Princess Cruises Names Chef Rudi Sodamin Head of Culinary Arts

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Most Decorated Chef at Sea to Lead Culinary Arts Innovation at 
World’s Leading International Premium Cruise Line

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (January 24, 2022) — Princess Cruises, the world’s leading international premium cruise line, today announced Chef Rudi Sodamin will become its first head of culinary arts, effective immediately. Sodamin is currently the master chef for Holland America Line, a position he will retain as he takes on his new role as head of culinary arts for Princess.

“Chef Rudi is a hands-on leader with proven ability to motivate teams to achieve new levels of creativity and inspiration,” said Jan Swartz, group president serving Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn and P&O Cruises Australia brands. “Princess is already well-known for its strong culinary culture. We are bringing in Chef Rudi to build the kind of excitement and dining experiences that will impress our guests. He is the perfect person to bring an entirely new level of excellence and innovation to our culinary product, environmental dining experience, and service delivery.” 

Throughout his career, Sodamin has been the driving force behind revolutionizing culinary practices and elevating the perception of fine dining in the cruise industry. An internationally-respected food authority, Sodamin is the most highly-decorated chef working on the world’s oceans and is widely considered one of the most innovative, energetic, and influential chefs in the hospitality industry. Among his most recent accomplishments has been the highly successful launch of Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant onboard three Holland America Line’s ships. Carnival Cruise Line was so impressed by the restaurant concept, leadership commissioned Sodamin to create Rudi’s Seagrill for its new Excel class ship Mardi Gras, which had its inaugural cruise in August 2021. 

Sodamin began his career at the age of 14 with a kitchen apprenticeship in Kurhotel Heilbrunn in Bad Mitterndorf, Austria. By 23, Sodamin was appointed Chef de Cuisine on the luxury line Vistafjord with Norwegian American Cruise Line—he was the youngest chef in the cruise line world to have responsibility on that scale. By 26, he was named corporate executive chef onboard the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2)—again, the youngest chef at sea to attain such a title. Under his stewardship in the 1990s, the food served by the historic Cunard Line was widely acclaimed as the best in the world. After a dozen years at Cunard Line as vice president of food and beverage and corporate executive chef, Sodamin joined Royal Caribbean Cruise Line as director of corporate food and beverage operations and culinary spokesperson. During his tenure, he built an international culinary team from across 50 nations and launched the brand’s first test kitchen. Sodamin has continued his impactful tradition of innovation with Holland America Line, instituting the line’s first Culinary Council (of which he is Chairman) as well as spearheading the Holland America Line Culinary Art Center. Additionally, Sodamin championed professional development of all Holland America Line culinary staff and led the development and launch of a residential Culinary Training Center in Manilla, the Philippines, working with the Culinary Institute of America to develop curriculum.

“I see food as the way to our guests’ hearts, and the individuals on the Princess Cruise culinary team bring great heart to what they do and take tremendous pride in their work,” said Sodamin “My goal is to grow that pride and lead the culinary workforce to new performance heights through innovative approaches to teamwork and creativity, collaboratively creating new signature interactive dining experiences, and motivating this talented team to new levels of culinary artistry.”

John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises, particularly appreciates Sodamin’s extensive track record for engaging with culinary crews to provide the best possible guest experiences. 

“A food experience is about human passion, energy, excitement, and expertise all channeled together to create an emotional, multisensory experience with a true human connection,” said Padgett. “Chef Rudi is one of the few who truly understands this and how to consistently create culinary magic for guests, and we are fortunate to be able to tap his extensive know-how and leadership to further elevate the Princess on-board dining experience and inspire our culinary teammates throughout the fleet.” 

Sodamin’s many accolades include a rating of 17 (out of 20) and Three Toques from the prestigious Gault-Millau Guide (1998)—the first for an onboard restaurant and the only such award presented at sea. Sodamin has also authored 14 cookbooks, the most recent of which is Rudi’s Sel de Mer: For the Love of Seafood (2021).

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

Swan Hellenic rises to strong demand following success of SH Minerva’s maiden cruise

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Swan Hellenic SH Minerva

Cultural expedition cruise pioneer schedules new February cruise and opens limited unused charter capacity to meet surge in demand. Staterooms and suites still available.

Nicosia, Cyprus: Today, Moday the 17th of January 2022, Swan Hellenic announced that the 9-day maiden cruise of its new ship SH Minerva had been a huge success, with guests expressing their delight both in person and in many enthusiastic social media posts during and after their cultural expedition cruise.

