Queen Mary 2 re-enters service after remastering

Queen Mary 2, the Cunard Line flagship, has re-entered service afer remastering in Germany.

The work included redesign and refurbishment of the Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites and restaurants, as well as Britannia staterooms, the latter to be fully complete by the end of the year, the company said in a statement.

Thirty further Britannia Club staterooms, 15 Britannia single staterooms and five Britannia inside staterooms were added and key public spaces and restaurants were redesigned.

The former Winter Garden was transformed into the Carinthia Lounge, The Verandah was introduced as the ship’s new speciality restaurant, and the Kings Court, the ship’s popular buffet area, was reworked.

Furthermore, 10 additional kennels, complete with Liverpool lamp post and New York fire hydrant to make dogs feel at home in the world’s only transatlantic kennel service, the company said.

Celebrity Cruises reveals its new Galapagos offerings

Where the fittest survive, modern luxury thrives. Celebrity Cruises has today revealed its exciting new cruises onboard its newest ships in one of the most dynamic corners of the world – the Galapagos Islands.

Travelers now have even more options with the addition of two distinct new ships, Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xperience, which begin sailing in March 2017, following a multi-million dollar refresh per vessel for signature modern luxury enhancements. Both ships offer a wide all-inclusive range of indulgences and land excursions while sailing new itineraries. Guests can continue to sail onboard Celebrity's state-of-the-art 100-passenger Celebrity Xpedition. Together, the three stunning ships will offer six unique itineraries, 15 islands, more than 30 ports of call, and multiple packages to choose from.

Celebrity Xploration and Celebrity Xperience are both uniquely intimate. Ideal for travelers seeking a tight-knit community of like-minded vacationers, Celebrity’s Xploration is a stunning catamaran featuring eight luxurious staterooms, each with a window or veranda offering unforgettable views. The larger Celebrity Xperience offers a similar modern luxury experience to guests staying in its 24 stylish staterooms. Regardless of the ship, each stateroom features deluxe accommodations with upgraded premium mattresses and pillows, plus luxurious bedding - all to create the most comfortable bed in the Galapagos. In addition, each room will have LCD TVs and high-speed internet service will be available throughout the ship. All vacations feature award-winning shore excursions led by expert naturalists, specially crafted meals, featuring fresh regional seafood and fish, by Celebrity’s Michelin-starred chef. Guests can also enjoy regional coffee, chocolate and other delights, premium spirits, a curated wine list, and service from the best staff at sea.

"With more than 12 years in the Galapagos Islands, guests have told us that we are best-in-class at providing award-winning vacations in this unique corner of the world,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “Now we are offering the trip-of-a-lifetime onboard our newest ships with itineraries featuring ports of call we’ve never visited before and experiences that are exclusive to Celebrity. If a modern luxury vacation in the Galapagos Islands wasn’t on your bucket list before, it definitely should be on it now!"

Onboard Celebrity’s new ships, guests experience some of the most distinctive islands in the world through the ultimate modern luxury lens. Packages range from seven to 15 nights, and feature northern and southern loop itineraries:

Celebrity Xperience

– Guests can choose from seven-night, 10-night or 13-night, all-inclusive vacations
– New ports-of-call include Mosquera Islet, Black Turtle Cove, Cerro Brujo, Santa Fe, Darwin Bay and El Barranco - famous for its Prince Philip steps leading to vast seabird colonies of Nazca and Red-Footed Boobies
– Launching today and exclusive to Celebrity is a new Xperiential Travel 13-night itinerary. Guests can get up close and personal not only with the Galapagos wildlife but with the people who reside in the islands’ communities. After spending two nights exploring Quito, Ecuador, sailing for seven nights, guests will disembark the ship and begin a three-night experience, which includes:
– Accommodations in a seaside hotel in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
– A visit to a local farm or green house to gather provisions that will later be used to prepare an exclusive dinner with a professional chef at a local restaurant
– Time with a local fisherman in search of a special catch of the day for a special dinner with the chef that evening. Vacationers will learn about responsible tourism that fuels and helps preserve the islands while encountering wild species of fish. After, guests can visit a private beach to snorkel and swim

Celebrity Xploration

– For the ultimate experience in the Galapagos, guests can charter their own ship for a seven-night, all-inclusive vacation with a variety of choices of pre- and post-cruise experiences
– New ports-of-call include El Barranco, Darwin Bay, Espumilla Beach, Mosquera Islet, Chinese Hat, Kicker Rock, Cerro Brujo, Walls of Tears and Puerto Villamil - the small town home to the Galapagos Giant Tortoise Center

In addition to the two new ships, travelers can continue to sail on the award-winning Celebrity Xpedition with seven-, 10-, 11- or 15-night, all-inclusive vacations. Launched in 2014 to mark the 10th anniversary of sailing in this region of wonder, immersive and inspiring land excursions exclusive to Celebrity are available to guests sailing on the ship. These experiences range from dining on authentic cuisine prepared by local residents to contributing to the protected islands through the Scalesia Reforestation Project - a unique partnership with the Galapagos National Park.

All sailings can be combined with pre- and post-cruise land experiences, and each offers something different, so modern travelers can make their vacations exactly what they want them to be.

Crystal announces godmother for the Mozart

Crystal River Cruises has announced Ms. Elisabeth Gürtler as the Godmother of its first river ship Crystal Mozart. On July 11, the reimagined “Queen of Europe’s Rivers,” will be officially welcomed to the fleet in Vienna, Austria, in a christening ceremony that will culminate when the ship’s newly announced godmother breaks the customary champagne against the bow. Ms. Gürtler is no stranger to the finer nuances of luxury travel, as the managing director of Vienna’s most famous hotel, the Hotel Sacher. Her expertise on Vienna and its cultural wonders stretches to the city’s historic Spanish Riding School, where she is also acting director.

