Tauck announces godmother of new ms Treasures riverboat

Tauck, a world-leader in premium quality guided tours and cruises, has announced that Robin Tauck will serve as godmother to the company’s new ms Treasures riverboat. The Tauck family, company executives, travel agents and journalists will gather for the ship’s christening on August 10 in Cologne Germany. The ms Treasures will be the fourth new Tauck riverboat launched since 2006.

“This is a wonderful way to recognize the many contributions Robin made to Tauck during her many years with the company,” said company chairman Arthur Tauck, Jr. Robin Tauck’s brother-in-law, company CEO Dan Mahar, echoed Arthur Tauck’s sentiments. “Tauck has been a family-owned and operated company for 86 years, and honoring a valued family member in this way also celebrates the guiding family principles that have formed the framework of Tauck’s success since 1925.”

Robin Tauck joined her family’s travel company in 1982, holding a variety of executive positions within the company. She remains a shareholder in the company along with her siblings. She now serves on a variety of travel industry and non-profit boards, as well as focusing her outside efforts on public-private partnerships in world heritage and sustainability issues within the broader travel industry.

“It’s truly an honour to serve as the godmother of the ms Treasures,” said Robin Tauck. “We began our ‘land and sea’ cruise business with the theme ‘Treasures’ in the 1980s; and we are also celebrating our 20 years of European touring in 2011. I’m sure that christening the ms Treasures in the presence of three generations of family members will be a very special moment that I will cherish forever.”

The christening and a subsequent three-day celebratory cruise have special meaning for the Tauck family, which has strong German roots. Herman von Tauchnitz, the father of company patriarch Arthur Tauck, Sr. emigrated to the U.S. from Germany in 1882. Decades later, Arthur Tauck, Jr. served in the US Army in Germany, and Robin Tauck was born there in the town of Kaufbeuren.

Also launching in August, Tauck’s first river cruises on the Rhone

Along with the ms Treasures, two new Tauck river cruises on the Rhone will also debut in August. The company’s 10-day “French Waterways & Vineyards” itinerary (from $4,490 pp, double, plus air) begins with an included two-night stay in Paris, complete with guided local sightseeing. Guests then board the high-speed TGV train to Lyon to begin their seven-day cruise, with highlights including Vienne, Tournon, Valence, Viviers, Avignon, Roussillon, Arles, and a memorable dinner at Provence’s Pont du Gard.

The second Rhone itinerary, “French Escapade: Monte-Carlo to Paris” (14 days, from $5,990 pp, double, plus air), begins with a guided exploration of Monte-Carlo and Nice during a two-night stay at the Fairmont Monte Carlo. Guests then travel to Arles to begin their nine-day cruise on the Rhone and Saone rivers exploring Viviers, Tournon, Vienne, Lyon, Macon, Chalon-sur-Saone and Beaune. The trip concludes with a two-night hotel stay and guided sightseeing in Paris.

Source – Tauck

WLCVacations Unveils New Destinations and New Holidays in 2011

WLCVacations announces the addition of several new luxury River Cruise ships for the 2011 travel season. Equally exciting is the growing number of themed cruises and itineraries, making 2011 travel full of brand new adventures on modern, state-of-the-art cruise ships. Small ship cruisers will enjoy more variety and comfort aboard some of the industry’s most luxurious vessels to date. These new generation boutique cruise ships raise the bar for comfort, providing travellers with more space to lounge in more spacious suites, and socialize in larger staterooms and decks. Cruisers will enjoy king size beds, flat screen televisions, outside-facings rooms and sitting areas in some rooms with sofa and chairs. Debuting in 2011, ships like the AmaLotus, AmaDolce and AmaKatarina not only boast these new features but also offer new itineraries throughout Vietnam, Russia, and Amsterdam, carrying no more than 200 passengers each voyage, just one of the advantages to boutique cruising. Honeymoon, golf, bicycling, and fishing themed cruises along the Caledonian Canal in Western Europe start at just $3490 per person and are available year round. Wine and culinary themes explore the Pacific Northwest along the Columbia River Gorge from $4395 per person. Other themes range from walking and holiday themes, to painting and romance themed excursions – all designed to combine the travellers’ hobbies and interests with leisure and luxury. Owners Jean F Dabrowski and Ana P. Valente use their two decades of experience to consistently provide what their clients want and expect, beyond industry-wide improvements. “The old one-size-fits-all approach to travel is obsolete,” explains Dabrowski. “We always strive to give each customer a memorable and unique holiday …” adds Valente. Whether planning a family vacation or a themed cruise for two, WLCVacations will enter 2011 equipped with every tool to provide travelers with exceptional boutique river boat cruises. Vacationers and travellers can peruse the WLCVacation website for vacation ideas, exotic destinations, and even more luxury yachts and boats. The river cruise company also offers savings and travel information for cruises around the globe through their blog.