Moreover, this fulsome appreciation wasn’t confined to just one or two aspects of the experience, but encompassed everything from the elegant comfort, innovative amenities, creative gourmet cuisine and artistic onboard entertainment, to the insightful expert lectures and thrilling zodiac expeditions. The photos you can see, say it all!

This is, of course, exactly what Swan Hellenic had planned for over many months, building a world-class team while its next-generation ice-class ship was being built. The resurgent expedition cruise pioneers were therefore delighted, but not surprised. What did, however, catch them unawares was the almost instantaneous surge in demand as word spread.

Swan Hellenic has responded promptly, laying on a new 13-day polar cruise of the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland Islands, Beyond the Antarctic Circle, departing Ushuaia on the 20th of February, while also opening to bookings the limited remaining accommodation on its chartered 13-day Antarctic Peninsula Discovery Cruise , departing Ushuaia on the 8th of February. As a result, a choice of staterooms and suites is at present still available.

The company’s new wave of cultural expedition cruise aficionados thus have two opportunities to ride high on Swan Hellenic’s return, seeing what others don't in unique experiences of Antarctica.

“SH Minerva’s maiden cruise exceeded our guests’ high expectations,” explained CEO Andrea Zito. “And we’re determined to keep going above and beyond, including by ensuring they can enjoy a great escape exactly when they want. That’s why we’ve created these extra opportunities for new guests to join our adventure right from the start.”

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

SALES OPEN FOR MSC SEASCAPE’S INAUGURAL SEASON IN THE CARIBBEAN NEXT WINTER

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  • Deployment once again brings MSC Cruises’ newest ship to the U.S. market

  • MSC Seascape to start sailing from Miami in December 2022

  • Sales also open for MSC Divina from PortMiami and MSC Meraviglia from Port Canaveral

Geneva, Switzerland – January 18, 2022 – MSC Cruises has opened sales for MSC Seascape, which is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and will become the line’s second Seaside EVO class ship upon delivery in late November. The ship will sail from Miami starting December 2022. Her inaugural season in the Caribbean will further enrich MSC Cruises’ strong offering for guests in the popular cruise region. MSC Seascape’s deployment in the U.S. is part of the Company’s ongoing commitment to serve the North American market with its newest and best ships.

MSC Seascape will offer two different 7-night itineraries from PortMiami:

  • Eastern Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic

  • Western Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica

Rubén Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: “MSC Seascape will be the latest example of our dedication to North America and the Caribbean, joining a legacy stretching back to 2017 when we brought the first of our Seaside class ships to Miami. MSC Seascape and her sister ships are specifically designed for Caribbean cruising. Our guests love the ships’ unique mix of cutting-edge technology and outdoor space that gets them closer to the sea, and they tell us MSC Seashore was the best yet when she arrived late last year. Our newest ship will offer even more to love on board and along the way. Every itinerary calls at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve to give our guests the chance to soak up the natural beauty of the Bahamas and learn about our efforts to conserve and rebuild the surrounding ecosystem.”

Sales are also open for the other two MSC Cruises ships that will sail out of the U.S. in the Caribbean next winter. MSC Divinawill homeport in PortMiami with a new program of mixed Friday or Monday departures including:

  • 10-night sailings to Jamaica, Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica

  • 3 or 4-night mini-cruises to The Bahamas, calling at Nassau with an overnight at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

  • 7-night cruises visiting Belize, Honduras, Mexico, and Ocean Cay

MSC Meraviglia will homeport in Port Canaveral. The new port, close to Orlando, Florida, is part of MSC Cruises’ plans to expand in this region. From October 2022, MSC Meraviglia will offer:

  • Mini-cruises to The Bahamas that all include Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

  • 7-night sailings that include Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, Belize, and Ocean Cay

All Voyagers Club members booking on MSC Seascape will benefit from their usual 5 percent discount, an additional early booking discount of 5 percent, and enjoy double Voyagers Club points. Members from Silver to Diamond also get a shipboard credit of $50 per person. This promotion is valid through January 20, 2022.

Booking change flexibility free of charge

All guests booking before March 31, 2022 will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing their booking is flexible—with the ability to reschedule their cruise free of charge up to 48 hours prior to departure.*

More details on MSC Seascape:

Designed to connect guests with the sea:

The Seaside EVO ships are an evolution of the innovative and popular Seaside class with new features, new spaces, and exciting experiences for guests. MSC Seascape pays homage to the beauty of the ocean with a host of innovative design features to enable guests to enjoy breathtaking sea views.

