(PRESS RELEASE)_Earlier this year, Celebrity Cruises announced ‘goop at sea’, an exclusive partnership with goop and Gwyneth Paltrow, which also sees Gwyneth in the role of Celebrity Cruises’ Well-Being Advisor. ‘goop at sea’ is a bespoke wellness experience which offers a series of transformative experiences and sessions curated and led by goop’s wellness practitioners. 

The 9-night Italian Riviera & France sailing departed from Barcelona on September 24 and anchored in Rome, Italy, to welcome guests for the never before seen program on the ship. 

Only a few short days after her 50th birthday, Gwyneth Paltrow hosted an interview on the ship with Elle Vora, MD, and answered some of the audience’s burning questions. Mind, Body and Soul Sessions were led by goop experts Isaac Boots, Jennifer Freed and Dr. Ellen Vora, including meditations, fitness sessions and other wellness activities. 

Guests also enjoyed nourishment from the inside out through exclusive pop-up experiences including tastings, product trials and massages, and received goop curated gifts and surprises. 
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Paltrow and the goop team supported Celebrity Cruises with curated innovative wellness offerings for Celebrity’s ships including on-demand wellness classes on stateroom TVs, a custom detox smoothie and fitness tools for guests of AquaClass® staterooms, and a fully-immersive next level wellness experience. On Celebrity Beyond, this is taken even further with Aqua Sky Suites featuring floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private verandas, luxurious bedding and other wellness amenities.
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Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world’s largest and leading expedition cruise line, has updated, adjusted and simplified the Covid-19 protocols.
The main change is removing pre-departure testing across all departures and ships - except for Antarctica expedition cruises - effective no later than October 1.

For Antarctica expedition cruises, guests must still provide a proof of a negative Covid-19 test to embark the ships.

Hurtigruten Expeditions will arrange for tests for all guests during the transfer from either Santiago, Chile, or Buenos Aires, Argentina. Cruise-only guests in Antarctica who travel to Ushuaia or Punta Arenas independently, must arrange for their own test within 72 hours before boarding the ship.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Carnival Splendor arrived in Sydney Harbour today, the first ship to enter Australian waters with international passengers in nearly three years, completing its 23-day transpacific voyage to its Australian homeport, and will now resume year-round service from Sydney. (See video here.)

Carnival Splendor was welcomed with a special escort by sister-brand P&O Cruises Australia’s ship Pacific Adventure before sailing past the landmark Sydney Opera House and arriving at the Port of Sydney. The ship is now set to operate its first cruise from Sydney on Oct. 1.

Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy traveled to Sydney to take part in the ship’s homecoming.
“Escorted by Pacific Adventure, Carnival Splendor’s return to Sydney Harbour was a stunning moment to see, and one we’ve been waiting for,” Duffy said. “The return of Carnival Splendor to Sydney is a milestone achievement, not just for us, but for the Australian cruising industry. Her arrival marks the first cruise ship to enter Australian waters with international passengers in nearly three years. Splendor’s return also kick-starts an exciting time for Carnival Cruise Line as it celebrates 10 years in Australia in October, and Brisbane being the first to experience our newest ship, Carnival Luminosa, in November.”

Carnival Splendor’s transpacific journey to Sydney began in Seattle, Washington, on Sept. 6. Guests aboard the special Carnival Journeys voyage enjoyed an unforgettable opportunity exploring the natural beauty of the South Pacific, with visits across Hawaii and the Fiji Islands.

Carnival Splendor’s first cruise from Sydney will take guests on a four-day getaway to Australia’s pristine Moreton Island. The ship will continue to offer a variety of Australian sailings year-round. To see current itineraries, click here.

(PRESS RELEASE)_NASSAU, Bahamas, Sept. 29, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line today hosted a group of 40 Bahamian students and maritime industry leaders aboard Carnival Dream in Nassau for a day of education and fun. 
 
In honor of Bahamas Maritime Week, the Carnival Dream crew spoke to the LJM Maritime Academy students about shipboard careers and job opportunities. The group was also treated to a special tour of the ship and a luncheon.
 
