February 2024
www.nitravelnews.com
child-like enjoyment throughout what is now the current largest ship in the world; Although many will follow and the ‘world’s largest ship’ detail will diminish and be overtaken, the unique kid- friendly world that is found housed on Icon of the Seas could not, and will not, be replicated. To start an Icon class of ships based off for Icon is nothing short of Iconic and will produce life- long memories for all the family whilst onboard and long after the many holidays which will take place at sea on this ship. She is truely Iconic.
Celebrity Ascent Earns Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award
CELEBRITY Cruises, the first ocean cruise line to earn the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”) Star
Awards in 2023,
continues to collect accolades with six of its ships receiving an official rating in 2024. Illustrating the importance of innovation and guest-centric service is the addition of Celebrity Ascent, the newest Edge Series ship, to the Four-Star list. Celebrity’s six premium ships earning
Star Ratings are Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Apex,
Celebrity Flora,
Celebrity Millennium, and Celebrity Summit.
carnival-themed water oasis is a hub for all things thrilling for kids of a younger category. From Splashaway Bay to the interior kid-friendly balcony rooms, these areas has been thought out with kids at the forefront. Pushed as a stay-all-day neighbourhood, Surfside is aimed at kids 6 and under to spend the days at sea with their family of all ages, with a little something for everyone. For the water babies amongst guests, indulge in 3 different water experiences and splash the day away in this wide space of colourful fun. Splashaway Bay can be described as a small-scale Thrill Island, fully-equipped with water buckets, a water-playpark and a splash zone! Babies and parents can splash away in the baby bay; The shallow water is located close to the spalshaway bay for the bigger kids, but is within far enough distance for the babies to reach their full potential and enjoy sensory play. For the confident swimmers out there, the water’s edge pool is the place to be. Perched at the very back of there ship, with views aplenty, the small pool is ideal for kids how may yet be too young to explore the main pools or have younger family members; they can explore and enjoy the water until their heart is content, without being out of sight of their family. Again , all this activity can work up an appetite, but not to worry. Surfside is home to the Surfside Eatery, Pier 7, Sprinkles and Surfside Bites. Surfside bites, again, based around the concept of food on the go with churros, burgers, hotdogs and fries and the key players to pick up here. Dining Alfresco may bot be your style, but not to worry, the Surfside eatery is the place to be. Showcasing a Windjammer-style, the Surfside eatery displays buffet favourites forms he main dining venues, but incorporates twists to cater to the age group( not to worry, you won’t be judged for opting for the chicken dinosaurs!). For the adult , Pier 7 is a blend of beachside brunch and bites. The laidback sit-done venue is the American dream with smoked salmon, pancakes and surf and turf tacos at the ready; Take yourself to a sun-filled beach with these nostalgic favourites as the kids play. Again, dessert is on the lips of everyone; The trustworthy Sprinkles is situated beside Surfside bites and therefore invites a no-questions-asked dessert option. For those with a sweeter tooth, head on over to Sugar beach; A sweet store even Willy Wonka himself would be proud of! Pick your own sugar-coated sweet flavours, or get the perfect souvenir for the jealous onlooker at home- Here’s it all. For the ultimate sweet drink, pop on over to
The Lemon Post. A cocktail mix fit for the perfect beach party can be founds here; The kids can get involved too with a mocktail pouch to ensure the fun never stops! Not to mention the widely- recognised carousel in the centre of Surfside, surrounding by face painting, family fun games and Admiral Awesome; A fun loving exclusive Royal Caribbean character who will be out and about Surfside to ensure all the kids are having fun. He will also be on hand for a quiet bedtime story or too at wind-down time are the kids prepare to sleep and the adults prepare to play. ITo top it all off, no other ship at sea can declare a CDO; Chief Dog Officer Rover is Icon of the Seas very own resident golden retriever. The playful pup will be onboard all sailings and will be there for each man, woman and child to enjoy her company and to put smiling faces on all (the only problem is dealing with the ‘I want a dog’’s after!).Royal Caribbean have released a soulful,
STAR Breeze began cruising in Tahiti on 4th February following a memorable ceremony attended by over 500 guests including esteemed
dignitaries Brotherson, President
Azamara Onward Brings Guests to Pitcairn for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Adventure
of such as Moetai French Polynesia;
Tony Geros, Speaker of the House; Manouche Lehartel, Deputy Mayor of Papeete; as well as Air Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Tourism partners, port officials, travel advisors, media and Windstar executives. The event marked a significant milestone in
Windstar’s commitment to
providing unparalleled small ship experiences in Tahiti. In celebration, local artist Jessie Tiare Manutahi is on board to reveal an artistic Tahitian-inspired logo made up of symbols representing Windstar in Tahiti. “This strategic shift in ships not only doubles capacity but also brings new experiences given the Breeze’s multiple dining options, enlarged spa and fitness centre, and spacious accommodations,” explained Windstar Cruises’ President Christopher Prelog at the pier side celebration.
