Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Mar. 6, 2015

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Mar. 6, 2015

• The new 604-passenger Seabourn Encore, to be delivered in December 2016, sold out its debut voyage in two days. The ultra-luxury ship will be named at a gala ceremony in Singapore on January 7, 2017; debut on voyages exploring Arabia, India, and Southeast Asia; and spend its maiden season cruising in Australia and New Zealand….
   
• The popular Turner Classic Movies (TCM) theme cruise will return for the fifth time this year, sailing on Disney Magic November 1 to 6. Pre-sale registration is under way and general booking opens to the public March 24. TCM’s Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz will host the sailing, from Miami to Castaway Cay and Grand Cayman. Look for legendary movie stars to be on board participating in movie screenings, Q&A sessions, and other special events. No names yet, but past participants have included Ernest Borgnine, Tippi Hedren, Eva Marie Saint, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, and Richard Dreyfuss….
   
• United Airlines launched a new cruise-travel program that allows members of the carrier’s MileagePlus loyalty program to use a combination of miles and money to buy cruises. More than two dozen lines are listed in the program – operated in partnership with cruise agency World Travel Holdings….
   
• Avalon Waterways introduced its first “Suite Ship” in Asia. The 36-passenger Avalon Siem Reap cruises the Mekong, its 245-square-foot suites featuring the line’s signature Open-Air Balconies….
   
  Industry veteran Andy Stuart has been named president and COO of Norwegian Cruise Line. He replaces Drew Madsen, named to the position late last year. Stuart has been with Norwegian since 1988….
   
• Oceania Cruises will debut its 684-passenger Sirena (acquired from Princess Cruises) on April 27, 2016, with a Barcelona-to-Venice voyage. The ship will spend its inaugural season with the upscale line cruising in the Mediterranean….
   
• Royal Caribbean International has rolled out its 2016/2017 Caribbean itineraries, including word the Oasis-class Harmony of the Seas, debuting in April 2016 as the world’s largest cruise ship, will homeport in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), where it will join sister ship Allure of the Seas. Oasis of the Seas moves to Port Canaveral, near Orlando. All three ships will do one-week Caribbean cruises with some new Eastern Caribbean itineraries in the mix. There’s also word the new Quantum-class Anthem of the Seas will be doing some cruises to Bermuda from its year-round homeport of Bayonne, New Jersey.
   

— Fran Golden

^{Photo: Seabourn}

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