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and christens adults-only ship M
CRUISE LINE GOES ALL-INCLUSIVE...
ARELLA Cruises have christened their fi rst adults-only ship, Marella Explorer 2, in Malaga. And the cruise line also revealed it will become an
all-inclusive fl eet, off ering 11 new itineraries and seven ports of call from next summer.
The decision to go all inclusive is expected to appeal to passengers who are new to cruise and the younger age market.
The christening of the fi rst adults-only ship came ahead of the Tui UK cruise brand’s ship departing on its maiden voyage calling at destinations such as Sicily, Sorrento and Corsica. The vessel will sail from a new homeport of Naples from May sailing to Venice, the port for Rome and Dubrovnik.
Marella Explorer 2 will then spend its fi rst full winter season in Bridgetown, Barbados off ering three itineraries to islands such as St Lucia, Aruba and the Grenadines.
Twitter award for Dublin Airport
DUBLIN Airport’s Twitter account has been named the world’s best airport Twitter feed in an international digital media awards competition. Dublin Airport has won The Moodie Award for the best Airport Twitter account, which is the fourth time it has picked up this award in the past six years. No other airport has won the Airport Twitter category more than once. Dublin Airport was also highly commended in the Instagram category at the Moodies, which reward best practice in social and digital media among airports and airport retailers globally.
“We are delighted that the Dublin Airport Twitter account has again been recognised as a world- beater,” said daa Chief Communications Offi cer Paul O’Kane. “It’s hugely pleasing to see that Dublin Airport can compete against the largest and best airports globally in the fi eld of social media and can emerge as a winner yet again.”
Dublin Airport has more than 300,000 followers on Twitter and is the world’s fourth largest airport Twitter account. The airport has been active on the social networking platform since 2010. It uses its Twitter account for news, passenger information, sharing engaging content, answering customer queries and rewarding its followers with regular competitions.
New venues have been introduced on the ship including a clubhouse bar, the 19th hole, with golf buggy-seating and two golf simulators; Flutes, serving prosecco and champagne; The Beach Cove serving up barbecue inspired food with an on the beach al fresco dining feel; and Nonna’s serving made-to-order Italian pizzas.
Marella Cruises Managing Director Chris Hackney said: “Following the success of our adults only itineraries it seemed like the natural progression to off er our customers a ship exclusively for adults. It’s really great to see that our customers are just as excited as we are. Eighty per cent of Marella Explorer 2’s summer itineraries have already been booked.
“Marella Explorer 2 marks the next step in the continued modernisation and growth of the Marella Cruises fl eet.
“We’re always looking ahead and listening to what
our customers want when it comes to choosing their perfect cruise and we can’t wait for them to step on board this fantastic ship.”
Marella Explorer 2 will feature new cabin types, including the 102 metres squared Royal Suite where occupants will be able to use a separate bedroom, dressing room, dining area and a whirlpool bath. Forty per cent of the 907 cabins will have balconies. Marella said popularity of adult-only sailings from Dubrovnik and the Asia itineraries for winter 2018 prompted the decision to off er an adult-only ship. Marella Explorer 2 will be the fi rst ship to be exclusively for adults in the fl eet. It will be tailored to meet the needs of couples and groups by doubling the size of its sunbathing area, called The Veranda, featured on the Marella Explorer.
The Veranda on Marella Explorer 2 will feature new facilities, the line said.
Marella Cruises will also off er 11 new itineraries, such as Cities and Ice, Idyllic Italia and Secrets of the Mediterranean, and seven new ports of call next summer across its fl eet.
Skagen in Denmark, Castellon in Spain, Alta in Norway and and Santa Margherita in Italy will all be included in Marella itineraries for the fi rst time. Chris Hackney, Marella Cruises’ managing director, said: “We continue to look at ways to off er something diff erent to our current customers who have come to enjoy our ships and friendly service onboard and those who may be thinking about booking a cruise for the fi rst time.”
The summer 2019 programme will go on sale on April 5.
Stena Line is inviting Northern Ireland primary school classes to take to the seas and enjoy a school day with a diff erence as the company launches a fi rst of its kind school’s initiative to introduce children to ferry travel. Running this spring, little sailors aged 4 to 11 can enjoy the thrill of a non-landing trip setting sail at 11.30am from Belfast and arriving back at 17.45pm on selected Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from April to June
Ferry tale for schoolkids!
LEADING ferry company Stena Line is inviting Northern Ireland primary school classes to take to the seas and enjoy a school day with a diff erence as the company launches a fi rst of its kind school’s initiative to introduce children to ferry travel. Running this spring, little sailors aged four to 11 can enjoy the thrill of a non-landing trip setting sail at 11.30am from Belfast and arriving back at 17.45pm on selected Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from April to June.
Teachers across NI can sign their classes up for the day at sea for FREE and bring the classroom onboard Stena Superfast and sail the Irish Sea. There is loads of ferry fun things to see and do while onboard including the kids play area, on-board game zones and free cinema! A tasty lunch can be pre-booked from only £4.25 each for when the busy
Five times weekly to Toronto
IN MID-APRIL one of the world’s top leisure airlines launches summer season fl ights from Dublin to Canada. Air Transat will fl y up to fi ve times weekly from Dublin to Toronto, a seven-hour fl ight, between April 15 and the end of October, with a wide range of onward connecting services to Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver and Edmonton.
