Lindblad Names Two New Ships And Launches ‘Explorers-In-Training’

It’s been a busy month for National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions, which named its two new ships, National Geographic Gemini and National Geographic Delfina, in an elaborate christening ceremony in the Galápagos Islands on July 9, 2025, and launched its new “Explorers-in-Training” programming for kids and teens at the end of July.

National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions' two new ships, Delfina and Gemini, in the Galápagos Islands. Courtesy of National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions

Anchored in Academy Bay, the two new ships were joined by their sibling vessels, National Geographic Islander II and National Geographic Endeavour II. Onboard the Gemini, the crew were joined by several members of Lindblad Expeditions’ executive team, including CEO Natalya Leahy and Interim Chief Maritime Officer, Rear Admiral Keith Taylor, plus several local partners, community members and their families.

“Today, we celebrate not just an event, we’re celebrating a story that started in February 1967, when Lars-Eric Lindblad led the very first non-scientific expedition to the Galápagos Islands,” said Leahy. “Today’s naming is done in honor of the Galápagos community. We will continue our hard work right by your side and never forget that we are just visitors to your home.”

Two New Ships: Gemini and Delfina

Designed to hold just 48 guests in its 27 outward-facing staterooms, National Geographic Gemini strikes a perfect balance between small-ship and large-ship cruising, with plenty of activities, space to stretch out on the deck and enough peace to relax in the library or lounge. Ideal for intimate group sailings, National Geographic Delfina holds just 16 guests in its eight artfully designed guest rooms, all of which provide access to an outer deck or private balcony.

Both ships come equipped with a whirlpool hot tub to unwind in after a long day of sightseeing, and you can expect educational talks by onboard naturalists and an elegant dining experience featuring locally sourced food and wine. To cut down on food waste, passengers are encouraged to note their dinner preferences ahead of time, while coffee, tea, and tasty Ecuadorian snacks are available 24/7 in the lounge, just in case.

You can experience the Gemini on the 10-day Exploring Galápagos sailing (from $5,556 per person) or the Delfina during the 10-day Galápagos by Catamaran: An Intimate Voyage itinerary (from $7,900 per person). Both trips also offer a longer 16-day version that adds time in Peru and a trip to Machu Picchu.

New ‘Explorers-In-Training’ Programming for Kids

The cruise line also recently revamped its National Geographic Explorers-In-Training programming, which features hands-on activities geared toward younger guests aboard select sailings to Antarctica and Iceland, and all trips to the Galápagos Islands, Alaska, and Baja California. Originally created in 2017, the newly expanded program is meant to keep kids and teens inspired by science, curiosity and conservation as they encounter new landscapes, flora and fauna throughout the cruise.

Activities vary based on the itinerary and destination but generally include opportunities to learn to drive a zodiac, participate in educational games and scavenger hunts, conduct experiments and mark the unique creatures they’ve seen in region-specific field notebooks. At the end of the sailing, their accomplishments are celebrated during a shipboard presentation where they’ll receive a certificate and patch to remember their trip by. While these immersive experiences—led by some of National Geographic’s best photographers, naturalists, undersea specialists and certified field educators—are intended for children and teens, all ages are invited to participate.

What to Know Before You Go

Instead of following a set schedule, National Geographic–Lindblad Expeditions sailings are more fluid, with loose itineraries based on daily traffic within Galápagos National Park. You’ll be given a rough idea of the types of activities you’ll be doing ahead of time so you know what to pack, and once onboard, the details of the next day’s plans are shared during nightly presentations by expedition leaders. That way, everyone is prepared and with the Galápagos National Park Service directing ship traffic, the UNESCO World Heritage site doesn’t get too overwhelmed by visitors. This type of flexibility also gives ship captains the ability to veer slightly off schedule and turn the vessel around if, for instance, a blue whale is spotted and the team of onboard naturalists wants to turn the rare sighting into an educational moment.

Itineraries for the cruise line’s two new ships are packed with only-in-Galápagos experiences like visits to the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island, epic hikes on lava fields, and scenic nature walks through endemic bird habitats. You’ll also have many, many chances to swim alongside Galápagos sea lions and penguins, view blue-footed boobies from a zodiac and see other rare creatures—like Galápagos marine iguanas—in the wild. Remember to pack a good pair of waterproof hiking sandals for wet landings, hiking boots for dry landings, reef-safe sunscreen, and your best camera or a new Go-Pro for underwater videos. Pack plenty of “Expedition Chic” attire like lightweight khaki pants and hiking shirts to avoid getting sunburned—you’ll be sailing along the equator, after all, and the sun is strong.

