(PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif., (December 19, 2019) – Due to popular demand, Princess Cruises, the international premium cruise line known for its legacy of romance, announced a second Valentine’s Day (West Coast) cruise departing from Los Angeles to Mexico, to break the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the largest multi-location vow renewal. Officiated by the very first Bachelorette couple Trista and Ryan Sutter, the ceremony will take place onboard MedallionClass-ship, Royal Princess, setting sail from Los Angeles February 10-15, 2020, on a five-day, round-trip cruise to Mexico that includes an overnight stay in Cabo San Lucas, home of Lover’s Beach.

This newly added Cabo San Lucas Getaway cruise coincides with the previously announced MedallionClass-ship, Regal Princess Valentine’s Day cruise, a seven-day Western Caribbean voyage sailing from Ft. Lauderdale from February 9-16, 2020. Couples on Regal Princess will renew their vows in a ceremony officiated by Gavin MacLeod, who portrayed the endearing Captain Stubing with his television daughter, Jill Whelan, who played Vicki, serving as matron of honor. 

The mass renewal of vows ceremonies will take place simultaneously on February 11, 2020, with two official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Adjuducators on each ship to verify the record.

The very first couple to marry from The Bachelorette, Trista and Ryan Sutter met and fell in love in 2002, when she was America’s first Bachelorette, on the most popular reality dating show in television history. The couple wed on December 3, 2003, drawing over 26 million viewers, making it one of the most-widely viewed episodes in all of reality television. They celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary serving as the godparents of Ruby Princess in 2008. The couple currently resides in Vail, Colo., with their two children Max and Blakesley.

“We’re honored to officiate this world record title attempt, renewal of vows ceremony onboard Royal Princess, reminding couples about the importance of making time to celebrate romance and their love for one another,” said Trista Sutter. “Ryan and I are also celebrating 16 years of marriage this year and know first-hand that a cruise is the perfect way to reconnect with one another.”

Additional romantic touches and activities will be available on both cruises, offering the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in 2020.

Interested couples are encouraged to book now by contacting their travel advisor, calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com. To learn more about celebrating special occasions with Princess, visit princess.com/Celebrations.
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(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (Dec. 18, 2019) – After a successful debut in Long Beach, Calif. last week, Carnival Cruise Line revealed that Carnival Panorama features the largest retail collection in its fleet.

Among the new offerings is the line’s most expansive beauty footprint at sea with interactive hands-on events, mini-makeovers and beauty workshops such as smoky eye tutorials and contouring classes as well as a shop dedicated to the launch of the line’s reimagined and fashion-forward logo merchandise collection.

“We are thrilled to launch our most fun shopping experience in the fleet onboard Carnival Panorama. We’ve partnered with brands that our guests love and have introduced new brands that are sure to become Carnival fan favorites,” said William Butler, vice president of retail services for Carnival Cruise Line. “Our Panorama retail experience allows our guests to Choose Fun however they want whether it’s sporting a new beauty brand or fun designs from our new logo apparel assortment.”

At the new ‘Beauty Bar’ on Deck 5, beauty specialists guide guests as they indulge in the best makeover experiences at sea – perfect for a night on board or a special occasion. The Beauty Bar features an assortment of top skincare, cosmetics and fragrance brands including Urban Decay, Dior, Estée Lauder, and Clinique, among others.

Other onboard retail offerings include the largest Effy jewelry assortment in the fleet with exclusive Carnival Panorama pieces and a first-ever Carnival-branded inaugural collection; Carnival’s most expansive watch assortment with fine and fashion timepieces; terrific branded shop experiences with John Hardy and Swarovski; along with retail items connected to the Pixels Photo Gallery experience and shore excursions from Carnival Adventures.

Carnival Panorama’s new logo collection includes hundreds of exclusive items that combine fashionable designs and patterns with fun and reimagined takes on the line’s signature red, white and blue winged funnel and “Choose Fun” tag line. The line partnered with artists to further expand the assortment, giving guests a unique take on souvenir items that evoke special memories from their Carnival cruise experiences.  

