Celebrity Cruises Taps 30-Year Vet for CEO

Celebrity Cruises Promotes Bayley to CEO
To replace Dan Hanrahan, who resigned last month after seven years as president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, parent company Royal Caribbean promoted executive vice president of operations Michael Bayley. Bayley has been with Royal Caribbean for 30 years. “In his role as executive vice president, Michael successfully spearheaded our aggressive expansion efforts into emerging and high-growth markets,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean, in a statement.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, a 27 year cruise industry veteran, will take Bayley’s vacant spot. Lutoff-Perlo previously served as senior vice president of hotel operations for Celebrity Cruises, overseeing the brand’s hotel operations and introduction of its Solstice-class ships.

CLIA Launches Specialty Cruise Initiatives
CLIA launched a new program to help raise the awareness of small ship and specialty cruises for travel sellers and consumers alike. The CLIA Specialty Cruise Collection will promote the small ship, river coastal, luxury adventure and sailing ship offerings of CLIA’s 13 member lines. The ships in the collection represent most price levels and carry between 100 and 1,000 passengers.

CLIA said it will target promotional opportunities for the collection and develop new agent training modules to showcase the benefit of selling specialty cruises. Calling specialty cruise companies “a very important and growing segment of our membership,” Christine Duffy, CLIA president and CEO, said in a statement that CLIA is committed to helping the companies “heighten their impact in the consumer marketplace and provide our travel agent members with valuable tools.”

Avalon Adds Europe Itineraries and Asia Vessels
Avalon Waterways will add five itineraries to its offerings in 2013, including new trips through Northern Holland, Austria and Germany. The new 8-day Tulips of Northern Holland cruise originates in Amsterdam and takes cruisers to the Dutch region called “Friesland,” famous for its unique cows. The voyage is priced from $2,449. Other new itineraries include Austrian Highlights & Bavaria, Highlights of Germany and Capitals of Central Europe.

Avalon is also introducing two new vessels in Asia next year, the Century Legend and Century Paragon. Enchanting China & the Yangtze River, a new itinerary, is set for 2013 as well.

HAL Ups Alaska Departures
Holland America Lane will increase its Alaskan departures in 2013 by 8.5% while operating the same seven ships as in 2012. Families can also take advantage of the line’s Early Advantage program, which allows a family of four to book a stateroom for select dates starting at $699 per person for the first two guests, with the third and fourth sailing free.

Crystal Cruises to Debut Montreal Roundtrip
Beginning in September, Crystal Cruises will offer five seven- to 11-day cruises, including the line’s first roundtrip voyage from Montreal. The Montreal itinerary is billed as an exploration of European-flavored French Canada. All-inclusive “Book Now” fares start at $2,355 per person until Aug. 31.

Paul Gauguin Sets Dec. Schedule for Tahiti
The m/s Paul Gauguin will travel on two seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands trips this December, launching from Los Angeles. The fare for each voyage starts at $4,697 per person and includes airfare, a 50% savings off the itinerary’s standard fare.

Celebrity Reflection’s Transparent Shower
The “Reflection Suite” on Celebrity Cruises’ new Celebrity Reflection features a transparent, all-glass shower that extends over the edge of the ship. Guests can use electrochromatic technology to turn the glass from transparent to translucent.

Silversea Cruises Reveals World Cruise Details
Silversea Cruises’ 115-day, 52-destination World Cruise on the Silver Whisper in 2013 will offer land options that include visits to remote Asia-Pacific and African destinations. They include Outback Odyssey, Discover Laos, River Kwai & WW II Memorials, Myanmar: Golden Pagodas & Ancient Temples and the Pumba Private Game Reserve & Safari Lounge in Africa.