NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE MAKES ITS GREAT CRUISE COMEBACK WITH FIRST U.S. SAILING

Norwegian Encore Makes Its Debut in Alaska with First Call to Icy Strait Point 

NCL Guests Are the First to Experience the New Wilderness Landing Pier and Gondola System as Part of the Company's Significant Investment in Alaska

MIAMI (Aug. 11, 2021) - Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 54-year history of breaking boundaries, celebrated its highly anticipated return to cruise in the U.S. with Norwegian Encore's inaugural call to Icy Strait Point, Alaska.

The Brand's newest innovative ship Norwegian Encore set sail from Seattle on Aug. 7, 2021 for her first season of voyages to Alaska. Adding to the already momentous milestone, Norwegian Encore is the first in the industry to berth at the new Wilderness Landing pier at Icy Strait Point, which was built in partnership between NCL's parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) and Huna Totem Corporation, the village corporation owned by approximately 1,400 Alaska Native shareholders with aboriginal ties to Hoonah and the Glacier Bay area. Icy Strait Point is a wholly owned and operated subsidiary of Huna Totem Corporation.

On Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021, a double ribbon cutting ceremony took place to officially open the new Wilderness Landing pier and the first of two gondola systems to be completed as part of the joint investment between NCLH and Huna Totem.

"Our return to Alaska is a monumental moment for not only NCL but for the state's communities as well," said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. "The absence of cruising last year was detrimental to these communities, which lost approximately $1.5 billion. Our return represents our continued commitment to Alaska and to the well-being of the destinations we visit. Our investment in Icy Strait Point is providing our guests with more opportunities to experience and understand the natural and cultural beauty of the destination and its people."

A vehicle-free zone, the new Wilderness Landing provides additional forest and beach areas for visitors to explore the natural wonders of the destination. With the opening of the new high-speed Transporter Gondola, guests have easy access to Icy Strait Point’s first pier, Adventure Landing, where the Historic Salmon Cannery dating back to 1912 and other local attractions are located. Once completed later this summer, the Mountain Top Gondola will take guests to the top of Hoonah Mountain at 1,600-feet of elevation, where miles of new hiking trails and scenic vistas await.

"Since Icy Strait Point’s inception, we’ve strived to balance the needs of our Alaska Native community with those of Alaska’s growing cruise industry and this development was a natural step for us," said Russell Dick, chief executive officer of Huna Totem Corporation. "We are grateful to Norwegian for believing in our vision and we hope our sustainable model can lead the way for positive expansion of the cruise visitor industry in Alaska."

With 23,040 acres of private beach and temperate rain forest to explore, Icy Strait Point offers guests the opportunity to experience authentic Alaska. The island also offers the most accessible coastal brown bear viewing platforms in Southeast Alaska, whale watching, kayaking and the world’s largest ZipRider zip line. Located just a mile from the Alaska native community of Hoonah, travelers also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture when visiting Icy Strait Point with exposure to native traditions and dances, oral histories and cooking classes.

Later this week, Norwegian Encore will make her first calls to Juneau and Ketchikan, Alaska, before returning to Seattle and continuing her season of week-long voyages to Alaska through Oct. 16, 2021.

Norwegian Cruise Line recently restarted its cruise operations on July 25, 2021 following a more than 500-day suspension, with Norwegian Jade launching seven-day itineraries to the Greek Isles. On Aug. 15, 2021 Norwegian Gem will be the first ship in the fleet to resume operations from Miami and set sail from the new Norwegian Cruise Line Terminal at PortMiami. Through October, she will offer a selection of week-long voyages to theCaribbean and four-day cruises to the Bahamas. The fleetwide redeployment will continue in partnership with local governments and are guided by the robust protocols of the Company’s SailSAFETM  health and safety program, which at its cornerstone includes that all crew and guests must be fully vaccinated to embark for voyages through Oct. 31, 2021. Working with the leading experts of the SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council, the robust protocols will be regularly evaluated and modified as needed, making science-based decisions to protect guests, crew and the destinations it visits. As protocols evolve and additional information becomes available, updates will be published at www.ncl.com/sail-safe.

Travelers seeking the latest details about NCL’s redeployment should click here.

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SILVERSEA OPENS GENERAL SALES ON OVER 280 VOYAGES FOR 2023/2024, INCLUDING TWO NEW GRAND VOYAGES

Calling in 690 destinations in 125 countries, the leading ultra-luxury line’s new itineraries for 2023/2024 include new grand voyages to Africa & Arabia and the Mediterranean

 (Monaco – August 11, 2021) Responding to strong demand for extended voyages to far-flung destinations, Silversea Cruises today opened general sales on over 280 new voyages for 2023/2024, including two new grand voyages to Africa & the Arabian Peninsula and the Mediterranean. Silversea will expand its global coverage by deploying its 10 ships to over 690 destinations in 125 countries – a record for the leading ultra-luxury cruise line, which sails to over 900 global destinations in total.

