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Cruise Weekly today Azamara to return in Greece in Aug Cruise Weekly today features AZAMARA has announced “There’s no better way to return three pages of all the latest its return to sailing in Greece to service than in a country cruise industry news. (pictured), with a series of Azamara knows best, Greece. country-intensive voyages starting “Our return to sail wouldn’t in Aug. be possible without the support The program marks Azamara’s from Honorable Minister Harry Ponant vax ruling return to service for the first time Theoharis, the local government PONANT has added a as an independent cruise line, and port authorities, and we are coronavirus vaccination with Azamara Quest to return extremely grateful for welcoming mandate to its American cruise beginning 28 Aug. us back into this beautiful and protocols. Five back-to-back country- culturally rich destination.” Travel partners were intensive voyages will be followed Theoharis said Greece was informed in an email by EVP by one classic Mediterranean looking forward to welcoming Sales & Marketing Herve sailing, with each itinerary seven Azamara and its guests, and fully Bellaiche that guests who days in length. further protocol guidelines, led by supported the line’s return to come aboard a Ponant ship The season will also feature 18 the Healthy Sail Panel. cruising. will have to be vaccinated. late-night stays in port, including “Over the past year, our team All sailings aboard Azamara “Our passengers’ trust in Santorini, Rhodes and Heraklion. – ship to shoreside – continued Journey and will our company is vital...94% of Voyages will open for booking to connect with our guests and remain suspended until Sep, and them told us that they would on 11 May, with all guests travel partners...our biggest other Quest sailings through to 02 like to go back to sea with and crews required to be fully takeaway is the desire everyone Oct are also suspended. us, if everyone on board is vaccinated against coronavirus has to sail again, and we are Guests impacted by suspensions vaccinated,” the email said. no later than 14 days prior to excited to share that we can will be offered a number of “Vaccination opens up new departure. finally make this dream come flexible options to rebook or opportunities and allows us to Once the sailings open for true,” said President Carol request refunds for current calmly plan the resumption of booking, Azamara will reveal Cabezas. reservations. our business”.

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*Trade Incentive: Upfront bonus commission will be in the form of a Visa gift card for AU$150 or NZ$150. To claim a gift card, agents must complete the Google form: https://forms.gle/Y8DXL4CZPMAN1AgH8. When registering, please enter a valid email, mobile number and date of birth, as this will act as the pin number to your gift card. One gift card per booking number. Available to Retail and Wholesale Agents in Australia and New Zealand. Incentive will only be paid out to booking agent. Effective from 12 to 30 April 2021. Booking must be deposited by 7 May 2021, for 2022 and 2023 voyages. ^Valid only for bookings made for new to brand guests. Guest must not have a sail history with Oceania Cruises. Not applicable for group booking transfers. Complete Oceania Cruises Terms and Conditions may be found at OceaniaCruises.com/legal or in the Guest Ticket Contract. Ships' Registry: . NCL Australia Pty Ltd ABN 8060 7578 781. ©2020 Oceania Cruises Cruise Weekly AU t 1300 799 220 w cruiseweekly.com.au NZ t 0800 799 220 w cruiseweekly.co.nz page 1 keep dreaming... Inspiration for your clients’ next escape

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RCI extends cruise credits Iona godmother named ROYAL International program, the first major travel (RCI) has extended its future supplier to do so. cruise credits, which are now Created by Alaskan firms able to be used on the cruise BuyAlaska and Voyij in response line’s newly announced 2022/23 to the uncertainty of cruising’s Australia and South Pacific season return to the state this year, Shop (CW 19 Mar). Local Alaska directly generates This extends the sailing window revenue for port town businesses to 30 Apr 2023, and an additional by marketing AK’s products to 61 local cruise holidays. those interstate. Future cruise credits need to Shop Local Alaska offers a wide be redeemed before 30 Apr variety of products, including 2022, and can be combined with locally-caught fish, jewellery, current promotions. native art and clothing. Travel partner base commissions Any Alaskan-owned business also continue to be protected can list their products on the as per the existing Global Voyij marketplace, with the Suspension and Cruise with program to be marketed to RCI Confidence conditions. and Celebrity Cruises passengers. There is a future cruise credits “We are thrilled to support the HAYS Travel Chair Irene ambassadorial for the travel redemption guide and FAQs Shop Local Alaska campaign,” said Hays (pictured) will be the industry than Hays, and no-one available for travel partners on RCG Associate VP Government godmother of the United more appropriate to take centre Homeport - rcihomeport.com.au. Relations Wendy Lindskoog. Kingdom’s P&O Cruises’ newest stage for the ceremony. MEANWHILE, Royal Caribbean “It is a small way for our ship, Iona (CW 15 Oct 2020). Hays will officially name Iona Group (RCG) has pledged its cruise lines and guests to stay P&O said there is no-one more in a special ceremony on 16 support to the Shop Local Alaska connected to Alaska”. supportive of cruising or more May.

