SILVERSEA NAMES ACCLAIMED WRITER PAUL THEROUX AS FIRST TALE TELLER ON WORLD CRUISE 2022

Silversea Cruises speaks with Paul Theroux to mark the launch of his new book and the writer’s 80th birthday.

(Monaco – April 12, 2021) Silversea Cruises has named acclaimed writer Paul Theroux as the first of nine Tale Tellers for the cruise line’s World Cruise 2022, the Tale of Tales. Theroux will board Silver Whisper in Fort Lauderdale on January 6, 2022, and will disembark in Lima (Callao) on January 18. As guests travel deep into Central and South America on the first segment of the voyage, Theroux will enhance travelers’ journeys with a range of activities, before contributing a chapter to the Tale of Tales anthology—a collection of artistic works from the nine Tale Tellers, presented to guests at the voyage’s conclusion. The remaining eight Tale Tellers will be revealed in the near future.

Featuring immersive travel experiences while journeying from the 65th parallel south to the 65th parallel north, touching both Antarctica and Iceland, the 137-day Tale of Tales 2022 departs Fort Lauderdale on January 6 to unlock a stunning range of cultures, climates, experiences, and landscapes in 69 destinations across 32 countries and six continents.

“We are delighted to welcome Paul back on board Silver Whisper for the second edition of our Tale of Tales World Cruise, following the great success of the Tale of Tales 2019,” says Barbara Muckermann, Chief Marketing Officer of Silversea Cruises. “Along with eight other celebrated creatives, Paul will embark for one segment of this magnificent voyage, sharing his talent for storytelling to enrich the experience for our guests. As a Tale Teller, Paul will host a range of exclusive activities on board, while getting to know his fellow travelers. Each Tale Teller will produce a creative work inspired by their journeys, forming the Tale of Tales anthology, which will be gifted to guests as a sentimental keepsake. We look forward to welcoming our guests on board the adventure of a lifetime!”

“I cannot wait to reconnect with old friends and new aboard Silver Whisper, as the first Tale Teller of the World Cruise 2022,” says Paul Theroux. “There were countless experiences from the voyage in 2019 that have stayed with me and I’m eager to see what awaits in 2022. To travel the way you travel with Silversea—it’s like a dream.”

Theroux’s latest novel, Under the Wave at Waimea, is a gripping tale of narcissism, privilege, mortality, and redemption. It will be published on April 13, just three days after his 80th birthday. To celebrate these milestones, we sat down with Paul Theroux for an exclusive interview. The acclaimed travel author, who wrote his first novel almost 54 years ago, talks about his new novel, Hawaiian culture and society, and his close collaboration with Silversea Cruises.

Q: Is the release of Under the Wave at Waimea the perfect gift for your 80th birthday?

PT: It’s the best. More than I’d hoped for. When I was a college student, I used to publish the university newspaper. So I had a column, but I never thought then that I’d be here all these years later; you never know what’s going to happen. Back then, you have no idea what your life is going to be, you have no notion. But when I started publishing, I used to think, “I hope I can keep doing this, because I really don’t want a job. I would like to make a living doing this.” And it’s very hard now for someone to do this. If someone in college would tell me now, “I want to be a writer,” I would say, I hope you have another job, because this is a different world. Publishing is different, magazines are different, newspapers are different. But when I started doing it, it was still kind of old-fashioned. But I knew I could only do it if I kept writing and I did it well.  So, I never turned any work down. I didn’t get any free money. The one time I could use it was when I did have a job; I was a teacher in Singapore. And I quit my job and I applied for a Fulbright and a Guggenheim grant and they turned me down. But then it all worked out. I wrote a book (Saint Jack) that was turned into a movie and that saved me.

Q: What draws you to surfing?

PT: The grace, the bravery and the athleticism of surfers is fascinating. Most of my friends here surf – the plumber surfs, the electrician surfs, the guy that does the roof, they’re all surfers. And when the surf is up, they don’t show up. And I understand that. Surfers are possessed by this desire that if there’s surf, they’re on it. They just live for it. The epigraph of the book is by famous Hawaiian surfer Duke Kahanamoku, which says “Out of the water, I am nothing.” These guys, they’re supposedly amphibians. But not really, because when they’re on land, they don’t know what to do! They’re just waiting for something to happen. And the surfing group is very tribalistic. A lot of surfers, local guys, will say “this is our wave,” just like you’d say this is our neighborhood, this is our turf. That territorial aspect is very interesting.

Q: How did the story come about?

PT: I wanted to write about a surfer, but I couldn’t just write about a surfer getting old and complaining about younger people. I wanted it to give it some drama. Something where it has such a traumatic effect on him in the first part of the book that he almost drowns. Things just keep going wrong in his life. As though its karma or a curse, or something in his unconscious mind that’s seriously bothering him, preventing him from living his life. That’s when his girlfriend comes in and says we’ll figure this out. And that’s the essence of the book: he has to care about something else other than himself. But Joe Sharkey is also an older guy and that’s another aspect of the novel. As you get older, you love doing something, but there’s a point when you say, “I can’t do it anymore. My body isn’t what it used to be.” And you wonder when your age starts to show. That’s Joe Sharkey. He recognizes that he’s actually got nothing going, only surfing and his fame.

Q: Do you also draw parallels between yourself and Joe Sharkey?

PT: Yes, because I’m growing old too. But getting old is very interesting; the people look at you differently, you look at other people differently. Sharkey talks about the great surfers of the past, but it’s a past that no one knows about. And that’s also how I feel: as if I remember a time that no one else remembers. I used to drive to New York City, park in Madison Avenue, do what I had to do, put my money in the parking meter and leave. I mean, it was easy to find a parking spot in any city in the 1960s, even into the 70s. But now it’s impossible. 

Q: You […] are now part of the Silversea ohana, or family…

PT: Yes, it’s very special. People have a lot of good relationships with one another. I feel that I’ve been welcomed in that aspect. And I’m looking forward to the World Cruise 2022, where I’ll be one of the Tale Tellers on the first segment (Fort Lauderdale to Callao). To travel the way you travel with Silversea, it’s like a dream. The previous year I participated on the World Cruise in 2019. I came back with a wonderful story from Madagascar.

This interview with Paul Theroux is an abridged version. Read the full interview on Silversea’s travel blog, Discover, and read related content: 

https://discover.silversea.com/to-the-curious/we-the-curious/interview-with-paul-theroux/

Read Paul Theroux’s chapter from the 2019 Tale of Tales anthology:

https://discover.silversea.com/destinations/world-cruise/tale-of-tales-paul-theroux/

 Download the Tale of Tales anthology from Silversea’s World Cruise 2019:

https://silversea-discover-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/2020/04/Tale-of-Tales.pdf

 View and download related images:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/a0lbczjahvgw2q8/AAD3pxiPWO8d4OMwfV6N6nBma?dl=0

 About Silversea

Part of the Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit, Silver Muse and Silver Moon – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Origin, Silver Explorer, and Silver Cloud, Silversea's itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Galapagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of three new ultra-luxury ships: Silver Dawn and two Evolution-class ships. Browse Silversea's blog, Discover, and subscribe to receive the latest content directly into your inbox.

