Seabourn Pursuit redefines Ultra Luxury Expeditions

• Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury voyages and expedition travel, is featuring unprecedented elegance and spacious public rooms and lounges aboard its second purpose-built expedition vessel Seabourn Pursuit, which is scheduled to enter service on August 12, 2023.
• Seabourn Pursuit will offer Seabourn’s extraordinary levels of luxury on its expedition voyages, as well as the same “yacht like” small ship experience that travellers have come to expect from Seabourn. From guest favourites such as Seabourn Square and The Club to public rooms exclusive to the expedition ships such as the Bow Lounge and Expedition Lounge, Seabourn Pursuit will offer a wealth of elegant and luxurious settings for guests to relax and socialize as they visit some of the most remote corners of the world.
• Following are onboard highlights for travellers as they explore the world on Seabourn Pursuit:
  • The Bow Lounge – Located on Deck 6 at the forward-most part of the vessel, the Bow Lounge provides the closest access to water level via the foredeck, making it the perfect spot for guests to spend time watching for marine life. Within a few steps, guests can be outside, with an ideal vantage point for viewing the ship’s course, spotting wildlife, or taking in natural scenery.
  • The Bow Lounge has several technological enhancements, including touch screens that show the ship’s plotted location, and navigational charts and scientific information used to guide its journey. Large screens project live footage from mounted cameras outside and even a drone (conditions permitting), while touch screen monitors invite guests to explore on their own with a live map, weather information, and notes on upcoming expeditions. Expedition Team members are available for interaction within The Bow Lounge throughout the day, and the space also provides direct access to the Bow Sprit on Deck 6 forward (conditions permitting), giving guests the sensation of standing in front of the ship and views of waves parting and ice sloughing at the waterline. The “Pantry in The Bow Lounge,” one of eight dining experiences on Seabourn Pursuit, allows guests to help themselves to freshly prepared light fare and refreshments as they scan the horizon and socialize.
  • The Constellation Lounge – Located on Deck 9 forward, the Constellation Lounge is the highest indoor viewing point on the ship, with floor-to-ceiling glass walls that deliver stunning 270-degree, outward-facing views while heightening the expeditionary spirit of guests by bringing them closer to natural wonders in transit and at port. Members of the ship’s dedicated Expedition Team can often be found in the lounge, ready to aid in identifying points of interest, wildlife, and geological marvels.
  • The Constellation Lounge is a setting for Seabourn’s elevated Afternoon Tea service, and live piano entertainment accompanied by cocktails and tapas before and after dinner service.
  • The Club and the Sky Bar – An idyllic setting on the stern of Deck 9 for guests to mix and mingle, eat and drink, and enjoy music, The Club features expansive windows, making it an ideal spot to watch scenery and wildlife. The lounge includes “Sushi in The Club,” an extraordinary culinary experience offering a variety of hand-prepared sushi bites freshly made to order every evening. A sushi chef is stationed behind a stone-topped, wood-and-antique-mirrored counter, serving fresh sushi bites and unique sake offerings. Along with sushi and sake, The Club offers custom-crafted cocktails and fine wines at cocktail hour, and live music before and after dinner.
  • Meanwhile, out on the aft deck, The Sky Bar serves drinks over a panelled teak bar, and two whirlpools are available for guests to enjoy soothing dips at each corner of the deck, providing dramatic views of the surrounding environment.