Super Bowl Sunday with Norwegian Cruise Line

Guests sailing with Norwegian Cruise Line on Super Bowl Sunday, February 6, 2011, can get ready to enjoy the National Football League (NFL) championship title. While relaxing at sea guests will be able to be a part of the excitement of the Super Bowl in one of the many venues found on Norwegian’s fleet, with the exception of Norwegian Jade in Europe. Enjoy the game on the two-story big screens on Norwegian Pearl, Gem and Epic while savouring the taste of a Packers Punch or Steelers Steel Curtain signature cocktail and snack on game time favourites such as popcorn, hot dogs, pizza and chicken wings in any of the line’s pubs, bars or lounges including O’Sheehan’s Bar & Grill; Longboard, Red Lion, and Henry’s Pub. Guests can also enter for a chance to win a jersey provided by MillerCoors Brewing Company when purchasing any Coors Light, Miller Light or Miller Genuine Draft beer during their Super Bowl sailing.

Norwegian Sun’s recent renovations

Norwegian Sun has restarted service after undergoing a multi-million dollar 12-day dry dock during which the 1,936-passenger ship received extensive renovations. The Freestyle Cruising ship received enhancements to its public areas, suites and restaurants. Following on the popularity of the Brazilian steakhouse that debuted on Norwegian Epic, the Moderno Churrascaria has been added as a new on-board restaurant. Enhancements were made to some of the back-of-house areas of the ship to increase efficiencies. Norwegian Sun will sail alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, departing every Saturday through April 7, 2011. The ship’s seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruisewill stop at Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. On the seven-day Western Caribbean cruise, the ship will call in Cozumel, Mexico; Santo Tomas de Castilla, Guatemala; Belize City, Belize and Key West, Florida. The two itineraries can be combined to create a port-rich 14-day Caribbean tour. From May 8, 2011, Norwegian Sun will spend her summer in Europe sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, for the first time in the company’s history, embarking on 15 nine-day Baltic Capitals cruises. Ports of call include: Berlin (Warnemunde), Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm (Nynashamn), Sweden.

Cruise industry back to Brisbane

Cruise ships are ready to begin the return to Brisbane as flood waters are going down. Ports in the Australian state of Queensland have been out of commission following extensive flooding in recent weeks. Many lives were lost during two months of flooding, with over A$1 billion in damages caused across 70 towns. The struggle of returning to normality has been given a boost by the international cruise industry, with seven ships expected to call over the coming weeks. Leading the way is P&O Cruise Australia vessel Arcadia, which will call at Brisbane on February 15. With 2,000 passengers, local business operators hope the British vessel will boost onshore spending and help the local economy. On February 27, sister ship Aurora is also going to call at the port. Pacific Dawn – also operated by P&O Australia – has also returned to her home port of Brisbane. She was forced to relocate to Sydney during the flooding. Pacific Sun is also expected to make multiple visits to Brisbane, Cairns and the Whitsundays in March as well as a scheduled call at Townsville on March 21. Princess Cruises’ two Australian based ships – Sun Princess and Dawn Princess – will also visit Queensland ports in March while their mega-liner sister ship, Diamond Princess, is going to call at Port Douglas in February.

