Uniworld introduces limited edition cruise collection

March 10, 2023

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises introduces its Limited Edition Collection, including one-time sailings and offerings with just one or two special departures per year.

Limited Edition cruises are Uniworld-exclusive experiences with special programming, from surprise sailings to themed cruises and more. 

“Our Limited-Edition Collection is full of incredible journeys, created to bring likeminded travellers together for extra special trips that are unique to our portfolio,” said Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld Boutique River Cruises.

“The collection includes inclusive LGBTQ+ sailings hosted by gay and lesbian travel veterans, floating art workshops with special guest artists, cycling-themed cruises and more on select dates. Plus, some offerings in the collection are offered for one-time only, such as our popular surprise Mystery Cruises and world trips spanning the globe. We’re even adding a women’s cruise for 2024 to the collection, so female travelers should keep an eye out for more details coming soon.”

To learn more about the Limited Edition Collection, visit https://www.uniworld.com/ca/limited-edition

A $1 billion casino resort is opening in Canada this summer

March 8, 2023

A $1 billion, brand-new entertainment resort, known as Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto will open its doors at the intersection of Highways 401 and 427 this summer. 

With its transformative architecture and impressive 33-acre footprint, the destination adjacent to Woodbine Racetrack will feature a modern Vegas-style casino, integrated 400-room hotel, 5,000-seat live entertainment venue, and multiple on-site dining options, bringing to life a new, one-of-a-kind entertainment district in Toronto with best-in-class gaming, entertainment and hospitality experiences. 

The existing Casino Woodbine will continue to operate with no interruption until Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto debuts its new, re-imagined destination. 

“We see this as an unprecedented opportunity to introduce an entirely new, world-class experience in Canada that will bring together the best in casino gaming, exceptional live entertainment, dining, and accommodation in one very special place,” said Matthew Anfinson, Chief Executive Officer, Great Canadian Entertainment. “We are very excited to reveal more about what this landmark destination will feature and what our guests can expect in the coming weeks, including the announcement of an opening date. This project has been several years in the making, and we are thrilled that we are close to bringing it to life,” concluded Anfinson.  

Great Canadian Casino Resort Toronto is scheduled to open this summer, and an opening date will be announced in the coming weeks.  

Royal Caribbean launches new mini trips for 2024/2025

March 6, 2023

Royal Caribbean International has revealed the lineup of short Caribbean cruises, featuring eight ships sailing to destinations that make for the ultimate short escapes in 2024-2025.

Families, friends and vacationers alike can set their sights on making the most of their vacation time on a variety of ships.

Allure of the Seas, the first Oasis Class ship to sail 3- to 4-night cruises, will extend its short Caribbean season homeporting from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. Mariner of the Seas sets sail from the cruise line’s new, net-zero terminal in Galveston, Texas, for the first time; and four more amplified ships with new and signature experiences on board, cruising from four different cities in Florida, Texas and California.

The short Caribbean cruises in 2024-2025 are now open for bookings on Royal Caribbean’s website.

One-of-a-kind vacations

Vacationers will have a wide range of destinations to choose from, including Royal Caribbean’s private destinations, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas and Labadee, Haiti.

From 13 waterslides in Thrill Waterpark to the new adults-only Hideaway Beach opening in 2023, vacationers will find adrenaline-pumping thrills and ways to chill on Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Labadee, located along the northern coast of Haiti, is home to five shorelines and beautiful mountain backdrops.

Families and travelers of all ages can have their pick of one-of-a-kind vacations that feature stops at locales in the Eastern and Western Caribbean including destinations like Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Roatan, Honduras; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and more.

For more information, visit royalcaribbean.com.

1 Hotels opens flagship property in Hawaii

March 3, 2023

1 Hotels recently announced the opening of 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, its flagship nature-and-wellness-focused island oasis overlooking a storied stretch of Kauai’s North Shore.

Indigenous and endemic vines and plants weave through low-impact structures that blend softly and seamlessly into their surroundings, causing the hotel to virtually vanish into its cliffside site.

