GerryBarker

VANCOUVER, May 22, 2019 – Luxury cruise line Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth kicked off the company’s return to Alaska today in their West Coast homeport of Vancouver, Canada. Queen Elizabeth will sail four ten-night roundtrip voyages out of Vancouver in 2019, and ten voyages in 2020, calling at Juneau, Ketchikan, Victoria, Skagway, and more. The 2020 program will run from June-September, offering a variety of nine to 12 nights as well as a getaway cruise to San Francisco for an overnight stay on the 4th of July. The Alaska voyages will feature longer time in ports such as Ketchikan, Victoria, Juneau, Skagway, and others. In other experiences only to be found on Cunard, guests will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of Alaska with Cultured Heritage Guides on every sailing. For relaxation, guests can indulge in Mareel Wellness & Beauty (Cunard’s new holistic spa concept) on every voyage, offering oceanic treatments and meditation rituals inspired by the wilderness. And as night falls, with the backdrop of Alaska, guests will enjoy the unique sense of occasion with an Ice White Ball in the spectacular Queens Room on every voyage. “We are thrilled to launch our inaugural Alaska season today in Vancouver,” said Josh Leibowitz, SVP Cunard North America. “Our guests now have the opportunity to sail into this spectacular region with the luxury and style of being on a Cunard ship. With Glacier Bay added to our 2020 Alaska itineraries, our guests will have an even more dramatic front-row seat to witness the immense beauty of the region.” Guests who book a 2020 Alaska Voyage by June 27, 2019 receive: -Up to $1000 Onboard Credit per stateroom -50% reduced deposit -Third/fourth berths as low as $500 per person -Free Drinks and Free Gratuities for Grill Suite guests -5% off public fares for past guests -Up to $500 additional Onboard Credit per person when booking Cruise and Rail package -Please visit https://www.cunard.com/en-us/cruise-destinations/alaska visit for additional details on the offer Queen Elizabeth, the youngest ship in the fleet, has recently undergone a refit, launching the new spa concept Mareel Wellness & Beauty, developed in partnership with industry innovator Canyon Ranch®. The new spa offers a holistic approach with a focus on the healing energy of the sea. The spa features an extensive new treatment menu with mineral-rich seawater and marine-based experiences as well as a redesign of the entire spa facility. An Alaskan Wellness Experience will be featured during the Alaska voyages – a 2.5-hour treatment which incorporates elements of the environment. Cunard continues its partnership with Rocky Mountaineer, offering pre- and post-cruise tours on the famous railroad. Tours include either three- to five-nights’ accommodation, plus two full days aboard the train. The expedition travels through a spectacular array of scenery with glacier and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies, through winding river canyons, mountain passes and dramatic tunnels. Highlights include the Continental Divide, Kicking Horse Canyon, Spiral Tunnels and the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate in the Fraser Canyon. For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Advisor, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273 or visit www.cunard.com. PHOTO: Queen Elizabeth’s maiden visit to Vancouver, BC. (Photo by William Jans for Cunard) View full article

MIAMI (May 22, 2019) – Carnival Cruise Line’s #ChooseFun AirShip is heading east to celebrate the start of summer and the New York debut of the totally transformed Carnival Sunrise, kicking off its month-long tour with an appearance at the ship’s official naming ceremony at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on May 23. Over the subsequent four weeks, the 128-foot-long AirShip will visit locations across all five New York boroughs, New Jersey and Philadelphia, flying over many popular landmarks and events. AirShip’s first week will include visits to Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn followed by classic summer vacation hot spots Fire Island, Coney Island and Staten Island for Memorial Day weekend, and a week in Long Island. AirShip will then spend the first week of June flying over New Jersey before concluding its northeast tour in The Bronx and Brooklyn. “Seeing how successful our West Coast journey was earlier this year, we knew we had to get the East Coast in on the fun,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We plan to do New York in a big way this summer as we take the region by sea and air with summer sailings of the beautiful Carnival Sunrise and AirShip enticing fun seekers to Choose Fun with a Carnival cruise.” Carnival’s AirShip has a bigger and better charitable component than ever before, as well. Encouraging fans to engage with AirShip on social media, for every person who posts a photo of the colorful blimp using the hashtag #ChooseFun, Carnival will make a $10 donation to its longtime charitable partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, up to a maximum donation of $20,000, helping in the ongoing fight against childhood cancer. Consumers will also have the chance to win a free cruise or weekly drawings for cash gift cards when they enter the AirShip Sweepstakes that kicks off May 23 at carnival.com/choosefun. Carnival Sunrise will spend the summer in New York operating four- to 14-day voyages before repositioning to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for a winter schedule of Caribbean and Bahamian cruises beginning in October 2019. Carnival Sunrise then heads back to New York for another season of cruises in spring 2020. View full article

