WHY IT RATES: Cruise travelers should be ready for Crystal’s inaugural season under new ownership.—Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.Crystal has announced the return of several onboard leaders as the brand continues to prepare for Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony’s inaugural season under new ownership later this year.Crystal Symphony will once again be led by Herbert Jaeger and Josef … [Read more...]
Former Holland America Vessels to Become Residential Ships
Victoria Cruises Line, a Cyprus-based company, revealed details about its new concept for cruising – a long-term residential experience where guests rent staterooms for a minimum of six months aboard its two ships operating world cruises. The line bills the trips as affordable lifestyles at sea while the ships, which formerly sailed for a Carnival Corporation brand, cruise the globe for about 27 … [Read more...]
Unexpected Passenger Earns Top Carnival Cruise Line Status
Many frequent cruisers eagerly set sail to earn loyalty points and benefits with their favorite cruise line, and one very privileged pooch is now among the top tier of Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP program. The retired U.S. Army service dog, Sarge, was honored aboard Carnival Celebration not only for his cruise line loyalty, but for his overall commitment to service. A Carnival Diamond … [Read more...]
VIP Lounge Not Available on Royal Caribbean Ship
Royal Caribbean International has reached out to higher levels of loyal guests booked on Harmony of the Seas to inform them that the exclusive Diamond Lounge will not be used for events for several sailings, due to ongoing enhancements in adjacent areas. The work being done is creating noise, dust, and other debris, making the Diamond Lounge temporarily less desirable for use. Diamond Lounge … [Read more...]
Explora Journeys Announces Enriching Northern European Destination Experiences
Explora Journeys today announced details of its inaugural set of destination experiences for EXPLORA I, the first of up to six luxury ships to join its fleet. The luxury lifestyle hospitality brand will offer eight individual sailings as part of its debut Northern European Inaugural Journeys Collection, showcasing a balanced blend of well-known destinations such as Copenhagen or Edinburgh, … [Read more...]
Port Of Dover Cruise Faces A Bright Future, Preparing To Deliver World Class Travel And Visitor Experiences This Year, Including Five Inaugural Calls
With brand-new waterfront facilities, including a stunning marina due to open soon, exciting plans for future expansion of the cruise terminals, plus a sustainable operation that’s leading the way in the industry, Dover’s proud history dating back 400 years has a new modern twist. There’s never been a better time to witness the iconic backdrop and culture of the White Cliffs and Dover Castle … [Read more...]
Crystal Cruises Announces Return OF onboard leaders
Crystal Cruises has shared the news of several onboard leaders returning to the brand to help prepare for Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony’s inaugural season.Herbert Jaeger and Josef Matt will once again lead the preparation for Crystal Symphony, while Hubert Buelacher and Scott Peterson will guide Crystal Serenity. All four gentlemen are a part of the senior … [Read more...]
Japan 2024: hidden treasures on the Japanese archipelago. Ponant is Launching sales of 10 departures for summer 2024. Two brand new itineraries and 11 exclusive ports of call are on the agenda
Japan is a land that attracts and fascinates the world. After two and a half years of almost total closure, the legendary archipelago is finally reopening to tourism. This summer, PONANT will be the first maritime company in the world to call there again and this time, it’s to new ports of call. For those who have not planned to travel this summer, it is time to prepare your trip for 2024! PONANT … [Read more...]
Ambassador Cruise Line Announce 120-Day Orca World Cruise As Partnership Renewed For A Second Year
Ambassador Cruise Line has renewed its partnership with its nominated partner, ORCA, the charity dedicated to marine conservation. The cruise line announced that the 120-day World Cruise will be included in 14 itineraries dedicated to ocean conservation and guest interaction – the longest time the charity has ever committed to any cruise line for a single sailing. Following Ambassador’s successful … [Read more...]
Cruise Planners’ top producing agent closes off 2022 with record $24 million in sales
Michael Consoli & Associates continued their reign as the top producers in the Cruise Planners network of travel agent franchises, ending 2022 with over $24 million in total sales. These numbers are especially impressive considering Michael’s team consists of just two associates and an office manager. Along with incredible sales numbers that continue to grow every year, Consoli has won … [Read more...]
