Headliners Set For LA Travel & Adventure Show™

Rick Steves, Travel Channel's Samantha Brown, Don Wildman, and Todd Carmichael, 

Peter Greenberg, Pauline Frommer, Patricia Schultz among others

 

(Long Beach, CA) - California's biggest travel show with over 450 destinations, the Travel & Adventure Show™ has announced its participating star speakers including, Rick Steves- host and writer of the popular public television series Rick Steves' Europe; inspiring and celebrated Travel Channel personality- Samantha Brown; Todd Carmichael- coffee expert, explorer and host of Travel Channel's "Dangerous Grounds"; Don Wildman- history buff, museumgoer and host of Travel Channel's "Mysteries at the Museum"; award-winning travel expert, radio host and Editorial Director of Frommer's Guidebooks- Pauline Frommer; Emmy award-winning investigative travel journalist Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor for CBS News and host of the new public television series: The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg; and Patricia Schultz- author of the #1 New York Times Bestseller "1,000 Places to See Before You Die."

Apart from the headline speakers, the show will also include a varied selection of destination-specific seminars where aspiring travelers can receive very specific, local information about a destination they wish to visit.

Saturday, February 8th Speakers:

Rick Steves: Join the travel expert - acclaimed for his bestselling guidebook series, public television series, and public radio shows - as he shares all the latest in smart European travel. Freshly back from travel hot spots, Rick Steves will explain the practical, money-saving ins and outs of independent travel. Packed with tips on getting the most out of every mile, minute, and dollar on your next trip, this will be a must see discussion!

*Rick Steves will also be speaking on Sunday.

Pauline Frommer: Will lead a fast-paced seminar about money saving methods of travel, less usual destinations, and ways to tailor a vacation so that it meets an individual's personality.

Samantha Brown: The Travel Channel expert will take the audience on a voyage around the globe and introduce the everyday life activities in other countries. Brown's travel goal is to always show that if she can do it, you can do it. No matter where she takes you, Brown will find delectable food, fabulous shopping and an authentic taste of the region you won't find in any tourist guidebook.

*Samantha Brown will also be speaking on Sunday afternoon.

Todd Carmichael: As owner of La Colombe, coffee fuels Todd Carmichael's passion for adventure, and travel is his life. Carmichael explains how, when hunting down rare strains of coffee in some of the most fascinating and unseen places in the world, you never know what the next adventure will be. Carmichael relishes those unexpected moments and off-the-beaten-path experiences that you could never plan for, such as surfing the Nile River and navigating the mountains of Nepal in an ultra-light aircraft. 

Piper Mackay - Focus on Africa: The professional photographer who guides safaris throughout Africa will lead listeners on an incredible journey through the savannas of the Serengeti in Tanzania, the great migration crossing the Mara River in Kenya, Mountain gorillas in Rwanda, and the dramatic desserts of Namibia. Mackay will also explore the Omo Valley and share her adventures of staying with the local tribes and camping in the wilds of Africa.

Jim Gale - Focus on Costa Rica: Discover the beauty of the Southern Zone of Costa Rica and two model sustainable cooperative communities that offer an enviable and affordable quality of life with Jim Gale - the visionary and developer of the Osa Mountain Village and Serenity Gardens EcoVillage.

Jeff Crochet - Focus on South Pacific: Join Jeff Crochet and learn about Tahiti. With 118 islands boasting high, rugged mountain peaks, coral reefs, turquoise-blue lagoons, white sand, palm-fringed beaches, and luxuriously intimate resorts, each island paradise has something for everyone.

Matt Greenham - Focus on New Zealand: Join the destination specialist as he explores the wonders of New Zealand and the amazing diversity of its North and South islands. New Zealand is a destination packed with adventure activities! For the thrill seekers, there's no shortage of adrenaline-charged experiences such as bungee jumping and jet-boating. This South Pacific country is blessed with a phenomenal playground of landscapes that inspires the spirit of adventure in all who visit. The truly spectacular scenery formed the setting for 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies, and Greenham will present on some of the key locations and tours associated with these visually stunning films. So whether you seek mild activities or are a hardcore daredevil, you will find plenty of opportunities to experience the very best of Middle-earth!

Brett Snyder, Sharlene Earnshaw and Jennifer Miner: There's more in the apps world than just Angry Birds and Plants vs. Zombies! iPhones and other Smartphones make travel planning on the go a snap, but it helps to have the best travel apps on tap. Top travel and tech experts share their most recommended apps to make vacation be as easy, adventurous, or delicious as possible.

Sunday, February 9th Speakers:

Patricia Schultz: Best-selling travel author and TV producer discusses some of her favorite destinations from the newly revised 1,000 Places To See Before You Die and 1,000 Places To See in the USA and Canada Before You Die, followed by signing of her books.

Peter Greenberg: America's most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist, who has appeared on CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News and CBS Sunday Morning, Peter Greenberg will share his cutting-edge travel information and insider tips that everyone should know before ever leaving home. Listeners should definitely bring a pen and paper (or tablet) to take notes!

Ralph Velasco: The travel photography instructor, author and international tour guide will discuss the importance of using a 'shot list' for creating a cultural portrait of any destination. He'll define what a shot list is and explain how to effectively create and use one in order to bring back a more interesting and well-rounded set of images from your travels. Velasco will also discuss photographic storytelling as well as reveal his number one photo tip that is guaranteed to bring your photography to another level.

Whitney Lennon: Yosemite National Park is over 740 thousand acres and has 800 miles of hiking trails that overlook glacier-carved granite peaks, steep valleys and a breathtaking number of waterfalls - But that is just the beginning of what this region has to offer! Whitney Lennon will take you on a tour of the regions diverse offerings including wine tasting, zip lining, taking pictures of 14,000 foot peaks, helicopter rides, visiting gold towns rich with mining history and much more. Whether you prefer to sleep under the stars or watch TV on the big screen in the comfort of your hotel room, Lennon can point you in the right direction for creating a personalized 'Yosemite Experience'.