OVER 280 VOYAGES, 690 DESTINATIONS, 125 COUNTRIES

Setting sail from March 2023 to May 2024, Silversea’s new voyage collection will include over 60 maiden calls, an increased 197 overnight calls, and over 60 hand-picked combination voyages for extended exploration, as well as the following innovations:

• Brand new itineraries in Africa and the Indian Ocean, including in-depth explorations of the Red Sea. Guests will discover the region’s natural and archeological heritage during new itineraries to the Arabian Peninsula for extended stays in the Persian Gulf. On all-new South Africa and Namibia voyages, travelers will have the chance to witness the region’s Big Five—lions, leopards, rhinoceros, elephants, and buffalo—on visits to safari reserves. As well as the iconic Skeleton Coast, guests will explore the unique wildlife and geology of the Vanilla Islands.

• New itineraries in Northern Europe, including Silversea’s first-ever expedition voyages in the Baltic Sea, building on the cruise line’s customary offering in the Norwegian Fjords, the Baltic, Iceland, the British Isles and the Atlantic Coast. Travelers will journey to off-the-beaten-path destinations along the Finnish coast, while new Norwegian Fjord departures will offer the chance to see autumnal foliage and the Northern Lights. Expeditions to the British Isles will unlock new, remote destinations, such as the Farne Islands and Lindisfarne Island in the Scottish Isles.

• Greater variety in Alaska, with brand new combinable itineraries that will offer extended adventure—building on the cruise line’s seven-day itineraries aboard Silver Muse. Maiden calls to Icy Bay and Valdez will attract well-travelled guests, offering the chance to witness the magnificent Columbia Glacier.

• More departures in Canada and New England, including voyages setting sail in the summer months for the first time in Silversea’s history, adding to the cruise line’s established itineraries, which will now include an overnight call in Boston, Massachusetts.

In a new video for the cruise line’s guests, Conrad Combrink—Silversea’s Senior Vice President of Expeditions, Turnaround Operations and Destination Management—shares insight on the new 2023/2024 itinerary collection’s highlights:

“Whether we’re retracing our footsteps along familiar paths or setting off to unchartered territories, there is always something new to discover. […] Silversea is proud to offer first-time expedition itineraries in the Arabian Peninsula, giving our guests the opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path places, like the Khasab Peninsula in Oman, Djibouti on the Horn of Africa, or exciting destinations like Al Ula and the Farasan Islands in Saudi Arabia. Our new East Africa Islands expedition cruise will bring us to the wildlife-rich Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles and the Comoro Islands—a maiden call for us. We will also set sail on our first-ever grand voyage in Africa and Arabia in 2024, with fascinating stops at places like Zanzibar, Muscat, and Richard’s Bay. In Northern Europe, we will offer in-depth expeditions in the Baltic Region for the first time. […] For North America, we have designed all-new Alaska itineraries to destinations like Icy Bay and Valdez, and even the fast-moving (for a glacier) Columbia Glacier. […] And finally, we return to our roots with a grand voyage in the Mediterranean that offers our most extensive exploration of the region, over an immersive 65-day journey.”

TWO NEW GRAND VOYAGES

Guests in search of extended, immersive travel will be attracted to Silversea’s two new grand voyages, which will set sail in 2023 and 2024 respectively, enriching the cruise line’s existing range of grand voyages:   

•    AFRICA & ARABIA GRAND VOYAGE 2024

Silversea’s first-ever grand voyage to Africa and Arabia will combine new-world modernity with fascinating glimpses into the region’s storied past. Embarking Silver Spirit in Cape Town on January 27, 2024, Silversea’s guests will travel deep into 28 destinations over 62 days, charting their way through Namibia, South Africa, Madagascar, Réunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Egypt, before concluding their voyage in Greece on March 29. Calls in vibrant, iconic cities will complement maiden calls in remote destinations, such as Dhiba. From Dhiba, guests will discover the ancient region of Al Ula, including Mada’in Saleh—the first site in Saudi Arabia to earn UNESCO recognition. Here, travelers will witness preserved tombs, historic dwellings, and breathtaking monuments—both natural and human-made—that hold 200,000 years of largely unexplored human history. As well as UNESCO World Heritage sites, travelers will enjoy immersive cultural experiences, from the shamanistic ceremonies of the Sangoma spiritual healers in Durban to the mesmerizing dance rituals of the San of the Kalahari Desert. Guests will witness the incredible variety of wildlife in South Africa, the Seychelles, and Madagascar, as well as the vast landscapes of the Namibian and Saharan deserts. Extended stays in Walvis Bay, Durban, Richards Bay, Antsiranana, Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Dhiba, and Safaga will enable travelers to explore deeper.

•    THE MEDITERRANEAN GRAND VOYAGE 2023

New ship Silver Moon will embark upon a grand voyage in the Mediterranean, departing Lisbon on October 6, 2023, and offering travelers the most extensive exploration of the region in the cruise line’s history. Guests will journey to 52 destinations over 65 days, experiencing 16 countries, from Portugal to Greece, with an in-depth focus on the Eastern Mediterranean, including the Holy Land and Egypt, with overnight calls in Alexandria, Nazareth, and—for the first time on a grand voyage—Jerusalem, among others. Guests will explore the stimulating cultures and ancient histories of Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, France, Monaco, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, and Cyprus. Thanks to Silversea’s new SALT program, which launched in June aboard Silver Moon, guests will take a deep dive into the region’s distinctive food and drink cultures, with insightful experiences aboard and ashore. Bespoke experiences, tailor-made by Silversea’s destination experts, will complete a holistic discovery of the Mediterranean. Many special events and onboard enrichments will enhance the offering further.

