P&O Cruises UK cancels 7 departures

• P&O Cruises has apologised after cancelling seven upcoming Arcadia sailings due to Covid-enforced staff disruption.
• Due to the “current and extraordinary impact” of Covid-19 on the hospitality and travel sectors had caused “temporary disruption” to crew available to join its ships. “As a result, P&O Cruises will be redeploying crew from Arcadia to other ships in the fleet. This is being done in order to maintain the company’s high standards of service of which we are very proud, across the other five ships in the fleet,”
• The cancellations impact departures between 12 April and 23 June, with itineraries J205, J206, J207, J208, J209, J210, J211 axed.
• Guests booked on affected cruises will receive a full refund of all monies paid, a future cruise credit and onboard spending to use on a new holiday to booked before 31 December 2023.

Three Sydney Harbour Water Cannon Tugs to Provide Stunning Salute When P&O Cruises Australia Flagship Pacific Explorer Arrives Home on Easter Monday

• In one of the most spectacular ship arrivals in Sydney Harbour’s long maritime history, three water cannon tugs will form a guard of honour and escort for P&O Cruises Australia flagship Pacific Explorer as the ship returns to her home port on Monday after an absence of more than two years.
• Port Authority of NSW fire tug, Shirley Smith, will take the lead joining two water cannon tugs operated by Engage Towage — Martinique and Fitzroy — with all three sending up huge plumes of water to salute Pacific Explorer’s arrival.
• Two other Engage tugs, Cook and Diamantina, will also be on duty carrying out operational requirements for the arrival of a cruise ship in Sydney Harbour.

Goop & Celebrity Cruises go beyond in 2022

• Celebrity Cruises and lifestyle brand goop are setting sail this fall on an exclusive wellness retreat at sea on board the highly anticipated new-luxury ship, Celebrity Beyond. 
• With a series of transformative experiences and sessions led by goop’s wellness practitioners and an appearance by goop founder and CEO, Gwyneth Paltrow herself, ‘goop at Sea’ will be held on the Celebrity Beyond 9-night Italian Riviera & France sailing departing from Barcelona on 24 September, 2022.
• Further extending the partnership between the companies that began in early 2020, a selection of goop’s signature products, including the GOOPGLOW and GOOPGENES collections, will now be available on board Celebrity Beyond. Gwyneth Paltrow will continue as Celebrity’s Wellbeing Advisor, a collaboration first announced in April 2021; and, Paltrow and the goop team will also continue to curate innovative wellness offerings for Celebrity’s ships including on-demand wellness classes on stateroom TVs, a custom detox smoothie and fitness tools for guests of AquaClass® staterooms, a fully-immersive next level wellness experience, which is taken further on Beyond with the new Aqua Sky Suites featuring floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private verandas, luxurious bedding and other wellness amenities. Kiki Koroshetz, goop’s VP of Content, will also continue her role in Celebrity’s Women in Wellness program, which brings together the expertise of some of the most highly respected female leaders in the wellness industry to cultivate a unique wellness program at sea.
• The goop at Sea sailing will feature a variety of exclusive programming curated and hosted by goop, including:
  • A live interview hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow with a top wellness expert, where she will also answer audience questions
  • Several interactive goop practitioner-led sessions focused on enhancing the mind, body and soul;
  • Nourishment from the inside out through exclusive pop-up experiences including tastings, product trials, massages and more
  • Goop curated gifts and surprises

Pride of America returns to Hawaii

• Pride of America, the only cruise ship sailing round-trip from Honolulu all year, makes long-awaited return
• Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced the return to service of Pride of America, the only cruise ship to sail Hawai’i year-round. 
• NCL’s Pride of America, which is the fifteenth ship in its fleet to return to service, sails weekly seven-day, roundtrip voyages from Honolulu, providing guests nearly 100 hours of port time and the ability to explore four islands in a week’s span. The itinerary includes overnights in Maui and Kauai, allowing for more immersive experiences on land, and unforgettable sights of the Nāpali Coast. NCL has two remaining ships that will be returning to service, both in early May, which will complete the Company’s Great Cruise Comeback.
• Pride of America set sail on 09 April 2022 and is available to book through December 2025.  Weekly voyages depart Honolulu every Saturday.

Another record for NCL

• Norwegian Cruise Line has announced that its industry-first NFT Collection has sold out in twenty minutes.