Brent Nixon: Travel with marine researcher Brent Nixon in an exploration of this amazing Leviathan's struggle from highly endangered to present day pre-exploitation numbers throughout the North Pacific Ocean. Witness spectacular feeding efforts in the brisk waters of Alaska's protected inside passage from the warm comfort of your seat. Brent has over twenty-five years of field studies, stunning video footage, and awe inspiring still photography that bring this show to life. If you are looking for an energetic, humorous, fact-filled, thirty minutes of entertainment about one of Earth's magnificent mammals then this is your show!

Allie Almario: Ranked as one of the top eco-tourism destinations in the world, the pristine environment of the Galapagos Islands offer inquisitive adventure travelers one of the best up close and personal wildlife encounters anywhere in the world. There is nowhere else in the world can you snorkel so closely with sea lions, penguins, white-tipped sharks and penguins - photographers delight in how close they are to blue-footed boobies and Galapagos hawks. It's a model that works so well for both the traveler and nature conservationists but it comes with a price and a lot of rules. Find out why your Galapagos adventure is almost guaranteed to be picture-perfect, what to ask your tour operator, and how to choose the right cruise for you.

The 2014 Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show™ will take place on February 8th and 9th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Long Beach Convention Center located at 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802. Tickets are available online for $10 with Promo Code: LAPR or at the door for $15. Children under 16 years of age receive free entry. For tickets and event information, please visit www.LAtravelshow.com, email  info@LAtravelshow.com, or call 203.878.2577.  

Celebrity Cruises' Two New Destination Rich Voyages

MIAMI – December 20, 2013 – Modern luxury line Celebrity Cruises has created two new, destination-rich voyages for guests on Celebrity Century in 2015. The new sailings will replace three previously scheduled 12- and 14-night sailings in Asia in order to reposition the ship to Europe for the 2015 season.

The new itineraries – a 14-night voyage from Singapore to Dubai departing March 22, 2015, and a 15-night Suez Canal cruise departing Dubai for Rome April 5, 2015 – will feature destinations upscale travelers consider among the most appealing in the region, and offer the perfect combination of immersive experiences on land and luxurious days at sea. Vacationers also have the unique opportunity to enjoy an extended modern luxury vacation onboard Celebrity Century by sailing back-to-back, from Singapore to Rome, for 29 nights of Celebrity’s delectable, award-winning cuisine, impeccable service and engaging entertainment.

The 14-night sailing from Singapore to Dubai will feature visits to Muscat, Oman; Cochin, India; and three ports entirely new to Celebrity: New Mangalore, Goa (Mormugao) and Mumbai (Bombay), India; capped with an overnight stay in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The new 15-night voyage from Dubai will be highlighted by passage through the Suez Canal and visits to Ashdod, Israel; and Rhodes and Athens (Piraeus), Greece, ending in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy.

Guests with bookings on Celebrity Century’s previously scheduled cruises departing March 22, April 5 and April 17, 2015, are being contacted by Celebrity Cruises, and offered the opportunity to be re-accommodated on the two new voyages or on their choice from among 12 itineraries in Asia on Celebrity Century or Celebrity Millennium in 2015. Guests who opt to re-book will be able to do so at the lowest available rate if moving to selected sailings in like accommodations, and will receive an onboard credit of $200 per stateroom or $400 per suite.

To review the wide variety of sailings open on Celebrity Century in Asia, Alaska, the Caribbean, the Pacific Coast and South Pacific from now into 2015, visit the Celebrity website at www.celebrity.com.

About Celebrity Cruises:
Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises' 11 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent.

Sea Cloud Cruises Focuses On Its Windjammers

Hamburg, 19 December 2013: Sea Cloud Cruises, the Hamburg operator of small, sophisticated cruises, has sold its river yacht River Cloud II. The vessel will be handed over to the buyer at the end of the 2014 season. Sea Cloud Cruises will then focus all its attention on the field of ocean-going cruises with its two windjammers Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II.

Growing competition in the field of river cruises has made marketing of the River Cloud II increasingly difficult in recent years. While the two windjammers, which are sailed traditionally by hand, have a unique selling point in the field of ocean-going cruises, and are consequently very successful in the niche, emphasizing the high quality standard of the River Cloud II in the market has become ever more challenging.

Sea Cloud Cruises has been a global leader in the cruise world since 1979. The 82-year-old four-masted bark Sea Cloud with its high quality standard serves as the model for all other passenger ships that are part of the operator´s fleet. Only recently, the Sea Cloud and Sea Cloud II were again ranked among the top five boutique ships by the Berlitz Cruise Guide.

South African Airways Awarded Top Honor By Biz Mags

Triple Crown of Awards Maintains SAA’s Position 

as Africa’s Most Awarded Airline, and Lands it in Hall of Fame

Fort Lauderdale, FL (Dec. 18, 2013) – South African Airways (SAA) was named Best Airline to Africa by three respected business travel magazines in North America, reaffirming its long-standing position as Africa’s most awarded airline and preferred carrier for business travel to the continent. The triple crown of awards was bestowed in December, after readers of the magazines voted SAA as their favorite airline to Africa.

Premier Traveler Magazine’s readers named South African Airways as “Best Airline to Africa,” and “Best Airline in Africa,” while those of Business Traveler Magazine honored SAA as the “Best Airline to Africa.” The readers of Global Traveler Magazine named SAA as “Best Airline in Africa” for the 10^th consecutive year, which earned South African Airways a spot in the magazine’s coveted Hall of Fame. Each magazine is read by “road warriors” who travel consistently throughout the globe, and have cultivated a true understanding of what it takes to provide a comfortable and convenient travel experience.

“The readers of these three prestigious magazines are truly discriminating and difficult to impress, given their extensive travel to all corners of the globe,” said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America & Alliances, for South African Airways.  “It is certainly a feather in our cap to be named their favorite airline to the African continent, and to even earn a spot in Global Traveler’s Hall of Fame. We will work hard to continue to earn their loyalty and praise by offering the most convenient schedules and the most comfortable amenities from North America to the African continent.”