In the summer, Canada is best known for its boreal forest off ering plenty of hiking and wildlife sightings opportunities, as well as for its marvellous crystal blue lakes such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, in Banff National Park, Alberta.
While in Alberta, travellers can visit Edmonton and it’s West Edmonton Mall, and take advantage of its location to plan a stay at Jasper National Park.
Canada also has a wonderful food scene, and many fun-fi lled outdoor music festivals such as the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal and the Festival d’été de Québec, both in the province of Quebec, as well as Field Trip in Toronto.
Said Adrian Keating, Commercial Director UK & Ireland: “Air Transat, which was named the World’s Best Leisure Airline at the 2018 Skytrax World Airline Awards, has fl own from Dublin for over 20 years, and is highly popular with holidaymakers and those visiting friends and relatives in Canada. “Passengers have a choice of travel options on every fl ight. All Economy Class fares include meals with a choice of two hot dishes served with salad, a sweet treat and glass of wine or soft drink, along with a wide choice
Air Transat - summer season of fl ights to Canada
of in-fl ight entertainment off ered on seat back screens or personal devices via the CinePlus App.
“Passengers can upgrade their Economy Class experience with Option Plus which off ers a wide range of perks including additional baggage allowance, priority airport services and a number of amenities in fl ight.” He added: “Air Transat off ers Club Class on all international fl ights, where passengers can relax or work in an exclusive cabin with spacious and comfortable seats, enjoy gourmet meals from Chef Daniel Vézina, take two checked bags, and benefi t from numerous added extras both in fl ight and at the airport, including priority check in and boarding.” For parents travelling with mini- globetrotters aged two to 11, Air Transat has a free to join Kids Club which off ers many perks
to members and their families. These include: a member’s kit fi lled with cool travel goodies, family check-in counter for speedier service, priority boarding for the whole family, priority baggage handling, and a stroller gate delivery service.
For 2019, the airline has introduced a new kid’s meal, free on transatlantic fl ights. Served on a tray with the Kids Club colours, the meal will consist of mac and cheese with apple sauce, cookies and juice—all kids’ favourites! The on- board surprises will also be revamped. Air Transat off ers free and automated standard seat assignments to ensure that kids 12 and under are seated with their parents. Prices start from just €384, based on Economy Class return fl ights between Dublin and Toronto in October. For further information go online or see your travel agent.
sailors get hungry too!
Orla Noonan, Travel Commercial Manager (Irish Sea North) at Stena Line said: “We are delighted to launch this new initiative for NI primary school classes to go on a real-life adventure – a ferry fun day at sea – for free!
“Teachers will be able to treat their class to a trip to remember before the school year fi nishes for summer and provide lessons if they like at sea,” Orla Noonan added.
Ferry travel is free and for further information or to book go to
www.stenaline.co.uk/class, call 08445 764 764 or visit your local travel agent. Book early to avoid disappointment.
* All non-landing cruises are subject to availability and the appropriate level of adult supervision is the schools responsibility.
MOST HAVE NEVER BEEN ON SKI BREAK
ALTHOUGH more active holidays are surging in popularity, the traditional ski holiday is going off -piste, according to new research which has revealed only a minority of British adults have ever been on one. A survey of more than 7,600 UK adults published by sportswear specialist Decathlon in the Decathlon Activity Index 2018, shows that the vast majority (58 per cent) of UK people have never embarked on this kind of break.
For the majority, the main barrier seems to be a lack of skill – suggesting more needs to be done to get British people into the sport.
Of those who don’t head to the slopes, more than one in four (26 per cent) said this was because they actually don’t know how to ski – despite the fact that there are now a number of dry and artifi cial slopes around the country off ering lessons for beginners.
Twenty two per cent had been put
off by the perceived expense of these kinds of trips – despite there a number of resorts closer to home, such as Glencoe in Scotland, and retailers off ering more accessibly priced equipment and apparel.
A further 17 per cent said they don’t believe they are fi t or healthy enough to go on this sort of holiday. Meanwhile, more than one in seven
(16 per cent) are put off these kinds of breaks as, while they can ski, they aren’t confi dent doing so.
Tea Djumisic, Ski and Snowboard Sports Manager at Decathlon commented: “It is clear to see that, despite the Government’s SkiSafe campaign, which provides advice on safety on the slopes, getting the right travel insurance and even guidance on learning to ski, there is still more to do to encourage British people to get involved in skiing.
“This is an incredibly intriguing
fi nding when you consider that our research earlier this year revealed just how much people are wanting to participate in exercise and sports on holiday. Clearly, despite the success of home grown talents such as Graham Bell and Chemmy Alcott, there is a bit of a gap in understanding and skill when it comes to winter sports. There are a number of ways that skiing can be made more accessible to beginners or those with tighter budgets.” The Decathlon Activity Index tracks rates of participation in sport and other physical activities across the year through a monthly, national survey. Decathlon has 45 stores in the UK, including one in Belfast at The Holywood Exchange, and sells a variety of sports equipment, clothing and accessories perfect for those want to get active.
April/May 2019 Travel News
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