Sit back and enjoy this tour and review of MSC Cruises, MSC Seaside by The Endless Adventure vlog. I have become a fan of their fun and informative videos. Be sure to check out their YouTube Channel here and subscribe. I hope this video about MSC Seaside helps give you a glimpse of what an MSC Cruise will be like. Don’t forget to to also watch their MSC Seaside Food Tour!
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MSCCruises is the world’s largest privately-owned cruise company and the number one cruise line in Europe, South America, South Africa and the Gulf. A game-changer in the world of cruises, the Company has achieved 800% growth in its first ten years, building a global reputation in the industry and one of the youngest cruise fleets at sea. MSCCruises is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
The MSCCruises fleet currently comprises 15 ultra-modern, highly innovative and elegantly designed ships, offering an unparalleled holiday experience with always delicious and authentic food, award-winning entertainment, plenty of relaxation, comfortable accommodation, as well as impeccable service and expertise.
Under its ambitious industry-unprecedented €13.6 billion (≈15.6 billion USD) investment plan, the fleet is set to expand to 29 cruise ships by 2027. To date, MSCCruises has designed six new large ship classes, all prototypes that push the boundaries of marine architecture and design, and an ultra-luxury class with ground-breaking options for guest comfort.
Royal Caribbean Celebrates First Steel Cut For Odyssey of the Seas at Meyer Werft Shipyard
Royal Caribbean International marked an important milestone yesterday as the first piece of steel was cut for its second Quantum Ultra Class ship at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The 27th ship in the global cruise line’s fleet is set to be named Odyssey of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean Celebrates First Steel Cut For Odyssey of the Seas at Meyer Werft Shipyard
Royal Caribbean Celebrates First Steel Cut For Odyssey of the Seas at Meyer Werft Shipyard
Royal Caribbean Celebrates First Steel Cut For Odyssey of the Seas at Meyer Werft Shipyard
Royal Caribbean Celebrates First Steel Cut For Odyssey of the Seas at Meyer Werft Shipyard
Royal Caribbean Celebrates First Steel Cut For Odyssey of the Seas at Meyer Werft Shipyard
Set to debut in fall 2020, Odyssey of the Seas will sail from the United States. Additional details on Odyssey will be revealed later this year.
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Kicks Off Sweepstakes, Continues #ChooseFun Social Media Campaign Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®
After completing a month-long tour of California to celebrate the arrival of the new Carnival Panorama to the West Coast, Carnival Cruise Line’s #ChooseFun AirShip is extending its aerial journey taking to the skies over Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona.
Carnival Airship floats over Carnival Vista” width=”1024″ height=”717″ /> The Carnival Airship floats over Carnival Vista
And there’s never an end date to raising money for a great cause – continuing the charity component of the AirShip’s month-long flyover, for anyone who takes a picture of the AirShip and posts it on social media with the hashtag #ChooseFun, Carnival will make a $2 donation to its longtime charity partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® up to a maximum donation of $20,000.
“Fans everywhere can’t get enough of the Carnival AirShip and neither can we!” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “If there’s anyone who knows how to Choose Fun, it’s Carnival, and what better way to do that than to continue the AirShip’s journey.”
Last month, the AirShip made its West Coast debut gaining the attention of tens of thousands of consumers across California in anticipation of the arrival of Carnival Panorama to Long Beach, Calif. in December – the first new Carnival ship homeported on the West Coast in 20 years and the world’s first ship to have a trampoline park at sea, in partnership with Sky Zone. Carnival Panorama will debut with a special three-day inaugural cruise from Long Beach on Dec. 11, 2019, followed by the launch of year-round, seven-day Mexican Riviera sailings on Dec. 14, 2019. The ship joins Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration to carry upwards of 600,000 guests annually from the West Coast – more than any other cruise operator.
Carnival Cruise Line recently revealed our first look at design details for the highly anticipated Mardi Gras, the line’s most innovative ship set to debut in 2020. Mardi Gras will offer an extensive array of popular Carnival guest favorites along with new exciting experiences highlighted by six themed zones. Throughout the ship’s 20 decks and in each of these distinctive areas, guests will find fun, memorable ways to create their own personalized vacation with dining, libation, entertainment, recreation, and relaxation options.
