30 CRUISE NEWS Azamara Reveals Details of
2025 World Voyage AZAMARA has announced its 2025 World Voyage, departing from San Diego, California and visiting 37 countries before concluding in Southampton, UK. Taking place on the independent cruise line’s latest ship, Azamara
Onward, this itinerary will include 15 overnights and 31 late stays in port, giving guests more time to immerse themselves in each unique destination.
Due to the high demand for Azamara’s 2024 World Voyage, which
is currently sold out with a waitlist, the cruise line is showing its appreciation for trade partners, loyalty guests, and past and current world-cruisers by giving them the exclusive opportunity to book first. Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara said: “Our 2025 world cruise
invites travellers to not only see the world, but also take their time in each destination and make memories that will last long after the journey has ended.”
Destinations that will be highlighted throughout the itinerary include:
Hurtigruten Expeditions to Set Sail from Scotland in 2023
HURTIGRUTEN Expeditions has unveiled its plans to begin cruises from Scotland in 2023. The 500-passenger ship MS Maud is expected to
travel between the port of Leith in Edinburgh and Reykjavik in Iceland. Locations such as Shetland, the Faroe Islands and Orkney will be covered by the North Atlantic cruises. Two 10 day expeditions have been scheduled for July 1st and September 19th. Meanwhile ahead of the official launch of the
Svalbard Express and North Cape Express in 2023, Hurtigruten Norway has unveiled its new excursions for the highly anticipated premium offerings. An upgraded extension of the traditional Coastal Express, which connects 34 communities along Norway’s coast, the two new itineraries will offer half- and full-day port visits, a first in the company’s nearly 130-year history. Now available for booking online, the 63 optional excursions provide a significantly different experience for travellers searching for deep exploration.
“Extended port visits will allow travellers to spend
more time exploring both land and sea,” explains Hurtigruten Norway CEO Hedda Felin. “While the fully refurbished MS Trollfjord will serve as a comfortable home base for guests with plenty to offer while onboard, these authentic, local excursions will allow guests to curate their own experience and develop an intimate connection with the destination. With the new excursions, travellers will gain knowledge of local culture, nature, geology, and history.”
Svalbard Express (Summer)
With its first departure on June 3, 2023, just one month ahead of Hurtigruten Norway’s 130-year anniversary, the Svalbard Express is a revival of the Coastal Express’ iconic summer cruise to Svalbard, which ended over 50 years ago. On average, guests will have six hours to explore 14 handpicked areas along Norway’s coast and Svalbard, the northernmost community on Earth, all while basking in the Midnight Sun. In addition to an array of optional excursions, the one-way journey (with both Northbound and Southbound options) includes two nights in Longyearbyen and two excursions: a wilderness evening at Camp Barentz and an adventure aboard the hybrid-electric catamaran MS Bard. Highlights of the new Svalbard Express excursions include: Fishing in Lofoten: Guests will have an opportunity
to soak up the fresh sea air and fish from a traditional 39-foot fishing cutter before cooking and eating their fresh catch on board. Hiking and Birdwatching in Gjesværstappan
Nature Reserve: For over five hours, travellers will hike through the spectacular Gjesværstappan nature reserve while keeping an eye out for razorbills, puffins, skuas, gannets, and eagles. Legends of Torghatten and Brønnøysund: One
of Norway’s most iconic places, Torghatten is known for its spectacular hole and the enthralling myths
behind it. Travelers will hear enchanting myths and Viking stories while enjoying lefse, a traditional flatbread, over a fire pit. Kayaking in Lofoten: For a close-up experience
of Norway’s charming fishing villages, guests can explore Henningsvær aboard a two-person kayak and learn about the area’s rich history and culture from a local guide. Træna Culture Walk: Poetry, Art, and Heritage:
Travelers will see artwork, hear music, and taste local foods as they explore the chapels, cafés, and museums of Husøya, as well as take in spectacular views across the islands of Træna. Arctic Dip: Sauna & Swim: In this invigorating
experience, guests can enjoy a sauna in Træna’s oldest building, a boathouse that stands on the shore, before plunging into the Norwegian Sea.
North Cape Express (Winter) For the first time ever, Hurtigruten will sail from
Oslo, Norway’s vibrant capital, with the North Cape Express. Sailings will take place during the Northern Lights season and explore nearly the entire length of Norway’s coast. As with Hurtigruten Norway’s Coastal Express departures from the end of September through the end of March, the company offers its unique Northern Lights guarantee. With the first North Cape Express departing on September 26, 2023, guests will have an average of six hours in each of the 16 selected ports, fjords, and islands. Highlights of the new North Cape Express excursions include: North Cape and King Crab Experience: In this
six-hour excursion, guests sample King Crab from the Barents Sea – served the traditional way, with soft bread, mayonnaise, and a slice of lemon – in the small village of Sarnes. Dog Sledding in Alta: An exhilarating ride through a winter wonderland, this excursion takes guests to Alta, home to Europe’s longest dog sled race, for a day of dogsledding. After venturing into the wild, guests can share hot drinks around a crackling wood fire in a laavu, a Sami herdsman’s tent. Whale Watching in Arctic Silence: Guests cruise silently aboard a specially designed, hybrid-electric boat, ensuring minimal disruption while watching for orca and humpback whales in their natural habitat. Arctic Ice Fishing: After snowshoeing to an off-
the-beaten-track location, adventure-seekers will cut their own whole in the ice and fish before tasting their freshly caught bounty back at the restaurant. Snowmobiling to the North Cape: Travellers can discover the snow-covered landscape of the Arctic on this four-and-a-half-hour snowmobile adventure to the European mainland’s northernmost point. Supporting the robust excursions program, the two new itineraries will offer onboard lectures on Norwegian history, culture, food, nature, and wildlife, as well as photography, cooking, handicraft, and art classes.
