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Norwegian Cruise Line launches new cruisetours in South America

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 April 2015 11 April 2015

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering guests the freedom and flexibility to build their dream South American vacation with the introduction of three new South American Cruisetours. These pre- or post-cruise land-based tours are available for guests sailing on Norwegian Sun’s South America itineraries, beginning November 2015. Ranging in length from three to five days, these in-depth experiences are hosted by expert English speaking local tour guides and take guests off the beaten path on a once-in-a-lifetime immersion into the authentic flavors, sights and history of Argentina and Chile.

Cruise guests looking to celebrate the romance of Buenos Aires, often referred to as the “Paris of South America,” can opt for the three-day Tour & Tango in Buenos Aires. Travelers will overnight in Buenos Aires, tour the city, dine in Argentinian restaurants known to locals, attend an evening dinner and tango show and round-out the trip by going cheek-to-cheek with a tango lesson from professional dancers.

Those looking to explore deeper into the ecological and cultural diversity of Argentina can opt for the five-day Buenos Aires & Iguazú Falls Eco-Explorer Cruisetour. As a complement to their cruise vacation, this Cruisetour engages guests’ senses on a three-night excursion through Buenos Aires, where they will taste, touch, listen and dance to the rhythm of the big city, then hop on a short flight to Iguazú for a two-day eco-tour of the area’s wondrous waters, a visit to the Aborigene Guaraní community and more. Culture seekers will immerse themselves in Argentina’s living history at the XIX Century “Estancia” (ranch) El Rosario de Areco, where they’ll be welcomed by gauchos on horseback, learn the importance of the Pampas region to Argentina’s culture, enjoy an amazing gauchos and horses show, savor a traditional Argentine barbeque and more.

Guests can say “hola” to adventure on the Easter Island & Santiago Explorer Cruisetour in Chile. The five-day experience will take guests on a three-day adventure in Easter Island, one of the most isolated inhabited places on earth, to marvel at hundreds of mysterious giant moai statues dating back centuries and visit the ceremonial village of Orongo. As an added element to their archeological adventure in Easter Island, guests will overnight in Chile’s capital city of Santiago and tour the city’s juxtaposition of pre-Colombian cathedrals and monuments along with modern residential areas.

Norwegian Sun will cruise through South America from November 21, 2015 through April 9, 2016, sailing alternating Eastbound and Westbound 14-day voyages between Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The two week sailings provide guests with the opportunity to see the many of the marvels of South America, including the European charm of Montevideo, Uruguay, the penguin-packed Falkland Islands, and through the mystical Strait of Magellan and beyond.

TUI Cruises to offer yoga and fitness themed cruises 2016

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 April 2015 09 April 2015

TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise line, will offer a yoga and a fitness themed cruise next year, the company said in a statement.

Mein Schiff 4, the second of four 99,300 gross ton newbuildings of the company, will host a yoga themed cruise from 18 to 26 June next year. It will include classes on Power, Functional, Chakra and Hatha yoga. The cruise will sail from Kiel.

Five months later, sister ship Mein Schiff 3 will be the venue of a Fitness themed cruise, with activities including Aerobioc, Step, dance, Body art, Pilates, toning and activities in the ship's 25 metre swimming pool. The seven night cruise will depart from Dubai on 21 November.

P&O Cruises Australia unveils first five ship programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 April 2015 08 April 2015

P&O Cruises Australia, the Sydney based contemporary market unit in the Carnival Corp & pc group, has unveiled its 2016-17 itineraries that entail five vessels for the first time in the company’s history.

“With 191 departures and 38 unique itineraries being offered across the cruise line's five-ship fleet between October 2016 and July 2017, the program continues P&O Cruises' evolution of modern Australian cruising,” the company said in a statement.

The addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden – previously Statendam and Ryndam of sister company Holland America Line - sees a plethora of new itinerary options for Australians including two year-round ships in Brisbane, a bumper season from Melbourne, long weekend breaks from Adelaide, more Papua New Guinea and Pacific explorations and expanded regional cruises.

With short breaks in hot demand, P&O Cruises is offering 84 Sea Breaks from new music-themed itineraries to the first cruise from Auckland to Napier for the internationally-renowned Art Deco Weekend and more regional itineraries including Melbourne's inaugural short break to Eden on New South Wales' Sapphire Coast.

P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Sture Myrmell said a five ship fleet opened up some exciting opportunities for Australian cruisers.

"We're taking Australian cruising to the next level with this jam-packed program. With the biggest home-ported fleet, we can offer the largest range of itineraries and destinations in the region," Mr Myrmell said.

"We have one of the best backyards in the world and our five-ship fleet is cruising from all over the country to take our guests from Port Lincoln to Papua New Guinea. While we're showing off the best of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, our guests can enjoy the latest in onboard innovations making our ships an exciting destination in their own right."

On sale from April 22, highlights of the new program include:

Four music-themed Sea Breaks including a three-night Blues cruise from Sydney from $549*

A 10-night Papua New Guinea Christmas cruise on Pacific Eden from Brisbane from $1849*

Pacific Aria's first Sydney season featuring a new 15-night Papua New Guinea cruise calling at Alotau, Madang, Rabaul, Kiriwina Island, Kitava, Doini Island and scenic cruising in the Vitu Islands, Kawanasausau Strait and Milne Bay from $1899*

Pacific Eden will join Pacific Dawn cruising year-round from Brisbane including her inaugural 14-night New Zealand itinerary with fares from $1599*

Pacific Aria will offer a season of short breaks from Adelaide including three-night weekend getaways from $599* and four-night options visiting Port Lincoln or Melbourne from $649*

A bumper Melbourne season including Pacific Jewel's new 13-night Pacific Islands Christmas cruise from $1949* and the first four-night Sea Break to Eden from $599*

Pacific Pearl’s Auckland season sees the first Sea Break to Napier for New Zealand’s Art Deco Weekend priced from $659*

The first 200 guests who book a new program itinerary departing from November 14, 2016, will receive special extras including priority check-in and tenders, welcome gift packs and onboard credit.