As with her sister ship, 65 percent of MSC Seascape’s public spaces have been completely re-imagined compared with earlier Seaside class ships, bringing the guest experience to the next level and offering beautiful venues and locations to connect with the sea:

  • 2,270 staterooms with 12 different types of cabins and suites with balconies, including coveted aft suites

  • 11 dining venues, 19 bars and lounges with plenty of options for dining and drinking al fresco

  • Six swimming pools including a stunning aft infinity pool with incredible ocean views

  • The MSC Yacht Club will be the largest and most luxurious in MSC Cruises’ fleet, offering around 30,000 square feet of space with sweeping ocean views from the foredecks of the ship

  • An expansive waterfront promenade even closer to the water, stretching nearly 1,800 feet

  • A spectacular glass-floored Bridge of Sighs on deck 16 with a unique view of the ocean

Future-proof environmental technology:

MSC Seascape’s environmental technologies will include selective catalytic reduction systems on each of the four Wartsila 14V 46F engines to provide up to a 90 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions by converting the gas into harmless nitrogen and water. The ship’s hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system will remove 98 percent of Sulphur Oxide from its emissions.

The vessel is fitted with best-in-class wastewater treatment systems with purification standards higher than most wastewater treatment facilities on land. It is also equipped with advanced waste management systems, ballast water treatment systems approved by the United States Coast Guard, the latest-technology systems for the prevention of oil discharges from machinery spaces, and various effective energy-efficiency improvements – from heat recovery systems to LED lighting that saves energy.

The ship will feature an underwater radiated noise management system to reduce and isolate the potential effects on marine mammals.

Discover this glamorous new ship here and for more information on dates and itineraries, visit here.

American Queen Voyages™ Culinary Ambassador  Regina Charboneau to Host Eight Sailings in 2022 

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Bisquit Queen

The Celebrated “Biscuit Queen” to Create Unique Culinary Experiences in Ports Visited With Stories, Recipes and Demonstrations

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Jan. 20, 2022 – American Queen Voyages™, part of the Hornblower® Group, announces the cruise line’s Culinary Ambassador, Chef Regina Charboneau, will host eight sailings during the 2022 season. Featuring itineraries stretching across North America including River, Lakes & Ocean and Expedition experiences, Charboneau will put a spotlight on local cuisine through onboard cooking demonstrations and discussions, exploring ports with guests and regional chef friends, in addition to sharing stories and recipes along the way. 

The “Regina Charboneau & Friends" 2022 sailings promise culinary adventures and discoveries beyond the Lower Mississippi River. Charboneau made her professional debut in Alaska and will make her return as she sails the Ocean Victory™ maiden voyage from Vancouver to Sitka. Additional sailings will include the Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes and Ohio River itineraries. 

“Exploring North America through its bountiful cuisine is an enjoyable pastime of mine, and I always love sharing my culinary adventures and discoveries with guests, many of whom become friends,” said Chef Regina Charboneau, the cruise line’s culinary ambassador. “Every city and port has its own iconic dish and I look forward to telling the story of that dish, how it has impacted the community and so much more. Whether we’re dining on local salmon in Alaska or Nashville Hot Chicken along the Cumberland River, guests can expect to leave with new culinary knowledge, full bellies and a smile on their faces.” 

Charboneau is best known as the “Biscuit Queen of Natchez” and for her San Francisco restaurants Regina’s at the Regis and Biscuits & Blues, the latter also with an outpost in her Mississippi hometown. The author of “Mississippi Currents: A Culinary Journey Down America’s Greatest River,” a meticulously researched collection of river recipes from St. Paul to New Orleans, will now bring her career full circle to The Last Frontier aboard the May 6 inaugural Ocean Victory sailing. She will also host sailings on all four paddlewheelers in 2022.  

“As American Queen Voyages embarks on our 10th anniversary, we are excited to celebrate with eight special sailings hosted by Culinary Ambassador Regina Charboneau,” said Kari Tarnowski, senior vice president of marketing and sales, American Queen Voyages. “These sailings reflect the diversity of encounter travel experiences we offer across North America and I am confident they will instantly become among our most popular.”  