Crystal Symphony will Return to Sailing in August with New ‘Luxury Caribbean Escapes’

The Award-Winning Ship Will be the First to Homeport in Antigua & Barbuda

The 10-night voyages will explore chic harbors and idyllic islands beginning August 5, 2021

Miami and St. John’s Antigua, April 9, 2021 – Crystal continues to be at the forefront of the cruise industry’s return as the company announced that Crystal Symphony will sail a series of 15 10-night Luxury Caribbean Escapes round-trip from St. John’s, becoming the first ship ever to homeport in Antigua. Beginning August 5 through December, including a holiday sailing on December 23, Crystal Symphony will visit the coveted island locales of Barbados, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago*, St. Maarten and British Virgin Islands, offering travelers tropical luxuries and ample wide-open spaces to discover the local cultures with plentiful air options from most major U.S. cities. Crystal Symphony’s return to sailing marks the resumption of service for 97 percent of Crystal’s oceangoing fleet in the summer of 2021. Reservations for the new Luxury Caribbean Escapes open on April 20, 2021.

              “The islands of the Caribbean are a warm welcome back to traveling the world, rich in fascinating history and the kind of natural beauty that astounds even the most seasoned travelers, and St. John’s is an ideal home port to begin luxury journeys through such a paradise,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal’s interim president and CEO. “Minister Charles Fernandez and his team, and the local tourism businesses throughout the islands, have been working to renew travel to the islands safely and we are thrilled to partner with them to support economic growth in the region and to deliver the kind of luxuries and hospitality Crystal guests have been craving for the past year.”

              He added, “We’re looking forward to welcoming our Crystal onboard family back, as well, asCrystal Symphony’s new itinerary, combined with Crystal Serenity’s Luxury Bahamas Escapes and Crystal Endeavor’s Luxury Iceland Expeditions will mean that nearly all of our Ocean crew members will return to work very soon and we know they are as excited about returning to the seas as our guests.”

              “We are delighted to welcome Crystal Symphony and her guests to Antigua and the Caribbean, as this represents an important milestone in reinvigorating tourism here, as well as deeper support of our island communities’ economies as Crystal becomes the first cruise line to homeport on a scheduled basis in St. John’s,” said the Honorable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism and Investment for Antigua and Barbuda. “Together with the local health authorities, we have developed the requisite health and safety protocols to ensure the protection of residents and our guests. With the continued commitment of the government of Antigua and Barbuda and our port operator, Global Ports (Antigua) Ltd., we are certain that Crystal guests will find themselves at home here, as our local businesses and tourism specialists share Crystal’s spirit of hospitality and relish sharing the rich culture and beauty of our islands with travelers.”

“To have Crystal Cruises as our new homeport partner is truly a milestone in Antigua’s cruise history and reaffirms our commitment to the development of our country’s cruise experience,” said Done Regis-Prosper, general manager of Global Ports (Antigua) Ltd. “We are very happy to play an integral role in restarting cruise travel in the Caribbean after this long pause. Having just completed construction of our fifth berth just in time for the start of the season developing our port health and safety procedures in collaboration with local health authorities, we’re prepared to welcome Crystal guests to this beautiful island.” 

              Crystal Symphony’s Luxury Caribbean Escapes** will take guests to the Caribbean’s most celebrated destinations, famed for their colorful boutiques; intriguing histories still showing Dutch, French, British and other global influences; innate spirit of outdoor adventure; and breathtaking shorelines of brilliant blue waters and powder-soft beaches. The itinerary spends overnights in St. John’s, Bridgetown and Phillipsburg, with sunset-sail-aways in Tobago, Castries and Tortola. While uniformly spectacular, each locale boasts its own character and highlights for Crystal guests. 

St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda – With its UNESCO-listed English Harbour on the south coast and an enduring British heritage, St. John’s is the starting point for Antigua’s rich historic highlights, but it’s the 365 beaches – one for every day of the year – that make the island a picture-perfect destination.

Bridgetown, Barbados – The Barbados UNESCO-listed capital still wears its British history proudly, with significant sites throughout the city to appeal to history buffs. From the original Trafalgar Square and Broad Street’s bustling shops to the island’s famous rum, beautiful Botanical Gardens and Harrison Limestone Cave, there is much to discover beyond the crystal-clear sea.

Trinidad and Tobago – The tiny, relaxed half of this two-island nation is ideal for travelers seeking to connect with nature, offering rain forest hikes, spectacular dive sites and secluded bays and nature reserves. Pigeon Point Nature Reserve is a highlight here, offering 125 acres of pristine natural landscape, with boating, diving and wildlife observation opportunities.

Crystal Symphony in St. Lucia

Castries, St. Lucia – Vibrant color and Creole flavor are at the heart of the town, while toward the pristine beaches, travelers will find world-class scuba diving and lush surrounding forest punctuated by the UNESCO-listed towering green Pitons. Guests can also visit Sulphur Springs, the only volcano in the world where people can dive in for mud baths.

Phillipsburg, St. Maarten – This tiny land mass boasts a robust local culture that stretches beyond the predominant Dutch-French sides. Travelers here will find innovative fine cuisine, passion for the great outdoors and water sports of all kinds, as well as hiking and zip lining. With the extra day here, guests can also explore farther with a visit to neighboring Saba, the untouched “Queen of the Caribbean.”

Tortola, Roadtown, British Virgin Islands – The capital of the British Virgin Islands, Tortola is a haven for beachgoers and scuba enthusiasts, who will relish the shipwrecks to explore and will find rewarding post-hike views on bougainvillea-covered hills. A brief ferry ride takes travelers to Virgin Gorda, where The Baths’ granite boulders lay out an impressive geological wonder across the breathtaking beach.

              Designed with inherently abundant personal and social space throughout the ship, Crystal Symphony will return to sailing with reduced capacity, increasing its social spaciousness even more, with the onboard Crystal Family welcoming guests’ home, with an onboard experience that is punctuated by spacious guest staterooms and suites and social areas; abundant choices for activities and enrichment; elegant surroundings and amenities; and most importantly, the genuine, personalized service provided by Crystal’s celebrated crew.

              Crystal announced in February that guests must be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding any Crystal ship. This new requirement is in addition to existing, comprehensive Crystal Clean+ measures, including negative COVID-19 tests for both guests and crew, reduced capacity, social distancing, mask requirements and health screening questionnaires.

