8 minute read
Intrepid launches new Premium tour range
within the app profi le, so that we know how to reach each guest.”
At this time, says Royal Caribbean, guests will need to provide the following: • For guests 18 years of age and older, proof of being fully vaccinated for
COVID-19 • Proof of a negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-
PCR test result for entry into the country where you are sailing from (age requirements vary by jurisdiction) • Completed Royal Caribbean Health
Questionnaire, available in the app 24 hours before sailing . Typical travel documents, including passport or any visas as required by the departure country
Air Canada’s Michael Rousseau pens fi rst column as new President & CEO
MONTREAL — In his fi rst offi cial communication as Air Canada’s new president and Chief Executive Offi cer, Michael Rousseau thanked all customers for their continued loyalty and assured them that when they are ready to travel again, the airline will be more than ready.
It’s been over a month since Rousseau took over the reins from Calin Rovinescu, who retired on Feb. 15. Prior to being named president and CEO, Rousseau served as Deputy Chief Executive Offi cer and Chief Financial Offi cer since 2018, having previously served as Exec-
Michael Rousseau President and CEO, Air Canada
utive Vice-President and Chief Financial Offi cer since 2007. His fi rst column in his new role appears in enRoute Magazine, Air Canada’s award-winning in-fl ight publication. Here is his column in its entirety: “This is my fi rst column as the new President and Chief Executive Offi cer of Air Canada, and I would like to begin by thanking all customers – past, present and future – for your loyalty and for choosing to fl y with us.
“Although many of you have not had a chance to travel recently, we know the desire to do so remains strong. I assure you that when you are ready to fl y again, we are well-prepared to carry you safely. From the very beginning of the pandemic, we have continually layered on new biosafety measures and improved upon those already in place. All of us at Air Canada are eager to welcome you back on board.
“I joined Air Canada as Chief Financial Offi cer in 2007 to help the company at another diffi cult time in our industry, during the global fi nancial panic. I saw fi rst-hand how a period of upheaval is an ideal opportunity to make changes and try new things. “In the past year, we fi nished the technically challenging task of installing a new reservation system to serve customers better, and we launched a transformed Aeroplan program that is a step change in terms of fl exibility and reward appeal. We also made major changes to our fl eet, renewing it with modern Airbus A220 and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that are more comfortable and, importantly, more environmentally friendly, than the older aircraft we retired.
“We mostly did all this without fanfare. Still, these and other innovations, such as convenient new touchless airport processes, will be key to recovering from the pandemic and allowing us to emerge even better than before. At the same time, we will continue to deliver the superior customer service that won us the title of Best Airline in North America at eight of the last 10 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
“Leading an iconic company like Air Canada is a huge responsibility and, for a proud Canadian like me, also a great honour. I look forward to the challenge, confi dent that our dedicated and highly motivated team will exceed your expectations as we transport you safely to your next destination.”
Intrepid goes high-end with new Premium tour range
TORONTO — Intrepid Travel has launched a new range of premium tours to appeal directly to high-end travellers.
Comprising of over 70 new trips in 40 countries, Intrepid Premium features hand-picked accommodations, private transportation, train journeys and an array of signature exclusive experiences. It was developed over the past six months as Intrepid continues to reimagine its business for a post-pandemic world. Departures start in January 2022.
As the world’s largest travel B Corp, responsible travel will be a core focus of Intrepid Premium trips. Most accommodations, which range from an eco-lodge in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest to a cave hotel in Cappadocia, are locally owned, with many using renewable and alternative energy sources. A selection of trips will also visit social enterprise projects working to promote gender equality, animal welfare, environmental sustainability and economic empowerment. As with all Intrepid Travel tours, the Premium range is also 100% carbon off set and designed to have a low environmental footprint.
