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    Copenhagen is Europe’s Leading Cruise Port in 2024

    At a ceremony in Berlin on March 6th, 2024, the port in Copenhagen was announced as Europe’s Leading Cruise Port 2024 by the World Travel Awards.World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Copenhagen won the award as Europe’s Leading Cruise Port in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012 and now in 2024.
    The award was accepted in Berlin by Luis de Carvalho, Commercial Cruise Director of Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP):
    ”I would like to express my huge gratitude to all the voters including passengers, cruise lines, tourism and travel industry professionals, and a special thank you to our partners at CruiseCopenhagen, CMP colleagues and to all the local companies and stakeholders that work day in and out to provide our cruise guests with wonderful and memorable experiences. This award is for Copenhagen!”
    The Danish capital, with its manageable size, accommodates a variety of lifestyles. Rich in culture, Copenhagen seamlessly merges history with modernism, showcasing striking architecture and boasting a world-class gastronomy scene, all underscored by a strong commitment to sustainability.
    “This is just what we need when we travel around the world to promote Denmark as a cruise destination. Especially at a time when we are working hard to get more – especially the American cruise lines – to come back to Copenhagen and the Baltic Sea region. This award helps to convey that there is so much else and more to experience, especially in our capital Copenhagen,” says Klaus Bondam, Director of Cruise, CruiseCopenhagen.ADVERTISEMENTStrategically positioned as a gateway to the Baltic Sea as well as the Nordics/North Atlantic, Copenhagen features excellent infrastructure and experiences to support cruise operations. The destination is equipped with a well-connected international airport, flexible turnaround facilities at the three acclaimed Ocean Quay cruise terminals, and centrally located facilities at Langelinie Pier and Nordre Toldbod.
    In 2023, Copenhagen warmly welcomed over 750,000 guests and nearly 300 cruise ships. Similar numbers are anticipated for 2024, with cruise bookings all 12 months of the year and more than 50 cruise calls between October 2024 and April 2025, which is rare for the Northern Europe region. In 2024 Copenhagen will have 10 inaugural cruise ship calls including Queen Anne, Mein Schiff 7, Ocean Albatross, Azamara Onward, Villa Vey Odyssey amongst others.
    All together CMP’s terminals in Copenhagen cater for all types of cruise vessels and segments from luxury, niche, expedition, premium all the way to the largest cruise vessels in the world.
    Committed to responsible cruise tourism, Copenhagen Malmö Port aims to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2025, coinciding with the anticipated availability of shore power for cruise ships in Copenhagen.Source: https://www.mynewsdesk.com/

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    Adventures by Disney Announces New Holland and Belgium River Cruise