“Travellers
AZAMARA Cruises – the small-ship cruise line renowned for Destination Immersion® and Extended Destination Days – is thrilled to announce Azamara Onward’s successful visit to Pitcairn Island during its 2024 World Cruise, marking the first time the cruise line brought guests ashore on this remote island. This extraordinary event exemplifies the cruise line’s commitment to exploration, with Pitcairn being an elusive destination known for its unpredictable weather conditions. “Not many cruisers get the opportunity to
visit Pitcairn Island – the weather usually does not cooperate, and there are no bays or coves for the ship to anchor in,” said Michael Pawlus, Head of Itinerary Planning at Azamara. “This is the very first time in my career that I have seen the weather allow for guests to go ashore on Pitcairn Island. I’ve designed nearly 20 itineraries that include the stop before, so I’m thrilled that all conditions were in our favor this time, giving our World Cruisers an incredibly unique experience in such an isolated destination.” As the ship approached Pitcairn, ideal weather allowed Azamara Onward the rare opportunity to bring passengers ashore. Guests were able to fully immerse themselves in the hard-to-reach Pitcairn Island, offering paradisical blue waters, one of the world’s largest marine reserves, and some of the best stargazing on the planet due to the exceptionally dark skies. Though the island is home to only about 50 residents – descendants of the HMS Bounty mutineers and the Polynesians – the locals are known to be warm, welcoming, and eager to share their culture, crafts, and knowledge of the island with visitors. Travellers
interested in exploring lesser-
known destinations while enjoying all the advantages of Azamara’s small-ship experience should book now to reserve their spot on the cruise line’s 2025 World Cruise. On this 155-night expedition, guests will explore 37 countries at their own pace, without any hassle or crowds. Azamara’s 2026 World Cruise offers 46 late nights and overnights, and 13 exclusive events, allowing for a deeper connection with each mesmerizing wonder and the diverse tapestry of cultures that surround them. To explore more destinations, please visit
www.azamara.com.
aboard Star Breeze
still navigate Tahiti’s out-of-the-way harbours, hidden lagoons and pristine beaches in Windstar’s signature, small ship style.” Prelog also noted that the vessel shift
means faster travel to and from the islands of French Polynesia and the greater South Pacific, enabling expansion to the remote Marquesas Islands with the brand-new, 14-day Tahitian Treasures & Magnificent Marquesas set to sail in July 2024. The 148-guest Wind Spirit leaves Tahiti to sail in the Caribbean during the winter season and the Mediterranean and Greek Isles between May and November. Wind Spirit strategically joins sister-ship Wind Star in the Greek Isles to double occupancy in this top selling region. Windstar’s Star Breeze visits 11 islands and
atolls in French Polynesia beginning in 2024, offering enriched cultural onboard experiences and new elements such as:
An evening of “arearea” French Polynesian
fun! Join local group the Mamas and the Papas on deck to learn how to make a lei, tie a pareo and enjoy Tahitian music and dancing. Hiring local team members in the service department. A French Polynesian cultural ambassador on
each cruise organising events such as Tahitian dance and language lessons, crafts, Ukulele performance and more. New shore excursions: sail on a cultural
catamaran cruise in Raiatea, explore coral nurseries with Coral Gardeners and refresh your PADI certification in Papeete prior to the cruise. Local artwork decorating the ship; Tahitian media including movies, music channels, books and board games. Turndown gifts made in the islands. As part of its partnership with Coral
Gardeners, two new shore excursions take guests to the headquarters to meet the team, visit coral nurseries and learn about the importance of protecting the corals in a hands- on and interactive way. To date, Windstar, along with its guests, have adopted over 2,500 corals with Coral Gardeners, but Windstar’s goal is to open a dedicated nursery supporting 5,000 corals in 2025.
https://www.windstarcruises.com/ destinations/tahiti/.
Celebrity Edge,
ICON OF THE SEAS | 25
STAR BREEZE TAKES OVER FRENCH POLYNESIA SAILINGS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65
