Month: May 2019

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Seabourn Unveils Stunning Premium Suites On New Ultra-Luxury Purpose-Built Expedition Ships

Seabourn Unveils Stunning Premium Suites On New Ultra-Luxury Purpose-Built Expedition Ships

 Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, has given travelers their first glimpse of the premium suites on its two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships set to launch in June 2021 and May 2022, respectively. The work of design icon Adam D. Tihany, the Wintergarden, Signature, and Owners Suites are masterfully designed spaces that will provide beautiful and relaxing luxury accommodations on Seabourn Venture and her soon-to-be-named sister ship along with a number of enticing amenities only available to guests who book the Premium Suites category.

The entire all-suite collection on the two ships is defined by comfortable, thoughtfully crafted bespoke furniture, enticing tactile materials and unique details that capture timeless luxury travel in a contemporary and engaging environment designed to elevate every aspect of the Seabourn Venture experience.

Elegant design elements such as parchment texture inspired wall panels and curvilinear arches reflect bygone maritime craftsmanship. Custom bedside panels recall luxury travel from another era yet are decidedly current with toggle switches, an analog clock and a fold away reading lamp, perfect for curling up with a custom Seabourn wool blanket. Guests are drawn into the space with organic shapes, materials like wood and stone, and intricately textured fabrics. Spacious bathrooms with separate shower and bathtub feature luxurious bronze fittings. The ship’s art collection, curated to reflect that of a seasoned explorer, will extend beyond public areas into the ship’s all ocean front with private veranda suites as well.

Each suite will also have a built-in heated jacket wardrobe, where guests can grab a warm coat before heading out on a cool morning or hang their wet outdoor parkas and other gear to dry quickly once they return from adventures off the ship.

The suites feature several pieces from the custom furniture collection created for the expedition ships by Tihany’s product design arm and developed by a leading European furniture manufacturer.The collection is highlighted by crafted details such as wood frames, exposed rivet details and bronze inlays.

“Each of these stylish suites offers a warm, welcoming environment and features thoughtful design touches that create subtle memories of the experience on their own,” said Richard Meadows, president of Seabourn. “After a full day of activity, perhaps off the ship with our expedition team taking in nature’s splendor, guest suites will be the perfect place to rest or relax before the evening’s insightful recap or the next big adventure.”

For this latest project with Seabourn, Tihany will develop the design vision for public areas and all categories of luxurious guest suites, as well as a bespoke furniture collection. Additional renderings of these spaces can be found in the link here.

Specific details on each of the Premium Suite categories revealed include:

Two-story Grand Wintergarden suite: Perfect for extended families and friends looking to share their travel experiences, the Grand Wintergarden provides the ultimate in accommodations. A brand new suite layout for Seabourn, this expansive apartment-style suite stretches over two decks and is located midship. Two suites in this category are available on Seabourn Venture, with the entry on Deck 7 opening to seamless double height views and a generous lower level living area that is large enough for entertaining with a dining table for four, separate guest bath, and pantry with wet bar stocked with a customized selection of spirits including a bottle of coveted Shackleton Blended Malt Scotch Whiskey, which is based on the spirit supplied to the 1907 British Antarctic Expedition, expertly crafted using a selection of the finest Highland Single Malt Scotch Whiskies. The lower level also features a second bedroom and bathroom with separate tub and shower

Wintergarden Living Room

Wintergarden Bedroom

A sculptured staircase leading to the upper level takes guests to the master bedroom with a queen-sized Duxiana Axion 15 adjustable high-performance sleep system positioned to face expansive windows, allowing guests to soak in the abundant scenery and vistas beyond. The upper level also features an expansive wall of closets, along with advanced technology including a roll-up LG OLED TV that tucks away to preserve the views to the world outside. Guests will find a separate walk-in closet adjacent to the five-piece bathroom complete with a whirlpool spa tub and separate shower.

