American Queen Steamboat Company selling at record-setting pace

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 26 August 2012 26 August 2012

The American Queen Steamboat Company reported record-setting monthly bookings for July coinciding with the announcement of 2013 voyages. Additionally, the second week of August was the brand's best sales week in its history, nearly doubling the previous weekly booking volume benchmark.

"There has been tremendous word-of-mouth support from agents and guests alike as they clamor for remaining space in 2012 and for the newly announced 2013 season," explains American Queen Steamboat Company CEO Jeffrey D. Krida. "We are building a new audience of loyal steamboaters, most of whom are seasoned travelers that have traveled with luxury ocean-going and European river brands, and now can't get enough of the American Queen experience offered in our very own backyard. Many who have booked for this fall and winter had already traveled aboard the American Queen since her launch this past April and are back again. "

Guest satisfaction ratings on the American Queen are currently averaging 96 percent and greater than 90 percent of steamboaters have shared they will come back and recommend to friends and family.

Offering the most inclusive river cruise experience in North America, fares begin at an affordable $1,095 per guest based on double occupancy, and include a one-night pre-voyage hotel stay, shore tours in every port onboard deluxe SteamcoachesSM, the acclaimed cuisine of legendary chef Regina Charboneau and complimentary wine and beer with dinner. A variety of holiday lengths ranging from five days to fourteen offer exceptional value and convenience, with little or no flying required.

TUI Cruises to show Bundesliga matches

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 24 August 2012 24 August 2012

TUI Cruises, the German premium market cruise brand, will show Bundesliga Saturday football matches on board its two ships, the company said in a statement. The events will be broadcast by the Sky Deutschland satellite channel. In the future, Saturday afternoon news conferences and matches on Friday evenings will also be screened in a public room on both ships.

 

 

American Cruise Lines to christen Queen of Mississippi

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 24 August 2012 24 August 2012

American Cruise Lines, operator of the newest fleet of riverboats and small cruise ships in the United States, announced that on Saturday, August 25, in Nashville, Tennessee, Phyllis Dale, a nationally-recognized travel agent and small-ship cruise expert, will christen Queen of the Mississippi and help celebrate the company's first-ever season on the Mississippi River. Following the ceremony, Queen of the Mississippi, the first authentic paddlewheeler built for the Mississippi River in nearly 20 years, will set sail at full capacity on an eight-day voyage from Nashville to St. Louis.

Queen of the Mississippi offers guests a brand new way to see the longest river system in North America and explore the remarkable port cities that line the way. Most of the ship's spacious 300-square-foot staterooms-the largest in the industry-offer private balconies while an all-American staff and crew cater to passengers' every need. Daily educational events and themed entertainment help paint a picture of what life on the Mississippi was like in days gone by. Construction of Queen of the Mississippi was completed in June by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Md., making it the most luxurious, fully-functioning, authentic paddlewheeler in the industry.

"The christening of Queen of the Mississippi is a meaningful way to celebrate the official launch of American Cruise Lines service on the Mississippi River," said Charles A. Robertson, president and CEO, American Cruise Lines. "Guests now have access to the industry's best amenities aboard an authentic paddlewheeler with a historic appearance."

The Queen of the Mississippi was designed and built to set the standard for modern river cruising. During each eight-day journey, guests will explore Queen of the Mississippi's numerous amenities, including the most spacious staterooms and suites in the industry, unique lounges and libraries. Staterooms features private balconies, many with large sliding glass doors, hotel-style bathrooms, access to room service, in-room phones, Wi-Fi and satellite TV. Seasoned cruise passengers will also appreciate American Cruise Lines' exclusive, open seating dining plan, which allows guests to enjoy meals in a single seating or at the time of their choice, while surrounded by panoramic views of the River.

"There's a reason I've booked hundreds of clients with American Cruise Lines. They simply love the intimacy, history and pure nostalgia of leisurely cruising our country's smaller waterways," said Phyllis Dale, co-owner, Great Escapes Travel. "After boarding this beautiful vessel, it's clear Queen of the Mississippi offers the finest of amenities, ambience and décor. This, combined with outstanding pampered service from a personable crew creates a recipe which will bring passengers back to enjoy all of the Queen's itineraries. I'm honored and proud to have been asked by American Cruise Lines to christen this beautiful vessel."

