Royal Caribbean Schedules Agent Road Shows
Royal Caribbean International is bringing back the travel agent road show with programs scheduled in eight U.S. cities from May to September. The six-hour programs focus on agent branding, marketing, sales and product knowledge. The sessions are by invitation only and are limited to about 300 agents. Dates and locations are: Atlanta, May 15; Tampa, May 17; San Francisco, June 17; Los Angeles, July 19; New York, Aug. 7; Philadelphia, Aug. 9; Dallas, Sept. 11, and Boston, Sept. 20.
Norwegian Details Breakaway Sports Complex
Norwegian Cruise Line announced details for a three-story sports complex on its Norwegian Breakaway that will encompass a five-slide Aqua Park, a 40-element ropes course and a nine-hole miniature golf course. “I am a sports junkie,” said president and CEO Kevin Sheehan, in announcing the plans at Cruise 360 in Fort Lauderdale last week. The Aqua Park on the Breakaway will be the line’s biggest, with five multistory waterslides, including two Free Fall plunge slides, whose floor falls out from underneath guests standing at the top. The ropes course includes a zip line and the Plank, a narrow platform that extends eight feet over the side of the ship. Other features include a rock climbing wall and Nickelodeon-themed Kids’ Aqua Park. Also announced were two adults-only venues – Spice H20 and Vibe Beach Club, both of which debuted on the Norwegian Epic.
Cunard Announces 2013 Itineraries
Cunard’s 2013 program of itineraries will feature 106 voyages, visiting 99 ports in 35 countries. Highlights include several maiden calls, as well as multiple departures on popular itineraries like St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer, Fjords & Waterfalls and Greek Isles & Mediterranean Treasures. New itineraries include a 24-day voyage to the Black Sea and Turkey aboard the Queen Victoria and extended eight-, nine- and 10-day transatlantic voyages aboard the Queen Mary.
Avalon Intros New Itineraries
Avalon Waterways will add five new itineraries to its river cruise program in 2013. New options include an eight-day Tulips of Northern Holland journey, a nine-day Austrian Highlights & Bavaria cruise, 10- or 12-day Capitals of Central Europe voyage, and a 13-day Highlights of Journey itinerary. Outside of Europe, the line will offer a new 15-day Enchanting China & Yangtze River cruise.
Crystal Cancels Port Call in Egypt, Citing ‘Uncertainty’
Due to what it calls “uncertainty” in Egypt, Crystal Cruises has revised its Oct. 12 Ancient Land and Cultures journey, replacing its call in Alexandria with visits to Haifa, Israel and Bodrum, Turkey.
Norwegian Getaway to Homeport in Miami
Norwegian Cruise Line will homeport the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway in Miami year-round, making it the largest ship to homeport year-round in the city. The ship will sail weekly cruises beginning in the spring of 2014.
Royal Caribbean Ups 2013 Europe Deployment to Five Ships
Royal Caribbean will send Liberty of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas to Europe in 2013. The three ship deployment entails 121 sailings on 25 itineraries calling at 30 ports. The line had previously announced the 2013 European deployment of Independence of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas. Both the Liberty of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas will homeport out of Barcelona, while Navigator of the Seas will sail from Rome (Civitavecchia).
MSC Introduces Red Sea Itinerary
MSC Cruises will add a series of Rea Sea voyages to its 2012/13 sailings beginning in November aboard the MSC Armonia. Home porting out of Sharm El Sheikh, the ship will sail a series of weekly roundtrip seven-night cruises stopping at Safaga (Egypt), Elat (Israel), Aqaba (Jordan) and Sokhna Port (Egypt).
Oceania Receives Riviera
Oceania Cruises took delivery of its new 1,250-guest Riviera. The ship caters to foodies with 10 dining venues; the Bon Appetit Culinary Center for hands-on learning, and La Reserve, a dedicated space for wine tastings and pairing dinners. The ship will be christened on May 11 by Cat Cora, co-host of the Bravo series Around the World in 80 Plates.
Windstar Updates Itineraries, Renovates Ships
Windstar will offer seven entirely new voyages in 2013, including the 11-day Footsteps of Faith, which explores religious origins between Athens and Alexandria, and the 11-day Scandinavian Tapestry, which sails through the Norwegian Fjords and Stockholm Archipelago. In time for the 2013 sailings, the line will completely renovate its three sailing yachts with redesigned staterooms, corridors and public spaces.
Holland America Introduces New Alaska Cruise/Tours
Three new Alaska Cruise/Tours have been added to Holland America Line’s 2012 Alaska program. Highlights include a three-night Denali experience and the line’s first Cruise/Tour to roundtrip from Seattle.
Princess Announces 2013 Europe, Alaska Seasons
Bookings are open for Princess’ 2013 Europe and Alaska seasons, which feature the debut of the Royal Princess in the Mediterranean and the Grand Princess’ first-ever Alaska season. In total, Princess will sail seven ships in Europe – in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Northern Europe – sailing 60 itineraries with 124 departures to 135 ports. Seven ships also will sail 124 Alaska cruises.
Paul Gauguin Unveils m/v Tere Moana 2013 Sailings
Paul Gauguin unveiled its 2013 lineup of itineraries for its second ship, the 90-pasenger m/v Tere Moana, which is scheduled for completion in December of this year. The ship will offer 13 itineraries in Europe (summer), and the Caribbean and Latin America (winter).