About South African Airways

South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, operates to 42 destinations worldwide, including daily nonstop flights from New York, and daily direct flights from Washington, DC (via Dakar) to Johannesburg. In its domestic market SAA has an extensive schedule operating 660 flights in total per week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth, from its Johannesburg hub, as well as code-shared flights between Lanseria – Cape Town and Durban. SAA offers more frequencies than any other airline in South Africa. Regionally, SAA offers 26 destinations across the African continent including Abidjan, Accra, Blantyre, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Cotonou, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Douala, Entebbe, Harare, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Luanda, Lusaka, Maputo, Mauritius, Nairobi, Ndola, Pointe Noire, Victoria Falls and Windhoek. SAA’s international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 11 direct routes and code shares, with daily flights from Johannesburg to London (Heathrow), Frankfurt, Munich, Mumbai, Perth, Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, Washington, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. SAA has codes share agreements with 27 other airlines across the markets it serves, including partnerships with United, US Airways, Air Canada and JetBlue in North America, which offer convenient connections from more than 30 cities to SAA’s flights. SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its four wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA and South African Travel Centre (SATC). SAA is a Star Alliance member which offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. SAA is the winner of the 'Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for eleven consecutive years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spots as South Africa’s most on-time airlines. For more information, call 1-800-722-9675, or visit www.flysaa.com.

Seaborne Airlines Moves Headquarters To Puerto Rico

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands, Dec. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Seaborne Airlines announced today that it has reached agreement with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to relocate corporate headquarters from St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands to San Juan, Puerto Rico, as part of a multi-faceted arrangement. Under the agreement, Puerto Rico will take an equity position in the airline and have two seats on the Board of Directors of the parent company of Seaborne, Coastal International Airways. Seaborne Airlines has committed to the creation of 400 jobs in Puerto Rico. 150 of the 400 positions will be added in Puerto Rico in the first quarter of 2014. This will bring total Seaborne employment in Puerto Rico to 250 people. The move is contemplated to be complete by March, 2014.

Seaborne will also add a number of routes important to Puerto Rico's tourism and export growth. On December 12, the carrier started service from San Juan's Luis Munoz Marin International Airport to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. On January 15, the carrier will add service from San Juan to St. Kitts and Nevis. On February 14, Seaborne plans to begin service from San Juan to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. On March 1, new service from San Juan to St. Maarten, Seaborne's 16th airport will launch. These San Juan routes are being serviced by four additional Saab 340B, 34-seat aircraft. Seaborne anticipates having a fleet of 16 Saabs based in Puerto Rico.

No change to existing routes, or Seaplane operations in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is planned as a result of this agreement.

The agreement also calls for rebranding of Seaborne's San Juan-based operations.

"There is little that is more important to economic development than global air access" said Gary Foss, president and chief executive officer of Seaborne Airlines. "This agreement will strengthen Puerto Rico's ties with the rest of the Caribbean and position Seaborne as being Puerto Rico's favorite airline, for connecting customers from our partner carriers, or for customers traveling to or from Puerto Rico to neighboring islands". Seaborne operates as an American codeshare partner in select markets at San Juan and has interline connecting agreements with JetBlue Airways and coming soon with Delta Air Lines.

"Seaborne's thanks go out to the leaders of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico who have made this day a reality", said Foss.

"We happily welcome Seaborne Airlines relocation to Puerto Rico, with their new hub of operations in San Juan, and our new partnership with Coastal International Airways. This partnership is important for reconnecting Puerto Rico to the Caribbean islands and also is an investment in jobs, commerce, new business opportunities and economic development. We have, in a year, recuperated routes that were discontinued during recent years in the Caribbean and now we are strengthening our position as the main hub in the region and connection to the United States", said Governor Alejandro Garcia-Padilla.

South African Airways Salutes Tata Nelson Mandela!!!

 

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.”

 

Johannesburg, South Africa (06 Dec 2013) - We salute Tata Nelson Mandela as the father of South African democracy, and acknowledge that South African Airways (SAA) today is the leading carrier on the African continent due to his iconic and legendary statesmanship.

 

Tata Mandela is the father of nations, a revered global icon, a revolutionary, a diplomat, a former President and a beacon of greatness that is celebrated all across the world. This is a man who compassionately offered close to seven decades of his life serving others. He sacrificed 27 years of his freedom to ensure that all South Africans are free.

 

Each of us can learn from his commitment and selflessness in serving the people of South Africa. His infinite wisdom helped this country to achieve its greatest achievement yet – to free ourselves from the shackles of Apartheid and transform into, in an exemplary and peaceful manner, a democracy.

 

Tata Mandela is a brilliant South African light that illuminated the world with his ideologies that resonate with the areas that are most critical to all of us at SAA. These include equal rights for women, honouring our nation’s children and the ability to pursue excellence and transcend race.

 

In isiXhosa we salute Tata Madiba as iQhawe la maQhawe: A Nation’s Hero, a Man among Men. From a lineage of royalty, he has elevated our entire nation to royalty. His memory lets us carry ourselves as Kings and Queens of our vibrant nation. Let us continue to fight for the spirit of equality and also be grateful for the myriad of opportunities that we have now because of this African legend. It is because of this global South African icon that the South African national carrier can connect people from all over the world and from our beloved South Africa.

 

In his memory we will continue taking our country’s proud flag of freedom and our icon’s legacy across the globe. It is because of this father of many nations that SAA is able to help build South Africa into a country that we can be proud.

 

In his memory, let us always pursue excellence.

 

Let us inscribe his words on our hearts: "Sometimes it falls on a generation to be great. YOU can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom."

 

Monwabisi Kalawe

SAA Group CEO

 

About South African Airways

South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, operates to 42 destinations worldwide.

In its domestic market SAA has an extensive schedule operating 660 flights in total per week between Johannesburg – Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth, from its Johannesburg hub, as well as code-shared flights between Lanseria – Cape Town and Durban. SAA offers more frequencies than any other airline in South Africa.

Regionally, SAA offers 26 destinations across the African continent including Abidjan, Accra, Blantyre, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Cotonou, Dakar, Dar es Salaam, Douala, Entebbe, Harare, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lagos, Libreville, Lilongwe, Livingstone, Luanda, Lusaka, Maputo, Mauritius, Nairobi, Ndola, Pointe Noire, Victoria Falls and Windhoek.