Grand Central takes the traditional atrium concept to new heights, combining a day-to-night entertainment complex with spectacular three-deck-high floor-to-ceiling windows and a bar overlooking the starboard side of the ship.
Creating a sense of wonder the moment guests step on board, the transformative Grand Central takes the traditional atrium concept to new heights, combining a day-to-night entertainment complex with spectacular three-deck-high floor-to-ceiling windows and a bar overlooking the starboard side of the ship that will be the perfect venue for socializing and people watching amid sweeping ocean vistas. Steps away are Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki which are being expanded from designs on existing ships to reflect their popularity with guests. There’s also the first-ever dedicated Punchliner Comedy Club where guests can enjoy nightly shows, and the always popular Piano Bar 88 for sing-a-longs that bring guests together in an intimate feel-good setting.
French Quarter (Deck 6, aft)
alt=”Mardi Gras will feature a traditional New Orleans jazz club” width=”1024″ height=”576″ /> Mardi Gras will feature a traditional New Orleans jazz club with live entertainment and refreshing hand-crafted libations.
In a nod to the New Orleans’ culture that combines lively entertainment with an unparalleled food scene, French Quarter will be lined with new bars, music and eateries that perfectly capture the festive spirit of the Big Easy. And since the spirit of New Orleans is so closely tied to the jazz scene, this neighborhood is linked via a two-deck-high promenade leading to a traditional New Orleans jazz club with live entertainment and refreshing hand-crafted libations. More details on these new dining and entertainment choices and the introduction of a new Carnival celebrity partnership will be revealed this spring.
At La Piazza, guests are transported to Italy where they celebrate the rich heritage of Carnival’s senior officers with authentic cuisine from the casual family-style Cucina del Capitano and 24/7 Pizzeria del Capitano to a new Mediterranean-themed seafood restaurant. There’s also a bar where guests can savor cappuccino by day or classic Italian cocktails at night, while roaming musicians keep everyone entertained.
Carnival is already known for its varied casual poolside restaurants and Mardi Gras’ expanded Lido will take this to a whole new level with existing Carnival favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery, along with some new concepts to be announced at a later date that are sure to inspire foodie fans.
The Ultimate Playground (Decks 18-20, aft)
The Ultimate Playground will span Decks 18-20 and features the largest and most elaborate Carnival WaterWorks aqua park in the fleet, along with an expanded SportSquare and the much-anticipated BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster.
The aptly named Ultimate Playground will span Decks 18-20 and offer guests amazing sea vistas as they soak up the sun and the fun in this spacious family-friendly play area highlighted by the largest and most elaborate Carnival WaterWorks aqua park in the fleet, along with an expanded SportSquare. The Ultimate Playground is also where guests will find the much-anticipated BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first roller coaster at sea announced in December 2018, where riders race along an 800-foot-long track achieving speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour.
Mardi Gras will also incorporate all of the line’s most popular signature features from its nearly completed $2 billion fleet enhancement program that has brought a consistent level of experiences to the more than five million passengers who annually sail on Carnival, such as Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, and the Serenity adult-only retreat, among others – many of which will offer an exciting twist, along with a variety of new innovations exclusive to this vessel.
Reservations for Mardi Gras’ itineraries will be announced and open for sale on Jan. 30, 2019. Carnival Cruise Line fans who want to be the first to book on Mardi Gras can get a head start by clicking here where they can register up until Jan. 27, 2019 to get a “first to know” alert and special promotional offer when reservations open. You can also view the Mardi Gras DECK PLANS by clicking here.
To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visitCarnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.
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The very first virtual personal cruise assistant. Exclusive to MSC Cruises, ZOE is the latest interactive feature of MSC for Me, an innovative multi-channel digital cruise experience that revolutionizes and personalizes the way Guests get cruise information.
ZOE – the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant – is poised to take MSC Cruises’ Guest Services to an exciting new level with guest-centric technology that will further enrich the cruise vacation. Developed in partnership with HARMAN and Samsung Electronics, ZOE is a voice-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) tool found in every stateroom. ZOE can speak seven languages, answer hundreds of questions about the cruise and provide information about on board services, guidance and suggestions or help to book a service. An easy to use device – guests simply say, “OK ZOE”, and she’s ready to help. The advanced voice recognition feature makes it easy for everyone to control and access information using only voice commands.
