Cruise lines continue to tap into greater demand for longer cruises. Holland America Line has unveiled a new 94-day "Grand Australia and New Zealand" voyage on the 1,432-passenger Volendam. This grand voyage sails roundtrip from San Diego on January 3, 2024, and the domestic embarkation/disembarkation is designed to appeal to travelers who prefer to not travel overseas to board their cruise.
Longer voyages aren’t simply appealing for ocean travel. River cruisers also are opting to sail more back-to-backs or longer voyage. AmaWaterways recently unveiled its new “Seven River Journey - Spring and Summer Editions” for 2024, as reported by our sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor. Operated by AmaMora, these two 49-night sailings are the river cruise industry’s longest journeys. Guests will sail on one ship along seven rivers and to 15 countries in a matter of 49 nights. The ship sails the full length of the Rhine and Danube rivers, and spends a week in the Danube Delta region.
Other new voyage options surfaced last week as well. Small-ship line, UnCruise Adventures, unveiled a new, nine-day “eclipse viewing” voyage. On October 13, 2023, the 66-passenger Safari Voyager will depart for the eclipse-timed voyage, which will sail off the coast of Belize.
https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/uncruise-adventures-announces-eclipse-cruise-belize
On the leadership front, Lindblad Expeditions announced that veteran cruise industry executive, John Delaney, is the line’s new senior vice president, global sales. Delaney most recently served as president of Windstar Cruises, and also was formerly a senior executive with Seabourn and Holland America Line.
In addition, Swan Hellenic Cruises appointed Patrizia Iantorno as vice president of global marketing. She previously served two stints at MSC Cruises. https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/swan-hellenic-names-patrizia-iantorno-vp-global-marketing
During a regional conference of Dream Vacations and CruiseOne travel advisors, Adolfo Perez, senior vice president, global sales and trade relations, Carnival Cruise Line, surprised the retailers by announcing that the two brands’ 2023 National Conference will take place on the new Carnival Celebration, the line’s second LNG-powered ship. That seven-night conference at sea will depart Miami on November 5, 2023. The new ship launches in November 2022.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveiled a new trio of Webinars for advisors. These are designed to provide insight and “intel” from the line’s research to help advisors reach potential new cruise clients. https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/regent-seven-seas-cruises-launches-webinar-series-advisors
And in the continuing evolution of health and safety requirements for cruise passengers, Ponant announced updated COVID-19 protocols. https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/ponant-announces-updated-covid-19-protocols
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