ALL-INCLUSIVE LUXURY

With private executive transfers included as standard on all voyages in the collection, Silversea has enhanced its all-inclusive offering, which is already among the most comprehensive at sea. In November 2020, the leading ultra-luxury cruise line introduced complimentary shore excursions, roundtrip air, and transfers between the airport and ship as standard on all voyages. The cruise line’s ships are among the most spacious at sea, featuring ocean-view suites, the personalized service of butlers, and sumptuous cuisine served in multiple restaurants. Enhancing the cruise experience are such all-inclusive amenities as pre- and post-cruise hotel night/s, depending on Silversea’s air program schedule; luggage handling; complimentary premium wines and spirits, speciality coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks served throughout the ships; in-suite bars, stocked with guests' preferences; a complimentary in-suite, 24-hour dining service; onboard gratuities; and unlimited, complimentary Wi-Fi. Until November 30, 2021, guests can reserve their suites aboard voyages in Silversea’s new 2023/2024 itinerary collection with a reduced deposit of just 15%.

Watch a video of Conrad Combrink presenting the new voyages’ highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXCPXG26LNA

View Silversea’s new 2023/2024 itineraries and learn more about Silversea’s all-inclusive offering:
https://www.silversea.com/lp-new-itineraries-2023-2024.html

For the latest health and travel advisories pertaining to cruise travel, please visit https://www.silversea.com/health-and-travel-notice.html.

Read the full terms & conditions: https://www.silversea.com/terms-and-conditions.html

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 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, Silver Cloud, and Silver Wind, Silversea's itineraries encompass over 900 destinations across 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.

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Coming to CruiseReport.com in July 2021

Cunard Makes Final Touches to Queen Elizabeth as the Ship Prepares for Return to Sailing on Friday

VALENCIA, Calif., Aug. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The final touches are being made to Cunard's Queen Elizabeth as the luxury cruise line prepares to return to sailing on Friday, August 13th after a 17 month break.

"I think I speak for the entire team at Cunard when I say how delighted we are to be returning to what we do best as we get ready to welcome our guests back on board," said Cunard President Simon Palethorpe.

"We know how much our guests have been looking forward to our first voyage and we hope that they fully immerse themselves in the Cunard on board experience, as they enjoy some of the most stunning coastlines Britain has to offer," Palethorpe added.

Following a series of other UK voyages, Cunard's international sailings on board Queen Elizabeth will begin in October with a cruise from Southampton to Amsterdam followed by a 14 night voyage to the Canary Islands and Madeira this November.

To learn more about Cunard, contact your Travel Advisor, call 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com.

Cunard
Cunard is the operator of luxury cruise ships Queen Mary 2®, Queen Victoria® and Queen Elizabeth®. Renowned for impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment, all three Queens offer luxury accommodations in Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill Suite and Queens Grill Suite staterooms. Cunard is the only line to offer regularly scheduled Transatlantic service between New York and London, and it continues to celebrate the freedom of travel on exciting World Voyage and Grand Voyage itineraries that visit Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Awarded #1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line by Travel + Leisure's 2018, 2017 and 2016 World's Best Awards; and "Best Service," "Best Onboard Enrichment" and "Best World Cruise" by Porthole Cruise Magazine's 2018 Readers Choice Awards. Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines, a part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the largest cruise vacation company in the world. Together Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK) operate 102 ships visiting over 700 ports around the world and totaling 226,000 lower berths.

Social Media
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cunard
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cunardline
YouTube: www.youtube.com/wearecunard
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cunardline

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Coming to CruiseReport.com in July 2021

Windstar Cruises Announces New 79-Day Grand European Cruise

Fresh Voyage Collection Brochure Outlines New and Returning Sailings through 2023

SEATTLE, WA, August 10, 2021 – Windstar Cruises today announces the sale of its new 79-day Grand European Bucket List Adventure – the longest itinerary ever offered by the award-winning small ship cruise line – along with new cruise adventures scheduled through 2023. The itineraries have been released online and in a new Voyage Collection brochure. 

The Grand European cruise departs Stockholm, Sweden on July 25, 2023 and takes guests on a brand-new voyage spanning 22 countries through the Baltic, Northern Atlantic, Mediterranean and Black Sea. With 71 days in port (and only 8 at sea), the itinerary has just the right amount of rest and relaxation onboard between new discoveries and explorations. There are also 11 overnights in port, giving guests a chance to dine/sample the nightlife in destinations like Bordeaux, Seville, Amsterdam, and Copenhagen. With an intense exploration of Germany (a new Windstar offering), there are two first-time Windstar ports in Hamburg and Binz, in addition to a new Norwegian port: Arendal. The cruise finishes on October 12 in Istanbul, Turkey and takes place aboard Windstar’s new all-suite Star Legend yacht, carrying only 312 guests. The yacht is small enough to navigate through the tight Kiel and Corinth Canals on this special sailing.  