The lobby, reception, and open-air entranceway lead guests on a journey deep into Hawaiian history and mythology. Much of the original building was removed and replaced with streams and gardens. Reclaimed teak joists, puka lava stone walls and ceilings hand-woven from abacá, a natural leaf fiber harvested from a cousin of the banana tree, are locally sourced.

Rooms and suites

There are 252 airy and nature-inspired rooms, including 51 suites decorated with hand-woven floors fashioned from local black basalt, reclaimed teak and abaca furniture and traditional punai daybeds.

Three spacious signature suites – the two-story Puu Poa Ocean Loft Suite, Napali House Suite and Makana Penthouse — serve stunning ocean and majestic mountain views from private terraces.

Every interior detail lends texture framing panoramic vistas – visible through oversized openable windows – of the shimmering crescent-shaped Bay. 

Other features

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is also home to:

  • an 18,000-square-foot Bamford Wellness Sp
  • a 10,000 square-foot Anatomy fitness centre with 24/7 cardio equipment and strength training, mind & movement group classes, a dedicated spin/all function room and personal athletic performance training and body sculpting 
  • seven sustainable food venues that honour the rich local culture and centuries of Hawaiian tradition
  • a wide range of traditional athletic activities including an 18-hole Championship Mauka Disc Golf Course 
  • three saline pools

For more information, visit 1hotels.com 

Luxury cruise line Cunard announces 2025 winter program

March 1, 2023

Luxury cruise line Cunard’s winter 2025 program includes more than 133 voyages, with stops at 159 unique destinations around the globe.

Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, flagship liner Queen Mary 2 and the brand’s newest vessel Queen Anne will call at 57 countries, with six maiden calls for the fleet in Alaska, Australia, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, and Japan. Cunard’s highly anticipated Queen Anne will be the only ship to offer a full World Voyage in 2025.

Cunard also revealed details of the Queen Elizabeth’s 2024 summer program in Alaska where she will sail 10 roundtrip voyages out of Vancouver, ranging from nine to 11 nights. The ship will visit the immense Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay National Park along with calls at Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, and more. She will also make two maiden calls at Misty Fjords and Wrangell.

Scheduled sailings

Queen Mary 2 will divide her time between sailing in the Caribbean and Transatlantic Crossings from January through May 2025, with additional voyages in the Mediterranean. Itineraries range from seven to 35 nights and depart from New York, Southampton, and Rome. The liner will offer four overnight calls at Curacao; Funchal, Madeira; Lisbon; and New York, with three late evening departures in Bridgetown, Barbados; Vigo and Malaga, Spain.

Queen Anne will set sail on her first-ever World Voyage on January 9, 2025, visiting five continents and stop at more than 30 ports on this 107-night voyage, roundtrip out of Southampton, England. She will offer nine overnight calls in enriching destinations such as Honolulu, Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai, as well as three late evening departures, giving guests time to explore each city to the fullest.

Queen Victoria will offer eight voyages in South America in early 2025 which can be combined for the 85-night South America Discovery from Hamburg which includes sailing around Cape Horn, the southernmost point of Chile’s Tierra del Fuego archipelago. Queen Victoria will offer five overnight calls in Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Callao and five late evening departures.

Queen Elizabeth will spend June through September 2024 amidst the awe-inspiring landscapes of Alaska with roundtrip voyages out of Vancouver. After a stop in San Francisco, she will offer itineraries in Australia and New Zealandthroughout the fall with voyages ranging from two to 38 nights. In February 2025, Queen Elizabeth will sail to Singaporeand stay in East Asia through May, with calls at Vietnam, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. Seven overnight port calls are available on Queen Elizabeth including, Hobart, Hong Kong, and Osaka with a whopping 25 late evening departures.

Four Queens Back-to-Back 

For adventurous guests who want to remain seeking the utmost in pampering, there are two opportunities to sample all four queens in one journey. The experience starts on Queen Victoria in June 2024 on Queen Victoria where guests will sail the Mediterranean calling at ports in Croatia, Malta, and Italy.

