Cruise
Celebrity chefs spice up Silversea voyages
Renowned chefs and food writers are set to share some of the world's finest gastronomic traditions on seven upcoming Culinary Arts voyages aboard Silversea Cruises. The unique culinary theme cruises showcase the skills of culinary experts and award-winning chefs of top dining establishments from around the world, including the internationally acclaimed chefs of Relais & Châteaux, the distinguished international association of charming properties and gourmet restaurants. One special Culinary Arts voyage, "The Flavors of Europe,"will take place aboard Silver Explorer's Expedition Voyage...
Record August ‘heat’ for Crystal Cruises
Reservations for Crystal Cruises surged this summer as the cruise line finished the month with its highest ever August booking week and month in its history. With the expiration of its Aug. 31 "Book Now"fares, travel agents booked more than 110% more revenue than any prior year during the same week and for the entire month of August. Effective Sept. 1, Crystal launched a new "Book Now"deadline of Oct. 31 for its worldwide line-up of 2012, 2013 and early 2014 cruises. While the new series of "Book Now"fares offer generous bonus savings of as much as US$3,000 p.p., the line has also increased...
Princess introduces small-ship Caribbean experience
Princess Cruises has introduced a new Caribbean cruise opportunity for travellers looking to get away from the cold January weather. Featuring the intimate cruise experience of its small ship Pacific Princess (680 passengers), the 10-day sailing features the line's only calls at the boutique ports of Tortola and St. Barthelemy in 2013. Sailing from Jan. 17-27, this Eastern Caribbean voyage also offers full day calls in Antigua, St. Lucia and St. Kitts, featuring a late evening departure to give guests more time on the island. "Because Pacific Princess travels the globe, we rarely have the...
Compagnie du Ponant courts agents with special rates
Compagnie du Ponant has introduced special travel agent rates on select cruises - up to 50% off the regular rate. Agents are invited to explore the Caribbean aboard the three-masted sailing vessel Le Ponant or South America on board either of the company's newest 264-guest yachts, L'Austral or Le Boréal. The cruise company relies on the agent market for sales and makes it a priority to educate agents on its upscale product line, knowing that it's far easier for agents to sell a product if they have first-hand knowledge. The fams allow agents to experience the intimacy, authenticity and...
New evidence exonerates Princess in rescue case
Princess Cruises has released recently discovered video footage of a rescue at sea of a small boat adrift for nearly a month in the Pacific Ocean that conclusively confirms the adrift boat, the Fifty Cent, was not the small boat spotted and photographed by three Princess passengers several weeks earlier. The story, which broke last April, received extensive press coverage with Princess and the ship's captain widely criticized for not coming to the rescue of the men onboard, two of whom subsequently died. Princess has been sued six times by the survivor and relatives of fishermen on the adrift...
Princess names new ship Regal
Princess Cruises marked the beginning of construction of the second of its new generation of ships with the official keel laying ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, yesterday. At the same time the line announced that the ship's name will be Regal Princess. The vessel, a sister ship to Royal Princess, will debut in spring 2014. The company and shipyard officials started the countdown to the ship's launch as the keel - the bottommost part of the ship - was ceremoniously lowered into position in the building dock. "Just as Royal Princess was named after one of our iconic...
GLP offers special Hurtigruten discounts
GLP Worldwide Expedition Travel & Tours, which represents Hurtigruten in Canada, is offering those who book a Hurtigruten trip by Sept. 30 a special 25% early booking discount. Agents are also advised that prices are expected to go up for 2013 cruises making this a good time to book. Discounted 2013 Winter Classic Voyages (six-day Southbound Voyage) start at $1,286 p.p., cruise only, based on Category I cabin. There are also seven-day Northbound Voyages, as well as 11-day Norwegian Discovery Voyage and a 12-day Classic Round Voyage. Highlights of the Winter Classic Cruise Southbound Voyage...
Victoria Cruises offers ‘early bird’ discount
Encouraging early bookings for its river cruises through China's famed Yangtze River, Victoria Cruises (http://www.victoriacruises.com) is reducing published rates up to 30% on all 2013 itineraries booked by Dec. 31 with its "Early Bird"discount. Travellers can experience the splendours of the mist-shrouded Yangtze with Victoria's three- or four-night Three Gorges Highlights journeys with private balcony Superior Staterooms starting from US$329 p.p. during the winter season, based on double occupancy, and regular season rates from US$616 p.p., double occupancy (based on a 30% discount...