Porthole Cruise News Briefs – Oct. 2, 2015

Porthole Cruise News Briefs
Oct. 2, 2015

  • Three lines will be showing a new face to passengers in the near future. Queen Mary 2, in May and June 2016, will be updating Queens Grill and Princess Grill suites and restaurants to maximize living space and offer more intimate dining spaces. The “Reimagine Azamara” program will see leading design consultants transform Azamara Club Cruises’ ships into modern, moving, upscale hotels with even more personal space for guests. And, finally, Oceania Cruises has revealed more details about its newest ship, due in April 2016. Sirena will feature two new specialty restaurants, Tuscan Steak and Red Ginger, as well as turning the Grand Dining Room into Jacques Bistro for lunch, serving some of legendary chef Jacques Pépin’s signature dishes.
  • Grammy-winning jazz artist Gregory Porter is headlining the first Blue Note jazz themed cruise aboard Queen Mary 2 on October 29. The trans-Atlantic voyage will also feature jazz greats Alan Hampton, Fredrico Peña, EJ Strickland, Mark Colenburg, Michael Aaberg, and Michal Moreno, as well as Q&As with Don Was, legendary producer and president of Blue Note Records. Natalie Cole, previously scheduled to perform, has had to cancel due to personal reasons.
  • Windstar Cruises has partnered with VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations to offer pre-cruise walking or cycle tours of Italy’s towns and countryside. The Italy Tour & Cruise collection gives guests the opportunity to experience the enchanting towns, countryside, and mountains of Italy through VBT’s walking or biking offerings, before embarking on their Windstar Cruise. Guests will receive special discounts and perks when they book a VBT tour with the corresponding Windstar cruise, including 15% off cruise fare, two free hotel nights in Rome after the VBT tour, before the cruise, and complimentary transfers to the yacht.

Photo: Cunard Line


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