REGINA CHARBONEAU & FRIENDS SAILINGS 

Portland (Vancouver) to Spokane (Clarkston) 

March 13-21, 2022

American Empress®

Charboneau will kick off the Pacific Northwest season, sailing the Columbia and Snake rivers while exploring the area’s rich history and diverse climate, teaching guests how they connect back to the region’s cuisine. She will showcase local salmon preparations paired with pinot noirs from the renowned Willamette Valley, demonstrate sweet berry delights, lead samplings of craft beers and more. From Portland to Spokane, guests embark on a cruise to explore this rich region on the first 2022 American Empress sailing. 

Vancouver, B.C. to Sitka 

May 6-17, 2022

Ocean Victory  

The inaugural sailing of American Queen Voyages’ expedition vessel Ocean Victory to The Last Frontier will feature Charboneau onboard, who made her professional culinary debut in Anchorage. She was the first female chef at the Petroleum Club at Anchorage, where she met her husband, and even prepared a signature salmon dish for the late media icon Walter Cronkite. Throughout this adventure, Charboneau will highlight regional Alaska dishes including crab and halibut, while telling tales of her early adventures that took her a long way from her home of Natchez, Mississippi.    

Nashville (Clarksville) to St. Louis (Alton) 

July 4-12, 2022 

American Countess

St. Louis Toasted Ravioli and Nashville Hot Chicken are two dishes synonymous with their home river ports Charboneau will showcase on this unique voyage. Sailing on three of the heartland’s mightiest rivers, the Mississippi,  Cumberland, and Ohio, the American Countess will celebrate the Fourth of July in Nashville, Tn. 

Memphis to St. Louis (Alton) 

July 17-24, 2022

American Queen® 

Charboneau’s rib and barbeque secrets will be revealed onboard this American Queen is sailing highlighting the culinary kaleidoscope of the mid-Mississippi River, visiting ports including UNESCO Creative City Paducah, Ky. and the quaint port Cape Girardeau, Mo.  

St. Louis (Alton) to Louisville 

July 24-August 1, 2022

American Queen 

Aboard the flagship American Queen, Charboneau connects St. Louis Toasted Ravioli to the Louisville Hot Brown with bourbon tastings and distillery visits along the way. This itinerary features the Mississippi River and  Ohio River highlighting the breadbasket of Kentucky and dishes that have made it one-of-a-kind.     

Louisville to St. Louis (Alton) 

Sept. 12-19 

American Countess™ 

On American Queen Voyages’ newest riverboat American Countess,  Charboneau will share stories of Louisville's Mint Julep and the history behind the Hot Brown as the paddlewheeler makes its way towards St. Louis with stops at UNESCO Creative City Paducah, Ky. the quaint port Cape Girardeau, Mo and more. 

Detroit to Montreal 

Oct. 2-12, 2022  

Ocean Navigator

From Detroit to Montreal, the diversity of the North American palette is on display as Charboneau hones her craft with a focus on the French-Canadian cuisine of Montreal and, of course, Detroit style pizza. With an exclusive tour through the Thousand Islands, this route offers both metropolitan flair and natural wonder within one epic journey.

Louisville to Memphis 

Nov. 5-13, 2022

American Duchess 

Charboneau puts the spotlight on the Hot Brown while she reveals her secrets to cooking the best ribs onboard the American Duchess. This sailing highlights the diverse culinary flavors of the mid-Mississippi River while visiting ports such as UNESCO Creative City Paducah and the quaint Cape Girardeau. 

In celebration of 2022 and all River, Lakes & Ocean and Expedition vessels welcoming guests onboard, American Queen Voyages announces the Winter Savings Event with up to $2,700 bonus savings on bookings made by February 28, 2022 on select voyages. To book or for more information on American Queen Voyages, contact your travel professional or call 833-598-0119 or visit www.AQVoyages.com.

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

Windstar Cruises Announces Guest Chefs for Series of Three James Beard Foundation Culinary Themed Cruises in 2022

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All-Female Lineup is a Powerhouse of Skills as Acclaimed Chefs, Cookbook Authors, Reality TV Personalities, Business Owners, Philanthropists and Changemakers 

Left to right are Booker, Li, and Holland)

SEATTLE, WA, January 20, 2022 – U.S. headquartered small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has announced the full lineup of James Beard Foundation-affiliated guest chefs for its series of three themed culinary cruises in 2022. The all-female trio includes Atlanta’s Chef Jennifer Hill Booker, San Francisco’s Chef Tanya Holland, and Boston’s Chef Irene Li. 