ALMACO delivered laundry and catering areas for MSC World Europa
The project on MSC World Europa represents an important milestone for ALMACO as it is the first laundry delivery and the biggest catering area delivery in the history of the company. The work took place at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, and on October 24, 2022, the magnificent ship was delivered to the owner, MSC Cruises. In December 2018, ALMACO was contracted by Chantiers de l’Atlantique and MSC … [Read more...]
7 Reasons You Should Never Fly on Cruise Day
If you decide to fly to the cruise port on embarkation day realize you are playing travel roulette. The ship will leave at the set time, whether or not you’re on it. Even a good cruise travel insurance policy won’t completely make up for poor planning on your part. So why do many choose to fly on the day their cruise begins? For most it’s a financial decision. You’re already spending money on a … [Read more...]
I sail on cruise ships for a month at a time. Here are the surprising things and big mistakes I see passengers make
Most people take a cruise once a year at the most, but there are some people that cruise all the time, and they get to experience and see so much more of what cruising is all about.Greg Brockman lives in Iowa, but manages to work in multiple cruises in a row to the point he will stay aboard a cruise ship for months at a time."Living in Iowa, it rarely makes sense to sail for just a week," he … [Read more...]
Service Dog Earns Top VIFP Status on Carnival Celebration
Carnival Cruise Line has a unique new member joining the top ranks of its loyalty club – a retired U.S. Army service dog named “Sarge”. While sailing on Carnival Celebration last week, “Sarge” reached Diamond status of the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club – though in this case, the “P” could also stand for “pooch.” The 14-year-old Belgian Malinois just completed his 55th cruise and was … [Read more...]
Holland America Line Launches 150th Anniversary Poster Design Contest
Holland America Line has an exciting opportunity for artists and fans! In honor of the brand’s 150th Anniversary, guests are invited to get creative and design a unique brand poster for its birthday celebration on April 18, 2023. Grab your pen and paper and get drawing!“Holland America Line’s poster art is a rich and important tradition in our company’s heritage. This contest provides an … [Read more...]
Costa Group and Proman join forces towards decarbonisation of the cruise industry
Costa Group, part of Carnival Corporation and Europe’s leading cruise operator with its two brands Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, and the leading methanol producer, Proman, have signed an MOU to drive further the implementation of methanol as a marine fuel for the cruise industry. The partnership aims to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonisation of the existing fleet by enhancing the … [Read more...]
Holland America Line Launches a Poster Design Contest to Commemorate its 150th Anniversary
Holland America Line — the cruise line synonymous with having iconic advertorial posters back in the golden age of cruising — is asking fans to get creative and design a unique brand poster commemorating its 150th Anniversary. The premium cruise line is celebrating its sesquicentennial birthday April 18, 2023, and the prize for designing the winning poster is a seven-day Alaska cruise for two in … [Read more...]
Poseidon Expeditions Opens Reservations For 2024-2025 Arctic and Antarctic Seasons: “Super” Early Booking Savings through May 31, 2023
Poseidon Expeditions, which focuses on remote polar cruise exploration in the high latitudes, has opened reservations for May 2024 through September 2024 cruises in the Arctic and October 2024 through February 2025 departures in the Antarctic, all aboard the 114-passenger Sea Spirit. All-new “super” early booking rates are available through the end of May 2023 for all Arctic and Antarctic cruises … [Read more...]
COSTA GROUP AND PROMAN PARTNER UP TO TACKLE DECARBONISATION OF THE CRUISE INDUSTRY
Costa Group, part of Carnival Corporation and cruise operator of both Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, and Proman, an industry-leading methanol producer, are teaming up to reduce carbon across the cruise industry. The two companies have signed an MOU to push for further implementation of methanol as the primary marine cruise for the entire cruising industry. This groundbreaking … [Read more...]
Cruise Lines Move on Decarbonisation of the Cruise Industry
Costa Group, the unit of Carnival Corporation that operates Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, signed an MOU with a Switzerland-based methanol producer that the two companies say will spur the use of methanol as a clean fuel for the cruise industry. The move is in line with other major cruise companies that have committed to developing methanol fuel as a path toward becoming carbon neutral. … [Read more...]