Best Available cruise fares start at $2,999 with Book Now Savings of up to $1,000 per guest and As You Wish spending credits of $200 per guest. Returning guests will enjoy double Crystal Society Savings of five percent while new to Crystal guests will save 2.5 percent. Travelers can book theirCrystal Symphony Luxury Caribbean Escapes with a reduced deposit of just 15 percent and have until 60 days prior to departure to make final payments. Single supplements for these voyages begin at just 125 percent. Guests with Future Cruise Credits and Future Cruise Payments may redeem them on these voyages.

A leader in unrivaled luxury cruising for 30 years, Crystal Cruises distinguishes its ships and its voyages with fine details and nuances that make a big impact for discerning travelers. All-inclusive experience with award-winning entertainment; diverse enrichment options; globally inspired dining, including Nobu Matsuhisa’s only seagoing restaurants; unlimited pours of fine wines, beers and premium spirits and an unwavering standard of genuine, personal service for each guest underscores the Crystal difference.

*Trinidad and Tobago is subject to government review with changing health and safety conditions. 

**As more islands in the Caribbean begin to open, Crystal may add additional ports to the itinerary and will inform its guests and travel partners of any changes.

About Crystal

Only the world-renowned Crystal Experience offers an unwavering, unparalleled standard of excellence and luxury across four distinct cruising options: Crystal Cruises, the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line; Crystal River Cruises, the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line; Crystal Yacht Cruises, offering boutique luxury and bold adventure in the world’s most elite harbors; and Crystal Expedition Cruises, taking Crystal’s acclaimed elegance to the farthest reaches of the world. Crystal has been recognized with top honors in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for a record 27 years including, in 2019, for Best Medium-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Cruises, Best Small-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Yacht Cruises and Best River Cruise Line for Crystal River Cruises. Crystal was also voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Travel + Leisure for 24 years, including, in 2017 and 2020, Best River Cruise Line for Crystal River Cruises; and won “Cruise Line of the Year” and “Most Luxurious Guest Experience” by Virtuoso for 2018 & 2019. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the advisors of ASTA.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel advisor, call 888.799.2437, or visit www.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who subscribe to the Crystal Insiderblog, follow Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page; @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram; @crystalrivercruises on Instagram; and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises, #crystalrivercruises and #WhereLuxuryisPersonal.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE TO RESUME ‘WHY USE A TRAVEL ADVISOR’ PARTIES APRIL 29

New Virtual Parties Designed to Help Travel Advisors Attract New Clients, Strengthen Existing Relationships

MIAMI, April 8, 2021 – Underscoring its continued commitment to the travel advisor community, Carnival Cruise Line today announced it is resuming its popular and successful “Why Use a Travel Advisor (WUATA)” party in a new virtual format.  The virtual WUATA party is scheduled for Thursday, April 29, 2021, at 5 p.m. EDT.

The only dedicated consumer-facing campaign promoting the value of travel advisors, WUATA parties are designed to help advisors attract new clients and strengthen existing relationships, creating sales opportunities and driving business along the way.

Travel advisors are encouraged to invite one current client and one “not yet a client” along for a fun and informative experience, which will be hosted by Mike Pack, cruise director for the industry’s most anticipated ship, Mardi Gras.   Travel advisors will also hear from Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Global Trade Sales and Marketing Adolfo Perez, who will update advisors on the latest Carnival news and reinforce the line’s belief in the importance of using a travel advisor 

A wide range of prizes, including gift cards, Carnival-branded merchandise and a drawing for a free Carnival cruise, will be awarded throughout the one-hour event.  Clients will also receive a special exclusive Carnival offer to use when booking their next cruise with their travel advisor.

“We’re delighted to resume our popular WUATA parties, which reinforces the value of using a travel advisor while creating a pipeline for new business,” said Perez. “Travel advisors are more important than ever and connecting more clients to our valued travel advisors is a critical win-win for our industry.”

For more information on Carnival’s WUATA Virtual Party, visit GoCCL.com.

For additional information about Carnival Cruise Line call 1-800-327-9501 (individual) or 1-800-327-5782 (groups) or visit GoCCL.com. Carnival can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Journalists also can visit Carnival’s media site, Carnival-news.com or follow the line’s PR department on Twitter at twitter.com/CarnivalPR.

SILVERSEA TO REQUIRE ALL CREW AND GUESTS TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19 AS CRUISE LINE ANNOUNCES NEW SILVER MOON SAILINGS FROM JUNE

(Monaco – April 8th, 2021) Silversea Cruises, the leading ultra-luxury cruise line, today announced protocol for its healthy return to service, as well as brand new voyages aboard Silver Moon from June. 

In line with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for safe international travel and in recognition of the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations in ensuring the safety of travelers, the cruise line will require all embarking crew and guests to have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The requirement will apply to all Silversea voyages globally, with the exclusion of sailings departing from Australia, for which protocol is still under evaluation.

Setting sail from June 18, Silver Moon – the cruise line’s new flagship – will welcome guests, departing on 10-day itineraries to the Eastern Mediterranean from Greece. Including calls in some of Greece’s most beautiful destinations, such as Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, and Crete, as well as Haifa (Israel) and Cyprus, the new round-trip itineraries will be unveiled and on general sale from April 15.

“Our guests share our excitement for our eagerly-anticipated healthy return to service. In recent months, we have seen the cruise industry resume responsibly in destinations around the world and we are delighted to announce these new inaugural sailings for our flagship,” says Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises. “Vaccinations will play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit, which we priorities above all else. Paired with our science-backed onboard procedures, which leverage on the expertise of the Royal Caribbean Group’s Healthy Sail Panel, vaccinations will enable our guests to travel deep into the world once again, with a renewed sense of appreciation for our beautiful planet. Backed by the Royal Caribbean Group, we have introduced a range of initiatives—including our ‘Cruise with Confidence’ program and our COVID-19 protections—to enable our guests to travel in superlative comfort and with unwavering confidence.”

Vaccinations will form part of a comprehensive, multi-layered set of science-backed protocol, which, informed and approved by the Royal Caribbean Group’s Healthy Sail Panel, will help to safeguard the health and safety of guests, crew, and visited communities. Silversea will continue to work closely with relevant governing bodies and health authorities to evolve its health and safety procedures, as new health recommendations are issued and as the fluid situation advances.

The protocol includes enhanced sanitation procedures, providing the highest standards of cleanliness in travel; increased air filtration to ensure the supply of fresh and filtered air from outdoors; high-quality onboard medical care with state-of-the-art medical equipment; and enhanced medical teams on each ship.

