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Princess extends Book With Confidence
Patti Pietschmann
In the wake of outbreaks of COVID19 on several cruise ships combined with cancellations of dozens of voyages, Princess Cruises is extending its Book with Confidence program along with a renewal of its health and safety protocols.
These are rocky seas for cruise lovers. Norwegian Cruise Line aborted a 10-day Caribbean cruise on the Norwegian Gem midway through the cruise, leaving passengers stuck at sea without ports. The line cited COVID concerns but didn't clarify to the press or passengers what these were. The ship was due to dock in New York, where the sailing originated, on Jan. 19. But so far no word on its fate.
Why Wave Season is the best time to book travel
Agent Studio
With January the first month of Wave Season in the travel industry, passengers are expected to begin taking advantage of special sales and greater opportunities to save money on this year's travel experiences.
"Wave Season" is typically the first quarter of the year and is aptly named for the new wave of clients that travel advisors get during this time period.
Jordan Bradshaw, Vice President of Northcutt Travel Agency, said, "January seems like a fresh new beginning in all facets of life and that goes for travel as well. Air begins to open up for those family holiday vacations and planning in advance allows you to budget accordingly. The earlier you plan, the more availability there will be."
Besides availability, new access to flights and greater opportunities to budget for travel throughout the year, Wave Season also offers some of the greatest deals of the year.
Margaritaville takes its first ship to sea
If you've been to a Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville, you know the (welcome) routine: Celebrate with a big beach party featuring lots of tequila and other adult beverages. And come April you'll be able to experience the fun on a floating island-like cruise aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.
It's the brand's first cruise ship — and it floats out on April 30, 2022 from the port of Palm Beach, Florida. Like its landside counterparts, it will offer decadent delights from which to escape the woes of the world.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise features 10 passenger decks and 658 cabins. It will make two-day, three-night trips to Grand Bahama, where passengers can extend their stay for four to six nights.
Viking takes delivery of first expedition ship
Viking today announced it has taken delivery of Viking Octantis, the company's first of two new purpose-built expedition cruise ships. The delivery ceremony took place this morning at Fincantieri's VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway.
Viking Octantis hosts 378 guests and sets sail tomorrow toward South America to welcome guests in January 2022 for Viking's first voyages to Antarctica. Viking Octantis will be officially named in April 2022 in New York City by her ceremonial godmother, Liv Arnesen, the famed explorer and educator. The ship then makes her way to the Great Lakes, for a series of voyages during spring and summer. A second, identical sister ship, Viking Polaris, joins the fleet in August 2022 for journeys to the Arctic and Antarctica.
MSC Seashore makes Caribbean debut
Review by Janeen Christoff / Agent Studio
MSC Seashore is the first ship in MSC's Seaside EVO Class, which stems from the cruise line's original Seaside Class. Seaside-class ships were the first purpose-built by MSC for the American market. Seashore is the first of two enriched Seaside EVO-class ships and is outfitted with advanced environmental technology to increase energy efficiency.
While the MSC Seashore was designed for the U.S. traveler, it has a distinctly European flair. For example, dinners are long and the staff is understated rather than overly outgoing.
For travelers sailing on MSC Seashore will find an elegant vibe and an outstanding variety of dining and entertainment venues that offer an immersive experience without being overdone. Some spots could be called kitschy, but instead of feeling cheap, they feel fun.
Nothing kicks off the start of a vacation like stepping onboard to a "wow" moment, and that is just what happens when guests set foot onboard and see the four-deck atrium with changing screens, sparkling chrome mirrors and adorned on either side with Swarovski crystal staircases. It's also the perfect spot for a concert with stages for musicians on three levels.
Crystal launches first zero single supplement
Crystal Cruises is offering additional holiday cheer to solo travelers with its new Zero Single Supplement promotion, which is available for the first time on its ocean vessels applicable with 15 Crystal Symphony voyages to the Caribbean and Mediterranean in 2022.
Solo travelers typically need to pay a single supplement on most cruise ships. With the exclusive promotion, all-inclusive fares start at just $2,299 per person with savings up to $4,000 per person for an ocean view stateroom. The Zero Single Supplement allows solo guests to enjoy all of Crystal Symphony's luxury six-star amenities at double occupancy rates without the supplemental fee typically charged to solo travelers.
SeaDream celebrates the season with savings
SeaDream Yacht Club is offering $1,000 savings per stateroom booked for its Sail-Away Event, with 14 itineraries in 2022 eligible for the sale.