 

SAA’s international network creates links to all major continents from South Africa through 11 direct routes and code shares, with daily flights from Johannesburg to London (Heathrow), Frankfurt, Munich, Mumbai, Perth, Hong Kong, Beijing, New York, Washington, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires. SAA has codes share agreements with 27 other airlines across the markets it serves. SAA’s core business is the provision of passenger airline and cargo transport services together with related services, which are provided through SAA and its four wholly owned subsidiaries: SAA Technical; Mango its low cost carrier; Air Chefs, the catering entity of SAA and South African Travel Centre (SATC).

 

SAA is a Star Alliance member which offers more than 21,900 daily flights to 1,328 airports in 195 countries. SAA is the winner of the 'Best Airline in Africa’ Award in the regional category for eleven consecutive years. Mango and SAA hold the number one and number two successive spots as South Africa’s most on-time airlines.

 

SAA Vacations® Celebrates Release Of 'Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom' With Mandela-Themed Vacation Package

Starting at Just $2,599* (rest. apply), 10-Day “Mandela’s Journey to Freedom” Takes Travellers through South Africa’s Path to Freedom

Fort Lauderdale, FL (Dec. 5, 2013) - South African Airways Vacations® (SAAV) has introduced a new package to celebrate the release of the film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.”  The 10-day “Mandela’s Journey to Freedom,” packaged starting at $2,599* (restr. apply), will take travellers in the footsteps of the new South Africa’s founding father, visiting places where key moments of the struggle for freedom took place.  The package highlights include a cultural tour of various townships in Cape Town, as well as Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years. Other features include a tour of Liliesleaf, the ANC’s military headquarters which was featured in the film. The package concludes with the moving and inspiring Journey to Freedom tour, which includes visits to the Hector Pieterson Museum and the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, among other significant points of interest.  This poignant and meaningful package includes deluxe accommodations at the Protea Hotel Victoria Junction in Cape Town, and the Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! in Johannesburg’s Melrose Arch.   To book the “Mandela’s Journey to Freedom” tour, call 855-FLY-SAAV, or visit http://flysaavacations.com/south-africa-travel/mandelas-journey-to-freedom/.

“As a South African, I’m incredibly proud to introduce the ‘Mandela’s Journey to Freedom’ vacation package in conjunction with the release of this important movie. We’ve taken great care to include those places where key moments of Nelson Mandela’s anti-apartheid struggle took place, including Liliesleaf, where the infamous raid was carried out, as well as Robben Island, where you visit his prison cell and can imagine the isolation that prisoners felt,” said Terry von Guilleaume, president of SAA Vacations. “We’re also very excited about the release of the film ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,’ and are proud to have also partnered with the film’s distributors, The Weinstein Company, to raise funds to benefit the Nelson Mandela Foundation.”

The film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is based on Nelson Mandela’s best-selling autobiography and is now is select theatres, with the film being in full release on Dec. 25^th. SAA Vacations, South African Airways and The Weinstein Company have partnered to raise funds to benefit the Nelson Mandela Foundation by auctioning off “Mandela’s Journey to Freedom” packages for two, plus two Premium Business Class tickets on South African Airways. The packages will be available for bidding from Dec. 7^th-17th.  For more information, visit http://givingworks.ebay.com/mandela-long-walk-to-freedom/.

About SAA Vacations^®

A division of South African Airways (SAA), the national airline of South Africa and Africa’s most awarded airline, SAA Vacations^® is highly regarded for its wide array of affordable luxury packages to Africa, and uses SAA’s extensive route network to create packages for travel throughout South Africa, Botswana, Victoria Falls, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and East Africa. The program is managed and fulfilled by Destination Southern Africa (DSA), which was founded in 2001 and offers an extensive portfolio of tour programs with a variety of hotels, game lodges and safari companies throughout Southern Africa.  DSA was one of three tour operators in the U.S. that was officially appointed by MATCH to develop and sell travel packages for soccer fans visiting South Africa for the FIFA 2010 World Cup, making it a partner with extensive knowledge and know-how in planning the perfect African vacation.

# # #

Terms & Conditions

Mandela’s Journey to Freedom

Price is per person based on required double occupancy. Valid as of October 23, 2013 for departures on a Sunday from New York or Washington, D.C. between January 10 - May 31, 2014 and August 11 - December 09, 2014 with the same itinerary available at higher prices during other travel periods. Price for other departure cities and/or travel dates may vary. Subject to availability and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Prices are valid for new bookings only, are not retroactive and may change without notice. Baggage and optional service fees, cancellation charges and other restrictions may apply. Package includes all government and airline imposed taxes and fees.

16th Annual Los Angeles Times Travel Show Set

Alyssa Milano, Adam Richman, Henry Rollins and 

Arthur Frommer to Headline Los Angeles Times Travel Show

Program Schedule and Advance Tickets for 16^th Annual Travel Fest Available Now

LOS ANGELES – November 6, 2013 – Los Angeles Times Travel Show, the must-attend Southern California travel event of the year, today announced that Alyssa Milano (UNICEF Ambassador, host of “Project Runway All Stars”), Adam Richman (host of “Adam Richman’s Fandemonium,” author of “America the Edible”), Henry Rollins (musician, activist, author of “Smile, You’re Traveling”) and Arthur Frommer (publisher of more than 340 Frommer’s travel guides) will headline the 16^th annual festival on January 18^th and 19^th, 2014 at the L.A. Convention Center. The program schedule and tickets are available now at latimes.com/travelshow.

“Travel provides endless opportunities to collect experiences and develop a deeper connection to the world,” said Catharine Hamm, Editor of The Times Travel section, which recently won its fifth SATW Lowell Thomas Award for best travel print publication. “We look forward to Travel Show each year, where we can share stories with fellow travelers, trade tips that make each journey more enjoyable, and get inspired to plan trips to new destinations.”

This year’s show will feature an expanded LA Times area where award-winning journalists will host salons with their favorite experts on international sports events, major music fests and useful travel tech, as well as a presentation on The Times’ “Postcards From the West” series. The Travel Smart stage has a full schedule of mini-seminars on the best of Europe for 2014, getting the most from your vacation budget, staying connected on the road, travel safety and the latest in alternative lodging. Over at the Flavors of the World kitchen, acclaimed chefs will treat audiences to cooking demos and samples of regional cuisine. Attendees will also be entertained by live cultural performances and have access to a screening room showing short videos, including reader-submitted vacation movies.