PONANT joins CLIA as newest global cruise line member

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 April 2015 07 April 2015

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has announced the addition of Global Cruise Line Member, PONANT Yacht Cruises & Expeditions. A French luxury yacht-style cruise line and a world leader in Polar cruising, PONANT joins the growing number of CLIA’s Global Cruise Line Members, now totaling 28 cruise lines.

Last month, CroisiEurope, Europe’s largest river cruise line, also joined as a CLIA Global Cruise Line Member. PONANT and CroisiEurope are both a part of the CLIA Specialty Cruise Collection, a group of 17 cruise lines representing the rapidly growing small ship, river, coastal, luxury, adventure and sailing ship member lines.

“It is evident that the cruise industry is continuing to flourish and we are thrilled to see prestigious cruise lines around the world, such as PONANT, recognize the benefits of joining CLIA as a global member,” said Adam M. Goldstein, CLIA Global Chairman and President/COO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Global Cruise Line Members take advantage of access to thousands of CLIA travel agent and agency members as well as tap into vast marketing and promotional activities across CLIA’s 15 global offices.”

“As the only French cruise line that specializes in luxury cruises and a world leader in Polar Expeditions, we are thrilled to move our CLIA membership to a global level and join its Specialty Cruise Collection,” said Jean-Emmanuel Sauvée, Founder and CEO, PONANT. “With the development of our sales offices in the USA or Australasia, we look forward to engage fully with CLIA’s office and CLIA travel agent and agency members around the world over the coming years.”

PONANT specializes in luxury cruising aboard its fleet of intimate yacht-style vessels (32 to 122 staterooms) embodying a lifestyle “à la française.” These elegant, small-capacity yachts offers chic cruising without the crowds, being small enough to reach ports that are inaccessible to bigger ships with destinations to Antarctica, Alaska & the Arctic, the Caribbean, Central & South America, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe & the Baltic, West Africa, Asia and the Pacific. The latest eco-friendly technologies, attentive five-star service, bilingual crew, luxurious staterooms and suites, a gourmet cuisine and meticulously planned excursions guarantee a voyage that is unique and full of emotionally moving experiences.

The American Empress returns to the Pacific Northwest

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 April 2015 06 April 2015

Today, the American Queen Steamboat Company announces its second inaugural season touring the Pacific Northwest onboard the American Empress, a 223-guest riverboat. With nine-day itineraries steeped in culture, exclusive winery tours and tastings, the American Empress itineraries continue to deliver an unforgettable vacation through the eyes of the region's first settlers.

"The unblemished beauty and bountiful grape harvest make the Pacific Northwest home to some of the world's most sought after wines and celebrated landmarks," shares American Queen Steamboat Company President and COO Ted Sykes. "Through locally sourced cuisine and tour operators, we're excited to bring the region's culture to life with award-winning shore excursions and onboard amenities."

Wine Themed Tours & Tastings Include:

– Premium Tour: Wine & Spirits on Red Mountain

– Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center

Named for "the Father of Washington Wine," the Walter Clore Center offers a detailed look at the history of Red Mountain, Wash. and the area's wine production together with tasting samples of some of the finest wines from local vineyards.

– Kiona Vineyards

Located in Red Mountain Wash., Kiona Vineyards provides a tasting room with panoramic views of the Yakima Valley and estate vineyard, spanning over 250 acres.

– Hedges Family Estate

Allows guests to tour the expansive estate winery and sample the vintages produced on site before continuing to Black Heron Spirits, a unique and quirky distillery where guests can tour the facility and taste their specialty whisky and spirits.

– Premium Tour: From Maryhill Museum to the Vineyard

The tour to Maryhill Museum includes an exclusive wine tasting of the artistic wines unique to the Pacific Northwest. During the visit, guests can sample a variety of wines and enjoy veranda views of the gorge, Mt. Hood and the Columbia River flowing below.

– Premium Tour: The Beauty and Bounty of the Pacific Northwest

Features Mount Hood Winery, a "wine to bottle" full production facility in Oregon that specializes in distinctive wines and warm hospitality. The Estate's grown Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Riesling thrive in Mount Hood's rich volcanic soils and the ideal growing climate of the Hood River Valley.

– Premium Tour: Wine Walk in Spokane, Wash.

Guests can enjoy a wine walk with tastings around a post-cruise stay in Spokane, Wash.

– Included Tour: Sunshine Mill Winery in The Dalles, Ore.

The included Hop-on Hop-Off Tour will feature Sunshine Mill Winery, the first building in The Dalles to have electricity with an amphitheater for wine tastings.

In addition, wine by the glass is rotated through each itinerary onboard the American Empress and include Willamette Valley Vineyards, Eola Hills, Joe Dobbes Family Estate, Fox Farm, Anelare, and Maryhill Winery.

Offering the most inclusive river cruise experience in North America, fares on the American Empress begin at $3,795 based on double occupancy. All journeys include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in all ports, complimentary wine and beer with dinner and a host of other amenities. To order a brochure, request additional information and make reservations, contact the American Queen Steamboat Company at 888-749-5280, visit online at www.AQSC.com or contact a professional travel agent.