Cruise Amour will take a straight talking approach to cruise pricing

Cruise Amour has declared it is going to work together with Royal Caribbean and adopt a “straight talking” approach to cruise pricing. Cruise Amour was one of the first companies to adopt the “What you see is what you get” approach to pricing and move away from confusing early booking discounts or onboard offers, something that is considered a staple of Cruise Line pricing strategies. Instead, Cruise Amour and Royal Caribbean are requesting consumers for taking advantage before cabins on Royal Caribbean cruise ships sell out, an approach Cruise Amour is happy to give its full support. Royal Caribbean has ditched confusing “early booking” discounts in favour of simply offering customers the lowest possible inclusive prices. In addition to a nationwide TV, radio, and national press advertising campaign, Royal Caribbean is also going to publish the straight-talking pricing drive in partnership with Cruise Amour. Mark Walter, head of field sales, Royal Caribbean International, explained: “The new ‘what you see is what you get’ campaign marks a step-change in the promotion of cruising. All the prices and campaign elements are aimed towards making it easy for first-timer cruisers who will be comparing a holiday at sea with traditional land resorts options.”

Profits at Carnival

Profits at Carnival Corporation increased significantly over the fourth quarter, with a positive outlook for 2011 pushing shares higher this morning.
For the three month period ending November 30th, the Miami-based cruise line reported a profit of $248 million, or 31 cents a share.
This is up from $193 million, or 24 cents a share, a year earlier.
The latest quarterly figures also included a seven-cent hit from the November fire aboard the Carnival Splendour.
Profits were pushed higher by an increase in bookings for departures in Europe and the Caribbean, as well as to a better consumer environment, fewer discounts and promotions, and subsiding concerns about the European market.
Following the release of the results, chief executive Micky Arison said booking trends continued to improve for the company’s North American and European brands, particularly for the peak summer season.
Looking Forward to 2011
Carnival – the world’s largest cruise operator – saw shares rise over 3 per cent in New York following the results.
Looking toward fiscal 2011, Carnival forecast earnings per share of $2.90 to $3.10.
This was slightly ahead of the average analyst forecast of $2.92 in earnings per share, according to Thomson Reuters.
Carnival said that advance bookings for 2011 are at higher prices, though occupancy is slightly lower than last year.
It forecast a three to four per cent increase in net revenue yields for 2011 on a constant dollar basis.
At current prices, fuel costs to the company will likely increase $134 million in 2011 compared with 2010, costing Carnival 17 cents per share.

Crystal Cruise’s charity programme

Crystal Cruises recently introduced a complimentary, participatory shore excursion programme that enables its guests and crew to help with the charitable projects in destinations they visit during their cruise. Beginning in 2011, the line’s “You Care, We Care” initiative has been designed to assist a local project and educate participants on local community needs, as well as enhance travellers’ personal growth and their intimate connection with a destination. On every 2011 itinerary, Crystal has planned one “You Care, We Care” Crystal Adventure in which a limited number of guests and crew can donate their time, with Crystal covering all logistical arrangements and costs. Voluntourism experiences to date with Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity voyages include:

• Lima, Peru – Brightening the environment of the children at the ANQUIEM Burn rehabilitation center with arts & crafts;

• Cartagena, Colombia – Creating crafts with the elderly, playing soccer with the children, or urban farming with an emphasis on organic agriculture at the Granitos de Paz Foundation; and

• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Assisting the PEACE organization in beach and neighborhood cleanup, and perhaps helping in light construction at a local green space.

