Cruise
G Adventures upgrades Galapagos fleet
G Adventures is upgrading its fleet for 2013 with the acquisition of three 16-passenger motor yachts - Daphne G3, San Jose G5 and Queen of Galapagos G8. The company will add additional vessels in the coming months as it makes room for further growth. Jeff Russill, VP of Innovation, G Adventures, says the upgrades have been made to provide an improved customer experience and to future-proof the fleet ahead of further customer demand and new regulations. "Our new vessels have larger and more comfortable public spaces and will focus heavily on the customer experience, offering the best wildlife...
Agents invited to Encore product launches
Encore Cruises is making waves with its Fall 2012/Winter 2013 product launch, which will be unveiled across Canada beginning in mid-September. The dates are as follows: Sept. 13, Mississauga, Ont., Hilton Garden Inn; Sept. 26, Laval, Que., Chateau Royal; Oct. 2, Vancouver, Metropolitan Hotel; Oct. 9, Quebec City, Que., Alt Hotel. Agents attending one of the four product launches will have the opportunity to win a space at the SEA U 2013 conference aboard the Allure of the Seas. There will also be a draw for gifts from Michael Kors and Tiffany & Co. available. For more information, visit...
Encore Cruises names new director of sales
Mary Ogaki has been appointed to the role of director of sales for Encore Cruises. A well-known figure in the industry, Ogaki has worked in travel for 25 years, the last 12 of which have been spent in retail travel. Most recently, Ogaki managed TDC's groups and special programs business. Prior to that she held positions with Sears Travel, Red Seal Tours, American Express Travel and Encore Cruises, before it became a part of the Thomas Cook group of companies, where she worked as a district sales manager. Ogaki is based out of Thomas Cook's Toronto office and can be reached at...
HAL unveils 2013 itineraries
Lucky seven is the magic number for Holland America Line (HAL) in summer 2013 when the line deploys seven ships to Europe and features seven maiden ports of call. The seven ships sailing on more than 53 unique European itineraries -- Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Prinsendam, Rotterdam, Ryndam and Veendam -- will cruise throughout the region on 107 departures ranging from seven to 64 days that span from the northern tip of Norway to the Black Sea and across the Mediterranean. The 2013 Europe cruise season reflects Holland America Line's focus on "destination diversity, timeless appeal and...
Encore enhances ‘Best Value’ program
Encore Cruises is advising agents that it has enhanced its highly successful "Best Value"program, which now not only includes NCL, but Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises as well. The program provides clients with prepaid gratuities on Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas all year long for all 2013 sailings in select categories. This same offer will apply to Celebrity's Silhouette and Reflection for winter 2013 Caribbean sailings and to NCL's Pride of America for all 2013 sailings....
Paul Gauguin marks PEARLS annniversary
Paul Gauguin Cruises is celebrating the first anniversary of its PEARLS Accredited Partner Program with the release of a new chapter on The Moana. PEARLS partners receive access to resources including exclusive sales and marketing trainings, advance notice of special promotions, shipboard credit offers, marketing tools, and bonus commissions. To mark the first anniversary of PEARLS, a new chapter in the program on The Moana is now available covering the ship's features, distinctions, itineraries, and destinations. Since the program began, 910 travel partners have graduated becoming official...
Transat sets sail in 2012
Transat Holidays has set sail with the launch of its new 2012-2014 Cruise Collection brochure. The tour company continues to expand its cruise offerings, featuring such lines as Azamara Club Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Louis Cruises, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Pullmantur, Royal Caribbean International, Star Clippers and Uniworld River Cruises. Denis Codere, vice-president, sales, commercialization and development, Europe and Cruises, Transat Canada, observed: "Transat Holidays offers vacationers an extensive array of cruises...
Cunard introduces Cunard CompleteAir program
Cunard Line is getting set to launch Cunard CompleteAir, an online flight booking tool designed for travel agents. Debuting Aug. 15, the program will provide competitive, real-time-pricing for flights available at voyage booking, and will track availability for flight schedules that work with the voyage itinerary. Cunard CompleteAir features include immediate confirmations on preferred airlines, routes and flight times, as well as booking flexibility between approximately 320 days and four days prior to travel. Travellers may also view flights in their Voyage Personaliser, and experience...