Wintergarden suite guests will also be able to enjoy wildlife and vista spotting using a Swarovski ATX Interior spotting scope. The tripod-mounted scope, with its 25-60x85 lens capability, is offered for use in-suite while onboard and provides a unique perspective to the world outside via tried-and-tested optics.

The entertainment experience in the Wintergarden suite features a high-end Bang & Olufsen Beolab 5 speaker system and Bang & Olufsen H4 Bluetooth headphones for guest use onboard.

Total space – Grand Wintergarden: 1,397 sq. ft. (130 sq. m.) including two verandas totaling 206 sq. ft. (19 sq. m.)

Wintergarden Suite: The Wintergarden Suite includes the same features as the Grand Wintergarden without the additional bedroom and full bathroom on the lower level.

Total Space – Wintergarden Suite1,042 sq. ft. (97 sq. m) including veranda of 128 sq. ft. (12 sq. m.).

Signature Suite: The Signature Suite is the perfect accommodation for the adventurer who prefers an indoor/outdoor lifestyle. Each of these two available suites, located on Deck 8, features a foyer entry opening to an inviting living area with a high-definition TV, dining table for four, guest bath, and pantry with wet bar, while a series of large windows wash the suite with natural light.

Signature Suite Bedroom
 
The separate bedroom features a queen-sized bed, makeup vanity, generous closet space, and a glass door leading to a large curved veranda that includes its own canopied whirlpool spa tub, sun loungers, sofa, and chairs. A five-piece bathroom with a separate shower and tub rounds out the suite.

Total space – Signature Suite: 1,382 sq. ft. (128 sq. m.) including veranda of 595 sq. ft. (55 sq. m.)

Owners Suite: Located on Deck 7 forward, each of the two Owners Suites on Seabourn Venture offers commanding views of the ship’s course and the world beyond. As guests enter, a large closet provides the perfect place to store gear and personal belongings. The suites embrace expedition travelers in a comfortable living area with high-definition TV, writing desk, and dining table for two, perfect for meals in-suite at any time of day. A glass door leads to a curved veranda with sun loungers and a table for four, making it an ideal place to share stories with fellow guests.

The separate bedroom with queen-sized bed has its own high-definition TV, a large window, makeup vanity, and a walk-in closet. The five-piece bathroom is designed with multiple doors that can create a half-bath, and also features a separate shower and bathtub.

Total space – Owners Suite: 1,027 sq. ft. (95 sq. m.) including veranda of 484 sq. ft. (45 sq. m.)

All Suites on Seabourn Venture and her sister ship include amenities such as a personal suite stewardess, walk-in closets, interactive entertainment, and use of Swarovski binoculars. A full list of amenities is available on the Seabourn website.

Premium Suite amenities include all of the above plus:

1.A complimentary private car airport transfer of up to 50 miles*

2.Complimentary internet service throughout your voyage

3.Enhanced in-suite bar setup with additional wines or spirits for entertaining

4.A welcome bouquet of fresh flowers on embarkation

5.Customized display of fresh fruits

6.Daily newspaper of choice delivered to guest’s suite or to the PressReader™ app

*Not applicable to upgraded occupancy

More details about public spaces and suites on the new expedition ships will continue to be revealed in the coming months. Specific details about itineraries and booking availability will be released in mid-2019.

Seabourn continues to represent the pinnacle of ultra-luxury travel with intimate ships offering key elements that set the line apart: spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas and all 100% ocean front; superb dining in a choice of venues; complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times; award-winning service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home on board. The ships travel the globe to many of the world’s most desirable destinations, including marquee cities, more than 170 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and lesser-known ports and hideaways.