While the total cost of your Galápagos cruise aboard either of the two new ships doesn’t include international airfare, gratuities or spa services, it does cover all your meals and beverages, educational presentations by National Geographic photographers and naturalists, access to kayaks and stand-up paddle boards, shore excursions aboard zodiacs and use of snorkeling equipment (masks, fins, and shorty wetsuits—bring a full-body diving skin to wear under it if you’re wary of swimming in cooler waters). Cruise fares also include domestic flights to Baltra Island (GPS) from Guayaquil (GYE) or Quito (UIO), two nights’ accommodations in either city (one before your sailing and one after), port taxes, the Galápagos Islands National Park entrance fee ($200 per adult, $100 per child) and the Tourist Transit Card fee ($20 per person). Pre- and post-cruise extensions are also available if you want to spend more time exploring Ecuador.

All details and policies mentioned were accurate as of press time.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kaeliconforti/

CDC Extends Cruise Line Health Rules Until Mid-January

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal health officials on Monday extended for nearly three more months its rules that cruise ships must follow to sail during the pandemic.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the extension makes only “minor modifications” to rules already in effect. The agency said that after Jan. 15, it plans to move to a voluntary program for cruise companies to detect and control the spread of COVID-19 on their ships.

The current regulations, called a conditional sailing order, were scheduled to expire on Nov. 1.

The CDC imposed the first no-sail order on cruise lines in March 2020, after most companies sailing in U.S. waters had agreed to suspend voyages. The CDC issue technical guidelines for the industry five months later, and began approving trial sailings this spring.

Cruises have since sailed from Florida and other parts of the country. Most lines require adult passengers to show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

The CDC noted on Twitter that since it first issued restrictions on sailing, cruise lines have developed and implemented health and safety protocols to manage COVID-19 and have resumed cruising.

A cruise industry trade group pledged to continue working with CDC on health measures on board ships. It cited the CDC announcement as evidence that lines have made a successful — if only partial — return since the pandemic shut down the industry worldwide.

Laziza Lambert, a spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association, said in a statement that, “Cruising has successfully resumed in the United States” with measures that have limited the risk of COVID-19 for passengers and crew members. She said the CDC announcement shows that the health agency and the Biden administration “recognize the cruise industry’s successful resumption of operations.”

Industry officials have complained that the government took a much tougher stance against cruising — shutting it down entirely last year — than it took toward airlines and other parts of the travel industry.

2 Royal Caribbean Lines To Resume Caribbean Cruises In June

MIAMI (AP) — Two Royal Caribbean cruises will resume in June, ending a yearlong hiatus, but passengers 18 and older must test negative for COVID-19 before getting on a ship.

The company’s Celebrity Cruises subsidiary said Friday that its Celebrity Millennium ship will relaunch on June 5 from St. Maarten. One itinerary will stop in Aruba, Curacao and Barbados, and another will stop in Tortola, St. Lucia and Barbados.

Celebrity Cruises CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said returning to the Caribbean “marks the measured beginning of the end of what has been a uniquely challenging time for everyone.”

Royal Caribbean Group’s namesake line will start a week later with a voyage leaving from Nassau, the Bahamas on the Adventure of the Seas.

In both cases, passengers 18 and older will be required to test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours of boarding the ship.

With the Caribbean such a popular destination, “It’s not entirely surprising to see both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean finding a way to return to the region,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor or Cruise Critic, a website that reviews cruises. “But it is massive news for the cruise industry, and for the Caribbean itself.”

In the Dutch Caribbean country of St. Maarten, tourism accounts for nearly 80% of all jobs, and nearly 80% of tourists arrive on cruise ships.

Shares of Miami-based Royal Caribbean rose more than 2% Friday.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has held up cruise ship operations in U.S. waters since March 2020, although it has laid out guidelines for cruises to resume with conditional sailing certificates.

The Caribbean is a popular destination for American customers. So is Alaska, but the Canadian government has banned cruise ships carrying more than 100 passengers through February 2022, which will stop many ships from visiting Alaska this summer. The ships accounted for most of Alaska’s 1.3 million visitors in 2019, before the pandemic.

Regent Claims New Record For Most Bookings In A Single Day

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has said it achieved the largest booking day in the cruise line’s 28-year history with the launch of its 2022-2023 Voyage Collection when sales opened on October 21, 2020, according to a press release. Citing strong pent-up demand for cruising, reservations surpassed Regent’s previous booking day record, set in April 2018 with the launch of Seven Seas Splendor’s inaugural season, by nearly 40 percent, the company said.