  • Seabourn Square – A guest favorite across the Seabourn fleet, Seabourn Square is the true ‘living room’ of the line’s new expedition ships. It features an inviting sociable space where guests will find a charming European style coffee bar, with an open, comfortable environment for guests to interact with onboard officers and the expedition team and engage in conversation with fellow guests. The space is also home to the highly-trained Guest Services staff, who provide a range of concierge services such as general ship information, assistance with special service requests, port and travel information, and more.
  • A selection of coffees is prepared by the skilled onboard baristas using beans roasted in Seabourn Square. There will also be freshly made pastries and other on-the-go breakfast items in the morning, as well as light sandwiches and desserts later in the day, along with a selection of artisanal gelati made on board. Guests will also find a wide range of books in the adjoining library, with a host of titles on subjects such as adventure, expeditions and other topics of interest. Staying current with the news is made easy with tablets featuring the Press Reader news application available to browse each day.
  • In addition, the lounge extends onto the aft of Deck 6, offering guests a variety of outdoor seating to relax and soak up the views, with fixed Swarovski telescopes enabling discovery from the comfort of the ultra-luxury expedition ship.
  • Expedition Lounge – Located on deck 4, the Expedition Lounge is the ideal gathering place for the curious, where guests are invited to relax or linger with a complimentary cocktail or glass of fine wine from the bar as they share photos and stories from their adventurous ashore. The Expedition Lounge will be central to the Seabourn expedition operation where guests convene before and after expeditions each day.
  • Discovery Centre – Adjacent to the Expedition Lounge on Deck 4, the Discovery Centre acts as the teaching and academic centre for natural history and cultural programming in an environment spacious enough to accommodate all guests at one time. Each day, guests will visit this venue for insightful lectures, briefings, and Seabourn Conversations enrichment programming designed to help educate them throughout their expedition experience. The world-class 24-person expedition team of wilderness experts, scientists, historians and naturalists will deliver rich, insightful lectures and discussions on a broad array of topics related to the region where guests are sailing. Inspired by the compelling landscape of some of the expedition destinations, the Discovery Center incorporates the organic shapes of topography maps against the elegant curves of the plush custom seating.
  • Audio-visual experiences will come to life through high-definition screens 2.5 meters high by 10 meters wide, showing a variety of programming to create a captivating experience that whets the appetite and creates excitement for each destination. Footage from daily submarine voyages will also be shown, providing an enticing look at the undersea world and the marine life that calls it home.
  • In the evenings, the Discovery Center turns into an entertainment venue, featuring live music and performances.
• Beginning August 12, 2023, Seabourn Pursuit will sail five voyages in the Mediterranean before embarking on two voyages across the Atlantic and through the Caribbean. On October 10, 2023, the ship will arrive in Barbados from where it will begin its expedition journeys, taking guests to remote corners of the globe. Seabourn Pursuit will head south for expeditions exploring coastal South America, the Amazon, and Antarctica into late March 2024.
• Following its inaugural Antarctic season, the ship will head to the South Pacific and Australia, which will include the line’s first exploration of the Kimberley region in northern Australia between June and August 2024. The iconic Kimberley, with its red sandstone gorges, rivers, waterfalls, wildlife, and aboriginal stories, is the ideal setting for a truly, world-class expedition experience. In addition to the Kimberley, Seabourn Pursuit will visit Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, and sail to the South Pacific from Chile to Melanesia between March and October 2024.