 
 
 
Holland America Line Expands Digital Guest Platform With Launch Of Navigator Mobile Phone App Across Entire Fleet

Holland America Line Expands Digital Guest Platform With Launch Of Navigator Mobile Phone App Across Entire Fleet

Leveraging technology to further personalize the cruise experience, Holland America Line is expanding the functionality of its popular browser-based Navigator tool into a user-friendly, free app for mobile phones and tablets that can be used on board. iPhone and Android users can download the Navigator app from the iTunes App and Google Play stores, respectively. 

free app for mobile phones and tablets that can be used on board. Using Navigator, guests can plan daily activities, explore and book shore excursions, view restaurant menus and make dining reservations, view spa treatments, check their account statement and more. Expected to be the most popular feature is the chat function that enables guests to communicate with each other for free while on board.

“The Navigator app makes it easy for our guests to personalize their cruise experience from anywhere on the ship — whether they want to make a reservation at a specialty restaurant, see what the evening entertainment is or create a daily schedule with reminder notifications,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “The most exciting function of Navigator is that it allows our guests to chat with each other for free, which makes it easy to stay connected and make plans with fellow travelers throughout the cruise.”

With Navigator, guests also are able to select and save activities to personalize their daily schedule. Those activities appear alongside booked dining reservations and shore excursions, keeping everything easily accessible in one place. Notifications can be set up to send reminders and alerts for reservations, messages and more.

Guests who forget to download the Navigator app prior to embarking can download it once on board free of charge without using internet minutes.

In the coming months, Holland America Line will extend the app offerings for both mobile phones and tablets — currently only available to use during a guest’s cruise — to offer pre-voyage access so guests can review available services and check out the interactive fleet map at any time before boarding the ship.

Source: www.hollandamerica.com

United Airlines and Denver International Airport Celebrate New Nonstop Service Between Denver and Frankfurt, Germany

United Airlines and Denver International Airport Celebrate New Nonstop Service Between Denver and Frankfurt, Germany

United Airlines (UAL) today launched its 9th daily nonstop flight between the United States and Germany from its hub at Denver International Airport, becoming the only U.S. airline connecting Denver to Frankfurt nonstop. United will operate year-round service between Denver and Frankfurt, Germany, beginning today.

"United has added two trans-Atlantic flights from Denver in the last two years, including our newest addition to Frankfurt, which demonstrates our commitment to growing and investing in Denver," said Steve Jaquith, United's vice president of the Denver hub. "We're proud to provide even more ways we can connect Denver to the world."

From Denver, United will conveniently connect more than 100 cities across North America to Frankfurt. From Frankfurt, United's new service provides customers with easy one-stop access to more than 90 destinations, including key centers of business and tourism like Barcelona, Spain; Budapest, Hungary; Paris; Prague; Rome and Vienna.

"United is committed to expanding our global network for our customers and our employees and we are excited to continue this growth today with the start of new service between Denver and Frankfurt," said Jake Cefolia, United's senior vice president of Worldwide Sales. "From the mid-continent United States to the rest of the world, United offers customers traveling for business or leisure more choice and more international flights and destinations than any other carrier."

United's new service between Denver and Frankfurt is the only nonstop service from Denver to Germany by a U.S. carrier and is the airline's ninth flight between the United States and Frankfurt. United currently operates daily nonstop service between Frankfurt and its hubs in Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles.

Flight

Frequency

City Pair

Depart

Arrive

Aircraft

UA 182

Daily

DEN - FRA

3:45 p.m.

9:20 a.m. (+1 day)

Boeing 787

UA 181

Daily

FRA - DEN

11:05 a.m.

1:20 p.m.

Boeing 787

Booking travel to Frankfurt and beyond is also an opportunity for United MileagePlus members to enjoy the benefits and perks of their membership. MileagePlus Premier and eligible United MileagePlus Chase cardmembers can book Everyday Awards on flights operated by United and United Express. If a seat is available, eligible members have unrestricted access to book an Everyday Award, even if it is the last seat on the plane. Tickets are available to purchase on united.com.

"Adding additional nonstop service to Frankfurt means expanded opportunities for jobs and our local economy," said Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock. "Connecting Denver to the rest of the world deepens and diversifies our air service network, elevating our city's position in the global economy."

