GerryBarker

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (BCPL) has announced a new lineup of deals and promotions that make it easier than ever for travelers to book the perfect getaway to Grand Bahama Island. As the only provider of daily, two-night cruises from the Port of Palm Beach to Grand Bahama Island, the cruise line will welcome back favorites like the Kids Sail Free and Triple Play promotions, as well as new discounted sailing rates and deposit fees. $129 Triple Play Triple Play is back and available now through April 30, 2019. For $129 per person, guests can enjoy five free drinks (a $60 value), $25 onboard credit for use in the gift shop, specialty dining, spa services, shore excursions and more, and $50 Casino Match Play to try their luck in the Par-a-Dice Casino. * Offer available now through April 30, 2019 and valid on sailings through July 31, 2019 in interior and ocean view staterooms only. No promo code required Kids Sail Free Available now and just in time for summer, children age 16 and under can sail for FREE on any May 31 – September 1 sailing when booked by May 31. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s two-night cruises include a range of supervised onboard activities for little ones and teens. Staterooms begin at $139 per person. *Offer available now through Friday May 31, 2019 for kids 16 and under on all interior and ocean view staterooms as well as suites – based on occupancy by two paying guests. Please call 800-995-3201 to redeem this offer. $59 Per Person, Per Night Staterooms Available now through May 31, guests can book an adventure to Grand Bahama Island anytime August through December for only $59 per person, per night in any stateroom, which means there is no better time to book an affordable, fun vacation with family or friends. *Offer available now through Friday May 31, 2019 for all August 1 - December 29, 2019 sailings and applies to interior and ocean view staterooms only. Use promo code 59PPPNQ219 at checkout to redeem this offer or call 800-995-3201. $25 Reduced Deposits Now with Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, travelers can put even less money down to reserve a spot onboard Grand Classica and Grand Celebration so they can stress less and focus on enjoying a carefree getaway to the Bahamas. Featuring 50% off the standard deposit, fees start at $25 when guests call to book a cruise at (800) 995-3201. *Available for a limited time only For more information on Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line or to book a cruise, please visit: https://www.bahamasparadisecruise.com. (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

Posted by Gerry Barker Photo: Scarlet Lady Coffee Bar (Credit: Virgin Voyages) (PRESS RELEASE)_CHICAGO — April 22, 2019 — When Virgin Voyages’ first ship, the Scarlet Lady, embarks on her inaugural season in 2020, Sailors will have access to extraordinary brews from Intelligentsia Coffee. The specialty coffee pioneer and Virgin Voyages’ partnership will be rooted in shared values of commitment to quality and responsible sourcing. Coffee lovers should rejoice because Virgin Voyages Sailors will never have a bad cup on their holiday. Virgin Voyages’ exclusive Intelligentsia blend will be available complementary at all eateries on board Scarlet Lady and her sister lady ships. The Virgin Voyages Blend sources fresh coffee year-round, from Intelligentsia’s Northern season menu in the summer and fall and Southern season menu in the winter and spring. Throughout the year, Intelligentsia’s team creates a consistent flavor experience, balancing the comfort of familiar flavors with a spirit of adventure and discovery. Look for caramelized sugars, a touch of roastiness, and the natural sweetness that is the hallmark of Intelligentsia’s very best coffees. In addition to a constant supply of freshly brewed coffee in all eateries aboard Scarlet Lady, Ministry of Ground and Ministry of Ground Too powered by Intelligentsia will serve as the ship’s coffee bars, fully equipped with expert baristas and made to order beverages. Intelligentsia’s renowned coffee educators will provide extensive training to all Virgin Voyages baristas. "I judge a city by the quality of its coffee as social conversations cannot start before I've had my daily dose of personality juice,” said Chris Stubbs, Senior Director of Sailor Experience at Virgin Voyages.” We all knew Scarlet Lady needed a special coffee partner prepared by exceptionally trained baristas who can create the perfect cup of coffee to fuel our Sailors' voyages with us. Environmental sustainability and social impact are at the core of Virgin Voyages’ values. The brand’s purpose is to create an Epic Sea Change for All and use business as a force for good, creating positive changes for people and the planet. Those values are shared by Intelligentsia’s team, who focuses on making extraordinary coffee an agent of change. Chicago-based Intelligentsia is a pioneer of coffee’s “third wave”, and the ideals of exceptional quality, transparency, and innovation that define specialty coffee today. Best known for being the first to adopt the direct trade model, a progressive sourcing method where their buying team travels directly to coffee-producing countries to source and collaborate with partners, paying well above fair trade prices. Intelligentsia continues to innovate the industry, elevating every cup to a curated, culinary experience and working with partners to grow the world’s most exceptional coffees. Located in the heart of the ship on deck 7, coffee lovers can gaze out at the sea through a porthole-style window while enjoying their coffee. Designed by Softroom of London, Ministry of Ground features large porthole-style windows designed with their very own window seat so Sailors can gaze out at the ocean while sipping a single-origin crafted coffee. Ministry of Ground has been designed with soft earth-tone finishes and furnished with aquamarine and purple hues for seating, tables and loungers. In addition to great hand-crafted specialty coffees, Sailors visiting Ministry of Ground can indulge in complimentary light cakes and bites with retail items like bags of Intelligentsia coffees and Kilogram teas, coffee cups, kettles and more available for purchase. Ministry of Ground Too is located in The Galley food market, so Sailors can sip their favorite specialty coffee while grabbing a quick bite. Future Sailors and First Mates, travel partners, are invited to check out Virgin Voyages by visitingwww.virginvoyages.com. (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

