Posted by David Porter on April 6, 2018 · 1 Comment
Viking Ocean Cruises shocked the cruise world about a month ago when they announced the order of six more ocean-going vessels which when added to their current orders would bring their fleet to a shocking 16 ships.
To read about that, click here.
And now, Viking’s Chairman Torstein Hagen has announced that he has just signed a letter of intent for two “special” cruise ships with an option for two more.
According to Cruise Industry News, the contract value is around 460 million euro and according to sources familiar with the transaction, the ships will be LNG-powered expedition vessels with delivery dates Q2 2021 and Q2 2022.
Did you catch that? Expedition vessels.
If true, this signals that Viking will soon be taking passengers to the Antarctic, Northern Polar regions, the Galapagos, and more.
Wow, this Torstein Hagen sure likes to stir things up and it certainly can’t be said that any grass grows under his feet. This is going to be fun to watch, and again, if true, to sail. 🙂
To learn more about Viking Ocean Cruises current offerings, CLICK HERE.
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Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on April 6, 2018 · Leave a Comment
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises Culminates Multimillion Dollar, Fleet-Wide Refurbishment Program by Unveiling Newly Redesigned Seven Seas Mariner
Carol and I will be making our first sailing with Regent Seven Seas Cruises this summer in Alaska. And, we think that it was really nice of them to get her all spruced up before our visit. 🙂
The refurbishment of the Regent Seven Seas Mariner now completes a $125 million dollar refurbishment program across their fleet and in 2020 Regent Seven Seas will be rolling out a brand new addition to their luxury cruise line: the Seven Seas Splendor.
Here’s the press release announcing all of the fabulous upgrades to the Mariner making Regent Seven Seas Cruises “the most luxurious fleet at sea”.
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MIAMI, April 4, 2018 – In the final phase of Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ $125 million refurbishment program, the company completed its bow-to-stern upgrade of Seven Seas Mariner, elevating the ship to the level of elegance set by Seven Seas Explorer® and providing a consistent look and feel to the entire fleet. Seven Seas Mariner completed a 20-day drydock at Chantier Naval de Marseille, and has re-emerged with dramatic new culinary experiences, elegant new suite designs, and completely renewed elegant guest spaces.
“I’m constantly amazed by the attention to detail that goes into our ships, and the newly refurbished Seven Seas Mariner is no different, from the luxurious décor down to the intricate design elements,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “With the culmination of our fleet-wide refurbishment program, and with the construction of Seven Seas Splendor® underway, we are perfecting luxury and indeed have the most luxurious fleet at sea.”
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Offering an even more elevated dining experience, all restaurants on board Seven Seas Mariner received a stylish redesign with enhanced art and décor. The newly updated steakhouse on Seven Seas Mariner, Prime 7, is now unlike any other restaurant in Regent’s fleet, with unique, rectangular light fixtures that are reminiscent of a sculpture across the ceiling, and cream-colored, pillow-backed chairs contrasted by sapphire walls and wood finishes.
The flagship restaurant Compass Rose is completely reimagined, with a popular menu offering guests an unprecedented level of personal customization and choice, as well as a stunning new look with grand crystal chandeliers, rich wooden accents and celestial blue furnishings.
Replacing Signatures is Chartreuse, already a guest favorite aboard Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Voyager®. The restaurant boasts new furnishings, china, flooring and décor, along with a completely new menu that highlights modern French cuisine. Further enhancements were also made to La Veranda, allowing guests to indulge their palate while surrounded by a flawless ambiance.
Seven Seas Mariner’s pool deck also received a comprehensive redesign, with a new open layout and teak flooring throughout. The centerpiece is a new mosaic-tiled pool, featuring a broad ledge for lounging in shallow water and surrounded by plush, white daybeds. Guests can enjoy expanded lunch selections at the outdoor Pool Grill, including steaks, chops, salmon, chicken and sausage, all prepared to order from new infrared barbeque grills.
Inside, all public spaces received new carpeting, world-class art, furniture and décor, creating a new look throughout the ship. The Reception area, featuring new marble desks and original gold leaf accented artwork by Atlanta-based artist Tom Swanston. The grand spiral staircase in the atrium is crowned by a new large-scale blown glass art installation designed by Canadian studio Tsunami Glass, creating a beautiful view as you descend the glass elevators.
