ACV Treats Agents, Plus Rocky Mountaineer, Orlando and Cruise News

Last week, Air Canada Vacations hosted a Conference at Sea on Royal Caribbean International's amplified Navigator of the Seas.

Air Canada Vacations knows the best way to sell a cruise is to experience it. 42 travel agents from new to experienced cruisers joined Air Canada Vacations' Sales Representatives Dave Boudreau and Juan Contreras-Aragon, along with Eric St-Pierre, National Account Manager, and Christopher Jeffrey-Racine, Strategic Account Manager from Royal Caribbean International. Sailing out of Miami on April 7, 2019, travel advisors experienced cruising onboard the Navigator of the Seas for a short

5-day cruise. The group gathered together for a welcome cocktail party on the first evening at the Star Lounge.

"When it comes to selling cruises, the onboard product is just as important as the itinerary, as it offers agents a close-up view of what guests experience when they sail, "said Dana Gain, Senior Director of Sales, Groups & Partnerships at Air Canada Vacations.

"As a first-time cruiser, being a part of this fantastic conference at sea that our dedicated Air Canada Vacations' team put together was an exceptional experience. From learning all about cruising with Royal Caribbean International, spending time with industry professionals, this experience was the perfect opportunity for myself to really embrace what cruising is all about, while inspiring our travel partners with the benefits of Air Canada Vacations' Cruise Promise!" said Juan Contreras-Aragon, Area Sales Manager at Air Canada Vacations.

enjoyed a full day at Royal Caribbean International's beautiful private Island, Labadee, Haiti along with the opportunity of visiting its Exclusive Suite section. The group also had the chance to visit Nassau, Bahamas and complete site inspections at Sandals Royal Bahamian and Melia Nassau Beach. Educational seminars provided by Royal Caribbean International and Air Canada Vacations took place onboard for two days when the ship was at sea.

Take advantage of Royal Caribbean and Air Canada Vacations Spring Bonus! Receive up to USD $150 onboard credit when you book a 2019 cruise sailing May 1 onwards - this offer can be combined with most promotions and is for bookings in a balcony or grand suite.

Rocky Mountaineer has announced that seven newly built GoldLeaf Service rail cars will be offered on its Western Canadian rail routes for the 2019 season.

The world's largest privately owned luxury train company will add four rail cars to its fleet in April, with three additional cars coming later in the season. The bi-level rail cars feature oversized glass-dome windows and a separate dining area for guests traveling through the Canadian Rockies.

To meet the growing demand from travelers worldwide, Rocky Mountaineer partnered with the Swiss rail car company Stadler to engineer and then build the new equipment at its facilities in Germany, keeping guest comfort and experience at the forefront throughout. This project marked the largest capital investment in Rocky Mountaineer's history. The remaining three cars will join the fleet in 2020, bringing the company's total to 26 bi-level GoldLeaf rail cars and 16 single-level SilverLeaf rail cars to mark Rocky Mountaineer's 30th anniversary as a luxury tourist company.

"These new GoldLeaf rail cars will allow us to welcome even more guests on board our trains and offer increased availability across our most popular dates and routes," said Steve Sammut, president and chief executive officer, Rocky Mountaineer. "We were intentional in designing these new cars to offer the same exemplary guest comfort across the entire fleet, while also making numerous engineering enhancements behind the scenes that reflect our goal of constantly enhancing both the experience and efficiency of our service."

With the inaugural sailing of the highly anticipated Emerald Harmony Star-Ship just a few months off - and with the 2019-2020 season nearly sold out - Emerald Waterways is pleased to announce that they are now taking Mekong River bookings for the 2020-2021 season. And better yet, guests who book a sailing of 12 days or more will receive free round trip airfare to Asia when booked by August 31, 2019.

Guests booking the eight-day sailing will receive $500 off the price of the cruise. In addition, ALL guests who book by May 31 will receive an additional bonus $150 savings per person.

With only 84 guests in 42 staterooms and suites, Emerald Harmony will offer an intimate and upscale sailing experience on the Mekong. The ship features spacious cabins, including 32, 273-square-foot Panorama Balcony Suites with drop-down windows; four, 398-square-foot Grand Balcony Suites; and two, 450-square-foot Owner's Suites boasting wrap-around terraces with private hot tubs. The ship also boasts a pool located on the ship's aft, an Asian-themed Horizon Bar & Lounge, and an impressive two to one guest to crew ratio.

The menu in the main dining venue, Reflections Restaurant, will serve a locally-inspired menu showcasing native cuisine from the region. Featuring dark wooden tones and muted colours, the beautiful Lotus Lounge, situated at the front of the Vista Deck, is a new and quiet spot for guests to relax and watch the horizon unfold as the ship sails.