The epic route along with other grand sailings like Windstar’s 60-day Grand South Pacific and 56-day Grand Caribbean Adventure are part of a growing trend of extravagant voyages and world cruises created to satiate a travel-starved cruise audience ready to book a once-in-a-lifetime trip.  

Windstar has been seeing a record-breaking number of reservations for their crowd-free cruises and expects immediate sales of the newly announced itineraries, now listed online and in the print brochure. 

“We're attributing our bookings to a pent-up demand for travel after most of the world has been sequestered for a year,” says Windstar’s President Christopher Prelog. “It's creating a swift recovery for us, so much so that my advice is to book early as increased demand is real.” 

The cruises in the 2021-2023 voyage collection span the globe and include new regions like Australia and New Zealand (from remote islands to the Great Barrier Reef); rural Black Sea villages and all the wonders of Turkey, from Istanbul to Cappadocia; as well as the Holy Lands.  

There are also additional Cruise Tours, with new land-and-cruise options affording a chance to venture into Petra at dawn as the sun illuminates the pink sandstone walls; sample fine port amid the terraced vineyards of Portugal’s Douro Valley; tour Italy’s beautiful Lake Como and the historic village of Bellagio by private boat; or marvel at Iceland’s geysers and waterfalls. 

The brochure also outlines and details the differences among Windstar’s six-yacht fleet – explaining the romance of the three classic Wind Class sailing yachts as well as the newly transformed all-suite Star Plus Class yachts. 

The brochure will begin to land in mailboxes this week, and those interested in requesting a copy or viewing a digital version can access the tools here: https://www.windstarcruises.com/request-a-brochure/. New itineraries and other details can be found at www.windstarcruises.com. 

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Coming to CruiseReport.com in July 2021

Hurtigruten Expeditions launches African cruises

Bissagos Islands in Guinea-Bissau, a new Hurtigruten Expeditions' destination for 2022

The world leader in exploration travel will be the only expedition cruise line to explore the African West Coast next year and introduces four new countries to its jam-packed 2022/23 season

Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world’s leading expedition cruise line, is responding to guest demand for more warm water destinations by adding the West Coast of Africa and its unique archipelagos – the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde – to its ever-growing list of new destinations. The 13-day itinerary includes four countries: Cape Verde, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, and Senegal, with MS Spitsbergen based out of Dakar, one of Africa’s most bustling cities.

The expansion follows the cruise line’s recent launch announcement of year-round expedition cruises to the Galapagos Islands starting early 2022. Besides its first-ever African expedition cruises, Hurtigruten will also introduce a series of itineraries to the Canary Islands and Madeira for the 22/23 seasons.

“2022 will be one of the most adventurous years for Hurtigruten Expeditions. We will start the year by launching our Galapagos operations in January, and at the end of the year, we will introduce our first African cruises. We are very excited about expanding to new unique destinations, which complements our Caribbean and South American expedition cruises and strengthens our global position,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen.

“We know our guests want to explore many different parts of the globe, and our ambition is to offer the world’s most exciting destinations that can best be explored by our small ships. With the Bissagos Islands and Cape Verde, we offer a truly unique and off-the-beaten-track destination that is perfect for an expedition adventure like no other,” said Lassesen.

Hurtigruten Expedition’s first-ever African adventure will depart on November 27, 2022, and will be the first in a series of expedition cruises to visit Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands. One of the world’s most untouched destinations, the Bissagos Islands will offer guests a combination of distinctive wildlife and diverse landscapes as they enjoy four days exploring the 88-island archipelago that is home to hippos, dolphins, crocodiles, sea turtles, manatees, and 500 species of birds.

Guests will explore Cape Verde and the Bissagos on board the extremely popular MS Spitsbergen, the best small cruise ship in Cruise Critic Cruisers’ Choice awards 2018. With fewer than 200 guests, the small expedition cruise ship entered service in 2016, providing an intimate and exclusive setting onboard. The ship also features Hurtigruten Expedition’s signature state-of-the-art Science Center. The industry-leading Science Program includes a wide range of Citizen Science research projects that guests are encouraged to participate in during their trip.

Cape Verde offers a distinctively different scenery compared to the Bissagos. Hurtigruten Expedition’s itineraries spend four full days visiting ports and destinations that no other cruise ships include. The ten rugged volcanic islands that make up the country boast a unique blend of African and Portuguese influences. Besides colonial churches, palatial mansions, and old forts in many of the cities and towns spread out across the archipelago, the islands are also a birdwatcher’s haven with many migratory and endemic species crisscrossing the islands. Other wildlife includes whales, dolphins, and sea turtles.

