Crystal Yacht Cruises unveils 2017 East Africa safari program

With more than 10 sailings scheduled in the Seychelles in 2017 aboard the ultra-luxury yacht Crystal Esprit, Crystal Yacht Cruises is offering guests the opportunity to extend their vacations with an immersive safari adventure.

Through Crystal’s popular “Extended Land Programs” – multi-night excursions that take travelers deeper into a destination, with all the details overseen by Crystal’s expert team – next year’s Crystal Esprit voyages in the Seychelles feature a post-cruise four-day safari through East Africa. The safari offers travelers an in-depth experience amidst the culture and wildlife in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. Game drives will bring Crystal guests into the habitats of giraffes, lions, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs and other magnificent animals that roam the African plains. From the open plains to the dense bush, an expert director from acclaimed safari operator Micato Safaris will guide and enlighten guests on the animals’ hunting, playing, grooming and social habits as guests observe them in the wild.

For those seeking an all-encompassing bird’s eye view of the expansive African plains, an optional hot air balloon adventure affords just that, with a sunrise liftoff over the Mara Plain. The experience will unveil the complex and spectacular terrain below, illuminated by the colorful sunrise for which the region is famous. Juxtaposed with the grand perspective from the balloon’s altitude is a decidedly more intimate view of the region’s culture, showcased by a personal visit to Maasai Village. During this special encounter with the local village residents, Crystal guests will hear tales of Maasai’s history and also participate in traditional singing and dancing.

“Our Extended Land Programs are an excellent way to seamlessly continue one’s luxury vacation ashore while still enjoying the Crystal attention to detail and seeing to all arrangements,” says Edie Rodriguez, Crystal’s president and CEO.

Included in the $3,495 per person base fare (dependent on air transportation selected) for the Crystal Esprit safari land program are three-night luxury accommodations at the Norfolk Hotel and the Fairmont Mara Safari Club; air transportation from Mahé/Victoria to Nairobi and up to two scheduled flights during the excursion; welcome amenities and gifts; game drive equipment and flight kits; and all gratuities to hotel staff and Micato Safari guides. The hot air balloon excursion is available for an additional cost; a Kenyan visa must be pre-secured by guests prior to arrival.

Sailing round-trip Mahé, Crystal Esprit’s 2017 Seychelles voyages call in pristine island destinations throughout the Indian Ocean, including St. Anne Island, Cousin Island, Praslin, La Passe, la Digue, Laraie Bay/Curieuse Island, Aride, and Big Sister Island. “Book Now” cruise fares start at $3,240 per person through June 30. An inclusive pre-cruise land program in Dubai is also available for the voyages.

Domestic cruises drove Australia’s 15% passenger count rise last year

The total number of Australians taking an ocean cruise worldwide rose by almost 15% in 2015 to reach a record 1,058,781 passengers, with a 42% increase in domestic cruise passenger numbers contributing significantly to the result.

“The growth in cruising in Australian waters saw local passenger numbers rise by more than 80,000 to 269,915 – a result which means one in four Australian cruise passengers took a domestic ocean cruise last year,’ CLIA Australasia said in a statement.

Meanwhile the number of Australians taking an ocean cruise in Asia jumped 71.5% from 55,000 in 2014 to 95,000 in 2015.

Released in Sydney, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s 2015 Australian Cruise Industry Source Market report reveals that Australia once again leads the global cruise industry in terms of market penetration, with the equivalent of 4.5% of the Australian population taking a cruise last year.

The industry’s 14.6%annual growth rate was the second highest recorded by an international cruise region last year, with only the emerging market of China reporting stronger growth (40.3%).

The annual report, which is now focussed solely on ocean cruising in line with international CLIA reporting, shows that Australian ocean cruise passenger numbers have increased by an impressive annual average of 19.2% since 2006.

The study also found that 135,000 more Australians took a cruise last year than in 2014 - one of the biggest increases on record in real terms.

Commenting on the report’s findings, CLIA Australasia Chairman Steve Odell said Australians were responding to the increasing array of cruises on offer. “In 2015 we saw a range of new shorter coastal cruises sailing from Australian homeports and these have clearly captured the imagination of Australians, who see them as a new way to explore their nation,” Odell said.

“What’s more, many of these cruises are calling at regional ports around the coastline, creating a lot of chatter and enticing more Australians to try a holiday at sea, while also injecting valuable dollars into local economies.”

Odell said the expanding range of cruise options in Asia was also tempting Australians, with new itineraries available from China, Japan and Singapore in 2015.

“Whether they are on a four-day cruise to a Queensland island or a 14-day voyage exploring the exotic ports of Asia, clearly more Australians are discovering that cruising is an easy, relaxing and great value way to holiday.”