The 2022-2023 Voyage Collection launch also saw an over 100% increase in bookings from when the line’s 2021-2022 Voyage Collection went on sale in August 2019. The line had surpassed the total number of bookings for the previous year’s launch by 10:00am EST. “The staggering response to our 2022-2023 Voyage Collection demonstrates the incredible future demand for the unrivaled Regent experience. Luxury travelers simply cannot wait to get back on the oceans to see the world again, while enjoying impeccable, personalized service on luxurious and spacious ships,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Our loyal guests wasted no time in securing their perfect itinerary and suite with last year’s Voyage Collection launch day total eclipsed after only 90 minutes of being on sale.” Source: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23758-regent-claims-new-record-for-most-bookings-in-a-single-day.html

US Cruises Vow 100% Testing In Plan For Resuming Sailing

Major cruise lines say they will test all passengers and crew for COVID-19 prior to boarding as part of their plan for resuming sailing in the Americas.

The Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group that represents 95% of global ocean-going cruise capacity, said Monday that its members will also require passengers and crew to wear masks while onboard whenever physical distancing can’t be maintained.

No date has been set for the resumption of cruising in the U.S., the Caribbean and Mexico. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a no-sail order for U.S. waters through Sept. 30. The association’s safety plan will now go to the CDC, which will consider it as the agency decides whether to lift the no-sail order. The order has been extended twice since March.

The cruise association has issued a voluntary suspension of cruises through Oct. 31. In a conference call Monday, Arnold Donald, the president and CEO of Carnival Corp., said once the CDC lifts its order, it will probably take cruise lines at least a month to prepare their ships and train crew before they can sail.

The safety plan requires testing of passengers and crew, but doesn’t specify the types of coronavirus tests that companies must use, CLIA Chairman Adam Goldstein said. Passengers and crew must test negative to board.

The plan permits limited shore excursions and requires passengers to wear masks and stay apart from other people during those excursions. Passengers who don’t comply won’t be allowed to reboard.

The plan also requires ships to increase the amount of fresh air in their ventilation systems and use advanced filtration methods where feasible.

Cruise company executives said the limited resumption of cruising in Europe and elsewhere over the last few weeks has convinced them that cruising can be done safely. Costa Cruises, which is owned by Carnival Corp., has two cruises of Italy this month. The ships aren’t at full capacity and only Italian passengers are on board.

In August, a passenger on board the Paul Gauguin, a ship owned by Tahiti-based Paul Gauguin Cruises, tested positive for COVID-19 despite a health screening prior to boarding, CLIA said. The passenger and a family member were removed from the ship and placed in isolation on land. No other passengers were affected, CLIA said.

The safety agreement is an unusual one in the fiercely competitive industry, which has been seriously shaken by the coronavirus.

“We all share the same goal, and we’re going to get there through collaboration, not competition,” said Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Cruise’s chairman and CEO.

Hundreds of people fell ill aboard crowded cruises earlier this year before the CDC’s no-sail order went into effect. Fourteen passengers died after an outbreak aboard Carnival Corp.’s Diamond Princess, which was quarantined off the coast of Japan in February.

Since then, the industry has furloughed thousands of workers and obtained billions in bank loans to stay afloat. CLIA says the U.S. cruise industry supports more than 400,000 jobs and generates $53 billion annually.

By DEE-ANN DURBIN

Travelore Cruise News: Cruise Industry Announces US Sailing Suspension Extended Until Sept. 15

Cruise Line International Association, the leading trade organization for the global ocean-going cruise industry, says its member cruise lineshave voluntarily extended the suspension of U.S. cruise operations until Sept. 15 amid coronavirus concerns.

TheCenter for Disease Control and Prevention's current "no-sail order" is scheduled to expire on July 24, but no extension has yet been announced.

CLIA's member lines carry 95% of the world's ocean-going cruisers. The new order will apply to all CLIA member ships that the current CDC order applies to – vessels that can carry 250 or more passengers.

"Although we had hoped that cruise activity in the U.S. could resume as soon as possible after that date, it is increasingly clear that more time will be needed to resolve barriers to resumption in the United States," Bari Golin-Blaugrund, senior director for strategic communications told USA TODAY, noting the organization informed the CDC of its continued voluntary suspension.

The extension comes with a caveat: The situation will be continually reevaluated as Sept. 15 approaches and the suspension may be extended further, Golin-Blaugrund explained.

"We want the traveling public to know in no uncertain terms that when we do resume operations in the U.S., it will be with the confidence that we have the necessary protocols and systems in place, and that we have done so with the input of the CDC," she added.

