New and revitalized ships are joining the global cruise industry fleet. Emerald Sakara, the second oceangoing yacht of Emerald Cruises, successfully completed sea trials in Asia. Systems were tested and the yacht was certified for guest operations. In early August, Emerald Sakara will begin sailing in the Mediterranean.
In addition, Crystal unveiled more details about design concepts and accommodations for the recently revitalized Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony. The ships will start cruising with guests aboard later this month and in September, respectively.
On the executive front, Janet Bava, former AmaWaterways’ VP of marketing, is the new chief commercial officer for Windstar Cruises, while Hurtigruten Expeditions has appointed Alex Delamere-White as its chief commercial officer. Michal Maguire has moved up to become the new vice president of marketing for AmaWaterways.
Robust Sales, New Options
Cruise sales this summer remain robust as Holland America Line reports that bookings and booked revenues on July 11 were higher than any day in the premium brand’s history. At the same time, cruise lines are releasing new line-ups for future years. For example, Azamara has released 73 itineraries for 2025, including two new voyages visiting Canada for the first time in five years. In addition, the line will debut double-overnight stays in such marquee destinations as Bordeaux, France, and Seville, Spain.
Starting in August 2023, Princess Cruises will stop assigning guests specific times for embarkation at the cruise terminal, says Cruise Hive, an online cruise publication. Instead, the line is adopting a more flexible system. If guests have completed documentation and are in possession of their Princess Medallions (having had those shipped to their homes), they will enter a Green Lane for expedited processing. Guests not opting for their Medallions to be shipped to them or with incomplete documentation will instead enter a Blue Lane for processing. Plus, an Accessibility Lane will serve those guests with mobility challenges. Travel Agent has reached out to Princess for more detail.
Scenic unveiled its full "2024 Europe River Cruising" brochure, outlining new river cruise collections, Danube sailings, two "Scenic Enrich" experiences, and more than 50 new "Scenic Freechoice" excursions.
On the enrichment front, Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic announced its lineup of enrichment speakers for its 2023-2024 Antarctica season of voyages. Plus, Cunard Line announced its 2024 Event Voyages program with four themed transatlantic voyages on Queen Mary 2, and three aboard Queen Elizabeth in Australia and Japan.
In the Bahamas, MSC Cruises’ private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, was designated a “Hope Spot” by Mission Blue. That’s a nonprofit group founded by oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle to promote protection of marine ecosystems. Ocean Cay joins 154 other Hope Spots with a goal of achieving “Marine Protected Area” status.
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