With a host of new attractions for the smallest visitors, the upcoming summer season is the perfect time for a visit to Orlando with the little ones. Major expansions at the theme parks promise fun and excitement around every corner, kids can meet Cookie Monster or even join Emmet and the stars of The Lego Movie on a flying adventure. Families will find their perfect vacation, whether they are seeking budget-friendly activities, resorts with childcare or simply the most unforgettable family memories.

For more information, vacation planning help and tips for traveling with little ones, go to VisitOrlando.ca.

NEW OPENINGS

This year welcomes more attractions than ever for little ones, at all the major theme parks and beyond. Beloved characters, exciting rides and immersive lands await, making it the perfect time for an Orlando trip. New additions include:

Walt Disney World Resort's new Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy is a live show now open in Hollywood Studios, featuring beloved characters from the Cars movie series like Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater. A new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique location, which transforms kids into princesses or knights, is set to open at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa this summer.

SeaWorld Orlando brought a beloved world to life with the opening of Sesame Street in March, just in time for the show's 50th anniversary. Families can explore six acres of the iconic neighborhood, including the famous 123 stoop. Big Bird leads story time for children in his nest, while SeaWorld's first daily parade draws kids into a dance party with Elmo and other characters.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort debuted Lego Movie World, making it the perfect spot for fans of the popular 2014 film. One of the largest additions ever made to the park, the land includes three new attractions based on worlds within the film: Unikitty's Disco Drop, Battle of Bricksburg and The Lego Movie Masters of Flight, a unique 180-degree rotating theater attraction with additional 4D elements. For the smallest guests, there's a spaceship-themed playground and character interactions.

Nobu Hospitality, the globally established lifestyle brand founded by Nobu Matsuhisa, Robert De Niro and Meir Teper, is delighted to announce the launch of its London West End hotel.

Expected to open in spring 2020, Nobu Hotel is set in Portman Square W1, steps from Mayfair's vibrant restaurants and independent boutiques and on the edge of Soho's world-famous theatres in the heart of London's West End. The 239-guest rooms and suites, together with a Nobu restaurant, ballroom and meeting facilities are being conceptualized by London-based architecture and interior design firm, David Collins Studio, in conjunction with Make Architects.

Nobu Hotel London Portman Square is owned by London + Regional Hotels and is their third collaboration with Nobu Hospitality including Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay and Nobu Restaurant Monte Carlo.

Trevor Horwell, Chief Executive Officer of Nobu Hospitality says, "We are truly proud to announce the launch of Nobu Hotel London Portman Square, with our trusted partners, London + Regional Hotels. This will be our third Nobu destination together with London + Regional Hotels and sets another stage for creating memorable experiences around food and hospitality. 2019 is an exciting year of Nobu Hotel openings - from Barcelona, Los Cabos, to Chicago."

A Nobu also is being built in downtown Toronto.

Austrian Airlines is excited to introduce year-round flight service to and from Montreal/Vienna beginning April 29th, 2019. The long-haul flight will be operated by the airline's Boeing 767 aircraft.

Vienna is famous for its brilliant architecture and music. You'll also find boutique shopping, lovely gardens and a seriously beautiful cathedral in the heart of the city, St. Stephen's.

Travelers from Canada - as well as from the U.S., the U.K. and much of western Europe-don't need a visa to visit New Zealand. But starting October 1, travelers from all non-visa countries need to apply for and be granted an Electronic Travel Authority, aka an ETA, before entering the country, according to a report at www.johnnyjet.com.

The ETA will be attainable via the Immigration New Zealand website for NZD$12 (about $11 CAD) or the app for NZD$9 (about $8 CAD) from July onward.

The application process isn't expected to be difficult, but on its website, New Zealand recommends that travellers "request your ETA well in advance of your trip to New Zealand. It can take [Immigration NZ] up to 72 hours to approve your ETA. If you do not hold an ETA when you check in for your flight or cruise you will not be allowed to board."

A mandatory International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, or IVL, is also being introduced. Travelers will be required to pay NZD$35 (about $31 CAD) "to contribute directly to the tourism infrastructure they use and to help protect and enhance the natural environment they will enjoy during their stay in New Zealand." The IVL will be payable during application for the ETA. Once paid and approved, the ETA and IVL will both be good for two years.

NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization of New York City, is pleased to highlight a lineup of unprecedented openings and annual events that make summer 2019 an especially attractive time to visit. These key additions and events, coupled with perennial sports and recreational opportunities throughout the city (from baseball fever with the Mets and Yankees to outdoor activities in Coney Island, Governors Island and the Rockaways), make June, July and August a truly can't-miss time in NYC. During these months, NYC & Company predicts 19 million visitors will travel to the City.