Providing a wide variety of ideas and places to explore, plenty of ways to discover how to become a better traveler and the services needed to go just about anywhere, Travel Show is a once-a-year opportunity to satisfy wanderlust. Land Vacations by Cruise Planners, American Express Travel Representatives, will be on site ready to create itineraries and book travel. Destinations near and far will offer advice for planning visits, show-only special packages and giveaways throughout the weekend. The latest travel accessories and tech will also be well represented.

Los Angeles Times Travel Show is produced in collaboration with MSE Management and IMG Worldwide. Tickets are $8 in advance (use code Travel2014) or $10 at the door; Times members have access to two-for-one tickets. LA Times’ 3^rd annual trade day for travel professionals will be held January 17^th. For tickets and more information, go to latimes.com/travelshow. Connect via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ LATimesEvents (#travelshow).

Conrad Miami Offers Upscale Promotions

Conrad Miami, a cosmopolitan oasis located in Miami’s trendy Brickell neighborhood, is asking guests, “Who will you be in Miami?” The luxury hotel is offering upscale promotions that cater to a variety of personalities and interests. From soothing spa treatments to adventurous bicycle excursions, each guest at the Conrad Miami is bound to discover “the luxury of being yourself.”
Conrad Miami, a cosmopolitan oasis located in Miami’s trendy Brickell neighborhood, is asking guests, “Who will you be in Miami?” The luxury hotel is offering upscale promotions that cater to a variety of personalities and interests. From soothing spa treatments to adventurous bicycle excursions, each guest at the Conrad Miami is bound to discover “the luxury of being yourself.”
The Relaxed Traveler

• Two-night deluxe bedroom accommodations
• Daily complimentary breakfast for two at Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room
• Gourmet chocolates
• In-room candle amenity
• One Signature Brazilian Firming Body Treatment at The Spa
• Complimentary yoga classes (available Tuesdays and Thursdays)
• Starting Price: $508.

 The Miami Fashionista

• Two-night deluxe bedroom accommodations
• Daily complimentary breakfast for two at Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room
• Four-hour VIP shopping experience in Miami’s Design District, including transportation
• Two 15-minute foot massages
• Starting Price: $715

 The Adventure Seeker

• Two-night deluxe bedroom accommodations
• Daily complimentary breakfast for two at Atrio Restaurant & Wine Room
• Conrad electric bicycle rental for four hours, for two adults (upgrade to eight hours available for $15 per person)
• Special admission to  the exclusive Bentley Beach Club in South Beach
• Starting Price: $532

Packages are valid for travel between September 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014. Certain restrictions may apply. To book by phone, please call +1-800-CONRADS (266-7237). For full terms and conditions and to book online, please visit http://conradhotels3.hilton.com/en/hotels/florida/conrad-miami-MIACICI/offers/index.htm

Ecuador Set To Showcase At Imex in Las Vegas

October 15, 2013 (Las Vegas) – The Ecuador Ministry of Tourism will showcase the country’s world-class meetings and incentives offering this week at IMEX America – the distinguished industry forum and largest in North America – in Las Vegas, joined by six industry partners.

Ecuador will be promoting the sophisticated meetings infrastructure of Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, leading destinations offering cutting edge technological capabilities and the stunning backdrop of Ecuador’s natural wonders.  Due to expanding development in the sector, Ecuador has increased by two positions in the ICCA rankings for 2012. 

With five major convention and exhibition centers and more than 21,800 hotel rooms in more than twenty-five leading hotels, Ecuador offers the infrastructure to host international meetings and is rapidly gaining recognition as a unique destination for the sector in South America.

Located along the Equator in the “Middle of the World,” Ecuador offers an ideal location for meetings with convenient access and expanding connectivity from North America.  The Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, opened in February 2013, serves five million passengers per year, an increase in annual capacity of more than two million passengers.

The most megadiverse country per square kilometer in the world, the destination offers four distinct worlds including the Galapagos Islands, Pacific Coast, Andes, and Amazon.  Ecuador is easily traveled with only a 30-minute flight between the Amazon and Andes and the Andes and the coast, allowing visitors to experience the extraordinary diversity of the South American country.

Quito, the capital of Ecuador, has been recognized by National Geographic Traveler as “Best Destination in the World 2013.”  The UNESCO World Heritage city, famous for its well-preserved colonial center, was also named “Best Tourist Destination” at the World Travel Awards – Central and South America Edition. 

Ecuador is also home to the World Heritage city of Cuenca, a cultural capital boasting historical landmarks and festivals, as well as Natural Heritage sites including Galapagos National Park and Sangay National Park.
 

Ecuador will be highlighting recent successes in the sector, including the hosting of such major international events in 2013 as TravelMart Latin America at Bicentenario Convention Center in Quito, XIV Latin American Meeting on Digital Cities at Centro de Convenciones Eugenio Espejo in Quito, II Latin American Congress of Laboratory Medicine at Swissotel in Quito, and CXXVII Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union at Quorum San Francisco in Quito, which attracted over 1,500 attendees.

Partners presenting their meetings and conventions offering include EQ Touring, Galapagos Walker, Klein Tours, Metropolitan Touring, and Quito Conventions.

Ecuador will be exhibiting at IMEX Booth 530.

Celebrity Cruises Bites Into The Big Apple

MIAMI, FL – October 10, 2013 – This October, Celebrity Cruises is taking its award-winning cuisine to New York City in a series of land-based events designed to give food and wine enthusiasts a glimpse into its modern luxury approach to culinary innovation. A health food trends panel at NYC’s Michelin-starred Rouge Tomate, dinner at the legendary James Beard House, and a sponsorship of the iconic Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE will give New Yorkers an opportunity to interact with Celebrity’s talented team of culinarians, and taste the modern luxury vacation brand’s artfully presented, leading-edge cuisine.