MIAMI (May 21, 2019) – Carnival Cruise Line announced today an exclusive partnership with the world-famous basketball team, the Harlem Globetrotters, serving as the group’s official cruise line sponsor worldwide. Combining the Harlem Globetrotters’ high-flying athleticism, theatrical stunts and comedic acts with Carnival’s role as the family cruise leader, the two ambassadors of fun will bring a new level of excitement to more than 150 of the team’s shows across the country. The Harlem Globetrotters’ always entertaining exhibition games will be enhanced by Carnival’s signature brand of fun through in-game integrations, giveaways and joint marketing efforts such as a designated Choose Fun Zone seating area with branded signage, playful décor, special player interactions and more. This partnership will also provide Carnival with traditional marketing assets to support their charitable partners’ initiatives. To celebrate the partnership, Carnival is launching an exclusive “Trot the Globe” sales event from May 21 – 23 which can be accessed at https://www.carnival.com/. A video shot on board Carnival Horizon featuring Harlem Globetrotters stars Hammer Harrison and Dragon Taylor showcases the dynamic duo’s impressive skills as they make shots from high above Carnival’s SkyRide aerial attraction and Lido Deck. The video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Ke36j-QUMto. “For more than nine decades, we’ve used basketball as a means to bring laughter, joy and fun to our fans worldwide,” said Howard Smith, Harlem Globetrotters president. “When we heard about the opportunity to partner with cruise industry leader Carnival, we couldn’t wait to use our combined love of entertaining audiences to make our games more fun and memorable than ever.” “The Harlem Globetrotters are synonymous with fun, helping families create wonderful memories – and our brands align so well together,” said Scott Becher, vice president, head of partnerships for Carnival Cruise Line. “We look forward to seeing how everyone will ‘Choose Fun’ Globetrotters-style.” Inductees of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and known for their incredible dribbling, shooting and dunking skills as well as their crowd interaction, the Harlem Globetrotters have performed for more than 148 million fans in 124 countries since their inception in 1926. Now performing 400 shows each year, the team has become a worldwide icon and pioneer in the sports industry showcasing some of the best basketball players in the world. View full article