"Summer brings a radiant energy to the five boroughs and is a wonderful time to explore our dynamic and diverse neighborhoods," said NYC & Company president and CEO Fred Dixon. "A remarkable roster of major openings and iconic events provide countless reasons to explore everything New York City has to offer."

Below is a roundup of notable items that complete a monumental season this year, more can be found at nycgo.com/summer.

Major Openings

Hudson Yards - Opened March 15 (Far West Manhattan)

2019 is the inaugural summer season for NYC's newest neighbourhood. Visitors can enjoy the extended daylight views of the Hudson River by making a reservation to climb the Vessel or cool off inside the Shops and Restaurants at Hudson Yards where restaurants like Mercado Little Spain by Jose Andres and Kawi by David Chang are paired alongside stores like Neiman Marcus. Later this summer, the neighbourhood will also have a world class wellness destination in the first-ever Equinox Hotel (HudsonYardsNewYork.com).

The Shed - Opened April 5 (Hudson Yards, Manhattan)

The dynamic new cultural hub in Hudson Yards made its much-anticipated debut just as warm weather returned this April with Steve McQueen's Soundtrack of America (now closed). Continuing the first half of the inaugural season are exhibitions such as Tony Cokes and Oscar Murillo (June 19-August 25) Dragon SpringPhoenix Rise (June 22-July 27), and MAZE (July 23-August 17) (TheShed.org).


Bronx Zoo Dinosaur Safari - Opening April 19 (The Bronx)

The largest and most life-like Dinosaur ride in America will open in the Bronx Zoo this spring. 40 animatronic and life-sized dinosaurs will lurk in a two-acre wooded area within the park and educate visitors about the physical and behavioral adaptations of our prehistoric ancestors (bronxzoo.com).


TWA Hotel - Opening May 15 (John F. Kennedy Airport, Queens)

Luxury returns to JFK next month thanks to a 512-room hotel in the former TWA flight center dedicated to the jet age. Among the six restaurants and eight bars, guests can explore "Connie" a 1958 Starline airplane repurposed as a retro cocktail lounge out on the tarmac (twahotel.org).
Empire Outlets - Opening May 15 (St. George, Staten Island)

NYC's first outlet shopping destination will launch just steps from the Staten Island ferry, with shops like Nike and Nordstrom Rack, just in time for summer. Home to 100 retail and dining experiences, the outlets are perfect for summertime fun with the Staten Island Yankees ballpark right next door and great views of lower Manhattan available from all over the mall (empireoutlets.nyc).


Statue of Liberty Museum - Opening May 16 (Liberty Island)

Liberty Island will offer more activity to visitors than ever when the Statue of Liberty Museum makes its highly anticipated debut in May. The interactive new home for the Statue's original torch also includes an immersive education tour and unrivaled views of the statue, lower Manhattan, and the harbor (libertyellisfoundation.org).


The Highline Spur - Opening May (Hudson Yards, Manhattan)

A decade after the elevated park originally opened, the last remaining section of the original rail structure will open on the western end of The Highline as the Spur this May including a series of rotating art commissions of varying size and scale titled The Plinth (thehighline.org).

Big Events

Pride Celebrations - May 10-June 30 (NYC)

Pride celebrations will take place across the five boroughs beginning with Staten Island (May 10-18), Harlem (May 31-June 29), Queens (June 2), Brooklyn (June 8) and The Bronx(June 23), culminating with the U.S. debut of WorldPride (June 24-30), with 50+ events over 5 days and nearly 4-5 million participants expected in total.

Fleet Week - May 22-28 (NYC)

Fleet Week provides visitors with the opportunity to celebrate Memorial Day with members of the Navy and Marines visiting NYC while on leave from duty. The week kicks off with a parade of naval ships and includes special events on the Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum, ship tours, and sailor meet and greets. (nycgo.com/fleetweek).


World Science Festival - May 28- June 2 (NYC)

This weeklong celebration of science features over 60 events that take science out of the lab and into the streets, parks, museums, and premier performing arts venues of New York City. Highlights include: theatrical works dedicated to historic scientists like Albert Einstein, deep discussions with astronauts like Apollo 11's Michael Collins, outdoor experiences like Stargazing in Brooklyn Bridge Park and more (worldsciencefestival.com).

The Belmont Stakes - June 8 (Belmont Park, Queens)

In addition to the final leg of the thoroughbred Triple Crown horse races, the Belmont Stakes features a three-day festival with dozens of races, live music, and a food-truck village for visitors to enjoy (belmontstakes.com).