Tui sets sail for European river cruising
BRITISH travel operator Tui Group has announced plans to expand into the river cruise sector following the purchase of three 115-passenger ships, offering adult only packages departing for the first time in 2020.
A total of 19 itineraries will be serviced by the new division on the Danube, Rhine, Maine and Moselle rivers in Europe.
“We’re incredibly excited to be moving into the river cruise market, we’re always looking for new opportunities to offer our customers even more variety,” said Cruise for Tui UK Managing Director Chris Hackney.
Carnival facing US ban
A FEDERAL judge in the United States has threatened to stop Carnival Corporation’s ships from docking at US ports as punishment for allegedly violating its probation stemming from illegal oil dumping by its Princess Cruises subsidiary.
Prosecutors allege Carnival tried to eliminate negative audit findings, citing internal emails that reference a practice of prepping ships before inspectors boarded its vessels.
“If I could, I would give all the members of the executive committee a visit to the detention centre for a couple of days,” Judge Patricia Seitz said.
Carnival’s Chief Communications Officer Roger Frizzell responded by stating the company’s “aspiration is to leave the places we touch even better than when we first arrived…we look forward to clarifying any issues and demonstrating our commitment”.
A decision will be handed down in June.
Viking signs on for China
VIKING Cruises has linked up with China Merchants Shekou to plan the launch of a new cruise line targeting the Chinese cruise market.
The agreement covers product development, marketing, and the build and design of new ocean cruise ships.
“China is a dynamic outbound tourism market, and we are pleased to be partnering with China Merchants Group,” Viking’s Chairman Torstein Hagen said.
“Our partnership with China Merchants Group will allow us to bring this Viking travel lifestyle to more Chinese travellers more quickly, satisfying the Chinese market’s unmet demand for a greater choice of sophisticated travel,” he added.
