NEWS YOU CAN USE CRUISE


Windstar to host 450 agents on ship visits


Windstar Cruises is embarking on its biggest-ever agent ship visit schedule in the UK and Ireland this summer, following a record start to the year. Up to 450 places will be available for trade partners in 11 ports of call. Star Legend and Star Pride will host tours and business updates from June until August. windstarcruises.com


New York


sailing to explore more of Rome. In Venice, the add-on package


is available pre or post-cruise on MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Sinfonia sailings. Passengers on MSC Opera


departing from Piraeus can opt to prolong their holiday in Athens before their cruise. For Caribbean itineraries,


the offer can be booked for MSC Seascape sailings from Miami for a two-day pre-cruise stay in the city. And in New York, passengers


can extend their holiday pre-cruise for MSC Meraviglia departures. Antonio Paradiso, managing


director for the UK and Ireland, said: “Guests enjoy the flexibility of tailoring their perfect holidays as well as exploring new destinations. “This is why we have introduced


our new stay-and-cruise programme so that guests can spend extra time enjoying some incredible destinations before joining, or after departing, an MSC cruise.” msccruises.com


Tours in Greece and Croatia In Rhodes, a tour entitled ‘The


fascinating world of bees’ visits the Bee Museum of Rhodes and an active apiary. It costs £103. There are three tours in


Dubrovnik, focusing on the art of traditional embroidery, oyster farming and the city’s landmarks. celestyal.com


travelweekly.co.uk canadaspecialist.co.uk 2 MAY 2024 21


Crystal sailing to visit key war sites of 1944


Crystal has lined up expert speakers to join a voyage marking the 80th anniversary year of D-Day. Crystal Symphony’s sailing from Dover on September 18-26 includes a stop in IJmuiden during the 80th anniversary year of Operation Market Garden. It continues to Zeebrugge, with an optional tour to Dunkirk, before arriving in Rouen, near the D-Day Landing sites in Normandy. It costs from £3,800. crystalcruises.com


AE Expeditions adds


Antarctica itineraries AE Expeditions has added eight itineraries to its 2025-26 Antarctica programme. A total of 32 cruises for the season are now offered aboard Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and new ship Douglas Mawson. The programme features four voyages from the new departure ports of Hobart, Australia, and Dunedin, New Zealand. aexpeditions.co.uk


ADVERTISING FEATURE


canada Calling


Isla Stenning from Vista Travel tells us how joining the Canada Specialist Programme helped enhance her knowledge and improve sales


I signed up to the Canada Specialist Programme (CSP) in 2023 and have achieved platinum level. Immersing myself in the course has helped me sell a lot more Canada.


I have been blown away by the content provided, and it’s made me more confident due to the amount of information included. Canada is such a huge destination – the diversity is breathtaking – but much of it is missed by many. Completing the CSP has given me the tools to confidently sell lesser-known territories and experiences.


Vancouver and Toronto (pictured) are the two places I sell the most and, with the help of the CSP, I’ve been able to make recommendations to really enhance customers’ trips. For example, if a client wants an Alaskan cruise, I’d now be able to suggest they extend their stay around Vancouver or, if their budget allows, add on a trip on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer.


Panathenaic Stadium, Athens


The CSP is easily accessible, especially on the app – it’s a great tool. You won’t complete this course in a lunch break, but it’s a wonderful way to understand Canada’s diverse culture, vibrant cities and open spaces. The country really has something for everyone!


PICTURES: MSC Rights/Luca Ugolini; Shutterstock/Tzido Sun


PICTURE: Shutterstock/saiko3p


PICTURE: Destination Canada


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