Ep144 – World Ocean Day, Caledonian Sky, Prinsendam and cruise news.

2023-06-11

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In episode 144, we celebrate World Ocean Day, answer a listener question about HAL’s ms Prinsendam, share news from Virgin Voyages, Holland America Line, Captain Cook Cruises Fiji, Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking, Celebrity Cruises, PLUS a Fact or Fiction for both Baz and Chris.

Caledonian Sky. Captain Cook Fiji

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Cruise News

World Ocean Day

Virgin Voyages have released their New Impact Report underlining their commitment to sea change. Did you know
- Virgin Voyages partnered with three sustainable marine fuel providers to advance cleaner energy solutions
- All four ships in our fleet will have shore power installed by 2025
- 65% of our Shore Things tours are under contract with operators that meet standards for sustainable tourism
- $5M of in-kind donations were awarded to non-profit organizations in 2022
- 25% of the retail brands sold on-board Virgin Voyages in 2022 had a commitment to social & environmental responsibility, including safe cosmetics and B Corps
- 92% of Crew feel connected to our purpose and believe their job contributes to delivering An Epic Sea Change for All

Virgin Voyages introduces new season of Taster Voyages

Starting in early 2024, Resilient Lady will be headed to some of the most awe-inspiring destinations across Australia with brand-new 3 to 6-night voyages.
Whether you’ve been daydreaming of a thrilling mini escapade, yearning for a rejuvenating long weekend getaway, or seeking the ultimate back-to-back voyages to design an extraordinary extended stay, this is your chance to make it happen (and be one of the very first Sailors to do it in quite an epic style).
- 1Feb24 – 6nts – Melbourne • Sydney • Hobart • Melbourne
- 7Feb24 – 4nt – Melbourne • Sydney
- 11Feb24 – 4nt – Sydney • Hobart • Sydney
- 15Feb24 – 4nt – Sydney • Burnie • Sydney
- 19Feb24 – 3nt – Sydney • Burnie • Melbourne
- 22Feb24 – 5nt – Melbourne • Burnie • Hobart • Melbourne
- 27Feb24 – 4nt – Melbourne • Hobart • Melbourne

Holland America Line Expands ‘Alaska Up Close’