The assortment features nearly 100 items as part of a Carnival Panorama inaugural retail collection, a “California Collection” with designs inspired by the Golden State and all of the classic logo items that guests know and love.

“For this collection, we listened to our guests who are spirited ambassadors of the brand and pushed our prior design boundaries to create an incredible assortment of lifestyle-based logo options that put the fun in FUNction and fashion,” said Butler.

Carnival Panorama is also home to the largest Cherry on Top in the fleet offering more than just tempting treats. In addition to the line’s widest candy assortment with 120 kinds of bulk candy, the “sweetest spot on board” also offers a host of new novelty products including a whimsical Dr. Seuss at Sea collection in collaboration with longtime partner Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

Carnival Panorama began year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises on Dec. 14, 2019, with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

(VIRGIN VOYAGES)_As a nod to the classic perfume ads, Virgin Voyages announces the release of Ship No. 1, the “signature scent of Scarlet Lady” with a video, featuring Sir Richard Branson.

Created by Air Aroma, Ship No. 1 embraces the marine and aromatic freshness of sea lavender, contrasted with the warmth of sun-kissed wood from a fig tree. Transport yourself into a vacation mindset all year long with the signature smell of the sea, salt in the air and sun on your skin feeling that is evoked by this new fragrance.  

The scent will be infused throughout Scarlet Lady, but before the ship sets sail, you can purchase a bottle of Ship No. 1 exclusively on itsmellslikeship.com.

Virgin Voyages’ Ship No. 1 is $50 for a 100ml bottle and available. All net-proceeds will be donated to ocean conservation non-profit foundation, Ocean Unite. Proceeds are in support of the 30X30 initiative, which aims to safeguard at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 through a network of highly protected marine areas.  

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (Dec. 11, 2019) – Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading luxury ocean cruise line, today unveiled details of the breathtaking $5 million art collection to be permanently displayed aboard Seven Seas Splendor™. Taking nearly two years to curate and commission, the 300-piece collection is sourced from artists and galleries from around the world and will debut when the new ship launches in February 2020.

“Artwork featured on Seven Seas Splendor is one of the most discerningly curated collections of museum-quality 20th and 21st century art on the seas,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., who personally commissioned artwork for the ship. “We created a contemporary fine art collection that transforms each space with thoughtfulness, color and inspired creativity to perfect the ambience of luxury. This is truly a cohesive collection our guests will appreciate, with each piece impeccably displayed in public areas and in guest suites throughout this magnificent ship.”

The collection features works from more than 200 artists across dozens of mediums.

Reflecting an extensive and diverse collection featuring modern and classic artists, the works are presented in all areas of Seven Seas Splendor, from restaurants and lounges to hallways and restrooms, complementing the ship’s elegant interior design. Great thought was given to the positioning of the pieces, beyond how they would appear in the space.

For example, there is historical significance of Joan Miró’s The Bullfighter Move on display next to Eduardo Arranz-Bravo’s Bull in Prime 7, the ship’s premier steakhouse. Miró’s and Arranz-Bravo’s work showed at the same prestigious Sala Gaspar Gallery in Spain in 1969, the same year The Bullfighter Move was created. Miró, age 76 at the time, was well-established internationally as one of Spain’s masters. He became more familiar with the talent of 28-year old Arranz-Bravo’s works through this showing, and championed Arranz-Bravo as an emerging artist and helped him rise to worldwide acclaim. Now, their work will be forever displayed next to each other on Seven Seas Splendor.

“We are proud to partner with the array of contemporary artists whose pieces are featured and share their amazing talent with our guests to enjoy,” Del Rio said. “By including their art in the Seven Seas Splendor collection, my hope is more people will become familiar with these wonderful international artists, some of whom I’ve had the pleasure to personally meet along the journey of curating this collection.”