United Airlines has served the Denver community since 1937 and is the only airline to continuously operate service in Denver – operating 6.5 million flights and serving more than 580 million customers.

"We welcome United's continued expansion at Denver International Airport," said Denver International Airport CEO Kim Day. "These new flights to Frankfurt will not only provide a new option for Denver travelers to access the heart of Europe, but will strengthen Denver's position as a premier connecting hub in the global Star Alliance network."

United Airlines in Denver

Denver International Airport, a United hub since 1937, offers customers more than 400 flights daily across its domestic network and 13 international flights to key business and leisure destinations in six countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The airport is the region's key gateway to international economic and tourism development.

Customers traveling to the U.S. from Frankfurt can conveniently connect to hundreds of U.S. destinations including easy connecting services between Denver, Eagle/Vail, Jackson Hole and Aspen, popular ski destinations for European visitors.

United Airlines in Germany

United Airlines the U.S. carrier with the most service to Germany. United has continuously served Germany for more than 28 years, when the airline began daily service between Frankfurt and its Chicago and Washington Dulles hubs. In addition to United's new daily service between Denver and Frankfurt, the airline offers customers daily, year-round service to Frankfurt from its hubs in Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles. United also operates daily nonstop service from Munich to Chicago, Houston, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington Dulles, and year-round nonstop service between New York/Newark and Berlin/Tegel. Additionally, United offers daily, nonstop year-round service between San Francisco and Munich. All flights are conveniently timed to connect at United's U.S. hubs with an extensive connecting network to destinations throughout the United States and beyond.

Every customer. Every flight. Every day.

In 2019, United is focusing more than ever on its commitment to its customers, looking at every aspect of its business to ensure that the carrier keeps customers' best interests at the heart of its service. In addition to today's announcement, United recently announced that luxury skincare line Sunday Riley will make products exclusively for United customers to experience in amenity kits, released a re-imagined version of the most downloaded app in the airline industry and made DIRECTV free for every passenger on 211 aircraft, offering more than 100 channels on seat back monitors on more than 30,000 seats.

Seabourn Is Set For The 2019 Season In Alaska & British Columbia With Unique Itineraries And Adventures Offering Immersion In ‘The Great Land’

Seabourn Is Set For The 2019 Season In Alaska & British Columbia With Unique Itineraries And Adventures Offering Immersion In ‘The Great Land’

Seabourn, the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line, is preparing to embark on its 2019 season in Alaska & British Columbia with Seabourn Sojourn headed north offering unique itineraries, special onboard events, adventurous shore excursions, and immersive journeys through “The Great Land.” With only 10 departures scheduled through the season, guests are encouraged to book now to secure their spot on board.

“This summer will be Seabourn’s third season in a row exploring ‘The Great Land’ up north, and as always our guests will enjoy a myriad of wonders and exclusive opportunities to get up close and into the wilderness on the ship and via our optional expedition-style Ventures by Seabourn program,” said Chris Austin, Seabourn’s senior vice president of Global Marketing & Sales. “We’re excited to bring the best of Alaska on the best and to continue to offer our guests the opportunity to explore the treasures hidden within the unique landscape of Alaska and British Columbia.”

The 2019 season runs from June to October offering a selection of 11-, 12- and 14-day ‘Ultimate Alaska’ cruises with itineraries including wilderness destinations such as Harriman Fjord and College Fjord; marquee ports from Ketchikan and Juneau; and rarely visited gems such as the First Nation villages of Alert Bay and Klemtu, a town of fewer than 500 belonging to the Kitasoo Native Band where guests will enjoy an exclusive cultural experience within breathtaking Inside Passage of British Columbia.

Every cruise of Seabourn’s 2019 season in Alaska and British Columbia will include complimentary Seabourn all-weather jackets; inspiring onboard guest speakers from Seabourn Conversations program; opportunities for frequent wildlife sightings from the ship and shore; and a delectable "Caviar on the Ice" deck party and other special deck events.

