WHY IT RATES: Check out the land of the rising sun with one of the top cruise lines.—Donald Wood, Breaking News Senior Writer.The lure of Japan is calling with its ancient temples, cherry blossoms, modern cityscapes and vibrant cuisine with the newly released 2024 Japan cruise season on sale now from Princess Cruises. New for 2024, Royal Princess makes her Japan debut and marks the first … [Read more...]
American Cruise Lines Announces Brand New Antiques Cruise
American Cruise Lines has announced it will offer a special antiques cruise.On May 2, guests aboard the brand-new American Serenade will have a unique opportunity to attend a taping of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW when the riverboat stops in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.ADVERTISINGGuests will receive VIP access to the ANTIQUES ROADSHOW event at the LSU Rural Life Museum and they can bring up to 2 items that can be … [Read more...]
Old Cruise Ships to Find New Life as Floating Residences for World Cruise
A pair of former Holland America ships will be part of an ‘around the world’ trip on Victoria Cruise Line, Cruise Radio reports.The ships are now to be called Victory Majestic and the Victory Amazing, and they're being given new life to operate as residences. Victory Majestic was Veendam and Victoria Amazing was Ryndam. ADVERTISING Trending … [Read more...]
Holland America Line Extends Wave Season 'Kids Cruise Free' Offer
Holland America Line (HAL) today announced the extension of its ‘Time of Your Life’ Wave Season promotion, giving travelers in search of an unforgettable family getaway time to take advantage of the deal.Among its several other benefits, the Wave Season promo allows kids to cruise for free, making a multigenerational or small-family bucket-list vacation a lot more affordable, which is especially … [Read more...]
Crystal Announces Return of Hotel Directors
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...]
Carnival Cruise Line Awards Service Dog Top Loyalty Club Status
Carnival Cruise Line has a new member in the top ranks of its loyalty club – a retired U.S. Army service dog named Sarge.Last week aboard Carnival Celebration, 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 honored for spending more than … [Read more...]
Explora Journeys Reveals Northern Europe Sailings for First Ship
Explora Journeys will explore Northern Europe with eight inaugural voyages on its first ship, Explora I, scheduled to join its fleet in July 2023.Explora I will be officially named on July 8 in Civitavecchia near Rome, Italy, before heading to Southampton, U.K., to depart on its maiden journey on July 17, 2023.ADVERTISING Trending … [Read more...]
Holland America Line Launches Poster Contest for 150th Anniversary
Holland America Line has launched a poster contest seeking a unique design to commemorate its 150th anniversary.The premium cruise line – known for iconic advertorial posters from the golden age of cruising – is celebrating its sesquicentennial birthday on April 18, 2023.ADVERTISING Trending … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Announces Short Caribbean Sailings for 2024-2025
Royal Caribbean International announced its lineup of short Caribbean cruises taking place on eight ships in 2024-2025 are now on sale.As part of the schedule, the first Oasis Class ship to sail 3- to 4-night voyages, Allure of the Seas, will extend its short Caribbean season homeporting from Port Canaveral, Florida. Mariner of the Seas will also set sail from the cruise line’s new terminal in … [Read more...]
U.S. Virgin Islands Pacts with FCCA for Cruise Call Increase
The U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) government inked a strategic partnership agreement with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) under which the destination will receive increased cruise calls and local employment and purchasing opportunities, said officials in a statement.FCCA will also undertake programs to convert cruise guests to overnight, land-based visitors, promote summer cruising, … [Read more...]
Uniworld Debuts Limited Edition Cruise Collection
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises unveiled the Limited Edition Collection, which includes one-of-a-kind itineraries featuring exclusive offerings on a very limited number of annual departures.“Our Limited-Edition Collection is full of incredible journeys, created to bring like-minded travelers together for extra special trips that are unique to our portfolio,” said Uniworld Boutique River Cruises … [Read more...]
Atlas Ocean Voyages Debuts New Dining Concept
Atlas Ocean Voyages is introducing an all-new, open-air dining concept known as Alma Alfresco aboard its two expedition yachts.Alma Alfresco will offer a complimentary wine-pairing menu designed to deliver an Authentic Portuguese Dining Experience. Recipes have been passed down for generations and developed using artisanal techniques, cookware and ingredients.ADVERTISING Trending … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean Begins Work on Next Icon-Class Ship
Royal Caribbean International has officially begun work on its second eagerly-awaited Icon-class cruise ship.The cruise line announced today that a steel-cutting ceremony was held at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. The new ship, which has not yet been named, is slated to set sail in 2025.ADVERTISINGRoyal Caribbean has said it will debut its first Icon-class ship, the Icon of the Seas, … [Read more...]
Celebrity Cruises Becomes First Cruise Line to Earn Forbes Travel Guide Stars
WHY IT RATES: Celebrity’s ships join a tiny group of fewer than 20 land-based properties with over 1,000 rooms in the world to ever receive the coveted recognition.—Patrick Clarke, TravelPulse Senior EditorCelebrity Cruises, the brand that revolutionized the cruising industry with its fleet of Relaxed Luxury resorts at sea, is once again raising the bar as it becomes the first ocean cruise line to … [Read more...]
AmaWaterways Extends TC Credits on Air, Land Packages
AmaWaterways extended its tour conductor (TC) promotion, enabling travel advisors who book groups of 10 or more to earn TCs on all components of the vacation, including the river cruise, airfare and pre- and post-cruise land packages.The offer applies to “all-new group contracts signed with deposits paid between October 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, select 2023 and 2024 Europe and Mekong River … [Read more...]
Oceania Cruises Unveils 2023 Alaska Sailings
Oceania Cruises unveiled its roster of 2023 Alaska itineraries, which will depart from Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver aboard the 656-guest Regatta.In all, the line will offer 14 departures of seven to 20 days from May through September, with excursions from a wide swath of destinations.ADVERTISING Trending … [Read more...]
MSC Cruises' 2025 World Cruise Opens for Sale
MSC Cruises’ newest 116-night World Cruise launches for sale today, February 15, for departure in January 2025.The world cruise, which the MSC Magnifica will sail, features a new itinerary with fifty ports of call across twenty-one different countries, with nineteen days spent in Australia and four embarkation ports: Civitavecchia/Rome, Genoa, Marseille or Barcelona.ADVERTISING Trending … [Read more...]
Shaquille O’Neal Officiates Vow Renewals on Carnival Cruise Line Fleet
Guests sailing aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s 24 ships this Valentine’s Day were offered a new take on romance – the chance to participate in the company’s largest vow renewal at sea – with ceremonies virtually officiated by none other than NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, the line’s chief fun officer. Trending … [Read more...]
American Queen Voyages Adds a New Cruise Port
This May, American Queen Voyages will add the charming town of Escanaba, Michigan, as a port of call on its Lakes and Oceans vessels, Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager.The vessels – the only two visiting the port – will feature Escanaba on select Great Lakes voyages.ADVERTISING Trending … [Read more...]
Windstar Cruises to Add Starlink Internet Service to Entire Fleet
Windstar Cruises announced the launch of its Starlink Maritime high-speed, advanced broadband satellite internet capabilities.The internet service will provide guests with one of the most developed high-speed connections in the world while sailing and when in port. Starlink will be available on select voyages where the service is active, as not all global destinations are … [Read more...]