In conjunction with the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), Carnival coordinated the visit as part of the agency’s Maritime Week, a series of events held from Sept. 26-30 to showcase career opportunities in the industry to the next generation of Bahamian professionals. 

(PRESS RELEASE)_VALENCIA, Calif., Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Luxury cruise line Cunard in conjunction with Simon Friend Entertainment announces the performance of Deborah Moggach's The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel aboard flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2, December 15-22, 2022 (M240). Headlining the show are celebrated stars of stage and screen, Hayley Mills (Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, Whistle Down the Wind) who stars as Evelyn, Paul Nicholas (Jesus Christ Superstar, BBC 1's Just Good Friends, Eastenders) who plays Douglas and Rula Lenska (ITV's Rock Follies, Coronation Street, Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother) who performs as Madge in this feel-good tale of love and adventure.

The show's producer Simon Friend commented, "I am terrifically excited for our production of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel to embark on this adventure. Cunard's rich history is one of sophistication, catering for the most intrepid of travellers, and it is enormously flattering to be associated with this legacy. As a show about exploring the world and finding yourself anew, I hope too that it will connect to patrons watching while on the voyage!"

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI – September 28, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line today announced that actress Cassidy Gifford will serve as godmother to its newest ship, Carnival Celebration, at the ship’s naming ceremony taking place November 20, 2022, in Miami.

In a video released today, she was surprised with the news by her mother Kathie Lee Gifford, who was Godmother to Carnival Celebration’s namesake, M/S Celebration, christened in 1987. Her mother served as Carnival’s spokesperson in the company’s groundbreaking television campaigns going back to the 1980s, which were the first such network broadcasting advertisements for the cruise industry.  Kathie Lee is also a four-time Emmy Award-winning television personality. 

Cassidy first started sailing on Carnival as an infant and has many childhood memories of vacationing on Carnival ships with her mother and her father, the late Frank Gifford, who was an NFL and sports broadcasting legend. 

(PRESS RELEASE)_Geneva, Switzerland – September 28, 2022 – MSC Cruises revealed details today of the new entertainment offerings onboard MSC Seascape, including six phenomenal new shows specifically designed for the ship’s Chora Theatre. When MSC Seascape begins sailing in November, the innovative new Seaside Class flagship will provide countless hours of exclusive onboard entertainment featuring next-level production and interactive elements.  

Steve Leatham, MSC Cruises Global Head of Entertainment, said: “MSC Seascape is an exciting new addition to our Seaside Class of ships with some of the most remarkable entertainment options that our guests have ever seen. Inspired by New York City, which is home to world-famous Broadway shows and musical productions, MSC Seascape features spectacular new shows and full-scale productions that will dazzle all our guests. These new top notch entertainment options will take our onboard experience to the next level with superb performers, gorgeous stage design and excellent production quality.”

The exciting new ship ship features the popular Dueling Pianos concept featured on MSC Seashore, which launched in 2021, as well as an entirely new theatre offering unique to MSC Seascape, including

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI – (September 28, 2022) – Last Thursday, the Government of Barbados announced its changes to the island’s travel entry protocols. Effective midnight, Thursday, September 22, 2022, Barbados will discontinue all COVID-19 related travel protocols. Therefore, there will be no testing requirements to enter Barbados whether travelers are vaccinated or unvaccinated.

In addition, the wearing of masks generally will now be optional. Mask wearing only remains mandatory for persons working in and visiting healthcare facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and senior citizens homes; persons traveling on public transportation; and for persons who are COVID-19 positive.

Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Sen. The Hon. Lisa Cummins stated that “This is the last step for us which reflects our position as fully open for business following the COVID-19 pandemic. We look forward to continuing to welcome visitors to our shores to experience all of the new and returning events slated for the rest of the year, and into early 2023,” she said.

Contact your local travel agent to book your next cruise vacation to Barbados.

For more information on Barbados’ travel protocols visit www.barbadostravelprotocols.com.

For more information on travel to Barbados, visit https://www.visitbarbados.org/, follow on Instagram @visitbarbados, Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/VisitBarbados, and via Twitter @Barbados.
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