Viking’s newest ship, the Viking Aton, “floated out” this week, headed for her debut in Egypt in August, with pre- and post-trips to Jerusalem and Jordan.

As the third Viking ship custom-built to sail the Nile, Aton marks the halfway point to the six-ship fleet the company envisions on the longest river in the world, which flows north out of Africa into the Mediterranean Sea.

Like her identical sister ship Viking Osiris, Viking Aton holds 82 guests and 65 crew and will sail a 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary.

“We are proud to be the only western company to build, own and operate ships on the Nile, and with the float out of the Viking Aton, we look forward to welcoming more guests to experience this fantastic region,” said Viking chairman Torstein Hagen.

Viking reports “very strong demand in Egypt,” with the 2023 season and many 2024 dates already sold out. In all, the line plans to have six ships sailing the Nile by 2025, including Viking Ra, which launched in 2018, and two more shifts under construction now, Viking Hathor and Viking Sobek.

In addition to the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary, guests can sign up for a five-day British Collections of Ancient Egypt extension beginning in London, which includes private visits to the Egyptian Collection at the British Museum; the home of Sir John Soane, whose collection of Egyptian antiquities includes a 3,000-year-old Egyptian sarcophagus; and Highclere Castle, to view the Earl’s private collection of Egyptian artifacts. There’s also a Pre Extension in Jerusalem and a Post Extension in Jordan that includes Jerash, Kerak, and the lost city of Petra.

Separately, Egypt’s ministry of tourism and antiquities this week announced the discovery of the ancient underground tomb complex of Panehsy, steward of the temple of Amun under Ramses II, around 1250 BC.

“Egypt is one of the most difficult areas in the world to book. There are many local companies who offer Nile cruises, but it’s very difficult to know who the trustworthy ones are,” said travel advisor Lainey Melnick. “Having the big name cruise lines stepping into that market makes it so much more accessible to Americans who are willing to pay that premium price for something they trust and understand. It makes all the difference in that region.”

Rwanda. The Land of a Thousand Hills and the horrific genocide of 1994. One of the most rapidly developing countries in Africa, where one-quarter of the population is still illiterate. A country with many faces which, after years of turmoil, has risen and is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination.

If you think ChatGPT is helpful, you really might want to make friends with Toby.

Built specifically to meet the needs of travel advisors, this new electronic assistant can make you more efficient, save you time and make your customers love you even more than they do now.

At least that seemed to be the sentiment of the travel advisors who have been beta-testing Toby and/or listening in on the podcast about him this week.

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Don’t expect another Perfect Day at CocoCay or Labadee when Royal Caribbean opens its Bahamas beach club in early 2025. Those are destinations in their own right. (Indeed, CocoCay is the number one destination for Royal Caribbean guests).

Instead, the 17-acre Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island promises a new kind of experience—all-inclusive, fee-based, and upscale. Instead of ziplines and hot air balloons, the Club will focus on serenity, food and beverage, and great service.

In an interview at RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com today, senior vice president and chief product innovation officer Jay Schneider noted there will be a fee for access to the Club, whose focus points will be a beautiful beach and heated pools.

The price, as yet undetermined, will include a water taxi ride to the island; food, beverage and alcohol; beach chairs and umbrellas; and non-motorized activities, including swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

When planning Royal Beach Club, the cruise company targeted Nassau as a port it often used, but it did not rate high satisfaction scores with guests. But “Nassau is a great place to go,” he said, and “we wanted to add a Royal level service to that destination.”

By 2027, the cruise line expects to bring 2.5 million visitors to Nassau. The plan is to build “multiple beach clubs around the world,” Schneider said.

Meanwhile, Vicki Freed, senior vice president of trade support and sales, told TRO that “the excitement to vacation with Royal Caribbean is at an all-time high and we’re thrilled to move forward with Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island. Royal Beach Club will be the ultimate beach day getaway that will forever change what is possible in a vacation destination.”

At the Seatrade Global conference in March, Russell Benford, Royal Caribbean Group’s VP of government relations, talked about the Bahamas project. “The port of Nassau is transcendent,” he said, with 40,000 visitors daily. The new project is a partnership that will be 49% owned by Bahamians, in keeping with the company’s goal of “bringing economic empowerment to the people who live in the communities we visit.”

Because you’ve been on over 50 cruises or have made hundreds of cruise bookings, don’t think it will be “business as usual” for your new bookings. Many things have changed, and not just for the better.