Posted by Gerry Barker (PRESS RELEASE)_PLANTATION, FLORIDA - April 22, 2019 – Virgin Voyages and Emerald Brand have announced a strategic sustainability partnership to deliver Virgin Voyages’ Sailors a unique, Tree-Free™ and plastic-free experience on board their new fleet of ships. The partnership begins on the Scarlet Lady, setting sail in 2020. Virgin Voyages is among the first of major cruise lines to ban Sailor-facing, single-use plastic. Their goal: to fully embed sustainability into their business model through their operations and the Sailor experience itself. In addition to replacing single-use plastics with reusable items, Virgin and Emerald will deliver a Tree-Free™ experience through the ship's disposable paper products. Bath tissue, facial tissue, hot cups, paper towels, and napkins will be made from 60% to 100% Tree-Free™ material. These products are made with unique technology that uses the by-product of agricultural crops that are typically burned or wasted, in place of trees. The partnership underscores the level of impact both companies are seeking to make. Jill Stoneberg, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at Virgin Voyages, states "We have really ambitious goals here so no decision is taken lightly. Everything down to seemingly simple changes in our supply chain are made with the intention of giving Sailors the absolute best experience while continuing to change business for good.” "Driving change to solve the issue of plastic waste and deforestation has been embedded in our company's ethos since my father founded our group over twenty years ago,” states Ralph Bianculli Jr., Managing Director of Emerald Brand. “It is a pleasure to partner with Virgin Voyages, who is showing its Sailors and the world that you can balance both enjoying the earth and caring for it at the same time without sacrificing your experience.” In addition to providing Tree-Free™ and plastic-free products to the ships, Emerald's team of environmental experts, known more commonly as the Eco-Squad™, will help Virgin Voyages measure and communicate the environmental footprint reduction that has resulted from the switch to Emerald’s products. The Eco-Squad™ will also provide solutions for continuous improvement throughout the supply chain. (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

Posted by Gerry Barker (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (April 22, 2019) – Carnival Cruise Line expands its onboard youth programming with an exclusive partnership with Zumbini offering high-energy early childhood activities and classes that combine singing, dancing and playing. Created by Zumba and BabyFirst, Zumbini’s mixed-age music and movement curriculum features group sing-alongs, activities and musical instruments to keep children engaged and energized while learning. Led by Carnival’s trained youth staff and aimed at Carnival’s youngest cruisers, the fleetwide onboard Zumbini program, which will be free of charge, will encompass two class options taking place within the Camp Ocean children’s play areas and other lounges: · All voyages: 30-minute drop-off class for Carnival Penguins age group (two-to-five years old); · Voyages of six days or longer: 30-to-45-minute family class for children up to six years old focused on parent/child bonding. “Carnival carries 800,000 children annually, the most in cruising, so we’re always expanding and enhancing our onboard programming to provide even the youngest cruisers an unforgettable experience,” said Chris Nelson, vice president of entertainment for Carnival Cruise Line. “We are so excited to bring Zumbini to our ships and to give families and their children a unique experience.” “When we realized that Zumba was transforming the fitness community and turning rigorous dance and aerobic movements into fun, approachable and sharable experiences, we saw the potential to make classes specific to families and children,” said Alberto Perlman, CEO of Zumba. “Based on the revolutionary Zumba exercise programs for adults, Zumbini’s classes have soared in popularity on land, so I can only imagine how wonderful they will be on the high seas,” said Jonathan Beda, CEO of Zumbini. “We knew Carnival was the perfect partner to take Zumbini seaside and cannot wait to give Carnival’s guests the ultimate bonding experience and a new way to Choose Fun.” (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