Find out more information about Silversea’s healthy return to service:

https://www.silversea.com/lp-silversea-hrts-consumer.html

Please refer to https://www.silversea.com/health-and-travel-notice.html for the latest health and travel advisories pertaining to cruise travel.

About Silversea

Part of the Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the ultra-luxury cruise industry, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard its intimate, all-suite vessels: Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit, Silver Muse and Silver Moon – all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. With the inclusion of the expedition ships Silver Origin, Silver Explorer, and Silver Cloud, Silversea's itineraries encompass all seven continents and feature worldwide luxury cruises to the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Galapagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating destinations in between. Silversea is also looking forward to the launch of three new ultra-luxury ships: Silver Dawn and two Evolution-class ships. Browse Silversea's blog, Discover, and subscribe to receive the latest content directly into your inbox.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE NOTIFIES GUESTS OF CRUISE CANCELLATIONS

MIAMI, April 6, 2021 – Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests of additional cruise cancellations and the extension of its pause in all operations from U.S. ports through June 30, 2021.

Booked guests and travel advisors are being notified directly of the cancellations and the options for a future cruise credit plus onboard credit package, or a full refund.   To provide flexibility for guests booked on July itineraries that remain in the schedule, Carnival is extending final payment deadlines for all July sailings to May 31, 2021, with the ability to cancel without penalty.

“We know that this is very disappointing to our guests who continue to be eager to sail, and we remain committed to working with the Administration and the CDC to find a workable solution that best serves the interest of public health.  We are asking that the cruise industry be treated on par with the approach being taken with other travel and tourism sectors, as well as U.S. society at large,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “While we have not made plans to move Carnival Cruise Line ships outside of our U.S. homeports, we may have no choice but to do so in order to resume our operations which have been on ‘pause’ for over a year. We appreciate the continued patience and support from our loyal guests, travel advisors and business partners as we work on a return-to-service solution.”

VIKING CONTINUES RESTART OF LIMITED OPERATIONS WITH NEW BERMUDA, ICELAND AND UK VOYAGES

New “Welcome Back” Sailings Will Be Available for Vaccinated Guests;  Planning Underway for More New Ocean Itineraries in 2021 

Los Angeles (April 6, 2021) – Viking® (www.viking.com) announced today that it will continue restarting limited operations with a collection of sailings around Bermuda and Iceland beginning in June 2021. As a result of strong demand among past Viking guests in the United Kingdom, Viking has also added two additional sailings of the England’s Scenic Shores itinerary in June 2021. All of Viking’s new Welcome Back voyages will be available exclusively for vaccinated guests, in accordance with local entry rules in many of the destinations that will welcome Viking ships—and as a complement to Viking’s new health and safety protocol enhancements, which were designed to protect guests and crew even while the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is still moving forward. Reservations for the new Bermuda, Iceland and UK voyages are now open.

For the new Bermuda Escape itinerary, Viking Orion® will homeport in Hamilton for 8-day roundtrip itineraries; with the new Iceland’s Natural Beauty itinerary, Viking Sky® will homeport in Reykjavik for 8-day roundtrip itineraries. For both itineraries, the small size of Viking’s ocean ships will allow convenient access to both small and large ports in Bermuda and Iceland—and both itineraries will be available for a limited time this summer.

Viking has been working closely with officials in the UK, Bermuda and Iceland for months; these destinations were chosen specifically because of their popularity among Viking guests, as well as their commitment to welcoming Viking ships, offering enriching experiences and reviving the travel industry in their respective countries. The company is actively working on developing Welcome Back sailings in a variety of other popular destinations, including Greece, Turkey and Malta—with the goal of announcing further 2021 sailings as soon as government approvals are given.

“We applaud the governments of the United Kingdom, Bermuda and Iceland for their collaboration and support in restarting the cruise industry safely,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “No other travel company has implemented the same science-led approach that includes a vaccination requirement for all guests, plus frequent non-invasive saliva PCR testing among all guests and crew. Therefore, we believe there will be no safer way to travel the world than on a Viking voyage. We look forward to welcoming guests back on board—and welcoming them back to the world.”

Today’s news follows Viking’s recent announcement that it would initially restart operations with domestic sailings in England for UK residents on board Viking Venus® beginning in May 2021. These initial sailings sold out within a week.

Those who sail the new UK, Bermuda and Iceland voyages will also experience Viking’s industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking’s Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corps—and recently led Washington State’s medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean ship, all guests and crew will receive quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests at embarkation and frequently throughout the itinerary. New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms. And additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey. A complete overview of the Viking Health & Safety Program can be found at: www.viking.com/health-safety.

Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Return to Cruising With First Voyages in Europe and The Caribbean

Select Greek Isles and Caribbean Itineraries Now Open for Sale

New SailSAFETM Health and Safety Program and Global Health and Wellness Council Underpin Company’s Return to Operations

Guests Can Follow the Great Cruise Comeback via NCL’s

‘EMBARK – The Series’ Beginning April 15, 2021

MIAMI (April 6, 2021) - Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced its highly anticipated return to service, with new itineraries sailing Europe and The Caribbean beginning July 25, 2021.

The Cruise Line will restart operations at a reduced capacity with Norwegian Jade, Joy and Gem as the first of its 17-ship fleet to welcome guests back on board. Travelers long-awaiting a return to cruise will have the opportunity to spend the summer exploring ancient ruins and sunny beaches with all new seven-day cruises to the Greek Isles on Norwegian Jade from Athens (Piraeus) beginning July 25, 2021. They can also island hop with week-long Caribbean itineraries available from Montego Bay, Jamaica as of Aug. 7, 2021 on Norwegian Joy or from Punta Cana (La Romana), Dominican Republic on Norwegian Gem beginning Aug. 15, 2021.

"Over a year after we initially suspended sailings, the time has finally come when we can provide our loyal guests with the news of our great cruise comeback," said Norwegian Cruise Line's President and Chief Executive Officer Harry Sommer. "We have been working diligently towards our resumption of operations, focusing on the guest experience with health and safety at the forefront. The growing availability of the COVID-19 vaccine has been a game changer. The vaccine, combined with our science-backed health and safety protocols, will help us provide our guests with what we believe will be the healthiest and safest vacation at sea."

Sommer continued, "All guests sailing aboard cruises with embarkation dates through Oct. 31, 2021 will be required to be fully vaccinated and tested prior to boarding our ships. Given the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic, the accelerating rollout of the vaccine, and the speed of scientific learnings, it is premature to make decisions about our health and safety protocols for cruises with embarkation dates beginning Nov. 1, 2021. We will continue to evaluate our health and safety protocols and rely on science and our expert council as we make decisions and evolve our policies and procedures." 