After spending a few days in Rome, guests will join Queen Anne to visit Spain and the sun-kissed islands of Sardinia and Majorca before disembarking in Southampton. There, guests will join Queen Mary 2 on a westbound Transatlantic Crossing and fly from New York to Vancouver. Queen Elizabeth will host the final leg of the journey into Alaska. A similar experience can be taken in reverse beginning in Alaska, with an eastbound Crossing, sailing the Norwegian Fjords and then ending in the Mediterranean.

For more details, visit www.cunard.com.
 
 

Mexico is getting its first-ever Margaritaville resort

February 27, 2023

The first ever adults-only Margaritaville Island Reserve by Karisma in Riviera Maya, Mexico is set to open its doors in early 2023.

With more 13 luxury suite types available, the accommodations are designed to create the ultimate travel experience to meet and exceed the most seasoned traveller’s needs and wants.
 
Guests can choose from spacious King Paradise Suite, exclusive Beachfront Honeymoon Suites, and sumptuous Coral Reefer Suites, complete with more than 1,400 sq. ft. of signature outdoor living space, including a fully furnished terrace, an oversized private infinity pool, a custom-built gaucho style grill, and an outdoor pool table.
 

New food & drink offerings

Guests will have the option to indulge in mouth watering creations at the five Margaritaville-inspired restaurants and a beachside grill offering carefully-curated cuisine, featuring a la carte menus and food displays to delight every palate.
 
In addition to brand staples like Frank and Lola’s, the resort will introduce two newcomers including:

Far Side Of The World – Pacific Rim Cuisine

  • Inspired by the lyrics of the Far Side of the World song, “Far side of the world” is about the pleasure of faraway places, unique culinary selections, surfing paradises, bamboo shacks, the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, and the bounty it provides. 

Salted Rim – Margarita Bar & Lounge

  • Salted Rim is a celebration of the agave plant in Mexico. Guests can revel in Caribbean elegance with the finest lounge service, authentic and extensive selection of tequilas, mezcals, and bacanoras, to create an array of Margaritas and more adventurous creations.

For more information on Margaritaville Island Reserve, click here.

One of Costa Rica’s best boutique hotels just got a lavish upgrade

February 24, 2023

Cala Luna Boutique Hotel, located in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, has undergone a series of renovations intended to elevate the guest experience.

Sparked by the pandemic, the property underwent several renovations to its facilities and experience offers. The remodeled rooms, villas, and restaurants have been elevated. The experience programming focuses on creating lasting feelings for guests and transformational experiences unique to Cala Luna’s location, including educational visits to its nearby farm, La Senda, which supplies the hotel with organic fruits, vegetables and spices. The dining has been revamped with a new apothecary cocktail menu as well as a new take on Costa Rican modern cuisine. 

About Cala Luna 

Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas is one of the only hotels in Guanacaste, Costa Rica that remains green all year round.

With few barriers between the hotel and nature, the 39-room boutique hotel is tucked within Costa Rica’s Playa Langosta and the Baulas National Park, the most exclusive, relaxing and private area of Tamarindo Beach. Cala Luna is a tropical, sustainable oasis just two-and-a-half-miles south of Liberia Airport.

Committed to its local community and environment, Cala Luna boasts the highest Sustainable Tourism certification (level 5) from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).  Open-plan spaces and secluded accommodations meld into the lush jungle that attracts more wildlife than anywhere else in the area – monkeys, raccoons, iguanas, birds, insects, and humans.

Guests can nourish their senses daily through delicious home-grown ingredients, gastronomic farm-to-table dinners, holistic wellness, spa therapies, and deep connection to Mother Earth, all onsite. From dining at nearby farm La Senda and walking the world’s largest labyrinth, to sipping cocktails on the beach as the sun slips over the edge of the ocean, Cala Luna offers the ideal holistic retreat.

For more information about the property, visit www.calaluna.com. 