An installation that will become an iconic sculpture aboard Seven Seas Splendor is the dramatic mythical dragon rising from under the floor and swirling through the large space up through the ceiling to greet guests in front of Pacific Rim, the ship’s exquisite Pan-Asian restaurant. Holding a supernatural pearl, the cast bronze dragon is an embodiment of good luck in Asian culture. Guests walk through the winding, life-size dragon to enter Pacific Rim.

Dramatic chandeliers, which were commissioned and are also works of art, add to the sophisticated décor. They reflect light in a beautiful balance between drawing attention to their marvelous designs and filling the room with warmth and clarity. 

In total, there are 216 exquisitely designed crystal chandeliers in restaurants, lounges and in other public spaces on Seven Seas Splendor, with another 119 crystal chandeliers inside the spacious suites and 218 chandeliers illuminating the ship’s corridors.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dec. 12, 2019 – Combining luxe comfort and casual elegance, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ suites and staterooms provide guests a regenerative haven after a day of excitement and achievement. When World Navigator launches in 2021, guests will bask in the ship’s 98 deluxe suites and staterooms, all exterior with an ocean view and most with a private veranda. Adventurous travelers can choose among seven general categories of accommodations, ranging from the 183-sq. ft. Adventure Staterooms to the ship’s signature one-bedroom, 466-sq. ft. Navigator Suite. All suites and staterooms feature décor that is infused with European sophistication; incorporate modern technological conveniences; and include a stocked refrigerator, deluxe bath amenities, hairdryer, plush robes and slippers, digital safe, daily make-up and turndown service, still and sparking water – replenished twice daily, and ample storage. For more information about World Navigator and her Luxe-Adventure accommodations, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.

“When guests return to World Navigator after a day of adrenaline-pumping Atlas land adventures, their suites and staterooms will be an intimate and stylish retreat that reinvigorates the body and renews the spirit,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “World Navigator and her luxe amenities also will provide alluring and lively venues for guests to come together and share their day’s exploits. Throughout their Atlas voyage, guests will delight in engaging and personal service from every member of our exceptional staff and crew.” 

Nearly 90 percent of the ship’s accommodations include verandas, including the 269-sq. ft. Horizon stateroom, which features a floor-to-ceiling glass wall with an upper panel that slides open to make the entire room a veranda – a concept first developed by parent-company Mystic Invest Holding for river cruise ships. The Horizon staterooms’ living room-veranda hybrid design also offer 23 percent more interior space than the traditional 269-sq. ft. Veranda staterooms, though both deliver breathtaking vistas in the open air, whether guests are adventuring in the Black Sea and Holy Lands or exploring Antarctic waters. Twelve Adventure Staterooms also offer guests a view of the ocean and passing landscape through a large picture-frame window.

The centerpiece of each stateroom is a queen-size bed that can be separated into two twin beds facing an oversized, interactive flat-panel screen, providing an expansive line-up of live and on-demand television, movie, music and audio programming, as well as Bluetooth connectivity for smartphones and tablets. Each stateroom also includes a desk with chair, while the Horizon and Veranda staterooms offer a sitting area with a plush loveseat and coffee table for guests to enjoy the adjacent sea view. For cameras, phones, tablets and other electronic devices, five USB ports and five 110V and 220V outlets are placed strategically throughout the room so guests have options for where they would like their devices to rest while charging.

For adventurers preferring more space, World Navigator also offers 10 one-bedroom suites. The Journey Suite offers 382 sq. ft. of space; the Discovery Suite, 445 sq. ft.; and the Navigator Suite, 466 sq. ft. All suites also feature a double-wide, 106 sq. ft. veranda, furnished with sun loungers, teak chairs and tables to enjoy private, al fresco dining or relaxation. Each suite includes two closets and the living room and bedroom each include an oversized, interactive flat-panel television, as well as all the amenities found in aforementioned stateroom categories. Additionally, adventurers also can choose among two Junior Suiteconfigurations, one with exterior veranda and the other with the floor-to-ceiling Horizon window that opens to make the entire 300 sq. ft. suite into a veranda. 

