peninsulas of both countries offer a natural playground to be best explored with a small ship. Variety Cruises designed the ultimate itinerary to experience the destinations visited in depth, always keeping in mind the passengers’ comfort and safety. The Glories of Spain & Portugal aboard the 25 Cabin M/Y Harmony V- Sailing dates from June 8, 2019 – September 11, 2020 Seville, Spain was used as the set of Dorne, one of the fictional settings on GOT, where the scenes for the Water Gardens of Dorne at the Real Alcázar were filmed. Discover Seville, built along the Guadalquivir river with several UNESCO classified monuments and a rich Moorish and Spanish heritage. Spain’s diverse landscapes have provided the backdrop for several GOT locales. For example, the Real Alcázar in Seville, Spain was the real-life stand-in for the Royal Palace of Dorne seen in Seasons 5 and 6. Variety Cruises combines amazing destinations used in Game of Thrones on a mega yacht with a professional crew and exquisite cuisine always with a local flavor. The perfect ingredients to the ultimate yacht cruise experience. (PRESS RELEASE)_Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (BCPL) has announced a new lineup of deals and promotions that make it easier than ever for travelers to book the perfect getaway to Grand Bahama Island. As the only provider of daily, two-night cruises from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island, the cruise line will welcome back favorites like the Kids Sail Free and Triple Play promotions, as well as new discounted sailing rates and deposit fees. $129 Triple Play Triple Play is back and available now through April 30, 2019. For $129 per person, guests can enjoy five free drinks (a $60 value), $25 onboard credit for use in the gift shop, specialty dining, spa services, shore excursions and more, and $50 Casino Match Play to try their luck in the Par-a-Dice Casino. * Offer available now through April 30, 2019 and valid on sailings through July 31, 2019 in interior and ocean view staterooms only. No promo code required Kids Sail Free Available now and just in time for summer, children age 16 and under can sail for FREE on any May 31 – September 1 sailing when booked by May 31. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s two-night cruises include a range of supervised onboard activities for little ones and teens. Staterooms begin at $139 per person. *Offer available now through Friday May 31, 2019 for kids 16 and under on all interior and ocean view staterooms as well as suites – based on occupancy by two paying guests. Please call 800-995-3201 to redeem this offer. $59 Per Person, Per Night Staterooms Available now through May 31, guests can book an adventure to Grand Bahama Island anytime August through December for only $59 per person, per night in any stateroom, which means there is no better time to book an affordable, fun vacation with family or friends. *Offer available now through Friday May 31, 2019 for all August 1 - December 29, 2019 sailings and applies to interior and ocean view staterooms only. Use promo code 59PPPNQ219 at checkout to redeem this offer or call 800-995-3201. $25 Reduced Deposits Now with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, travelers can put even less money down to reserve a spot onboard Grand Classica and Grand Celebration so they can stress less and focus on enjoying a carefree getaway to the Bahamas. Featuring 50% off the standard deposit, fees start at $25 when guests call to book a cruise at (800) 995-3201. *Available for a limited time only For more information on Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line or to book a cruise, please visit: https://www.bahamasparadisecruise.com. (PRESS RELEASE)_FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 24, 2019) - MSC Cruises – the Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe and South America – is partnering with internationally acclaimed home and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart on new, exclusive culinary and discovery experiences on board and ashore to make MSC Cruises’ guests vacation moments even more special and memorable. The partnership — themed Celebrate, Discover, Experience — includes specially curated shore excursions, celebration surprise gift packages, and onboard special holiday dinner menus and recipes.