Santo Antão village in Cape Verde

The itinerary also includes a day in Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, the smallest country in mainland Africa. All cruises out of Dakar include land-based adventures as part of the itinerary. Before departure, guests will explore the impressive island of Gorée, where they will experience the colorful colonial houses, baobabs, and palm trees and immerse in the dark history of this former slave island. A city tour of Dakar is included on the disembarkation day, where guests will experience the charming multi-faceted city while discovering its historical moments and driving along the corniche.

Hurtigruten Expedition’s new African cruises will depart Dakar on November 27, December 9 and 21, 2022, and January 2 and 14, 2023.

While the Canary Islands and Madeira are known tourist destinations among European travelers, Hurtigruten Expedition’s cruises will show a different side of these islands, focusing on great hiking, national parks, and cultural walking tours. Wildlife includes whales, dolphins, and various birds. Madeira is also home to endemic and invasive plant species, with one optional excursion allowing guests to identify and remove invasive species with a local naturalist. The five 10-days sailings to the Canary Islands and Madeira in November 2022 and January through March of 2023.

To book, please visit Hurtigruten.com, call 866.552.0371 or contact your preferred travel agent.

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Coming to CruiseReport.com in July 2021

Tauck Christens New ms Andorinha Riverboat in Portugal – to the Delight of its Customers

New Ship, Purpose-Built for the Douro River, is Inspired by Local Culture and Climate

WILTON, CT (August 9, 2021) Shortly before embarking Tauck’s new ms Andorinha riverboat on Saturday for the ship’s first scheduled cruise along Portugal’s Douro River, the company’s customers were informed of a special treat – they would be the guests of honor for the ship’s official christening ceremony. The Tauck guests were traveling on Day 3 of the company’s 12-day “Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid” itinerary, and after an initial two-night hotel stay in Madrid, they expected nothing more than a typical embarkation experience in the riverside village of Barca d'Alva. In true Tauck fashion, attending the christening ceremony was a surprise bonus.

“In crafting our itineraries, we work extraordinarily hard to find fun and unexpected experiences for our guests and craft them into our journeys. It’s very gratifying to surprise our guests with a sense of wonder and delight, and for this lucky group of guests, we were able to provide an especially memorable experience,” said company CEO Dan Mahar. Prior christenings of Tauck riverboats have typically been attended by company executives, local dignitaries, travel advisors, supplier partners and members of the media. And while Mahar and other Tauck executives were indeed in attendance, the participation of Tauck’s loyal patrons added a fun and unique element to the proceedings for all.

Serving as godmothers for the Andorinha were two long-time Tauck employees, company President Jennifer Tombaugh and Chief Culture Officer Sharyn Cannon. In announcing their selection as godmothers last month, Mahar stated that “Jennifer and Sharyn are the embodiment of Tauck’s ethos of caring for others,” noting that “their deep care and concern for our guests, for our employees, and for our travel advisors and supplier partners guides all that they do and how they do it.” Both Tombaugh and Cannon have been with Tauck for more than 20 years.

INSPIRED BY PORTUGAL’S CULTURE AND CLIMATE

The Andorinha was purpose-built specifically for the Douro River, and its décor and design are inspired by the Douro Valley’s culture and climate. Recurring design themes on the Andorinha include traditional painted ceramic tiles, or azulejos, adorning areas throughout the ship, and decorative metalwork suggestive of grapevines that invoke Portugal’s 2,500 years of winemaking tradition. The Andorinha’s reception area, for example, features an oversized, domed ceiling light entwined with brass “branches” custom-cast from actual grapevines.

Along with the Andorinha’s decor and furnishings, the ship’s name is also rooted in local culture. Andorinhas are a species of small migratory swallow that travel to Africa every winter and return to Portugal each spring. The birds mate for life and return each year to the same nest, and small porcelain figurines of andorinhas have become a popular national symbol of family, fidelity and home.

OPTIMIZING THE ANDORINHA’S SUN DECK

Portugal is renowned for its warm, sunny weather, and the Andorinha’s Sun Deck has been designed and outfitted to serve as an ideal platform for savoring the Douro Valley’s passing landscapes. The Sun Deck features canopied Balinese day beds for comfortable, shaded lounging, plus an infinity-style pool that’s five-times the size of the plunge pools featured on Tauck’s other riverboats. In addition, the Sun Deck features an outdoor grill to host casual barbecues along with a full-service bar to ensure that Tauck guests stay well hydrated.

The most notable feature on the Andorinha’s Sun Deck, however, is a pop-up restaurant that rises from the stern of the ship on hydraulic lifts to become a fully functioning eatery with commanding views of the surrounding countryside. Named Arthur’s for Tauck chairman Arthur Tauck Jr., the restaurant offers a mix of steak house-style classics as well as a selection of regional fare, serving as a more casual alternative to the Andorinha’s main Compass Rose restaurant. When approaching any particularly low bridges, Arthur’s will be briefly lowered to improve the Andorinha’s clearance and allow the ship to continue along on its voyage.

As with its other riverboats (and rather than maximizing passenger capacity and revenues), Tauck is again offering more suites, more spacious public areas, and a less-crowded, more intimate onboard ambiance. The Andorinha accommodates just 84 Tauck guests, versus up to 112 passengers – or 33% more people – on other cruise lines’ Douro ships of the same approximate size. Even with fewer guests aboard, the Andorinha still has more director-level personnel to ensure Tauck guests enjoy the highest levels of care and service. Like other Tauck riverboats, the Andorinha is staffed by a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Director guides.