 Other key findings of the 2015 Australian Cruise Industry Source Market report include:

 The South Pacific maintained its position as Australians’ favourite cruise destination attracting more than one-third of ocean cruise passengers (383,889). Australia was the second favourite destination.

 Europe remained the leading long-haul destination and Australians’ third most popular destination overall, attracting 9.5% of passengers (101,419)

 The number of Australians cruising to New Zealand rose by 13.5% to break through the 100,000 mark for the first time

 Short break cruises of four days or less leapt in popularity, growing by 25% in 2015, while cruises of 15-21 days rose by more than 50%

 Close to 90 % of all Australians cruising in 2014 took a cruise of 14 days or less

 At a State level, New South Wales was the biggest source of cruisers (421,950) while Queensland recorded the strongest growth with cruise numbers from the State rising by almost 30% compared to 2014, giving the state a record population penetration rate of 5.9%

Royal Caribbean's Empress of the Seas arrives PortMiami after $50 million refit

Miami’s latest hometown ship, Empress of the Seas, arrived to her new homeport today after a $50 million revitalization. This is almost 26 years later, when the ship first time entered for a short cruise market sailing out from Miami. The ship will set sail on her first sailing on Friday, May 27 visiting Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay, Bahamas and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship will then offer short 4- and 5-night getaways from Miami to Nassau, The Bahamas; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; Grand Cayman and Key West, Florida. With longer stays in every port, guests will be able to experience spectacular golden sunsets in the Caribbean. Plus, on select 5-night itineraries, guest can experience the authentic Mexican culture and cuisine during overnight stays in Cozumel, Mexico.

Empress of the Seas will offer signature amenities including a thrilling rock-climbing wall for adrenaline seekers; new pools and whirlpools; a spa with an extensive treatment menu; and a complimentary Adventure Ocean youth program. Empress also will offer a variety of dining options, including the casual atmosphere of the Windjammer Café and fine dining at the brand’s signature steakhouse Chops Grille. In addition, the ship will offer Voom, the fastest internet at sea.

Purchasing opportunities and travel agents added to FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show

Suppliers and travel agents will have an opportunity to increase their business with the cruise industry because some of the new features at the 23rd annual FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show. The traditional series of one-on-one meetings, workshops and exhibiting and networking opportunities will be complemented by the Purchasing Initiative and an add-on travel agent event in partnership with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

For anyone looking to supply products to cruise lines, the new Purchasing Initiative will put them direct to customer, with a booth within the first-ever Purchasing Pavilion, specialized one-on-one meetings and networking events with supply chain and purchasing cruise executives, and a workshop focused on sourcing and purchasing.

The Travel Agent/Destination Summit will gather more than 200 CLIA member travel agents at the tail end of the FCCA Cruise Conference & Trade Show, allowing them to target the more than 100 cruise executives that attended the event, learn from and about San Juan, and create synergies and opportunities with the other stakeholders participating in and exhibiting at the event.

New Zealand source market grew by 10% in 2015 -- CLIA

A record 66,152 New Zealanders plied the world’s oceans on a cruise holiday in 2015 with a 10% leap in passenger numbers helping to make the country one of the world’s top performing markets, according to a new report released today, CLIA Australasia said in a statement.

The report reveals that New Zealand was one of only three international cruise passenger markets to record a double-digit increase last year, beaten only by Australia and emerging hot spot China (up 52%).

With Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s annual New Zealand Cruise Industry Source Market Report now focussed solely on ocean cruising, in line with international CLIA reporting, the latest figures show the New Zealand ocean cruise passenger market has gone from strength to strength, recording almost 65% growth over the past five years.

Cruises in local waters, including New Zealand and the neighbouring regions of Australia and the South Pacific, continued to account for the majority (54%) of cruise passengers, with last year’s strong growth led by an increase in New Zealanders cruising in Australia (up 71%) as well as Asia (up 64%).

Released in Auckland, the figures also show that New Zealand cruise passengers spent almost 680,000 days at sea in 2015. CLIA Australasia Chairman Steve Odell said the 2015 figures meant the equivalent of 1.4% of the population had taken a cruise last year with New Zealand now ranked sixth in the world for market penetration ahead of many established cruise nations including Italy (1.3%), Spain (1%) and France (0.9%).

“New Zealand is still an emerging source market but after another year of solid growth, which saw the nation outperform most key markets, it’s clear that cruising is growing in popularity,” Odell said.

“These figures show us that New Zealanders are increasingly recognising cruising as a great value and relaxing way to travel, not only in their backyard but also as part of an overseas trip.” The annual source market report is based on data received from CLIA’s cruise line members, which account for more than 95% of the world’s cruise passengers.