Blog Archives
Agents applaud Royal’s reveal of Quantum of the Seas features
Royal Caribbean International took the wraps off its newest class of ship last week, and, true to form, the ship will come laden with the “wow” factor: thrill rides, gadgets and fun features. What will be new to the seas on the Quantum of the Seas: a sky-diving machine, a circus school and a crane-operated … Continue reading
Carnival invests in upgrade to emergency power systems
Carnival Cruise Lines said it will spend $300 million improving its fleet in the wake of the engine-room fire that disabled Carnival Triumph in February. It has already started the improvements, which broadly involve more redundant systems, connecting more hotel functions to emergency power and increased fire-detection and fire-suppression systems. Carnival said an additional emergency … Continue reading
Travelport merchandising platform enables ancillary shopping
Travelport has unveiled a new merchandising platform that enables comparison-shopping across all participating airline products — including ancillaries. Travel agents can use the platform to shop and book traditional carriers who connect with Travelport via ATPCO (the traditional source of information about fares and availability) as well as airlines with which Travelport has an API … Continue reading
Apple Leisure Group to acquire Travel Impressions from Amex
American Express Travel Related Services Company Inc. and Apple Leisure Group have entered into an agreement under which Apple will acquire Amex’s global tour operator business, including Travel Impressions. Apple will also acquire American Express Vacations International, Amex’s international tour operator businesses in Europe and Mexico, which is managed by Travel Impressions. The transaction is … Continue reading
Norwegian Cruise Line wants sellers to shun CruiseCompete
Norwegian Cruise Line is asking travel agents to stop working with CruiseCompete, the 10-year old firm in Des Moines, Iowa, that solicits bids from agents on cruises sought by consumers. In a memo sent to some travel outlets the week of March 18, Norwegian Vice President of Sales Camille Olivere said Norwegian would not sign … Continue reading
Rolling on the rivers
AMSTERDAM — The invitation suggested it was going to be an intimate cocktail hour with Torstein Hagen, the outspoken chairman and CEO of Viking River Cruises, to celebrate the simultaneous naming of 10 Longships. It soon morphed into a 75-minute press conference with a 60-minute opening statement by the chairman. Hagen presented detailed evidence to … Continue reading
On first ship in five years, Princess Cruises builds on trends
MONFALCONE, Italy — The $760 million Royal Princess, nearing completion here, is a pivotal vessel for Princess Cruises that will give it an entrant into the megaship class of vessels now being delivered to the industry. Five years in the making, the Royal Princess will be 25% larger than the last ship Princess launched, the … Continue reading
New Princess ship to toot the ‘Love Boat’ theme
MONFALCONE, Italy – The Royal Princess cruise ship, being readied here for a June debut, will play the first two bars of the theme from the 1970s television show “The Love Boat” on its horn. The theme will be sounded when the ship departs and arrives in port, said Ray Calouri, Princess’ executive vice president … Continue reading
At 38th Tianguis show, signs that Mexico is back in the groove
PUEBLA, Mexico — The staccato of drumbeats emanating from the aisles of the massive Exposition Center here was an appropriate metaphor for the tenor of this year##Q##s Tianguis Turistico, Mexico##Q##s annual travel trade marketplace event. Lots of records were set this year. The 38th Tianguis was the largest in terms of countries represented (42, including … Continue reading
Is it safe to travel South Korea?
While I would generally say yes, at the moment things are a little less certain. Having worked here for about 18 months, I have come to know the country quite well. The people are normally very polite and sometimes quite generous. Crime seems to be lower than any country I have ever visited before and … Continue reading