Windstar is the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. The Foundation firmly aligns with Windstar’s commitment to fresh and local epicurean experiences around the world. 

The three themed cruises, detailed at the links below, include two on-board cooking demonstrations as well as four dishes from the JBF Chef available at a hosted dinner with wine pairings. Should ports and health restrictions allow, chefs will also lead a market tour, gathering fresh and local ingredients for dishes served on board. The three chefs will provide multiple recipes to be featured on Windstar’s menus across all cruises, adding to a growing menu of James Beard Foundation-affiliated chefs’ special menu items served across the fleet. 

“As the Official Cruise Line of the James Beard Foundation, our guests are able to meet culinary superstars and sample dishes created by some of the world’s best chefs,” says Windstar Vice President of Hotel Operations and Product Development Stijn Creupelandt. "Having a long-term partnership with such a prestigious and respected culinary organization (the James Beard Foundation) lets our customers know that we are devoted to a unique travel-culinary program, one which hand-picks acclaimed culinary experts to share their knowledge of cuisines of the world with travelers and showcases exclusive recipes on sailings across Windstar’s fleet of six elegant yachts." 

In the Wake of the Spanish Armadas February 6, 2022 (Aruba to Panama) - Chef Jennifer Hill Booker 

Chef Jennifer Hill Booker has combined her Southern culinary heritage, a belief in healthy/seasonal foods, and her classic French training to create a unique style of cuisine she calls Modern Southern Healthy Cuisine with a French Accent. Her cooking style is a reinvention of Southern cuisine that incorporates the traditional use of seasonal ingredients with French culinary techniques she learned from her training at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Paris. She wears many culinary hats as chef; cookbook author of Field Peas to Foie Gras: Southern Recipes with a French Accent and Dinner Déjà Vu: Southern Tonight, French Tomorrow; reality TV personality; culinary educator; and business owner. She is the Culinary Explorer for the Georgia Department of Tourism and Travel and is the founder of Southern Divas of the New South TM Dinner Series. Booker is an Impact Fellow with the James Beard Foundation and currently sits on the foundation’s Food Waste Advisory Council. 

The eight-day sailing aboard Windstar’s flagship Wind Surf includes two stops in Colombia, a day in Panama’s unspoiled Bocas del Toro, and time in Costa Rica’s Puerto Limon. The cruise ends in Colón, Panama – offering the perfect chance to tour through the Panama Canal before departing home. 

Local culinary delights not to be missed in port: Keshi Yena, arepas, bananas, and cashews. 

West Coast Epicurean Extravaganza May 10, 2022 (San Diego to Vancouver) - Chef Tanya Holland

Known for her inventive take on modern soul food, as well as comfort classics, Chef Tanya Holland is the executive chef/owner of the beloved Brown Sugar Kitchen restaurants located in the Oakland, California area. Author of The Brown Sugar Kitchen Cookbook and New Soul Cooking, she competed on the 15th season of Top Chef on Bravo and was the host and soul food expert on Food Network’s Melting Pot. An in-demand public speaker and lecturer, Holland frequently leads the conversation on inclusion and equity in the hospitality industry. As a chef, Holland travels extensively in pursuit of more experience and knowledge. Having been appointed as a Culinary Diplomat by the United States' Foreign Service Department for tours in Kazakhstan and Mexico, Holland also has taught classes in France for gastronomic travelers. Holland is a frequent contributor to the James Beard Foundation as a writer and chef. 

The 10-day sailing aboard newly reimagined Star Breeze is a sampler platter of delicious West Coast ports of call and cuisine. Small-ship only ports like Portland (accessed via the Columbia River) alternate with stops in the grand dames of Seattle, San Francisco, and San Diego. Charming Santa Barbara and Victoria round out the ports of call on this unique journey, ending in Vancouver. 

Local culinary delights not to be missed in port: sourdough bread, salmon, and apples. 

Southeast Canadian Explorations October 12, 2022 (Montreal to Boston) - Chef Irene Li 

Chef Irene Li opened Mei Mei, a family-run Chinese restaurant in Boston, in 2013 to great acclaim, and has spent the years since driving the industry forward in ethical sourcing and fair and transparent employment practices. She has founded and served a variety of organizations aimed at helping those in need during the pandemic, as well as advocated for restaurants by creating tools and resources to support businesses of all sizes to thrive sustainably and equitably. Li and her team have evolved Mei Mei into a packaged dumpling company using farm-focused ingredients primarily from New England. A Boston native and Cornell graduate, she is an Eater Young Gun, Zagat 30 Under 30, and Forbes 30 Under 30 winner. Li is a six-time James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef nominee.