While the Cruise Line already had robust health and safety protocols in place, it has spent the past year further developing and refining those protocols, using the latest scientific findings and expert advice. Yesterday, its parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings launched its SailSAFE Health and Safety program, which is founded on three pillars: 1) Safety for guests and crew with vaccination requirements, universal COVID-19 testing and enhanced health screening protocols; 2) Safety aboard with medical-grade air filtration, increased sanitation measures and enhanced medical resources; and 3) Safety ashore through the collaboration with land-based tour operator partners to extend health and safety measures to each destination. As protocols evolve and additional information becomes available, updates will be published atwww.ncl.com/sail-safe.

Today, the Company also announced its SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council ("the Council") comprised of six experts at the forefront of their fields. Led by Chairman Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") and Co-Chair of the Healthy Sail Panel, which was formed to guide the cruise industry’s safe resumption of operations, the Council’s work will complement the Healthy Sail Panel initiative and will focus on the implementation, compliance with and continuous improvement of health and safety protocols across the Company’s operations. Additional information is available here.

Guests have the opportunity to follow along as the Company makes its final preparations to welcome guests on board with its new docuseries, EMBARK – The Series, premiering April 15 at 8 p.m. at www.ncl.com/embark and Facebook.

The Cruise Line has been working closely with destination partners and others to help provide not only a safe vacation but an exceptional experience for guests.

Sommer said, "Resuming operations is a comprehensive endeavor, involving many parties around the globe. We are very proud of our collaborations and look forward to deeper partnerships as we forge into the future."

In welcoming the announcement Jamaica's Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett said, "I am very pleased that Norwegian Cruise Line has selected Jamaica as one of the first destinations in the world that it will visit when it resumes service. We look forward to welcoming the Cruise Line back to our shores, and I am confident that this important partnership will aid in our effort to rebuild our tourism sector and boost our economy overall. Jamaica is ready for the return of cruise tourism and we have robust protocols in place to ensure a safe, seamless and secure experience." 

These new Caribbean itineraries provide guests with ten to 11 hours of port time with each sailing featuring only two days at sea and four distinct ports of call. In addition, guests embarking on voyages from Montego Bay, Jamaica on Norwegian Joy will enjoy a visit to Harvest Caye, the Company’s private resort destination in Belize.

In response to the Cruise Line’s announcement that it would sail to Punta Cana for the first time in its history, President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic expressed his appreciation by saying, "From the very first day, we’ve been committed to taking all of the necessary actions to support the recovery of our tourism sector. The Cruise Line’s presence this summer reaffirms our commitment to providing a safe destination for travelers. We thank NCL for putting its trust in our country."

Guests sailing aboard Norwegian Jade’s Greek Isles itinerary this summer and beginning of fall will wake up in a new destination every day with eight to nine hours of port time to explore.

The Greek Minister of Tourism Harry Theoharis said, "We warmly welcome the announcement of Norwegian Cruise Line restarting its cruises from Greece. The diversity and rich color of all our destinations together with our long history, unique culture, and famous gastronomy will ensure a remarkable experience for all guests. In 2020, we safely opened tourism and we are working to continue to do the same this year, so travelers go home with memories that they are proud to share and that last a lifetime."

In conjunction with its return to service announcement, the Cruise Line today canceled all July and August itineraries aboard Norwegian Breakaway, Dawn, Escape, Getaway, Sky, Spirit, Star and Sun. In addition, voyages aboard Norwegian Epic through Sept. 1, 2021; and Norwegian Pearl through Nov. 7, 2021 have also been canceled. Guests and Travel Partners with impacted reservations will be contacted directly.

The Cruise Line also extended its temporary Peace of Mind cancelation policy to guests sailing on cruises booked by April 30, 2021 with embarkation dates through Oct. 31, 2021. These guests have the flexibility to cancel their cruise 15 days prior to departure. Those who take advantage of the Peace of Mind policy will receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise credit which may be applied to any sailing through Dec. 31, 2022. In addition, final payment for all voyages with embarkations through Oct. 31, 2021, will require payment 60 days prior to embarkation versus the standard 120 days. 

Travelers seeking the latest details about Norwegian’s redeployment can register here.

For more information about the Company’s award-winning 17-ship fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.

For the SailSAFETM press kit, click here. 

Crystal Expedition Cruises Announces Inaugural Deployment for Crystal Endeavor with 10-Night ‘Luxury Iceland Expedition’ Voyages

Crystal Endeavor will be the first and only true luxury expedition yacht to restart cruising in the Arctic and Northern Europe

Miami, April 5, 2021 – Today, Crystal announced the much-anticipated inaugural deployment of Crystal Endeavor, the first groundbreaking ship for Crystal Expedition Cruises. As the first and only true luxury expedition yacht to restart cruising in the Arctic and Northern Europe, Crystal Endeavor will sail five 10-night immersive voyages circumnavigating Iceland’s most dramatically beautiful and fascinating locales beginning July 17, 2021. The Luxury Iceland Expedition voyages will sail round-trip from the ship’s homeport of Reykjavík, affording travelers convenient air options, just six hours from New York City, three hours from London and with frequent non-stop flights from many major cities in the U.S. and Europe. Reservations for Crystal Endeavor’s Luxury Iceland Expedition journeys open April 13.

The 20,200-GRT vessel is designed to the highest standards of renowned German engineering, with a focus on the luxurious details that have earned Crystal the travel industry’s highest accolades for more than 30 years. Built at a cost of more than half a billion U.S. dollars, Crystal Endeavor will be the most spacious, fastest and most powerful expedition ship in the industry, with a Polar Class 6 (PC6) classification that enables her to sail in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Crystal Endeavor is designed to accommodate just 200 guests with a one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio delivering the personal and genuine service for which Crystal is known. Her luxurious design features expansive personal and social spaces, with 100 gross tons per person and 10,000 cubic feet per guest for a passenger space ratio of more than 100, making her the most spacious luxury expedition ship in the industry. This spaciousness will be further enhanced as she embarks on theLuxury Iceland Expedition Iceland voyages with reduced capacity.

“As we prepare to welcome Crystal Endeavor to the Crystal fleet, we share our guests’ great anticipation of this extraordinary new ship and the journeys to come,” said Jack Anderson, Crystal’s interim president and CEO. “We know that travelers have looked forward to this thrilling new way to explore the world with Crystal and, like every Crystal ship that has come before her, Crystal Endeavorwill set a new bar for luxury in her market, with onboard accommodations, amenities, spaciousness, experiences and service that are simply unmatched in the industry.”

Anderson added, “We are grateful to Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation of Iceland, and her team for their partnership and collaboration as we begin this new chapter of luxury expedition cruising. The spectacular destinations of Iceland are the ideal beginning for Crystal Endeavor’s adventures, as they embody and inspire a spirit of deep exploration, bold nature and sense of curiosity.”

