Cruise: The Call of the World’s Rivers & Oceans

VIRGINThe Call of the World’s Rivers & OceansBy Paloma Villaverde de RicoDid you know that every 1 percent increase in first-time cruise travelers—those who have never cruised and are open to cruising—equals 4 million new to-cruise travelers? And with global cruise capacity, according to CLIA’s State of the Cruise Industry, forecasted to grow 19 percent to more than 746,000 lower berths by 2028, there’s plenty of space for travelers entering the cruise vacation market. To attract new-to-cruise and to meet the overall varied tastes of today’s cruise passengers, cruise lines are changing things up, creating shorter itineraries, offering longer port visits with a long menu of shore excursions, adding even more innovative family-friendly bells and whistles to the vessels—case in point, the new Icon of the Seas (check out page 28)—designing more single cabins as well as more connecting rooms, and putting a magnifying glass to the globe to create itineraries that go to destinations we couldn’t even have imagined sailing to on a passenger vessel just a few short years ago. Cruises in 2024 and into the future are most definitely not your grandfathers’ cruises…not even your fathers’. Let’s take a look at what new sailing options you can recommend to cruise-goers, be they first-timers or dedicated sailors. Plus, make sure to check out page 30 for a first-hand review of Lindblad Expeditions’ sailings in Patagonia and page 32 to get an in-depth feel for the sparkling new Seven Seas Grandeur. Virgin Voyages—A Path Less Taken If you don’t do a double take when it comes to what Virgin Voyages has brought to the cruise landscape, then you’re not looking close enough. This inventive line, catering to adults who want to shake things up a bit while sailing the high seas, is razzle-dazzling its passengers with its unique offerings and ensuring travel advisors cozy up to the cruise line with commissions at 16 percent, no NCFs and a 10 percent commission on all pre-voyage sales. Says John Diorio, VP, North American Sales, “Since we launched, we’ve been working closely with travel advisors, or as we like to call them, First Mates, to help us champion our brand to future Sailors. Since day one, our commitment has been paying compelling commissions, no NCFs, and having fair and flexible fairs and policies.” They’ve also got a Seacademy training program that will bring you up to speed on all things Virgin Voyages with inside intel, marketing materials and the opportunity to get on board to get that crucial first-hand experience. And Diorio reminds travel advisors that an ideal client is one who is yearning for a little bit of adult time—age is no object. Think young couples who might want to get away from their daily grind, whether they have a child at home or not; empty nesters whose life schedule is suddenly seeing less kid-centric commitments; and Baby Boomers who like their vacations with a little spice. In fact, the brand is known for targeting the “young at heart,” not a certain age group. Gen Z? They might not have the deep pockets yet, but—thinking a bit outside the box here—a multi-gen family group with adult children (think college graduation trip, maybe). VIRGIN QUOTE “If travel agents have customers interested in an adults-only getaway, they should always be considering Virgin Voyages as an option,” says Diorio. “Virgin Voyages sets itself apart from others by offering an adults-only experience that focuses on incredible service featuring award-winning dining, entertainment and value for money.” On every voyage, Diorio stresses, “Sailors receive elevated dining experiences with 20+ eateries, basic beverages, group fitness classes, WiFi, gratuities and immersive entertainment, all included in the voyage fare.” He adds that travel advisors need to remind their clients to plan far out because the cruise line is seeing “more passengers booking further out into Q4 2024 and Q1 2025.” And, he notes, lots of would-be Virgin passengers are eyeing their Mediterranean cruises—“we continue to see more demand for those.” To put the cherry on top of a celebration, recommend, for example, that clients splurge on the A Splash for Your Bash package, which includes a bottomless brunch event, a dinner party with curated beverages and desserts, and an upgrade on the complimentary bubbly to Moët & Chandon. Think wedding anniversaries, bachelor and bachelorette parties, birthdays, family reunions or friend trips. And, keep in mind, Scarlet Lady will be sailing around the Mediterranean this summer between May and October 2024, taking on Valiant Lady’s two 7-night itineraries. On Nov. 3, Scarlet will embark on an 11-night repositioning voyage from Barcelona to Civitavecchia, stopping in Mallorca, Corsica and Sardinia. After a short period in dry dock, she’ll sail a 16-night Transatlantic voyage from Rome to Miami, with calls at Funchal (Madeira, Portugal) as well as Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain), arriving in Miami on Dec. 14, 2024. AMA WATERWAYSAmaWaterways Says, Hello Colombia! “2024 is off to an amazing start,” says Kristin Karst, Co-Founder and Executive VP of AmaWaterways, noting that January 2024 was the river cruise line’s most successful month of bookings in its 22 years of history, surpassing the previous record set in January 2023 by 27 percent. “We have been able to handle this surge in demand and provide excellent service to our travel advisors partners by hiring and training additional river cruise