ZOE is a first in the cruise industry and another example of how MSC Cruises continues to lead the way by employing technology to enhance the guest experience. ZOE will launch on MSC Bellissima and will then be available on each following new ship, including the upcoming MSC Grandiosain 2019 and MSC Virtuosa in 2020.
Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO commented, “The cruise experience is constantly evolving to become ever-richer, offering an increasingly wide choice of services and facilities. In 2017, we introduced MSC for Me, an industry-leading digital innovation platform that revolutionized the way that guests were able to customize and personalize their experience. The technology was built into the very design of the new ships, incorporated into every step of the development process of each prototype, from conception to construction.”
Mr Onorato continued, “This was just the starting point in providing a connected cruise experience. There was a core guest need to be met, which was to find answers to common questions in a quick and easy way, enabling guests to make the most of their vacation. We researched the latest connected technologies and identified voice assistants and Artificial Intelligence as the way to meet this need, and the work on ZOE began.”
src=”https://cruiseaddicts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Meet-Zoe-1024×682.jpg” alt=”Meet ZOE – the world’s first personal cruise assistant by MSC Cruises” width=”1024″ height=”682″ /> Meet ZOE – the world’s first personal cruise assistant by MSC Cruises
CO-CREATING INNOVATION
This ground-breaking AI guest service has been developed in partnership with the MSC Cruises’ Business Innovation team and HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. The collaboration has brought together the best-in-class expertise in voice-enabled technology and cruise expertise as part of a shared vision for connected living, now extended to the cruise industry.
“Today, customers have increasingly high expectations for connected experiences wherever they live, work and, now, travel,” said Sanjay Dhawan, President – Connected Services and CTO, HARMAN. “Digital Assistants and voice recognition technologies are transforming the opportunity to create a guest experience that is highly personal, adaptable and intuitive. Our team at HARMAN Connected Services is incredibly excited to bring this innovation to MSC Cruises as we modernize and enhance the guest experience from the start to the end.”
ZOE has been designed to enrich MSC for Me by interacting with the in-stateroom TV. Long-term innovation partner Samsung Electronics, designed the Hotel Management System software that allows the personal assistant to connect with the TV to provide guests further in-depth information and other guest services.
ANSWERING GUEST QUESTIONS FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR STATEROOMS
To ensure ZOE could respond effectively to all guests, she has been programmed and trained to respond to more than 800 of the most commonly asked questions with thousands of different variants of each question. The conversation designs, ZOE’s natural speech recognition and ability to transform speech into text and back again has undergone significant testing, in addition to a variety of other behavioral, experiential and performance tests. As an artificial intelligence solution, ZOE is designed to continue learning and developing her responses based on real guest interactions.
While ZOE acts as a 24/7 virtual personal cruise assistant, she is not designed to replace human interaction between crew and guest, but rather to provide guests with the flexibility to communicate and discover information from the comfort of their staterooms.
To find out more about ZOE visit here and to find out more about MSC Bellissima visit here.
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Holland America Line is inviting fans from around the world to join in viewing the dedication ceremony of Nieuw Statendam by live streaming the event Feb. 2, 2019, at 2 p.m. EST (9 a.m. UTC). Those wanting to see the ship’s godmother, Oprah Winfrey, welcome Holland America Line’s newest addition to the fleet can watch at HollandAmerica.com/dedication or on the brand’s Facebook page.
The ceremony is being held aboard Nieuw Statendam from the World Stage theater at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where Winfrey — philanthropist, film star, TV icon, founder and editorial director of O, The Oprah Magazine — will officially dedicate the ship in a time-honored maritime tradition believed to bring good luck and protection to a new vessel and all who sail on board. Other speakers include Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald and Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford.
“Interest in the dedication ceremony for Nieuw Statendam from fans and friends around the world has been unprecedented, and through live streaming everyone is invited to be a part of this special event,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We are deeply honored that Oprah Winfrey will serve as godmother of Nieuw Statendam, and now anyone who wants to watch her dedicate our new ship can be there with us and celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
Following an overnight in Fort Lauderdale after the dedication, Nieuw Statendam will depart Feb. 3 on a seven-day Caribbean cruise.
