News Briefs: Holland America’s new culinary shore excursions, and more …

Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Feb. 16, 2018

• Holland America Line is introducing a collection of new culinary-themed shore excursions developed in partnership with FOOD & WINE. The 23 EXC Tours, on select 2018 cruises to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, will explore food, wine, and culture in some of the world’s most gastronomic locales. The cruise line also announced the launch of new EXC In-Depth Voyages for close-up exploration. Offered on 12- to 34-day Maasdam sailings, the new excursions explore fascinating itineraries using world-renowned experts, local scholars, and customized Zodiac tours for totally immersive experiences.
• For the second time, Cunard Line’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, will be featured on Vacation Creation with Tommy Davidson and Andrea Feczko, which airs Saturday, February 17, on ABC stations in select markets. Tommy Davidson, known for his role in “In Living Color,” hosts alongside travel expert and YouTube sensation Andrea Feczko. The episode highlights the ship’s annual Transatlantic Fashion Week Crossing, which includes an array of fashion shows, exhibitions, and lectures. Queen Mary 2 will set sail on its Transatlantic Fashion Week cruise this September, joined by undergraduates from the University of Westminster who are set to become the first in the world to showcase their collection on the official London Fashion Week schedule.
• Paul Gauguin Cruises, which focuses on South Pacific itineraries, announced a line-up of Wildlife Discovery Series lecturers aboard 2018 voyages. As part of its partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the line’s Wildlife Discovery Series program provides guests of Paul Gauguin with the opportunity to learn about marine wildlife and habitats from some of the world’s most fascinating scientists and conservationists. For this series of voyages, lecturers will be sharing their research and expertise aboard select sailings throughout 2018.
• Princess Cruises has completed renovations and enhancements to Princess Cays, the line’s private island in the Bahamas. The destination will offer new shore excursions, refurbished retail and bar areas, shopping, and landscape and infrastructure improvements including a new marina. Also, there will be newly defined “surfing” with MedallionNet onshore WiFi connectivity.

Photos: Holland America Line, Cunard Line