MIAMI (May 20, 2019) – Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, the world’s leading luxury ocean cruise line, today announced the debut of an extensive array of innovative plant-based cuisine on menus across its fleet. Beginning October 1, 2019, more than 200 gourmet plant-based selections will be offered at breakfast, lunch and dinner to meet the evolving tastes of luxury travelers who are following vegan or vegetarian lifestyles, or hunger to enjoy more plant-based fare. New dishes like Wild Mushroom Tart with Brittle Pie Crust,Mushroom Duxelles and Red Pepper Coulis; Falafel Fritters with Harissa Mayo, Cucumber, Mint, and Capers; Spiced Potato & Green Pea Samosas with Tamarind Chutney; and Summer Berry Pudding Chantilly showcase a range of cuisines including Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Mexican, Italian, Malaysian, and more. Other menu highlights include nourishing Power Bowls and Poke Bowls, hearty pastas and noodles, light and refreshing salads and soups and decadent items like an ImpossibleTM Cheeseburger, and a Peach and Blueberry Cobbler with Cornmeal-Almond Topping. “For luxury travelers who are increasingly adding more plant-based cuisine to their meals, we’re offering even more imaginative selections of bold, flavorful appetizers, entrees and desserts, with craveable tastes and mouth-watering presentations,” said Jason Montague, Regent Seven Seas Cruises president and chief executive officer. “Our expanded plant-based cuisine sets the highest benchmark in luxury cruising.” Luxury travelers are increasingly interested in enjoying plant-based fare. Worldwide, more than 9 of 10 plant-based meals are consumed by people who are not vegans. Regent’s 200 plant-based selections will be fully integrated into the daily menus on Regent ships, instead of being offered on a separate menu. The new offerings were developed by Regent’s culinary leadership team under the direction of Bernhard Klotz, Regent’s vice president of Food and Beverage, in concert with worldrenowned chef, culinary instructor, and author Christophe Berg. “Plant-based cuisine appeals to a broad audience of luxury travelers,” Klotz explained. “This is an emerging, modern specialty cuisine that allows our guests to enjoy more flavorful foods that are in harmony with their current tastes and pushes the boundaries on Regent’s acclaimed culinary creativity and imagination.” Photo: Crispy Sweet & Sour Vegetables with Tofu, Cashew and Sesame Seeds (Credit: Regent) View full article

MIAMI (May 20, 2019) – Carnival Sunshine has launched a schedule of four- to 11-day voyages from the Port of Charleston, becoming the newest ship to operate year-round cruises from that port. Carnival Sunshine inaugural festivities on Saturday, May 18, included a luncheon for travel advisors, local officials and VIPs during which Carnival made a donation to One80 Place, a homeless assistance center supported by the cruise line for many years. Charleston-based ships have donated hundreds of mattresses, chairs, dishes and other items for use at the facility over the years. Carnival Sunshine’s schedule from Charleston includes four- and five-day sailings to the Bahamas, six- and seven-day voyages to Bermuda and the Caribbean, and the first-ever Cuba cruises from Charleston with a series of five-day sailings calling at Havana. Also offered are longer-length 10- and 11-day Carnival Journeys sailings to the Caribbean with day-long calls at tropical islands, opportunities to sample local cuisine and entertainment and activities like a retro Throwback Sea Day. “Carnival launched Charleston’s first-year round cruise program nearly a decade ago and we’re delighted to homeport Carnival Sunshine which offers our guests so many wonderful onboard features and amenities,” said Terry Thornton, senior vice president of nautical and port operations for Carnival Cruise Line. “This weekend’s festivities were a great way to celebrate the arrival of Charleston’s newest year-round cruise ship while supporting a longtime charitable partner that has made such a tremendous impact on the community,” he added. Commented Jim Newsome, SC Ports Authority president and CEO, “Carnival Cruise Line is a great customer of the Port, and we’re proud to welcome the Sunshine as a reflection of their success in Charleston. Cruise operations are an important part of SCPA’s maritime commerce mission and the diversification of our business segments. We look forward to continuing this productive relationship with Carnival and applaud their commitment to supporting charitable organizations in our community.” In addition to featuring more than 500 balcony staterooms and nearly 50 suites, Carnival Sunshine offers a wide range of onboard amenities that include stunning outdoor spaces like a three-level Serenity adults-only retreat, a suspended ropes course and Speedway Splash, dual racing slides that are part of an expansive WaterWorks aqua ark. A variety of food and beverage options such as Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, Cucina del Capitano family-style Italian restaurant, Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse, the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub and the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar are included as well. Charleston is an important part of Carnival’s ship deployment strategy in which the line positions ships near large U.S. population bases along the East and West Coasts and the Gulf of Mexico. Carnival sails from 20 different North American homeports providing a convenient and cost-effective means for its guests to get to and from their cruise. It’s estimated that roughly half of the U.S. population is within a day’s drive of a Carnival homeport Carnival launched Charleston’s first year-round cruise program in 2010 and the departures attract guests from across the Southeast and other regions. Carnival and other cruise operators generate $131 million in direct expenditures and account for nearly 2,400 jobs and $93 million in wages toward the South Carolina economy. With Carnival Sunshine repositioning to Charleston, Carnival Ecstasy was deployed to Jacksonville for year-round four- to seven-day cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean. In turn, Carnival Elation, previously based in Jacksonville, shifted to Port Canaveral for a new four- and five-day Caribbean/Bahamas schedule from the Space Coast. View full article