The completely remodeled and relocated library exudes comfort with dark-wood bookshelves contrasted against cream furnishings, crowned by a glistening copper-adorned chandelier. With plenty of books to choose from and with doors that can provide a quiet retreat, guests will enjoy relaxing and enriching their minds in the new library.
The previous library space makes way for expanded seating at Coffee Connection, where guests have more space to enjoy delicious coffee drinks in a stylish new setting with leather furnishings in rich tones. The internet café is now conveniently located at the back of Coffee Connection, allowing guests the ability to stay connected with friends and family back home with free unlimited internet access.
Outside on deck 6, there is all new teak decking and new sun loungers, allowing guests to comfortably relax in peace and enjoy the ocean breeze and soak in a sunrise or sunset.
Guests will also take comfort in the latest luxury styles in the Card Room, Boutiques, and The Casino, all completely revamped from the steel up. Guests will be able to enjoy some of their favorite experiences on board in a completely new way.
Offering an expansive menu of invigorating and restorative rituals, the shipboard Canyon Ranch® Spa received a soothing new design, featuring pebble-stone tiles and light-wood accents in the treatment rooms. The adjoining fitness and aerobics center offers new state-of-the-art machines and equipment to help guests maintain healthier, active regimens while at sea.
Leaving no detail untouched, Regent Seven Seas Cruises redesigned all guest suites. The elegantly appointed retreats feature new Elite Slumber™ Beds framed by plush, padded leather headboards, sitting areas furnished with comfortable sofas, accent tables and new artwork, as well as private balconies where guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the crystal blue sea and passing landscape. All suites feature walk-in closets and oversized, marble-accented bathrooms with L’Occitane® amenities. Plus, guests of Penthouse Suites enjoy additional in-suite bath amenities by Guerlain, and Distinctive Suite guests also receive Bottega Veneta.
With her renovations complete, Seven Seas Mariner is repositioning to the Pacific Northwest to take travelers on 15 unforgettable seven, 10- and 11-night immersive, Alaska itineraries, which alternate departures from Vancouver and Seward. With free unlimited shore excursions and free airfare included as part of the cruise fare, the all-inclusive experience aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises delivers the best value in America’s Last Frontier.
About Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is the world’s most inclusive luxury experience with a four-ship fleet that visits more than 450 destinations around the world. In early 2020, Regent will perfect luxury with the launch of Seven Seas Splendor®. The cruise line’s fares include all-suite accommodations, roundtrip business class air on intercontinental flights from U.S. and Canada, the largest collection of free, unlimited shore excursions, unlimited internet access, highly personalized service, exquisite cuisine, fine wines and spirits, prepaid gratuities, ground transfers and one-night, pre-cruise hotel package for guests staying in Concierge-level suites and higher.
For more information about the most inclusive luxury experience, or to make a reservation, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
And, to explore the exciting destinations available when you sail with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, complete with our exciting Virtuoso Voyages complimentary VIP perks, CLICK HERE.
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Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on April 5, 2018 · Leave a Comment
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Enjoying White Asparagus in Freiburg, Germany with AmaWaterways River Cruises
One year ago, Carol and I were strolling the ancient streets of Freiburg, Germany enjoying our fourth European river cruise; this time with AmaWaterways.
To read our review of AmaWaterways, click here.
Freiburg is situated on the edge of the Black Forest, is an energetic college town, and is renowned for its cathedral which possesses what some have called the most beautiful spire on earth.
The Germans call their cathedral Freiburger Münster and right outside the doors of the church is the Münsterplaltz featuring an open-air farmers’ market every day except Sunday.
When Carol and I are traveling, we make a concerted effort to visit the local farmers’ markets. It’s a beautiful way to mix with the locals and it is also a fabulous way to sample the fresh local produce.
YUM!
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We spent around 90-minutes gawking at displays of spring flowers, sampling local cheeses, noshing on German bratwurst; and we topped it all off with a tasty sampling of the local gingerbread.
My grandmother was of Dutch descent and every year she tended to a massive garden. And every year, the first thing from her garden was asparagus.
As we were making our way to Freiburg, our guide was sharing with us the fact that this was an agricultural region and one of their famous products was white asparagus.
White asparagus is produced by covering the asparagus plants with black plastic so that no photosynthesis takes place, thus producing a white stalk. I was taken back by the size of these stalks. They were much larger than my grandmother’s.
But the best part of being in Germany during white asparagus season is that our ship’s chef was also in the markets and in the evenings we enjoyed white asparagus soup and white asparagus stalks alongside our proteins.
