American Cruise Lines to Debut Alaska Series in 2012

American Cruise Lines Expands to Alaska
American Cruise Lines will operate its first-ever Alaska series in 2012, beginning in June. Itineraries will include Glacier Bay National Park, where the cruise line joins just a handful of lines approved to sail in the bay. American Cruise Lines is planning seven- to 11-night itineraries, including roundtrip cruises from Juneau and one-way cruises between Juneau and Seattle. In Glacier Bay, a National Park Service ranger and a native cultural interpreter will board ships to provide narration.

Royal Caribbean to Invest $300 Million in Revitalizations
Royal Caribbean will invest some $300 million to bring its most popular Oasis-class innovations to ships across its fleet. Planned through 2014, the revitalizations will provide more variety in onboard dining, entertainment and stateroom options; ship-wide wi-fi; a digital system that helps passengers find their way onboard, and a nursery for babies and toddlers. The schedule for the Royal Advantage revitalizations are: Splendour of the Seas (November 2011), Rhapsody of the Seas (March 2012), Grandeur of the Seas (May 2012) and Serenade of the Seas (November 2012), and remaining ships in 2013 and 2014. Upgrades on the Radiance of the Seas were completed in May.

Crystal Appoints Anderson Senior VP, Marketing and Sales
Crystal Cruises has hired cruise industry veteran Jack Anderson as senior vice president, marketing and sales, replacing Bill Smith who left Crystal to join Virtuoso Travel. Anderson served most recently at the Yachts of Seabourn, where he was senior vice president, worldwide marketing, sales and public relations. He has also held positions at Carnival Corp., Holland America Line and Windstar Cruises. At Crystal, Anderson will oversee marketing, sales and public relations worldwide.

MSC Cruises Slates Agent Seminar at Sea for October
MSC Cruises will offer a Seminar at Sea for travel agents on Oct. 8 during a seven-night Canada/New England cruise sailing between New York and Quebec City. The seminar aboard the MSC Poesia will include in-depth sales training by vice president of sales Roy Grimsland and members of MSC’s sales team. Participants will receive a certificate for a $50 bonus commission to be used on their next MSC booking. Agent rates for the Seminar at Sea sailing are: $40 daily, per person, for an interior stateroom; $50, ocean view, and $80, balcony, plus fees and taxes. Contact your MSC sales rep or call (800) 666-9333.

Hurtigruten Introduces Four New Itineraries for 2012-13 Season
Hurtigruten’s 2012-13 season will include 17 itineraries ranging from eight to 19 days. The schedule includes four new voyages: a 14-day National Park Expedition in Greenland; eight-day Explorer Voyage, along Spitsbergen’s west coast; eight-day Autumn Adventure to the isles of Faroe, Orkney and Shetland; and a 19-day transatlantic crossing, from the Canary Islands to Argentina.

Uniworld Expands Asia River Cruises, Tours
With the introduction of its new river ship, the River Saigon, in January 2012, Uniworld is expanding its Asia river cruises and tours. In 2012, the line will offer 100 departures in China, Vietnam and Cambodia on eight itineraries ranging from 10 to 24 days. New itineraries include: a 15-day Timeless Wonders of Vietnam, Cambodia & Mekong River cruise and tour, from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, and a 24-day Grand Asia & Mekong River cruise and tour from Beijing to Hanoi.

Carnival Adds Bahamas Schedule From Port Canaveral
Carnival Cruise Lines will launch a new four- and five-day Bahamas schedule aboard the Carnival Ecstasy starting in November. Four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Nassau and Half Moon Cay or Freeport. Five-day sailings depart Mondays and Saturdays, calling at Nassau, Freeport and Half Moon Cay or Key West.

Princess Adds Deck Plans, Maps and More to POLAR Online
Princess Cruises added several features to its POLAR Online booking engine in response to agent requests. The additions include online zoom-able deck plans (with cabin layouts), ship facts and itinerary maps. All can be accessed directly from the POLAR Online screen, so agents can answer clients’ questions immediately. Also new is a  weather feature displaying temperature and precipitation details for ports of call.

In Other Cruise Product News
Windstar Cruises introduced a bike program offering bike rentals in most ports, starting at $39 for four hours.  . . .  Crystal Cruises added voluntourism shore excursions on its fall Canada/New England and Caribbean sailings. Options include: preparing winter items for homeless and low-income children in Boston; feeding the hungry in Nova Scotia, and caring for rescued stray donkeys in Antigua.  . . . Royal Caribbean introduced a three-and-a-half hour All Access tour that takes guests behind the scenes on each of its ships; the price is $150.