Princess enhances PLUS & PREMIER fares

• Princess Cruises today announced several valuable new updates to its popular Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, providing guests with even more inclusive options at no additional cost, including casual dining, OceanNow delivery service, room service delivery, and express Green Lane embarkation.
• Indulge in more Casual Dining at no cost
• For voyages embarking August 12 and beyond, guests on Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages will enjoy savory prix fixe dining options in the ship’s casual restaurants, including Vines, Salty Dog Pub, O’Malleys, Ocean Terrace, Planks, Steamers, Alfredo’s, and GiGi’s. The addition of new three-course, pre-fixed menus gives Plus and Premier guests more food options than ever before without any extra charges. For those who prefer sailing on Princess Standard, the casual prix fixe dining will be $14.99 and individual selections will continue with a la carte pricing.
• All guests can continue to enjoy top-quality culinary options at no additional charge. Complimentary dining options for all guests include exquisite multi-course meals in all main dining rooms, buffet-style delights at World Fresh Market and Horizons Court, scrumptious treats at the International Café, poolside offerings at Slice, Coffee & Cones, and more, as well as traditional stateroom breakfast available using the classic door hanger menus.
• Access the Princess Exclusive OceanNow Service
• Princess sets the bar in service with its revolutionary OceanNow on-demand, location-based delivery service. To activate this industry exclusive service, there will be a nominal one-time activation fee of $14.99 per guest, per voyage. However, the access fee is waived for all guests sailing on Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages.  
• Complimentary Room Service Delivery
• Princess staterooms are a sanctuary for guests and views from industry leading large balconies are epic. To maximize the stateroom experience, Princess Plus and Princess Premier participants will have the standard $5 per delivery room service charge waived. That means no extra charges for the ease and luxury of on-demand service anywhere, anyplace or anytime on a Princess ship for Plus and Premier Guests.
• Seamless and Speedy Boarding with OceanReady “Green Lane”
• As part of our commitment to delivering the smoothest and fastest embarkation process in the industry, the Princess App now boasts an enhanced OceanReady process. Guests achieve express “Green Lane Status” by ensuring all travel information and documents are complete and by having the exclusive Princess Medallion delivered to home before embarkation day when they’ll proceed directly to the ship with no lines or hassles. For the ultimate convenience, both Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages include complimentary Medallion at home delivery. For guests on Princess Standard fares, a nominal shipping fee of $10 per stateroom will be added on Medallion/Accessory orders shipped to home.
• Unbeatable Savings in Value-Packed Inclusive Packages
• These expanded enhancements demonstrate the cruise line’s focus on providing unmatched service and value for guests. Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages offer an astounding 70% or more in savings compared to purchasing items a la carte.
• Princess Plus
  • For just $60 per person per day, Princess Plus now includes the following at more than 70% off retail value if components are purchased separately, saving guests up to $668 on a 7-Day cruise:
  • Plus Beverage Package (covering drinks up to $15, specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water, as well as 25 percent off bottles of wine)
  • NEW! Unlimited MedallionNet 2.0 with Fleetwide Starlink and 5G for single device
  • Daily crew appreciation (e.g., gratuities)
  • NEW! Two prix fixe meals at any casual dining location per voyage
  • NEW! Free OceanNow Delivery Service Activation
  • NEW! Complimentary Room Service
  • NEW! “Green Lane” Express Boarding (Free Medallion device delivery included)
  • Two boutique fitness classes per voyage (e.g., Pure Barre, YogaSix, StretchLab)
  • Two premium crafted desserts per day
  • Unlimited premium fresh juices
• Princess Premier
  • For just $80 per person per day, Princess Premier maximize inclusions and enjoy a more than 75% savings on the following inclusions:
  • Premier Beverage Package (covering drinks up to $20, champagne by the glass, specialty coffees, smoothies and bottled water, as well as 25 percent off bottles of wine)
  • NEW! Unlimited MedallionNet 2.0 with Fleetwide Starlink and 5G for up to 4 devices
  • Daily crew appreciation (e.g., gratuities)
  • Two nights of specialty dining
  • NEW! Unlimited prix fixe meals at any casual dining location
  • NEW! Free OceanNow Delivery Service Activation
  • NEW! Complimentary Room Service
  • NEW! “Green Lane” Express Boarding (Free Medallion device delivery included)
  • Reserved seating in the Princess Theater
  • Unlimited boutique fitness classes per voyage (e.g., Pure Barre, YogaSix, StretchLab)
  • Unlimited premium crafted desserts
  • Unlimited premium fresh juices
  • Unlimited Digital Photo package / Princess Prizes
  • Complimentary Medallion accessory

