By Gerry Barker MIAMI BEACH_When we think LG, we picture TVs and appliances, right? But as the South Korean-based electronics giant makes new inroads into the cruise industry, you can also add ultra-realistic displays, signage and even robots to the mix. The company was here at Seatrade Cruise Global to reinforce their commitment to cruising, and Senior Account Manager Tracey Estes talked about how LG is bringing their expertise to the cruise industry "in a variety of ways." Of course, the most obvious is the TV in-cabin experience. "We want it to be rich, engaging, thin, and give all the content the cruise lines want the cruisers to have. That's really important," said Ms. Estes. She said their most popular models range from 43 inches down to 22 inches, and have to be engineered to withstand humidity and salt air. But beyond TVs, she said LG is "excited to have a bigger presence in the digital signage for the public spaces onboard." We have noticed that on the newer ships, signage is playing an increasingly important role, especially on the larger ships, where getting from one place to another, and remembering where the venues are, can be challenging. "One of our big initiatives is engaging cruisers as they walk through the ship," she said. By GERRY BARKER MIAMI BEACH_Whether you call it yachting or cruising, SeaDream Yacht Club’s two ships — SeaDream I and SeaDream II — have earned numerous accolades and industry awards for providing a five-star, all-inclusive, small-ship experience for their guests. Here at Seatrade Cruise Global, SeaDream Public Relations Manager Adrienne D’Annunzio gave the media an update for the Norway-headquartered company, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. At the top of what’s new is the recent upgrade just completed on SeaDream II, the result of a $10 million makeover of both vessels. SeaDream I’s refit is also nearing completion and will sail its first voyage out of dry dock in Portugal on May 19, from Lisbon to Barcelona. READ MORE AT ALL THINGS CRUISE By Gerry Barker MIAMI BEACH_American Cruise Lines promotes “Closer to Home” with its fleet of paddlewheelers, modern riverboats and coastal ships navigating U.S. waterways. Now, with “Project Blue,” the pre-eminent American cruise line will be closer to home than ever. Here at Seatrade Cruise Global, company president and CEO Charles B. Robertson spoke to the media about the new initiative. “Project Blue started as a design challenge to create a boat small enough for New England harbors and stable enough for the Alaska Inside Passage, with a draft shallow enough for the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,” said Robertson in a press release. “These boats can run almost anywhere, and because there will be 12 of them, they will be deployed all over the United States.” READ MORE AT ALL THINGS CRUISE By Gerry Barker MIAMI BEACH_There are a lot of ships showcasing the wonders of Antarctica, but only one giving guests a look at what’s under the ice. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, whose ocean-going super yachts feature helicopters and submarines, was here at Seatrade Cruise Global to provide an update on their business and a look at what’s coming up. Established in 1987, Scenic and its sister brand, Emerald Cruises, operate a fleet of 26 ships, both river and ocean-going, built in the owner’s two shipyards. Maggie Carbonell, VP Marketing for Scenic Group USA, met with All Things Cruise to give a company update. READ MORE AT ALL THINGS CRUISE (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, May 6, 2022 – Family cruise line Royal Caribbean International is looking for the Godmother of the world’s newest wonder, Wonder of the Seas, and the search begins today on TikTok. U.S. users of the popular video-sharing platform can now take part in the #SearchForWonderMom contest by nominating a mom who inspires those around them to discover, wonder and make memories. The call for submissions is open through Monday, May 16, at 11:59 p.m. ET, and the winner will be announced on Royal Caribbean’s TikTok this summer. “The role of a Godmother is an important and longstanding maritime tradition, and it began with naming prominent public figures to now recognizing everyday heroes like moms,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “With a combination of brand-new adventures and signature favorites across entertainment, thrills, dining and nightlife, Wonder of the Seas is designed to inspire wonder and awe in children and travelers of all ages. Moms do just that and more day in and day out.” Wonder’s Godmother will have the honor of bestowing a blessing of safekeeping on the ship, its crew and the millions of guests who will sail in the years to come during the new ship’s naming ceremony in Port Canaveral, Florida, in December. Plus, the honoree and their family will set sail on an exclusive cruise to the cruise line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, which features 13 waterslides – including the tallest in North America, Daredevil’s Peak – private overwater cabanas at the Coco Beach Club escape and the sky-high helium balloon adventure, Up, Up & Away. By Gerry Barker MIAMI BEACH_The bold banners hanging at the Miami Beach Convention Center said it all: "Welcome Back to the Ship." The 2022 