Cunard Line's 2014 World Voyage Programme to feature voyages from eight to 133 nights

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 23 August 2012 23 August 2012

 

Cruise lines continue to publish their 2013-14 winter programmes and Cunard Line has unveiled its 2014 World Voyage Programme as part of these. "With visits to 85 unique ports of call in 40 countries, Cunard Line's 2014 World Voyage Programme is sure to satisfy the most adventurous traveller with opportunities to explore South America, to circumnavigate Australia and to discover the excitement of Japan and Southeast Asia," the company said in a statement.

On sale 5 September, the programme will feature three World Voyages ranging from eight to 133 days aboard Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, with embarkation points in Southampton, England, New York, Fort Lauderdale and San Francisco, depending on the voyage.  Together, Cunards Queens will cover 116,808 nautical miles, taking in signature, must-see cities as well as less familiar, but equally compelling, destinations.

For nearly a century, Cunard has served the adventure-seeking traveller with unrivaled access to the worlds most storied regions since the advent of our World Voyage Programme in 1922, said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.  Such an experience is heightened only by Cunards reputation in superior service and world-class amenities, and is why we see so many return guests year upon year.

Flagship Queen Mary 2 will celebrate her 10th anniversary season with an exciting 119-day World Voyage, commencing from Southampton and visiting 30 ports of call in 19 countries.  Guests have the option to return to Southampton, or to New York via an iconic Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing.

Destination highlights will include Namibia and the spectacular sculpted dunes; Cape Town and beautiful Table Mountain; plus her second, full circumnavigation of Australia with calls in Cairns, Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. 
On her return route home from Sydney, guests will be treated to an impressive range of exciting Asian sights and cultures before transiting the Suez Canal and cruising the Mediterranean.  
Overnight calls will include Cape Town, Hong Kong and Dubai.

Segment voyages provide guests the opportunity to enjoy Cunard's distinctive World Voyage experience in a shorter time frame, ranging from 18 to 23 days and will include:
" 18-day Southampton to Cape Town  includes an overnight in Cape Town
" 22-day Cape Town to Sydney
" 23-day Roundtrip Sydney
" 19-day Sydney to Hong Kong  includes an overnight in Hong Kong
" 19-day Hong Kong to Dubai  includes an overnight in Dubai
" 18-day Dubai to Southampton

Guests can also enjoy outstanding value by combining two or more consecutive segments to create adventurous Liner Voyages.

Queen Victoria's  116-day World Voyage will sail roundtrip from Southampton and visit 40 ports in 19 countries, including an extended trip around South America and a much-anticipated overnight call in San Francisco. 
Guests can begin their journey in Southampton or Fort Lauderdale and experience everything from joyful samba displays in Rio and silent turquoise glaciers in Chile, to the mystery and legend of remote Pacific isles.  Cape Horn, Amalia Glacier, Pio X Glacier, Easter Island, Pitcairn Island and breathtaking Milford Sound are just some of the voyages iconic and dazzling destinations.  Other highlights will include seven calls in New Zealand and visits to American Samoa, Tonga and Hawaii. 
Queen Victoria will make 10 maiden calls during this World Voyage: Fortaleza (Brazil), Rio de Janeiro, Montevideo (Uruguay), Buenos Aires, Puerto Madryn (Chile), Ushuaia (Argentina), Punta Arenas (Costa Rica), Puerto Montt (Chile), Moorea (French Polynesia) and Suva (Fiji).