The yacht cruises offer personalized service, all oceanview staterooms and suites and offer beautiful ports of call.
There are currently eight 2022 voyages on sale for the Caribbean, from January, March and December. The Bridgetown, Barbados round-trip itinerary sails from Jan. 3-9, 2022, visiting Man-O-War Bay in Trinidad and Tobago; St. George's, Grenada; Mayreau, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and three other ports.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on hotels
This year, resorts around the world continue to offer stellar deals during the Black Friday, Cyber Monday sale season. Many offers give guests the chance to receive over 50 percent off rooms or extra perks such as resort credits, free spa treatments and more.
Below are this year's top international hotel and resort deals:
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino
For stays November 26, 2021, to January 31, 2022, save up to 30 percent on four nights; save up to 35 percent on five nights or more. For reservations from February 1-October 31, 2022, save up to 25 percent on four nights or more.
Book between November 26 and November 30, 2021, for travel November 26, 2021 - October 31, 2022. Use promo code L9Z.
Holland America Line reopens to children with sale
Holland America Line is promoting family cruises now that children over the age of 5 can be vaccinated with a new sale offering free cruises to third and fourth guests between the ages of 5 and 17.
The offer is valid for select sailings through May 31, 2022, including select holiday sailings and Canada and Alaska itineraries.
Families can also save big while cruising Holland's newest ship, the Rotterdam. With 11 dining options, family staterooms for larger families and Club HAL, kids and families can enjoy all the fun of cruising, both together and apart on the line's newest ship.
Paul Gauguin Cruises announces new itineraries for 2023
Paul Gauguin Cruises has announced its new 2023 schedule featuring Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji, and South Pacific itineraries.
The m/s Paul Gauguin will be showcasing its most popular itineraries in 2023, including the seven-night Tahiti & the Society Islands, 10-night Society Islands & Tuamotus, 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands and 14-night Marquesas, Tuamotus & Society Islands.
Courtesy of Tourism FijiAnother day in paradise: Fiji's lagoons shimmer in hues of aquamarine, cerulean and turquoise.
Paul Gauguin Cruises will return to Fiji in 2023, offering 13-night Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands itineraries. Ports of call on the voyages include Papeete, Tahiti; Moorea, Society Islands; Bora Bora, Society Islands; Aitutaki, Cook Islands; Vava'u, Tonga; Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji; Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji; Beqa Island, Fiji; and Lautoka, Fiji.
To entice travelers back to the open seas, Paul Gauguin Cruises is offering savings of up to 30% off standard cruise fares on all 2023 voyages.
The Gauguin underwent an extensive renovation in February 2021, with Studio Jean Philippe Nuel redesigning the ship's staterooms and suites, Le Grand Salon, restaurants, piano bar, La Palette Lounge, spa and salon, fitness center, boutique, pool deck and reception area.
The vessel also added a reading nook to Deck 5, a digital museum featuring over 150 of Paul Gauguin's pieces on Deck 6 and updated sound and lighting systems throughout the ship.
Crystal Endeavor named Best New Expedition Ship
Crystal Endeavor, the groundbreaking luxury expedition yacht that debuted in July, has been named Best New Expedition Ship in The Points Guy's (TPG) Editors' Choice Awards.
The annual awards are presented based on the expert opinions of TPG editors who comprise some of the most seasoned and experienced writers and editors in the travel and hospitality industry.
The luxury expedition yacht's highly anticipated Antarctica season launches next week on Nov. 18 with the first of eight voyages round-trip from Ushuaia, Argentina, ranging from 11 to 19 nights. The sailings explore incredible wildlife within this remote icy wonderland, including the Antarctic Peninsula, the Weddell Sea, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and lands beyond the Antarctic Circle. Complimentary round-trip air fare between Ushuaia and Miami, along with luxury hotel stays in both cities, is also available.
Holland America Line launches Kids Cruise Free promo
Holland America Line has announced the kickoff of its Kids Cruise Free promotion, just in time for families to plan their end-of-year holiday getaways. The offer entitles kids ages 5 to 7 who are sailing as the third and fourth guests in the same stateroom to cruise for free.
If your family would prefer the warm waters of Mexico or the Caribbean to a chilly winter break spent a home, you'll need to book by Nov. 18 to take advantage of this special offer. The promotion is good on select holiday sailings and other cruises scheduled through May 31, 2022, excluding Alaska cruise tours and Grand World Voyages. It's also limited to two children sailing for free per eligible booking.