Today MV WERFTEN celebrated the cutting of the first piece of steel in Wismar, marking the ceremonial start of construction of Crystal River Cruises’ two additional Rhine Class luxury river yachts, Crystal Debussy and Crystal Ravel, scheduled to sail in spring 2018. The first plates of the luxury river ships were flame cut in the presence of the Genting Group Executive Chairman Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern’s Economics Minister Harry Glawe and numerous other guests...
Star Cruises, Asia Pacific’s leading cruise line, announced the debut triple homeport deployment of flagship SuperStar Virgo in Hong Kong, Manila and Kaohsiung with the launch of the “Jewels of the South China Sea”, an unprecedented itinerary that marks a milestone in the cruise travel industry. Nearly 25 million people worldwide have enjoyed a cruise in 2016 and this fun-filled travel option has been gaining immense popularity in recent years, including in Hong Kong, due its hassle-free nature...
Star Cruises, Asia Pacific’s leading cruise line, has announced the launch of a new 3-month Kaohsiung homeport deployment of flagship SuperStar Virgo and a 6 Day/5 Night “Golden Triangle Journey”, featuring ports of call in Hong Kong, Manila and Laoag, allowing Taiwanese cruisers the flexibility to embark or disembark in Kaohsiung, Hong Kong or Manila. This new homeport and itinerary will provide a boost to the travel industry of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. In 2013 and 2015, Star Cruises’ flagship...
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest leisure travel company with 10 global cruise line brands, today announced it has developed the world’s first interactive guest experience platform capable of transforming vacation travel into a highly personalized and elevated level of customized service for millions of guests. The company unveiled the Ocean Medallion™, a first-of-its-kind wearable device that enables a personal concierge by bridging...
Star Cruises, the leading cruise line in the Asia Pacific, has announced the first-ever homeport deployment of SuperStar Virgo to Manila, providing another tantalizing option for the booming Philippines outbound tourism industry. Featuring 6 Day/5 Night cruises departing from Manila, SuperStar Virgo’s itinerary is the perfect opportunity for Filipinos to enjoy exciting ports of call including: • Laoag, the capital of Ilocos Norte, Philippines, featuring Spanish colonial buildings, baroque...
Fathom, one of Carnival Corporation’s 10 global cruise brands, announced it has received Cuba approval to add stops to Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city in Cuba, on six of its upcoming cruises to the Dominican Republic. Travelers will enjoy two distinct experiences during one journey. They can immerse themselves in the arts, history, culture and everyday lives of Cuban people while in Santiago de Cuba, as well as participate in social impact experiences to make a meaningful...
STX France and MSC Cruises today announced the coming into force of the final contract for two “Meraviglia-Plus” mega cruise ships. The two underlying options had been confirmed by MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago on February 1, 2016, now the two companies have agreed on all ship specifications hence construction will be able to begin in earnest in due time. The two next-generation ships – the largest ships ever built for a European cruise line and the second largest globally...
Luxury British cruise line, Cunard, has today revealed its new brand film to support its 2017 booking campaign – Everything you wanted, nothing you expected. Stylishly taking viewers through the possibilities and experiences available on its luxurious voyages, the film highlights three key themes; time, space and a life less ordinary, to elevate the experience of cruising with Cunard. Shot over seven days by creative agency Alpha Century and launching online on December 21, the film...
Seychelles President Danny Faure has reviewed the membership of the Board of the Seychelles Ports Authority to align its composition with new principles governing the boards of Public Enterprises. The new Board of the Seychelles Ports Authority will be chaired by Mr. Paul Hodoul. The other members will include: Mrs. Monica Bonvalet Ms. Doreen Bradburn Col. André Ciseau Lt. Col. Leslie Benoiton The new Board appointments take effect from January 1, 2017. Mr. Hodoul is also a Board member of the...
Carnival Corporation & plc announced U.S. GAAP net income for the full year 2016 of $2.8 billion, or $3.72 diluted EPS, compared to $1.8 billion, or $2.26 diluted EPS, for the prior year. Full year 2016 adjusted net income of $2.6 billion, or $3.45 adjusted EPS, was higher than adjusted net income of $2.1 billion, or $2.70 adjusted EPS, for the full year 2015. Adjusted net income excludes unrealized gains and losses on fuel derivatives and other items, totaling $199 million in gains for...
Seatrade Cruise Global, the leading annual global business-to-business event in the cruise industry, announces the full 2017 Conference program is now available on the official website. This year’s program will provide a platform to discuss topics and issues in cruising led by top executives, industry experts and thought-leaders. The 2017 program includes 20+ panels scheduled over four-days, 13 March through 16 March, including the innovative new Seatrade Cruise Global Safety and Security...
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Mr. Najib Balala, yesterday officially launched the construction of a dedicated cruise ship terminal at the Port of Mombasa. The estimated cost of 350 million Kenya shillings, equivalent to about US$35 million, will be funded in part by Trademark East Africa to the extent of 100 million Kenya shillings while the Kenya Ports Authority will fund the balance. The investment, long overdue like many infrastructure projects at the Kenyan coast, is giving...
Viking Ocean Cruises today announced its fourth ship – the 930-passenger Viking Sun – was “floated out,” marking the major construction milestone, and the first time that the new ship touches water. The traditional ceremony took place on December 15 at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. Viking Sun will debut in late 2017 and will be marketed to travelers in North America, the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. The ship will begin her maiden season sailing voyages to Cuba and the...