State-of-the-Art Excellence in German Engineering and Luxury

Crystal Endeavor recently completed her technical sea trial in Germany, where the experts at MV WERFTEN are building the industry-leading luxury expedition ship in Stralsund, part of a family of shipyards known for their passenger ship, icebreaker and private yacht building expertise.

From bow to stern, Crystal Endeavor is designed with power, efficiency, and the environments of the world in mind. The ship’s propulsion system includes two Azipod D units and a diesel electric power plant designed specifically for ice-going vessels to help them operate at optimum efficiency while providing 13,020 kW of installed power, delivering well-balanced power and propulsion installation, giving both speed and comfort.

According to Captain Thomas Larsen, who will helm the ship: “The design and building caliber of Crystal Endeavor is outstanding. Contracted for max speed of 19.7 knots, she delivered an actual max speed of 20.5 knots during the sea trial, exceeding all performance expectations and standards with little to no vibration even during ‘crash stop’ tests. This means a comfortable, enjoyable experience for guests even in unpredictable weather conditions. With her responsive, agile maneuverability, safety and technical capabilities, this vessel is akin to driving a finely tuned German-built elite sports car such as a Porsche. Combined with the programs and features that will bring the journeys to life, Crystal Endeavor represents the pinnacle of luxury expedition cruising and I look forward to exploring the world with her and our valued guests.”

He added, “Every element of Crystal Endeavor’s design emphasizes space. Even her lifeboats and rafts are built to accommodate 600 people – 50 percent more than needed for the approximately 400 total guests and crew on board – to ensure that her safety standards reflect Crystal’s commitment to the highest caliber in the industry.”

Intensive, Enriching Expeditions

Designed to take travelers far off the beaten path of traditional cruise routes, the Luxury Iceland Expedition voyages offer intensive exploration of massive glaciers, breathtaking wildlife and stunning landscapes of the region during the season of endless daylight. Expert-led expeditions may include zodiac landings to rarely explored coastlines and treks to remote hidden locales. 

Among the highlights of the itinerary are overnight stays in Reykjavík and Akureyri; a call toGrímsey Island and crossing the Arctic Circle; the unspoiled Arnarfjörður fjord, cascading Dynjandi Waterfall and famous geothermal springs of Vopnafjörđur and Seyđisfjörđur. The itinerary – which sails through peak whale migration in the region July through mid-September – also visitsPatreksfjörđur, and pink- and red-sand Rauðasandur Beach; Iceland’s whale-watching capital ofHúsavík; and Heimaey, home to a beluga whale sanctuary. Birder havens include “puffin paradise”Hafnarhólmi; Flatey Island, a floating nature preserve that is home to thousands of puffins, Eider ducks, Black Guillemots and Arctic Terns; Vigur and the Látrabjarg Cliffs, where thousands more puffins reside.

Guests will have the rare opportunity to stand on the Bridge Between Two Continents, which spans the Mid-Atlantic rift and connects North America with Eurasia. Two of Iceland’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites are also featured: Þingvellir National Park and sailing around volcanic Surtsey Island.

A pre- and post-cruise luxury hotel program at the Hotel Borg in Reykjavík allows guests to extend their Crystal vacation in the heart of Iceland’s captivating capital city. Located in the beautiful square of Austurvöllu and across from Althing, the Icelandic Parliament, the Hotel Borg is within walking distance from creative hubs of art, design and culture, including the city’s burgeoning music scene. History buffs will relish museums and sites dedicated to Iceland’s rich maritime and Viking past, while foodies will find innovative local fare ranging from fine cuisine to globally influenced fusion restaurants. Guests have the option of one-, two- or three-night stays, with inclusive transfers between Crystal Endeavor, the hotel and the airport and all taxes and resort fees.

Aboard the Luxury Iceland Expedition sailings and Crystal Endeavor itineraries throughout the world, expedition guides and guest experts will be on hand to offer insights into the local environments, landmarks and traditions, fostering deeper connections and appreciation for the various ecosystems and cultures of each destination. Depending on the itinerary, the expedition team onboard will include biologists, marine biologists, naturalists, historians, ornithologists, geologist, ecologists and others. All shoreside adventures are subject to conditions and the discretion of the expert guides.

Enhancing the expedition experience, a SHOTOVER gimbal camera system will be installed on the ship’s mast and operated by ship specialists can be zoomed in for closer views of wildlife and other points of interest in real time. The views will be streamed directly on the HD TVs throughout the ship, in public areas and guest suites and on the large 65-inch screens in Palm Court and 86-inch screens in the Expedition Lounge. The Cove will feature a video wall, with a massive 218-inch-wide center screen and two 145-inch-wide side screens. The camera will shoot 4K video with remote control locations in the Palm Court and in the Expedition Lounge that will offer interactive activity between the camera operator and guests.

Ocean Robotics’ Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) Aegir 50 will roam to depths of nearly 2,000 feet, capturing data and imagery that will also be broadcast across the ship. Drone footage will also be captured, offering birds-eye views of the surrounding regions.

The Unrivaled Onboard Crystal Experience

Crystal Endeavor’s accommodations will be elegantly appointed retreats for guests after days full of exploration, and among the largest, most spacious suites in expedition cruising. The 100 suites will include one Owner’s Suite (1,867 sq. ft.), one Expedition Penthouse (1,668.5 sq. ft.), eight Penthouse Suites (534.5 sq. ft.) and 90 Deluxe Suites (355.5 sq. ft.) – all with dramatic views of the destinations and private verandahs. The Expedition Penthouse can connect with the adjoining Deluxe Suite to create the palatial Expedition Suite (2,025 sq. ft.). Every suite offers private butler service, with convenient butler pass-throughs for maximized service and privacy. Luxury touches in every suite include king-sized beds, walk-in closets; heated storage for drying parkas; spa-like bathrooms with adjustable heated floors, dual vanities, anti-fog mirrors and rain-showerheads. The stylish design is matched by state-of-the-art technological amenities that will enhance the experience with fine details, like ambient lighting, interactive streaming TVs and bedside iPads in every suite that offer voyage information and numerous international daily newspapers.

As Michelin-level, globally inspired culinary options are a hallmark of the Crystal Experience,Crystal Endeavor will feature eight distinct dining venues for guests to enjoy a world of exquisite cuisine. Waterside, the ship’s main restaurant, features ever evolving menus of classic and modern cuisine in a casually elegant space, while Crystal’s renowned specialty restaurants Prego and Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma & Sushi Bar offer international flavors. Wine aficionados can indulge in the Vintage Room, and guests seeking fresh light bites will favor the Marketplace’s two-story Solarium for breakfast and lunch, the Bistro’s European café setting and the Pantry’s 24/7 espresso, teas, wines and more. In-suite dining is also available from Waterside 24 hours a day, as well as from Prego and Umi Uma during their operating hours.