Premium itineraries include the following: • 13-day ‘Premium Vietnam & Cambodia’: Priced from $4,615 per person, this itinerary travels from Hanoi to
Siem Reap and includes Signature experiences like a photography coach at Angkor Wat and a candlelit dinner on deck in Ha Long Bay. Guests will also dine at three hospitality training restaurants that support marginalized youth. • 9-day ‘Premium Peru’: This itinerary, priced from $4,415, travels deep in the Amazon jungle to a lodge where guests will meet the Ese Eja peoples
during a community stay. They’ll also spend some time in Lima and dine at one of the best-rated restaurants in
Peru. • 15-day ‘Premium Morocco In Depth’:
Highlights of this itinerary, priced from $4,365, include a visit to a local home for dinner in Fes, tea with a Berber family in the Dades Valley, and a meet and greet with the women of the Tawesna social enterprise in Ait Benhaddou.
All Intrepid trips operate under ‘Safe Travel’ protocols developed and endorsed by the World Travel & Tourism Council. Travellers can also book with confidence with Intrepid’s newly introduced Flexible bookings policy.
For more information on Intrepid Premium, visit www.intrepidtravel.com/ premium
Celebrity to resume Caribbean cruises in June, bookings open March 25
MIAMI — Celebrity Cruises is the latest large-ship cruise line to announce the resumption of operations, with bookings opening on March 25 for Caribbean cruises sailing this summer.
According to President and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the Celebrity Millennium will homeport in St. Maarten starting June 5. New seven-night itineraries will depart through August to some of the Caribbean’s most popular islands with a vaccinated crew. Adult guests will also need to be vaccinated while children under the age of 18 will need to provide a negative COVID-19 test result within 72 hours of embarkation.
In addition, guests must meet St. Maarten’s travel requirements, which currently include presenting a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival to the island.
Earlier this month, both Royal Caribbean and Crystal Cruises announced the restart of cruises in June and July, respectively. Global cruise lines have been forced to pause operations since the onset of the global pandemic last March.
“Returning to the Caribbean after more than a year away is such a significant moment for us,” said Lutoff-Perlo. “That we’re able to offer people the opportunity to safely vacation onboard
Celebrity Cruises
the revolutionized Celebrity Millennium is incredible and that we will sail from the magical island of St. Maarten is very special.” Two different itinerary offerings will be available to book, both of which begin and end in St. Maarten: Aruba, Curaçao and Barbados; and Tortola, St. Lucia and Barbados. Celebrity will offer a range of curated tours for all interests and price points at every port of call. Private Journeys and Small Group Discovery Tours will also be available for those who prefer to explore with only members of their family or travelling companions.
Guests can take advantage of special air and sea pricing featuring savings on all Summer 2021 St. Maarten sailings starting at US$1,999 per person for a veranda stateroom. The offer applies to new bookings and flights must be booked through Flights by Celebrity. Prices include airfare and taxes, no promotional code is needed.
Celebrity Millennium will sail with multi-layered health and safety measures developed with expert guidance from parent company Royal Caribbean Group’s Healthy Sail Panel and local health and government authorities. These measures, including vaccination requirements, will evolve in keeping with current public health standards. For the most up-to-date measures go to celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea.
The Celebrity Millennium has undergone one of the largest re-imaginings in history, now boasting brand new staterooms, freshly appointed restaurants and lounges, and a redesigned spa. At the all-exclusive The Retreat, guests enjoy a private sundeck and redesigned lounge offering complimentary beverages, gourmet bites, live entertainment and around-the-clock butler and concierge service.
Holland America, Princess pause operations from Seattle through June 27
SEATTLE — Holland America Line and Princess Cruises have announced an extension of their pause in operations from Seattle as both lines work to salvage some portion of their Alaska seasons. HOLLAND AMERICA LINE Holland America is extending its pause of cruise operations to now include all June 2021 roundtrip sailings to Alaska from Seattle, Washington, including six cruises on Eurodam and Oosterdam with a call at Victoria, B.C.
At this time, Alaska cruises sailing roundtrip from Seattle departing in July and onward have not been cancelled.
Princess will transfer the commission earned by travel agents from the cancelled 2021 cruise to the new booking in 2022 for bookings that were paid in full.
Following the earlier Canadian Transport Ministry Interim Order that closed Canadian ports to passenger vessels, discussions continue with Canadian and U.S. government authorities to try to preserve remaining Seattle Alaska sailings. Holland America previously announced the cancellation of all 2021 Alaska cruises to or from Vancouver.
Guests currently booked on the cancelled roundtrip Seattle-Alaska