Royal Caribbean has debuted their new private island experience, "Perfect Day at CocoCay." We wrote about it after the Symphony of the Seas preview cruise: Royal Promises 'Thrills and Chills' at Coco Cay It includes a massive new waterpark and over-the-water cabanas you can rent for the day. Here's a video from Royal with more:

Hi Andi -- This was our first visit to San Juan and agree, Old San Juan seems fine for the most part. We would have liked to have more time to explore. The wait was too long at Barrachina, the birthplace of the Pina Colada. Maybe next time!

Thank you, Jan! I'll be posting something on Puerto Rico and St. Maarten as well.

We recently had an opportunity to tour St. Thomas and meet with representatives of the U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Dept. They showed us how the popular Caribbean destination is getting back to normal after two devastating, back-to-back hurricanes in 2017. If you are going to St. Thomas, here are some articles we posted that might be of interest: St. Thomas Food Tour A Visit to Coral World Ocean Park Taking a Scenic Tour of St. Thomas Virgin islands are "Back in Business" Photo: Coral World, by Gerry Barker

Seattle, Wash., May 15, 2019 — Holland America Line’s new EZpay makes it a breeze to budget for a dream cruise vacation and pay it off over time. EZpay spreads out the cruise balance into equal, interest-free monthly payments leading up to final payment. The plan gives guests the flexibility to pay for their cruise at their own pace, with the ability to opt out at any time without penalty. Nearly all of Holland America Line’s worldwide itineraries are eligible for EZpay, as long as they are not within the final payment deadline. Following the payment of a cruise deposit, EZpay charges a supplied credit card once a month to pay for the cruise balance in full by the final payment deadline, and there are no additional fees. “We continually look for ways to enhance our guests’ experience even before they step foot on one of our ships, and EZpay allows the flexibility to pay off their cruise at their own pace,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Cruising is the best vacation value there is, and EZpay makes it possible for our guests to book their dream vacation now and conveniently budget it over an extended period of time.” Guests can choose the date of the monthly charge and a confirmation is sent following each payment. Extra funds also can be added to a payment, with the remaining balance recalculated into equal amounts. To sign up for EZpay, guests can request it when booking a cruise with a travel advisor or a Holland America Line representative. EZpay may be requested at any time leading up to final payment. For more information, contact a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com. View full article

Thanks for your comments. For a big ship, it's fairly easy to get your bearings and move around on Seaside. MSC is indeed making a big push for the U.S. markets and they will be a major player at the Miami Port for sure. We heard there are MSC ships coming that will host more than 7,000 guests, not counting crew.

As veteran cruisers, it's always exciting to experience a new ship, and a new brand, for the first time. So Pam and I were looking forward to our first voyage on MSC, taking MSC Seaside from the Port of Miami. We discovered a lot to like about this beautiful ship, and a few things that need improvement. Read our complete review here and please share your own experiences and thoughts.