All of World Navigator’s in-room bathrooms feature spa showers walled with mosaic tiles. Guests can choose one or a combination of rain shower, handheld showerhead and four adjustable bodyjets for a luxurious bathing experience. Guests can rejuvenate with shampoo, conditioner and body wash by L’Occitane, part of the cruise line’s partnership with the iconic French beauty brand, as well as L’Occitane handwash and hand lotion at the ceramic vessel sink, which sits atop a rich, wood-grain veneer cabinet. The Navigator Suite and Discovery Suite both offer his-and-hers sink and a separate water closet, while the Navigator Suite is accentuated with a bathtub.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a Luxe-Adventure cruise brand that is creating a community of new world explorers by delivering authentic, thrilling, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the world’s most sought-after and remote destinations. The new brand’s first ship, World Navigator, will open for booking in December 2019, and start sailing exhilarating itineraries in mid-2021. In 2022 and 2023, World Navigator will be joined by sister-ships World Traveller, World Adventurer, and World Seeker. 

Atlas Ocean Voyages is the U.S. distributor of Mystic Invest Holding, a Portuguese holding company that owns and operates a portfolio of travel and tourism brands in cruises, tours, transportation and attractions. Its ships are among the first new Portuguese-built and flagged cruise ships in more than 50 years and employ the latest sustainability technologies to help preserve the breathtaking locales and waters they ply for future generations to also enjoy. For the latest news and more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages and World Navigator, please call 1-844-44-ATLAS (1-844-442-8527); visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com; and follow @AtlasCruises on Facebook and Twitter, and @AtlasOceanVoyages on Instagram.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Boston, MA – December 9, 2019 – Vantage Deluxe World Travel is pleased to announce that it has been named ‘Best for Solo Travelers’ in Cruise Critic’s 2019 Editors’ Picks Awards.

Vantage Deluxe World Travel is the only deluxe cruise company that offers supplement-free solo cabins outfitted especially for singles, adding up to thousands of dollars in savings for the best experience at the best value.

“We are honored to be recognized by the editors at Cruise Critic,” said Henry Lewis, Founder and Chairman of Vantage Deluxe World Travel. “At Vantage, we believe that you can comfortably and enjoyably see the world as a solo traveler and we work to ensure our solo travelers are well taken care of and always feel like they are part of a group.”

Earlier this year, Vantage announced new itineraries, solo-only departures and expanding accommodations for the solo traveler in 2020. Sixty-two solo cabins have been added to the company’s fleet of six owned ships—for a total of 90 solo cabins; all of them are supplement-free for singles. 

Vantage’s addition of 62 solo cabins will be located on all decks of all ships, and at approximately 150 to 210 square feet, are larger than the industry standard.  Unlike many other companies, many cabins feature French balconies, allowing travelers to enjoy a solo adventure without compromising on comfort, views, and amenities.

All ships include Solo Connections, Vantage’s exclusive onboard events; and exclusive concierge service available on every departure. In addition, every Vantage journey is led by an experienced Tour Director, Cruise Director, or Adventure Leader who ensures the journey goes smoothly for everyone and keeps a special eye out for solo travelers.

In addition, Vantage was recently named the winner of three Solo Traveler awards including ‘The Solo Traveler’s Choice Award,’ ‘Best Tours for Solo Travelers,’ and the shared-honor of ‘Best River Cruise for Solo Travelers’ with Riviera River Cruises. Vantage was recognized for its ability to cater to solo travelers, including cabin availability and special services targeted for solo travelers, before or during trips.

Cruise Critic boasts the largest online cruise community with more than 650,000 cruise reviews, covering approximately 700 cruise ships across the globe. For the full list of winners, visit the 12th Annual Editors' Picks Awards.

