THE TALE OF TALES 2022: SILVERSEA ANNOUNCES LINE-UP OF 9 ESTEEMED TALE TELLERS FOR WORLD CRUISE 2022 

(Monaco – November 10, 2021) Silversea Cruises reveals its line-up of esteemed Tale Tellers for its Tale of Tales World Cruise 2022. The leading ultra-luxury cruise line names nine celebrated creatives who will each set sail on one segment of next year’s 138-day World Cruise, enriching the experience for the cruise line’s guests as they explore 69 destinations in 32 countries aboard Silver Whisper. Guests will visit six continents as they travel from 65°S to 65°N, departing Fort Lauderdale on January 5, 2022, and arriving in Copenhagen on May 22. As well as hosting insightful presentations on a variety of topics while on board, each Tale Teller will contribute a chapter to the Tale of Tales anthology, which will be gifted to guests as a keepsake upon the journey’s conclusion.

“Following the success of our Tale of Tales World Cruise in 2019, we are delighted to welcome nine celebrated storytellers back on board for our World Cruise in 2022,” says Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer, Silversea Cruises. “Our curious guests collect interactions with people, not monuments, as they travel the world, and they are enriched as a result. They will enjoy unique insights and fascinating observations from some of the world’s pre-eminent creatives during this unforgettable voyage. The Tale of Tales anthology will commemorate their experiences, providing a sentimental keepsake that will last a lifetime.”

The nine Tale Tellers joining Silversea’s Tale of Tales World Cruise 2022 include:

PAUL THEROUX – Fort Lauderdale to Guayaquil

Paul Theroux was born in Medford, Massachusetts. After university, he lived and worked for extended periods in Africa, Singapore and Great Britain, before returning to the United States in 1989. He is the author of many highly acclaimed works, including The Great Railway Bazaar (1975), Mother Land (2017) and Under the Wave at Waimea (2021). In 2015, Theroux was awarded the Founders Medal from the Royal Geographical Society for ‘the encouragement of geographical discovery through travel writing.’ This award, approved by the Queen, is the highest award attainable for a traveler, and Theroux joins the ranks of recipients who include Sir Edmund Hillary and Dr. Thor Heyerdahl. His other awards include the Whitbread Prize and the James Tait Black Award. His travel book, The Old Patagonian Express: By Train through the Americas, and his novel The Mosquito Coast were nominated for the American Book Award. His novelsSaint JackThe Mosquito Coast, and Half Moon Street have all been made into films. Paul Theroux divides his time between Hawaii and Cape Cod.

JOSEPH E. STIGLITZ – Guayaquil to Ushuaia

Joseph E. Stiglitz is an American economist and a professor at Columbia University. He is the co-chair of the High-Level Expert Group on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress at the OECD, and the Chief Economist of the Roosevelt Institute. A recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (2001) and the John Bates Clark Medal (1979), he is a former senior vice president and chief economist of the World Bank and a former member and chairman of the (U.S. President's) Council of Economic Advisers. In 2011, Time magazine named Stiglitz as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He is the author of numerous books, including several bestsellers. His most recent titles are People, Power, and ProfitsRewriting the Rules of the European EconomyGlobalization and Its Discontents RevisitedThe Euro, and Rewriting the Rules of the American Economy.

NICHOLAS CRANE – Ushuaia to Cape Town

Nicholas Crane is an author, geographer, cartographic expert and recipient of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society’s Mungo Park Medal in recognition of outstanding contributions to geographical knowledge, and of the Royal Geographical Society’s Ness Award for popularizing geography and the understanding of Britain. Between 2015 and 2018, Nick was the elected President of the Royal Geographical Society. Nick has presented many acclaimed TV series on BBC2, among them Map ManGreat British JourneysTownBritannia and Coast. He has been the lead presenter on more than 80 BBC films.