Win a Cruise for Two with the Come Sail O-Way Sweepstakes To celebrate the debut of Nieuw Statendam, Holland America Line recently launched a Come Sail O-Way sweepstakes in partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine. One lucky winner and a guest will bask in the sun of the Caribbean or Mexico on a seven-day cruise in a verandah stateroom. Winners can choose from among the many Holland America Line ships in those regions, including Nieuw Statendam.
To enter the Come Sail O-Way sweepstakes, participants must visit SailOWaySweeps.com and fill out an entry form. Once that form is complete, the entry is automatically submitted. The sweepstakes runs through Feb. 17, 2019, and is open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Québec) who are 21 years of age or older as of the date of entry.
Carnival Corporation continues to expand its world-class culinary experiences as its nine world-leading global cruise line brands extend partnerships with more than 20 celebrity chefs and internationally-recognized culinary experts – more than any other company in the cruise industry.
The corporation’s brands have recently announced several additions to its food and beverage partnerships and programs, with the expanded offerings building on the corporation’s extensive lineup of dining options that bring some of the world’s best culinary experiences to guests sailing on its nine cruise line brands.
“Unique dining experiences and exclusive partnerships across our brands help us continue our goal of consistently exceeding the expectations of our guests, as great dining experiences are a key part of what makes a cruise vacation so memorable,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation. “Our partnerships with some of the world’s most highly regarded and creative chefs and specialty restaurants ensure that we are delivering exceptional dining experiences, whether our guests are in the mood to relax with a favorite comfort food or want to try something new and exotic.”
Expanded Partnerships with Acclaimed Chefs, Well-Known Brands for Creative Cuisine
According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), a record 30 million people are projected to cruise in 2019, up nearly 60 percent from the 17.8 million who cruised in 2009 – with nearly half of all cruise passengers sailing on one of Carnival Corporation’s brands. As dining is an important and memorable part of the overall guest experience, Carnival Corporation’s brands offer a host of inspired restaurants and cuisine from around the world, and continue to innovate their offerings to deliver extraordinary dining experiences at sea to guests.
The latest example is the grand opening of Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant on Holland America Line’s newest ship, ms Nieuw Statendam, recently launched in December 2018. The cruise industry’s first French-inspired, seafood brasserie specialty restaurant serves a classic selection of French seafood dishes with a contemporary twist, created by Chef Rudi Sodamin – one of the hospitality industry’s most innovative chefs and chairman of Holland America’s Culinary Council, a game-changing collaboration of seven world-class chefs guiding the culinary offerings on board and sharing their specialty menu items in all dining venues.
Carnival Cruise Line recently introduced new dining concepts onboard Carnival Horizon, its newest ship launched in 2018, including Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse | Brewhouse with BBQ favorites created by Food Network star Guy Fieri and featuring four new craft beers brewed on board. The ship also features Bonsai Teppanyaki, the line’s first teppanyaki venue. And when the brand’s totally transformed Carnival Radiance debuts in 2020, it will be the first cruise ship to feature “Big Chicken,” a seagoing version of a new restaurant created by the line’s Chief Fun Officer, NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal. The menu will feature a variety of fried chicken sandwiches and fries, with flavors to match Shaq’s larger than life personality, all free of charge.
Princess Cruises, the world’s largest international premium cruise line, is setting a new standard for the best wine list in the cruise industry with a newly imagined wine menu, offering nearly 50 percent more selections than previously available for a total of 142 wines – the most extensive in the cruise line’s history, carefully selected in partnership with Master of Wine and Master Sommelier Doug Frost. The brand also recently revamped its six-course, fine-dining experience from award-winning Chef Curtis Stone at SHARE, with fresh menu offerings and new “Crafted by Curtis” dishes on the main dining room menu rolling out fleetwide.
Another recent addition is Cunard’s new dining concept, “Steakhouse at The Verandah,” which has become a permanent feature after a successful pop-up. The new alternative dining restaurant is available on the line’s “three queens” – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth. Cunard’s team of chefs have curated a menu for the very best steakhouse at sea, in addition to a new selection of craft cocktails reflecting mixology trends from some of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Carnival Corporation’s Seabourn brand, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, announced in early January the introduction of Regiis Ova caviar on its fleet of five ships – an extension of Seabourn’s culinary partnership with Chef Thomas Keller through his new caviar company. The addition of the new caviar brand, set to take place across the Seabourn fleet during the first part of 2019, further elevates the brand’s sought-after caviar service, which is renowned throughout the luxury travel industry.
