Cruise, Organisations & Operators,

Research by Marella Cruises, TUI UK&I’s ocean cruise line, has revealed that over 60% of the nation is planning a summer holiday abroad this year, yet the cost of living is on the nation’s mind as one in five (20%) of Brits admit it’s stopping them booking an abroad getaway. To help savvy travellers get […] More

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection unveils its Winter 2026–2027 itineraries, introducing an expanded portfolio of luxury yachting experiences across French Polynesia, Hawaii, and Asia-Pacific aboard Evrima and Luminara. Sailing from October 2026 through April 2027, the season will feature 32 new voyages, reflecting the luxury brand’s continued global momentum and ongoing commitment to providing access to […] More

Carnival Cruise Line announced today it will launch its new loyalty program with a cruise industry first, adding new features, new ways to earn status, new reward categories and a new name: Carnival Rewards™. The new program will take effect in June 2026, providing guests plenty of time to learn about the changes while they […] More

AdventureSmith Explorations’ small-ship adventure cruise experts offer cost-cutting tips to get the most value from popular Arctic trips and ships.
With its unique history of expeditionary exploration, the Arctic has long been known as a destination that offers incomparable access to distinct wildlife and remote wilderness experiences. For those who want to get the most value from Arctic travel, AdventureSmith Explorations, the leader in small-ship adventure cruising, offers tips on how to get the best deals on an Arctic expedition.
“There is no doubt the Arctic is a hot destination right now. We have already booked more travelers into 2024 Arctic expeditions than we did in 2023, and sailings don’t even begin in the region until April,” said Todd Smith, AdventureSmith Explorations founder and president. “Capacity has also increased in the Arctic with more expedition ships offering itineraries there. In fact, our Arctic expedition cruise itineraries have increased by 48% since 2019, giving travelers even more options when considering where to go and what to do.”
How to Save Without Sacrificing the ExperienceGetting the best deal on an Arctic cruise is possible if you know what to keep in mind. Here are some of AdventureSmith’s “expert picks” for finding cost savings on Arctic expeditions:• Don’t count out higher-tier cabins before talking to AdventureSmith’s travel experts, who have been able to get travelers booked into higher-end cabins for the same amount, or less, than lower cabin categories due to higher percentage discounts occasionally offered on suites.• Traveling with others? Choose a triple or quad cabin for the lowest per-person price.• Consider where you stay on the ship. Cabins on the lowest deck with portholes often are most affordable. As an example, booking a Lower Deck Porthole cabin aboard the 128-guest Ocean Adventurer’s Introduction to Spitsbergen 10-day expedition can save travelers more than $700 versus a cabin on the Main Deck.• Traveling solo and want your own cabin? Look to options that have dedicated solo cabins that don’t require payment of a single supplement.• Always review inclusions and exclusions to factor in the total trip cost. Flights, plus hotel stays on the front and back end of a trip, can significantly add to the price of a trip.• To cut down total costs, consider a simpler itinerary that has the same embarkation and disembarkation point. An example offering great value is the 11-day Iceland Circumnavigation round-trip from Reykjavik that currently includes an offer of up to 15% off and a $1,500 air credit.• Book early for the best selection of ships, cabins and routes. You can often save with early booking deals and more readily find flight deals.• Leverage AdventureSmith’s team of experts to be on the lookout for Arctic cruise deals and “expert picks” related to best value, views from the ship, access and experiences.
“In the Arctic, special charter flights can often be wrapped into expedition rates,” continued Smith. “An example of this would be the Svalbard In Depth expedition. In 2025, its inclusions change significantly with the addition of a charter flight and Oslo hotel into the base rate. In this case, the best value is to book a 2024 date unless the ease of those inclusions is preferred.”ADVERTISEMENTWhen to Book & GoThe region is vast, so when to go depends a lot on your preferred route and travel interests. A general tip is to book now and travel soon. May and June are often the best months to view polar bears on Svalbard cruises due to the abundant polar ice. A full circumnavigation of Spitsbergen is likely not possible, but early-season voyages often provide the best chance to see large ice floes and view wildlife.
July and August are generally the warmest months to visit, with temperatures averaging in the mid40s. Greenland cruises and Arctic Svalbard cruises sail at this time not only for the weather but also because the sea ice is more broken up making land access increasingly possible. Ships have the ability to cover more territory and access less-explored regions during this time of year.
In September and October, sailings are more limited, but nights are dark enough to witness the Northern Lights.
AdventureSmith Explorations is currently offering up to 40% off select Greenland and Svalbard expedition cruises, and up to 15% off plus a $1,500 air credit on select Arctic expeditions booked by March 31.
Learn more about the Arctic cruises offered by AdventureSmith Explorations, view current Arctic cruise deals, or contact their team of experts to find the best Arctic cruise deal at adventuresmithexplorations.com.

