April 2018

April 30, 2018

Silversea Announces New Signature Land Programs

Silversea has unveiled a new collection of land programs in nine destinations around the world, named the Signature Land Programs. Preserving Silversea’s hallmark of luxurious adventure and born from the success of the cruise line’s Couture Collection, the Signature Land Programs have been designed to unlock some of the world’s most spectacular experiences from September 2018.

The Signature Land Programs will be led by Silversea’s experience leaders and will complement select voyages in:

Iceland – September 29, 2018 (Voyage 2829)

On this four-night land program, Silversea guests will visit Iceland’s famous Geysir and waterfalls to develop an appreciation for the natural beauty of this special country. They will be able to swim in the Blue Lagoon, travel by helicopter to view the volcano at Thrihnukagigur, and sample traditional food in Reykjavík’s finest restaurants.

Sri Lanka – September 24, 2018 (Voyage 9822)

The many delights of Sri Lanka will form the highlights of this four-night land program in September 2018. From the UNESCO-protected Sigiriya Lion’s Fortress to the ancient city of Anuradhapura, and many more, the most historically significant and culturally rich gems of Sri Lanka will be encompassed on this tour.

Canada’s Great Lakes – October 2 & 9, 2018 (Voyages 5827 & 2830)

By specially chartered flights, guests of Silversea will be able to witness the majesty of Mother Nature in spectacular Canada. The itinerary includes two nights of all-inclusive, premium accommodation at the remote Killarney Mountain Lodge and three nights at the luxury Rocky Crest Resort, as well as private boat tours and a flight in a float plane.

Bolivia – October 20 & November 11, 2018 (Voyages 1823 & 1824)

Over six nights, the alluring charms of Bolivia will be revealed to those who seek adventure. From an introduction to the Uru-Aymara people in Titicama to an overland trip in La Paz, this highlights of this tour are varied, fascinating, and insightful, and unlock the beautiful nuances of a remarkable country.

Nepal – November 9, 2018 (Voyage 6830)

By helicopter, boat, and elephant, the highlights of beautiful Nepal are exposed to those who embark upon this memorable six-night land program. Witness the imposing sight of Mount Everest from the sky, discover the UNESCO-listed Chitwan National Park, and explore the jungle in the company of a local naturalist.

Chilean Wine Country – October 26, 2018 (Voyage 7821)

Those with a penchant for fine wines and natural beauty will be enticed by the allure of the Chilean Wine Country. This three-night land program transports gourmets to the heart of this rapidly growing wine hub, which comprises rolling hills and serene vineyards. Sample merlots, cabernet sauvignons, carménères, and sauvignon blancs, and explore the sensational Chilean countryside by horse.

Beijing – November 13, 2018 (Voyage 3832)

Silversea guests will gain exclusive access to the highlights of Beijing on this four-night tour. The famous Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the formidable Terracotta Warriors await those travelers who complement their cruise with this experience. Authenticity lies at the heart of the trip, with comfortable rickshaw rides, culinary tastings, and a stroll along the Great Wall of China enriching the experience.

Myanmar – November 3 & December 7, 2018 (Voyages 6831 & 6834)

Undiscovered by most and unparalleled in its beauty, Myanmar will be the destination for the next in Silversea’s series of adventures. The all-inclusive, six-night program will evoke the feel of bygone times, as guests take to the skies in a hot air balloon, visit the 2,500-year-old Shwedagon Pagoda, and witness a donation ceremony with monks in the Kalaywa Monastery.

Vietnam – November 19, 2018 (Voyage 3834)

Filled with history, culture, and natural beauty, this six-night tour of Vietnam offers an insightful taste of Southeast Asia for guests of Silversea. Travelers will visit the B-52 memorial at Huu Tiep Lake, fly by helicopter to Mai Chauand to witness the unchanged life in rural Vietnam, and sample gastronomic greatness with many culinary experiences, among other enthralling experiences.

“With our new Signature Land Programs, we are expanding our range of land-based experiences to unlock the world’s authentic beauty for our guests,” comments Conrad Combrink, SVP Strategic Development Expeditions and Experiences at Silversea.

Now open for sale, the fully-inclusive experiences start from $6,000 and will allow guests private and exclusive access to extraordinary locations and experiences across the world. Staying in premium accommodation, dining on gourmet cuisine, and with private group transportation, guests will encounter the best of each country.

Silversea, www.silversea.com

April 13, 2018

Tauck’s ms Treasures, ms Esprit Return from Massive Reconfigurations

Tauck officially welcomed the ms Treasures and ms Esprit back into its riverboat fleet early in April in Amsterdam, following a massive reconfiguration of the vessels’ interior spaces that has resulted in enlarged cabins and reduced passenger count. The Treasures and Esprit are the last of Tauck’s four 110-meter ships to undergo the radical transformation. Tauck’s two other 110-meter ships, the ms Sapphire and ms Emerald, were similarly reconfigured a year ago, and returned to service in time for their 2017 sailing season.

With the reconfigurations, Tauck continues to prioritize creating larger cabins and roomier public areas for its guests, rather than taking the more conventional approach of maximizing passenger count. The Treasures and Esprit (pictured) were fully gutted in a “down-to-the-studs” refurbishment, with the most dramatic change occurring on their Ruby (middle) Decks, where 30 150-square-foot cabins in each ship’s original configuration were replaced by 20 larger cabins measuring 225 square feet. With the total number of cabins reduced from 59 to 49, each ship’s overall capacity has been reduced from 118 passengers to 98 per vessel – a 17% reduction.