    Adventures by Disney continues its commitment to family travel with two new itineraries to Holland and Belgium. Beginning in 2025, families can embark on an enchanting river cruise and become immersed in Dutch culture, history and old-world charm, or join an exclusive spring departure to experience the legendary tulip season. Guests on each Holland and Belgium River Cruise itinerary will be inspired by the activities and experiences, such as marveling at the iconic Kinderdijk 18th century windmills, enjoying canal cruises through time-honored neighborhoods, visiting the museum of Plantin and Moretus publishing which dates back to the 1500s, admiring Dutch masters art and architecture, touring Royal Delft and taking part in a pottery activity, going to castles, riding bikes through the countryside, tasting regional food and drinks, and more — included and designed to take guests into the heart of the area’s storied history and modern-day influence.
    Additional information and details are available by clicking here.
    The Discovering Holland and Belgium Tour
    On the traditional Holland and Belgium tour, guests will visit Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp, Kinderdijk, Gouda and Bruges. Highlighted activities include celebrating the magic and music at the Utrecht Museum Speelklok, strolling through Castle de Haar, learning about Brussels’ influence on comic books, chocolate and more.
    For adult travelers, Adventures by Disney will offer this itinerary for one adult-exclusive departure.ADVERTISEMENTEmbark on the Tulip Tour
    The spring tulip sailing will highlight Holland and Belgium’s world-renowned floral beauty and industry. The tulip sailing will be offered once in April, to capture the splendor of the blooming season. Historically, tulips served as inspiration for Dutch master artists, and during tulip-mania in the 1600s, the bulb was used as an economic exchange.
    On this itinerary, guests will visit Amsterdam, Hoorn, Middelburg, Ghent, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk and Schoonhoven. Highlighted activities include walking among Keukenhof’s brilliant display of 7 million spring-flowering bulbs, visiting Hoorn and its tulip farms, exploring the Floralia Flower Show, painting an ornamental clog keepsake, and more.
    Each eight-day, seven-night voyage, in collaboration with AmaWaterways, will be led by Disney-trained Adventure Guides who take care of every detail and bring the destinations to life through masterful storytelling. Families will enjoy the convenience of unpacking once as the river cruise ship serves as the hotel for the entire trip. Meals and activities are provided and the selection — or on-your-own time — provides guests a customized adventure. Young travelers, or Junior Adventurers, can even choose to spend an evening together on an Adventure Guide-led activity.
    Booking Information and Details
    For nearly 20 years, guests traveling with Adventures by Disney have explored some of the most sought-after places in the world, and the travel brand’s global portfolio has expanded to now offering more than 40 guided-group adventures by land, river cruise and expedition cruise. Disney-trained Adventure Guides accompany every trip and bring real-world magic to life. Their masterful storytelling, in-depth knowledge of the places visited plus their attention to every detail ensures guests enjoy a hassle-free vacation and foster lasting connections with every destination. The authenticity and immersion in the places and cultures visited, plus insider access and activities, are at the heart of every Adventures by Disney vacation.
    To learn more about Adventures by Disney or to book a vacation, guests can visit AdventuresbyDisney.com, call 1-833-223-0103 or contact a travel agent.

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    VIKING EXPEDITION TEAM PUBLISHES FIRST SCIENTIFIC PAPER FROM INAUGURAL ANTARCTIC SEASON

