Seabourn introduces new pre and post cruise Alaskan itineraries

Seabourn introduces new pre and post cruise Alaskan itineraries

Seabourn, has revealed a new pre-cruise itinerary for guests to explore western Canada during the upcoming 2019 season in Alaska and British Columbia through the UNESCO Banff National Park & Rocky Mountaineer Seabourn Journeys package. Guests will see some amazing sites like Canadian Rockies, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Banff National Park and picturesque Lake Louise, including … Read more

7 of the best winter cruise destinations

7 of the best winter cruise destinations

Cruising in the northern hemisphere is one of the best and most affordable ways to follow the sun and see some amazing destinations. But there are also some warmly inviting options closer to home. Bernadette Chua reports. Pacific Islands The loveliest thing about the South Pacific is that while it’s considered to be winter there, … Read more

Norwegian Cruise Lines float out their latest and Alaskan bound ship, Norwegian Bliss

Norwegian Cruise Lines float out their latest and Alaskan bound ship, Norwegian Bliss

It’s just weeks away from the launch of Norwegian Cruise Lines’ latest ship, the Norwegian Bliss and she has emerged from the building dock in Germany.

Designed to sail around Alaska, she is now in the final stages of construction – she’ll be kitted out with some of the latest features including a two-story race car track, a laser tag course, dozens of restaurants and much more.

She’s the third Breakaway Plus ship and she’ll accommodate around 4,000 passengers. The float out was also revealed the ship’s signature hull artwork designed by world-renowned marine life artists and conservationist, Wyland.

Best known for his marine life paintings, sculptures and grand scale murals, or “Whaling Walls,” Norwegian Bliss’ hull design is named “Cruising with the Whales” and features a stunning image of a mother humpback whale and her calf as the centerpiece of the design which reflects the Alaskan wildlife.

Norwegian Bliss will also be the first ship to be built with features for keen amateur naturalists like a 180-degree Observation Lounge where guests can see whale breaches and the stunning scenes of Alaska and Canada.

She will also be the first Norwegian Cruise Line ship to make her debut in Seattle, with cruises beginning May 2018.  Norwegian Bliss will offer weekly seven-day cruises to see America’s last frontier with ports-of-call including Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, along with scenic glacier cruising.

“Our partners at Meyer Werft have done an excellent job realising our vision for a ship designed to experience Alaska and the Caribbean like never before,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line president and chief executive officer.

“We are counting down the days until her official debut in Seattle summer, where guests will be able to race around the world’s largest two-level race track at sea against the backdrop of Alaska’s wild frontier, and enjoy other first-at-sea experiences.”

Following preview events in New York City, Miami and Los Angeles, Norwegian Bliss will sail into Seattle for her official christening on May 30, with North-American summer cruises to Alaska beginning June 2.

She will spend her Northern-Hemisphere summer seasons with seven-day cruises to Alaska, and North-American autumn seasons sailing to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles.

In the North-American winter of 2018 she will sail to the Caribbean from Miami, and in the 2019 Northern-Hemisphere autumn/winter season she will cruise from New York City to Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean.

 

Celebrity Cruises increases its capacity in Alaska for 2019

Celebrity Cruises increases its capacity in Alaska for 2019

Celebrity Cruises will be sailing three of its ships in Alaska in 2019. The Celebrity Eclipse will join her sister ships, the Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium during the Northern Hemisphere summer, increasing the line’s capacity in the region. There will be a number of itineraries guests can experience in Alaska as well as a … Read more

Ovation of the Seas moves to North America, but will she be back?

Cruise Passenger

Royal Caribbean is moving Ovation of the Seas from China to the burgeoning Alaskan market in the summer of 2019 – sparking questions over whether she will return for the Australian season. The mega-ship, which will sail in Australian waters this season, has already become a favourite here and in Singapore. She is being moved after … Read more

Norwegian Cruise Line announces new ship for Alaska

Norwegian Cruise Line announces new ship for Alaska

In a cruise industry first, Norwegian Cruise Line has announced it will be building a new ship for the Alaskan waters. The new Norwegian Bliss will be the first ship custom-built to sail increasingly popular waters of Alaska with amenities designed specifically for an Alaskan holiday. Alaska is one of the most popular international destinations … Read more