PICO IYER – Cape Town to Mahé

Pico Iyer is a global essayist and novelist whose travels have taken him all the way from Antarctica to North Korea. Author of 15 books, Pico has also, for 35 years, been a regular essayist for magazines such as Time, Harper's, The New York Review of Books and The New York Times, as well as 250 others. Born in England to Indian parents, partly raised in California and educated at Eton, Oxford, and Harvard, Pico began commuting to school alone over the North Pole several times a year at the age of nine. A four-time speaker for TED, Pico’s thoughts on both movement and stillness have been featured by everyone from Oprah to Larry King. Pico is based in Western Japan, where he lives with his wife when not travelling or spending time at a Benedictine hermitage in California.

MONICA HANNA – Mahé to Aqaba (Petra)

Dr. Monica Hanna is an international figure in the world of Archaeology. After studying at the American University in Cairo from 2004, she joined the University of Pisa, Italy, to complete her doctorate in Archaeology, subsequently becoming a post-doctoral fellow in the Topoi Excellence Cluster at the Humboldt University in Berlin. Hanna is now an associate professor and the acting dean of the College of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage at Egypt’s Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. Since 2011, Hanna has worked to raise awareness for the plight of Egypt’s archaeological sites. She has won many awards, including the SAFE beacon award, and UNESCO named her the ‘Monuments Woman’ in 2014. In 2021, she was named among the 50 most influential women in Egypt.

EAMONN GEARON – Aqaba (Petra) to Athens

Eamonn Gearon is an author, analyst, and public historian who has spent more than 20 years living and working across the Middle East and North Africa. Eamonn spent many happy times exploring the Sahara as a young man, alone but for his trio of camels. He has never lost money on the resale of a camel. After honeymooning in Kabul, Afghanistan, Eamonn and his American wife moved to Washington D.C. to teach at Johns Hopkins-SAIS. While there, he was approached by the U.S. Department of State to design and deliver training for American diplomats. Eamonn is now training British diplomats at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where he also pioneered online Area Studies training. Eamonn is passionate about education in its broadest possible sense, which includes helping those of us already out in the world to better understand it and each other.

STEVE MCCURRY – Athens to Bordeaux

A long-term collaborator of Silversea, Steve McCurry has been one of the most iconic voices in contemporary photography for more than 40 years, with scores of magazine and book covers, over a dozen books, and countless exhibitions around the world. Born in Philadelphia, McCurry studied film at the Pennsylvania State University. It was in India that McCurry learned to watch and wait on life. His work spans conflicts, vanishing cultures, ancient traditions and contemporary culture alike - yet always retains the human element that made his celebrated image of the Afghan Girl such a powerful image. McCurry has covered many areas of international and civil conflict, focusing on the human consequences of war. McCurry has been recognized with some of the most prestigious awards in the industry, including the Robert Capa Gold Medal.

ASMA KHAN – Bordeaux to Reykjavik

Asma Khan is the chef and owner of the restaurant Darjeeling Express. She moved to Cambridge from Calcutta in 1991. Now residing in London, she comes from a royal background – Rajput on her father’s side and Bengali on her mother’s. After studying law, Asma went on to do a PhD in British Constitutional Law at King's College London, but cooking was always her passion. Khan opened Darjeeling Express in June 2017. A year later, Pavilion published her debut cookbook Asma’s Indian Kitchen, which was awarded at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Asma was the first British chef to feature on Netflix's Emmy-nominated ‘Chef's Table’, and her episode received a 2020 James Beard Award nomination. In addition, Business Insider named her number 1 on their list of ‘100 Coolest People in Food and Drink’. She also became the first chef to feature on Vogue's list of 25 most influential women of the year for 2020.

CHRISTINA FRANCO – Reykjavik to Copenhagen

Christina Franco grew up with a secret passion for the North Pole but was born into a world of very strict rules and expectations. Ever since hearing the first stories of explorers who slipped into frozen sleeping bags at night, exhausted after a long day of hauling sleds, she aspired to become one of those explorers. It was many years before the opportunity to live these dreams arose. Working as a guide in Italy and Africa, as well as embarking upon many expeditions across mountains and deserts, gave Christina the confidence to finally step onto the ice in 2005, when she won the Polar Race alongside teammate Justin Packshaw. There was no going back and Christina is now one of only five women who have attempted a solo crossing of the pack ice to the North Pole. Sadly, due to the melting ice, she was also the last woman to attempt this in 2010.  