    Viking® has announced its Viking Expedition Team has published the company’s first scientific paper, following observations of the rarely encountered scyphozoan Stygiomedusa gigantea, commonly known as the giant phantom jellyfish. The encounters took place during submersible dives in the coastal waters of the Antarctic Peninsula in early 2022. Despite reaching up to 30 feet (10 meters) in length, only 126 encounters with the giant phantom jellyfish have ever been recorded since the species was first described in 1910. During Viking’s inaugural season in Antarctica in 2022, direct observations of the giant phantom jellyfish were made three times from submersibles deployed from Viking’s expedition vessel, the Viking Octantis®, and documented through stills and video photography.
    Authored by two of Viking’s Chief Scientists with contributions from the submersible teams, the scientific paper describes for the first time how personal submersibles, such as those on the Viking Octantis and her identical sister ship, the Viking Polaris®, can be vessels of opportunity for biological research in polar regions and allow the science community to access under-explored waters. With citizen science activities being popular among expedition guests, the paper also notes the potential to gather guest-derived data from submersible dives. Lead author, Dr. Daniel Moore, noted “It is extraordinary that we know so little about such large marine creatures as the giant phantom jellyfish, however now we have the means to make regular observations at greater depths than previously possible, which provides an exciting opportunity for discovery.” 
    Published in Polar Research, the scientific journal of the Norwegian Polar Institute, the article can be read here: http://dx.doi.org/10.33265/polar.v42.8873.
    “In creating ‘the thinking person’s expedition,’ it was our intention that every voyage should provide opportunities for scientific discovery,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “At the core of Viking Expeditions is the goal to do meaningful scientific work. After just one full season in service, we are pleased that our expedition vessels and scientists have already contributed to research that might not have been possible otherwise, and we look forward to providing critical research opportunities on future voyages.”
    Viking Expedition Team & Scientific PartnersADVERTISEMENTViking has created the world’s leading scientific enrichment environment in an expedition setting with the help of partnerships with esteemed academic institutions. During each expedition, visiting researchers from partner institutions are part of the 36-person Viking Expedition Team. This diverse group of experts lead guests through meaningful scientific work, provide guiding and interpretation during shore excursions and deliver world-class lectures.
    “The Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris are re-imagining what a research ‘ship of opportunity’ can be,” said Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith, Head of Science and Sustainability at Viking. “During each voyage, our guests participate in real, significant science. Our scientific approach centers on having the platform to explore with the personnel to interpret what is found, and we believe this is the first of many scientific papers that will result from research conducted on board Viking expedition vessels.”
    In April 2022, Viking announced a strengthening of its lead partnership with the University of Cambridge, establishing a new Professorship aimed at advancing research in the field of polar environmental science. The Viking Polar Marine Geoscience Fund endows the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI) with its first-ever fully funded professorship—the Viking Chair of Polar Marine Geoscience. This new post enhances the scientific leadership at the Institute and enables 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 SPRI, which played a significant role in developing the scientific enrichment program for Viking Expeditions. Specialists from the Institute 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. Julian Dowdeswell, Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Cambridge, and former director of SPRI, serves as the Chair of the Viking Research Advisory Group, a consortium of scientific leaders from Viking’s partner institutions who have been actively involved in overseeing the field research being undertaken on board.
    In addition to the University of Cambridge’s SPRI, Viking’s other scientific partners include:
    The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: Ornithologists are regularly on board Viking’s expedition vessels, undertaking post-doctoral research on new observation methods and providing guest advice and interaction.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL): Conducts innovative research on the dynamic environments and ecosystems of the Great Lakes and coastal regions to provide information for resource use and management decisions that lead to safe and sustainable ecosystems, ecosystem services, and human communities. Viking’s expedition ships have been designated official NOAA / US National Weather Service weather balloon stations, from which regular launches are undertaken.Norwegian Institute of Water Research (NIVA): Scientists from NIVA are engaged in cross-disciplinary research programs on water-related issues. On Viking’s expedition ships, NIVA FerryBoxes are installed to sample the marine and freshwater regions the vessels sail, to provide continuous information about chlorophyll, oxygen, temperature, salinity, microplastic presence and complementary meteorological data.Norwegian Polar Institute: The permitting authority for Viking’s Norwegian flagged expedition vessels, who review and approve all of Viking’s expedition and science activities in Antarctica.Oceanites: Viking supports the fieldwork of Oceanites, an American Not-for-Profit field research entity, that has led on Antarctic penguin monitoring for the past thirty years, through mobilizing teams of penguin researchers on Viking expedition Antarctic voyages.Fjord Phyto: Viking hosts a NASA-funded program of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, that provides the opportunity for guests to engage in research and public education through novel citizen science sampling of polar phytoplankton, for genetic population analyses.  The IUCN Species Survival Commission Species Monitoring Specialist Group: Viking coordinates with this international group of experts to develop marine biodiversity monitoring systems that enable Viking expedition vessels to collect valuable species population data.Viking Expeditions
    Viking offers destination-focused expeditions in Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes, with an expedition fleet that includes the Polar Class Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Designed for discovery by the same team that designed the award-winning Viking Longships® and ocean ships, the 378-guest vessels are purpose-built for expeditions, at an ideal size for safety, comfort and to support an unrivalled range of activities in remote destinations. With more indoor and outdoor viewing areas than other expedition vessels, guests are as close as possible to the most magnificent scenery on earth.

