In travel news for May 15th, 2023 we talk about Princes Cruises Star Princess debut, Delta Airlines new Sync Exclusives platform, and Seabourn starts to roll out a serious onboard wifi upgrade.
Discover the Mediterranean Aboard the Star Princess: A New Sphere of Luxury Cruising
Princess Cruises has unveiled its second Sphere Class ship, the Star Princess, set to debut in August 2025. The 175,500-ton vessel, built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, will offer groundbreaking spaces and amenities, such as The Dome, a Santorini-inspired entertainment venue, and a technologically advanced main theater, the Princess Arena. Guests can expect a range of accommodation options, new food and beverage concepts, an expanded casino, a two-story Lotus Spa, and entertainment headlined by Cirque Éloize. The Star Princess will embark on a nine-day Inaugural Italy & Greece roundtrip cruise from Rome, followed by a variety of nine- and 10-day cruises from Rome, Athens, or Trieste (Venice).
Delta Introduces Sync Exclusives: A New Inflight Experience for the Modern Traveler
Delta has launched its innovative Delta Sync Exclusives platform on domestic mainline flights, with plans to equip 540 planes by the end of July. The platform, part of a broader strategy to increase SkyMiles memberships and enhance the inflight experience, allows passengers to access promotional and entertainment offerings by logging in with their SkyMiles number. In addition to exclusive offers from partners like Paramount+, T-Mobile, and American Express, Delta Sync Exclusives features a "My Trip" tab for booking restaurant reservations and exploring travel content from Atlas Obscura. Delta aims to have over 700 domestic aircraft equipped with Free WiFi and the platform by year's end, with plans to bring high-speed WiFi and Delta Sync Exclusives to its entire global fleet by 2024.
Seabourn Expedition Ships Partner with Starlink: Revolutionizing Connectivity at Sea
Seabourn's expedition ships have partnered with Elon Musk's StarLink to provide passengers with enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity. Seabourn Venture, the first ship in the fleet to offer the improved service, will be followed by Seabourn Pursuit in August. Satellite internet provided by Starlink benefits small ship, luxury, and expedition cruises by offering reliable internet access, even in remote locations. This connectivity is particularly important for passengers who work during their voyages, as well as for those who value seamless communication and entertainment options. The partnership with Starlink sets a new standard for internet connectivity at sea and has the potential to transform the cruising experience for various types of cruises.