Find out more information about Silversea’s diverse range of world cruises:

https://www.silversea.com/destinations/world-cruise.html

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

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

Read more articles from Silversea’s Tale Tellers:

https://discover.silversea.com/tag/tale-of-tales/

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.


Our review of Silversea Silver Moon

ATLAS OCEAN VOYAGES OFFERS COMPLIMENTARY BUSINESS-CLASS AIR WITH ALL SUITE BOOKINGS FOR 2021 BLACK FRIDAY SALE

Travelers Also Enjoy 20 Percent Savings on all Staterooms Aboard a Once-in-a-lifetime, 2022 Luxe-adventure Voyage

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA., November 8, 2021 – Plan for a most memorable 2022 with an Atlas Ocean Voyages’ luxe-adventure journey to some of the world’s most captivating and remote destinations. This Black Friday, travelers can enjoy more value and more savings when they book an all-inclusive, luxury Atlas voyage aboard World Navigator and World Traveller. From November 26 through 30, 2021, travelers will receive complimentary round-trip, intercontinental business-class air travel for all new deposited suite bookings or 20 percent savings for all new deposited stateroom bookings made aboard Atlas voyages departing from March 1 through September 30, 2022, based on availability. Travelers can choose among 29 voyages in Antarctica and the Arctic, South America, the Mediterranean, British Isles and Northern Europe, and Iceland and Greenland aboard newly launched World Navigator and World Traveller, launching in July 2022. Travelers must mention code BLKFRI21 at time of booking. For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Black Friday offer, please call Atlas Ocean Voyages at 1.844.44.ATLAS (28527).

“Our generous Black Friday Offer delivers the best value, savings and selection for an all-inclusive, 2022 luxury adventure with Atlas,” said Carlos Garzon, Senior Vice President of Business Development for Atlas Ocean Voyages. “World Navigator and World Traveller call at smaller ports than other cruise ships and can ply narrow channels and shallow waters to bring guests to authentic, off-the-beaten-path locales, as well as dock in city centers for the most convenient access. Because of this, Atlas Ocean Voyages is ideal for seasoned travelers seeking a distinctive, luxurious and safe experience.”

For Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Black Friday Sale, travelers can choose among 20 World Navigator voyages, ranging from six to 16 nights, and nine inaugural season voyages aboard World Traveller, ranging from seven to 11 nights. All guests enjoy Atlas’ industry-leading All Inclusive All The Way, which offers the most inclusions, such as complimentary round-trip air travel from 16 major U.S. and Canada gateways, choice of a complimentary shore excursion at every port, unlimited premium wine and spirits, international beers and coffees, prepaid gratuities, polar parkas, regionally inspired gourmet cuisine, Atlas Assurance protection program, and L’OCCITANE bath amenities. In every stateroom, guests enjoy robes, slippers and binoculars to use throughout the voyage, personalized coffee, teas and bar service, and butler service in suites.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand designed for discerning, fun-seeking travelers to immerse in unique and awe-inspiring moments in remote and captivating destinations. World Navigator, Atlas’ first ship, has begun service and World Traveller will launch in July 2022, with three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurerand World Discoverer, to join the fleet by the end of 2023. At 9,930 GRTs, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ships are Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified.

The luxe-adventure cruise brand welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something brand new’ in its ongoing marketing campaign “At Last… Atlas”(www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/itstime.) For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages, please visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com. Travel Advisors can call 1.844.44.ATLAS (1.844.442.8527) to book their clients on an unforgettable luxe-adventure expedition.