This is especially true for the high-end “Big Three” cruise lines (Regent, Seabourn, and Silversea), where all-inclusive fares make it difficult for the lines to pay down their share of the massive $74 billion debt their parent companies (Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean) ran up during the pandemic; and fund the building of even more luxurious ships to fend off attacks from well-financed newcomers such as Viking, and Ritz-Carlton (Marriot).

The Travel Institute, the only dedicated education provider in the travel industry, has launched the TRIPKIT℠ 5th Edition introductory training course. This extensive program packs the equivalent of one college semester into an easy-to-follow, 19-lesson self-paced course. TRIPKIT℠ is a cost-effective, 60 to 80-hour online program including three key areas of study: travel career development, destination knowledge, and a “how to” on establishing and running a home-based agency. Read the rest of this entry »

There is an old proverb that suggests, “The devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know.” This adage first appeared in John Taverner’s Proverbs of Erasmus (1539).

This infers that it just might be easier to put up with what you are already familiar with, rather than roll the dice on something unknown. I suppose you could also justify your tendency to remain put by reminding yourself that “the grass always appears greener on the other side of the fence.” (Whatever make you feel better.)

I hate to say it, but summer is here, and it’s time for us to gear up for one of the slower times of the year. However, it’s important to remember that slow summer months don’t have to mean slow business. With the right approach, you can turn this traditionally quiet time into a golden opportunity to sell more travel and earn more commissions. Here are five opportunities for you!

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It’s going to be a big year for partnerships in the luxury space, as well-known consumer brands see their customers’ interest in travel growing rapidly. Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, jumped into the trend this week, kicking off its 2023 season with a new partnership with Dior Beauty to add a spa to its rail journeys and adding two new culinary-themed themed itineraries.

The Dior Spa Royal Scotsman will “blend two iconic Houses for an incomparable well-being escape inspired by Scotland’s ephemeral beauty,” crossing the country where Christian Dior hosted his first fashion show, in 1955, the company enthused.

The spa will feature two lacquered treatment rooms in Dior’s iconic burgundy toile de Jouy motif, and a menu of treatments devised by the French Maison’s wellness experts to cater to the specific needs of train travel.

Guests can take advantage of the spa treatments, including massages and facials, on three new journeys:

Highland Survival Adventure

June 30-July 3, 2023, a three-night roundtrip from Edinburgh “designed with adrenaline-seekers in mind.” It includes “several outdoor challenges in some of the most secluded locations in the Western Highlands,” led by WILDNIS guides, and includes a Royal Marines Commando Assault Training program, and an al fresco lunch prepared by WILDNIS chef Tom Byrom. On the third day, guests will put their skills to the test by rappelling down a cascading waterfall followed by a reinvigorating wild swim session. Rates start at $8,750 per person.

A Taste of Scotland with Tom Kitchin

September 4-6, 2023, Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchin will host a two-night journey through the Scottish Highlands, showcasing his “From Nature-to-Plate” culinary philosophy. Guests will enjoy several meals with Chef Kitchin including a welcome four-course dinner, a barbecue lunch in Cairngorms National Park, and a gala closing dinner. Highlights also include an exclusive wine masterclass with local wine merchants, L’Art du Vin, in the train’s Observation Car and a tour and expert-led whisky tasting at Benromach distillery. Rates start at $6,690 per person.

In 2024, two new Grand Suites by interior designer Tristan Auer will be added, with ensuite bathrooms, double beds, and a private living area. Grand Suite guests will also enjoy added amenities including private transfers to and from the train and one spa treatment in the train’s dedicated spa carriage. Rates will start at $7,500 per person.

This week I have been feeling grateful. After accepting a new part-time job opportunity at a brewery in town and receiving tremendous support from my friends and family after sustaining a foot injury, I wanted to make sure that I gave thanks to those around me – whether it was a text, a phone call, or a handwritten note. As I sat down to brainstorm content for the week, I realized that there was someone (something?) else that I wanted to thank – the company that gave me my first introduction to river cruising and has continually delivered unforgettable experiences onboard since.

There’s no better way to get to know someone than to break bread (or bagels) together. So I think all of us in the trade press came away from our recent breakfast at the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale feeling we better understand where Norwegian Cruise Lines’ new president David Herrera came from, how he got to where he is now, and how he and Harry Sommer (and even Frank Del Rio) will work together in the coming months.

It’s a brand new ship, a brand new port, and a brand new lead as MSC World America goes on sale this week—and the line is readying to help the travel advisors who took part in that growth learn about and sell the new ship.