Adventure seekers are encouraged to lock in a spot on one of the cruise line’s Ventures by Seabourn tours to discover select destinations via hike, kayak, Zodiac and catamaran. Each optional excursion exposes guests to up-close exploration of natural and/or cultural wonders, with guidance, insight and lectures from the line’s skilled expedition team staffed by accomplished naturalists, marine biologists, wildlife researchers, photographers, videographers, guides and more. The team is also part of the complimentary Seabourn Conversations program, providing in-depth insights into the history, ecology and culture of the places they visit. Throughout the voyage, their valuable insights are offered both in complimentary formal presentations on a variety of topics and in more casual conversations over meals or at leisure. In addition, the team chronicles their adventures with stories and photos via Seabourn’s Ventures Tracker;

A few notable optional Ventures by Seabourn tours scheduled this season include:

  • Inian Islands Zodiac Exploration – Join a naturalist and explore picturesque, weather-beaten shorelines teeming with Steller sea lions, otters and seabirds. Whales hungry for the rich sea life are also a common sight. Seabourn provides travelers an up-close look and access to these remote, striking and unforgettable islands.
  • Kayak Exploration of Misty Fjords – Settle into a double kayak and paddle a path into the furthest regions of Alaska’s Misty Fjords, where wildlife and wilderness remain untouched. There will be a guide and a safety kayak along for the ride, but guests are otherwise free to soak in the beauty of this special place, as few ever will.
  • Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm Via Kayak – Paddling through Tracy Arm or Endicott Arm is a once-in-a-lifetime experience complete with panoramic views of icebergs, waterfalls, wildlife and stunning backdrops of towering mountains at every turn en route to North Sawyer or Dawes Glacier.

There will be a variety of additional shore excursions available to Seabourn guests to explore fascinating destinations beyond regular ports of call, such as:

  • Taku Glacier Lodge, Feast & Five Glaciers: A Mindful Living Tour – Depart from Juneau aboard a classic floatplane to “flightsee” five glaciers on the way to an exclusive, glacier-view seafood feast at Alaska’s famous fly-in Taku Glacier Lodge. A serene yoga session and guided nature walk in sublime surroundings will also be offered to enjoy before return.
  • Stikine River & Wilderness Glacier by Jet-Boat – An exhilarating jet-boat ride on one of North America’s last truly wild rivers leads to views of distant peaks, wildlife and spawning salmon, as well as the ear-shaking roar of thundering waterfalls before arrival at iceberg-dotted Shakes Lake and, conditions permitting, a view of Shakes Glacier.
  • Wildlife Safari Cruise & Beach Bonfire – Embark on a one-of-a-kind wildlife boat safari from Ketchikan to view the unique and fascinating wildlife in the region that may include humpback and orca whales, Dall’s porpoise, harbor seals and bears. With a 360-degree observation deck, the tour offers excellent photography opportunities and an unobstructed view of the pristine wilderness.
     

For the traveler who wants to delve deeper, Seabourn is also offering a pair of exclusive Seabourn Journeys for guests to explore Alaska and British Columbia in-depth before or after their cruise. One by plane, the other by rail, both are as magnificent as the region itself.

  • Denali Experience – This five-day, fully escorted, custom-designed overland adventure promises awe-inspiring wonder with luxury accommodations and culinary options on top. Venturing into Alaska, guests will soar high above glaciers in a flight seeing plane, and head deep into the protected wilderness of Denali National Park with a guide to spot grizzly and black bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.
  • UNESCO Banff National Park & the Rocky Mountaineer – This seven-day, pre-cruise journey travels deep inland with a scenic drive by premium motor coach through the Canadian Rockies to Banff. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Banff and Yogo National Parks, with dreamy destinations including Takakkaw Falls, Spiral Tunnels in Kicking Horse Pass, and dazzling Emerald Lake, the largest of Yoho’s 61 lakes and ponds. After a day on one’s own, ride the Rocky Mountaineer for two days into the heart of the Canadian Rockies with comfortable seating and GoldLeaf service assured in a bi-level, glass-domed rail car to gaze in awe at photo-worthy views of scenic canyons, valleys, and the lush coast of British Columbia. 