My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

SAUDI ARABIAN AIRLINES (SAUDIA) PARTNERS WITH MSC CRUISES TO FLY NEARLY 20,000 INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS TO SAUDI ARABIA FOR RED SEA WINTER VACATIONS

• Relationship contributes to and supports Saudi Arabia’s vision to welcome international visitors to the Kingdom

• Convenient international flight times link with the line’s MSC Bellissima weekly sailings from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

• Cruise passengers will be able to visit and experience many of the Kingdom’s cultural and heritage landmarks

• Partnership welcomed by Cruise Saudi as a vital step toward a flourishing Saudi cruise industry

Pictured: Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General, Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation (SAUDIA) shakes hands with Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises, during the signing agreement held today at Saudi Airlines’ headquarters in Jeddah.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - November 9, 2021 - MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based global cruise brand, and SAUDIA, the national flag carrier of Saudi Arabia, today confirmed the details of an agreement for 36,800 seats from Europe and North America to support MSC Cruises’ brand-new winter sailing program in Saudi Arabia and the Red Sea. This will bring nearly 20,000 new vacationers this winter to Saudi Arabia, in line with the Kingdom’s vision to welcome international visitors.

MSC Cruises’ guests can book a seamless vacation experience with a ‘Fly & Cruise’ package from a wide range of major international airports to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where the cruise line’s guests will join the modern and innovativeMSC Bellissima for 7-night sailings from November 2021 through March 2022.

MSC Cruises began sailing in July from Jeddah following the signing with Cruise Saudi of a five-year preferential berthing deal at the city’s port. Following the success of the line’s initial summer season, the winter program started in November.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO, said, “We are proud to partner with SAUDIA, the Kingdom’s national flag carrier, and work towards the same common objectives in support of the further development of tourism in Saudi Arabia by bringing many thousands of international guests to discover this remarkable country, with more to come in future sailing seasons. Through this extensive flight program, we are able to make our new cruise offering even more accessible to vacationers from Europe and North America and deliver best-in-class experiences. Additionally, data demonstrates that a large percentage of tourists who visit a country for the first time while on a cruise often return for a longer land stay with their families to further explore that country’s culture and other attractions.”

Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, added, “SAUDIA’s global route network is complementary to the flourishing Saudi cruise industry. The airline looks forward to this collaboration with MSC Cruises to showcase the breadth of leisure offerings available in Saudi Arabia.”

Fawaz Farooqui, Managing Director of Cruise Saudi, said, “We are delighted to see SAUDIA and MSC Cruises partnering to serve 20,000 ‘Fly & Cruise’ guests to Saudi Arabia for the winter season. This close cooperation between our national carrier and the world’s third largest cruise line is exactly the kind of partnership which will help Saudi Arabia to become a world-class cruise destination, which is what Cruise Saudi is working to create in line with Vision 2030.”

The agreement was ratified in person today at the Saudi Airlines headquarters in Jeddah by Gianni Onorato, CEO, MSC Cruises and Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General, Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation along with Fawaz Farooqui Managing Director, Cruise Saudi.

MSC Cruises’ main source markets for its European guests to sail from Saudi Arabia during the winter season are Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

The 7-night cruises depart the port of Jeddah at 11 pm every Saturday night and SAUDIA has adjusted its flight schedule for Friday night flights from Milan, Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris and Madrid with Saturday morning arrivals in the Saudi Arabian city to provide opportunities to enjoy the city or transfer from the airport to the seaport.

The airline has also adjusted its flight schedule to make it easier for guests from the USA, the UK, Switzerland and Austria to join the ship with ease.

A similar range of conveniently timed return flights are available for Saturday morning journeys home to offer guests the maximum comfort and peace of mind to enjoy their vacation to the fullest.

MSC Bellissima’s 7-night Saudi Arabia and Red Sea cruises for winter 2021/22 start from her homeport of Jeddah. The ship departs for King Abdullah Economic City, then on to Yanbu for an overnight stay to allow guests to visit AlUla, a day at sea before arriving at Aqaba in Jordan for trips to Petra and then a further day at sea before returning to Jeddah.

MSC Bellissima is one of the most innovative ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet and is fitted with a wide range of cutting-edge environmental features and innovative technology to reduce her environmental footprint. She also spearheaded the ultra-modern Meraviglia-Plus class of ships in the MSC Cruises fleet when she launched in 2019. The 1,034.45-foot-long vessel has 2,244 cabins and a maximum capacity for 5,714 passengers and 1,536 crew.