“MSC Cruises is committed to developing enriching guest experiences and as such we partner with world-class experts in their field to create together something truly unique,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises. “Martha Stewart’s philosophy and passion for discovery is a perfect match for MSC Cruises and we are excited to bring her innovation, style and expertise to life in this special partnership designed to help our guests create memorable vacation moments with friends and family.” “I’ve always enjoyed introducing people to new experiences, and I’m thrilled to be working with MSC Cruises on a partnership that embodies the true celebratory nature of travel, exploration and discovery,” said Martha Stewart. “The excursions showcase some of my favorite activities and help MSC Cruises’ guests discover some of the authentic and hidden treasures of destinations throughout the Caribbean. The holiday dinner menus and surprise gift packages encompass what I believe celebrations should include: good food, good company and commemorating great adventures and inspiration wherever we are.” MSC Cruises modern and elegant ships offer guests a distinctive experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage. On board guests will enjoy fine dining options with the best of Mediterranean and international cuisines, exclusive world-class entertainment, award-winning activities and facilities for families and children of all ages, luxurious wellness and comfortable accommodations to meet every need. It is through partnerships such as this latest with Martha Stewart that MSC Cruises is able to offer truly unique experiences that can only be enjoyed by MSC Cruises guests. This includes the innovative entertainment concept Cirque du Soleil at Sea, created with world-leader in live entertainment Cirque du Soleil, available on the Meraviglia class ships. MSC Cruises works with six of the world’s leading chefs, each representing excellence in their respective cuisine to deliver an international fine dining experience. Last month, the Company launched the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant, ZOE, on board MSC Bellissima, in collaboration with HARMAN, experts in the field of voice-enabled technology having developed audio solutions for technology leaders such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft. EXCLUSIVE MARTHA STEWART & MSC CRUISES EXCURSIONS Initially taking place in multiple destinations across the Caribbean, the uniquely curated Martha Stewart & MSC Cruises Excursions focus on some of Martha’s passion points and feature a variety of activities, including hands-on culinary classes and tastings of local delights, horseback riding in the ocean, hiking to hidden coves, visits to craft markets, lessons from local fisherman and tours of beautiful gardens. In addition to highlighting key landmarks at a destination, these specially crafted tours truly embody the locals’ favorite spots and tell the story of the local culture. (PRESS RELEASE)_VALENCIA, Calif., April 23, 2018 – Cunard has announced that celebrated film director John Landis and master costume designer, historian and professor Deborah Nadoolman Landis will sail on flagship liner Queen Mary 2 as part of the luxury cruise line’s renowned Insights program on a Transatlantic Crossing, August 18-25, 2019 (M925). While sailing on the seven-night voyage from New York to Southampton, England, the pair will offer Q&A sessions, lectures and a screening for guests to get a behind-the-scenes look into the world of motion pictures. John Landis’s films include Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Three Amigos!, Coming to America, Trading Places, An American Werewolf in London and the legendary Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Landis was the Executive Producer on the HBO comedy Dream On and in 2008 won an Emmy for his HBO documentary Mr. Warmth, The Don Rickles Project. Dr. Deborah Nadoolman Landis is an Oscar-nominated costume designer, historian and professor known for creating the iconic costumes for Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, the kingdom of Zumunda for Coming to America and Michael Jackson's legendary red leather jacket for Thriller. Professor Landis is the Director of the David C. Copley Center for Costume Design at the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television. She has written six books including Hollywood Costume, the catalogue of her 2012 blockbuster exhibition that she curated at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. “Continuing Cunard’s ‘Stars Aboard’ legacy, we are thrilled to welcome iconic film director John Landis, and esteemed costume designer, Deborah Nadoolman Landis onboard Queen Mary 2’s August 18th Transatlantic Crossing,” said Josh Leibowitz, SVP Cunard North America. “We are gratified to bring our guests these exclusive enrichment experiences, and to continue our legacy of hosting the world’s best and brightest personalities.” Cunard’s onboard Insights program offers guests an unmatched opportunity to learn from and mingle with captivating experts from various industries on every voyage, holding lectures and Q&As throughout the trip. Recent speakers have included Alan Cumming and Keegan-Michael Key. In addition, Cunard is offering extraordinary special event Crossings throughout the 2019 season celebrating fashion, astronomy, wine, ballet and more. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (April 22, 2019) – Carnival Cruise Line expands its onboard youth programming with an exclusive partnership with Zumbini offering high-energy early childhood activities and classes that combine singing, dancing and playing. Created by Zumba and BabyFirst, Zumbini’s mixed-age music and movement curriculum features group sing-alongs, activities and musical instruments to keep children engaged and energized while learning. Led by Carnival’s trained youth staff and aimed at Carnival’s youngest cruisers, the fleetwide onboard Zumbini program, which will be free of charge, will encompass two class options taking place within the Camp Ocean children’s play areas and other lounges: · All voyages: 30-minute drop-off class for Carnival Penguins age group (two-to-five years old); · Voyages of six days or longer: 30-to-45-minute family class for children up to six years old focused on parent/child bonding. “Carnival carries 800,000 children annually, the most in cruising, so we’re always expanding and enhancing our onboard programming to provide even the youngest cruisers an unforgettable experience,” said Chris Nelson, vice president of entertainment for Carnival Cruise Line. “We are so excited to bring Zumbini to our ships and to give families and their children a unique experience.” “When we realized that Zumba was transforming the fitness community and turning rigorous dance and aerobic movements into fun, approachable and sharable experiences, we saw the potential to make classes specific to families and children,” said Alberto Perlman, CEO of Zumba. “Based on the revolutionary Zumba exercise programs for adults, Zumbini’s classes have soared in popularity on land, so I can only imagine how wonderful they will be on the high seas,” said Jonathan Beda, CEO of Zumbini. “We knew Carnival was the perfect partner to take Zumbini seaside and cannot wait to give Carnival’s guests the ultimate bonding experience and a new way to Choose Fun.” (PRESS RELEASE)_CHICAGO — April 22, 2019 — When Virgin Voyages’ first ship, the Scarlet Lady, embarks on her inaugural season in 2020, Sailors will have access to extraordinary brews from Intelligentsia Coffee. The specialty coffee pioneer and Virgin Voyages’ partnership will be rooted in shared values of commitment to quality and responsible sourcing.