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    CLIA launches ‘Love Bites’ for agents

    The Love Bites are free for CLIA members and will stream live from 9.30-10.30 on Thursdays, starting on July 14 and running to August 25.
    Sessions will include presentations, virtual ship tours and product updates from ocean, river, luxury and expedition cruise representatives. Industry experts will also be on hand to recommend sought-after experiences, and provide hints and tips to assist sales.
    The line-up is:
    July 14: AmaWaterways, Virgin Voyages, Azamara and Aurora Expeditions
    July 21: Amadeus, Royal Caribbean International, APT / TravelMarvel and Explora Journeys
    August 11: Carnival, Uniworld, Seabourn and Swan Hellenic
    August 18: MSC Cruises, A-Rosa Cruises, Silversea and Celebrity Cruises
    August 25: Avalon Waterways, Holland America Line, Oceania and CroisiEurope
    Andy Harmer, CLIA managing director for UK & Ireland, said: “Agents have done an amazing job of booking cruise holidays since our return, and have firmly re-established a holiday at sea and on rivers as a go-to customer option. As the positive momentum gathers pace, we have put on our ‘Love Bite’ sessions to provide further advice and insight, and help showcase the range of options that are on offer.
    “With speakers from across a range of cruise brands, and with sector specialists also attending, these bite-sized sessions are not to be missed for agents looking to capitalise on ever-increasing customer demand.”ADVERTISEMENT

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    Seatrade Cruise Global announces new interactive offerings for 2022

    Seatrade Cruise Global, the industry’s leading annual business-to-business event, returns to Miami Beach Convention Center, 25-28 April 2022. The four-day gathering will focus on the resiliency of the cruise sector with visionaries, experts and thousands of like-minded professionals collaborating on advancements towards recovery and building a blueprint for a reimagined future.
    “Celebrating resiliency, this year’s show will be very special and a long overdue homecoming for our global cruise community,” says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. “We’re elated to welcome back our broader international community to reconvene – our dynamic line-up of programming will ignite powerful dialogue, fostering a renewed spirit of excitement for our industry’s path ahead.”
    All-new Conference Programming
    The Seatrade Cruise Global program will feature expert speakers delving into topics and trends shaping the cruise market. Headlined by the highly anticipated annual State of the Global Cruise Industry keynote address, sponsored by Fincantieri, the conference offers thought-provoking forums and workshops exploring the latest developments across health and safety, hotel operations, technology and beyond. Sector-focused content allows visitors to plan their trip based on their professional roles or interests.
    New sessions added to the conference program include:ADVERTISEMENTBucket-list Voyages: Spotlights how cruise lines are building memorable itineraries and delivering remarkable experiences, both onboard and in destinations around the world.A Look at Cruising PR and Communications: Addresses lessons learned in a new era for cruising media communications.Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Panel: Explores diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to hiring strategies and business initiatives. Expedition Day
    With expedition cruising rising on the list of the most sought-after leisure travel pursuits, a half-day has been dedicated to unlocking the growing sector. Sessions include An Insider’s Guide to Expedition Cruising; Expedition CEO Panel; Staffing and Crewing Challenges and Opportunities; Hybrid Luxury – Expedition Cruising.
    Introducing the Interactive Tech Zone
    Debuting this year is the Interactive Tech Zone providing attendees the chance to learn about the latest advances in science through an information technology playground. In partnership with theICEway, delegates are encouraged to engage with VR headsets, emotion recognition technology, dynamic digital displays and AR crew training. Joining the space is software engineering company Sourcetoad, holding a rapid prototype exercise seeking ideas to build an application or software solution to present to the industry.
    Revamped, AI-enabled Matchmaking
    Further debuting in 2022 is an advanced matchmaking service for optimized networking opportunities. Seatrade Cruise Global’s new AI driven matchmaking software simplifies the process allowing attendees to easily confirm meetings in advance, streamline scheduling and sort contacts by sector, title and business type, providing automatic suggestions to strategically pair attendees with viable leads. The service is complete with a dedicated matchmaking lounge and an on-site concierge team to facilitate the networking experience.
    Fresh Exhibitors
    Uniting 500+ exhibitors from across the globe, Seatrade welcomes over 52 newcomers in 2022, including Philips Professional Displays, La Bottega, Battle Company and Acuity International. The full exhibitor list can be found here.
    To find out about Seatrade Cruise Global’s practicing safety protocols, visit seatradecruiseglobal.com.

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