Major lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, have already extended their sailing suspensions well into fall, and Canada issued a ban on cruises in the country's waters through Oct. 31.

The group's global board of directors met on Friday and put the decision to a vote. All members agreed to adhere to the suspension.

The decision leaves nearly three months before major cruise companies, including cruising giant Carnival Corp., can potentially ramp up their operations

"CLIA cruise line members are using this time to explore new ideas and concepts to further enhance already stringent public health protocols and policies," Golin-Blaugrund said. "Additionally, caring for and repatriating crew members is the number one priority for CLIA cruise line members right now."

Specific plans pertaining to coronavirus and general health on board are still being developed. Golin-Blaugrund said that the industry is taking a "holistic approach."

"One theme that continues to emerge in these conversations is the concept of a 'door-to-door' strategy, beginning at the time of booking through the return of passengers to their homes," she said.

The industry is also looking to bolster screening protocol, implement additional health and sanitation practices for ships and terminals, and onboard prevention, surveillance and response. 

CLIA members are also looking to explore enhanced passenger and crew screening, social distancing, modifying or eliminating buffet dining options, enhanced onboard medical capability, new training for crew members and pre-arranged medical evacuation options with consideration to local healthcare.

Friday, when asked about the no-sail order ahead of CLIA's decision, Caitlin Shockey, spokesperson for the CDC told USA TODAY that the CDC was still monitoring the situation on cruise ships and was reviewing cruise lines' plans regarding to COVID-19.

"At this point in time, we do not have enough information to say when it will be safe for cruise ships to resume sailing." 

Source: Morgan Hines  https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2020/06/19/us-cruise-ban-cruises-suspended-until-sept-15-industry-group-clia/3222379001/

USA TODAY

Cruise Industry Prepares New Health Framework For Future Of Cruising

Cruise lines have started preparations to welcome people back on board by working on a "health framework" to uphold the safety of passengers after the COVID-19 crisis.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its cruise line members are consulting medical experts and health authorities to establish a new foundation for the cruise sector's future operations, according CLIA Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz.

"While cruise operations are suspended, we are using this time to define the new landscape we will work within and make sure we're ready when the time comes to sail again," Katz said. "Many teams of people around the world are working in tandem with experts to ensure we learn as much as possible from these unprecedented events and exceed community expectations in our response."

The maritime policy work underway within CLIA would define the specific screening, cleansing and medical protocols that cruise lines would adopt globally, in addition to those already in place.

While it was too early to discuss specific procedures or the timing, Katz said the industry's priority would be to ensure the safety and security of passengers, crew and the communities that cruise lines visit.

"The challenges before us are great and there is no quick fix, which is why we have embarked on a process that will be extremely thorough and will address the concerns that communities and authorities expect to see us confront,"he said.

Once finalized, the new protocols would provide further opportunity to communicate with industry stakeholders, government and the wider public to provide reassurance on future cruise operations.

"Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by COVID-19," Katz said. “The cruise industry is not alone in having to confront this disease, but we will aim to set standards that other sectors may follow when it comes to our response."

Source: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5294/ 

Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Yucatan Peninsula O...

Travelore Report, Monthly In Print Since 1971: TRAVELORE DESTINATION REPORT: Yucatan Peninsula O...: We recently had the opportunity to expereince an exceptional array of highlights of  Yucatan  experiences that will become lifetime...

Cunard Offers Holiday Savings With Black Friday And Cyber Monday Deals On 2020 Voyages

Up to 50% off Launch Fares and only $100 non-refundable deposit

 --Luxury cruise line Cunard is offering travelers Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, available on many 2020 voyages all over the world on all ships including flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

The promotion is valid November 20 through December 4, 2019 on new voyage bookings and guests will receive up to 50% off Launch Fares with only $100 non-refundable deposit on various itineraries including the brand's signature Transatlantic Crossings, Full World Voyages, Australiasia, Africa, New England & Canada, Europe, Asia, Alaska, and South America.

Cunard's popular Transatlantic Fashion Week Crossing is included in the promotion. The fifth annual voyage on Queen Mary 2, May 24-31, 2020, will feature Badgley Mischka who will launch their 2021 resort collection in an exclusive runway show onboard. The designers will also be creating a capsule collection exclusively for Cunard and offer a Q&A with guests during the seven-night voyage.

The Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers are also available on Queen Elizabeth's itineraries in Alaska. Queen Elizabeth will return to the region for a full season in 2020 to sail ten voyages, ranging from 9 to 12 nights, roundtrip from Vancouver. Port calls include Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Victoria with scenic cruising through the famous Inside Passage, Tracy Arm Fjord, Hubbard Glacier and the breathtaking Glacier Bay National Park.

