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Atlas Ocean Voyages announces 2021/22 Antarctica season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 April 2020 21 April 2020

Atlas Ocean Voyages, the luxury, all-inclusive adventure and expedition company, today announced that it will unveil its inaugural winter 2021/22 Antarctica season in early-May 2020. The Luxe-Adventure travel brand will launch sales of its Antarctica season ahead of schedule to provide Travel Advisors more opportunities to take advantage of the most immediate and generous program called GET PAID NOW. GET PAID NOW immediately assists Travel Advisors with up to $750 per deposited booking, and their clients receive up to $2,000 savings and more on an exhilarating Luxe-Adventure journey aboard World Navigator. World Navigator, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ first expedition ship launching in mid-2021, will embark on her maiden Antarctica Luxpedition in November 2021 and bring adventurers and like-spirited travelers to the southernmost, most isolated continent for towering icebergs, waddling penguins, playful seals, breaching whales and more.

“Travel Advisors have always been an indispensable partner for cruise lines and now, they need our support more than ever,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “Atlas Ocean Voyages created GET PAID NOW to support our valued Travel Advisor community as we navigate these unprecedented times. And we’re opening up our 2021/22 Antarctica season sales early, on May 4, so Travel Advisors can offer more destinations – and more choices – when discussing future travels with their clients. We will all travel again and small, safe, luxury expedition ships like World Navigator will help lead the cruise industry’s recovery.”

“We know Travel Advisors are working extra hard these days planning future dream vacations and travel experiences for their clients,” said Brandon Townsley, Vice President of Sales and Trade Partnerships for Atlas Ocean Voyages. “To support them and recognize their efforts, we want Travel Advisors to GET PAID NOW for selling a Luxe-Adventure journey to the end of the earth aboard one of World Navigator’s2021/2022 Antarctica voyages.”

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ GET PAID NOW recognizes Travel Advisors for their critical role in fulfilling their clients’ curiosities and dreams. GET PAID NOW is applicable for all Atlas Ocean Voyages’ itineraries, including the inaugural 2021/22 Antarctica season, and is combinable with all current Atlas Ocean Voyages promotions. For every booking with deposit, Travel Advisors will receive:
– A $750 gift card per suite NOW
– A $500 gift card per Horizon and Veranda stateroom NOW
– 15% commission
Adventurers and like-spirited travelers enjoy:
– $1,000 savings plus FREE business-class air travel per suite guest
– $500 savings plus FREE economy-class air travel per Horizon- or Veranda-stateroom guest
– Free changes to any itinerary, departing before March 31, 2022.

Victory Cruise Lines suspends service through June 30 for Victory I and cancels remaining itineraries for Victory II

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 21 April 2020 21 April 2020

Victory Cruise Lines, operated by American Queen Steamboat Company, a Hornblower Family Company, announced that it will extend its temporary suspension for all operations on board the Victory I through June 30, 2020 and cancel all planned itineraries for the Victory II for the remainder of the 2020 season. The Victory I will resume service on July 5, 2020. The decision was made following continued, wide-spread governmental restrictions across ports, cities and public institutions and an extended no sail order through Canadian waters through June 30.

VCL thanks its guests, travel agent partners, vendors and team members for their patience and understanding during this rapidly evolving situation. The decision to suspend service was a difficult choice but necessary in response to Canadian mandates.

“Our top priority remains the health and safety of our guests, team members and crew,” shares John Waggoner, founder and CEO of American Queen Steamboat Company. “We came to the difficult decision to consolidate the Victory II itineraries with Victory I due to the shortened nature of our 2020 season, as a result of the ongoing travel restrictions and port closures. It is our hope that in doing so, we can prioritize delivering the extraordinary Great Lakes sailing experience that our loyal guests have come to expect from the VCL brand.

For guests that are booked to depart on the Victory I before June 30, 2020 and those booked onboard the Victory II, no action is necessary at this time. The VCL customer service team will reach out directly to guests and travel agents in the coming days to answer any questions and advise on their available options, which include the opportunity to rebook on a later date, a 125 percent cruise credit or a full refund.

Hapag-Lloyd brings most ships home to Hamburg

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 April 2020 20 April 2020

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, the luxury and expedition cruise unit of TUI Cruises, will bring all but one of its ships home to Hamburg, where the company has its headquarters due to the coronavirus crisis.

Hanseatic Nature is due to reach the port of Hamburg today, while Hanseatic Inspiration, Europa and Europa 2 have already started their way back home and are expected to arruve on 2 May.

Bremen will remain off Auckland in New Zealand, the company stated.

Royal Caribbean extends global suspension of cruising

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 April 2020 17 April 2020

Given global public health circumstances, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has decided to extend the suspension of sailings of its global fleet through June 11, 2020.

"We are working with our guests to address this disruption to their vacations, and we are genuinely sorry for their inconvenience.

We expect to return to service on June 12," the company said in a statement.

Princess Cruises extends temporary pause, cancels Alaska Gulf voyages and land and sea program

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 15 April 2020 15 April 2020

In continued response to the impact of the COVID-19 global outbreak and the recent order from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Princess Cruises is canceling all voyages through June 30, 2020. The cruise line had previously announced a voluntary pause for two months (60 days), impacting voyages departing March 12 to May 10, 2020.

In addition, Princess Cruises can confirm modifications to the Alaska season, which includes the cancellation of all Princess Alaska Gulf cruise and cruisetours. The five wilderness lodges, trains and buses operated by Princess in Alaska will not open this summer. It will continue round-trip sailings from Seattle to Alaska on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess.

"This global outbreak continues to challenge our world in unimaginable ways. We recognize how disappointing this is to our long-term business partners and thousands of employees, many of whom have been with us in Alaska for decades," said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. "We hope everyone impacted by these cancellations – especially our guests, travel advisor partners, teammates, and the communities we visit – understand our decision to do our part to protect the safety, health and well-being of our guests and team. We look forward to the brighter days and smooth seas ahead for all of us."

Each ship will have a unique return to service date, based on the previously published cruise itineraries, with some modifications, departing after July 1. Details about the canceled voyages can be found here.

Princess Cruises is offering two cancellation options. Guests currently booked on these canceled voyages, who have paid in full, will receive a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid and, as an added incentive, an additional 25% FCC. Guests must use their credits on a cruise that sails on or before May 1, 2022. No action is required for guests to receive this offer and they will be notified by e-mail once the credits have been issued.

Alternatively, guests can receive a full refund for all monies paid in full on their booking through this online form. Requests must be received by May 31, 2020, or they will receive the Future Cruise Credit option. Guests who have not yet paid in full will receive a refund of all monies paid.

Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for canceled cruises that were paid in full, in recognition of the critical role travel advisors play in the cruise line's business and success.

Princess asks guests to please delay in calling the Reservation Call Center due to high call volumes. Guests and their travel advisors will be sent communications on how to manage cancellations, rebook another voyage, or request a refund.