Guests sailing on the Andorinha are accommodated in 42 cabins, including twelve 300-square-foot suites on the upper Diamond Deck, and twenty 225-square-foot staterooms primarily on the vessel’s Ruby or mid-level deck. The remaining accommodations (six 200-square-foot cabins and four 150-square-foot cabins) are on the lower or Emerald Deck.

PENT-UP DEMAND LEADS TO STRONG BOOKINGS

Tauck is offering two Douro River itineraries aboard the Andorinha in 2021; the 12-day “Exploring the Douro, plus Lisbon & Madrid” journey that bookends a seven-night Douro cruise with two-night hotel stays in Lisbon and Madrid, and an eight-day “Villages and Vintages: Cruising the Douro River Valley” cruise-only itinerary along the river. “Douro Discovery: A Family River Cruise in Portugal plus Madrid,” an eight-day Tauck Bridges cruise designed specifically for families, will be added to Tauck’s Douro portfolio in 2022.

According to Mahar, bookings for Tauck’s Douro cruises in both 2021 and 2022 are very strong. “We already had incredible demand for our planned debut on the Douro in 2020,” said Mahar. “With those travel dreams deferred to this year, and with all the other pent-up demand for travel resulting from Covid, interest in our Douro cruises is unprecedented. We look forward to sharing this beautiful part of the world with our guests, and we encourage advisors to secure their clients’ space quickly as inventory is not likely to last.”

About Tauck: Founded in 1925, Tauck is a world leader in upscale guided travel, with more than 150 land tours, safaris, river cruises and small ship ocean cruises to 70+ countries and all seven continents. In each of the last 23 years, Tauck has been honored in Travel + Leisure magazine’s annual “World’s Best Awards” celebrating the very best in luxury tours, cruises, hotels and more.

Those interested in more information can contact their local travel professional, call Tauck at 800 468 2825, or visit the company’s website at www.tauck.com (www.tauck.ca in Canada, www.tauck.co.uk in the UK, www.tauck.com.au in Australia/New Zealand).

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Coming to CruiseReport.com in July 2021

MSC SEASHORE WELCOMES FIRST GUESTS FOR HER INAUGURAL VOYAGE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN

•  MSC Cruises’ most innovative ship to-date brings guests closer to the sea offering with striking design features and generous outdoor spaces

• Guests will enjoy a wealth of new onboard experiences including the newly designed Chef’s Court and a stunning new entertainment venue Le Cabaret Rouge

• MSC Seashore cruise in the Caribbean from Miami, U.S. starting November 20, 2021

MSC Seashore will be MSC Cruises’ newest ship to sail from Miami this November (download image here)

Geneva, Switzerland – (August 9, 2021) – MSC Seashore has welcomed her first guests as MSC Cruises’ most innovative next-generation ship to-date and the 19th ship to join the line’s fleet, becoming its newest flagship.

Embarking guests in Barcelona, Spain, Marseille, France and Genoa, Italy on Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively, more guests will be welcomed on board the first Seaside EVO ship today in Naples, Italy as part of her inaugural seven-night western Mediterranean itinerary. MSC Seashore will then call Messina in Sicily, for Taormina and Mount Etna, then on to Valetta in Malta, and then Barcelona, Marseille and back to Genoa. Discover the new ship here.

MSC Seashore’s aft infinity pool edges right up to the Ocean

Following her summer season in the western Mediterranean, MSC Seashore will complete an 18-night transatlantic Grand Voyage cruise to Miami, where she will become MSC Cruises’ newest ship to cruise from the U.S. For more details on the Grand Voyage, see here. 

Once arrived to her new homeport in Miami, MSC Seashore will offer seven-night cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean with two different itineraries. The first, in the West Caribbean, calls Ocho Rios in Jamaica, George Town in the Cayman Islands, Cozumel in Mexico. The second, in the East Caribbean calls San Juan in Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie on the island of St Thomas, Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

All MSC Seashore cruises will include a stop to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

A highlight of every cruise on MSC Seashore is a call at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises’ new private island in The Bahamas. Surrounded by 64 square miles of marine reserve, Ocean Cay offers guests a unique opportunity to enjoy the island’s natural beauty, discover local marine life and soak up the spirit of The Bahamas. With MSC Seashore docking at the island from early morning into the evening — and in some instances overnight — MSC Cruises’ guests can spend a full day enjoying two miles of pristine, white sand beaches and a variety of ocean discovery activities including stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, thrilling wave runner rides and more.

The Yacht Club on MSC Seashore is the largest in MSC Cruises’ fleet

For more details on MSC Seashore’s winter itineraries in the Caribbean visit here and to find out more about Ocean Cay visit here.