(PRESS RELEASE)_(MIAMI, Fl. (May 8, 2019) – Brightline (soon to be rebranded Virgin Trains), the premier hospitality-driven intercity passenger rail service in the United States, announced today a strategic partnership with MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe. MSC Cruises is the official cruise line partner of Brightline. The partnership offers travelers a carefree, bag-free experience prior to setting sail in addition to a convenient travel option between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale to PortMiami when traveling on the rail system. Brightline will now offer special Train to Port bundle packages that allow MSC Cruises’ guests sailing from PortMiami to park their car, check-in and check their luggage at Brightline stations before boarding the cruise. Brightline will safely and seamlessly deliver riders’ luggage directly to guest staterooms on the ship. The packages will also include a Lyft Ride* from Virgin MiamiCentral station to PortMiami. Train to Port package fares may vary and will include train tickets, bag check, a roundtrip Lyft ride and parking services. To view and book Train to Port bundle packages, go to: gobrightline.com/traintoport/MSC. Packages start at $95.00 for every two passengers. “We are continuously looking for new ways to enhance our riders’ experiences,” said Johanna Rojas, Vice President of Marketing for Brightline. “With millions of travelers to South Florida embarking on cruise vacations, partnering with cruise carriers was an obvious next step for us and we’re thrilled to be working with MSC Cruises to continue simplifying the ways our guests travel.” “As MSC Cruises significantly expands its presence in North America and South Florida specifically, we are committed to partnering with world-class and innovative brands that will enhance our guests vacation experience from start to finish,” said Ken Muskat, EVP and Chief Operating Officer of MSC Cruises USA. “A vacation should be as carefree as possible, and with the partnership with Brightline, MSC Cruises is now able to offer its guests arriving in or traveling from South Florida a more seamless and convenient pre- and post-cruise travel experience.” MSC Cruises currently operates four cruise ships out of PortMiami: MSC Seaside and MSC Armonia, which sail year-round; MSC Divina, which sails seasonally; and MSC Meraviglia, which will join the ships sailing from Miami this fall, seasonally. Guests sailing on any of the four ships can take advantage of MSC Cruises and Brightline’s new Train to Port offerings. Poised to reinvent train travel in the United States, Brightline is the hospitality-driven express intercity passenger rail service that currently connects Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, with expected future service from Orlando to Tampa, and a new system between Las Vegas and Southern California. Additional cruise carrier partnerships to be announced in the near future. View full article