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (Dec. 11, 2019) – The arrival of Carnival Panorama – the line’s first new ship on the West Coast in 20 years – was celebrated in true Carnival Cruise Line fashion with Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White serving as godmother and officially naming the ship during a memorable ceremony on board.

White delivered poignant comments during which she spoke about her love of cruising and the commitment she shares with Carnival to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, as well as the cruise line’s relationship with Wheel of Fortune, which she has co-hosted for the past 37 years.

Then, in a nod to her role on Wheel of Fortune, America’s Game®, White turned a series of letters spelling out PANORAMA that triggered the release of a bottle of Moet champagne to officially name the ship.

“I’m incredibly flattered and honored to be the godmother of this ship.” said White. “Naming Carnival Panorama was truly a special moment, and one I will never forget. I look forward to sailing on her in the future.”

The festivities also included a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Carnival Kitchen, a first-in-fleet culinary center that offers more than 15 different interactive cooking, baking and decorating demonstrations. 

Joining Carnival President Christine Duffy at the ribbon cutting were Carnival’s team of “Culinary All Stars” including Guy Fieri whose Burger Joint and Smokehouse Brewhouse are featured on Carnival Panorama, as well as Emeril Lagasse and Rudi Sodamin, who each will have new restaurants, Emeril’s Bistro 1396 and Rudi’s Seagrill, respectively, on the new Mardi Gras when it debuts next year.

“One of the things we are most proud of is the delicious food we offer across our fleet,” said Duffy. “To celebrate Carnival Panorama’s inaugural with our very own ‘Feast of Fun’ featuring our amazing culinary team both on board and through our partnerships really added to the celebration.”

The grand opening of the first Sky Zone trampoline park at sea was celebrated with Duffy and Sky Zone CEO Jeff Platt cutting the ribbon followed by the first participants checking out the high-flying action within the two-level, 3,000-square-foot facility. 

The day included a return of the Carnival AirShip, a 128-foot-long blimp emblazoned with the line’s Choose Fun tag line and concluded with a massive fireworks display that lit up the Long Beach sky.

Following an inaugural three-day cruise, Carnival Panorama will launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera service from Long Beach, Calif., Dec. 14, departing every Saturday on week-long voyages to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

(PRESS RELEASE)_FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (December 7, 2019) – Princess Cruises, the world’s fastest growing international premium cruise line, christened its newest ship, Sky Princess today in a moving tribute to the pioneering women of the U.S. Space Program who represent crowning achievements in science, research and technology through innovation and their desire to explore the far reaches of the sky.

Princess Cruises chose the theme of Reach for the Sky for the occasion, and honored two women of NASA for their achievements in the U.S. space program: Captain Kay Hire, and engineer Poppy Northcutt, who served as the godmothers of Sky Princess.

Captain Hire began her 30-year NASA career as a mechanical systems engineer, helping to launch more than 40 space missions. Then, as an astronaut, she logged 700 hours in space, flew over 12 million miles, and orbited the earth 475 times. She was the first female assigned to a military combat flight crew while serving in the U.S. Navy. And, she retired from the U.S. Navy with more 35 years of service. Poppy Northcutt served as the first female mission control engineer when NASA made history with its mission to the moon. When the crew of Apollo 13 became stranded in their service module, it was her team’s calculations that brought them home safely – a feat of heroism that earned the entire mission operations a Presidential Medal of Freedom Team Award.

​There are a lot of differences between ocean cruising and river cruising.

Ocean cruising usually means you're traveling with lots of people, sometimes as many as 6,000 or more on today's megaships.  Your days are programmed from morning to midnight -- there's always something going on. Shore excursions are optional, and pricey. Personal service is lacking, unless you pay a premium.

But  our river cruise, on Vantage Deluxe World Travel's Ms River Splendor, was just the opposite. Total passengers were less than 200, including 46 staffers. We programmed our own day. Shore tours at every stop came with our cruise. And best of all, Vantage took care of everything, from pickup at the airport to arranging the tours to getting us back home.  READ MORE.