specialists for the call center and doubling the size of our dedicated AmaAir team.” She reminds advisors as well that the cruise brand offers its partners a variety of new tools, including digital marketing toolkits and a quick payment process on the river cruise line’s travel advisor portal. Also new for travel partners is the launch of a guest-facing online booking engine that facilitates convenient 24/7 reservation capability integrated into travel advisors’ co-branded AmaWaterways websites.AMA QUOTE Its new 7-night Flavors of Burgundy itinerary on board the AmaCello, May through September, visits such destinations as Tournus, Macon and Lyon, taking in elegant vineyards, culturally rich villages and historic sites while sailing along the Saone River. This is the cruise line’s sixth French itinerary, and of course, wine will flow, gourmands will delight in the culinary options and history and culture buffs will be gleeful. But what everyone who has their eye on AmaWaterways is talking about is the Magdalena River in Colombia, with the AmaMagdalena launching in November of this year, and her sister ship AmaMelodia in June 2025. This will be the first major river cruise line to offer cruises on this river. Embracing the Caribbean region, the two curated 7-night itineraries will take passengers between Cartagena and Barranquilla, experiencing historical villages and cultural traditions that have been recognized by UNESCO for their
universal value. In Egypt, meanwhile, the line is set to debut its second ship, the 82-passenger AmaLilia, featuring regionally inspired decor and 41 staterooms (13 suites). It will offer an 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile sailing with an expert Egyptologist accompanying guests. It all kicks off with a 3-night pre-cruise stay in Cairo to visit the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of Giza. CELESTIAL CRUISESCelesytal Delves Into Authentic JourneysBrandon Townsley, VP & Managing Director, North America, for Celestyal Cruises, tells Recommend that the cruise line is “embarking on an exciting expansion journey beyond the Aegean and the Mediterranean. With a brand-new fleet, we’re broadening our horizons to include seven new countries—Qatar, UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Croatia, Montenegro, and Italy—and introducing 14 new destinations alongside our beloved Aegean and Mediterranean cruise program.” In fact, he stresses, 2024 is a big year for the cruise line as they’re set to double their brand, marketing and communications team in order to, as he says, “support our brand evolution and reinforce our message of creating unmissable experiences, both at sea and ashore.” He reminds travel advisors that the cruise line is an expert in the Greek Isles & Mediterranean, “leveraging the company’s Greek heritage to attract travelers interested in exploring this region.” He also stresses that Celestyal truly delivers on its promise of offering “immersive and experiential approaches to vacations. Celestyal excursions are designed to bring guests closer to the destination, allowing for deeper cultural experiences. Furthermore, Celestyal’s uniqueness will extend in 2024 to new destinations, ensuring that guests receive one-of-a-kind experiences that delve into the heart of each location’s culture and essence.”CELESTIAL QUOTE And when it comes to the cruise line’s commitment to travel advisors, Townsley points to the fact that they only offer commissionable fares. He also notes that Celestyal’s Experience and Experience Plus fares are inclusive, further enhancing agents’ earning potential. “The company also provides,” he says, “a generous 15 percent commission on pre-purchased shore excursions. Furthermore, we have expanded our North American sales team significantly, creating new positions for Groups, Training and Development, and appointing leadership roles to oversee Business Development and key account relationships.” Townsley also says that personalization is still a significant trend among travelers, and cruise lines such as Celestyal provide tailored experiences catering to diverse passenger preferences, from themed cruises to niche activities and dining options. This month Celestyal debuted its Heavenly Adriatic itinerary, with 35 tours. Sailing on the 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey, the 7-night itinerary departs from Greece and includes three new countries—Croatia, Montenegro and Italy—and six new maiden ports—Kefalonia, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Corfu, Bari and Katakolo. The shore excursions offer a range of half- and full-day options, and eight Authentic Encounters, which provide hands-on experiences with locals and group sizes limited to 20 guests or fewer. A sample excursion is the Hike and Bike in Kotor, which includes a bike ride to the village of Donji Stoliv, followed by a 45-minute hike through shaded woods to Gornji Stoliv, a village above the Bay of Kotor that has been completely abandoned.DISNEY TREASUREDisney Sets its Eyes on a Treasure Disney Cruise Line, says Sharon Siskie, Sr. VP and General Manager, continuously “offers new ways to experience the magic of Disney. Our legendary service, exceptional quality, immersive storytelling and character encounters are just some of the reasons we continue to be recognized as a leader in family-friendly cruising.” Siskie must have in mind the plethora of new offerings the cruise line has on offer for 2024 when she points to new experiences. There was the late-2023 