Holland America Line plans 132-day cruise trip in 2026 on Volendam to call 47 ports in 39 countries Holland America Line is set to sail one of its most ambitious Grand World Voyages in 2026. The meticulously planned 132-day cruise will span all seven continents, including a special four-day Antarctic Experience. Details were announced by President Gus Antorcha to 2024 Grand World Voyage guests aboard Zuiderdam, which is currently sailing in between Okinawa and Tokyo. The Grand World Voyage will be aboard Volendam in 2026, providing guests with an intimate experience on one of the cruise line's smaller ships, providing an exciting opportunity to cruise France's Gironde Estuary and visit Bordeaux. The voyage will visit 47 ports across 39 countries on an east-to-west route, sailing rou...
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Next year is looking like a banner year for cruise vacations, as travelers across all income and budget levels have been booking voyages at greater volumes than even before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to U.S. cruise operators and travel agents. Travelers are looking to cruises in 2024 because they are still cheaper than land-based alternatives. With occupancy levels approaching pre-pandemic levels, operators plan to hike prices in coming months. "Overall the market is extremely strong, especially the top end of the market in terms of the most high-end luxury cruises," said Bob Levinstein, CEO of cruise marketplace Cruise Compete. FILE PHOTO: The 'Wonder of the Seas' cruise ship of the company Royal Caribbean, the world?s largest cruise ship, is docked at a port in Malaga, Sp...
Read MoreCruise vacations in the past year have emerged as a popular option among consumers in search of cheaper ways to travel, but U.S. cruise companies are signaling that itineraries will get costlier in the coming months. After discounting aggressively following years of COVID-era testing requirements and restrictions, cruise operators such as Royal Caribbean Cruises (RCL.N) and Carnival Corp (CCL.N) are looking to raise prices as occupancy levels approach pre-pandemic levels. Cruise vacations before the onset of the pandemic were on average 15% to 20% cheaper than a land-based vacation, Truist hotel and cruise analyst Patrick Scholes said. That gap has widened to 50%, he added. "(We are) working hard to close the outrageous and unwarranted 25% to 50% value gap to land-based offer...
Read MoreHolland America Line’s Volendam sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale to nine countries around the Mediterranean Holland America Line is adding another Legendary Voyage to its diverse roster of lengthier cruises from convenient gateways. The "42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage" aboard Volendam departing Nov. 9, 2024, was inspired by a voyage the cruise line operated nearly 100 years ago. Perfectly designed for today's traveler, the 2024 departure sails roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, allowing guests to experience 16 different ports across nine countries, all without international air. The original voyage that provided the vision for the "42-day Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage" departed New York City Feb. 4, 1925, aboard Rotterdam IV and carrie...
Read MoreRoyal Caribbean Group (RCL.N) has said that it was set for record bookings during the January-March period after the company posted a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss on pent-up travel demand. Investors were encouraged by the latest sign of the industry sailing out of the pandemic-induced pause. Cruise liners have reported strong booking volumes from well-to-do Americans for the so-called "wave season", a period between January and March where operators offer special cruise deals and discounts for the year. Royal Caribbean said North America sailings were booked in line with record 2019 levels for the full year, while bookings for European itineraries accelerated during the wave season and were higher than 2019. "A big question mark from investors is what the shape of rec...
Read MoreTravellers looking to create the perfect Instagram page have been advised to visit seven global locations to make their social media unbeatable. Experts at luxury cruise retailer Panache Cruises have named the most photogenic spots around the world and are encouraging globetrotters to bump these destinations to the top of their travel bucket list. Whatever the equipment or photography skills - these are the places where it’s almost impossible to take a bad photo. Some of the destinations that provide the most unique photo opportunities are in remote locations that are best accessed by cruise ships. James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises said: “If you want to impress your friends with amazing photos from your trip then opt for unique destinations that offer epic...
Read More8 in 10 urban Indian families are considering an international cruise holiday in the next 12 months 79% of Indians surveyed want to vacation with their families 89% believe quality time with family and loved ones supports an overall sense of wellbeing Family travel goals have taken on an all-new meaning, with Indian families seeking to make up for lost time with new and exciting experiences to strengthen their bond and enjoy each other’s company. The importance of close community and family bonds has emerged as vital to maintaining a sense of wellbeing among Indians, according to a recent survey conducted by Hansa Research on behalf of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the leading innovator in global cruise travel. FILE PHOTO: The Norwegian Getaway cruise ship is seen docked at M...
Read MoreCruise industry has welcomed decision by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ease warnings a bit on cruise travel. Trade association Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said that the decision by CDC to lower the Travel Health Notice threat level for cruise ships is a step in the right direction and recognizes the leadership and effectiveness of the cruise sector’s health and safety protocols that are unmatched by virtually any other commercial setting. FILE PHOTO: Cruise ships are seen docked at Miami port as the tourism industry is affected by the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Miami, Florida, U.S. REUTERS/Carlos Barria In its statement CLIA further said, Cruise ships have medical, isolation and quarantine facilities on site, implem...
Read MoreCruise industry finds the new decision perplexing The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said people should avoid traveling on cruise ships regardless of their vaccination status, as daily COVID-19 cases in the country climb to record highs due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant. The move delivers another blow to the cruise industry that had just started returning to the seas in June after a months-long suspension of voyages caused by the pandemic. FILE PHOTO: Cruise ships are seen docked at Miami port as the tourism industry is affected by the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Miami, Florida, U.S. REUTERS/Carlos Barria The CDC on Thursday raised its COVID-19 travel health notice level for cruise ships to its highest warning level, citing r...
Read More-Seacations have the potential to encourage further bookings for international cruisess later this year-COVID-19 breakout on board could decrease travelers confidence-Shared facilities mean cruises present a risk for transmitting viruses easily Many cruise operators have jumped at the opportunity to take advantage of a predicted UK domestic holiday surge by offering ‘seacations’. Wrong moves such as a COVID-19 breakout on board could decrease travelers confidence and have a knock-on impact on much-needed income. However, if done right, these offerings have the potential to encourage further, higher-yielding bookings for international voyages later this year and into 2022, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company. Rheanna Norris, Associate Analyst at GlobalData, comm...
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