Today, Celebrity started its culinary tour through New York by assembling a culinary thought leadership panel comprised of chefs and nutritionists, to discuss health food trends in luxury dining today. Moderated by Food & Wine editor-in-chief Dana Cowin, the panel discussion reached in-person attendees representing food influencers, such as bloggers, reporters, and other chefs and nutritionists. The event was shared with Celebrity’s social media followers. Celebrity’s onboard partnership with SPE Certified, a unique certification program that is defining a new way to eat by enhancing the nutritional quality of meals without sacrificing taste, inspired the discussion, along with growing culinary trends around vegetables and other healthful ingredients. Celebrity’s associate vice president of food and beverage operations, Chef John Suley, joined Marc Murphy, chef and owner of Benchmarc Restaurants and Benchmarc Events, Jeremy Bearman, corporate executive chef for SPE Certified and Rouge Tomate, and Natalia Hancock, R.D., SPE Certified’s senior culinary nutritionist, on the panel.

On October 12, Suley will headline Celebrity’s return to the legendary James Beard House, where his team will present “A Taste of Modern Luxury,” featuring recipes from onboard Celebrity’s ships as well as new creations, and wine pairings curated by Celebrity’s corporate sommelier, Chanelle Duarte, CSW. Joined by Celebrity’s team of corporate executive chefs, Suley will delight James Beard Foundation members and other guests with a delectable menu, as they did when Celebrity was the first cruise line to cook dinner at the James Beard House in 2012.

Wine is at the heart of Celebrity’s sponsorship of the 2013 Food Network New York City Wine and & Food Festival, where Celebrity Cruises will present Wine Seminars and Pairing Series Seminars hosted by FOOD & WINE. The series will feature the world’s top sommeliers, cellar masters, wine critics, authors, James Beard Award-winning chefs, and other culinary industry leaders. Tastings will cover a wide range of insights into topics such as tips and tasting into the “grape unknown” – unusual grape varieties, and learning the best way to taste and analyze champagne.

At the Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite, guests will enjoy the ultimate culinary showcase for any foodie, including all-day tastings provided by NYC’s top restaurants and chefs. Celebrity's culinary team – led by Suley – will feature the ship-inspired “Lawn Club Grill” experience, serving up their very own take on a classic dish, soup and grilled cheese: Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup, Iberico ham, toasted Hazelnut, Sourdough Croutons and Raclette & Leek Grilled Cheese.

The Food Network Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by FOOD & WINE is October 17-20, 2013. The Celebrity Cruises Wine Seminars and Pairing Series hosted by FOOD & WINE are October 19-20. The Grand Tasting presented by ShopRite is October 19-20.  All proceeds from the Festival benefit the hunger relief organizations Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign.

The James Beard House dinner and Food Network New York City Wine and & Food Festival are open to members of the public; tickets are for sale at www.jamesbeard.org and www.nycwff.org, respectively.

About Celebrity Cruises:
Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises' 11 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity is one of five cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent.

Scottsdale, Arizona Travel News: October 2013

CAMELBACK INN’S MULTI-MILLION MAKEOVER
The JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa is undergoing a makeover that will spruce up not only the signature property's rooms, but also the all new golf course, Ambiente. With a focus on conserving water, maintaining a wildlife habitat and decreasing pesticide and fossil fuel use, the 18-hole, 150-acre Ambiente Golf Course lives up to its name; Ambiente means “environment” in Spanish. Ambiente, which premieres this month, was designed by renowned golf architect Jason Straka for the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa. Ambiente will surely draw leisure and avid golf players with it’s a one-of-a-kind challenging course. Replacing the Indian Bend golf course, Ambiente culminates the seven year, $70 million renewal project at the inn. This fall, the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa completed $9.5 million in refurbishments as well. Guest rooms have been updated with new bathroom vanities, countertops, walk-in showers and carpeting. Now, you can enjoy a few games of golf surrounded by desert flora and fauna, tuck in a hearty meal at BLT Steak and relax at the casita guestrooms in the restored 1930s adobe brick resort.  

IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! IT’S ARIZONA HELICOPTER ADVENTURES!
Move over traffic copper, there’s a new kid in town. That’s right, Arizona Helicopter Adventures is now serving the greater Scottsdale area with tours of the metro area and the city’s greatest asset, the Sonoran Desert. Whether you wish to see the luxurious homes and prime golf courses in Scottsdale’s metro area or the rugged and majestic Sonoran Desert, Arizona Helicopter Adventures has you covered. Its three different tour options take you miles above Paradise Valley and Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and the Superstition Mountains. Get a bird’s eye view of Fountain Hills’ world famous, man-made geyser or soar above the beloved Camelback Mountain. Prices range between $99 and $259, depending on the tour. 

AN ARCHITECTUAL MELTING POT
The Sonoran Desert’s dramatic landscapes have drawn architects to the desert for thousands of years. From the Hohokam Indians to Frank Lloyd Wright, Scottsdale residents have explored how to not only exist, but thrive in an environment where wide-open spaces and saguaro cacti are practically trademarks. Explore the people behind Scottsdale’s greatest architectural achievements during visits to Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park, Cosanti, and Taliesin West.

Upon descending into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, few people realize that less than a mile from the airport there are replica structures of the indigenous Hohokam people’s homes. Explore the hogans in which they resided between 450 and 1450 AD during a visit to the Pueblo Grande Museum and Archaeological Park. See the museum’s collection of ancient petroglyphs and walk beside the vast irrigation canals that are still used in part today.

Don’t miss the renowned Frank Lloyd Wright’s desert masterpiece, Taliesin West. A National Historic Landmark built between 1937 and 1959, Taliesin West is located at the base of the McDowell Mountains. Amidst the Sonoran Desert, Wright’s design masterfully integrates indoor and outdoor spaces. Choose one of several tours, such as the 90-minute Insights tour, and walk through Wright’s personal winter home and studio, which is still in use today as a campus for the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.

Take advantage of the knowledge and expertise of Ultimate Art & Cultural Tours’ founder Ace Bailey for a customizable tour that highlights your favorite Scottsdale sites. From Taliesin West to Cosanti, the gallery, studio and residence of the late Italian-American architect Paolo Soleri, Bailey’s tours will provide you with insight into the people and places that have made Scottsdale such a recognizable architectural destination. Be sure to stop by one of her favorites, Hotel Valley Ho, a frequent hangout for celebrities such as Cary Grant and Zsa Zsa Gabor in the ’50s and ’60s.

DREAMING OF A SONORAN DESERT CHRISTMAS
It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year, and there’s no better way to celebrate with friends and family than partaking in plenty of festive events around Scottsdale.