P&O Cruises (UK) announced that its newest ship, Iona, will debut in 2020 with a choice of 30 different bar and restaurant venues – the widest ever selection of places to eat and drink on a ship built exclusively for the British cruise holiday market. New innovative and flexible dining options include a “foodie” market offering cuisine from around the world, a new gastropub concept for the brand and a laid-back cocktail lounge. As part of the new approach to dining, Iona will exclusively offer Freedom Dining in all of its main restaurants, a first for P&O Cruises (UK) designed to give more flexibility to each and every guest. They can choose where and with whom they want to eat, and when they will sit down for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Ongoing Partnerships with Renowned Chefs for Multi-Course Menus to Next-Level Classics
With numerous culinary experiences and dining options developed by some of the best award-winning chefs in the world available onboard, Carnival Corporation brands are serving meals that rival the best restaurants on land, delivering distinctive, exceptional dining experiences.
Since 2011, Carnival Cruise Line has partnered with celebrity chef and Food Network star Guy Fieri to bring Guy’s Burger Joint to hungry travelers eager to dig into hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries. With special recipes created exclusively for the brand, the Carnival favorite serves 5 million burgers a year. The restaurant is now featured on the brand’s ships across the fleet as part of its fleet enhancement program, which will be completed following a dry dock that will transform Carnival Victory into Carnival Radiance in 2020.
aboard Carnival Cruise Line ships” width=”1024″ height=”871″ /> Guests aboard Carnival Vista can enjoy burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint with cooked-to-order hamburgers and French fries inspired by Food Network star Guy Fieri.
Bruno Barbieri, Master Chef Italy judge and 7-time Michelin-starred chef, began his career as a cruise ship chef and has been a longtime partner of Costa Cruises. To celebrate the brand’s 70th birthday the Italian chef created a new four-course menu featuring 12 dishes that celebrate the cruise line’s unmistakable Italian style, taking diners on a voyage through the traditional Italian flavors that have inspired him – from antipasto in the Northern Italian style to a delectable dessert that transports guests’ palates to Southern Italy.
On board Princess Cruises ships at The Salty Dog Gastropub, developed in collaboration with Chef Ernesto Uchimura, known for his innovative and modern comfort food, guests can enjoy gourmet small plates and enticing twists on traditional pub favorites, including its signature burger, the “Ernesto,” voted Best Burger at Sea by Cruise Critic.
P&O Cruises (Australia) debuted the first Australian celebrity chef restaurant at sea when it introduced Salt grill by Luke Mangan in 2009, and thanks to guest demand, this extended to two more ships within 12 months.
For a more fine dining experience, guests can enjoy a Salt grill experience with a special ‘Taste of Salt’ dinner at Pacific Explorer’s Chef’s Table. The five-course degustation meal features some of Luke’s land-based favorites such as the ‘Glass’ Sydney crab omelet and Luke’s licorice parfait paired with matching Australian wines.
At The Grill by Thomas Keller on ultra-luxury brand Seabourn, guests are treated to a modern take on a classic American restaurant from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Created in partnership with Seabourn in 2015, The Grill is a unique culinary concept for Chef Keller, exclusive to Seabourn, focusing on updated versions of iconic dishes.
Memorable Meals for Every Guest with Engaging and Immersive Onboard Offerings
For those who want to peer behind the curtain to see how the culinary magic happens, Carnival Corporation’s cruise line brands offer plenty of opportunities for guests to learn from legendary experts.
During Holland America Line’s 2019 Food & Beverage Aficionado Cruises, participants will have the opportunity to attend cooking, cocktail or wine demonstrations showcasing the talents of Culinary Council members and other experts from famed New York-based chef David Burke to sushi master Andy Matsuda. Additionally, thanks to Holland America Line’s partnership with America’s Test Kitchen, guests can embrace their love of cooking alongside the experts during onboard cooking shows on every cruise, hosted by Holland America Line’s chefs. The brand recently announced five new shows starting in January 2019 – covering everything from tacos and takeout to dinner for two – that will join the 14 current shows and feature a mix of video, instruction and live recipe demonstrations.