Costa CCLUB cruise returns for second voyage

• Costa Cruises launches “Morocco and Tunisia: a journey of the senses”, the second cruise in 2023 featuring exclusive experiences dedicated to members of C|Club, the Italian cruise company’s loyalty program.
• An unmissable cruise starting from the two-week itinerary, a real journey through colors, flavors and scents of unforgettable destinations, such as Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, France, and Spain. Departure from Italy will be Sept. 23, 2023, from Savona, on board of Costa Favolosa, then leaving for Civitavecchia/Rome, Palermo, Tunis (Tunisia), Cartagena (Spain), Tangier (Morocco), Casablanca (Morocco) with a one-and-a-half day call to allow guests to live fantastic excursions to Marrakech, Cadiz (Spain), Malaga (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), Marseilles (France), and return to Savona on Oct. 7.
• A rich program reserved for C|Club members has been designed for this second cruise-event, including excellent gastronomic experiences, themed parties, unique shows and excursions organized especially for the cruise.
• Tony Hadley will be the super special guest of this event. The former Spandau Ballet leader will perform aboard for C|Club members, offering a dive into the 1980s with the most famous hits of his career, as well as his new singles. There will also be dedicated moments for photos and autographs with fans.
• But that’s not all! The 6-star Michelin chef Hélène Darroze, who together with Bruno Barbieri and Ángel León signs Costa Cruises’ gastronomic excellence, will be on board to propose some never-before-tried Destination Dishes, which will convey through taste the destinations visited. In addition, she will be the protagonist of a spectacular cooking experience together with C|Club members, who under her guidance will be able to try to create typical Moroccan and Tunisian dishes through easy recipes using local ingredients.
• Staying on the topic of taste, during the cruise C|Club members will find another excellent signature: Riccardo Bellaera, Costa’s Corporate Pastry & Bakery Chef, close associate of the Maestro dei Maestri of international pastry, Iginio Massari. Riccardo Bellaera will delight C|Club members with his creations, devised especially to celebrate the itinerary destinations, involving them in entertaining cooking and pastry shows.
• For an immersion in local culture, not to be missed are the Destination Moments, a series of events and lectures on the history and use of the spices that make Morocco and Tunisia so special.
• In addition to the Welcome party, fun play and art activities, with lessons in traditional local painting and decorating, Costa Favolosa’s crew will entertain guests with a Birthday Party dedicated to Costa’s 75th birthday. The program of entertainment includes also themed parties: the “Desert Night,” a sensory journey through the scents, flavors and traditions of Morocco and Tunisia, with amazing experiences such as the tea ceremony and ritual drawings with henna, and the “Mediterranean in festa,” to celebrate the traditions and street food of the Mediterranean.
• Special guests on board will include South African singer Talia Alexis, who will perform an international music show and a tribute to Tina Turner, while also engaging C|Club members in a fun singing challenge.
• Finally, new excursions have also been created especially for this cruise, with local gastronomic experiences, moments of pure relax, and unexpected sights and attractions. For example, it will be possible to relax with steam baths in the “Arabian” part of Cadiz; enjoy the view of Casablanca from the world’s highest minaret; experience an authentic culinary experience in Tunis; and admire the colors of Rabat and Fez.

Pub Choir to Perform on Holland America Line

• International music phenomenon Pub Choir will join Holland America Line’s award-winning live entertainment offerings with lively and participatory performances on Noordam’s January 27 Australia and New Zealand cruise sailing Auckland to Sydney.
• Hailing from Australia, the interactive choir will unite Holland America Line guests for several memorable evenings of fun and song in Noordam’s Rolling Stone Lounge. Pub Choir leader Astrid Jorgensen, a former music teacher turned world-renowned music director, will divide the crowd into three groups to harmonize performances of popular tunes. Prior music experience is not a prerequisite as Pub Choir, described as the world’s funniest, easiest music lesson, transforms a regular audience into an incredible choir during their three performances during the 14-Day Australia and New Zealand voyage.
• In addition to three Pub Choir performances, the cruise will feature Step One Dance Company on World Stage, talented piano players at Billboard Onboard and live rock and popular dance music in Rolling Stone Lounge.
• About Pub Choir – A recent recipient of a Medal of the Order from Australia, Jorgensen founded Pub Choir in Brisbane, Australia in 2017. In 2020, Pub Choir transformed into Couch Choir which helped connect people during pandemic lockdowns. Pub Choir has since returned to in-person performances and has been applauded by musical celebrities Kate Bush, Mariah Carey and Sir Barry Gibb. Pub Choir’s upcoming international tour visits the U.S. and UK through September 2023.
• Join the Sailing – Noordam’s 14-day voyage embarks in Auckland, calling at six ports in New Zealand where guests can visit the idyllic beaches of Tauranga, explore the vibrant communities of Christchurch and Napier, relax in Timaru, and discover historic Dunedin before sailing through Fiordland National Park. The ship then sails to three Australian ports including Hobart, the creative capital of Tasmania, cosmopolitan Melbourne and metropolis Sydney, where guests disembark.