Over 125 various voyages are included in the sale such as:

Queen Elizabeth

• 10-night Alaska voyages with fares from $1,049*
• 9-night Japan Circumnavigation, roundtrip out of Tokyo, with fares from $1,399*
• 18-night Japan Grand Voyage, roundtrip out of Tokyo, with fares from $2,569*

Queen Mary 2

• 7-night Transatlantic Crossings, with fares from $699*
• 7-night New England & Canada voyages, with fares from $769*
• 21-night Grand Norwegian Explorer with fares from $1,979*

Queen Victoria

• 12-night Canary Islands with fares from $1,159*
• 7-night Fjords voyage with fares from $799*
• 9-night Baltic Highlights with fares from $1,229*

*Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional.

For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, visit Cunard.com. For travel advisors interested in further information, please contact your Business Development Manager, visit OneSource or call Cunard toll free at 1-800-528-6273.

Cunard

Cunard is the operator of luxury cruise ships Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Renowned for impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment, all three Queens offer luxury accommodations in Britannia, Britannia Club, Princess Grill Suite and Queens Grill Suite staterooms. Cunard is the only line to offer regularly scheduled Transatlantic service between New York and London, and it continues to celebrate the freedom of travel on exciting World Voyage and Grand Voyage itineraries that visit Europe, North America, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Awarded '#1 Mega-Ship Ocean Cruise Line' by Travel + Leisure's 2018, 2017 and 2016 World's Best Awards and 'Best Service,' 'Best Onboard Enrichment' and 'Best World Cruise' by Porthole Cruise Magazine's 2018 Readers Choice Awards, Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines, a part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the largest cruise vacation company in the world. Together Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK) operate 102 ships visiting over 700 ports around the world and totaling 226,000 lower berths.

Social MediaFacebook: www.facebook.com/cunard 
Twitter: www.twitter.com/cunardline
YouTube: www.youtube.com/wearecunard 
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Travelore Cruise News: Hundreds Of British Cruise Passengers Refused Entry To China

Some had to fly to Japan to await Quantum of the Seas (Image: Quantum)

Sobbing families said they were “treated like criminals” by border staff at Beijing Airport after flying in to join a 12-day Royal Caribbean cruise. They had been told they would be able to enter the country under a 144-hour visa exemption system that would allow them to spend three days sightseeing before boarding Quantum of the Seas. But families said they feared for their safety after randomly being targeted by officials. 

Many told how they were separated from their loved ones after individuals were picked out of groups and refused entry. 

Some passengers were forced to fly back to Britain immediately. 

Management consultant Alison Goldie, 56, told how she and accountant husband Allan, also 56, had spent £6,000 on the cruise to celebrate her friend Lesley McGregor’s 50th birthday. 

Lesley was travelling with husband Scott and her parents Anne and Matt Matheson. 

Wheelchair-user Mrs Matheson, 68, and her 71-year-old husband were rushed through immigration before officials ruled Alison could travel but not the rest of the party. 

Alison, who stayed behind with her husband, said: “Lesley’s parents were in a completely different country for five days. 

“It seemed to me that the Chinese were having a ball. It was just like a game. “Staff dealing with us seemed very young and were in high spirits. They were just giggling as they refused entry in a random way.” 

The group were forced to fly to Japan to await the ship and meet the elderly parents onboard. 

Clair Matthews, 46, husband Joseph, 50, and her parents-in-law Teresa, 71, and Stanley Matthews, 79, were all refused entry. They were forced to spend a night at
the airport. 

Clair said: “We had the temporary visa. They flicked through our passports and told us, ‘You’re not coming in’.”

When the family refused to pay to fly on to the boat’s first port of call in Japan, they were threatened with arrest. Clair said: “I was told that if I was still here within 24 hours of landing and didn’t have proof of onward travel, I would be taken to prison. 

“I just thought, I don’t want to be in prison in my own country, I sure as hell don’t want to be in prison in Beijing.” 

The family spent more than £3,000 on flights to Japan and four nights in a Fukuoka hotel before boarding the ship yesterday. 

It set sail from Tianjin port in China on Monday before arriving in Fukuoka yesterday morning. 

An Abta spokesman last night said: “Entry into China under a visa waiver is not guaranteed and Chinese border officials have the right to refuse entry without warning or explanation.” 