opening of a new terminal at Port Everglades; the new Bahamas island destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, set to open in June 2024; and the debut of the Disney Treasure, set for a Dec. 21 maiden voyage. In fact, the Disney Treasure will only be the second (Disney Wish was the first when it debuted in 2022) of four new ships the line is launching through 2025. DISNEY QUOTE “Our newest ship,” says Siskie, “will immerse guests in brand-new experiences that are inspired by beloved Disney theme parks and attractions.” These include Plaza de Coco, a colorful entertainment restaurant themed to the Disney and Pixar film “Coco” that will feature live music and entertainment from the film’s characters and the flavors of Mexico. Meanwhile, Worlds of Marvel will be a dining experience that puts the spotlight on Spider-Man. Then there’s 1923, a family restaurant that gives guests a taste of old Hollywood and integrates them into the history of The Walt Disney Company. And over at the Walt Disney Theatre, families will be able to take in “Disney The Tale of Moana,” a Broadway-style stage show. When it comes to its new island destination, guests sailing on the 7-night inaugural sailing aboard the Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral on June 8 will be among the first to explore Lighthouse Point. Additionally, on June 6, a 3-night preview cruise on the Disney Magic from Fort Lauderdale will offer a sneak peek of the island with limited access to some areas. Following the inaugural voyage, Lighthouse Point will be a featured port of call on select 3-, 4- and 5-night sailings to The Bahamas and Caribbean on the Disney Magic out of Fort Lauderdale. These itineraries will vary stops between Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay, with five special departures including both Disney Cruise Line island destinations.ACLAmerican Cruise Lines — Bringing U.S. History to Life 2024 will mark American Cruise Lines’ (ACL) largest season ever across the U.S., especially on the Mississippi where ACL has plans for continued expansion. This year, the company’s new riverboats will sail more than 16 itineraries throughout the region, also exploring Mississippi tributaries, the Tennessee, Ohio and Cumberland rivers. And the company has announced five more ships, including new riverboats, which are under construction at American’s affiliated shipyard, Chesapeake Shipbuilding, in Salisbury, MD. Among the big news for 2024 are the new Mississippi River experiences, including the first Great Smoky Mountains National Parks cruises, debuting in May. This new itinerary allows guests to explore the Great Smoky Mountains National Park along a 12-day itinerary from Knoxville, TN, to Nashville, TN, cruising the Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. Also in May, the company’s first new 35-day Civil War Battlefields cruise will debut. This exploration cruises the Mississippi, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers as well as large expanses of the East Coast and Chesapeake Bay, while visiting over 20 Battlefields of the Civil War. In August, American will sail a 61-day Great United States cruise—the longest river cruise in U.S. history—that explores the entire Mississippi River, 20 states, three national parks, four rivers and also sails the East Coast and Hudson River, visiting storied ports from New York City, to Boston, Massachusetts, to Bar Harbor, Maine. Both the 35- and 61-day cruises include exploration aboard three or more of ACL’s small ships and riverboats. Additionally, ACL will introduce two more new 100-passenger Coastal Cats—American Liberty and American Legend—which will begin cruising in June and October 2024, respectively. They are the third and fourth in ACL’s ongoing 12-ship series and are slated to sail a variety of U.S. itineraries in New England, Chesapeake Bay, the Hudson River and Florida. And we’ve only scratched the surface of ACL’s deep dive into the U.S.’s waterways when you consider that the line will be visiting 140 U.S. ports of call this year. Contact InformationAmaWaterways: amawaterways.comAmerican Cruise Lines: americancruiselines.com/travel-advisor-programCelestyal Cruises: celestyal.com/usDisney Cruise Line: disneytravelagents.comVirgin Voyages: virginvoyages.com
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COVERSANDALSTable of ContentsSANDALS SPREADEditor's NotesPALLADIUM BRAND ADAdvisor Speak: Attracting Next Generation AdvisorsFIESTA AMERICANAIndustry Insights: Travel is a ‘Human Need’Cruise: The Call of the World’s Rivers & OceansAMERICAN CRUISE LINES SCAMERICAN CRUISE LINESAMAWATERWAYS SCAMAWATERWAYSDISNEY CRUISE LINE SCDISNEY CRUISE LINEEXPLORA JOURNEYSOCEANIA CRUISES SCOCEANIA CRUISESROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL SCRCI ADOnboard Review: Icon of the Seas Reaches for the StarsOnboard Review: Lindblad’s National Geographic Explorer—An Immersive Expedition ExperienceOnboard Review: Seven Seas Grandeur—All-Inclusive Luxury Offers Top ValueNorth America: Florida Beckons with New Properties, Attractions, EateriesOnsite Review: Miami Sparkles With Art, Nature & Culinary OfferingsLEE COUNTY SCLEE COUNTYAlaska: What’s New in the Last FrontierOnsite Review: Boston Welcomes the Celebrated Raffles BrandWhat's Next for Families in Mexico & the CaribbeanCaribbean Vacation Offers Varied ExperiencesPALLADIUM HOTEL GROUPOnsite Review: Puerto Vallarta & Riviera Nayarit—This Dual Destination Shines Brighter Than EverRECOMMEND EDU HOUSE ADWEBINAR HOUSE AD