The 11-day voyage aboard newly reimaged Star Pride goes from Montreal to Boston, kicking off with an overnight in Québec City. Stops include Gaspé, Cap aux Meules, Louisbourg, Halifax, and Lunenburg in Canada before Maine’s Bar Harbor and Portland. 

Local culinary delights not to be missed in port: Kamouraska lamb, lobster, and Halifax donair. 

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

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE ADDING MORE EMBARKATION ENHANCEMENTS AS IT COMMITS TO CURRENT PROTOCOLS FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE

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              MIAMI, Jan. 21, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line said today that it will be the largest cruise line to use the VeriFLY solution for its operations from U.S. homeports, with a pilot program that will start this Saturday for guests boarding Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral, in addition to finalizing plans to expand in-terminal testing capabilities for vaccinated guests prior to embarkation, specifically for short itineraries of 3- and 4-day voyages.  Carnival also said it will continue to operate under its current protocols, sailing vaccinated voyages, requiring pre-embarkation testing and following onboard indoor mask requirements until further notice.

              VeriFLY by Daon is now widely used in the airline industry, and it will allow Carnival guests to upload their proof of vaccination and testing information so that it can be verified in advance of the sailing – resulting in a streamlined embarkation experience at the terminal.  Once the pilot at Port Canaveral is complete, Carnival intends to move quickly to implement the solution across its fleet.

Carnival is also working to expand testing capabilities at the terminal for vaccinated guests, specifically for short itineraries (3- and 4-day voyages).  Once implemented, vaccinated guests will be able to meet the pre-cruise testing requirement as part of the embarkation process. Pre-registration will be required, and there will be capacity limits based on the resources of testing providers.  Testing sites to support short itinerary cruises will be phased in and announced by the end of January. 

Carnival also said it intends to follow its Have Fun. Be Safe. operating protocols until further notice.  Guests and travel agents will be receiving more details on operations for February and beyond over the coming days.

On Jan. 13, Carnival restarted operations from another homeport, with Carnival Sunshine returning to its year-round schedule from Charleston, SC.  To date, Carnival has 19 of its 22 U.S.-based ships in guest operation, sailing from eight homeports on the Atlantic, Gulf and West coasts.

Windstar Cruises’ Wave Season Offer is a Choice of Free Easy Stays Hotel Package or Onboard Credit 

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SEATTLE, WA, January 14, 2022 – U.S. headquartered Windstar Cruises has released its deal for the annual phenomenon known as Wave Season, when companies roll out their best offers for the first few months of the year. It is arguably the best time for booking a cruise vacation and typically is when the majority of travelers plan their vacation for the year ahead. 

Windstar’s 2022 Wave Season offer is valid through February 28, 2022, and the “Pick Your Perk” savings options include:

  • Up to $1,000 onboard credit per stateroom or

  • Up to two free Easy Stay hotel nights with included transfer between hotel and yacht + full breakfast + Wi-Fi + resort fees & taxes

Guests may pick one complimentary perk, which vary in exact amount depending on the length of the cruise and room category. In addition, Yacht Club Members (Windstar’s returning guests) can earn double the referral credit of $200 when referring a friend. Travel Advisors booking new-to-Windstar guests will receive a $100 per booking bonus commission or a $100 Visa gift card. 

Windstar’s Beyond Ordinary Care health and safety program requires everyone aboard to be vaccinated.  Upon arrival at the yacht, each guest is given a complimentary COVID-19 antigen test. Windstar’s fleet is outfitted with antigen and PCR testing systems and can deliver tests to meet current policies for all U.S. bound travelers to show a negative COVID-19 test result taken within a day of departure to U.S.

“We have been tracking consumer sentiment from the start of this pandemic, and one consistent theme is that people want to travel as soon as they feel safe,” said Windstar President Christopher Prelog. “Windstar guests are very comfortable in booking their favorite destination on our small ships. We see a tremendous pent-up demand for travel, particularly amongst those who are used to traveling internationally every year. Our cruises in the end of 2022 and into 2023 are booking extremely well, so my advice for travelers interested in smaller ships like Windstar’s, is to not wait to book. Space likely will be difficult to find.” 