Carol and I have grown very fond of river cruising and this is just one of the memorable experiences we’ve enjoyed in our adventures.
In about a month, Carol and I will be experiencing our fifth river cruise. This time with Avalon Waterways sailing from Paris to Normandy. And, we’re bringing 8 other boomer travelers with us. It should be lots of fun.
Travel Tip: Best Way to Book an Ocean or River Cruise
To learn more about European River Cruises, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on March 16, 2018 · 1 Comment
River Cruise Line Continues to Lead the Way with its Robust Lineup of 64 Exclusive Wine-Themed Sailings Featuring Two New Itineraries
Unless you’ve been living on a deserted island for the past five years, then you no doubt know that European river cruising has been a very hot trend with baby boomer travelers.
In fact, today there are literally hundreds of river cruise ships, in many different flavors, moving thousands of passengers up and down Europe’s main rivers every single week. It’s been great fun to be a part of this boom in river cruising.
AmaWaterways has emerged as one of our favorites and we thought you might be interested to know that they have just rolled out their 2019 European Wine River Cruise Brochure.
Carol and I sailed the Rhine with AmaWaterways last spring. If you’re not familiar with AmaWaterways, then click on our articles below:
As I mentioned in the last article, we always have complimentary perks for you above and beyond the offers that you will find available to the general public when you book AmaWaterways with Roaming Boomers Travel Services. Call us, email us, or chat with us to learn the details.
Now, let’s take a peek at this press release from AmaWaterways on their fun Wine River Cruises:
Calabasas, CA – (Mar. 14, 2018) – AmaWaterways released today its 2019 Wine Cruises Through Europe brochure with 64 exclusive sailings hosted by North American winemakers, winery owners and wine experts. The new brochure features an exciting array of river cruises, including the debut of two new itineraries, the newest state-of-the-art ship and an expanded list of shore excursions offering guests the best possible way to explore iconic wine regions along Europe’s stunning waterways.
In 2019, AmaWaterways introduces two new Europe Wine Cruise itineraries — Gems of Southeast Europe and Medieval Treasures. Wine enthusiasts enjoy onboard lectures and wine tastings led by award-winning North American wine hosts, and shore excursions with engaging and curated epicurean experiences in such legendary cities as Basel, Nuremberg, Budapest and Giurgiu.
In addition to the educational onboard lectures and wine tastings, AmaWaterways offers a diverse selection of shore excursions that immerse guests in the local terroir and culinary culture of the regions visited. Guided small group visits to private cellars, strolls through stunning vineyards and authentic encounters with world-class vintners and artisans enable guests to make real connections with the rich culture and history of France’s Bordeaux, Burgundy and Alsace regions; Germany’s Moselle and Rhine valleys; Austria’s Wachau; and Portugal’s Douro River area.
“Whether you are a wine connoisseur or simply indulge in a sip here and there, our Wine Cruises offer an exceptional experience to any traveler looking for an educational and enriching adventure from start to finish,” says Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways. “In 2019, we will have more Wine Cruise sailings than we’ve ever had, and we look forward to welcoming our guests onboard during this exciting year for AmaWaterways.”
The 2019 lineup of Wine Hosts showcases multi-generational winemakers, husband and wife co-owners and hosts from coast-to-coast who are making their mark in the wine business. AmaWaterways 2019 Wine Hosts include:
- Mick Schroeter, winemaker for Sonoma-Cutrer in Sonoma, California – Mick’s long track record of success, along with being named “Winemaker of the Year” at the London International Wine & Spirit Competition two times, have given him the knowledge and experience to take the reins as Winemaking Director at Sonoma-Cutrer.
- Roman Roth, winemaker and partner at Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaphack, New York – He established the estate’s distinctive character—European elegance combined with the typicity of Long Island terroir. Recent honors include having two of its wines make recent “Top 100” lists from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast, and having its wines served in the White House over the past two decades.
- Janie Brooks Heuck, managing director of Brooks Winery in Amity, Oregon – Since taking the reins in 2004, Janie has increased annual production from 3,500 cases to 8,000 cases while maintaining the same vineyard sources and distinct winemaking style.
- Bradley Brown, winemaker and owner of Big Basin Vineyards in Boulder Creek, California – As a farmer, winemaker and owner, Bradley oversees all aspects of production of his award-winning wines, crafting critically acclaimed bottlings that have captured the attention of major wine critics around the globe.
- Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo, owners and winemakers of Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, Texas – The Bonarrigos planted their first vineyard in 1977 and have grown production from 1,300 gallons to over 130,000 gallons per year. They remain leaders in the Texas wine industry, which now has over 350 registered wineries.
- Tony Stewart, CEO and proprietor of Quails’ Gate Winery in Okanagan Valley, British Columbia – As one of Canada’s foremost family-owned estate wineries, Quails’ Gate has shaped the development of the wine industry for over six decades, focusing on making the Okanagan Valley a true culinary destination.
For discerning ocean cruisers searching for a unique river cruise experience, AmaWaterways debuts four Wine Cruises on the ultra-spacious, elegantly-appointed new AmaMagna. At twice the width of traditional European river cruise ships, AmaMagnafeatures expansive staterooms, multiple dining venues and a wine bar, giving guests the luxury of more space and options while exploring the 3,700 acres of terraced vineyards in Austria’s legendary Wachau Valley.
To learn more, or to book a fun river cruise with AmaWaterways, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235, chat with us, or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we will reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
Posted by David Porter on March 9, 2018 · 1 Comment
Viking Enters Agreement with Fincantieri for Six Additional Ocean Ships
New Options Would Bring Viking’s Ocean Fleet to 16 Ships by 2027
When I read this press release, I’m pretty sure that my face resembled the look on this little boy’s face. What? 16 ships?
I’ve been stating for quite some time that as Viking currently dominates the river cruise market, they are now focused on the ocean cruise industry with a plan to dominate with their special brand of ocean cruising.
When Carol and I first sailed with Viking Ocean Cruises, Chairman Torstein Hagen was onboard sharing with us that he intended to build out the brand with ten ocean ships. And now, here we are with his updated plan to have 16 ships.
At first blush, I wondered how he would fill 16 ships. But then I remembered that there are 80,000,000 baby boomers, and it’s often quite difficult to book a stateroom now unless you get at it at least a year or more in advance.
Want to know how popular Viking is? Our fabulous Viking rep called the other day and told me that Carol and I were pushing towards $1,000,000 in Viking bookings. And heck, we haven’t even hit the end of the first quarter.
So, if we’re booking that many Viking ocean and river cruises, imagine the number of bookings Viking must have on their books already for the year.
Listen folks, when we book our clients with Viking, they routinely come home wanting to book again right away. How fun is that?
Here’s the press release:
Los Angeles (March 6, 2018) – Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) today announced a new agreement with Fincantieri that could see the delivery of six additional ocean ships by 2027. The new understanding expands Viking’s partnership with Fincantieri, raising the company’s total ocean ship order and options to 16 – the highest-ever for a shipyard from a single owner. The agreement for the six additional ships, which will be delivered in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, is subject to specific conditions.
“When we launched our first ocean ship in 2015, we set out to reinvent ocean cruising. We focus on the destination, and we do not cram our ships with gimmicks and waterslides. Our understated, elegant, award-winning ships are designed to simply enable our guests to better explore their destination,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “In our first two years of operation, we have been named the #1 Ocean Cruise Line, and this new order speaks to the positive response we have received from our guests and the industry. As we continue to expand our brand, we look forward to bringing guests to more destinations around the world and introducing them to the Viking way of exploration.”
This announcement comes just prior to the naming of Viking’s fourth ocean ship, Viking Sun®, on March 8 in Shanghai. The ship is currently sailing Viking’s sold-out 141-day World Cruise from Miami to London, and its stop in Shanghai will mark the first time one of Viking’s ocean ships has called in China. Viking Sun will also be the first-ever cruise ship to be named in Shanghai.
Classified by Cruise Critic® as “small ships,” Viking’s all-veranda ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, have 465 staterooms and host 930 guests. Viking Sun is the newest addition to Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet, which also includes Viking Star®, Viking Sea® and Viking Sky®. Viking will welcome two more sister ships in the next two years, including Viking Orion® in June 2018. With the arrival of Viking Jupiter® in 2019, Viking will be the largest small ship ocean cruise line. Ten additional ships are now on order for delivery starting in 2021, which will bring Viking’s ocean fleet to 16 ships by 2027.
For booking information, call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we will reach out to you.
If you enjoyed this article, sign up for our travel newsletter to keep abreast of our best travel tips, on-location reviews, exclusive travel offers, group travel events, and much more.
Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an Independent Affiliate of Cadence, a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40
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