At a press conference at Seatrade Global, MSC’s top executives thanked the travel advisors who have helped push the United States to become the line’s number-one market. This season MSC will return the favor with “a lot of fam trips onboard Meraviglia launching from New York and of course we’ll be planning some on MSC World America,” promised MSC Cruises USA president Ruben Rodriguez. Also in the works are upgrades to the MSC Book platform, to make training and booking easier, he said.

“For a brand that’s still building,” the propensity of a travel partner who sails on MSC to then book customers runs high, Rodriguez noted.

MSC also is investing in a new team to develop the MICE and charter businesses. “Our ships are modern, they have great features and an abundance of meeting space, so that has made us frankly much more competitive, much more attractive to those customers,” he said.

CEO Gianni Onorato noted that “for the first time in MSC history the United States is the first market for MSC, beating Italy—and we’re very excited. We’re a global brand with a European heritage. We try to strike a balance between the global brand attributes with something linked to everyone’s comfort zone that makes them feel at home when they are away from home.”

This summer MSC will have 13 ships and handle 2.7 times the volume of 2019 including exotic destinations like the Emirates and the Red Sea and Japan—and for the first time the world cruise will have more guests from America than any other country.

MSC World America Details

MSC World America will set sail in 2005, with exclusively seven-night Caribbean itineraries. Its brand new, state-of-the-art terminal at PortMiami is nearing completion, and will be the largest cruise terminal in North America. It will include new technologies like facial recognition and shore-based electric power into which ships can plug.
All itineraries will stop at the popular Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve that features a Bahamian village and evening entertainment. By the end of the year a new marine conservation centerthere will open, dedicated to growing and harvesting coral and then propagating it around the Bahamas.

MSC World America will have two itineraries:
•    Eastern Caribbean: Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, The Bahamas
•    Western Caribbean: Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, The Bahamas

A brand new outdoor destination designed for kids and families to play and relax together, The Harbor, combines a water park, interactive water features, and F&B options. There’s a High Trail course and zip line, sensory play areas, the Harbor Lighthouse playground and food trucks.
The ship will span 22 decks, measure more than 150 feet wide, feature 2,626 cabins, contain more than 420,000 square feet of public space, and offer top-of-the-line features and facilities, including a re-imagined outdoor World Promenade, and World Galleria with a state-of-the-art LED and kinetic light ceiling.

Thirteen restaurants, including six specialty restaurants, four main restaurants, two buffets, complimentary Luna Park Pizza & Burger, and 20 bars and lounges. There is a sports bar, a comedy club, The Gin Project offering craft gins, a British pub with a full-scale micro-brewery, a coffee house and a chocolate shop.
An 11-deck-high dry slide, six pools and 14 hot tubs, including a spacious indoor pool with retractable roof.
And, of course, the MSC Yacht Club, with a dedicated lounge and restaurant, private pool and sun deck, and 24-hour concierge and butler service.

I keep getting this image of a world that has changed radically, but we have come out of hibernation with the pictures in our minds of the world we knew pre-hibernation. We are victims of the Rip Van Winkle syndrome, waking up in a world that is drastically changed from what you remember. Now, in 2023, many of the ravages of Covid are sinking into the past as fading memories. But if we are expecting the world to be as it was before the nightmare, we are likely to get hit with some reality adjustors.

For travelers who daydream of wandering through streets filled with art, beauty and indulging in delicious Italian cuisine, Florence is a top destination to consider.

As you stroll through the charming city of Florence, you may feel like you have been transported back in time to the Renaissance era, and it is no wonder why it was the birthplace of the Renaissance. The city, nicknamed “the jewel of the Renaissance,” is located in central Italy and attracts millions of visitors each year.

Sky Bird Travel & Tours, one of the leading airline consolidators in the industry, has announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Effective April 3, 2023, Norm Knowles assumed the role of CEO to lead the company’s future strategies and expansion plans. This announcement has been made by Arvin Shah, Chairman of Sky Bird Travel & Tours. Read the rest of this entry »

Note: Today’s article is adapted from an article published in Forbes Magazine.

I added my two bits when I thought it appropriate and cut the length to fit my space.

Communication, customer service, and driving have something very much in common. Everybody thinks they are good at these skills when, in fact, very few are even adequate with any consistency.

This overestimation of our communication abilities is magnified when interacting with people we are familiar with.

Despite the rumors, travel agencies are very much alive. The ones that came out of COVID are stronger than ever and are doing record business. Unfortunately, along with that strength comes strengthened competition, and it becomes more challenging to set yourself apart from the agency down the street—or across the country. So how do you do it? Read the rest of this entry »