Oceania’s plan to homeport Insignia in New York City, Pacific Delight Tours’ decision to stop elephant attractions and a new plan by Nanjing, China, to reach out to North American tourists are the travel headlines to watch today.
Oceania’s Insignia to Sail From New York City
In cruise news, Oceania Cruises has announced that the Insignia will homeport in New York City, with more than 20 planned voyages beginning in 2017. The ship will sail from Manhattan’s west side cruise terminal at 48th street on roundtrip and open-jaw voyages to New England, Canada, Bermuda, Greenland and Iceland, with overnight calls at destinations including New York City, NY; Charleston, South Carolina; Reykjavik, Iceland; St. George, Bermuda; and Hamilton, Bermuda. Highlights are:
Cottages, Coves & Coasts | 10 Days | August 10, 31 & September 10
New York, New York; Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; St George, Bermuda, New York, New York
Seaside Medley | 11 Days | August 20
Capitals & Coastlines | 10 Days | September 20, 30, October 10, 20
New York, New York; Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Sydney, Nova Scotia, Saguenay, Quebec; Quebec City, Quebec; Montreal, Quebec
North Atlantic Seafarer | 15 Days | July 26
And in 2018:
Caribbean Palette | 14 Days | July Departures
Miami, Florida; Santa Marta, Colombia; Oranjested, Aruba; Kralendijk, Bonaire: St George’s, Grenada; Castries, St Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; St George, Bermuda; New York, New York
Cottages, Coves & Coasts | 10 Days | July, August, and September Departures
New York, New York; Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; Bar Harbor, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; St George, Bermuda, New York, New York
Seaside & Cityscapes | 10 Days | August Departures
New York, New York; Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Hamilton, Bermuda; St George, Bermuda, New York, New York
Autumn Inspiration | 10 Days | September Departures
New York, New York; Newport, Rhode Island; Portland, Maine; Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Sept-Isles, Quebec, Saguenay, Quebec; Quebec City, Quebec; Montreal, Quebec
Allure of Autumn | 10 Days | September Departures
Montreal, Quebec; Quebec City, Quebec; Saguenay, Quebec; Sept-Isles, Quebec; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Portland, Maine; Boston Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; New York, New York
Fall Splendors | 10 Days | October Departures
New York, New York; Newport, Rhode Island; Boston, Massachusetts; Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Sept-Isles, Saguenay, Quebec; Quebec City, Quebec; Montreal, Quebec
Pacific Delight Tours Removes Elephant Attractions
In tour operator news, Pacific Delight Tours has announced it will remove all elephant attractions from its 2017 product portfolio.
In a written release the tour operator said the decision is in accordance with a request received from the animal rights activists at PETA. Pacific Delight had previously offered elephant activities in both Thailand and India.
"Beyond our own convictions regarding tourism's footprint on the destinations we visit, we feel that the majority of our customers will support the discontinuation of activities which involve the less than humane treatment of an endangered species," said Charmaine Lau, operations manager at Pacific Delight Tours, in a written release.
Nanjing, China, Launches New Website for North American Travelers
Finally, in destination news, Nanjing, China, is reaching out to the North American market with the launch of the new website GoToNanjing.com, which is designed for consumers, tour operators, and the travel trade with the goal of educating them on the robust tourism experiences available in the city of Nanjing.
The website highlights the city’s top attractions, such as Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, Xuanwu Lake, and an adventurous culinary scene. Packages are included on a dedicated section of the website and will be updated on a regular basis. The website is also responsive to allow travelers to access the information on the go on their mobile decides.
The new website is the latest development from Nanjing Municipal Tourism Commission as part of the campaign it launched earlier this year to facilitate more travel to the city from North America.
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