At this year’s Virtuoso Travel Week in Las Vegas, which kicked off on Saturday and runs through this Thursday night, a number of cruise lines made major announcements. From the latest on the Norwegian Bliss to the debut of Crystal AirCruises’ new Crystal Skye, here’s what you need to know.
Crystal Skye Makes Official Debut
At Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport, Crystal AirCruises’ new Crystal Skye Boeing 777 made its official debut. Virtuoso CEO Matthew D. Upchurch served as the aircraft’s godfather at the event, which was also attended by Chairman and Chief Executive of Genting Hong Kong Tan Sri Kok Thay Lim and Crystal CEO and President Edie Rodriguez. The event was broadcast live on Facebook, which you can view below:
With space for up to 88 guests, Crystal Skye will have a nonstop range of 19.5 hours. Seats will convert to 180-degree lie-flat beds, and a social lounge will include a standup bar for a chance to have a drink and relax. Cuisine will be prepared by an executive chef and paired with a premium wine list.
We recently got a chance to tour the new luxury aircraft and check out the interiors. You can see our firsthand look at Crystal AirCruises’ new Crystal Skye here.
New Features for Norwegian Bliss
At the event Norwegian Cruise Line announced a slew of new features for its upcoming Norwegian Bliss, a new ship set to debut in 2018 with features especially designed for Alaska cruises.
The line has announced that the new ship will include a competitive race track on the top deck (billed as the largest at sea), as well as an open-air laser tag course. The Norwegian Joy, Norwegian’s China-focused cruise ship, first debuted a competitive race track, but the Norwegian Bliss will mark the first time the amenity is available to North American travelers. The two-level, electric car track will span 1,000 feet and allow drivers to reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. The laser tag course will be themed as an abandoned space station and will offer different experiences both by day and during the night.
For relaxation, the ship will also offer guests a large pool and sundeck with two pools and six infinity hot tubs that scale the side of the ship. The Aqua Park will have two multi-story waterslides: the Ocean Loops free fall slide, which includes two loops (one of which extends out over the side of the ship), and the tandem Aqua Racer. There will also be a Kids’ Aqua Park and Splash Academy for younger cruisers, as well as an Entourage space for teens and a Guppies playroom for parents and babies.
For dining, the ship will offer the Q Texas smokehouse, an a la carte specialty restaurant serving up Texas barbecue in an “urban” setting. The ship will also host Mexican eatery Los Lobos, which first debuted in 2016 onboard Norwegian Dawn, as well as the adjacent Cagney’s Steakhouse, an American steakhouse. Between Los Lobos and Cagney’s Steakhouse, The A-List Bar will offer guests handcrafted cocktails, wines and premium spirits. For dessert, Coco’s will be a new a la carte venue on deck 6, with a chocolate fountain as its centerpiece. There will also be an onboard Starbucks in a nod to the ship’s Seattle homeport, as well as a number of other signature al la carte restaurants: Le Bistro (French); La Cucina (Tuscan); Ocean Blue (seafood); Food Republic (global fusion); Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville at Sea; and The Bake Shop. The Japanese hibachi steakhouse Teppanyaki will also be onboard at cover charge pricing. In a new complimentary dining concept, The Local will serve up pub fare in a relaxed atmosphere 24 hours a day. For beverages, The District Brew House will have 24 draft and more than 50 bottled beers, while The Cellars, A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar, will offer an extensive wine list.
In terms of wellness offerings, the ship will have a Mandara Spa with 24 treatment rooms, a full-service salon and barber shop, fitness center and thermal suite. There will also be two private, adults-only lounge spaces: Vibe Beach Club and Spice H20.Starting June 2018 Norwegian Bliss will sail its inaugural season on weekly seven-day Alaska cruises each Saturday from Pier 66 in Seattle, calling at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, British Columbia, along with scenic glacier cruising. Norwegian Bliss will sail its inaugural winter season beginning in November 2018, sailing seven-day eastern Caribbean cruises each Saturday from PortMiami, with calls in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.
Keep visiting www.travelagentcentral.com for the latest news and updates from Virtuoso Travel Week.
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