“It is fitting that such a pillar of the Viennese community as Ms. Gürtler would join the Crystal family as we expand into the stunning waterways of Austria and the surrounding areas,” says Edie Rodriguez, Crystal’s CEO and president. “As we prepare to embark with Crystal Mozart on her journeys along the Danube River, we are honored to do so with the blessing of one of the region’s most respected citizens, who also shares Crystal’s commitment to a superior standard of excellence in global travel.”

As godmother of Crystal Mozart, Gürtler joins an esteemed group of Crystal matriarchs that have come before, including Mary Tyler Moore (Crystal Harmony), Dame Angela Lansbury (Crystal Symphony), Dame Julie Andrews (Crystal Serenity) and Lady Gaenor Meakes (Crystal Esprit). Crystal Mozart will embark on her maiden voyage round-trip from Vienna on July 13, calling in picturesque locales lining Europe’s second-largest river. Visits to Dürnstein, Melk, and Linz, Austria; an overnight in Passau, Germany; Bratislava, Slovakia; a second overnight in Budapest, Hungary; and ending in with two nights back in Vienna will afford Crystal’s world-savvy guests intimate, immersive exploration of the region.

As the World’s Most Luxurious Travel and Lifestyle portfolio continues to expand, Crystal will welcome six newly built additional river yachts to its luxury fleet over the next three years. The sleek vessels will cruise rivers in France, Eastern Europe and the surrounding regions.

Key cruise line executives and industry stakeholders gather to improve business at FCCA PAMAC Conference

Improving cruise tourism business is easier than ever in the Big Easy. More than 150 attendees, including FCCA Platinum Members-key cruise tourism stakeholders-and over 30 high-ranking executives from the FCCA's 19 Member Lines, have gathered in New Orleans for the FCCA Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council (PAMAC) Conference.

Kicking off yesterday and continuing until tomorrow, the three-day event features a series of meetings, workshops and networking events to discuss industry trends and standards and develop relationships and mutual benefits for the cruise lines and members' companies and destinations.

"FCCA events like the PAMAC Conference are essential to both the members and cruise line representatives," said Micky Arison, chairman of Carnival Corporation & plc and the FCCA. "They gather some of the industry's most influential decision makers with significant stakeholders from the Caribbean and Latin America, which leads to positive developments for all parties."

"The FCCA PAMAC Conference is fostering more mutual growth for Platinum Members and Member Line executives," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "Bringing together these two parties lets them better understand each other, along with all current happenings and offerings, in order to synergistically grow and improve."

The PAMAC Conference has sparked this synergy through one-on-one meetings between Platinum Members and executives of their choice; presentations of Platinum Members' latest developments for the executives and other members to learn about and from; and networking functions between members and executives, including sit-down dinners cooking up business relationships.

Plus, executives gave some presentations of their own to promote mutual benefits with the Platinum Members. Andy Stuart, president and COO, Norwegian Cruise Line, discussed cruise line destination development; Christine Duffy, president, Carnival Cruise Line, presented 'Carnival and New Orleans: Beyond Business'; and Giora Israel, SVP, Global Port & Destination Development Group, Carnival Corp. & plc, spoke on the opportunities and challenges connected to Cuba's opening.

This event is one of many that the FCCA coordinates for its Platinum Members and Member Lines to stay at the forefront of information about both the industry and members' companies and destinations, while finding ways to maximize the benefits for all.

Caribbean and Latin American students' environmental awareness awarded by FCCA Foundation

The FCCA Foundation has again rewarded the efforts of students and schools throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, with nearly $25,000 awarded to children and schools from 12 destinationsparticipating in the annual FCCA Foundation's Environmental Poster Competition.

"I cannot be prouder to benefit the efforts of the talented and dedicated students who participated in this year's FCCA Foundation Environmental Poster Competition," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "Protecting the environment is a joint effort for us all, and this is an opportunity to spur future generations to focus on the world's and their futures, while also benefitting their futures through donations to them and their schools."

Each year, the competition prompts students to create a poster depicting ways to protect the environment and promote awareness in their country. This year's contest featured finalists from 12 Caribbean and Latin American destinations ranging from juniors (ages 12 and younger) to seniors (13-16).

Though all participating students learned a valuable lesson, the finalists and first- to third-place winners took home a prize to and for their country. First-place winners earned a $3,000 scholarship for themselves, along with an equal donation for their schools to purchase art supplies; second-place winners and schools received $1,500 each; third-place winners and schools were awarded $1,000 each; and all finalists and schools received $200 each.

Dantia Welcome of Corinaldi Avenue Primary School in Jamaica took the junior division gold for "Reduce, Recycle, Renew the Caribbean," which showcased how to make the Caribbean and world a better place by planting trees, practicing sustainable development, protecting the natural habitat and renewing energy.

Cherise Blanche of St. Andrew's Anglican Secondary in Grenada won the senior division for creatively showing ways to protect the environment by turning discarded items like tires and cardboard into planters and storage containers in "Eliminate the Trash, Embrace the Treasure."

Other winners included Tyra Abell from the Cayman Islands, taking second in the junior division; Otisha Nichols from St. Vincent, winning second in the senior division; Daniel Peraza from Belize, collecting third in the junior division; and Ping Ling Len from St. Maarten, placing third in the senior division.