Segment voyages range from 10 to 28 days and will include: " 10-day Southampton to Fort Lauderdale
" 16-day Fort Lauderdale to Buenos Aires
" 12-day Buenos Aires to Valparaiso
" 23-day Valparaiso to Sydney
" 28-day Sydney to San Francisco  includes an overnight in San Francisco
" 15-day San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale
" 12-day Fort Lauderdale to Southampton

Queen Elizabeth will return to the World Voyage with an enthralling 118-day circumnavigation of the globe featuring embarkation points in Southampton, New York, Fort Lauderdale or San Francisco.  The ship will visit 41 ports in 24 countries and feature a first-ever visit to Japan where she will make four maiden calls: Kochi, Yokohama, Kobe and Nagasaki.  Additional highlights include a dramatic passage of the Panama Canal, the beauty of Hawaii and Australias Great Barrier Reef.

Overnight calls will include San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and Dubai.  Additional maiden calls will include Busan (South Korea), Shanghai, Xiamen (China) and Abu Dhabi. 
Segment voyages range from 8 to 23 days and will include:
" 8-day Southampton to New York
" 19-day New York to San Francisco  includes an overnight in San Francisco
" 23-day San Francisco to Sydney  includes an overnight in Sydney
" 15-day Sydney to Yokohama
" 19-day Yokohama to Singapore  includes overnights in Hong Kong and Singapore
" 14-day Singapore to Dubai  includes an overnight in Dubai
" 20-day Dubai to Southampton

Enhanced Benefits Programme
Guests who book their 2014 World Voyage adventure before 28 February 2013 will receive an On Board Credit of up to $3,000 per stateroom  on Full World and Liner Voyages. 
Guests who book a Full World Voyage will receive complimentary Hotel & Dining Charges (gratuities).

In addition to On Board Credit, World Club members will receive additional savings of up to $2000 per person.  These World Club savings will combine with most other offers that are available to past guests, giving them peace of mind that booking early is advantageous.

Land Tours
New for 2014, guests may opt to increase overnight stays by three or four days in Santiago (Chile), Cape Town and Sydney, when booked in conjunction with select voyages.  Featured land tours include:

Queen Mary 2
" Cape Town & Winelands (3 nights)  includes a fascinating visit to a penguin colony in Boulders Beach at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, as well as a stop at the house of J.C. Le Roux and the nearby university town of Stellenbosch.  Adventurous guests may also climb Cape Towns most celebrated landmark, Table Mountain, before embarking on a tour through the city.

This tour can be booked for Queen Mary 2s arrival in Cape Town as a post-voyage tour from Southampton or can be enjoyed before departing Cape Town for Sydney or Brisbane.

Queen Victoria:
" Chilean Gastronomic Delights (3 nights)  offers an introductory tour around Chiles capital, Santiago, as well as excursions to Concha y Toro Winery and Casablanca Valley Vineyard & Valparaíso. " Andes & Viña Del Mar (3 nights)  a scenic drive from the Central Valley of Santiago to the Andes (at 9,421 feet above sea level) is followed by a tour through the Casablanca Valley to the fashionable seaside resort of Viña del Mar and Valparaíso. 
These tours can be booked for Queen Victorias arrival in Valparaiso as a post-voyage tour from Southampton or can be enjoyed before departing Valparaiso for Brisbane or Sydney.

Queen Elizabeth
" Sydney: Blue Mountains & Hunter Valley (4 nights)  begins with a morning tour of Sydney highlights, including the historic Rocks area, Mrs. Macquaries Chair, Kings Cross and Bondi Beach, in addition to the world famous Sydney Opera House; next on the tour is a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park, the township of Katoomba in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains, and a 700-foot ride down the world's steepest funicular railway; the tour ends with a wine tasting in the beautiful Hunter Valley, one of Australias oldest and renowned wine regions.

This tour can be booked for Queen Elizabeths arrival in Sydney as a pre-voyage tour before departing for Yokohama, Hong Kong, Singapore or Southampton.

Guests sailing a luxury cruise vacation aboard Cunard Line delight in the experience of the voyage itself, not just the destination.  By day, guests enjoy voluminous libraries, world class spas, white-glove afternoon tea service and engaging award-winning Cunard Insights guest enrichment programmes; by night they are entertained by Royal Nights themed balls, West End-style productions and Veuve Clicquot champagne cocktails.