Source: www.seabourn.com

Welcome to the Macanese Table – Macao Government Tourism Office introduces the unique flavours of Macao in a limited-time only special menu

Many know Macao for its exciting buzz and rich heritage. Inrecent years, its 450-year-old culinary traditions have become a point of interest as well. In 2017, its reputation as the place to visit for unforgettable food experiences is further cemented by its Creative City of Gastronomy (UCCG) status, awarded by UNESCO, making it one of only three cities in China to be conferred this prestigious title.

Last year, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) introduced 2018 Macao Year of Gastronomy to create awareness and promote Macao’s gastronomic culture in addition to building a Macanese cuisine database and actively engaging in the work of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network. This year, MGTO continues to promote Macao’s sustainable initiative in gastronomy. Among the initiatives were “The Great Green Food Journey” – an educational session in partnership with National Geographic, concerning food waste reduction and other related topics.

Needless to say, Macao is the place to visit for great food. MGTO in collaboration with Fat Tea Macanese Food Restaurant owners June Yap and Chef Susana Batalha has curated The Macanese Table to give you a taste of what one can expect when dining and visiting Macao. For a limited time, there will be a promotional dinner menu (RM42++) available from 4 June 2019 till 28 June 2019, from Tuesdays to Fridays at Fat Tea Macanese Food Restaurant. To further enhance this experience, especially selected weekly live band performances will be held on the 12th, 19th and 28th June 2019 to create a friendly and warm atmosphere reminiscent of Macao. There’s more, Fat Tea Macanese Restaurant will be having weekly lucky draws with a grand prize of a trip to Macao to be won and the first 100 diners to induldge in this special dinner menu will receive an exclusive cutlery set.

Macao will also present for the very first time an exciting art event set to transform the city into one of artistic and cultural vitality. Art Macao, a series of large-scale international arts and cultural events, will run from June to October this year, creating an immersive cultural atmosphere where the entire city becomes an art gallery for enthusiasts and visitors. 

This artistic event will showcase installations at the Macao Museum of Art, hotels and integrated resorts, foreign consulates and outdoor public places for a unique art immersion experience.

The event will feature a total of 31 programmes, including 18 exhibitions and 10 large-scale performances, which will be held in 33 venues throughout the city. Art Macao will be inaugurated on 6 June 2019 together with the opening of the Art Macao: International Art Exhibition, the mega event’s highlight will be hosted at the Macao Museum of Art. The exhibition features a number of valuable works selected by several hotels and integrated resorts, including paintings, ceramics, sculptures, interactive installations and multimedia presentations, aiming at capturing the fascinating charm of contemporary visual arts in a diversified way.

Other highlights include 52 drawings by 42 Italian Renaissance masters of the 15th and 16 centuries, the exhibition “Beauty in the New Era—Masterpieces from the Collection of the National Art Museum of China” featuring nearly 90 works by modern and contemporary masters in Chinese fine art over the last hundred years, and the exhibition “Reminiscences of the Silk Road—Exhibition of Cultural Relics of the Western Xia Dynasty” showcasing relics from the
dynasty some of which will be presented outside the Ningxia for the first time.

In addition to the various exhibitions, Art Macao will also present diverse musical and theatrical performances including “Under Siege by Yang Liping Contemporary Dance”, concerts by the Macao Orchestra and the Macao Chinese Orchestra, the International Youth Dance Festival, the International Youth Music Festival and the International Youth Drama Festival, as well as Visual Arts Exhibition by Macao Higher Education Institutions. For a full-listing on Art Macao, visit www.artmacao.mo