In Travel News for February 16th, 2023 we talk about Celebrity Cruises major achievement, new itineraries from UniWorld Boutique River Cruises, and American Queen Voyages new port of call.
Celebrity Cruises Becomes First Ocean Cruise Line to Earn Forbes Travel Guide Star Ratings
Celebrity Cruise has made history as the first Ocean Cruise line to receive the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Star Awards, which are typically used to rank luxury hotels, restaurants, and spas. The FTG Star Awards represent the global authority on luxury hospitality, and their professional inspectors travel the world anonymously evaluating the finest hotels, restaurants, spas, and now, ocean cruise ships based on hundreds of exacting standards that determine their annual Star Ratings.
Out of Celebrity's 15-ship fleet, five of the company's "resorts at sea" have been given a rating in the inaugural Ocean Cruise ship ratings. Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Flora, and Celebrity Millennium received a four-star rating, which is the second-highest grade from Forbes. Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Summit received a "recommended" rating, which is the third-highest grade. Anonymous trained inspectors perform evaluations for Forbes by staying on a property for at least two nights. Celebrity's remaining ships, except for the two smaller Galapagos ships, will be evaluated in the year ahead.
The Edge Series, which includes the Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Edge, is as avant-garde as the name implies, introducing a plethora of industry firsts on a Cruise ship, such as an outward-facing resort deck, the world's first cantilevered floating bar, and luxurious new state rooms like the two-story Edge Villas with private plunge pools. Both Celebrity Apex (2021) and Celebrity Edge (2018) remain among the most highly awarded ships at sea, even being named to TIME Magazine's "World's Greatest Places."
The Millennium Series offers a more intimate cruising experience with just over 1,000 staterooms each, and both Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Summit were part of the line's biggest fleet-wide modernization in 2019, with more than $500 million in luxurious upgrades made. On the other hand, the Mega-Yacht Celebrity Flora is an exclusive 100-passenger luxury ship designed specifically and purposefully for expeditions in the Galapagos. It's built to merge with its surroundings and has all-natural materials, a state-of-the-art positioning system that allows the ship to remain stationary without dropping anchors to further protect the seabed, and solar panels, making it one of the most eco-friendly ships sailing anywhere. All itineraries are led by certified naturalists from the Galapagos Natural Park, fully immersing travelers with the destination.
Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo said, "We always reach for the stars at Celebrity Cruises, whether it's in our exceptional level of service, our innovative ship design, or the highest quality of relaxed luxury experiences we provide onboard. To now be Star-rated multiple times over is such an incredible honor from the Forbes Travel Guide team. It's confirmation that with our resorts at sea, our guests truly sail on the world's best places to the world's best places." Hermann Elger, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, said, "We congratulate Celebrity Cruises on this spectacular and historic accomplishment."
The FTG Star Awards will also include a second wave of Cruise ratings to be announced later this year, and evaluations are underway for other ships "worthy of a star rating for 2024," according to Forbes. The 2023 list awarded 360 five-star ratings, 585 four-star ratings, and 433 recommended ratings.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises Launches Limited Edition Collection With Exclusive One-of-a-Kind Itineraries
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has launched its Limited Edition Collection, which includes unique itineraries with exclusive offerings on a very limited number of annual departures. The collection includes LGBTQ+ sailings hosted by gay and lesbian travel veterans, cycling-themed cruises, floating art workshops with special guest artists, and more on select dates. The President and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, Ellen Bettridge, said that the Limited Edition Collection is designed to bring like-minded travelers together for extra special trips unique to the company's portfolio.
Some of the offerings in the collection are available for one-time only, such as the popular surprise Mystery Cruises and world trips spanning the globe. Uniworld has even added a women's cruise for 2024 to the collection, with more details to come. The Mystery Cruises, with 10-day departures available on June 18 and July 7, 2023, have been reprised due to popular demand. The 10-day trips are a mystery and both completely different, with exciting surprises and over-the-top inclusions at every turn.
New this year, guests will be told the airports that they will need to fly in and out of for the opportunity to extend their European vacation. Uniworld will host a 10-day Mystery Revealed: Salzburg & The Danube Cruise, which will be a one-time-only repeat of Uniworld's fall 2022 Mystery Cruise, departing on June 2, 2023. This cruise will be hosted by Travel + Leisure Editor in Chief Jacqui Gifford.
Uniworld's Limited Edition Collection also includes the Rivers of the World sailing, which is the longest Cruise the company has ever debuted, spanning 46 days. The trip departs on May 20, 2023, from Cairo and ends in Lisbon. Additionally, there are departures scheduled for Limited Edition LGBTQ+ itineraries in May 2023 and April 2024, Butterfield & Robin cycling-themed sailings in September 2023, and floating art workshop cruises for April and August 2023.
The Uniworld Boutique River Cruises President and CEO said that the Limited Edition Collection is full of incredible journeys that are unique to the company's portfolio. She added that these journeys are created to bring like-minded travelers together for extra special trips. Uniworld's unique itineraries with exclusive offerings on a very limited number of annual departures are sure to excite those looking for once-in-a-lifetime experiences on the water.
American Queen Voyages Announces Escanaba, Michigan as a New Port of Call for Great Lakes Cruises
American Queen Voyages has announced that it will be adding a new port of call to its Great Lakes cruises in 2023. The Delta County port city of Escanaba, Michigan, located on Lake Michigan, will be included in some of the Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager itineraries. This new destination is part of the company's plans to add lesser-traveled destinations in North America.
Itineraries that visit Escanaba will offer a range of exciting experiences for travelers. Guests will have the opportunity to take hop-on and hop-off Tours to the local shopping district, which features a variety of boutiques and specialty shops. The city is also home to several art galleries and museums, including the Webster Marble "Inventing the Outdoors" museum, where visitors can learn about the history of outdoor activities in the region.
One of the highlights of the Escanaba port of call will be a cultural educational session on Native American stories and values with the Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about the traditions and customs of Native American culture and gain a deeper understanding of the area's history.
Fishing enthusiasts will have the chance to experience a fresh-catch dining experience in Escanaba. The city is known for its excellent fishing, and travelers can try their hand at catching local fish such as walleye and salmon. For those who prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy. Guests can visit parks and lighthouses, go on forest hikes and bike rides, and kayak the Bays de Noc.
American Queen Voyages' decision to add Escanaba to its itineraries is part of the company's efforts to showcase lesser-known destinations in North America. The Great Lakes region is full of hidden gems, and Escanaba is just one example of the many unique and exciting destinations that can be explored on a Cruise.
With this addition to its itinerary, American Queen Voyages is demonstrating its commitment to providing travelers with exceptional experiences that showcase the natural beauty and cultural heritage of the places they visit. Whether travelers are seeking adventure, culture, or relaxation, they will find something to love in Escanaba and the surrounding area.