Cruise News Roundup: Holland America and Regent Seven Seas

Holland America and Regent Seven Seas announced major news on Wednesday, including the debut of a new brand campaign and a $125 million fleet-wide renovation.  
 
‘Savor the journey’ 
Holland America officially launched the new brand campaign that it debuted in October.  
 
Its 10-year-old tagline, “A Signature of Excellence,” has been replaced by “Savor the Journey.” 

             
 
The campaign also includes a new logo with new colors, and a “simpler and forward- looking” approach.  
 
Holland America will broadcast the new logo and tagline in its first local and national television commercials in a number of years. They will run through late March in all major American markets and on network television during shows like “Today,” “The Voice,” “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “Saturday Night Live,” and “60 Minutes.”  
 
Print ads will run in AFAR, Bon Appétit, Condé Nast Traveler, Departures, Food & Wine, Porthole, Smithsonian, and Travel + Leisure.  

                       
 
New ship completes sea trials  
Meanwhile, HAL’s newest ship, the ms Koningsdam, successfully completed two sets of sea trials off the Italian Coast in preparation for entering service this spring.  It is currently on its way back to Fincantieri’s Trieste shipyard for the final touches.  
 
Among other amenities, the Koningsdam will introduce new music venues, including BB King’s Blues Club and Lincoln Center Stage, a chamber music venue created in partnership with New York’s Lincoln Center. 
 
During its inaugural year, Koningsdam will sail a variety of itineraries in the Mediterranean, northern Europe, and the Caribbean.  
 
The ship’s naming ceremony is scheduled for May 20, 2016, in Rotterdam.  
 
Major renovation from Regent  
Meanwhile, Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that it will be investing $125 million into a renovation that upgrade its fleet in some major ways.  
 
Starting with the Seven Seas Navigator this spring, a two-year remodeling plan will provide guests with “a consistent look-and-feel, no matter which Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship they choose to sail.”  
 
The Seven Seas Voyager will be renovated in late 2016 and the Seven Seas Mariner in spring 2017. 
 
Public spaces and suites on all ships will be renovated, but some more than others. The Seven Seas Navigator, Regent’s smallest ship, will be getting upgrades to its suites, lounges, library, casino, boutiques, reception area, and signature restaurants during its drydock, and will “emerge essentially a brand new ship,” Regent said in a statement.  
 
The Navigator will reenter service on April 13, sailing a 10-night voyage from Barcelona to Rome, with calls across Spain, France, Monaco, and Italy.