Pearl Seas Cruises received green light from Cuba

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 09 December 2016 09 December 2016

Pearl Seas Cruises, the boutique cruise line that operates the 210 passenger Pearl Mist cruise liner, said it will be cruising to Cuba from Florida in January 2017. “The line will be among the first to visit the island nation in the new year with a 10 night cruise scheduled to depart Fort Lauderdale on January 17, 2017,” the company said in a statement.

Pearl Seas Cruises will circumnavigate the island, visiting Havana and a host of ports on the southern coast including Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and Santiago de Cuba. "The 210 passenger Pearl Mist will provide a more personalized people-to-people cultural program than the larger cruise ships. The new ship is also fully stabilized and features the latest navigation and safety technology," the company said.

“There is significant demand to visit Cuba on a smaller ship and we are honored to be among the first cruise lines to have access to the country,” said Timothy Beebe, Vice President of Pearl Seas Cruises. The company has 11 cruises planned during January through May next year. Each will be 10 nights in length and will sail round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Celestyal Cruises to operate fourth season of Cuba cruises

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 December 2016 07 December 2016

Celestyal Cruises, the destination focused cruise line in the Louis plc group on Cyprus, said it would operate fourth year of cruise operation in Cuba.

After three successful seasons, the company now sails to Cuba year-round, providing thrilled passengers from across the globe the opportunity to experience Cuba authentically with programs that showcase: interactions with its people, culture and customs; historically important and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites; delicious Cuban cuisine, music, and more on board and ashore, the company said in a statement. 

For U.S. travelers, a people-to-people itinerary is offered by Celestyal Cruises that meets current U.S. legal requirements for a full time program of educational and cultural exchange activities. Special shore excursions have been designed to comply with OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) regulations while providing opportunities for personal discovery and enrichment.  

Keel laid for Seabourn Ovation, Seabourn's newest ultra-luxury vessel

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 02 December 2016 02 December 2016

Seabourn celebrated the keel laying for Seabourn Ovation during a ceremony held today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri, Italy. Scheduled to debut in the spring of 2018, today's ceremony marks a significant milestone in the construction of the line's newest ultra-luxury ship.

Seabourn Ovation is the sister ship to Seabourn Encore, which was delivered just two days ago on Nov. 30, 2016. With the addition of these newest ships, Seabourn will have the youngest and most modern ultra-luxury fleet in the industry.

"Between the keel laying of Seabourn Ovation and the delivery of Seabourn Encore, this has been a historic week for our company," said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. "I am very proud to see our fleet evolving with even more important milestones during the construction of Seabourn Ovation in the next year and a half."

Designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany, the 40,350 gross ton ship will feature modern design elements and innovations in keeping with Seabourn's reputation for understated elegance. Seabourn Ovation will be configured with one additional deck and new expanded public areas, and will carry just 600 guests, based on double occupancy. In addition, every suite will feature a private veranda. The ship will expand and build on the line's award-winning and highly acclaimed Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionized ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011.

Costa Asia launches China’s first 46-day cruise to South Pacific Islands

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 02 December 2016 02 December 2016

Costa Asia, a brand under the world‘s largest travel company Carnival Corporation & plc, launched China’s first 46-day cruise to South Pacific Islands onboard Costa Atlantica from Tianjin on November 30, 2016. This cruise is a cooperation with Caissa Touristic, one of the largest travel agencies in China. Since Costa Asia entered China 10 years ago, it has focused on innovation to bring Chinese guests the most desirable and high-quality cruises. In line with China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, this year’s 46-day cruise promotes the cooperation between countries along the road in travel, business, culture, education and transportation.

In 2015, Costa Asia launched China’s first Around-The-World Cruise, taking Chinese guests on a voyage to the 28 most fascinating destinations around the world. Now, this 46-day Cruise to the South Pacific Islands, opens another chapter in China’s globe-spanning cruises.

“After the success of last year’s World Cruise, this new itinerary, as the first of its kind in China, marks a special milestone for Costa Asia and China’s cruise industry. I hope all of our passengers will experience an exciting and simply wonderful cruise on Costa Atlantica,” stated Buhdy Bok, President of Costa Group Asia.

“This cruise was 2 years in the making, the first itinerary covering the islands in the South Pacific, and the first China originating cruise crossing the equator and the International Date Line. We hope this cruise will boost the development of China’s cruise industry and enhance the cooperation between China and the South Pacific countries in the field of tourism exchange,” stated Chen Xiaobing, Founder of Caissa China and President of Caissa Touristic.

After thrilling in an “Italy at Sea” holiday on the 86-day world cruise, Costa Altantica continues to delight our esteemed Chinese guests where over 100 passengers from the World Cruise last year chose to sail along once again. With over 2,000 passengers choosing to explore South Pacific, Costa Atlantica will take passengers across two continents, visiting 12 islands of nine countries, allowing passengers to discover the South Pacific and unfrequented islands up close. Some of the most fascinating places on earth are included in the itinerary: Saipan, Suva, Papeete, Bora-Bora, PagoPago and Rabaul.

As a passenger representative, 60-year-old retiree Zheng Zeping said “Costa Asia’s World Cruise last year offered my husband and me a unique travel opportunity. This year, we are choosing South Pacific itinerary without hesitation, and will celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary onboard”. Another passenger representative, famous musician Qiao Chu said “Last year's 86-day Cruise inspired and shaped my work with blooming ideas. This year my fiancée and I will enjoy our honeymoon on Costa Atlantica where we fell in love. ”