Oceania Cruises announces two more Better-Than-New ships

• Oceania Cruises, announced details of its most ambitious OceaniaNEXT experience elevation initiative to date with the stem-to-stern re-inspiration of the 1,210-guest ships Riviera and Marina, two of the most acclaimed ships in modern history. With the advent of Riviera’s and Marina’s re-inspiration, Oceania Cruises will, for the first time, field a fleet entirely composed of brand-new or better-than-new ships in every destination across the globe.
• Debuting in December 2022 and November 2023 respectively, Riviera and Marina will become better-than-new ships in a re-inspiration without peer. Every surface of every suite and stateroom will be entirely new, while in the public spaces, a refreshed colour palette will surround a tasteful renewal of fabrics, furnishings, and lighting fixtures that exquisitely encompasses the inimitable style and comfort of Oceania Cruises. Tuscan marble, engaging works of art, and designer residential furnishings will adorn the re-inspired spaces. The iconic Library will remain just as plush and hushed, while magnificent views will fill Horizons as never before. From the bejeweled chandeliers in the gracious Grand Dining Room to the Lalique crystal-laced Grand Staircase, Riviera and Marina will each celebrate a rejuvenation so sweeping, it will be positively unimaginable to resist their welcoming embrace.
• Suite and Stateroom Highlights:
  • Riviera and Marina will boast a radiant new glow reminiscent of a sun-dappled Newport estate yet with the warmth and joie de vivre of a chic Parisian apartment in which each element has been carefully chosen to create a comforting sense of home.
  • Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms and Veranda Staterooms are the largest standard staterooms afloat at 291 square feet.
  • Suites and staterooms will embrace a complete transformation that flawlessly melds meticulously considered functionality with refined splendor and a refreshing residential panache.
  • Each private retreat will gleam with sumptuous new furnishings, sleek restyled bathrooms, fashionable lighting, and myriad thoughtful details, such as an abundance of outlets and USB ports always within reach.
  • Brand-new bathrooms will be more spacious than ever before and feature generous, oversized showers.
• Riviera will debut on December 7, 2022, on a 16-day Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean cruise from Rome to Miami.
• Marina will debut on November 13, 2023, on a 7-day cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces Multi-Year Partnership with The Australian Ballet

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises, is delighted to announce a multi-year partnership with The Australian Ballet, highlighting the brands’ shared vision to providing discerning guests and patrons with inspiring and memorable experiences.
• Arts and culture have for many years been synonymous with the Regent Seven Seas Cruises experience. Guests on board The World’s Most Luxurious Fleet enjoy fascinating insights on art, history and culture from expert lecturers as part of the onboard enrichment offering, as well as a scintillating entertainment programme of orchestra, world dance, cabaret and theatre productions in the glittering Constellation Theater.
• Presenting upwards of 200 performances annually, The Australian Ballet has been a shining beacon in the nation’s cultural landscape for almost 60 years through a commitment to spirited style, artistic vibrancy and a love of dance.

Viking partners with Cambridge University

• Viking announced it has partnered with the University of Cambridge to establish a new Professorship aimed at advancing research in the field of polar environmental science. The Viking Polar Marine Geoscience Fund will endow the University’s Scott Polar Research Institute with its first-ever fully funded professorship—the Viking Chair of Polar Marine Geoscience. This new post will enhance the scientific leadership at the Institute and will enable the development of new lines of research into the behavior of polar environments, including polar ice sheets, sea ice and ocean circulation. The research fund builds on Viking’s existing partnership with Cambridge University’s Scott Polar Research Institute, which played a significant role in developing the scientific enrichment program for the company’s new expedition vessels that launched earlier this year.
• Viking’s first expedition vessel, the Viking Octantis®, debuted in January 2022 and spent the Austral summer in Antarctica. She is currently sailing toward the Great Lakes region, where she will be based for voyages throughout the Boreal summer. Scientists from the Scott Polar Research Institute—as well as other renowned academic institutions—have been undertaking fieldwork on board Viking Octantis and have joined voyages to share their expertise with guests. A second, identical sister ship, the Viking Polaris®, will join the fleet later in 2022.
• University of Cambridge specialists were also consulted in the development of The Science Lab on Viking’s expedition vessels; the 380-square-foot lab is comprehensively appointed with wet and dry laboratory facilities and supports a broad range of research

Aqua Blu relaunches Bali-Komodo expeditions this April

• Aqua Blu is returning to Indonesia this April, with group and charter voyages commencing first and departures for individual travelers following in June.
• Starting with its Bali-Komodo itinerary, Aqua Blu will take guests to explore one of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems. There’ll be opportunities to snorkel alongside whale sharks and observe pristine coral reefs.
• For those planning ahead, Aqua Blu will sail Ambon and the Spice Islands from September through till November. While observing the remnants of a colonial past, guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich culture and heritage of these remote destinations. Finally, Aqua Blu will chart a course for Raja Ampat in December  — a paradise for divers and snorkelers alike.
• Aqua Blu’s relaunch will be accompanied by our newest addition, Aqua Mare, which will begin sailing the Galapagos Islands this June as well. Our fifth and final vessel, Aqua Mekong, will return to Cambodia and Vietnam in September.