First Look: Princess Showcases New Enchanted PrincessSM MedallionClass® Cruise Ship

Naming Ceremony Celebration to become Global Broadcast Special Event Scheduled to premiere December 13, 2021

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (Nov. 9, 2021) – Princess Cruises offers a first look at the cruise line’s newest MedallionClass ship – Enchanted Princess, the newest ship to join the global fleet. Find video b-roll here and photos here,showcasing beautifully designed interiors, elegantly appointed accommodations, world-class entertainment, gourmetdining and craft cocktails, extensive alfresco dining areas, and expansive views from the cruise line’s largest balconies, a feature of the new Sky Suites.

A special naming ceremony celebration will be broadcast on Monday, December 13, on Princess.com, Princess Cruises’Facebook page and YouTube channels with more details to follow.

The 145,000-ton, 3,660-guest ship represents an evolution of the design platform consistent across her sister ships – Royal Princess (2013), Regal Princess (2014), Majestic Princess (2017) and Sky Princess (2019) – offering an elevation of spectacular style and elegance that is distinguished by Princess. The ship’s inaugural cruise season begins Nov. 10, with 15 10-day Caribbean itineraries, sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, before heading to Europe. 

“Introducing our newest ship – Enchanted Princess – is a significant milestone for Princess and we look forward to the first guests experiencing all this gorgeous ship has to offer,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “EnchantedPrincess is our seventh ship to enter service since the global pause, signifying our successful path forward, with many loyal and new guests ready to sail with us and our teammates ready to deliver meaningful and memorable vacations at an incredible value.” 

Enchanted Princess delivers the ultimate in effortless, personalized cruising featuring the world-class dining and entertainment Princess is renowned for, all elevated with the Princess MedallionClass Experience. As with all ships in the Princess fleet, it begins with the Medallion™, a quarter-sized, wearable device that enables everything from expedited contactless boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship. In addition, guests can share their favorite cruise moments using MedallionNet, the best WiFi at sea, as well as stay connected with friends and family back home, work remotely anywhere on the ship, quickly post content and stream favorite movies and shows. 

Notable features and entertainment offerings found onboard Enchanted Princess include:

  • Sky Suites – First introduced on Sky Princess (2019), the new luxury Sky Suites offer inclusive amenities, attentive service and a dedicated Suite Experience Manager, luxurious accommodations for up to five guests and a 1,000 square-foot balcony featuring 270-degree views from the cruise line’s largest balcony at sea.

  • 25 Bars & Restaurants – With the most al fresco dining options of any Princess ship, Enchanted Princess features Bistro Sur La Mer by Three Michelin Star Chef Emmanuel Renaut, Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria with its own Pasta Room, Crown Grill Steakhouse and Bar, Crooners, Chef’s Table Lumiere, Gigi’s Pizzeria, The Salty Dog Gastropub, Gelato, three beautifully appointed Main Dining Rooms and more.

  • Aquatic Relaxation - In addition to multiple hot tubs, Enchanted boasts two deep-tank pools, adjacent to the top-deck bar. At the ship’s aft end, the infinity-style Wakeview pool and bar offer spectacular views of the horizon, while the Retreat Pool offers a quiet oasis.

  • Fan Favorite Original Production Shows First debuted onboard Sky Princess to rave reviews, Enchanted Princess showcases Rock Opera, featuring incredible costumes inspired by glamorous avant garde fashion with a musical soundtrack spanning classic rock, opera and musical theater. In addition, 5-SKIES with its technologically enhanced production features a virtual gaming world, spectacular digital effects and acrobatics, intricate sets and contemporary music for one of the cruise line’s most visually advanced shows ever.

  • Take Five First debuted on Sky Princess, Take Five showcases vintage footage, iconic imagery and intimate conversations that transport you to the heart of the jazz era. Guests can enjoy nightly live jazz while sipping cocktail favorites from Master Mixologist Rob Floyd and specialty gin cocktails crafted exclusively for Take Five.

Enchanted Princess also offers signature Princess venues and amenities including the Piazza, Lotus Spa, The Sanctuary, Movies Under the Stars, Princess Live! Café, Good Spirits at Sea Bar, Vegas-Style Casino, The Shops of Princess, Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Center and Discovery at SEA™ programs. 