Honolulu, Hawaii: Azamara makes its long-awaited return to the beloved Hawaiian Islands with a late stay in Honolulu, where guests can discover stunning beaches, vibrant sea life, and authentic Hawaiian cuisine and culture. Samoa and Tonga: Guests will experience the less-traveled islands
ICON BREAKS CRUISE RECORDS!
Fresh off the heels of revealing the first look at Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International saw its single largest booking day in its 53-year history when reservations opened for the cruise line’s first Icon Class ship. Icon first made headlines on Oct.
Thursday, 20, when Royal
Caribbean unveiled the new ship as the vacation industry’s first-of-its- kind combination of the best of every vacation. “The enthusiasm and excitement for Icon are undeniable in more ways than one,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “The incredible response we
have received from our loyal guests, vacationers new to cruising, crew members and travel partners continues to come in, and this is just the beginning. We can’t wait to share more of what Icon has in store in the coming months.” Sailing from Florida,
guests
scurried to gain a place on the newest cruise, with sales coming to a close after 24hours due to a sell out. The ship will set sail starting
January 2024.
of Samoa and Tonga with famed whale swimming experiences and rich Samoan culture. Sydney, Australia: An overnight stay offers guests the chance to dive deeper into Sydney’s breathtaking beaches, iconic Opera House and vibrant food, arts and entertainment scene. Stewart Island, New Zealand: Off the beaten path is New Zealand’s southernmost island, a tranquil and unspoilt destination with less than 500 inhabitants. A majority of the island is Rakiura National Park, home to coastal rainforests, sand dunes, mountain ranges, and native wildlife. Azamara’s 2025 World Cruise will feature 13 complimentary land
events, beginning with a kickoff gala in San Diego. Additional highlights of
Azamara’s immersive land
experiences offered on the 2025 World Cruise include: Benoa, Bali: Guests will discover Benoa’s natural beauty and the
charm of the island’s deep-rooted culture during a special AzAmazing Evening, where local performers will display traditional forms of dance with intricate footwork and finger movements. Bangkok, Thailand: A two-night stay offers guests the chance to truly immerse themselves in Bangkok’s local culture through the city’s food, music, dance, art and Buddhist temples. Travellers can opt for shore excursions to the mountainous city of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand and the Southeast Asian country of Lao, known for its Buddhist monasteries and French colonial architecture. Semarang, Indonesia: Semarang is known as the Venice of Java for the many rivers that run through the center of the city. From this port, guests can take a shore excursion to Borobudur, the
world’s largest Buddhist temple dating back to the 9th century. In addition to taking guests to every corner of the world, Azamara’s
2025 World Voyage offers over $25,000 in exclusive amenities, including $4,000 in onboard credit, an additional $3,000 for shore excursions, roundtrip business class air travel, a premium beverage package for two, weekly laundry service, and more. Azamara’s 2025 World Voyage bookings are currently open to
trade partners, loyalty guests, and past world-cruisers only. Bookings will open to the public on November 10, 2022.
SILVERSEA Cruises has confirmed its highly anticipated return to Asia, with four ships— Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper, Silver Spirit, and Silver Muse—scheduled to sail in the region between December 2022 and May 2023. The intimate, 596-guest Silver Muse will
become the cruise line’s first ship to sail in Asia since March 2020 when she departs Singapore on December 2, 2022. Highlights of Silversea’s season will include calls in Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, among others, combining opportunities for deep travel to both iconic cities and lesser-visited destinations. “We are delighted to confirm our return to
Asia from December 2022, offering guests the luxury of choice with four ships sailing in the region,” says Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer, Silversea Cruises. “Asia has long constituted an important sailing region
Silversea Cruises Confirms Anticipated Return To Asia
for Silversea Cruises and our guests are eager to return to this enriching, rewarding continent with us. Including calls to destinations in Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and more— with convenient departures, many overnight calls, and late departures maximising guests’ opportunities to experience the soul of each— our upcoming Asia season represents one of the final pillars in our global return to service.” Enjoying the finest service at sea aboard
Silversea’s ultra-luxury ships, which are among the most intimate yet spacious ships to sail in the region, guests will be immersed into Asia’s varying cultures and landscapes, discovering the continent’s most enriching experiences, and engaging with local communities. Silversea’s upcoming Asia season, which comprises 25 voyages that range from 10 to 20 days.
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