Cruise

REGENT SEVEN SEAS GRANDEUR: A sumptuous cruise ship for elite guests

When Regent Seven Seas Cruises set out to define and deliver “the world’s most luxurious cruise” it understood the lifestyle values of the elite cruise guests it aims to cultivate. In launching Seven Seas Grandeur, RSSC – itself trademarked as ‘The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet’ – ensured its all-suite, all-balcony, all-inclusive new ship would embody the sumptuous cruise environment craved by people accustomed to splendid surrounds, service, and food.

CARNIVAL UNLOCKS PORTALS FOR ITS NEW CELEBRATION KEY

A new cruise destination is coming into focus as Carnival Cruise Line revealed details of Celebration Key, an exclusive destination on Grand Bahama designed to offer guests “a key for unlocking their slice of paradise.” Development of the cruise attraction on the south side of Grand Bahama Island, has been underway since 2017 and is finally set to open in the summer of 2025, Carnival says. 

QUARK ADDS NEW POLAR VESSEL

Quark Expeditions has a new ship set to ply polar waters staring this fall. The 138-passenger Ocean Explorer expedition ship will set sail later this year at the start of the Antarctic 2024/2025 season.

SAIL OF THE CENTURY: Messi launches world’s biggest cruise ship

The world’s biggest cruise ship – the size of almost four city blocks – began its maiden voyage Saturday from the Port of Miami. Royal Caribbean International’s 7,600-passenger ‘Icon of the Seas’ departed for Caribbean waters after fittingly being christened earlier in the week by the world’s biggest soccer star – Lionel Messi.

WINTER CRUISING IN THE MED. HEATING UP

A quick pivot to replace cruises in the Middle East has opened a new opportunity for winter cruising in the Mediterranean. Windstar Cruises has received so much demand it’s decided to keep Star Legend in Europe for a second winter with more varied itineraries. It’s part of a trend that is seeing MSC Cruises operating ships year-round from Italy and Spain and a plan for AmaWaterways to start cruising as early as February on European rivers.

HOLLAND AMERICA HAS BEST DAY IN 150-YEAR HISTORY

Six months after recording its largest booking day, Holland America Line says it surpassed that mark last week to set a new single-day sales record. The bookings on Jan. 16 topped the previous record from July 11, 2023, by 18%, making it the biggest sales day in the 150-year history of Holland America Line.

CRYSTAL NAVIGATES RED SEA SITUATION

With shipping under attack in the Red Sea region, Crystal Cruises is the latest cruise line to take stock of its situation there. Citing safe passage of its cruises as being of paramount importance, the cruise line a statement on future intent.

5 UNIQUE CHARMS OF LIFE ON A MEGA-YACHT

On St. Bart’s in season, the theme is if you’ve got it flaunt it! The French Caribbean harbour is packed with imposing yachts that are the toys of people constantly looking for ways to one-up the competition. And yet all eyes are on us when the Sea Cloud Spirit gracefully sails in.

MSC CHANGES COURSE DUE TO RED SEA ATTACKS

MSC Cruises says the ongoing attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea has obliged it to cancel three repositioning ‘Grand Voyage’ sailings in April from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Europe because of the risks in the region.

A&K TAKING NILE TO THE NEXT LEVEL

Abercrombie & Kent is building a new Nile riverboat, its fifth in Egypt, which will launch in late 2025. Promising that it will be “the finest new craft on the Nile,” the tour company says the boutique boat will “herald a new golden age of river cruising in Egypt.”

ENSEMBLE EXTENDS LUXURY FOOTPRINT

Ensemble continues to extend its offerings in the luxury travel sector with the announcement of several new partnerships and programs. They include a new preferred partnership with Crystal, a strategic relationship with Tully Luxury Travel, and the launch of its second member community, Luxe Circles.

SETTING SAIL IN STYLE ON THE ELEGANT SEA CLOUD SPIRIT

Scrambling up the masts of one of the world’s largest sailing ships on rope ladders, crew members gingerly balance on tightrope-like lines to untie knots and let her huge sails unfurl in the wind. On deck below, a ballet begins as other sailors have to use all their weight to manually pull sail lines taut and meticulously loop miles of rope onto belaying pins. A spectacular morning has begun on Sea Cloud Spirit.

MAKING WAVES: Stats reveal most popular cruise lines, top trends

After serving up close to 20 million cruise quotes, online travel advisor marketplace CruiseCompete has released its CruiseTrends 2023 Annual Report offering an inside look at what consumers want in cruise vacations based on their requests.