Added to every Alaska cruise, guests will find new localized cuisine, cocktails featuring authentic glacier ice, an Alaska-themed brunch, Huna native presentation and wildlife experts to help guests spot the abundance of indigenous animals from the ship’s deck. The program continues to deliver workshops and lectures, EXC Talks exploring the stories of real Alaskans and dining events featuring the culinary traditions of the region.
A New Way to Experience Glaciers
Four new cocktails feature authentic Alaska glacier ice harvested by state permit among floating glacier bergs in Prince William Sound and prepared to the highest standard under Alaskan authority. Holland America Line is the only cruise line serving glacier ice, giving guests the unique experience of safely tasting real glacier ice from the waters of Alaska. The cocktails with the glacier ice include:
- Juneau Gin & Tonic” features Juneauper Gin that’s produced in Juneau, Alaska.
- “Alaska’s Blue Ice” has De Kuyper Blue Curaçao, X Rum, pineapple juice. Velvet Falernum and Dry Vermouth.
- Blue Iceberg: Juneauper Gin, apricot brandy, Blue Curaçao and lime juice.
- Black & Blue: a choice of Jonnie Walker Black or Jack Daniels Black Label served over glacier ice.
Holland America Line also is serving new hot cocktails during scenic cruising in Glacier Bay, Tracy Arm and Hubbard Glacier:
- Glacier Bay Coffee: Baileys Irish Cream and Malibu Coconut Rum.
- Alaska Railroad Coffee: Jameson Irish Whiskey, Kahlua and Cream.
- Gold Rush Coffee: Grand Marnier, Coffee and Hot Chocolate.
- Northern Lights: Crème de Cacao, Kahlua and Brandy.
Alaska Brunch Highlights Local Flavours
- Offered once per cruise, all dishes on the new Alaska Brunch menu in the Dining Room have been created with the influence of fresh, local Alaskan and Pacific Northwest ingredients. The selections range from sweet to savory and include Alaskan Blueberry Pancakes, Salmon & Potato Chowder, Wild Forest Mushroom and Tarragon Crepes, Kodiak Steak and Egg Skillet, Crab and Hot Smoked Salmon Cakes, Biscuits with Gravy and Alaskan Reindeer Sausage, and Home Smoked Gulf of Alaska Cod Benny.
A Taste of Alaska in Lido Market
- During Alaska cruises, the casual Lido Market features special dishes and theme nights. Guests can enjoy a Salmon Bake dinner and Seafood Boil pop-up dinner on all cruises, and a Gold Rush dinner on 14-plus day cruises
Sustainable Seafood
- In 2022, Holland America Line was awarded Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification — making it the first cruise line to achieve this distinguished credential by serving only fresh, certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaska seafood. On any Alaska cruise, the line serves more than 2,000 pounds of Alaska Salmon, 1,000 pounds of Alaska cod, 800 pounds of Alaska halibut, 500 pounds of Alaska rockfish and more.
- All menus highlight “Taste Alaska” by calling out region-specific dishes and fresh fish options.
EXC Talks and Presentations Bring Alaska to Life
- Holland America Line’s EXC Talks continue to bring each destination to life with captivating storytelling and expert commentary. On Alaska cruises, guests can attend “Ancestral Memories,” “Breaking the Ice Ceiling,” “Pacific Giants,” “The Iditarod” and “We Are Alaska” to learn more about local culture and customs.
- New to the EXC programming, Holland America Line is bringing on a Huna Native Interpreter in traditional dress during the stay at Juneau to introduce guests to the history of the Tlingit people with “Native Voices: Stories of the Tlingit People.”
Wildlife Experts and Park Rangers
- A new wildlife expert on board helps guests witness the majestic animals found in Alaska. Guests can be on the lookout for humpback whales, orcas, bald eagles, moose, sea otters, caribou, black and grizzly bears, Dall’s porpoise and more. The daily program highlights designated times to meet the wildlife expert on deck to go in search of the animals in their natural environment.
- Holland America Line also is introducing a Wildlife Spotting Guide that points out the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to spot each species. Between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., all wildlife sightings will be announced so guests may go on deck and enjoy viewing.
- During Glacier Bay scenic cruising, Holland America Line continues to bring on a Glacier Bay National Park Ranger for the day to engage with guests and talk about Alaska’s most famous national park.
- All cruises on Westerdam roundtrip from Seattle feature a presentation by The Alaska Raptor Center at Sitka. Hosted by the wildlife expert, one of the center’s Avian Care Specialists comes aboard with a raptor (eagle, hawk, owl, etc.) to share insights about Alaska’s majestic birds in the World Stage.
On Deck for A Cause: Alaska’s Parks
- For the 2023 Alaska season, Holland America Line is donating proceeds from the “On Deck for a Cause” event aboard ships in the region to Alaska Geographic, the nonprofit education partner of Alaska’s parks, forests, refuges and conservation lands. Called “On Deck for a Cause: Alaska’s Parks,” guests on all Alaska cruises are invited to donate $25 to participate in a noncompetitive 5k fundraising walk aboard every sailing.