For the latest Princess COVID-19 health protocols, please visit  https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/covid-19-guest-protocols/.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com/.


My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

CARNIVAL ANNOUNCES SENIOR OFFICERS FOR CARNIVAL RADIANCE 

Ship Set to Debut in Long Beach, Calif. on Dec. 13 Following Extensive Transformation

MIAMI, Nov. 9, 2021 – As it prepares to debut Carnival Radiance, Carnival Cruise Line announced the senior leadership team who will be at the helm of the transformed ship scheduled to debut this December. These experienced mariners and passionate leaders will oversee a team of more than 1,000 team members and include:

·         Captain Stefano Bonica: Captain Bonica joined Carnival as a third officer in 2000. He was named captain in 2017 and has served on virtually every ship in the fleet during his two decades with the company. He attended the Istituto Tecnico Nautico Caio Duilio in Messina, Italy, to learn his craft.

·         Chief Engineer Mauro Fabbrini: A 27-year veteran of Carnival, Fabbrini joined the company as a second engineer in 1994 and was named chief engineer in 2003. He previously served as a chief engineer for Carnival Sunrise in 2019. Fabbrini graduated from the San Giorgio Maritime Academy in Genoa, Italy. Prior to joining Carnival, he started his nautical career with an Italian-based shipping company.  

·         Hotel Director Caroline Bourke: The Cork, Ireland, native and 17-year Carnival veteran was part of the inaugural team that introduced Carnival Radiance’s sister ship, Carnival Sunrise, in 2019. Bourke joined the company in 2004 and was named guest services manager in 2009 before being named hotel director in 2016. Her hospitality career began at the Hayfield Manor Hotel after earning her degree from the Cork Institute of Technology.

The third in the line’s Sunshine-class, Carnival Radiance will make her Southern California debut on Monday, Dec. 13, kicking off a year-round schedule of cruises to Baja Mexico from the Long Beach Cruise Terminal. On this route, three-day cruises depart Fridays and visit Ensenada, Mexico, while four-day cruises sail on Mondays calling at Ensenada and Catalina Island.

Carnival Radiance features all of the line’s popular Fun Ship 2.0 dining, beverage and entertainment spaces as well as Big Chicken, a casual poolside restaurant created by Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal that debuted on Mardi Gras earlier this year. From new dining choices such as the Cucina del Capitano to expanded entertainment venues like the multi-purpose Liquid Lounge and one of the largest and most luxurious Cloud 9 Spas at sea, Carnival Radiance will offer an abundance of ways for guests to Choose Fun from the West Coast.

      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.


Experience the Journey of a Lifetime: Princess Cruises Announces 2024 World Cruise to 51 Must-See Destinations 

MedallionClass Ship Island Princess Sails the World on 111-day Voyage

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (November 8, 2021) – Dreaming of exploring the far corners of the globe and only unpacking once? Look no further than the 2024 World Cruise, carefully crafted by the destination experts at Princess Cruises, forthe ultimate journey of a lifetime.

On sale Nov. 11, Island Princess – the cruise line’s largest ship to sail a World Cruise voyage – is scheduled to sail roundtrip from North America on a 111-day cruise from both Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles in January 2024. Guests will experience 51 destinations across 27 countries and six continents, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America and North America. 

“Embarking on a Princess World Cruise to experience the globe’s marquis ports and hidden gems, where all the planning is done by the Princess destination experts, easily turns adventurous world travel dreams into a reality,” said Deanna Austin, Princess Cruises chief commercial officer. “And with MedallionClass, cruising is effortless, personalized and easy to stay connected from afar to loved ones back home or even to the office.”

The 111-day roundtrip voyage from Ft. Lauderdale departs on January 4, 2024, and from Los Angeles on January 18, 2024. A 97-day World Cruise from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale is also offered, setting sail on January 18, 2024.

Noteworthy 2024 World Cruise details include:

  • Island Princess will sail more than 33,000 nautical miles in 111 days.

  • 12 Maiden World Cruise port calls to Galilee/Nazareth (Haifa), Bali (Benoa), Crete (Heraklion), Mykonos, Naples (for Capri & Pompeii), Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Genoa (Milan), Villefranche, Lisbon, Agadir, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Bermuda.