Palm Court – a favorite hub for afternoon tea, cocktails, dancing and floor-to-ceiling views aboard Crystal’s ocean and river ships – will be on board Crystal Endeavor for entertainment, as well as enrichment presentations and classes. Other elegant social spaces will be the Connoisseur Club cigar lounge; Crystal Cove, the heart of the ship where guests will gather for expert guest speakers and entertainment; and the only casino on an expedition yacht. Enrichment venues will include the Captain’s Lounge, the Expedition Lounge, the Helicopter Lounge (two helicopters will be onboard in designated locations) and the Library.

The Promenade will stretch from Crystal Cove to Waterside and be a more intimate space for guests to enjoy cocktails, conversation and spectacular views. The glass-covered, two-story Solarium – which houses the Seahorse Pool and Jacuzzi – provides panoramic views from sea to sky, perfect for stargazing and capturing stunning events like the Northern Lights and the surrounding scenery. The space also transforms for evening entertainment, with a stage and ample space for guests to dance. Crystal’s onboard boutiques, Apropos and Facets, will feature designer accessories and fine jewelry shopping. Wellness options will include a fully-equipped fitness center and Crystal Life Spa & Salon with three treatment rooms, separate men’s and women’s steam and sauna facilities and a relaxation room, as well as a wrap-around Promenade Deck, rare in the industry but a key Crystal design element. 

Expansive mud rooms are designed to accommodate preparation for the day’s adventures and offer cleaning of boots and equipment upon guests’ return from a day exploring ashore. The ship’s marina will feature all the “toys” found aboard a private yacht for further explorations including a fleet of zodiacs, kayaks, snorkel, and other equipment including a six-guest submersible allowing for deep-water explorations up to 980 feet in select areas of the world, depending on the itinerary.

Crystal Clean+ and Crystal Pristine

Crystal announced in February that guests must be fully inoculated with a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to boarding any Crystal ship. This new requirement is in addition to existing, comprehensive Crystal Clean+ measures, including negative COVID-19 tests for both guests and crew, reduced capacity, social distancing, nimble mask policy, rigorous cleaning procedures, isolation rooms in case of illness and health screening questionnaires. 

As part of its ongoing commitment to sailing responsibly through its Crystal Pristine program, the company has equipped Crystal Endeavor to connect to shore power while in port, installed several water treatment systems and will clean exhaust emissions through a Selective Catalytic Reductant system.

The ship will be outfitted with offshore dynamic positioning capabilities, enabling the vessel to remain in one place utilizing GPS and its thrusters, rather than dropping anchor, avoiding any potential damage to delicate reefs. In addition, the ship will deploy state-of-the-art underwater sonar technology, providing real-time 3D images of the terrain and activity along the ship’s route up to 1,000 meters ahead of the vessel and to a depth of up to 50 meters, with a mapping range up to eight times the water’s depth. Such vision will enable the captain and bridge officers to detect potential hazards and sea life far in advance to navigate appropriately.

Crystal is enticing travelers with compelling savings, reduced deposits and an extended final payment date to 60 days prior to first date of service, as well as other incentives. Cruise fares for theLuxury Iceland Expeditions start at $13,999 per guest, including up to double Book Now Savings at $3,000 for a limited time only. Guests will receive a $300 per person As You Wish shipboard credit; Crystal Society Savings will double to five percent; new-to-Crystal guests will save 2.5 percent; and solo fares start at just 150 percent. Travelers with Future Cruise Credits and Future Cruise Payments may redeem them on these sailings. 

A leader in unrivaled luxury cruising for 30 years, Crystal Cruises distinguishes its ships and its voyages with fine details and nuances that make a big impact for discerning travelers. All-inclusive experience with award-winning entertainment; diverse enrichment options; globally inspired dining; unlimited pours of fine wines, beers and premium spirits and an unwavering standard of genuine, personal service for each guest underscores the Crystal difference.

About Crystal

Only the world-renowned Crystal Experience offers an unwavering, unparalleled standard of excellence and luxury across four distinct cruising options: Crystal Cruises, the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line; Crystal River Cruises, the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line; Crystal Yacht Cruises, offering boutique luxury and bold adventure in the world’s most elite harbors; and Crystal Expedition Cruises, taking Crystal’s acclaimed elegance to the farthest reaches of the world. Crystal has been recognized with top honors in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards for a record 27 years including, in 2019, for Best Medium-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Cruises, Best Small-Ship Cruise Line for Crystal Yacht Cruises and Best River Cruise Line for Crystal River Cruises. Crystal was also voted “World’s Best” by the readers of Travel + Leisure for 24 years, including, in 2017 and 2020, Best River Cruise Line for Crystal River Cruises; and won “Cruise Line of the Year” and “Most Luxurious Guest Experience” by Virtuoso for 2018 & 2019. Crystal is proud to be a platinum partner of the advisors of ASTA.

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel advisor, call 888.799.2437, or visit www.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who subscribe to the Crystal Insiderblog, follow Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page; @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram; @crystalrivercruises on Instagram; and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises, #crystalrivercruises and #WhereLuxuryisPersonal.

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ROYAL CARIBBEAN EXTENDS SINGAPORE SEASON, ADDING NEW CRUISES ON QUANTUM OF THE SEAS

With More Than 50,000 Guests Safely Sailing on Board to Date, Holidaymakers are Eager for More Adventure

SINGAPORE, April 1, 2021 – Royal Caribbean International today announced Quantum of the Seas will continue sailing from Singapore through October 2021. Having resumed sailing in December 2020, Quantum’s 11-month Singapore season will mark the longest yet for one of Asia’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ships. The cruise line introduced Ocean Getaways from Singapore last year with the local government’s CruiseSafe Certification, which confirms the sailings meet the comprehensive health and safety requirements developed with the Singapore government. Following a successful run and high marks from guests, Royal Caribbean first extended the season for three months, through June 2021, and is doing it again for an additional four months thanks to the partnership with the Singapore government.   

“We have continued to see an overwhelming demand in Singapore to sail on board Quantum of the Seas. With more than 50,000 guests having cruised with us and zero positive COVID-19 cases to date, holidaymakers can rest assured we are focused on delivering safe, memorable cruise holidays,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Royal Caribbean’s 30-plus sailings in Singapore offer a real-life, validated model of how cruising can be a unique, safe vacation beyond what many other travel options can offer. I'm confident we'll continue to see how successful cruising can be through a combination of our proven, healthy and safe practices, which are informed by the Healthy Sail Panel’s 74 recommendations, and the rollout of vaccines around the world.”