Iconic funnel added to Carnival Jubilee

• Work has begun to install the features that make Carnival Jubilee a true member of the “Fun Ship” fleet, and to kick off this next phase of construction, its winged funnel synonymous with the Carnival Cruise Line brand now adorns the ship.
• On Tuesday, cranes lowered the top of the funnel in place atop Carnival Jubilee, which is docked alongside the outfitting pier at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. The ship’s crowning took place just a few days after it first hit the water in its float out from the shipyard’s covered dry dock and successfully completed a series of tests on its bow thrusters and stabilizers.
• Construction continues now as shipbuilding crews outfit Carnival’s next new ship with groundbreaking features already thrilling guests on board Excel-class sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration – including BOLT: The Ultimate Seacoaster encircling Carnival Jubilee’s new funnel. Inside, the ship will feature popular dining, including the third Emeril’s restaurant at sea – Emeril’s Bistro 717, and all-new fun, unique and immersive ocean-themed experiences in two new zones: Currents and The Shores.
• Carnival Jubilee is set to start cruising from her homeport of Galveston on Dec. 23, 2023, sailing year-round Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, as well as Mahogany Bay (Roatan).

Celebrity Cruises unveils new flavours and culinary experiences onboard upcoming ship, Celebrity Ascent

• Celebrity Cruises, has announced the flavours and culinary experiences guests can expect on the upcoming Celebrity Ascent.
• Celebrity Ascent will feature redesigned restaurants, immersive dinners, and expanded food and drink menus. Highlights include:
  • A new exclusive partnership with WhistlePig Whiskey. Celebrity Ascent will feature two hand-selected barrels made exclusively for Celebrity Cruises, available at Craft Social.
  • A new seven-course plant-based tasting menu at Eden.
  • A second installment of world-renowned chef Daniel Bouloud’s Le Voyage (his restaurant at sea), with an all-new design.
  • Exclusively available on Celebrity Ascent, an all-new four-course dining show at Le Petif Chef, told in the style of a fairytale as the tiny chef comes across a mysterious magical cookbook with whimsical recipes full of surprises.
  • A new outdoor terrace space at Blu.
  • A new dish at crowd-favourite, Fine Cut Steakhouse – the Lemon Poached Lobster Tail.
  • An expanded new menu at The Martini Bar, offering classic martinis, fruit-infused creations, and tantalising dessert martinis.
  • Award-winning venues recognised at the 2023 Wine Spectator Awards, with Le Voyage and Tuscan being recipients of the “Best Of” Award of Excellence, and Fine Cut becoming an Award of Excellence winner.
• Celebrity Ascent will make its grand debut this November, as it sets sail from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades for its inaugural Caribbean season

Holland America Line’s New ’42-Day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage’ in 2024 is Inspired by a Cruise from a Century Ago

• Holland America Line is adding another Legendary Voyage to its diverse roster of lengthier cruises from convenient gateways. The “42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” aboard Volendam departing Nov. 9, 2024, was inspired by a voyage the cruise line operated nearly 100 years ago. Perfectly designed for today’s traveler, the 2024 departure sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, allowing guests to experience 16 different ports across nine countries, all without international air.
• The original voyage that provided the vision for the “42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” departed New York City Feb. 4, 1925, aboard Rotterdam IV and carried just 550 guests across the Atlantic Ocean to explore many of the same ports. The 2024 cruise follows in the footsteps of the 1925 journey, visiting Portugal, Morocco, Italy, Greece, Israel, Egypt, Tunisia, Gibraltar (United Kingdom) and Spain.
• “Holland America Line was one of the first companies to feature cruise vacations that went beyond a transatlantic crossing, and today we’re continuing to innovate our itineraries by offering memorable voyages like this ultimate Mediterranean and Atlantic passage sailing,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer, Holland America Line. “Since introducing this new Legendary category of cruises that offer an in-depth focus on one region, they’ve been very popular. We’re excited to add a longer voyage that makes it easy to explore the Med in depth without a long-haul flight.”
• The “42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” route first visits Horta and Ponta Delgada in the Azores after crossing the Atlantic Ocean. A call at Tangier, Morocco, is followed by overnight visits to both Livorno and Civitavecchia, Italy. From Livorno, guests can explore Florence or Pisa, while Rome is easily accessed from Civitavecchia. Volendam then makes way to Naples, Italy, and Catania, Sicily, before Piraeus (Athens), Greece.
• Guests will then explore the Holy Land at Haifa (Tel Aviv) and Ashdod (Jerusalem), Israel, followed by Port Said and Alexandria (Cairo), in Egypt. The final ports on the voyage include La Goulette (Tunis), Tunisia; Gibraltar; Cadiz (Seville), Spain: and Casablanca, Morocco. The cruise concludes Dec. 21 at Fort Lauderdale.