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With less than three months to go until the launch of its new ship, Cunard has revealed a glimpse of the elevated retail experiences awaiting guests on Queen Anne.The world’s most iconic luxury cruise line has announced a unique collection of 115 household brands that will have a presence on board, from luxury watchmakers Bremont to the beauty division of French fashion house, Chanel.
And 27 of these exciting brands also represent first-time partnerships for Cunard – including Hugo Boss, Raishma, Chapel Down, Whittard, and 886 Royal Mint. Garrard, the first official crown jeweler in the UK, will also have its first boutique on board a Cunard ship.
In addition to an expertly curated selection of fellow Walpole brands on board, Queen Anne will also herald a new era of retail therapy at sea. Walpole is the official sector body for British luxury, and Cunard became a Walpole member in 2019.
The ship’s redefined retail spaces, expertly designed by Sybille de Margerie, will feature meandering pathways to inspire exploration and intrigue, enabling guests to intuitively weave through areas, with seamless connections leading shoppers from one category to another.
The on-board experienceADVERTISEMENTFrom light-filled boutiques with stunning sea views housing covetable jewelry, clothing, accessories, and gifts to carefully curated collections of pre-loved accessories from designer names for a sample of sustainable indulgence, Queen Anne will boast several feature spaces designed to bring products to life in up-close experiences.
The Grand Lobby Boutiques is the ultimate venue for retail indulgence and is where guests will find the first ever Garrard fine jewelry boutique at sea, as well as Queen Anne’s Cabinet of Curiosities, and Experience Lounge.
The Cabinet of Curiosities is a dazzling new concept featuring 38 display cases showcasing curated treasures from a variety of luxury brands that will celebrate the style and intrigue of travel.
This immersive, one-of-a-kind rotunda gallery will showcase a 360-degree display of collectibles, jewelry, fashion, and art from Cunard’s partner brands – such as Chanel and Bremont – that are available to buy, alongside never-before-seen treasures from the luxury cruise line’s archives.
Another element of Queen Anne’s elevated retail offering is the Experience Lounge, a space where retail intertwines with food and drink, allowing the ship to enhance activations and events in style.
To further enhance the guest experience, Queen Anne will boast a dedicated Shopping Host, the only role of its kind in the Cunard fleet. This personal shopping concierge will have an extensive knowledge of the available assortment as well as brands’ stories to offer guests a rewarding retail experience.
Furthermore, a personalization desk will be available for guests who wish to add a personal touch to purchases through engraving, embossing, and more.
Queen Anne
Throughout her maiden season, Queen Anne will sail from Southampton on itineraries to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, the Canary Islands, and the Norwegian Fjords, visiting more than 60 unique destinations in 16 countries – taking in several of Europe’s most enchanting ancient cities.
Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “Luxury ocean travel is all about escapism and being immersed in a world full of unique and enriching experiences. It’s a philosophy we are passionate about bringing to life with our new ship Queen Anne, which is why we are all so excited about her elevated retail offering. Nowhere else will travelers be able to find such a beautifully curated collection of luxury brands at sea or learn about heritage brands in such an engaging way as with Queen Anne’s Cabinet of Curiosities.”
For Travel Advisors interested in further information, please contact your Business Development Manager, visit OneSourceCruises.com, or call Cunard at 1-800-528-6273.

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Travelzoo®, the club for travel enthusiasts has launched the brand-new ‘Cruise Hub’ – a guide to cruising from some of the most influential voices in the industry.Created for Travelzoo’s audience of cruise lovers, 84% of whom are open to going on a cruise, the platform is set to help travellers with fresh inspiration when it comes to cruising.
From no-fly cruises that offer hassle-free exploration to once in lifetime expeditions that are off the beaten path, Travelzoo’s new cruise hub covers no-fly, gourmet, river, expedition and luxury. Experts from Hays Travel, Oceana Cruises, SAGA, Seabourn and Imagine Cruising have joined forces to share their cruising knowledge, and ensure existing cruise goers and those new to cruise have everything they need to know before taking to the seas.
Check out the cruise hub here and keep an eye on Travelzoo’s social pages to catch their new ‘Sunday Sailings’ specials, all around the topic of cruising.https://www.travelzoo.com/uk/custom/travelzoo-guide-to-cruising/

