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Norwegian Cruise Line to operate brand-new Caribbean cruises from New Orleans and Port Canaveral this fall

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 January 2024 25 January 2024

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) revealed today new Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries for Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Epic from New Orleans and Port Canaveral, Fla.

As a result of guest demand for warm-weather destinations this fall, the Company is opening for sale new 7-night round-trip cruises to the Western Caribbean from the Big Easy starting on Oct. 20, 2024 aboard Norwegian Getaway, as well as voyages to the Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral, Fla. beginning on Oct. 30, 2024 on Norwegian Epic. Returning from Europe following a summer season of Mediterranean and Greek Isles voyages, the ships’ new fall itineraries will offer guests more opportunities to island hop and visit multiple crystal-clear waters and sunny skies throughout the Caribbean, including NCL's private destinations, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and Harvest Caye in Belize. The new cruises will open for sale in February.

“The Caribbean continues to be a hotspot for our guests all around the world, especially during the fall and winter seasons,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are constantly looking to provide our guests with the best vacation possible especially from accessible homeports, and it was a no-brainer to bring two of our largest ships to sail more picturesque, tropical cruises from New Orleans and Port Canaveral, Fla.”

Norwegian Getaway returns to New Orleans on Oct. 20, 2024 for a season of Western Caribbean voyages.

Norwegian Getaway, the second ship in the Breakaway Class, features 40 restaurants, bars and lounges; the Waterfront, a wrap-around walkway to take in sweeping ocean views; the Mandara Spa and Salon with a rejuvenating Thermal Suite; a variety of spacious accommodations; and world-class entertainment. The ship also offers thrilling top-deck activities for families including a sports complex, an open-air ropes course and the Aqua Park which features five multi-story waterslides, two swimming pools, four hot tubs and two drop slides, the Free Fall and the Whip, for the ultimate wet and wild fun.

As one of the largest ships in the NCL fleet with a length of 1,081 feet and guest capacity of 4,100, Norwegian Epic boasts 19 bars and lounges; 15 complimentary and specialty restaurants; an expansive Mandara Spa and Salon; the adults-only exclusive oasis, Posh Beach Club; and the thrilling Aqua Park complete with two pools, five hot tubs, three multi-story water slides, the 200-foot Epic Plunge and a kid’s pool. As the first ship to debut the revolutionary Studio Staterooms and the luxury private keycard access only enclave, The Haven by Norwegian®, Norwegian Epic also features a variety of accommodations as well as show-stopping entertainment every night including guest-favorite “Burn the Floor,” The Cavern Club and Deal or No Deal.

Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Epic’s Caribbean sailings will be available on www.ncl.com in February, and can be booked with NCL’s value-added program, Free at Sea, which provides guests with complimentary amenities including unlimited open bar; free Wi-Fi; specialty dining and shore excursion credits; and free airfare for the second guest on select cruises.

SunStone's Ocean Explorer and Ocean Odyssey return to operation

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 January 2024 25 January 2024

SunStone Maritime Group A/S has announced the reactivation of two Infinity Class Expedition vessels with multi-year charters signed for the Ocean Explorer and the Ocean Odyssey. The Ocean Explorer will return to polar cruising in October 2024, when Quark Expeditions, a long-term client of SunStone, adds the vessel to its fleet of expedition vessels. The Ocean Odyssey will operate outside the cruise market.

In October 2024, the Quark charter of the Ocean Adventurer ends, after which time this vessel will be available for sale or charter.

Princess Cruises, Fincantieri mutually agree to postpone Sun Princess delivery

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 January 2024 24 January 2024

Princess Cruises and Fincantieri have mutually agreed to delay delivery of Sun Princess, the largest vessel ever constructed in Italy and the first ship of a revolutionary new platform designed exclusively for the Princess brand. The postponement has regrettably led to the cancellation of the ship's inaugural 10-day voyage, originally set to depart from Barcelona on February 8th.

“We understand that this news is disappointing, and we share in that disappointment. We recognize the anticipation that surrounded this sailing, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this cancellation causes,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.

Guests who were booked on of the inaugural voyage will receive a full refund of the cruise fare along with any additional onboard services that were pre-purchased, as well as a 50% future cruise credit (FCC) that can be used on a future Princess voyage*. Guests also will receive up to $200 per person for change fees related to air travel plans.

Princess is also protecting travel agent commissions.

Royal Caribbean Group's Jason Liberty named Chairman of Cruise Lines International Association

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 January 2024 21 January 2024

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading authority of the global cruise industry, has announced that Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty has been appointed Chairman by its Board of Directors. Liberty succeeds Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises S.A. who served in the role since January 2021.