Explore the breathtaking Sonoran Desert all by the glowing light of more than 8,000 hand-lit luminaries from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31 at the Desert Botanical Garden’s Las Noches de las Luminarias. Sip on hot chocolate from the Patio Café as you stroll the paths throughout the garden. Feel the holiday spirit as music from carolers, handbells, guitars and violins fills the air. With advanced reservations, you can even dine at Gertrude’s, which stays open late for the event. And a trip to the Desert Botanical Garden is not complete without stopping by the Chihuly in the Garden exhibit, which returns to the garden from November 2013 through May 2014. Only during Las Noches de las Luminarias can you witness artist Dale Chihuly’s colorful glasswork reflected by thousands of white twinkle lights against the night sky.

       Kids and kids at heart will be delighted as they wander through Zoo Lights at the Phoenix Zoo Nov. 28, 2013 through Jan. 12, 2014. As the sun begins to set and the furry and reptilian residents at the Phoenix Zoo start to snooze, the zoo transforms into a winter wonderland. Roam the complex beneath the shine of more than 3 million colorful twinkle lights and 500 custom-made animal and nature light sculptures. You’ll likely spot a sleepy orangutan, a wide-awake coyote and even Jengo the talking giraffe throughout the festivities.

Trim your Christmas tree this holiday season with hand-made ornaments from American Indian artists during Heard Museum's Ornament Marketplace from Nov. 28 through Dec. 1. Return to the museum Dec. 26-31 for Holidays at the Heard, an annual Southwestern tradition. This event takes museum visitors on a journey through American Indian culture with exciting performances and artist demonstrations.

Literally rock around the musical Christmas tree at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess’ annual winter celebration Christmas at the Princess. At the Princess tree-lighting ceremony on Nov. 21, see 65,000 lights shine brightly on a four-story tree that plays 10 holiday favorite songs. The event, which runs through Jan.5, 2014, features a 5,400-square-foot ice skating rink, visits from Santa and his elves, musical performances, the Silver Saguaro Holiday Shoppe, and lots of yummy snacks and beverages to keep you warm. And the Spectacular Lagoon Lights that shine throughout the resort are truly magical.


 
A CULTURAL FEAST FOR THE SENSES
Take in the sights, sounds and tastes of Southwest American Indian culture during the 12th season of Native Trails, presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation and produced by the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts. Staged at the idyllic, grassy outdoor amphitheater at Scottsdale Civic Center Park, you’ll be invited to participate in audience-involved dances, dine on delectable indigenous snacks, and browse a wide array of artisan jewelry, beadwork and paintings during this free festival that occurs most Thursdays and Saturday Jan. 16 through April 5, 2014. Watch in awe as competitive dancers and youth performers from the Hopi, Diné (Navajo), Hualapai and San Carlos Apache tribes take the stage in traditional attire and showcase their culture’s ceremonial dances. Favorites include the hoop dance, in which performers intricately weave in and out of several hoops, and the Round Dance, an audience-participation event celebrating the connection of all people and cultures.

South African Airways Offers $999 Round Trip Airfare

Low Fares to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, and 12 Other Destinations

Fort Lauderdale, FL (Sept. 10, 2013) – South African Airways (SAA), Africa’s most awarded airline, launched the “More of Africa for Less” fare sale, with low fares from the U.S. to 15 destinations in Africa. Fares start at just $999* round trip (restrictions apply) for SAA’s flights from Washington, DC (Dulles) to Johannesburg. Travel from Washington to Dakar, Senegal, starts at $1,040*, to Cape Town at $1,030*, and to Durban at $1,040* (restrictions apply.) Fares from New York (JFK) to Johannesburg on SAA’s daily non-stop flight start at just $1,050*, to Cape Town at $1,080*, and to Durban at $1,090*(restrictions apply).  Low add-on fares are also available to Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mauritius, Maputo, Windhoek, Lusaka, Livingstone, Harare, Victoria Falls, Dar es Salaam, and Entebbe. The fares listed, which include taxes and fees, are available for purchase now through Sept. 24^th for travel Oct. 20^th – Dec 9^th, 2013 and Jan. 11^th – Feb. 28^th, 2014. To book the “More of Africa for Less” fares, travelers should call 1-800-722-9675, visit www.flysaa.com, or call their travel agent. For a full listing of discounted fares, visit http://www.flysaa.com/US/en/specials/saa-specials.html.

“Only South African Airways can offer North American travelers such an extensive route network throughout Africa, and the ‘More of Africa for Less’ sale is making it possible to travel to 15 destinations on the continent at really low fares,” said Marc Cavaliere, executive vice president, North America and Alliances for South African Airways. “Getting there is not only more affordable and more value for the money on SAA, but more comfortable and with better schedules, too. SAA is the most convenient, enjoyable and affordable way to experience that dream African vacation, visit friends and family, or conduct that important business trip.”

About South African Airways

South African Airways features daily nonstop service from the U.S. to South Africa with morning departures from New York JFK and afternoon direct service from Washington Dulles (with a stop in Dakar, Senegal) that offer travel convenience and award-winning service. Travelers in Premium Business Class enjoy 180° fully flat-bed seats, and in Economy Class enjoy the most legroom versus competitors.  SAA’s unrivaled network, featuring seamless connections to nearly 20 destinations within South Africa, and more than 25 cities across the rest of the continent, makes the airline the savvy traveler’s “gateway to Africa.”  To complement this network, a world of privileges awaits those who join Voyager, South African Airways’ premier mileage program.  To sign up, visit www.flysaa.com, and link to the Voyager icon. As a Star Alliance member, South African Airways is able to offer its customers 1,328 destinations in 195 countries and more than 21,900 flights daily, including convenient connections from more than 25 cities in North America through code share service with Star Alliance members United Airlines, US Airways and Air Canada. Members of United’s, US Airways’ and Air Canada’s frequent traveler programs are able to earn and redeem miles on all SAA flights.  For more information on South African Airways, please call (800) 722-9675 or visit www.flysaa.com, where travelers can sign up to be notified of other great travel deals and vacation packages.  For information about South Africa, visit www.southafrica.net.