Windstar Cruises specializes in small ship cruising to waterways and ports where the mega ships can’t sail. Its three all-suite, Star Plus Class yachts and three classic Wind Class sailing yachts host between 148 and 342 guests in an unpretentious atmosphere while delivering a luxury experience. The line is known for its caring crew and fine dining and is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation.

These yachts have fewer people on them than a New York City subway car in rush hour, or less passengers than can fit into a lifeboat on a 200,000-ton cruise ship that holds up to 7,000 people. These are yachts where you can dine outside, rarely tie up to a major cruise port with dozens of other ships and tens of thousands of people on the piers, and where you can quite literally swim, kayak, or paddle board off the back of the yachts thanks to a Watersports Platform on the stern. While there are no Broadway shows, rock walls, or zero gravity flight simulators, there are nights under the stars with the deck lights turned off for star gazing; plenty of quiet space to be at peace with yourself, family, or friends; and evenings and overnight port calls where yours is likely to be the only ship in port.

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

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

VIKING MARKS FLOAT OUT OF NEWEST OCEAN SHIP

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 Set to Debut in Late 2022, the Viking Neptune Will Sail Newest World Cruise Itinerary

Los Angeles (January 13, 2022) – Viking® (www.viking.com) today announced its newest ocean ship – the 930-guest Viking Neptune® – was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to debut in November 2022, the Viking Neptune will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean before embarking on the company’s 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise, a journey from Fort Lauderdale to London that spans 138 days, 28 countries and 57 ports, with overnight stays in 11 cities.

“It is always a special day when a new ship meets water for the first time, and we look forward to welcoming guests on board the Viking Neptune this fall. Together with Fincantieri we have built the world’s most elegant vessels, which truly allow our guests to explore the world in comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We are marking several milestones in 2022, including our 25th anniversary and the 10th year since starting our ocean project. With the arrival of the Viking Neptune and her identical sister ship, the Viking Mars, this year—along with the debut of our two new expedition ships and new river ships—we are proud to firmly establish Viking as the leading small ship travel company.” 

The traditional float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of Viking Neptune began at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time when a member of the Viking team cut a cord that signaled water to begin flowing into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set Viking Neptune afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

Viking Neptune

                Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests.Viking Neptune will join the award-winning fleet of identical sister ships, which includes Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, Viking Sky®, Viking Orion®, Viking Jupiter® and Viking Venus®. Viking Mars® will be delivered in May 2022; Viking Saturn® will be delivered in early 2023.

Viking Health & Safety Program

Guests who sail with Viking experience the company’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 in 2020, led Washington State’s medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Viking requires all guests and crew to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Furthermore, Viking is the first and only cruise line with full-scale PCR laboratories installed on board its ocean and expedition ships. Utilizing the PCR laboratories on board Viking ocean and expedition ships—and a strong network of dedicated shoreside labs for Viking river ships in Europe—all guests and crew receive up to daily quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests. The easy access to robust PCR testing also simplifies guests’ travel experience with a final COVID-19 test taken onboard that satisfies the requirement for pre-flight testing beforearrival into the U.S. 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 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.

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE RESUMES GUEST OPERATIONS FROM CHARLESTON WITH CARNIVAL SUNSHINE

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CHARLESTON, Jan. 13, 2022 – Continuing its successful restart, Carnival Cruise Line resumed guest operations today from Charleston, S.C., with Carnival Sunshine. 

To commemorate the special day, the Carnival Sunshine team greeted their first guests on board with a special welcome conveying their excitement in resuming operations from Charleston.  The ship departed today on a four-day cruise to Nassau, Bahamas.

“We have been sailing from Charleston for 12 years, so we are excited to be back offering guests from all over the southeastern U.S. the opportunity to cruise from this beautiful, historic and charming community, all while providing support to the local economy,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. 

Carnival Sunshine is sailing year-round from Charleston, offering a variety of cruises to The Bahamas and the Caribbean.

With 19 ships already in guest operations and its remaining three U.S.-based ships scheduled to resume in March, Carnival continues to implement a rigorous set of public health protocols focused on the health, safety and well-being of its guests, crew and the communities it visits.  All Carnival voyages are vaccinated cruises, all guests must show proof of a negative COVID test taken within 48 hours of boarding, masks are worn by all guests and crew in virtually all venues of the ship, as well as other enhanced health and safety measures that can be found on its Have Fun. Be Safe. page on Carnival.com.

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.