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji Announces a New Era

Captain Cook Cruises Fiji is proud to announce a new era of small ship luxury expedition cruising in Fiji. MS Caledonian Sky will replace MV Reef Endeavour and embark on a raft of new high-end cruise experiences not yet seen in Fiji.
MS Caledonian Sky will start exploring Fiji from November 11, 2023, and will sail from Nadi. MS Caledonian Sky will elevate the cruising experience currently available in Fiji and further develop Reef Endeavour’s pioneering itineraries as well as offering refined onboard accommodation and hospitality. In addition, the company has revealed a unique new product offering by expanding her itineraries even further into the most remote and beautiful parts of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
The MS Caledonian Sky is tailormade for the adventurous traveller. The ship offers spacious boutique comfort whilst also being small and maneuverable, taking guests to corners of the Pacific not accessible by larger ships. Captain Cook Cruises Fiji will continue to deliver an intimate cruising experience with a capacity of just 114 passengers across 57 spacious ocean view suites. Guests can enjoy the luxury of their own private balconies, elegant suites, alfresco dining, and an expansive sky deck.

Norwegian Cruise Line Expands Immersive Offerings Ashore

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), has unveiled six new immersive shore excursion categories to help guests uncover more of each destination they visit, including Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, Africa and the Middle East.  
The new categories include: 
Beyond Blueprints: A bespoke selection of 15 tours that uncover the design secrets and stories of some of Europe’s most iconic architectural landmarks, including those in Barcelona, Lisbon, Belfast, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki. Examples include:  
- La Villa Mediterranée and MUCEM in Marseille, France
- Victoria Square and Titanic Belfast in Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Riverside Museum and Glasgow Science Museum in Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland
Gourmet Tours: Designed for the foodie-driven traveller, this suite of experiences takes guests behind the scenes to uncover the secrets behind local cuisine of some of Europe’s most iconic culinary destinations.  Guests will taste their way from port-to-port with cooking classes led by a local artisan, authentic dining experiences at a family-owned homestead and more. Examples of shore excursions that offer a true taste of travel include: 
- Castello Di Siza & Sicilian Luncheon in Palermo (Sicily), Italy
- Folkloric-Gastronomical Experience in Olympia (Katakolon), Greece
- Seasonal Gastro-cultural Experience in Barcelona, Spain
Go Local: Guest will uncover the everyday rhythms and customs of life in destinations as diverse as Europe, Asia, South America and South Africa. These tours are designed to offer authentic cultural experiences that connect guests to locals in a meaningful and memorable way, while showcasing how the locals live, work, eat and play:
- A Day at the Farm in Kusadasi, Turkey
- Lisbon Soul in Lisbon, Portugal
- Explore Florence Like a Local in Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy
Let’s Take a Selfie: Already proving very popular, these excursions deliver the ultimate destination photos in worldwide locations. A knowledgeable guide will share the perfect angles and most picturesque spots to capture unforgettable moments:  
- Santorini, Greek Isles
- St Thomas, US Virgin Islands
- Cartagena De Indias, Colombia
Small Group Tours: With no more than 16 guests per group, these tours provide a more intimate experience of some of the most popular NCL excursions available in idyllic destinations like Italy, Greece and Spain. Small Group Tours are available to book by calling NCL. Examples include:  
- Captivating Malaga in Spain
- Highlights of Cagliari in Sardinia, Italy
- Best of Corfu, Greek Isles

Viking Saturn Was Named in the New York Harbor at Manhattan Cruise Terminal

Viking today (6Jun23) named its newest ocean ship, the Viking Saturn®, with a celebration in New York City. As part of the event, the ship’s ceremonial godmother, Ann Ziff, the esteemed philanthropist and Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera, a longtime Viking cultural partner, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship—a maritime tradition that dates back thousands of years. The ship will now continue her inaugural season, sailing two new Viking voyages: Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada, between New York City and Reykjavik, and Iceland & Norway’s Arctic Explorer, between Reykjavik and Bergen
Ann Ziff, Godmother of the Viking Saturn – A dedicated philanthropist focused on the arts, education, culture and environmental conservation, Ann Ziff is Chairman of the Metropolitan Opera and serves on several boards, including the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Sing for Hope, the World Science Festival and the Los Angeles Opera. Passionate about bringing culture and arts into the lives of children in need, she co-founded Smile Train and was a board member at Maloto, an organization that provides education and housing for abused and abandoned girls in Malawi. Ms. Ziff also has an eponymous fine jewelry brand, Tamsen Z, where she designs and creates one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by her love of culture, art and music as well as her travels as a loyal Viking guest.
The Viking Saturn is the newest ship in Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet of identical sister ships, which also includes the Viking Star®, the Viking Sea®, the Viking Sky®, the Viking Orion®, the Viking Jupiter®, the Viking Venus®, the Viking Mars®, and the Viking Neptune®. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking’s ocean vessels have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests; the ships feature all veranda staterooms, Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces and abundant al fresco dining options.