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1188687/cruise-ship-chaos-royal-caribbean-cruise-china-jail

Travelore Cruise News: Ponant Purchases Paul Gauguin #Cruise #CruiseNews

Ponant has confirmed it has reached a deal to purchase Paul Gauguin Cruises, which will continue operating under its own brand. 

Paul Gauguin will remain an independent company, headquartered in Washington State and under the leadership of Diane Moore, president, according to sources.

Ponant, which has been on an expansion track, adds another company and cruise brand into its portfolio under the ownership of the Pinault family and Groupe Artémis.

In addition, by 2021, French-flagged Ponant will have a strong luxury expedition fleet of four Boreal-class vessels; six Explorer-class vessels; Le Commandant-Charcot, a polar exploration vessel with hybrid propulsion; and Le Ponant, a niche sailing vessel.

Based year-round in Tahiti, Paul Gauguin offers a luxury product and a number of adventurous itineraries, starting at seven days.

A new call introduced last year and being expanded for 2019 and beyond is Tahiti Iti, which is an exclusive destination for the brand. The vessel is generally welcomed by the entire town on port days.

A new children’s program was launched earlier summer, as the Moana Explorer program is a now complementary and replaces a previous for-charge program. Families can opt for additional shore excursions. The hands-on programming focuses on education and environment.

In line with its sustainability commitment, the company has removed plastic straws and other items, as well as mini shampoo and conditioner bottles in staterooms, replacing them with dispensers.

The Seattle-based company is also adding to its culinary line-up with more sailings featuring experts representing wineries and delivering lectures and hosting tastings. In 2020, celebrity chefs will join select voyages.

The biggest market for the line is North America, with most business coming in through the major travel agent networks. International sourcing is limited, reaching Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, the UK and Japan. 

The 332-guest Paul Gauguin was launched in 1997 by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and has sailed for Radisson Seven Seas and Regent Seven Seas. In 2009, Pacific Beachcomber acquired the vessel.

Source: https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com

Princess Cruises Announces First-Of-Its Kind, Digitally Enhanced Escape Room Experience Phantom Bridge Onboard Sky Princess And Enchanted Princess -

World's First interactive Mediascape™  Room to Launch on Sky Princess in December 2019

Cruise guests ready to travel through time and space need to look no further than Princess Cruises newest ships – Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess – to experience Phantom Bridge, a world's first game combining digital and physical elements for the ultimate immersive escape room.

"Phantom Bridge, our newest Discovery at SEA interactive attraction, will offer our guests the exclusive opportunity to live a real-world, gamified experience with more than 700 different outcomes for the ultimate adventure," said Denise Saviss, Princess Cruises vice president of entertainment experience. "Partnering with Farbound to deliver this unprecedented technology and world's first interactive Mediascape Room further solidifies our commitment to share innovative and distinctive offerings to our guests."

On the Phantom Bridge, Princess Cruises guests will face immersive environments and show moments as they race to solve puzzles and travel to endangered time periods. The entire ship will transform and respond to guest actions, enveloping them in the story. Developed exclusively for Princess Cruises by Farbound, the leader in gamified real-life experiences, the debut of Phantom Bridge will feature the first Mediascape™ Room, the proprietary gaming and show-control system that runs the entire game play.

"As Princess Cruises is committed to delivering a completely different and memorable experience for its guests, we are so honored to be working with them as Farbound's partner. This new class of entertainment offerings will strengthen and hold Princess Cruises position as the leader in the travel industry," said Tim Rheault & Steve Trowbridge, Co-Founders of Farbound.

Phantom Bridge offers a range of activities including:

Uncover the clues to solve the mystery – projection mapping, touch screen surfaces and hidden physical elements bring the environment to life as players race to uncover new clues and solve puzzles that will transport them to the next endangered time period.

Blends the physical with the digital with immersive effects – players captain the ship and turn the physical wheel to navigate the vessel and watch as the simulation view changes. Lighting, sound and digital features disguised as physical ones are combined to create an immersive, realistic experience, every step of the way. But, players beware as they'll never know when a new item could mysteriously appear and be the key to the next puzzle.

Families can play together! – Phantom Bridge tailors the experience to players of all ages, heights and physical abilities so parents, kids and grandparents can all play together. Plus, with so many levels, time periods and puzzles more than 700 different outcomes are possible, which means players can come back and engage in Phantom Bridge time and time again since it's never the same adventure.

Phantom Bridge will also debut onboard the cruise line's next ship, Enchanted Princess, summer 2020. Guests can try Phantom Bridge in the new Experience Center located on deck 18. The event lasts 23 minutes and can accommodate up to six people.

