Battle for luxury expedition ships

Luxury cruise line Celebrity Cruises revealed it would be the latest to launch  luxury exploration ships.  The Celebrity Xploration and Celebirty Xperience will go to the Galapagos Islands. Starting in March next year, these ships will visit 15 islands with more than 30 ports of calls. New ports of call include El Barranco, Darwin Bay, Chinese Hat, Walls of Tears and much more. Crystal Cruises announced it is building three expedition mega yachts, complete with submarines and helicopters and special stabalisers.

Crystal also announced it would be “heavily investing in massive enhancements” to Crystal Symphony in 2017 and Crystal Serenity in 2018. The line only revealed that both ships will offer full open seating dining and more suites.

P&O launch VIP+ fare offering with 2017-18 itinerary

P&O has launched a new VIP+ fare offering which includes drinks and WiFi packages on their 2017-18 program. The new VIP+ fare is available on all cruises departing from February 2018 with cruises of six nights or less. This new fare includes a soft drinks package and Gold WiFi package (500mb) while cruises that are seven nights of more feature The Lot! Beverage package plus Gold WiFi. The first 100 room bookings in all categories on the VIP+ fare will also receive priority boarding and tender allocation.

Penfolds partners with Asian cruise line Dream Cruises

Wine connoisseurs onboard the new luxury Genting Dream will be able to sample some of the best vinos from Australia from the historic winemaker Penfolds. The cruise line announced it will have onboard the first Penfolds Flagship Wine Vault at sea. There will be an array of rare wines and fine vintages including the Penfolds Bin 170 which celebrates the winemaker’s 170th anniversary as well as the Penfolds Grange 2010.For the white wine drinkers, there is the Penfolds Yattarna which is a beautiful crisp and refreshing white wine. There will also be food pairing opportunities as the chefs onboard the Genting Dream will match their culinary delights with the wine. Also as part of the collaboration, the wine vault will also have the special Penfolds Aevum Imperial Service Ritual which is a special vessel that’s designed to hold the 2012 Penfolds Grange Imperial.

Can’t Fathom it!

When it first started, we don’t mind admitting we were skeptics. But Carnival Corporation’s social-impact cruise line Fathom has set a benchmark and is expanding to other lines. Beginning in November, guests sailing regularly on six additional Carnival Corporation brands to Amber Cove will be able to purchase a social impact excursion including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Fathom, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises UK. The company will provide new shore excursions including Hands-On Chocolate Experience at a Women’s Cooperative and Volunteer Experience at Recycled Paper & Crafts Entrepreneurship.