The Bahamas government has recently announced its plans to impose a 10% charge on goods and services provided by cruise lines on their private islands. This decision marks a significant shift in policy, as the government had previously exempted private islands from the country’s value-added tax (VAT) for the past nine years. The new charge
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises has always been synonymous with luxury, and their commitment to providing an unparalleled experience for their guests has never wavered. With the recent appointment of Steve Odell as the new chief sales officer, Regent is poised to take luxury travel to new heights. Odell’s extensive travel experiences and unique insights have
The grand entrance of the Icon of the Seas into the cruising industry has awakened a new era of luxury travel. With its awe-inspiring size and innovative features, this ship promises to revolutionize the way we experience cruising. Travel advisors and industry experts are buzzing with excitement as they explore the unique offerings of this
Carnival Cruise Line recently acquired the Firenze from its sister line, Costa Cruises. This handover event took place in Cadiz, Spain, marking the beginning of an exciting transformation process. Over the next two months, Carnival will be refurbishing the ship and adding its own special features. The newly renovated vessel will then be known as
The cruise industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, from pandemics to geopolitical unrest. However, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty remains optimistic about the future, calling 2023 an “incredibly strong year” for the company. In fact, he revealed that Royal Caribbean had its five best booking weeks in history since its previous earnings
Princess Cruises has revolutionized the cruising experience with its innovative wearable device, the OceanMedallion. In an exclusive interview with Princess President John Padgett, the privacy implications of this groundbreaking technology were discussed. While some guests may have concerns about being tracked, the overwhelming benefits of the OceanMedallion quickly outweigh any reservations. One of the key
Carnival Corp., the world’s largest cruise ship operator, will be rerouting itineraries for a dozen ships across its seven brands that were originally scheduled to transit the Red Sea. These reroutings are expected to have a significant impact on the company’s earnings, with an estimated 7 to 8 cents per share for 2024. Carnival Corp.
Join chef John Stephano on a culinary journey unlike any other aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur. Located in the ship’s Culinary Arts Kitchen, this hands-on cooking class offers an equal mix of fun and learning. Stephano’s energetic and friendly approach keeps students engaged while providing them with invaluable food prep tips and tricks. Regent Seven
The gentle rustling of palm leaves in the breeze instantly transports you to a state of tranquility. As I reclined in a vibrant orange hammock, immersed in the beauty of Hideaway Beach on Royal Caribbean International’s Perfect Day at CocoCay private island, I couldn’t help but marvel at the soothing ambiance that enveloped me. This
During a recent shakedown sailing of the Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley dropped a tantalizing hint that the line may eventually deploy an Icon-class ship in Galveston, Texas. This revelation came in response to a question from a travel advisor based in Houston, who asked about the possibility of such
Royal Caribbean has made headlines once again with the launch of its latest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas. As the largest cruise ship on Earth, it begs the question: just how much bigger can Royal Caribbean’s ships get? During a recent press conference, the CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, Jason Liberty, addressed this
Reflecting upon the year 2023, Alex Sharpe, the president and CEO of Signature Travel Network, expressed relief in moving on from the trials of the past. As the final year of “normal” activity before the pandemic, 2019 serves as the measuring stick by which the cruise industry evaluates its bookings, revenues, and prices over the
Winter storms can bring chaos and inconvenience to many people, but for the travel industry, they can be a blessing in disguise. As temperatures drop and snow accumulates, the desire to escape the cold and seek solace in warm and tropical destinations becomes increasingly appealing. This phenomenon has been observed by travel advisors and leaders
In a significant leadership change, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty has been appointed as the new chairman of CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). He succeeds Pierfrancesco Vago, the executive chairman of MSC Cruises, who held the position since January 2021. This appointment highlights Liberty’s extensive industry experience and his ability to take on the
China, a country steeped in rich history and ancient wonders, offers travelers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in its vibrant culture. And now, Viking, renowned for its world-class cruises, is expanding its horizons and setting sail to explore the mystical beauty of China. With a range of exciting new itineraries, Viking seeks to take
Windstar Cruises has recently announced its plans to maintain a year-round presence in the Mediterranean starting in 2025. This decision comes in response to the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from guests who enjoyed the last-minute Mediterranean sailings offered this winter. Windstar’s decision to redeploy their ship, the Star Legend, from its Middle East itineraries to
The year 2024 is set to be an exciting one for cruise ship enthusiasts, with a lineup of 11 new ships expected to debut. What’s even more fascinating is that most of these ships will be bigger and carry more passengers than their predecessors. This “bigger is better” trend has been gaining popularity, capturing the
At the end of a memorable seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise on the Royal Clipper, the ship’s hotel manager, Peter Burkhard, took the opportunity to honor a special guest. Little Beatrice, who hadn’t even turned one yet, was recognized as the youngest passenger ever to sail aboard the Royal Clipper. This gesture not only brought joy