“On behalf of the CLIA community including ocean, river, and specialty cruise lines, suppliers, business partners, travel advisers, and agencies, I would like to congratulate Mr. Liberty on his appointment as CLIA chair. Liberty assumes the chairmanship at a time when the industry is building on the momentum of strong demand and our members are advancing ambitious sustainability initiatives in pursuit of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of CLIA. “Liberty is a highly versatile and strategic leader who will help us build on this resurgence of travel and realize our global operating ambitions."

“I would also like to thank Vago for his leadership as chair over the past three years, navigating challenging times and creating a solid foundation for the industry’s future growth,” Craighead added.

Liberty became Royal Caribbean Group’s president and CEO in early 2022, following a career spanning nearly two decades in the cruise industry and having served as the company’s Chief Financial Officer for many years. Last year, he drove powerful gains in the Group’s business, becoming one of the top performing stocks of the year. He stewards three industry-leading brands, Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea, known for game-changing innovations in their respective industry segments; as well as joint ventures in Germany-based TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, of which the company is a 50% owner.

“I am excited and honored to lead this organization as we enter a new era of cruising. With consumer demand continuing to accelerate, we are doubling down on our commitment to decarbonization and sustainable growth, ensuring that we are not only investing in our oceans and communities, but preserving them for generations of travelers to come,” Liberty said. “I look forward to working with CLIA leadership and our partners around the world to further position cruise vacations as an accessible and responsible option for today’s travelers that create positive ripple effects across the globe.”

Cruise is one of the fastest growing sectors of travel and tourism and is forecasted to reach 106% of 2019 levels in 2023 – with 31.5 million passengers sailing – and approximately 35 million passengers in 2024.

The global chair for CLIA provides leadership to the CLIA Global Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, responsible for establishing the overall strategic direction of the association on behalf of its cruise line members representing 95% of the world’s ocean-going cruise lines. As part of CLIA’s long-term strategy, CLIA member lines have set inspiring sustainability goals, and each year the CLIA member fleet becomes more efficient as member lines embrace new technologies, innovations and, as available, the uptake of sustainable alternative fuels.

CLIA provides an important and unified voice for the global cruise line industry representing cruise lines, suppliers, business partners, and a robust travel advisor community.

HX's Maud to return service in April

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 January 2024 19 January 2024

HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) plans to return the Maud to service in April 2024. Following necessary repairs due to weather damage in late December, the purpose-built expedition ship will be ready to embark on journeys once more.

In mid-April, Maud will set sail for an expedition around the British Isles. Guests will explore diverse coastlines and remote islands, uncovering hidden gems and natural wonders with the support of HXs industry-leading Expedition Team. Maud will welcome beloved Scottish weather presenter Carol Kirkwood on its second British Isles journey, where she will engage guests with insightful talks and Q&A sessions while sailing from Douglas to Dover.

In July, Maud will venture into the Arctic, offering guests unparalleled expeditions to Greenland and Iceland, where it made history as the first cruise ship to connect to shore power in the latter. Handcrafted by HXs team of experts, the itineraries bring guests closer to the local communities and wilderness of the north. With its almost 130 years of Arctic experience, HX pioneered expedition cruising in the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard in 1896.

Come October, the small ship will head south to Antarctica for a series of new, immersive expeditions combining the majestic Patagonian fjords with Antarctica. At the heart of the adventure is the 17-day Chilean Patagonia and Antarctica expedition. Additionally, Maud will embark on 23- and 24-day voyages that offer guests the chance to explore South America, the Falkland Islands, and South Georgia in one remarkable adventure.

All Maud sailings from April are part of HXs current Wave Season offer, featuring an inclusive flights package, onboard credit, and an additional discount for members of the HX loyalty program. This campaign extends to HXs entire fleet, including all expeditions to Alaska, Galapagos, Northwest Passage, Antarctica, Greenland, and Iceland.

Committed to its guests, HX has curated a range of options for those originally booked on Maud from February 3 to March 16, 2024. Mirroring its Northern Lights Promise, guests can now choose to experience the same Northern Lights itinerary on Spitsbergen (subject to availability). Moreover, guests have the flexibility to rebook another voyage between January and April 2024. This includes select Norway sailings with sister brand, Hurtigruten, such as the North Cape Express, a Classic Roundtrip voyage from Bergen, and sailings from Hamburg on MS Otto, with the option to retain their original cabin category choice where available.

Guests affected by these changes also have the option to receive a future cruise voucher to book a new expedition at a later date or a full refund.