Explora Journeys releases new trips aboard 6 luxury ships

February 22, 2023

Explore Journeys has announced a new line-up of journeys for the autumn and winter 2024 – 2025 season of EXPLORA I, the first of a planned fleet of six luxury ships, which are now open for booking.

Featuring 23 journeys and two grand journeys between September 2024 and April 2025, the itineraries will encompass 73 unique destinations across 24 countries. Eight of them will be a first for Explora Journeys, including Macapá, Alter-do-Chaõ and Manaus in the Amazon, and the Devil’s Island in French Guiana.

Each journey has its own character that reflects the distinctive spirit of the destinations, starting at the far north of America’s East Coast, then sailing to the Caribbean and South America, before crossing the Atlantic to Europe.

Connecting cultures

Bridging continents and connecting cultures, this unique collection of journeys promises guests a new dimension of authentic, transformative travel experiences. Each of them has been designed around today’s discerning traveller, with the emphasis on a slower pace and the opportunity to linger longer at each destination, including overnight stays.

Meanwhile, the highest standards in sustainable, responsible practices are rigorously maintained to ensure minimal impact on nature and local communities.

Explora I

Highlights 

Highlights of the new journeys include:

  • an eight-night Journey to Trailing Whales and Falling Leaves, sailing from New York City on October 8, 2024 for Boston, Portland and Halifax, the mystical Whale Corridors and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, finishing in Quebec City.
  • A Journey into Wild and Wonderful Amazonia will depart Bridgetown, Barbados, on November 22, 2024, sailing to French Guiana’s Devil’s Island before heading to Macapá, Alter-do-Chaõ and Manaus in Brazil.
  • A Journey to the Meeting Waters on the Almighty Amazon will set off on November 29, 2024, travelling up the Amazon to Macapá and Bequia before returning to Bridgetown.
  • Journey of Tantalising Transatlantic Adventures sails on April 3, 2025 from Bridgetown on a 14-night transatlantic crossing.
  • EXLORA I’s grand journeys, A Grand Journey to Amazonia & Tropical Isles (28 nights) and A Grand Transatlantic Odyssey in the Atlantic (32 nights), give guests the opportunity to explore the spirit of the unforgettable destinations along the routes, as they travel the Caribbean, the Amazon and the vastness of the ocean beyond.

To learn more about Explora Journeys, visit explorajourneys.com.

Five of the best offshore islands to visit in Antigua and Barbuda

February 20, 2023

Tropical beaches and blue skies invite you and your family to spend your winter in the welcoming destination of Antigua and Barbuda.

Rich in culture, music, and excitement, these sister islands offer a relaxing vibe and the promise of an amazing vacation for both adults and children.

Antigua and Barbuda is home to some of the most exquisite beaches, delectable cuisine, inspiring scenery and unique wildlife, as well as smaller islets that are packed with fun activities. Spend your day in the sun, experiencing thrilling adventures on the outlying islands of Antigua and Barbuda. 

Not sure where to begin? Read on for a few of our favourite offshore excursions in Antigua and Barbuda and jumpstart your winter itinerary. 

Prickly Pear Island 

Just a short boat ride away from Antigua’s northern coast lies Prickly Pear Island. This is an ideal place to get away from the (comparative) hustle of Antigua. It is quiet and reserved yet boasts its own open bar! The bar serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, making it ideal for groups of any age. The island also has an exquisite West Indian Seafood menu. You can find fresh seafood lunch options that include lobster or the local fish of the day. 

There is something for everyone on Prickly Pear. Guests can enjoy the snorkelling activity along its ivory shores. You’ll have to rent your own equipment, but the instruction is free! Soak in the experience of engaging with the abundant marine life of the islands: you might even bump into some sea turtles while you’re there! Picnics are an essential part of every vacation. There are many picnic spots along the beach where you can enjoy the island’s cuisine and sample the famous rum punch. 

If you get tired from all the swimming, there are sunbeds and chairs thoughtfully laid out all over the island. Take a quick nap in the cool breeze before continuing your adventure on Prickly Pear.

