This Week in Cruise: New Thrills, Advisor Tools and Protocol Changes

Thrill options for guests at sea will soar this December. MSC Cruises’ new MSC Seascape will debut Robotron, a robotic arm with an attached gondola. Up to three guests will soar 175 feet above the ocean, hanging over the edge of the deck. They’ll flip upside down and move in all directions. Riders will select their desired thrill level, ranging from family-friendly to high-intensity, as well as set the mood with colored lights and music preferences.

Emerald Cruises said that its 100-passenger, oceangoing yachts Emerald Azzurra and soon-to-launch Emerald Sakara will spend the 2023 and 2024 winter seasons in the Caribbean and Central America

On the COVID-19 travel protocol front, SeaDream Yacht Club has updated its health protocols for cruise guests. The line won’t require proof of vaccination status or COVID-19 antigen tests before and during a cruise—unless government/destination restrictions require those. In addition, Barbados now has new COVID-19 protocols for cruise travelers. These new port entry guidelines will enable fully vaccinated travelers increased ease for experiencing the island—beyond the ship itself.

Princess Cruises has inked an exclusive five-year licensing agreement with Xponential Fitness, Inc., which will work with OneSpaWorld, the line’s exclusive partner for health, wellness and fitness services. The goal is to incorporate Xponential’s experiences into the fleet’s fitness offerings.

With 2022’s holiday season on the horizon, this past week our sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor looked at the European Christmas markets and what’s new and different on European rivers for 2023 and beyond.

Assisting Travel Advisors

Virgin Voyages is introducing a new travel advisor booking platform. It’s designed to allow retailers to make client bookings much easier and faster.

In addition, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will offer a new seminar series, “Grow Your Regent Business,” for North American travel partners. The ultra-luxury line will provide market research and segmentation “intelligence” to help advisors increase their sales. 

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