For families looking for immersive, enriching and fun experiences while traveling, Princess Cruises has partnered with Discovery Inc. to create Discovery at SEAonboard programming that brings to life destinations and fan-favorite Discovery and Animal Planet shows. Guests can choose from exclusive, family friendly shore excursions and onboard activities like Stargazing at Sea. Younger cruisers, 17 and under, will also enjoy the recently renovated Camp Discovery Youth & Teen Centers.

More details about the robust onboard features and itineraries of Sky Princess and Enchanted Princess can be found at www.princess.com.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.

About Princess CruisesOne of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is the fastest growing international premium cruise line and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships, carrying two million guests each year to 380 destinations around the globe, including the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica and World Cruises. A team of professional destination experts have curated 170 itineraries, ranging in length from three to 111 days and Princess Cruises is continuously recognized as "Best Cruise Line for Itineraries."  

In 2017 Princess Cruises, with parent company Carnival Corporation, introduced MedallionClass Vacations enabled by the OceanMedallion, the vacation industry's most advanced wearable device, provided free to each guest sailing on a MedallionClass ship. The award-winning innovation offers the fastest way to a hassle-free, personalized vacation giving guests more time to do the things they love most. MedallionClass Vacations will be activated on five ships by the end of 2019. An activation plan will continue across the global fleet in 2020 and beyond. 

Princess Cruises continues its multi-year, "Come Back New Promise" – a $450 million-dollar product innovation and cruise ship renovation campaign that will continue to enhance the line's onboard guest experience. These enhancements result in more moments of awe, lifetime memories and meaningful stories for guests to share from their cruise vacation. The product innovations include partnerships with award-winning Chef Curtis Stone; engaging entertainment inspired shows with Broadway-legend Stephen Schwartz; immersive activities for the whole family from Discovery and Animal Planet that include exclusive shore excursions to onboard activities; the ultimate sleep at sea with the award-winning Princess Luxury Bed and more. 

Three new Royal-class ships are currently on order with the next new ship under construction, Sky Princess, scheduled for delivery in October 2019, followed by Enchanted Princess in June 2020. Princess previously announced that two new (LNG) ships which will be the largest ships in the Princess fleet, accommodating approximately 4,300 guests are planned for delivery in 2023 and 2025.  Princess now has five ships arriving over the next six years between 2019 and 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK). 