Laviscount Island

Laviscount Island is a small, uninhabited island located off the coast of Antigua, which is part of the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda in the Caribbean. A private island getaway, Laviscount Island, offers island stand-alone tours and combination tours with the Stingrays. Our refuge is home to more than 50 of these prehistoric animals, which have barely changed since the time of the dinosaurs. The island is surrounded by clear, turquoise waters that are popular with snorkelers and divers which is a spectacle to witness. 

Home to the largest Aldabra Giant Tortoise sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere, Laviscount Island is where nature goes to relax. These pleasant and intelligent creatures, native to the Indian Ocean, may reach weights of over 600 pounds and have life expectancies of up to 200 years. 

This island provides the first and only private Island Nature tour. This amazing new tour is like nothing that we have ever seen in Antigua and Barbuda with themes of ecology, history, and adventure all while maintaining a desire to be off the beaten track. 

Whether you are interested in hiking, snorkelling, or just taking in the natural beauty of this remote island, a nature tour to Laviscount Island is sure to be a memorable experience. 

Great Bird Island

As you may have guessed, this small 20-acre island is a bird watching paradise. This island was named by sailors who were amazed at the amount of birds that reside on its shores. Great Bird Island is also home to a number of endangered species of birds such as exotic, red-billed tropic birds and the brown pelican.

Critically endangered, the Antiguan Racer snake can be found here. EAG (Environmental Awareness Group) is working diligently to increase the population of this endangered species. Climb the new staircase for a panoramic view of the surrounding islands in the North Sound area. 

There are large numbers of young coral reefs which are a natural habitat for various sponges, oysters, clams, and many species of colourful fish. Great Bird Island is regarded as a mini-paradise by both locals and tourists. Together with the attractiveness of swimming in the gorgeous blue ocean water, the white sand beaches are a standout draw to the area. 

Green Island

This island located off the west coast of Antigua, is surrounded by coral reefs and crystal-clear waters, making it a popular destination both sailing and mega-yachts to anchorage. 

In addition, Green Island is perfect for snorkelling and diving. Kitesurfing enthusiasts love this offshore island because the area is protected by an outer reef that guarantees flat water – this experience as well as standup paddle-boarding and wing foiling can be arranged through 40Knots. 

The snorkelling excursions typically include snorkelling gear, a guided tour of the coral reefs around Green Island, and time to relax and swim at the island’s beaches. Hikes are focused on exploring the natural beauty of Green Island, including its mangrove forests, and hiking trails. For those who prefer a more personalised experience, a private boat tour can be arranged. Enjoy a delicious dinner on the boat as the sun sets over the Caribbean Sea.

Hell's Gate Island

Located close to Bird Island, Hell’s Gate Island is only accessible by boat. This rocky island is surrounded by crystal-clear waters and offers excellent opportunities for snorkelling. Like Devil’s Bridge on the east coast of Antigua, Hell’s Gate also has a natural limestone arch that was formed by the ocean waves crashing against the island’s rocky shores. Visitors are able to hike across this bridge.

Antigua and Barbuda’s islands offer visitors a unique blend of stunning natural beauty, rich history and culture, and a relaxed island lifestyle. The islands of Antigua and Barbuda offer a wide range of luxury resorts and accommodations, with world-class amenities and breath taking views. This sunny paradise offers smiles and memories that last a lifetime. Life is always better on a tropical island!

The secret to making Royal Caribbean’s signature onboard cocktails

February 17, 2023

Over the course of a year, over 44 million alcoholic beverage transactions are made across Royal Caribbean International’s fleet of 26 ships. What goes into making the drinks you get on a cruise?

 

When it comes to creating cocktails for Royal Caribbean International’s fleet of 26 ships, Director of Beverage Operations Ed Eiswirth isn’t in the market of competing with what other cruise lines are doing.

“Although Norwegian, Carnival and MSC are my competitors, absolutely, their beverage program — I don’t try to compete head-to-head,” he says. “I pay attention to what they’re doing and I follow what they’re doing. But, realistically, the guests that are coming on board — I’m competing with the local bar they go to… We spend a lot of time looking at what’s going on shoreside.”