(PRESS RELEASE)_ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – April 25, 2019 – With just 66 days until the official debut of Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Cruises has unveiled three new cutting-edge partnerships for the revolutionary new ship: A world-renowned conservationist turned Godmother, a one-of-a-kind designer with an unmatched vision, and a leading university specializing in marine and atmospheric sciences. “We are also thrilled to unveil three one-of-a-kind partnerships, which help underscore our passion for protecting this beautiful archipelago,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “Each of these new partners are helping shape a better tomorrow for our planet in one way or another – whether it’s through the research, sustainable material sourcing or conservation – and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of this sea change.” Lutoff-Perlo also added: “These new partnerships are accentuating the already incredible work we’ve done with our other partners, including the amazing Francesca Bucci of BG Studio International, a New York City hospitality design firm – who designed every aspect of this stunning new ship – and the world-renowned marine scientist and regional destination expert Dr. Ellen Prager – who crafted new and exciting science- and discovery-based programming exclusive to Celebrity Flora.” A GODMOTHER WITH PURPOSE Naturally, sharing Celebrity’s passion for environmental stewardship was the most important factor in choosing a godmother for one of the most eco-friendly ships of its size in the Galapagos Islands. No one was a better match than Yolanda Kakabadse. Recognized as a prominent environmental leader and a global champion of sustainable development and biodiversity preservation, Kakabadse is a former Minister of Environment for the Republic of Ecuador and a former president of both the International Union for Conservation of Nature and World Wildlife Fund International. Kakabadse is passionate about reducing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of food waste, and is a member of Champions 12.3. She has dedicated her career to leaving the world a better place. “The Galapagos Islands are an ecological treasure and I am excited to showcase its one-of-a-kind biodiversity through Flora,” said Kakabadse. “I am proud to partner with a company that is committed to sustainability in the Galapagos and showing leadership on an issue critical to sustain this beautiful ecosystem, food waste.” As part of Celebrity’s more than 20-year repertoire of environmental efforts and inspired by the work of Celebrity Flora’s Godmother, the brand is pleased to partner with Kakabadse to further focus on continued efforts to further reduce the any food waste and to create passionate advocates for conservation in every guest who sails. UNRAVELING THE MYSTERY OF THE OCEAN Located at the intersection of five ocean currents are the lush Galapagos Islands, with their world-famous ecology featuring some of the most diverse flora and fauna anywhere in the world. Understanding how those currents and weather patterns have impacted development of the unique island environment and wildlife is a key part of conserving the one-of-a-kind archipelago for years to come. With the launch of their newest ship, Celebrity Cruises had the opportunity to blend exploration and research by making Celebrity Flora the first vessel in the Galapagos to be equipped with cutting-edge oceanographic research equipment, known as Oceanscope. The program builds on a more than 20-year relationship with University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science that benefits from a cruise ship’s consistent itinerary to create a perfect and cost-effective way for scientists to gather and measure ocean circulation dynamics. The system will track and map the region while measuring sea-surface temperatures and gathering data critical to research prediction of El Niño and La Niña. All findings gathered by Celebrity Flora will become open source data – globally accessible to research – a first for scientists around the world and anyone with a passion for this information. "Celebrity Flora's repeated circumnavigations of the Galapagos Archipelago will not only yield data essential to understanding the physical system that has created and maintains the unique Galapagos ecosystem but will be an invaluable contribution to our understanding of the effects of global weather and climate upon eastern equatorial Pacific circulation and regional ocean acidification,” said Peter B. Ortner, Research Professor, University of Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. DESTINATION-INSPIRED DESIGN When Celebrity set out to build the first ship designed with the Galapagos in mind, the brand knew it needed to bring on a designer whose aesthetic not only drew inspiration from the region, but who also had a personal connection to this one-of-a-kind destination and would complement the stunning ship design by BG Studio. Ecuadorian-native Adriana Hoyos was the perfect choice. A renowned interior and furniture designer, Hoyos pulls inspiration from her heritage and her extensive travels and highlights sustainable materials when crafting a new collection. Her one-of-a kind pieces can be found throughout the Discovery Lounge, Penthouse Suites and the Marina, complementing the ship design with local elements that connect to the destination organically. “The Galapagos have always been a great inspiration for my work. Each island has different elements like the sand, the volcanic ashes, the leaves and all of those textures put together have a place in my furniture. That is why we chose selected pieces to complement the ship’ design with local elements that will connect organically to the design of the cruise,” said Hoyos. “The ship is unique and Galapagos is a unique place as well!” EXPERIENCE THE EVOLUTION OF TRAVEL IN THE GALAPAGOS One of the most energy-efficient ships of its size in the diverse archipelago, the 100-guest Celebrity Flora is the first ship of its kind designed specifically for the Galapagos. The cutting-edge new ship will feature Celebrity’s signature outward-facing design concept, giving guests 360-degree views of the islands, and all-suite accommodations – including an unprecedented 50% Sky Suites with Infinite Veranda – equipped with personal attendants. Unique to Celebrity Flora are the first-ever glamping experience at sea, new dining venues, an open-air stargazing platform, expert-led ecological seminars, and custom-designed Novurania yacht tenders, which create a seamless sea-to-shore experience for guests. Celebrity Flora will sail from Baltra year-round, making her first sailing on June 30, 2019. Bookings are now open at www.celebritycruises.com/galapagos/ships/celebrity-flora or through a travel advisor, for the ship’s alternating seven-night inner and outer loop itineraries and selection of 10-, 11-, and 16-night packages, which feature either pre- or post-cruise expeditions. (Gerry Barker is a freelance travel writer who has covered the cruise industry for 10 years, formerly with The Palm Beach Post. He and his wife Pam maintain a Cruise Blog on NorthPalmBeachLife.com) View full article