Singapore residents can continue to satisfy their feelings of wanderlust on 2-, 3- and 4-night Ocean Getaways and enjoy fun-filled activities, next-generation entertainment and world-class dining on board one of Royal Caribbean’s most groundbreaking ships. These new sailings will be available to Singapore residents and open to book on April 13, 2021.

“Our guests have continued to have a fabulous vacation experience with Royal Caribbean, as we continue sailing with our layered health and safety measures developed with the Healthy Sail Panel. In fact, we have seen guest satisfaction ratings jump since we started sailing this past December,” said Angie Stephen, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International.

Quantum will continue to operate with the same set of comprehensive health and safety measures in place, such as COVID-19 testing, reduced sailing capacity, physical distancing measures, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing processes, and industry-leading contact tracing.

“When we started pilot cruises in Singapore, our aim was to regain the confidence of guests by endorsing cruise operators with rigorous hygiene measures. Singapore’s CruiseSafe standards have set a clear benchmark for our cruise partners, who have been diligent in ensuring the measures on board are adhered to. Thus far, we have completed more than 90 sailings with over 120,000 passengers and no reported cases of COVID-19 spreading on board,” said Annie Chang, Director, Cruise, Singapore Tourism Board.

As the broader travel and tourism industry reopens around the world, holidaymakers who are looking for an adventure can be confident in cruise ship safety. Since July 2020, Royal Caribbean Group has carried more than 100,000 guests on 152 cruises in Asia and Europe. This extension follows months of successful cruises in Singapore, with more than 50,000 guests who have sailed aboard Quantum to date, as well as the recently announced plans for the highly anticipated Odyssey of the Seas to cruise from Haifa, Israel, Jewel of the Seas sailing from Cyprus, Anthem of the Seas sailing from the UK and cruises from The Bahamas with Adventure of the Seas and Bermuda with Vision of the Seas.

About Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 18 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of its Healthy Sail Panel of public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation on all of its sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements. U.S. cruises and guests: For more information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites.  

AN EPIC ODYSSEY CONTINUES – ROYAL CARIBBEAN WELCOMES BRAND-NEW SHIP

The Game-changing Cruise Line Takes Delivery of Odyssey of the Seas

MIAMI, March 31, 2021 – Setting course for a lifetime of adventure, Royal Caribbean International’s Odyssey of the Seas completed the final chapter in its construction odyssey today. The highly anticipated marvel officially became the 25th ship in the cruise line’s award-winning fleet, following a virtual rendition of the time-honored maritime tradition known as a delivery ceremony. Odyssey will now set the stage for a bold, new way to vacation when it debuts from first-time homeport Haifa, Israel in May 2021 and Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November.

Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley, and Master of Odyssey of the Seas Captain Per Kristoffersen received the new ship from Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer and Managing Director Jan Meyer in the customary handover ceremony with a virtual twist.

Receiving Odyssey of the Seas into the Royal Caribbean family is a welcomed breath of fresh air. The ingenuity, passion and hard work our dedicated crew, teams on land and partners at Meyer Werft put into building a new ship always deliver, and to pull it off so well during a time unlike any other is incredible,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We are looking forward to delivering the memorable vacations we’re known for today on a ship that will mark several firsts for us, from making Israel a first-time homeport to introducing Quantum Ultra Class to North America. Every new ship is a blank slate to go bolder and be different, and Odyssey is bringing the very best of the new and guest-favorites across two continents for the years to come.” 

Later today, fans will have front-row seats to the ceremony celebration during an untraditional Facebook premiere event – a first in the cruise line’s 52-year history. In store is a truly global lineup that includes the ship’s blessing led by Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, a show-stopping performance from signature venue Two70 on board Quantum of the Seas sailing in Singapore, and executives of Royal Caribbean in Florida and Meyer Werft Yard in Papenburg, Germany. The celebration exclusively takes place on Royal Caribbean International’s Facebook page at 5 p.m. EDT.

Odyssey is the second Quantum Ultra Class ship, and just in time for summer, it will welcome Royal Caribbean’s first guests to cruise from Israel on sailings where travelers above the age of 18 and crew members are fully vaccinated. Israeli residents can embark on 3- to 7-night getaways through October to visit sun-soaked destinations in the Mediterranean, including Rhodes, Santorini, Mykonos and Athens, Greece and Limassol, Cyprus. Following its inaugural summer season, Odyssey will embark on a transatlantic crossing for its North American debut this November, where it’s slated to offer 6- and 8-night Caribbean itineraries from Fort Lauderdale to idyllic ports of call like Aruba, Curacao and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s game-changing private island destination in The Bahamas.

Weighing 169,000 gross tons and measuring 1,138 feet (347 meters) long and 135 feet (41 meters) wide, Odyssey will be the newest and largest ship to homeport in Israel and the first of its kind to call Florida its home later this year. Vacationers of all ages are in for a combination of 12 all-new and first-to-brand experiences as well as the signature adventures guests know and love, including:

• Caribbean-inspired pool deck– Sporting a whole new look across two decks, Odyssey’s two open-air pools, four whirlpools and Splashaway Bay, anchored by a Quantum Ultra Class first – The Lime & Coconut bar – are designed for all travelers to enjoy the sun and stars in style.

• SeaPlex – The next-generation of a longtime Quantum Class favorite, this SeaPlex is the largest indoor and outdoor activity center at sea, and debuts this venue’s first Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade.

• Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar and Teppanyaki – Two Royal Caribbean restaurants new to North America join the varied lineup of dining options on board. The fresh take on the cruise line’s signature trattoria is the first to introduce its new wine bar concept while the other serves up East Asian flavors in the traditional Japanese style for which its named.

• Action-packed top deck – Returning guest-favorites include the gravity-defying SkyPad virtual reality bungee trampoline adventure, FlowRidersurf simulator, skydiving with RipCord by iFly, and the iconic North Star all-glass observation capsule that boasts 360-degree views from 300 feet above sea level.

• One-of-a-kind entertainment – In typical Royal Caribbean fashion, Odyssey’s full-scale productions take top billing in teched-out venues such as the Royal Theater and Two70, where immersive technology, unparalleled special effects and world-leading performers and aerialists take the stage alongside six agile Roboscreensfor a multidimensional live show.

About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to more than 270 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 18 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

Royal Caribbean International is applying the recommendations of its Healthy Sail Panel of public health and scientific experts to provide a safer and healthier cruise vacation on all of its sailings. Health and safety protocols, regional travel restrictions and clearance to visit ports of call, are subject to change based on ongoing evaluation, public health standards, and government requirements. U.S. cruises and guests: For more information on the latest health and travel alerts, U.S. government travel advisories, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates or consult travel advisories, warnings or recommendations relating to cruise travel on applicable government websites.