In AIDA Cruises’ Tim Mälzer Cooking Studio on board AIDAprima and AIDAperla, adults and children can test out new tips and tricks to bring home. In the newly styled steakhouses named by the popular German TV chef, guests embark on a culinary journey: from Tim’s burger to his favorite cut or chocolate cake, there’s something for everyone.
P&O Cruises (UK) works with the brightest lights of the culinary scene to bring innovative, delicious menus and exclusive foodie experiences to its guests. Highlights include the brand’s carefully crafted Food Heroes experiences – gourmet experiences on shore and on board with iconic Chef Marco Pierre White, master pâtissier Eric Lanlard and award-winning wine expert Olly Smith. Guests can join the chefs on shore to explore a new destination through its culinary landscape, and meet the Food Heroes on board through master classes and hosted dinners on select sailings.
Viking River Cruises Longship Aquavit Terrace at Sunset
Setting Sail This Spring, New River Ships, Itineraries and Extensions Will Visit New Destinations and Honor 75th Anniversary of D-Day
Viking® has announced the addition of two new itineraries and a variety of new pre- and post-cruise extensions to its river cruise offerings for 2019. Debuting in March 2019, the new 10-day Holland & Belgiumitinerary will sail between Amsterdam and Antwerp, allowing guests to explore the inland waterways of the Low Countries and visit new ports of call for Viking: Rotterdam, Maastricht and Nijmegen. Also, in commemoration of World War II and D-Day, Viking will offer a new 11-day cruisetour, Paris & D-Day 75th Anniversary, with two special departures that coincide with the June 6, 2019 anniversary. On this historic journey, guests will travel from London to the maritime city of Portsmouth before boarding their ship in Paris and sailing through Normandy, where they will visit and honor D-Day landing sites.
alt=”Viking Longship Idun on the Main River” width=”1024″ height=”768″ /> Viking Longship Idun on the Main River in front of Johannisburg Palace, Aschaffenburg, Germany
“As we begin this new year, one thing is certain – river cruising remains one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry. And it is no surprise that experienced travelers love river cruising. There is simply no better method of travel in the heart of Europe – sailing from iconic cities past castle-dotted landscapes into storybook villages, all in the comfort of a modern, Scandinavian-designed Longship,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “For more than 20 years, we have led the industry in developing the largest, most comfortable fleet of ships, the most culturally enriching itineraries, and the best value in pricing. We are proud to continue that innovation and leadership as we expand our river cruise offerings for 2019.”
Timeless Istanbul (New: Pre/Post Extension for Kiev to the Black Sea itinerary)– Prior to or following the river sailing, guests can extend their experience and join Viking in Istanbul for three nights. Where East meets West, guests will visit important religious sites such as the “Blue Mosque” and legendary Hagia Sophia.
Brussels(New: Pre/Post Extension for Holland & Belgiumitinerary) – A perfect complement to the new itinerary, guests can explore Brussels, Belgium’s vibrant capital during this two-night extension. Discover the lively café scene, multicultural roots and hidden architectural gems of this important river city.
Historic Bruges(New: Pre/Post Extension on the new Holland & Belgium itinerary) – Guests can extend their journey with a three-night experience in Bruges, one of Europe’s most well-preserved medieval cities. Guests will also enjoy exploring the surrounding area, including the architectural treasures of Ghent and the World War I battlefields of Flanders.
Churchill’s Britain(New: Pre/Post Extension on various river itineraries) – Building on the success of the Oxford & Highclere Castle program – Viking’s highest-rated Pre/Post Extension that visits “The Real Downton Abbey” – the company has applied the same degree of Privileged Access to a new curated Pre/Post Extension that explores the remarkable life and times of Sir Winston Churchill, the British statesman who led Britain through its darkest hours during World War II. Guests will have the opportunity to trace Churchill’s life, from his birthplace – the English baroque Blenheim Palace – and his family home at Chartwell, to his final resting place at St. Martin’s Church in the village of Bladon. Over the course of the five-night extension, guests will also have Privileged Access to the Churchill War Rooms, the prime minister’s secret underground headquarters, as well as Bletchley Park, the Victorian estate in Buckinghamshire, where Alan Turing and a team of mathematicians and scientists worked tirelessly to break German codes during World War II.