Victor Tiffany Named Senior VP of Hospitality

 Hollywood, Fla. – Victor Tiffany has been named Senior Vice President of Hospitality for Gaming Operations of the Seminole Tribe of Florida.  The newly-created position puts Tiffany in charge of operations at all food and beverage outlets, nightclubs and hotels of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Tampa and Hollywood, Fla.  He also oversees food and beverage operations and entertainment venues at the five Seminole Tribe casinos in Hollywood, Coconut Creek, in Immokalee near Naples, on the Brighton Seminole Reservation north of Lake Okeechobee and on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation south of Lake Okeechobee.

Through a strong focus on new product development and customer service, Tiffany will be responsible for leisure and entertainment operations including the development of new restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and retail at all seven Seminole casinos.  He will report to Larry Mullin, Seminole Gaming COO.

VICTOR TIFFANY

 

Tiffany comes to Seminole Gaming from Echo Entertainment Group in Sydney, Australia, where he was head of hospitality, overseeing all casino leisure and entertainment operations at the casinos since 2009.  His recent Sydney, Australia project, The Star, included the development of the Marquee Sydney nightclub with the Strategic Group, along with The Darling, a new 5-star boutique hotel, and Australia’s 2012 best new restaurant, Momofuku Seiobo with chef David Chang.

Prior to his assignment in Australia, Tiffany worked with the Nobu Group, where he opened several restaurants including the first Nobu on Hudson Street in New York City and at the Shore Club on Miami Beach. He also worked with Tarsadia Hotels and oversaw the development and launch of the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego, Calif.  From 2002 to 2007, he served as the vice president of food and beverage for the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, N.J., where he was a member of the opening team.  He also launched its nightclubs, bars and restaurants with chefs including Wolfgang Puck, Bobby Flay and Michael Mina.

Tiffany is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

About Seminole Gaming

With more than 13,000 slot machines and live table games, the Seminole Tribe operates the largest gaming enterprise in Florida and one of the top gaming entities in the country.  Seminole Gaming employs more than 10,000 people and generates a multi-billion dollar annual economic impact.  The Seminole Tribe has long been recognized for innovation in its gaming and other businesses. It opened the first high-stakes bingo hall and casino in the United States in 1979.  That facility was the forerunner of the Indian Gaming movement throughout North America. 

Celebrity Cruises Introduces New Vacation Apps

MIAMI – August 12, 2013 – To bring vacation planning out of the realm of daydreaming and into the palms of consumers’ hands, Celebrity Cruises is introducing a suite of easy-to-use mobile apps allowing travelers to digitally immerse themselves in the line’s modern luxury vacation experiences in all seven continents.
       
After downloading Celebrity’s free mobile vacation apps onto iPads or Android tablets, consumers will find – literally at their fingertips – the next-best thing to actually being on the cruise, with content including:
·        Breathtaking videos and rich imagery of Celebrity’s worldwide destinations
·        Authentic depictions of the modern, upscale experiences found on every Celebrity ship
·        Profiles of Celebrity’s Shore Excursions, designed to make the most of every guest’s time on land in every destination
·        Detailed itineraries and maps of the array of Celebrity Cruisetour vacations, which offer the best of both land and sea
·        Interactive ship deck plans with the capability to zoom in on specific suites, staterooms or venues to reveal the highlights of each
·        Must-sees, hidden gems and other tips curated exclusively for Celebrity by the editors of Travel + Leisure
·        Up-to-date pricing on Celebrity vacations
       
Celebrity’s new vacation apps can be downloaded from celebritycruises.com/mobile.  
       
The new vacation apps are launching just one week after Celebrity introduced its innovative app, “Cruise Lingo,” which makes it easy for vacationers to speak local languages by accessing authentic local phrases and relevant information from their smartphones or tablets.
About Celebrity Cruises:
Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises' 11 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity is one of five cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent.

Royal Caribbean International Celebrates Dual Milestones

Keel Laying and Steel Cutting Ceremonies Held for new Quantum Class

 

MIAMI, August 2, 2013 – Excitement was in the air at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, today, as Royal Caribbean International marked two important milestones in the development of its Quantum class of ships. Quantum of the Seas, scheduled to be delivered in the autumn of 2014, received its first block as the keel was officially lowered and put into place. In conjunction, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum’s sister-ship, had its first piece of steel cut, signaling the first step in the ship’s construction.

“Today is a very special day in the development of our new Quantum class, as we are now two steps closer to delighting guests around the world with Quantum cruising,” said Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas coming together so well, and today we not only honor these two very important milestones, but also recognize the years of hard work and dedication from the team developing these ships.” 

The keel laying marks an important milestone in the development of Quantum of the Seas as it signifies the beginning of the ship’s physical construction. During the ceremony, a 430-ton block measuring 59-ft by 75-ft (18 x 23 meters) was lifted into the building dock with an 800-ton crane. Newly minted coins were placed under the keel which then stays in place until the end of construction. Once the ship is nearing completion the coins are retrieved and presented to the ship’s Captain and crew to be placed onboard the ship. According to maritime tradition, the coins are said to bring luck to the ship during its construction and then to its Captain and crew when she is at sea.

The groundbreaking Quantum class ships will debut new unprecedented features, such as RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea; the North Star, an engineering marvel that transports guests more than 300 feet above the ocean; transformative venues, such as The Sea-Plex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever, including the industry’s first-ever Virtual Balcony staterooms, which offers expansive, real-time views of the ocean and exciting destinations for interior staterooms.

The Quantum class will debut in autumn 2014 with Quantum of the Seas, followed by her sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015.  Quantum ships span 16 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms.  More information on Quantum of the Seas is available at RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas.

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 40-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry firsts never-before-seen at sea.  The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities found only on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike.  Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSE: RCL), the cruise line sails 21 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, South America, the Far East, and Australia and New Zealand.  World renowned for its friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, delivered by every staff and crew member, Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 10 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Reader’s Choice Awards.

Media can stay up-to-date by following @RoyalCaribPR on Twitter, and visiting RoyalCaribbeanInternationalPR.tumblr.com and RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com.  Travel professionals should go to CruisingPower.com; or call (800) 327-2056; and follow Facebook.com/VickiLovesTravelAgents.  For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN. Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/RoyalCaribbean or on Twitter @RoyalCaribbean.