Ponant announces its return to Australia with the Kimberley 2022 season

• Ponant is thrilled to announce the restart of its Kimberley 2022 expedition season, following the highly anticipated statement by Western Australia to welcome small interstate and international expedition ships with a maximum of 350 persons to its waters.
• With operations resuming 28 April 2022, Ponant will offer multiple departures between April and October including two new departure dates for its enormously popular 10-night ‘Australia’s Iconic Kimberley’ between Broome and Darwin, showcasing the wild and grandiose landscapes of the Kimberley onboard small luxury expedition ship Le Soléal.
• Highlights on the itinerary include visiting the Hunter River inhabited estuarine crocodiles; discovering the King George River on a Zodiac® excursion and reaching the majestic Twin Falls, the highest in Western Australia; and a visit to Collier Bay to explore Montgomery reef. Sailing along one of the most spectacular coasts in Australia, the Kimberley’s falls, savannah, and tidal phenomena promise never to disappoint.
• Environmentally friendly, fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and complete with lounges designed to be largely open to the exterior, Ponant’s modern, purpose-built, intimately sized ships offer a unique experience at sea, offering unparalleled comfort and luxury for exploring the region. Le Soléal provides 95% balcony accommodation and offers a selection of world-class dining options, open bar*, a spa and an outdoor swimming pool.

Meredith Vieira, christens the Avalon View

• In Bratislava – surrounded by vineyards and the Little Carpathian mountains – Avalon Waterways christened its 14th Suite Ship in Europe. Acting as the ship’s godmother, Meredith Vieira – 15-time Emmy Award-winning host, executive producer and anchor – led the christening ceremony.
• After reciting her blessing, Vieira cut a rope tethered to the locally produced sparkling wine – Johann Hubert Exclusive – causing the bottle to smash against the newly named ship’s bow. Managing Director of Avalon Waterways Pam Hoffee, Captain Ambrose Manolache and the ship’s crew of 47 – as well as 75 invited guests that included journalists, travel agents, local dignitaries and tourism boards – cheered the ship’s christening.
• The new Avalon View welcomes travellers aboard with a warm mix of light and dark woods, accented by rich taupe, brown and red décor in public spaces and touches of blue throughout the Suite Ship’s Suites and Deluxe Staterooms, inspired by Dutch interior designer Liane van Leeuwen. Original art in common areas is by Dutch artist Eelco Maan and cabin paintings were created by another Dutch artist, Sofie Fisher.
• Creating wider openings for wide-eyed wonder, Avalon Waterways’ Open-Air Balconies were designed with views in mind. A Panorama Suite highlight on all of the Suite Ships of Avalon, the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows open 11-feet wide in Europe and 14-feet wide in Southeast Asia… wider than any other balconies in the industry. They blur the line between outside and in while forming a comfortable and spacious seating area without compromising room space. As a result, Avalon guests can enjoy 100 per cent of their Panorama Suite, 100 per cent of the time.
• Throughout the 2022 cruise season, the new 443-foot, 166-passenger Avalon View will sail the Danube River on several itineraries including Taste of the Danube, Danube Symphony, Active & Discovery on the Danube and Gone Girl! (a storyteller series cruise with celebrity host, Gillian Flynn).
• PLUS
• Australian Travellers can now earn Qantas Points when booking a Globus family of brands (GFOB) holiday, after the company announced a partnership with Qantas Frequent Flyer, to offer new and exciting travel rewards.
• From today, GFOB customers who are also Qantas Frequent Flyers will have the opportunity to earn 1 Qantas Point per dollar on Globus and Cosmos coach tours and 2 Qantas Points per dollar on Avalon Waterways river cruises.*
• To celebrate the launch of the partnership, GFOB and Qantas Frequent Flyer are offering double Qantas Points on all eligible GFOB bookings made by 25 May, 2022.