Cruise Weekly AU t 1300 799 220 w cruiseweekly.com.au NZ t 0800 799 220 w cruiseweekly.co.nz page 2 Discover AlUla, full of rich heritage, nature, arts & culture and adventure. Read more in the April issue of travelBulletin. CLICK to read

Wednesday 28th April 2021 ©ExperienceAlUla

Destination:

PORTHOLE Infinity Pool Bar with Jill Abel - CEO Indulge in a twilight tipple or two on board Victoria Mekong

WE KNOW the ocean can be an unforgiving place, but The promise of Eden apparently even more so than WHEN the new Eden Welcome we once knew, with scientists Centre opens this week, it carries recently documenting baby the spirit of promise on its starfish cannibalising their shoulders. The eye-catching new structure, siblings for the very first time. which also will be home to the To grow into the adults that Visitor Information Centre, is can be seen scattered along a the first new cruise construction beach, juvenile starfish must eat project to have been completed in vast quantities of food, and the the last 12 months. research suggests eating their As such there will be much room siblings offers an advantage. for celebration at the opening Because female starfish event with ACA, CLIA, tourism produce up to 10 million eggs associations and several cruise line per year, that is a lot of potential representatives set to attend. Infrastructure investment is competition for a juvenile. critical for the growth of regional A starfish eating its sibling not communities, especially those only helps them grow, but also along important cruise routes. removes future competitors This injection of funds into from their surroundings. local economies helps to sustain “We think, many communities which dot the anthropomorphizing, that Australian coastline. cannibalism is terrible, but in CRUISE OPERATOR: Wendy no further than the Infinity Pool Based on the NSW Sapphire nature, red in tooth and claw, Wu Tours. Bar, located on the Sun Deck Coast, Eden is an important stop this is something that can of Victoria Mekong, pictured for cruise ships on the way from Sydney to Melbourne. be favoured,” the Ecological below. In the 2019/2020 cruise season, Society of America said. Cruisers can kick back with 22 ships docked in Eden bringing a drink by the pool, pictured with them passengers and crews above, or try making their own, who spent money at food and We need more time! with the ship offering its very beverage outlets, took tours and has own cocktail competition. purchased souvenirs. The Centre is the ideal asked the Galveston Wharves With a full array of ingredients complement to the $44m cruise Board of Trustees for more time at their disposal, including wharf, which opened in Aug to complete its new terminal at spirits, juice, soda, fruit, and 2019, with industry hailing the the Port of Galveston. spices, wannabe mixologists structure as “the perfect location Work has not begun on the can try their hand at creating to welcome our cruise passengers new terminal, but the Board SHIP: Victoria Mekong. their very own concoction, when they return.” Congratulations to the Port of Trustees will meet today to with crew members on hand LOCATION: The Sun Deck. Authority of NSW and all who consider giving Royal Caribbean THIRSTY guests wanting to to judge the cocktails based on supported this project in the local two more months to finish enjoy a beverage while taking presentation, taste and name. community. construction of the US$100 in the scenery along the banks Creative minds - and This bellwether will no doubt million facility, extending the of the Mekong River need look tastebuds - unite! help to raise the spirits of many in deadline to 30 Sep 2023. our industry.

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