News Briefs – Seven Seas Mariner’s amazing upgrade, and more….

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 9, 2018

• Seven Seas Mariner is undergoing a major upgrade before returning to Alaska. The world’s first all-suite, all-balcony cruise ship will undergo a 20-day dry-dock this April, getting a new mosaic-tiled pool, an open layout and teak flooring on the pool deck, as well as new décor in public spaces, a new menu of Canyon Ranch SpaClub treatments, newly appointed suites, and new gourmet culinary experiences in the Compass Rose, Prime 7, and innovative Chartreuse restaurants. To celebrate, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a three-category upgrade aboard the ship’s 10- and 11-night 2018 Alaska itineraries for any new bookings made before March 31, 2018.
• UnCruise Adventures is launching seven new land-based tours, expanding their Alaskan cruises with activities like guided hikes across ice fields, mountain biking, train rides and river floats through the Chugach Mountains, dogsledding with Iditarod mushers, and more. The pre/post-cruise packages, made in partnership with Alaska Alpine Adventures, include airport transfers, meals, and hotel accommodations in Anchorage, Girdwood, and Seward.
• Luxury polar operator Ponant is introducing a “Quintessential Collection” of cultural theme cruises launching in May 2019. The sailings include “A Musical Odyssey in the Mediterranean” hosted by flautist Michael Parloff; a World War II cruise following the footsteps of General MacArthur, hosted by historian James Bradley; a cruise touring the gardens of Britain, Belgium, and Norway, hosted by Holly Shimizu, retired Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden; and several more.
• Oceania Cruises, the luxury line with a uniquely culinary focus, is expanding The Bistro to its entire fleet by March 2018. The service in the Grand Dining Room offers, every day, five appetizers, four soups and salads, and 11 entrée selections, as well as a daily-changing selection of four different desserts and six ice cream flavors. The selection includes international dishes as well as Jacques Pépin’s hallmark French specialties.

^{Photos: Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Oceania Cruises}