Grab yourself a coffee and catch up on today’s news in brief – the latest updates from the industry and everything you need to know in bite-size pieces.
Cathay Pacific’s new in-flight vid showcases Hong Kong
The airline’s new 6-minute video, which was developed in close collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and interweaves the unique charms of Cathay’s home city with safety protocols to showcase iconic landmarks, bustling happenings, world-class arts and cultural attractions and natural landscapes. re.
Passengers are transported to a dai pai dong, the quintessential local dining experience, for the “no smoking” announcement, before finding themselves amidst an exhilarating dragon boat race which provides the backdrop for the life jacket demonstration. Shek O Beach sets the scene for the emergency and pre-takeoff procedures with other locales including the shopping paradise of Causeway Bay, Xiqu Centre at the West Kowloon Cultural District, the iconic Peak Tram, Yau Ma Tei’s historic Tin Hau Temple and the serene Clearwater Bay Country Park, all featured.
International Rail launches Greater Tokyo Pass
International Rail is launching the new ‘Greater Tokyo Pass’, which will be available to purchase from 1 August 2024.
Priced from AUD$82, the Pass offers five consecutive days of travel and is valid on Tokyo Metro Lines, the Keikyo Airport line to/from Haneda Airport to/from Shinagawa/Tokyo station and on the Narita Skyliner to/from Ueno to/from Narita Airport.
“We have had huge success selling Japanese point to point tickets since its introduction towards the end of last year. Most likely due to the benefit of having flexible and refundable tickets and the ability pre-allocate seats 37 days in advance for services to Nagano and Hakuba, for the upcoming ski season, which some of our competitors are unable to offer to travel advisors,” said International Rail owner and managing director, Jonathan Hume.
Crown Princess on course to sail into her new Sydney home
The countdown is on for the arrival of the biggest cruise ship Princess Cruises has ever based in Australia year-round, with under 100 days to go until Crown Princess sails into Sydney on 26 October 2024.
During her first year cruising from Australia, Crown Princess will make 78 visits to 21 different ports around the country – a record for any Princess ship. Not only will she be the biggest Princess ship based in Australia, she will also set sail on the biggest world cruise ever undertaken by any cruise line in either the Southern or Northern Hemisphere with 3000 guests set to embark on an epic 113-night circumnavigation of the globe departing local shores in May 2025.
“Her deployment is a major milestone which reflects Australians’ enduring love of cruising and loyalty to Princess in Australia,” said Princess Cruises Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, Europe and UK Stuart Allison.
Crown Princess features more than 200 suites and mini-suites, over a dozen dining options including popular speciality restaurants Sabatini’s and Crown Grill, and a raft of activities from live entertainment in the Princess Theatre and blockbuster movies on the giant Movies Under The Stars screen to four swimming pools and the luxurious Lotus Spa.
TOP IMAGE: The Atrium, Crown Princess
New voyages for Seabourn Encore in 2025
Seabourn has modified the spring 2025 itineraries for Seabourn Encore to include a series of new voyages to Southeast Asia, Japan, Hawaii, the Panama Canal and the Mediterranean between March and May 2025. The new deployment features 36 destinations in 18 countries, and many “firsts” for Seabourn Encore, including 18 maiden calls and the ship’s first transit through the historical Panama Canal and its first-ever visit to the U.S.
Seabourn Encore was originally scheduled to sail westbound from Asia to Europe. However, changes were made to the original planned itineraries to prioritise the safety of guests and to avoid the Red Sea. Instead, the ship will head eastbound from Singapore to Dubrovnik, traveling nearly 20,000 nautical miles across four continents and two oceans.
The new voyages range from seven to 25 days and may be combined for longer sailings up to 53-day global adventures including:
● March 2, 2025 – 14-Day Southeast Asia & Japan, from Singapore to Kobe
● March 16, 2025 – 25-Day Japan & Hawaiian Islands Pacific Crossing, from Kobe to Long Beach
● April 9, 2025 – 19-Day Panama Canal Passage, from Long Beach to Miami
● April 28, 2025 – 12-Day Atlantic Crossing, from Miami to Lisbon
● May 10, 2025 – 8-Day Western Mediterranean Mosaic, from Lisbon to Civitavecchia (Rome)
● May 18, 2025 – 7-Day Amalfi Coast & Adriatic Gems, from Civitavecchia (Rome) to Dubrovnik
