(2:50 p.m. EDT) — Every week we catch wind of so much cruise news, we don’t always know what to do with it all, but a few standout bits sometimes catch our attention. Here are some interesting cruise tidbits we think you might like to know about.
No Manana for Samana
Royal Caribbean will not visit the port of Samana in the Dominican Republic next cruise season, despite original plans for the port to be on Quantum of the Seas‘, itineraries. Norwegian Cruise Line also recently removed Samana from its itineraries.
Loyalty at Sea Royal
Size doesn’t matter when it comes to Windstar Cruises‘ new loyalty program, which will offer its passengers upgraded benefits beginning November 1. The Yacht Club, formerly the Foremast Club, will include new perks such as cabin upgrades and a referral program, rewarding members and referred friends $100 onboard credit for sailing with Windstar. Membership, which is earned after one sailing, will continue to include the program’s original benefits, like 5 percent off cruise fares, upgrades, onboard discounts and members-only events.
With a Little Help from You
Crystal Cruises is again asking passengers to lend a helping hand to the communities it sails to by expanding its You Care, We Care program onboard Crystal Serenity to seven voluntourism experiences. Offered during the ship’s five-segment world cruise the opportunities include helping underprivileged children, the eco-system and more in Hawaii, Asia and Africa.
Far Out, Far East
Windstar Cruises will enter Asia and the Middle East for the first time ever with its new 212-passenger yacht, Star Pride , next October. The five itineraries on offer will visit ports in Asia, India and the Middle East including Singapore, Hanoi (Vietnam), Hong Kong, Phuket (Thailand), Penang (Malaysia), Mumbai (India), Luxor (Egypt), and Aqaba (Jordan), among many others.
–by Dori Saltzman, News Editor, Gina Kramer, Associate Editor and Brittany Chrusciel, Editorial Assistant