A UNIQUE ST. MARTIN GETAWAY

Are we in the south of France – or the Caribbean? It can be deceiving on St. Martin. Navigating the steep hills and winding roads to reach secluded Grand Case Beach Club resembles driving on the Grand Corniche. The resort’s imposing entrance gate features a flagpole flying the French tri-colour, as it should on this overseas outpost of France. But there’s a second flagpole flying the stars and stripes and while the official language is French, everyone speaks perfect English.

5 CRUISE TRENDS FOR 2024 AND BEYOND

MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise brand, is shedding light on five important travel trends that are driving guest holiday decisions for 2024 and beyond. The cruise line says it has observed heightened demand for products that offer extended stays in destinations, holidays rich in cultural experiences, upgraded adventures with touches of luxury, sustained enthusiasm for Europe’s vibrant cities, and guests looking for the biggest experience-value return.

VIKING POLARIS CRUISE DELIVERS MORE THAN ADVENTURE

Excitement flew high on the Atlantic breeze as we stood on the top deck of Polaris, counting seconds for the meteorologist to untether the massive weather balloon. As the helium-filled bubble soared 30 kilometers into space and out of view, everyone cheered, thrilled to witness the scientific mission, synchronized with weather stations around the globe, to simultaneously launch balloons to gather crucial atmospheric data for predicting weather.

CARNIVAL KICKS IT UP A NOTCH IN 2024

From a reimagined culinary journey with Chef’s Table and Carnival Culinary Centre curated by Chief Culinary Officer Emeril Lagasse to new online enhancements aimed at making debarkation more convenient, Carnival Cruise Line is deploying a series of new features designed to elevate the guest experience in 2024.

NEW SHIPS OF 2024 BOAST MORE OF EVERYTHING

Cruise lines are reporting record bookings and that has them expanding their fleets with ever-larger ships. There’s a bumper crop arriving in 2024, each of which seems to offer more features than ever before. Two newcomers will be among the world’s largest, including an Iconic record-breaker with room for more than 7,000 guests.

UNIWORLD BOUTIQUE RIVER CRUISES HAS HIGH HOPES FOR 2024

With a host of new offerings and enhancements – and agent specialist perks – Uniworld Boutique River Cruises says it’s sailing into 2024 with high expectations and enthusiasm. Highlights will include the launch of a new ship, the SS Victoria, which will debut in Amsterdam at the start of the European river cruise season.

AMAWATERWAYS KEEPING AHEAD OF RIVER CRUISE TRENDS

For the first time, luxury river cruise line AmaWaterways will begin its European river cruising season in February, with two ships on the Danube and Rhine rivers. It’s a direct response to the increased demand for new off-season travel options, but it’s only part of a significant evolution of river cruising preferences, the company that’s had record results for 2023 says.

IT’S CHRISTENING SEASON FOR GROWING CRUISE FAMILIES

Breaking a bottle of Champagne against the hull, getting blessings from a godmother (or godfather) and making a gala sail-away. It seems there’s a new ship getting christened every few days lately. Here’s a look at some splashy namings in the news.

IN FOCUS: ‘Unbelievable’ awaits on the all-new Disney Treasure

Disney Cruise Line is polishing up its newest gem, the Disney treasure, which will set sail from Port Canaveral, Florida, a year from now, beginning December 2024. The ship will embark on a roster for cruises in both the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

VIKING VELA TOUCHES WATER FOR FIRST TIME

Viking’s newest ocean ship – the 998-guest Viking Vela – was “floated out” on Nov. 30 marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled to debut in December 2024, the vessel will spend her inaugural season sailing voyages in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.

DINING FEELS GALA EVERY EVENING ON EXPLORA 1

On any evening, you can find succulent fois gras, classic Dover sole, fresh Maine lobster and Black Angus prime beef on a menu on the new Explora 1. You can head to an oyster bar, enjoy a sushi platter, or find a specialty topped with caviar, and it’s all included.

SWAN HELLENIC PLOTS POLAR CRUISES IN 2024

Swan Hellenic’s Antarctica 2024 season will open on Nov. 13 with a 20-night cruise on SH Diana from Cape Town to Ushuaia, exploring Tristan Da Cunha, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula. The cruise line will boast two boutique five-star ice-class ships in the polar region with journeys continuing into 2025.

MSC INCREASES INVESTMENT IN BAHAMAS MARINE RESERVE

A new marine centre will be built by MSC Cruises on its Ocean Cay marine reserve in the Bahamas, along additional new environmental infrastructure, plus amenities for passengers, as the company continues its transformation of the site.

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