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Holland America Line team members were invited to Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky to join Mayville and Johnson in the private barrel selection room, located in the well-known Warehouse D.
Holland America Line’s beverage program is introducing an exclusive single barrel select bourbon from Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in the United States. This premium offering, curated by Sazerac Master Blender Drew Mayville and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductee Freddie Johnson, will be available fleetwide in March while supplies last.The opportunity to serve this unique bourbon arose when Mayville, an avid Holland America Line cruiser, endorsed the cruise line for the prestigious Sazerac Barrel Select program — an honor limited to only a few participants each year. Sazerac is a family of more than 450 brands from award-winning distilleries around the world. The Sazerac Barrel Select Program allows spirits enthusiasts the unique opportunity to hand-pick a barrel from Sazerac’s award-winning collection.
“We strive to share experiences with our guests that they won’t find anywhere else,” said Michael Stendebach, Holland America Line’s vice president of food, beverage and rooms divisions. “Collaborating with Buffalo Trace to craft a signature bourbon has been an incredible journey. Drew and Freddie guided us to select a barrel that will resonate with our guests and is the perfect representation of our two iconic brands.”
Holland America Line team members were invited to Buffalo Trace Distillery in Kentucky to join Mayville and Johnson in the private barrel selection room, located in the well-known Warehouse D. At the distillery, the group chose four barrels, and then Mayville and Johnson — both icons in the bourbon and spirits world — guided them through a tasting. The group ultimately chose a barrel that offers the distinct characteristics of Buffalo Trace Bourbon, with more intense notes of oak and spice on the nose with a smooth, lingering finish. Mayville reflected on the experience, stating: “We aimed to select an expressive and distinctive barrel for Holland America Line, confident that their guests would enjoy trying something truly unique to the cruise line.”
The standout choice was Barrel #002, filled on Dec. 21, 2015, and aged in Warehouse U on Floor 5, Rick 34. This hand-selected barrel has been bottled and shipped fleetwide and will be available for guests to order in March. Enthusiasts seeking to try this exclusive bourbon will find it in the Ocean Bar on each Holland America ship, where it will be served neat, on the rocks, or as an Old Fashioned.
Buffalo Trace joins Holland America Line’s evolving beverage program that includes partnering with award-winning bartender Ivy Mix who created new cocktails that capture the essence of Mexico and Latin America, launching its own De Lijn gin and introducing a traditional, pirate-inspired rum punch crafted by renowned mixologist David Wondrich that is available on Caribbean cruises. Additional destination-inspired beverage partnerships will be announced soon.ADVERTISEMENTFor more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

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(REYA) is pleased to announce the appointment of its newest client Delfin Amazon Cruises (Delfin). The first Relais & Châteaux Cruise in the world, Delfin is an upscale river cruise operator in the Upper Peruvian Amazon offering a truly comprehensive gastronomic, cultural, and historic adventure. The New York and Miami-based communications firm will handle the US media relations for Delfin, who is returning to REYA’s roster of luxury travel brands committed to conservation, sustainability, and social impact.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Delfin back and have an opportunity to promote Peru and its natural beauty with the media once again. Our portfolio has always attracted the pioneers of their sector, and Delfin is no exception. From delivering first-in-class hospitality in the remote waterways of the Amazon to the social impact made within the local communities to the conservation efforts made to protect the wildlife and habitats of this crucial rainforest, we couldn’t be more excited,” shares Alexandra Avila, Co-Founder of REYA.
Delfin takes personalized boutique travel and services to new levels, with three luxury cruises ranging in capacity from 4 to 22 award-winning suites. All cruises provide five-star, farm-to-table dining services from Delfin’s local garden, blending Peruvian history with contemporary dishes. The newly renovated Delfin II and Delfin III offer both elegance and comfort with spa and gym services. The Delfin II cruise was recently honored in Condé  Nast Traveler’s 2024 Gold List as a “ Best Cruise Ships In The World.” Excursions like kayaking the Amazon waterways and trail walks through the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve are included. Delfin provides an exceptional experience for guests while supporting riverine communities, from purchasing the artwork of local women to aiding wildlife conservation initiatives including the protection of rare pink river dolphins.
Delfin’s Founder & CEO,  Aldo Macchiavello shares, “We are excited to return to REYA, which has always shared our commitment to social responsibility. Peru is prime for tourism and we know our partnership will help put the spotlight back on our beautiful country.
Delfin joins REYA, which has garnered global recognition for its commitment to promoting responsible tourism and championing family-owned travel brands making a local difference. Founded by travel PR veterans Alexandra Avila and Julie Leventhal, REYA combines their passions for working with independent hotels and operators, using digital marketing strategies that yield more effective results. Avila was honored in 2020 as a “Top Woman in PR” by PR News for leveraging her media and digital marketing expertise to support and drive results. In 2022, REYA was honored as a ‘CSR Agency of the Year’ finalist in PR News’ Social Impact Awards for their contributions to gorilla conservation in East Africa.ADVERTISEMENT

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