Holland America Line is amplifying its destination immersion experiences with the launch of Explorations Central, or EXC, as it will be called. The multifaceted EXC experience combines a wide array of indispensable travel resources with enrichment opportunities for guests that make their travel experience more engaging, vivid and meaningful. EXC will also feature the transformation of the Crow’s Nest on some ships to create a newly named venue, Explorations Central, as a comprehensive...
Father Christmas sped into London on a thrilling ride aboard City Cruises’ new ThamesJet – Quest. With speeds reaching an impressive 40 knots, Santa knows the only way to bring Christmas to the capital is by high-speed jet. Quest is the third addition to the ThamesJet fleet and offers an even more exhilarating ride, giving an adrenaline rush like no other to those brave enough to step on-board. Measuring 12m in length and with a weight of just 4,250kg, the jet soars along the River Thames...
Salsa music, dominoes, Mojitos and historic Havana neighborhoods are easier to reach than ever before for guests on Royal Caribbean International. The newly revitalized Empress of the Seas will make history for the cruise line with its first visit to Cuba during a 5-night sailing departing Miami on April 19, 2017. The ship will then reposition to Tampa offering two itineraries with calls to Havana on April 30 (7-night sailing) and May 20 (5-night sailing). These Empress of the Seas sailings are...
Oceania Cruises revealed today its first three inaugural voyages from Miami to Cuba. On December 7th, the company announced that it has received official government approval from the Republic of Cuba to operate cruises to the island beginning March 2017. The line announced it will inaugurate its calls in Cuba with one 14-day and two 10-day Caribbean cruises from Miami aboard Marina. Each of these voyages will call on the storied city of Havana with two of the voyages staying overnight and...
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced that the Cuban government has granted approval for the company to begin cruises to Cuba. The company said it plans to announce its first Florida-Cuba itineraries in the near future. “Our guests have expressed real interest in having the opportunity to experience Cuba, and we look forward to bringing them there,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Our discussions with our...
Seatrade Cruise Global announces a new addition in programming to the 2017 conference line-up 13-16 March 2017 at the Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center. The new Seatrade Cruise Global Safety & Security Symposium will debut at this year’s show serving as a focal point for specialized professionals as well as all conference attendees interested in learning about current and new developments in these critical fields. Beginning Tuesday 14 March, the symposium is a...
One of the largest cruise vessels in the world, and the largest cruise vessel to dock into Antigua and Barbuda, the MS Anthem of the Seas, made her presence felt in Antigua and Barbuda today, as she towered over other vessels in Heritage Quay, on her inaugural arrival into Antigua with a host of fan-fare and celebrations from the Government and People of Antigua and Barbuda. Antigua and Barbuda Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Asot Michael extended a warm and hearty welcome to both Royal Caribbean...
Princess Cruises is featuring Kota Kinabalu for the first time in its current homeporting season for 2016-17 in Southeast Asia. Kota Kinabalu will also be featured in the following year’s homeporting season for 2017-18, with a total of eight ship calls to Kota Kinabalu for two seasons. Diamond Princess arrived in Kota Kinabalu yesterday (1 Dec) from Singapore en-route to Nha Trang, Vietnam on a 10-night Southeast Asia voyage before returning to Singapore where it will be deployed till March...
CruiseCompete has released its CruiseTrends report for the month of December 2016. Cruise experts have mined the wealth of data to provide information on the most popular cruise trends among consumers, including the top ships, lines and travel dates for premium, luxury and river cruising. The CruiseTrends report for December 2016 is detailed below. Most Popular Cruise Lines (Based on the total number of quote requests for each cruise line in the given month) 1. Premium/Contemporary: Royal...
In 2017, Holland America Line will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Half Moon Cay, its award-winning private island paradise in the Bahamas.
A record 1.6 million guests boarded iconic Maid of the Mist vessels during the 2016 season in Niagara Falls, N.Y., a nine percent increase over the 2015 record.
Kompas Holidays International 2017 cruises will take travelers on a memorable journey aboard the five-star, 15-cabin M/S Adriatic Queen, along the beautiful Adriatic Coast highlighting the best Croatia has to offer. From UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Dubrovnik’s Old Town, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Sibenik’s Saint James Cathedral and the Euphrasian Basilica of Porec; stopping on the island of Mali Losinj, known as the Island of Miracles and Wellness; to the National Parks of Mljet...
PortMiami welcomed Carnival Cruise Line’s newest, largest and most innovative ship, Carnival Vista, when it arrived yesterday to kick off a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day cruises to the Caribbean.
Due to an increased demand for polar cruises, Oceanwide Expeditions, the leading exploratory Polar cruise company since 1996, has commissioned the building of an innovative 180-passenger vessel.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett has embraced a suggestion from Captain Johnny Faevelen, Master of the world’s largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, to strategically engage crew members on cruise ships to aid in promoting the destination to attract more passengers to the island.
Seatrade Cruise Global, an annual global business-to-business event for the cruise industry, is scheduled for 13-16 March 2017 at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center.
Celebrity Cruises recently announced details of Celebrity’s upcoming DC Chefs’ Caribbean Culinary Cruise, scheduled for January 28 to February 4, 2017.