edition of Seatrade Cruise Global, held April 25-28, welcomed almost 9,000 participants from all parts of the globe, a four-fold increase from the same event last year, an indication of the optimism that cruising is coming back from the pandemic stronger than ever. Over four days of panel discussions, major announcements, receptions and presentations, the dominant overall theme was "resilience" and "sustainability." Those themes were echoed in Tuesday morning's keynote address, "The State of the Global Industry: Resiliency and the Restart," featuring Kelly Craighead, President & CEO, Cruise Lines International Association, Arnold Donald, President & CEO, Carnival Corporation, Jason Liberty, President & CEO, Royal Caribbean Group and Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group. Moderating the panel was the the BBC’s Lucy Hockings. (PRESS RELEASE)_BARCELONA, SPAIN, May 4, 2022 – The world’s newest wonder, Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas, arrived in Barcelona, Spain, to kick off a summer full of memorable holidays in Europe. The fifth in the cruise line’s revolutionary Oasis Class line-up sets course for the Mediterranean on 7-night cruises from Barcelona and Rome beginning Sunday, 8th May. With a combination of brand-new thrills and signature favorites on board, Wonder is the getaway where holiday-makers of all ages can make memories as they sail to explore sought-after destinations such as Florence, Naples and Capri, Italy; Provence, France; and Malaga, Spain. The adventures in store aboard Wonder span eight distinct neighborhoods – a Royal Caribbean first – that are filled with exhilarating experiences, entertainment, restaurants, bars and lounges to enjoy day and night. Highlights include: (PRESS RELEASE)_FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA., May 4, 2022 – Atlas Ocean Voyages appreciates Travel Advisors every day and is continuing its appreciation into May, the designated Travel Advisor Appreciation Month. Throughout the month, Atlas Ocean Voyages is featuring its valued Travel Advisor partners weekly through social media starting this week. Additionally, Atlas Ocean Voyages is providing Travel Advisor’s a $500 bonus for every new luxe-adventure booking made in May for summer 2022 luxe-adventure voyages. For more information, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com and click on Travel Advisors. "Atlas Ocean Voyages recognizes the importance of Travel Advisors and the invaluable role they play in our industry," said Carlos Garzon, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Atlas Ocean Voyages. "We sincerely appreciate all the work Travel Advisors have done to promote our new luxury expedition cruise line. Our new $500 bonus commission program is one of the many ways we thank Travel Advisors for their hard work recommending Atlas Ocean Voyages.” (PRESS RELEASE)_VALENCIA, Calif., May 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Luxury cruise brand Cunard unveils over 110 international voyages, sailing on its iconic fleet between October 23, 2023 and May 14, 2024, including the maiden voyages on new ship Queen Anne. "Our new voyage program offers four magnificent ships in the Cunard fleet for the first time since 1999." Across the new itineraries, the four-ship fleet comprising of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne, will call at 126 unique ports in 51 countries, with voyages ranging from two-night city breaks to a 108-night world voyage. Queen Anne is scheduled to call at more than 32 ports across the world during her maiden season, all sailing out of Southampton. Following her maiden voyage to the enchanting city of Lisbon, the newest Queen will embark on a collection of enticing sailings in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Northern Europe as well as an Eastbound Transatlantic Crossing. (PRESS RELEASE)_MONTE CARLO (May 3, 2022) – Azamara, an upmarket cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion® experiences, has officially added Azamara Onward to its now four-ship fleet today following a festive naming ceremony in Monte Carlo. The christening ceremony was led by the President of Azamara, Carol Cabezas, and Azamara Onward Godmother, Beth Santos, founder and CEO of global community and lifestyle brand Wanderful. “We are thrilled to introduce Azamara Onward and share this special moment with our loyal guests,” said Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara. “This is an exciting new chapter for our company, and we are so thankful for our hardworking team both onboard and offshore, for making this possible. Together, we look forward to bringing Azamara Onward and our love of travel further than ever before, to connect even more guests with the many people and cultures of the world.” Prior to the ceremony, Azamara Onward ventured from Barcelona to Monte Carlo on an exciting five-day pre-inaugural voyage, stopping in Marseille, France and Porto Venere, Italy along the way. Upon arrival to the port of Marseille, guests had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the destination through a ‘Marseille City Sights’ shore excursion, discovering the immutable charms and rich history of Marseille, one of France’s most colorful ports. |
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