Crystal has challenged its worldwide tour operators to craft excursions that contribute to meaningful local causes. “Initially, some of our ground operators questioned whether these experiences would have enough of our typical six-star tour amenities. We reminded them that we understood that these opportunities would be less refined. The contribution is selfless – yet the wonderful byproduct is that these experiences will surely be authentically enriching and rewarding,” said John Stoll, vice president, land and port operations. The complete roster of excursions and projects is in development and availability will be limited. “You Care, We Care” precedes another new program the line is developing to promote awareness, preservation and support of the world’s most significant historical sites.

Royal Caribbean declares enhancements for five ships

Royal Caribbean International has declared the revitalisation of five ships in its fleet; Radiance of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas are all going to undertake various updates during 2011. “The planned enhancements of five ships in 2011 will help expand some of the most successful programmes that we have launched on our incredible Oasis-class ships to deliver these new ‘wows’ to more ships in our fleet,” commented Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “We are proud to continue to deliver more to see, do, and love than ever before to our guests.” In mid-2011, Radiance of the Seas will start its revitalisation with the addition of new specialty restaurants, including the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, Mexican-themed Rita’s Cantina, and the Italian Giovanni’s Table, as well as the Park Café deli-style restaurant and the exclusive Chef’s Table dining experience. Other enhancements to the ship will include a new Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty programme members, as well as the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, interactive flat-panel televisions in all staterooms, and Wi-Fi throughout the ship. Splendour of the Seas will be getting two new specialty restaurants, and the Park Café, the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, a Diamond and Concierge Lounge, flat-panel televisions, and Wi-Fi throughout the ship. In addition, there will be new balcony staterooms added, select stateroom enhancements and upgrades to public areas, including a refreshed Windjammer Marketplace. Oasis of the Seas is also going to launch new onboard guest programmes starting in the first quarter of 2011. Guests will be able to enjoy the DreamWorks Experience and 3-D films in the main Opal Theater. Also, a Starbucks coffee shop will replace Mondo Café on the Royal Promenade. This follows the first-ever Starbucks at sea which will launch onboard Allure of the Seas when the sister ship enters service on December 1, 2010. In early 2011, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas is going to introduce new dining, entertainment, children’s programming and other enhancements including the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, The Cupcake Cupboard, the groundbreaking Wayfinding navigation system for guests, and an oversized outdoor video screen in each ship’s main pool area. In addition, the DreamWorks experience, 3-D movies and complimentary guest service kiosks, which will be introduced on Allure of the Seas, also will be implemented onboard Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, as well as sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. Saturday Night Fever: The Musical, Royal Caribbean’s third licensed main-stage musical production, will be debuting on Liberty of the Seas in the main Platinum Theater.

Royal Caribbean International welcomes Allure of the Seas

Royal Caribbean International takes delivery today of the newest addition to the cruise line’s fleet, Allure of the Seas, from STX Europe in Turku, Finland. With Captain Hernan Zini at the helm, Allure of the Seas will be departing Turku on October 29, 2010, starting the 13-day countdown to her U.S. debut into her homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on Thursday, Nov. 11. Allure of the Seas joins sister-ship Oasis of the Seas as the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship. Fans and enthusiasts are invited to follow her trans-Atlantic crossing through daily onboard webisodes on www.AllureoftheSeas.com, and also by following @OasisandAllure on Twitter. Updates also will be posted on Chairman and CEO Richard Fain’s “Chairman’s Blog” on www.AllureoftheSeas.com and the “President’s Blog” by President and CEO Adam Goldstein on www.RoyalCaribbean.com. The official naming ceremony for Allure of the Seas is going to take place on November 28 during a one-night celebration to benefit the United Way chapters of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, among other charities. A special four-night sailing on December 1 will call at the cruise line’s private beach destination of Labadee, along the north coast of Haiti, and Allure of the Seas’ inaugural seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary will depart on December 5. Allure of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. With a cache of distinct onboard activities and amenities, Allure of the Seas offers one-of-a-kind entertainment performances, culinary concepts, retail venues and technology innovations. An architectural marvel at sea, Allure’s neighborhoods are divided into seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. She spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas alternates a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.AllureoftheSeas.com.