From the Bulge to Remagen(New: Post Extension for Paris & D-Day 75th Anniversary itinerary) – As a four-night extension option for this special itinerary, guests will continue to follow in the footsteps of Allied troops who marched across France toward Germany during World Wars I and II. Guests will visit Meuse-Argonne and Luxembourg American Cemeteries, the Bastogne War Museum in Belgium, walk the streets of the ancient city of Mainz and more.
World War Battlefields(New: Post Extension for Paris & D-Day 75th Anniversary itinerary)– Also offered during the special anniversary sailing, Viking will escort guests during a four-night cruise extension, exploring the battlefields of northern France and the Low Countries. Along the way, guests will visit Dunkirk, walk through the trenches of Flanders Fields, and pay their respects to British and Canadian servicemen at the Menin Gate.
Burgundy’s Vineyards(New: Post Extension for Lyon & Provence itinerary) – During this three-night extension in France, guests can experience the grandeur of Dijon and the world-renowned wine country of Burgundy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guests will enjoy the French lifestyle while visiting the Ducal Palace, the local market designed by Eiffel, and the beautiful Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune.
Viking is currently preparing to launch seven new river ships on European waterways in 2019. The new ships include six award-winning Viking Longships®, which will sail the company’s most popular itineraries on the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers, and one additional vessel, inspired by the Longships and specifically designed to sail Portugal’s Douro River.
Designed for discerning travelers with interests in history, art, music and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port and more overnights. On board, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is both beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. With the most al fresco dining opportunities on the waterways of Europe, featuring regional cuisine and always-available American classics, Viking’s guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences on shore and on board. And only The Viking Way® of exploration provides guests with itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access® experiences.
In addition, Viking offers a compelling value compared to other cruise lines. Every cruise fare includes an outside stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; Wi-Fi; and cultural performances as part of the Viking’s Cultural Curriculum® onboard programming.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises®has announced guests who book an Alaskan voyage on the most luxurious and amenity-laden cruise ship sailing Alaska in 2019 — the intimate, 350 all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner®— will save up to $1,500 per suite and also enjoy a shipboard credit of up to $500 on 10 select voyages.
This promotion reflects increasing consumer interest in sailing The Last Frontier. Alaska is one of the most in-demand cruise destinations and is projected to experience record cruise growth of 16 percent in 2019 to 1.3 million visitors, according to the Cruise Lines Industry Association Alaska.
Full details of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Alaskan voyages are available here. A video highlighting the elegant accommodations on board Seven Seas Mariner, which was refurbished bow-to-stern, is viewable here. Upgrades include dramatic new culinary experiences, exquisite new suite designs, and completely renewed elegant guest spaces.
“Witness the iconic wildlife, experience the frontier culture and use your Shipboard Credit to pre-book a Regent Choice shore excursion like a helicopter ride over glistening glaciers, and then return home to indulge in the sophisticated comfort of Seven Seas Mariner where every luxury is included,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “With unlimited shore excursions, roundtrip air, gourmet dining, fine wines and spirits and so much more included, there is no better way to experience Alaska than with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Thanks to her recent bow-to-stern refurbishment, Seven Seas Mariner is better than new.”
Visit Jewell Gardens, a spectacular northern show garden, where guests learn the ancient art of working with molten glass and then create a handmade ornament as an Alaska memento. In the spirit of the Gold Rush, guests have the opportunity to incorporate 24K gold in the ornament for dazzling effect. (Included in free unlimited shore excursions)
Taku Glacier Adventure By Air, Water & Ice, Juneau, AK
Enjoy the Alaskan adventure by air, water, and ice. Aboard a helicopter, guests fly high above Juneau, the Tongass National forest, the Juneau Ice Field, Gastineau Channel, and Taku River, all the way to Taku Point, and then take a second helicopter to the top of the Taku Glacier to step out onto the amazing 4,500-foot thick ice. (Regent Choice)
Sitka’s Great Hiking Adventure, Sitka, AK
Hike past a waterfall and boggy land known as muskeg, eventually arriving at a pristine mountain lake where guests can kayak, fish or simply gather around the crackling campfire. Few places are as peaceful and majestic as the Tongass National Forest, an area that president and avid outdoorsman Theodore Roosevelt first protected in 1902. (Regent Choice)
For more information about Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Alaskan voyages, please visit www.RSSC.com, call 1-844-4REGENT (1-844-473-4368) or contact a professional travel advisor.
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