The Treasures and Esprit will sail on Tauck’s cruises along the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, including its popular “Amsterdam to Budapest by Riverboat” itinerary. With the enhanced comfort resulting from larger cabins and fewer guests, the company expects this14-night journey (which also operates from Budapest to Amsterdam) to become even more popular.

“With this year’s reconfiguration of the Treasures and Esprit – and with identical transformations last year of the Sapphire and Emerald – we’ve reimagined and enhanced half of our riverboat fleet,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. “Now more than ever, we believe that we have the finest, most elegant riverboats on Europe’s rivers. Yet with that being said, we continue to maintain that what truly distinguishes Tauck river cruises is our 93 years of destination expertise, and our unmatched ability to tell the cultural and historical stories of the places we visit. The onboard experience we deliver is the perfect complement to those signature Tauck experiences our guests enjoy ashore,” Mahar concluded.

In addition to the 20 new 225-square-foot cabins, each of Tauck’s 110-meter ships already boasts 14 300-square-foot suites. As a result, cabins measuring 225 square feet or larger now account for 69% of all accommodations – the highest percentage of such cabins on any 110-meter riverboats in Europe. Even with the lowered passenger count, Tauck continues to staff each ship with a Tauck Cruise Director and a full complement of three Tauck Directors. By contrast, other lines often have just a single cruise director attending to the needs of up to 190 passengers.

Another significant enhancement can be found on the Treasures’ and Esprit’s Diamond (upper) Decks, where the ships’ second dining venue, The Bistro, has been upgraded with its own dedicated kitchen and chef. On each ship, the Bistro has been renamed Arthur’s in tribute to company chairman Arthur Tauck Jr., and its expanded menu will continue to provide more casual alternatives to the fine dining selections offered in the ships’ main Compass Rose restaurants. Tauck first introduced the concept of a second riverboat dining venue in 2006, and the enhanced Arthur’s restaurant is already featured on Tauck’s four 135-meter ships.

Tauck, www.tauck.com

April 10, 2018April 10, 2018

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Announces Itineraries and Shore Excursion Programs

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company has announced itineraries and shore excursion categories for The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Whether visiting a celebrated destination or one that is off the beaten path, guests will benefit from a dedicated Concierge Ashore in addition to five distinct categories of shore excursions, including Iconic Sights; Stirring the Senses; Cultural Connections; Active Explorations; and Epicurean Experiences.

“The itineraries and intimate shore experiences are not only unique and forward-thinking in their design, but illustrate our commitment to providing rare opportunities to today’s luxury traveler,” said Lisa Holladay, Global Brand Leader for The Ritz-Carlton. “Combining The Ritz-Carlton’s unparalleled service with journeys created specifically to offer immersion into the culture of the destination, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will set a new standard in sea travel and redefine the yachting experience.”

Stopping at both intimate and signature destinations, voyages will range from seven to ten days. The first ship will cruise a wide variety of destinations depending on the season, including the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America, Canada and Northeastern United States. Ports along the way range from Barbados, Cartagena, Bordeaux and Copenhagen, as well as ports that deliver a yacht-style sailing experience including Carriacou, Falmouth Harbour, Gustavia, the Balearic Islands, Mykonos, Portofino and more. Guests will have the opportunity to combine back-to-back voyages without repeating ports, allowing them to enjoy true exploration across a broad range of destinations.
“The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection itineraries and programs on land were created with the yachting lifestyle in mind and will offer a relaxed pace and intimate, highly personalized experiences on shore,” said Douglas Prothero, Managing Director, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “We are thrilled to share the curated voyages and look forward to introducing guests to the local cultures of each destination through our Shore Collection while offering the best luxury accommodations at sea.”

As a complement to these unique itineraries, shore excursion tracks have been thematically crafted so guests can easily pick a category that fits their interests and activity levels. All shore excursions take advantage of local guides who have been handpicked for their insider knowledge, ensuring a highly personalized, relevant experience while exploring a destination. With a relaxed pace that includes both overnight and daytime ports of call and an intimate ship size that allows the yachts to sail right into city harbors while others must anchor offshore, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection gives guests more flexibility and options when it comes to their time on land.

The Shore Collection excursion categories include Iconic Sights, which will offer guests the opportunity to discover the cultural, historical, and architectural marvels of a destination, perhaps by browsing a museum in Montenegro on an exclusive tour with its curator. Stirring the Senses is ideal for those wishing to focus on wellness and wellbeing and may include sunrise and sunset yoga in the Grenadines or an encounter with a spiritual shaman. For guests who wish to give back, Cultural Connections will offer the opportunity to spend a day helping protect wildlife or the natural environment, among other philanthropic activities. Active Explorations caters to travelers looking for outdoor adventure such as swimming with turtles in Tobago Cays or a private sea kayak tour off the coast of Reykjavik, Iceland. Guests can also sail into a world of culinary exploration through Epicurean Experiences by visiting a renowned winery in Bordeaux with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection sommelier or learning to grow baby oysters in a private farm in Sete, France. Meanwhile, for the discerning traveler seeking the most personalized way to explore a destination, a Concierge Ashore will be available to help craft a bespoke experience on land which will be meaningful and authentic. This may include insider access to a popular attraction or exploring a local community with a private guide.

The first of three cruising yachts is scheduled to take to the sea in February 2020. The specially designed yacht will measure 190-meters, accommodate up to 298 passengers and feature 149 suites, each with its own private terrace. The yacht will also feature two 158 square-meter penthouse suites, each with its own private whirlpool, modern craftsmanship and interior finishes jointly designed by The Ritz-Carlton and leading design firm Tillberg Design of Sweden. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will open to the public in June 2018, following priority access booking in May 2018 for Ritz-Carlton and Marriott Rewards loyalty members.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, www.ritzcarlton.com/en/yachts