PRESS RELEASE)_Miami, FL April 2019: Boutique cruise line, Azamara Club Cruises, is thrilled to announce the complete list of 2021 and winter/spring 2022 itineraries. Committed to its Destination Immersion® programming, guests can expect over 140 overnight stays around the world; and deepen their discovery of Eastern Europe with expanded itineraries to the Black Sea and Turkey, including overnights in Istanbul and a chance to explore hidden gems including Antalya and Sinop. “Being a leader in Destination Immersion means staying ahead, which is why we’re thrilled to introduce our complete list of 2021 and winter/spring 2022 itineraries” says Larry Pimentel, President and CEO of Azamara Club Cruises. “With our commitment to connect people with culture, our guests can uncover world wonders, including new destinations such as Guyayaquil, Ecuador, with an overland expedition to the Galapagos Islands. We will also return to Japan, one of our most popular country-intensive itineraries, which visits marquee ports like Tokyo and Kobe, as well as the remote treasures of Kitakyushu and Kanazawa.” 10 Maiden Ports Include: Amami, Japan Arica, Chile Brest, France Fraser Island, Australia Guayaquil, Ecuador Manta, Ecuador Milos, Greece Pylos, Greece Tema (Accra), Ghana Warrenpoint, Northern Ireland Highlights of the 2021 and winter/spring 2022 itineraries and shore excursions include: In 2021, Azamara more than doubled its overnights in France and Spain since 2015 – examples of shore excursions include: · Andalusian Gastronomy Experience in Seville, Spain – Among the warm Mudéjar and Gothic style buildings of Seville, guests will learn how to cook like Sevillanos at the Taller Andaluz de Cocina. The Andalusian Cooking Workshop is located near the Mercado de Triano—a historical food market located a short distance from the city’s center. An unforgettable experience guided by a local, professional chef, participants will prepare the region’s quintessential dishes, later tasting them with the group. · Nantes/Loire Valley – A returning port for Azamara guests, travelers will experience old-world French culture with a visit to the privately owned, Chateau de Goulaine, which has been home to the Goulaine Family for over 1,000 years. Chateau-goers will marvel at splendors like the 15th century kitchen and winery; a local white wine tasting is included. Immediately after, visitors will drive 45-minutes to Clisson, a town known for its Medieval, Italian atmosphere and former middle ages fortress, Castle of Clisson. Azamara Travels Deeper into Turkey – highlights of the shore excursion programming include: · Complete Istanbul, Turkey – Azamara will spend three overnights in Turkey’s largest city, providing guests with an action-packed one-and-a-half-day tour. Highlights include a trip to the ancient Hippodrome; St. Sophia Museum, which originated as a church in 360 AD under Constantine; and Topkapi Palace, a great walled complex hugging the shores of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn and also the residence of the Ottoman Sultans. · Returning Ports: Antalya and Sinop - Azamara will be returning to two of Turkey’s hidden gems, Antalya and Sinop. Nestled on the coast of the Mediterranean, guests going ashore in Antalya will discover the world-famous Greco-Roman amphitheater, Aspendos—one of the world’s most well-preserved theaters, with seating for 15,000 people, which is still being used today. New Grand Voyages: Azamara will offer new Grand Voyages where guests can book back-to-back sailings across the globe and receive Onboard Credit for each leg of their voyage plus free WiFi. Azamara’s Grand Voyages are designed for guests to opt in for longer sailings by visiting more destinations, connecting with locals and their culture, while simultaneously saving money on their booking. One example of a new Grand Voyage includes: 69-night circumnavigation of South America: Roundtrip out of Miami, starting January 2022, this voyage will give guests an immersive experience of South America, covering 32 countries including Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, and sails through Antarctic Sound. To learn more about Azamara’s 2021 and Winter/Spring 2022 Itineraries, please visit: www.azamara.com/2021-2022-voyages. (Gerry Barker is a freelance travel writer who has covered the cruise industry for 10 years, formerly with The Palm Beach Post. He and his wife Pam maintain a Cruise Blog on NorthPalmBeachLife.com) View full article