Coffee lovers should rejoice because Virgin Voyages Sailors will never have a bad cup on their holiday. Virgin Voyages’ exclusive Intelligentsia blend will be available complementary at all eateries on board Scarlet Lady and her sister lady ships. The Virgin Voyages Blend sources fresh coffee year-round, from Intelligentsia’s Northern season menu in the summer and fall and Southern season menu in the winter and spring. Throughout the year, Intelligentsia’s team creates a consistent flavor experience, balancing the comfort of familiar flavors with a spirit of adventure and discovery. Look for caramelized sugars, a touch of roastiness, and the natural sweetness that is the hallmark of Intelligentsia’s very best coffees. In addition to a constant supply of freshly brewed coffee in all eateries aboard Scarlet Lady, Ministry of Ground and Ministry of Ground Too powered by Intelligentsia will serve as the ship’s coffee bars, fully equipped with expert baristas and made to order beverages. Intelligentsia’s renowned coffee educators will provide extensive training to all Virgin Voyages baristas. "I judge a city by the quality of its coffee as social conversations cannot start before I've had my daily dose of personality juice,” said Chris Stubbs, Senior Director of Sailor Experience at Virgin Voyages.” We all knew Scarlet Lady needed a special coffee partner prepared by exceptionally trained baristas who can create the perfect cup of coffee to fuel our Sailors' voyages with us. Environmental sustainability and social impact are at the core of Virgin Voyages’ values. The brand’s purpose is to create an Epic Sea Change for All and use business as a force for good, creating positive changes for people and the planet. Those values are shared by Intelligentsia’s team, who focuses on making extraordinary coffee an agent of change. Chicago-based Intelligentsia is a pioneer of coffee’s “third wave”, and the ideals of exceptional quality, transparency, and innovation that define specialty coffee today. Best known for being the first to adopt the direct trade model, a progressive sourcing method where their buying team travels directly to coffee-producing countries to source and collaborate with partners, paying well above fair trade prices. Intelligentsia continues to innovate the industry, elevating every cup to a curated, culinary experience and working with partners to grow the world’s most exceptional coffees. Located in the heart of the ship on deck 7, coffee lovers can gaze out at the sea through a porthole-style window while enjoying their coffee. Designed by Softroom of London, Ministry of Ground features large porthole-style windows designed with their very own window seat so Sailors can gaze out at the ocean while sipping a single-origin crafted coffee. Ministry of Ground has been designed with soft earth-tone finishes and furnished with aquamarine and purple hues for seating, tables and loungers. In addition to great hand-crafted specialty coffees, Sailors visiting Ministry of Ground can indulge in complimentary light cakes and bites with retail items like bags of Intelligentsia coffees and Kilogram teas, coffee cups, kettles and more available for purchase. Ministry of Ground Too is located in The Galley food market, so Sailors can sip their favorite specialty coffee while grabbing a quick bite. Future Sailors and First Mates, travel partners, are invited to check out Virgin Voyages by visiting www.virginvoyages.com. (PRESS RELEASE)_PLANTATION, FLORIDA - April 22, 2019 – Virgin Voyages and Emerald Brand have announced a strategic sustainability partnership to deliver Virgin Voyages’ Sailors a unique, Tree-Free™ and plastic-free experience on board their new fleet of ships. The partnership begins on the Scarlet Lady, setting sail in 2020. Virgin Voyages is among the first of major cruise lines to ban Sailor-facing, single-use plastic. Their goal: to fully embed sustainability into their business model through their operations and the Sailor experience itself. In addition to replacing single-use plastics with reusable items, Virgin and Emerald will deliver a Tree-Free™ experience through the ship's disposable paper products. Bath tissue, facial tissue, hot cups, paper towels, and napkins will be made from 60% to 100% Tree-Free™ material. These products are made with unique technology that uses the by-product of agricultural crops that are typically burned or wasted, in place of trees. The partnership underscores the level of impact both companies are seeking to make. Jill Stoneberg, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at Virgin Voyages, states "We have really ambitious goals here so no decision is taken lightly. Everything down to seemingly simple changes in our supply chain are made with the intention of giving Sailors the absolute best experience while continuing to change business for good.” "Driving