Some of the key highlights of MSC Cruises’ newest flagship include:

• Next-generation environmental technology to minimize the ship’s environmental footprint and ensuring even cleaner air emissions

• Cutting-edge air sanitation technology, Safe Air, developed by Fincantieri featuring UV-C lamps to eliminate viruses and bacteria to guarantee clean and safe air on board

• Nearly 140,000 sq. ft. of outdoor space with a wide choice of outdoor bars and dining, pools and deck area for relaxing and sunbathing

• Six stunning swimming pools with enlarged poolside areas including a spectacular new Infinity Pool, two new Infinity Whirlpools and a new VR waterslide in the aquapark

• An expansive 1,772 sq. ft. waterfront promenade close to the water, ideal for grabbing a drink and al fresco dining or simply taking a stroll to enjoy the fresh sea air

• 11 different types of staterooms and suites with balconies including the coveted aft suits, 50 terraced suites with extended balconies offering up to 161 sq. ft. of private terrace and 32 different suites with outdoor private whirlpools

• The largest most luxurious MSC Yacht Club with an enhanced and extended pool area and sundeck offering 21,528 sq. ft. of space

• A sublime creation, Danza del Mare: a work of art realized by VENINI, a point of excellence of Made in Italy, known the world over for the artistic and cultural excellence of its design works.

• Danza del Mare has been created for the MSC Foundation – a symbol of the MSC Foundation’s efforts to protect the Sea.

• A gastronomic adventure with 18 bars and lounges, including 12 indoor and six outdoor venues, five specialty restaurants and four main dining restaurants

• The re-designed Chef’s Court on deck 8 - the go-to destination for eating and drinking, with a choice of five specialty restaurants and two bars, including a new alfresco dining area for the Butcher’s Cut

• Award-winning family activities and facilities with 98 hours of live entertainment for kids of all ages on each and every cruise

• A brand-new aft lounge, Le Cabaret Rouge, with original live entertainment every night

Find out more about MSC Seashore here

For more information for media visit www.mscpressarea.com/en_US 

About MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises is the world’s third largest cruise brand as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Gulf region and Southern Africa with more market share in addition to deployed capacity than any other player. It is also the fastest growing global cruise brand with a strong presence in the Caribbean, North America and the Far East markets.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC Cruises one of the two brands that sit within the Cruises Division of MSC Group, the leading privately held Swiss-based shipping and logistics conglomerate with over 300 years of maritime heritage. MSC Cruises — the contemporary brand — has a modern fleet of 19 vessels combined with a sizeable future global investment portfolio of new vessels. The fleet is projected to grow to 23 cruise ships by 2025 with options for six vessel orders in place through 2030.

MSC Cruises offers its guests an enriching, immersive and safe cruise experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where they can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs and the very latest user-friendly technology on board. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ itineraries and experience on board its ships please see here.

The Company’s number one priority has always been the health and safety of its guests and crew, as well as the communities at the destinations its ships serve.  In August 2020, MSC Cruises implemented a new comprehensive and robust health and safety protocol to become the first major line to return to sea. To learn more about MSC Cruises’ health & safety protocol please see here.

MSC Cruises has long been committed to environmental stewardship with a long-term goal to achieve zero emissions for its operations. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry wide. To learn more about the Company’s environmental commitment please see here. 

Finally, to learn more about the MSC Foundation, MSC Group’s own vehicle to lead, focus and advance its conservation, humanitarian and cultural commitments please see here.

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Windstar Cruises’ Flagship Wind Surf Resumes Operations in the Mediterranean

SEATTLE, WA, August 8, 2021 – U.S. headquartered small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has welcomed back 342-guest flagship Wind Surf to the sea. The largest sailing ship in the world departed today from Barcelona on an eight-day voyage to Lisbon, stopping at ports including Palma de Mallorca, Cartagena, Almería, Málaga, Gibraltar, and Cadiz. 

Four of the line’s six yachts are now back in the water cruising. 

Windstar is returning to operations in a phased manner, with its fleet of six yachts debuting on various dates through November, while requiring vaccines of all passengers amongst a host of health and safety precautions including testing, social distancing, masks, and high-tech air filtration. On June 19, Windstar’s Wind Star yacht resumed revenue operations in Greece, and on July 10, Windstar’s Star Breeze began sailing in the Caribbean. On July 15, Wind Spirit resumed operations in Tahiti. All yachts are sailing with vaccinated guests and crew. .

For more details on Windstar Cruises, visit www.windstarcruises.com. 

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UnCruise Adventures Nominated Once Again in Travel Age West’s 16th Annual WAVE Awards

The Public Can Vote Online in Support of the Cruise Line and Travel Age West’s 2021 WAVE Awards Editor’s Pick Nominees  

JUNEAU, AK., August 5th, 2021 – The small boat adventure company, UnCruise Adventures, announced its nomination as the Small Ship Cruise Line Providing Best Travel Advisor Support and Best River Cruise Line for U.S. Sailings in 2021. Being nominated by the leading trade media outlet Travel Age West is held as a high honor and is a welcome return to increasing normality in the industry. Voting will run through the month of August culminating in an in-person WAVE Awards Gala October 7th, 2021. 