  • Visits to 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, The Acropolis in Athens, The Port Fortress of Cartagena and the ancient Greek city of Ephesus in Turkey.

  • The World Cruise will cross the Equator twice.

  • The cruise will offer an overnight visit in the modern city Dubai and 11 “More Ashore” late-night calls including Abu Dhabi, Auckland and Sydney so guests can make the most of their time exploring new cultures in port.

  • Countries visited include New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, Israel, Greece, Italy, Spain, Morocco, Canary Islands, Costa Rica and more.

Rates for the 2024 World Cruise start at $21,079/person. Guests booking the 97- or 111-day World Cruise by January 31, 2022 receive early booking perks, including:

  • Drinks with Tips – guests enjoy the Premier Beverage Package with everything from cocktails, beer and wine to specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water.

  • Unlimited Wi-Fi – cruisers can video chat and text with family back home, stream favorite shows and check e-mail.

  • Crew Appreciation – full daily gratuities are paid to crew on behalf of cruise guests.

  • First-Class or Economy Roundtrip Airfare – guests booked in suites, Club Class or mini-suites fly first class to and from LAX or FLL, while guests booking a balcony stateroom receive free economy airfare. Only valid on flights departing the United States or Canada.

  • Money to Spend On Board – for shopping, shore excursions, spa treatments and more, a $500 per guest (for the first two guests) is applied.

  • Specialty Dining – each guest can dine at award-winning specialty restaurants up to four times during the voyage without worrying about the cover charge.

Island Princess, sailing her second World Cruise, features more than 700 balconies, a Princess Luxury Bed in each stateroom, specialty and casual dining options and more. World Cruise guests delight in the Encounters with Discovery speaker series that includes authors, artists, explorers and more, as well as culinary demonstrations, cooking classes, special-themed menus, foreign movies and regional folkloric shows to bring the destinations to life.

Princess MedallionClass vacations deliver the ultimate in effortless, personalized cruising. It begins with the Medallion™, a quarter-sized, wearable device that enables everything from touch-free boarding to locating loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced service like having whatever guests need, delivered directly to them, wherever they are on the ship.

In addition, guests can share their favorite cruise moments using MedallionNet, the best WiFi at sea, and also stay connected with friends and family back home, work remotely anywhere on the ship, quickly post content and stream favorite movies and shows. 

More information about the World Cruise is available at www.princess.com/world.

For the latest Princess COVID-19 health protocols, please visit  https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/covid-19-guest-protocols/.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com/.


My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

Chef Jon Ashton Joins Crystal Serenity’s Award-Winning Culinary Team as a Guest Chef on December 5, 2021 Sailing

 Miami, November 2, 2021 – Chef Jon Ashton, who garnered a following with Crystal guests for his engaging Crystal@Home cooking demonstrations during Crystal’s pause during the pandemic, is joining Crystal Serenity’saward-winning culinary team as a guest chef for the ship’s December 5, 2021 voyage.

The 7-night “Caribbean Idylls” voyage sails from San Juan to Miami December 5-12 with extended visits and overnight stays to some of the Caribbean’s most picturesque locales. The voyage begins with an overnight stay in Philipsburg, St. Maarten then calls at Gustavia, St. Barts, followed by an overnight stay in Road Town, Tortola (BVI) and a day-long visit to St. John/Cruz Bay in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

During the week-long voyage, Chef Jon and Crystal Serenity’s master chefs will host a variety of events for guests culminated by a Crystal@Sea cooking demonstration with Crystal Serenity’s Executive Pastry Chef Johannes Ferreira to be broadcast on Crystal Cruises’ Facebook page on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3 p.m. EST.             

About Crystal 

Only the world-renowned Crystal Experience offers an unwavering, unparalleled standard of excellence and luxury across three distinct cruising options: Crystal Cruises, the World’s Most Awarded Luxury Cruise Line; Crystal River Cruises, the World’s Most Luxurious River Cruise Line; 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 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 visitwww.crystalcruises.com. Join the hundreds of thousands who subscribe to the Crystal Insider blog, 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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