change to solve the issue of plastic waste and deforestation has been embedded in our company's ethos since my father founded our group over twenty years ago,” states Ralph Bianculli Jr., Managing Director of Emerald Brand. “It is a pleasure to partner with Virgin Voyages, who is showing its Sailors and the world that you can balance both enjoying the earth and caring for it at the same time without sacrificing your experience.” In addition to providing Tree-Free™ and plastic-free products to the ships, Emerald's team of environmental experts, known more commonly as the Eco-Squad™, will help Virgin Voyages measure and communicate the environmental footprint reduction that has resulted from the switch to Emerald’s products. The Eco-Squad™ will also provide solutions for continuous improvement throughout the supply chain. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (April 17, 2019) - The U.S. Virgin Islands is determined to position itself as the number one tourism destination in the Caribbean by employing robust public-private partnerships. Recently installed U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan, Jr., who led the Territory's delegation to Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami last week, made the declaration during discussions with leaders of the cruise line industry when he also shared news of the Territory's tourism developments. Speaking at a welcome reception hosted by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), Governor Bryan said "as we build this new Virgin Islands product and we recover from two hurricanes, our main push is to make St. Thomas the premier port in the Virgin Islands, to (solidify) an identity for St. Croix, whether it's in Christiansted with our small cruise ship industry or in Frederiksted with the expansion of our port and what we are doing in (the) town." The Governor said positioning the U.S. Virgin Islands as the premier destination in the Caribbean requires continued investment in the Territory's infrastructure and its people. He said it was important that Virgin Islanders understand the importance of tourism, explaining that the industry's continued contribution to GDP is dependent on high levels of customer service. To remain competitive, the U.S. Virgin Islands has embraced public-private partnerships, is looking at creative ways of securing financing, and is examining the addition of new ports of call to the Territory's harbors. "We cannot do that without the support of the FCCA and all our tourism partners, whether they're in aviation or the cruise (sector)," Governor Bryan said. "Working with the cruise industry is a commitment. It's a partnership. But together, the economic impact that we deliver to the destinations is unparalleled," said FCCA President Michele Paige. "We are not only your friend ... we're your partner," she told Governor Bryan and Commissioner of Tourism Designee Joseph Boschulte during the reception. Developing "win-win situations", she declared, was critical to the partnership. While in Miami, Commissioner Designee Boschulte, who is Chairman of The West Indian Company Limited and a board member of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, held several meetings with cruise ship executives on plans to upgrade the Territory's ports and to enhance the visitor experience. He also held strategic partnership talks with representatives from the British Virgin Islands, Sharon Flax-Brutus, Director of Tourism, and Shereen Flax-Charles, the newly-appointed Junior Minister of Tourism. At a travel industry luncheon - attended by members of the media, travel agents and meeting planners - the commissioner shared positive developments taking place across the sector, from airlift and accommodations to cruise port developments and arrivals, which have now returned to pre-storm levels. The tourism leader, who appeared on NBC's "6 in the Mix" during his visit, also had media appointments with representatives of Caribbean Journal, Cruise Critic, Food & Wine, Prevue, Recommend, Skift, The New York Times, Thrillist, and Travel + Leisure. In Miami, the USVI delegation displayed the culture of the Territory through a live performance by Virgin Islands musician Pressure Busspipe, vibrant steel pan music, a mocko jumbie, carnival dancers and authentic Virgin Islands products, ranging from candies and guavaberry to bush tea and pepper sauce. Commissioner Designee Boschulte declared: "The cruise industry is vital to the U.S. Virgin Islands' economy and our future as a tourism destination. Our attendance at Seatrade has increased cruise interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we look forward to positive developments in the future." |
ABOUTStay current with the latest news from the cruise lines. Gerry is Travel Editor at Aqua South Florida
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