“The travel industry is finally emerging from a very challenging time, and we want to help our readers acknowledge the companies that have stood by advisors and supported travel no matter what,” said Kenneth Shapiro, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of Travel Age West. “We are also excited to bring back the in-person awards dinner this fall. The WAVE Awards have become a pillar of the tourism industry in the West, and we can’t wait to see our partners again and celebrate the return of travel with them.” 

UnCruise Adventures returned to normal operations on May 7th, and has completed 51 successful sailings in Alaska, the most any small boat company has provided worldwide in 2021. The adventure brand provides multi-activity multi-generational explorations of rich tapestries in 8 destinations. 

“We are honored to be part of the distinguished awards and our work with travel advisors through the past 25 years, especially their support during the past 15 months.” Dan Blanchard shares about the nomination. “We congratulate all of the outstanding nominees and express our gratitude for being nominated especially after a restart in a challenging environment. We are back and invite guests to experience everything our vessels, crew, and destinations have to offer.” 

The UnCruise Adventures brand continues to upend trends and has experienced a rise in shorter-term bookings and a demand for adventure travel in 2021, resulting in a strong return to summer travel. When talking about the vote of excellence awards Blanchard says, “We look to set the standard in our industry and this recognition highlights our work. UnCruise has shown time and time again how resilient we can be, and throughout this pandemic, that has not changed. We are honored.” 

For additional information on uncruise.com 

Find the Travel Age West Awards Online:
Website: www.travelagewest.com/wave-awards.  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TravelAgeWest 

2021 WAVE Awards  - WAVE Categories & Editor’s Picks 

Expedition Cruise Line Providing the Best Travel Advisor Support
Hurtigruten Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
Silversea Cruises
UnCruise Adventures 

Best River Cruise Line for U.S. Sailings  

American Cruise Lines 
American Queen Steamboat Company 
Lindblad Expeditions – National Geographic  
UnCruise Adventures  

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MARDI GRAS MAKES FIRST-EVER CALL AT NASSAU, BAHAMAS, ON MAIDEN VOYAGE

The First Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Cruise Ship in the Americas Arrived in Nassau Today Flying the Bahamian Flag

NASSAU, BAHAMAS, August 6, 2021 – As part of Carnival Cruise Line’s highly anticipated return to guest operations, the line’s newest and most innovative ship, Mardi Gras, arrived in Nassau, Bahamas, today, marking the ship’s third port of call on its maiden voyage. This is the first time Carnival Cruise Line has called on Nassau in 16 months.

Mardi Gras pulled into port flying the Bahamian flag, a symbol of Carnival’s commitment to The Bahamas.  The seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise departed Port Canaveral July 31. Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the Americas to be powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).  Considered the marine industry’s most advanced fuel technology, LNG is among the cleanest fuels in the world, significantly reducing emissions with cleaner exhaust. The ship also features BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea.

“We are excited to make this inaugural call in Nassau and we are delighted to bring a new level of environmental sustainability to the many ports in The Bahamas and Caribbean,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The restart of our cruising operations in The Bahamas calling on five different Bahamian ports has such wide-reaching economic impact and on behalf of Carnival, I would like to personally thank our partners in Nassau and The Bahamas for their hospitality in welcoming our guests.”

“Carnival has enjoyed a very close relationship with The Bahamas for nearly half a century,” said Domenico Rognoni, Carnival’s senior vice president, ethics and compliance officer who also serves as the Deputy Chair of The Bahamas Shipowner Association. “Our first-ever ship was the original Mardi Gras, and its maiden voyage was to the Bahamas, so we believe that rekindling history in this way and registering the new Mardi Gras with the Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA), is a fitting demonstration of both the value of this relationship for Carnival and our ongoing commitment to the country.”

“We are proud of our close collaboration and relationship with Carnival Cruise Line, and we thank them for making the Bahamas its flag of choice for this innovative vessel,” said Captain Dwain Hutchinson, BMA managing director and CEO. “As the world’s largest flag for passenger ships, we have a deep understanding and extensive knowledge of this sector, and we continue to take a proactive stance and advocacy on passenger ship matters on the international regulatory stage.”

“The tourism and shipping sectors are two of the major financial contributors to the Bahamas’ economic development, and our longstanding relationship with Carnival, the world’s largest cruise line, embodies both of these,” said BMA chair Denise Lewis-Johnson. “We value the continued trust that Carnival has shown to the Registry by flagging its newest ship, Mardi Gras, the first LNG-powered cruise ship to operate in the Americas and Caribbean, with The Bahamas. This choice is testament to the quality and expertise of the BMA team. We look forward to continuing to welcome the ship, its crew and passengers to our shores and sharing our world-renowned Bahamian hospitality and customer service.”

Mardi Gras guests can enjoy a host of entertainment experiences throughout the ship’s 19 decks and six distinct themed zones, including the first shipboard version of the hit TV show Family Feud, and more than two dozen restaurants with venues from Guy Fieri, Emeril Lagasse, Rudi Sodiman and the line’s Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal. Mardi Gras sails year-round from Port Canaveral, offering seven-day itineraries to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

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