Royal Caribbean Welcomes Spectrum of the Seas To The Family

	First Quantum Ultra Class Ship Features New Suite Class, Innovative Dining and First-to-Brand Experiences
	MIAMI – Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise line, officially took delivery of the 26th ship in its fleet, Spectrum of the Seas, in a ceremony held today in Bremerhaven, Germany. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain and President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley received the new ship from Meyer Wert Yard’s Managing Partner Bernard Meyer and Meyer Werft Yard’s Managing Director Tim Meyer at the official handover ceremony. The first in the Quantum Ultra class of ships, Spectrum will homeport from Shanghai starting June 2019. “We are excited to welcome Spectrum of the Seas, our first Quantum Ultra Class ship to the Royal Caribbean family,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “We have once again combined revolutionary ship design with the latest technology to deliver a ship that will redefine the China cruise market. We are excited for our guests to make amazing family memories.” Designed and built for unforgettable vacation experiences, Spectrum will debut the global cruise line’s first private enclave for suite guests, new stateroom categories, and innovative dining concepts, along with stunning features, experiences and technology – many of which have never been seen before at sea.  Spectrum’s highlights include: Royal Caribbean’s first exclusive suites-only area, which will feature the exquisite Goldenand Silver suite accommodations in a private enclave at the forward end of the ship on decks 13 through 16. Vacationers booked in these luxury suites will have special keycard access, a private elevator and a dedicated restaurant and lounge. In addition to a range of exclusive amenities, guests will have access to The Balcony – a private outdoor space for sunbathing and relaxing – that offers the best views on board; and The Boutique, a shopping area where travelers can book private shopping experiences. The two-level, 2,809-square-foot Ultimate Family Suiteaccommodating up to 11 guests. The three-bedroom suite includes a master bedroom and two additional bedrooms for grandparents and other family members. Kids have their own kid-friendly space on the upper level, complete with an in-suite slide that will transport them to the living area below. Everyone in the family can enjoy time together in the recreation room, featuring surround-sound equipment for a night of karaoke, movies and video games. Innovative dining concepts Sichuan Red– with authentic cuisine from the Sichuan province of China, Wonderland’s Dadong – a new outpost of Chinese chef Dong Zhenxiang, renowned for his much-coveted roast duck; and the Leaf and Bean traditional tea room and café parlor offering a range of authentic Chinese teas, classic coffee drinks as well as freshly baked Chinese and western desserts and pastries.  Debuting on Spectrum, a new lively and energetic karaoke venue, Star Moment, where family and friends can belt out and sing like stars. An enhanced SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea, where families can enjoy bumper cars, roller skating, basketball, and new augmented realitywalls and floors, providing guests with thrilling, high-tech interactive experiences. The iconic Sky Pad, a virtual reality, bungee trampoline experience located on the aft of the ship, as well as Quantum Class favorites: the North Star, a glass capsule that takes guests more than 300 feet above the ocean for incomparable panoramic views; RipCord by iFly, a heart-pounding skydiving simulator experience; and the FlowRider surfing simulator.  Cutting-edge and transformative venues, such as Two70with its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking 270-degree views of the ocean. Two70 features its signature Vistarama technology, which transforms the panoramic windows into a projection surface more than 100 feet wide and over 20 feet tall to showcase spectacular digital shows. Six agile Roboscreens, measuring over 7 feet tall and controlled by powerful, yet nimble robotic arms, create scenes as they soar and twist solo or as one. Two70 will also feature new room-scale augmented reality experiences that transport vacationers to new worlds of adventure. Accommodating 4,246 guests at double occupancy and 1,551 international crew members, Spectrum will be the largest and most expensive ship in Asia when she arrives to her new home in Shanghai on June 3, 2019. Before Spectrum arrives to her new home this summer, she will sail a 46-night Global Odyssey from Barcelona, Spain to Shanghai, taking guests to an exciting array of ports, including Aqaba, Jordan; Dubai, UAE; Muscat, Oman; Cochin, India and Georgetown, Malaysia. In winter 2019, the ship will reposition to Hong Kong to offer special holiday cruises. Royal Caribbean International is the world’s largest global cruise line, delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel featuring the latest technology and guest experiences for today’s adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to the more than 260 destinations in 72 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Perfect Day Island Collection debut with a transformed private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay. The cruise line has also been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 16 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards. . For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Holland America Cruise Line Adds Fee For Second Entree In Main Dining Room #Cruise

If you’re the type of person who brings a big appetite and orders two entrees in the main dining room, you may have to fork over a little extra money to do so in the future.

Holland America is testing a program that would see passengers charged $10 for a second entree… and if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, it’s that when it comes to up charges, where one of the major players goes, the others tend to follow.

Why You’ll Have To Pay For That Second Entree

According to a report on Cruise Critic, Holland America is set to begin testing a policy which would see people paying $10 for a second dinner entree in the main dining rooms.

The reason behind the move? An attempt to cut back food waste. “Over the years,” a Holland America spokesperson told the site, “we have upgraded the menu, and we have experienced that guests occasionally order additional main courses they simply can’t finish. Holland America Line has made great efforts to reduce food waste, and with this, we can better determine if guests who order a second entree will truly enjoy it.”

Passengers will still be able to order multiple appetizers and desserts without an additional fee should they wish.

For the moment, the up charge is being tested on four of the cruise line’s ships: Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam, and the line is actually running two separate experiments.

One will offer a menu each night of the sailing offering second entrees for $10; the second will only ask for the extra $10 on Gala Night.

The tests will run from now until the end of March, at which point Holland America will look at the results — and, no doubt, the passenger feedback — and decide whether or not to continue the up charge moving forward.

Will Other Cruise Lines Follow Suit?

Nieuw Statendam via Holland America Line

Early feedback on Holland America’s Facebook page has, nor surprisingly, not been positive. Noting that the menu lists several salads as main courses, one unhappy passenger said that if they ordered one of these and were then charged an extra $10 for a “real entree,” they would never sail on the line again. Another, while admitting they never actually order a second entree, said that the up charge “cheapens the brand.”

Steak served at sea.

Currently, most cruise lines have up charge items — usually lobster or a surf-and-turf option — on the menus in their main dining rooms, but this appears to be the first time a charge has been levied for a second entree off the standard menu. And of course, it begs the question of whether this might become common practice on other lines.

By https://cruiseradio.net/author/richard-simms/

After all, whether we’re talking about raising the daily gratuity rate or adding a new type of restaurant, where one goes, the others tend to follow soon after. The most noticeable exception to this rule seems to be Virgin Voyages, which will eschew the notion of for-fee specialty restaurants in favor of having all the eateries aboard their first ship, Scarlet Lady, covered by the initial cruise fare.