Calling it a mix of “a little bit of art and a little bit of science,” he says menu ideation and cocktail concoction starts with looking at the trends. While cruise lines have historically been late adopters to trends, often garnering a reputation for serving up popular drinks like strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas, Eiswirth says Royal Caribbean aims to be ahead of the curve.

“We spend an awful lot of time on trend data, trend analysis, trend research, just what’s going out in the world, plus, what’s going on our ships, what are we selling, what’s selling well, what’s working on the menu,” says Eiswirth, who was in the midst of developing cocktails for Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s newest ship launching in 2024. “If there’s a trend, guests are going to start coming on board looking for it.”

For example, during the planning stages for the launch of The Mason Jar Southern Restaurant & Bar, a new southern comfort style concept that launched on Wonder of the Seas, after some market research, Eiswirth and his colleague Alexandra Palmeri, Beverage Operations Lead, knew they wanted to “lean heavily on bourbon and moonshine — the spirits of the south.”

After multiple trials and tribulations, one of the hits that they developed was a creative take on a classic old fashioned — a peanut butter and jelly old fashioned. Although the recipe came together quickly, and they knew “Screwball whiskey was taking off,” it took a long time to master the garnish. Notably, it’s served with two tiny peanut butter and jelly sandwiches presented between two circular pieces of white bread.

“This is about taking the nostalgia of that crust-off peanut butter and jelly sandwich that somebody’s grandmother made you and then putting it on a cocktail you’re enjoying as an adult. If we have people who come on the ship who are excited to get the PB&J old fashioned, that’s a win for me,” he says. “Honestly, that drink would not be as popular without the garnish. I really think that garnish makes that drink, it makes it saleable and it makes it Instagrammable.”

Another hit is a take on a manhattan, made with brown sugar bourbon and topped with candied bacon.

When they’re gearing up to revamp a menu, Eiswirth says they work their way down to 75-100 serious contender recipes with input and ideas from mixologists.

“The first cut we do is literally read through each recipe and we will look at a couple of different filters. Ease of execution is probably the first filter we look at. Over the course of a year, our 26 ships do over 44 million alcoholic beverage transactions. Call it five million guests, 44 million transactions. And that’s just alcohol transactions,” he explains. “So obviously, we’re very busy. Shoreside restaurants do 25-30 drinks a half hour, we do 150-200 drinks a half hour on the pool deck.”

Another filter, which wasn’t even in the picture six years ago, is how Instagrammable the end result is. The majority of the time, he says recipes get the boot “if they don’t make sense on paper.” However, sometimes there’s an exception made when things that don’t seem to work do — like pineapple and peanut butter. Factors like availability of the ingredients also come into play, eventually cutting the original list down to 30.

“We will then go into a test kitchen or borrow somebody’s bar and we’ll make every single one of them. Tasting them ourselves, we’ll cut that 30 down to 20. And then we start really testing those 20 — we do a testing around the office within the food and beverage group,” he says. “Then we get everything ready to go. Everything costed out, garnishes figured out, what we want to replace, what the new menu looks like.”

Next, it’s time to present the options to Sean Treacy, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations and Linken D’Souza, Global Vice President Culinary, Dining & Beverage.

“It will go through the tasting and they will give us a thumbs up or thumbs down on a cocktail. We expect the success rate of about 50% of what we provide to Lincoln and Sean will, on the first taste, get approved for going on a menu. Alex and I do not name drinks when we’re in development because when you put a name on something, you grow attached to it,” he says. “If we believe in the flavour combination, if we believe in the drink, we’ll go back and tweak and re-taste it [if it doesn’t get approved.”

In the end, he says it’s all about balance and finding something that appeals to the diverse pallets of the people who come on board.

“Our goal is to balance menus to a point where every guest that comes on board can find three or four things that they like or crave on a menu in each venue,” he shares. “Once we get the drinks approved, the work really starts because we have to write all the recipes, get the training done.”

—STORY BY ANN RUPPENSTEIN