Countdown to Celebrity Edge arriving in Australia.

Celebrity Cruises’ signature ship, Celebrity Edge®, will offer an array of 6- to 13-night itineraries from early December 2023 through to April 2024, designed to immerse guests in the spoils of the stunning coastlines of Australia and New Zealand, along with the tropical South Pacific.
Celebrity Edge is a ground-breaking ship that pushes the boundaries of ship design and sets a new standard for unparalleled holiday experiences. With its breadth of accommodations delivering expanded staterooms, innovative features, and stunning suites, Celebrity Edge promises to captivate discerning global travellers like never before.
Infinite Veranda® – A Revolutionary Accommodation Experience
- Celebrity Edge presents a ground-breaking concept with the revolutionary Infinite Veranda staterooms. These innovative staterooms erase the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living, taking guests to the water’s edge. By simply pressing a button, guests can transform their staterooms into open-air spaces, embracing the sea breeze and stunning views. The design also enhances comfort, providing 23% more square footage and 10% larger bathrooms than previous classes of ships.
AquaClass® – Your Escape at Sea
- Celebrity’s world-class accommodations include spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms offering a fully immersive, next-level wellbeing experience. Elements are thoughtfully infused throughout, from the Infinite Veranda stateroom design offering a closer connection to the ocean to bedding offerings including Cashmere™ mattresses and pillow menus.
- AquaClass guests can enjoy clean cuisine, including new healthy options, at the exclusive restaurant, Blu. Plus, enjoy access to the SEA Thermal Suite, a Spa Concierge, a complimentary fitness pass, preferential rates on AquaClass spa packages, daily in-room bottled water service, healthy room-service menu options, and a yoga mat for use on board. Celebrity has thought of everything so that guests can focus on nourishing their mind, body, and spirit.
- On the Edge Series it’s the little details make a world of difference, and now the meticulously thought-out Concierge Class staterooms are even better. Featuring new services, amenities, and exclusive events, step inside and discover a space that is so much more than a room—it’s an experience. As a Concierge Class guest, a team of dedicated professionals will take care of all holiday needs, so all guests need to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the view.
The Retreat® – An exclusive experience for Suite guests
- At the heart of Celebrity Edge lies The Retreat, a haven that redefines exclusivity. The Retreat features a private restaurant, lounge and sundeck for our suite guests. Luminae, the exclusive restaurant for guests of The Retreat, provides exquisite culinary delights to be savoured. The Retreat Lounge offers a sophisticated and stylish ambiance, complemented by around-the-clock personal butler service. Guests can also unwind at The Retreat Sundeck, featuring a private pool and breathtaking views.
- Celebrity Edge introduces exclusive suite categories that offer unparalleled accommodations at sea. The Iconic Suites, situated above the ship's bridge, offer awe-inspiring panoramic views from their 2,600 sq. ft., two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout. The Sky Suites, Penthouse Suites, Celebrity Suites, and Royal Suites provide lavish accommodations and access to The Retreat. Another highlight is two-storey Edge Villas, featuring split-level designs, private plunge pools, and direct access to The Retreat Sundeck.
Celebrity Edge is sailing Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific from December 2023 through to April 2024. Homeporting from Sydney and Auckland, Celebrity Edge offers guests the chance to sail close to home on an award-winning resort at sea, choosing from 12 sailing options.

and more...

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