Posted by Gerry Barker Related Story: Virgin Islands 'Open for Business' Photo: Governor Albert Bryan, Jr. addresses cruise industry stakeholders in Miami. (USVI Tourism) (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (April 17, 2019) - The U.S. Virgin Islands is determined to position itself as the number one tourism destination in the Caribbean by employing robust public-private partnerships. Recently installed U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan, Jr., who led the Territory's delegation to Seatrade Cruise Global in Miami last week, made the declaration during discussions with leaders of the cruise line industry when he also shared news of the Territory's tourism developments. Speaking at a welcome reception hosted by the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), Governor Bryan said "as we build this new Virgin Islands product and we recover from two hurricanes, our main push is to make St. Thomas the premier port in the Virgin Islands, to (solidify) an identity for St. Croix, whether it's in Christiansted with our small cruise ship industry or in Frederiksted with the expansion of our port and what we are doing in (the) town." The Governor said positioning the U.S. Virgin Islands as the premier destination in the Caribbean requires continued investment in the Territory's infrastructure and its people. He said it was important that Virgin Islanders understand the importance of tourism, explaining that the industry's continued contribution to GDP is dependent on high levels of customer service. To remain competitive, the U.S. Virgin Islands has embraced public-private partnerships, is looking at creative ways of securing financing, and is examining the addition of new ports of call to the Territory's harbors. "We cannot do that without the support of the FCCA and all our tourism partners, whether they're in aviation or the cruise (sector)," Governor Bryan said. "Working with the cruise industry is a commitment. It's a partnership. But together, the economic impact that we deliver to the destinations is unparalleled," said FCCA President Michele Paige. "We are not only your friend ... we're your partner," she told Governor Bryan and Commissioner of Tourism Designee Joseph Boschulte during the reception. Developing "win-win situations", she declared, was critical to the partnership. While in Miami, Commissioner Designee Boschulte, who is Chairman of The West Indian Company Limited and a board member of the Virgin Islands Port Authority, held several meetings with cruise ship executives on plans to upgrade the Territory's ports and to enhance the visitor experience. He also held strategic partnership talks with representatives from the British Virgin Islands, Sharon Flax-Brutus, Director of Tourism, and Shereen Flax-Charles, the newly-appointed Junior Minister of Tourism. At a travel industry luncheon - attended by members of the media, travel agents and meeting planners - the commissioner shared positive developments taking place across the sector, from airlift and accommodations to cruise port developments and arrivals, which have now returned to pre-storm levels. The tourism leader, who appeared on NBC's "6 in the Mix" during his visit, also had media appointments with representatives of Caribbean Journal, x, Food & Wine, Prevue, Recommend, Skift, The New York Times, Thrillist, and Travel + Leisure. In Miami, the USVI delegation displayed the culture of the Territory through a live performance by Virgin Islands musician Pressure Busspipe, vibrant steel pan music, a mocko jumbie, carnival dancers and authentic Virgin Islands products, ranging from candies and guavaberry to bush tea and pepper sauce. Commissioner Designee Boschulte declared: "The cruise industry is vital to the U.S. Virgin Islands' economy and our future as a tourism destination. Our attendance at Seatrade has increased cruise interest in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and we look forward to positive developments in the future." (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

By Gerry Barker SEATRADE MIAMI_ Now Arizona has its own cruise port. Or at least, the closest thing to it. Officials and media gathered at the Mexico booth to learn about Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV)'s planned cruises from Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) into the Sea of Cortez, described by famed oceanographer Jacques Cousteau as the "world's aquarium." Set to debut in December, the 12-day "Treasures of the Sea of Cortez" will sail round-trip from Puerto Peñasco to ports of call in Sonora, Sinaloa, and Baja California Sur, including: Puerto Topolobampo, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Santa Rosalia, and Guaymas. Rocky Point is 60 miles from the Arizona border and only a few hours drive from both Phoeniz and Tucson. Mexican officials at the event made a special point of saying travel to Rocky Point is safe. A “Safety Corridor” program between Sonoyta and Puerto Peñasco is maintained by authorities in Arizona and Sonora. “This is an exciting project that we have been very much looking forward to announcing together with the Mexican states of Baja California Sur and Sonora and the state of Arizona – the first opportunity to cruise from Puerto Peñasco – Rocky Point! Our new Treasures of the Sea of Cortez voyage takes travelers to discover some of the best kept secret destinations of Mexico from a beautiful seaside town conveniently located just outside Arizona,” said John Dennis, VP, Sales and Marketing for CMV USA in the press release. Guests will be traveling on the historic ship, Astoria, originally launched in 1948 and restored to accomodate 550 passengers on eight decks. The "Treasures of the Sea of Cortez" cruise includes: ⦁ The cruise program and accommodations category selected ⦁ All shipboard gratuities ⦁ Immersive and enriching lecture series throughout the cruise ⦁ House beer and wine included with lunches and dinner CMV also announed they will offer packages that will include hotel and transportation options to the Port of Peñasco, featuring stays in Phoenix, Tucson, and Peñasco. Scheduled to debut this December, fares will start at $1,599 per person. Established in 2010, CMV provides diverse cruises departing from ports in the UK, Europe, and Mexico, operating small to mid-sized classic cruise ships carrying between 500 to 1,500 guests. CMV carries approximately 150,000 passengers annually and is headquartered in the UK with offices in the United States, Australia, Germany, Mexico and Greece. Featured in the Photo: CMV and Mexican officials gather at SeaTrade Miami to announce the Sea of Cortez cruise (Photo by Gerry Barker) View full article