MSC Adjusts For Cuba Loss, A Barbados Offer For Kawhi Leonard And More

In connection with the U.S. Administration changes to regulations regarding travel to Cuba, which eliminated the prior authorization permitting cruise ships to travel from the U.S. to Cuba as of late last week, MSC Cruises will modify effective immediately all its cruise itineraries previously scheduled to call that country.

Due to these substantial changes in U.S. law and regulation, MSC Armonia is no longer authorized to call the port of Havana, Cuba, as part of her current Caribbean sailings. The alternative ports of either Key West, Florida; Costa Maya, Mexico; George Town, Cayman Islands; or Cozumel, Mexico will replace Havana, Cuba. The remainder of MSC Armonia's itinerary will remain as originally planned.

Guests currently on board MSC Armonia and their travel agents have already been informed and will receive

- $400 USD per stateroom as onboard credit. If this credit is not fully used during the cruise, MSC Cruises will refund the difference upon check-out from the ship. Any shore excursions in Havana that were pre-purchased before the cruise, or which are included in the ticket, will be automatically refunded to the Guest's onboard account.

Guests on future MSC Armonia sailings that were scheduled to visit Cuba will be offered one of the following:

· $400 USD per stateroom as onboard credit if they choose to remain on their currently booked sailing. If this credit is not fully used during the cruise, MSC Cruises will refund the difference upon check-out from the ship. Any shore excursions in Havana that were pre-purchased before the cruise, or which are included in the ticket, will be automatically refunded to the Guest's onboard account.

· The possibility to change ship and itinerary. MSC Cruises will waive cancellation fees and transfer already paid funds to the new booking.

Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI) has promised Kawhi Leonard a complimentary trip to Barbados should he extend his contract with the Toronto Raptors. In partnership with luxury Port Ferdinand Marina and Luxury Residences, BTMI will offer Leonard return flights strictly from Toronto and indulgent accommodations at the world-class destination resort.

With a 2-1 lead for Toronto Raptors' historical franchise in the 2019 NBA Finals, BTMI hopes to help Canadians keep the superstar Kawhi Leonard by adding to the incredible "free" offerings the basketball player has received.

"We have been intrigued by the energy and feel-good factor generated by the Raptors this season - culminating in their ascent to the ongoing NBA Finals," remarked Peter Mayers, Director of BTMI in Canada. "We couldn't think of a better way to share Barbados' love for Toronto and the entire country. Kawhi truly deserves the Barbados experience and we look forward to welcoming him post-season."

Torontonians and NBA fans alike can appreciate the significance of the 2019 NBA finals, and Barbados is the best way to unwind after a high stakes, stressful season.

"With year-round sunshine, tropical breezes and crystal blue waters, Barbados is the perfect destination for Canadian visitors looking to escape the rigid Canadian seasons," said Mayers. "A visit to the island is a dream experience marked by relaxation and a chance to recharge and reconnect; perfect for a basketball superstar like Kawhi Leonard."

Insight Vacations (www.insightvacations.com), the leader in premium escorted journeys, is thrilled to launch its brand new 2020 USA & Canada Premium Escorted Journeys collection including Western USA, national parks, East coast, fall foliage, Alaska and the Canadian Rockies.

The featured 16 elegant and easy adventures including one new itinerary are crafted to offer clients the best of North America's breathtaking landscapes, historic landmarks, and vibrant cultures. Offering a hand-picked collection of over 35+ unique Insight Experiences from meeting a Naturalist Guide during New Hampshire's fall foliage to dining at home with a local New Yorker with an EatWith host to embarking on a Blue River Safari along the scenic Grizzly Bear Valley. Also new for 2020 is "Insight Choice" enabling clients to choose between two included Insight Experiences on days when they are given an Insight Choice such as in Seattle, where they can choose between an excursion of the Space Needle or the famous Chihuly garden and glass exhibit featuring artist, Dale Chihuly's spectacular creations. In celebration of the 2020 North America journeys, clients who book and pay in full before December 18, 2019 will be able to save 10%* as an Early Payment Discount. Furthermore, valued and loyal past guests of Insight Vacations and sister companies are offered a 5%** Past Guest Discount off all trips until August 3, 2019 in addition to the Early Payment Discount.

Global luxury travel network Virtuoso® has revealed the 50 hotels and hospitality greats nominated for its coveted Best of the Best awards. The nominees are part of the industry-leading Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts program, which includes over 1,300 carefully selected properties in more than 100 countries and encompasses more five-star hotels than any other program.

Each property in this renowned portfolio recognizes guests booked through a Virtuoso travel advisor with VIP treatment and exclusive advantages worth more than $500 per visit. Travelers may also access these benefits by reserving their stay at more than 1,100 properties at www.virtuoso.com, where they can enjoy the convenience of booking online while also having the peace of mind that comes from knowing a Virtuoso travel advisor is behind the scenes tending to their travel needs.

The network along with editors of Virtuoso Life magazine selected the contenders in each of the 10 categories, recognizing those hotels and professionals that are elevating the bar in their respective areas. The Sustainable Tourism Leadership award acknowledges hotels that exemplify the commitment to the three pillars of sustainable tourism: preserving the environment, supporting local economies and celebrating cultures.

Among the nominees:

- Belmond Cap Juluca, Anguilla for Best Achievement in Design

- Half Moon, Jamaica for Best Family Program

- The Z Bar at the Peninsula, Chicago for Best Bar,

- Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa, Tucson, Arizona for Best Wellness Program

- Kerridge's Bar and Grill at the Corinthia Hotel in London for Best Dining Experience

Vantage Cruise Lines has exciting news to share. The Ocean Explorer, the award-winning Company's first luxury-expedition small-ship ocean cruising vessel is now booking its first 11 itineraries of uniquely-curated travel experiences during its inaugural season. Launching with its inaugural voyage Essential Asia: Hong Kong to Singapore Adventure Cruise in 2021, the Ocean Explorer will circumnavigate the globe with a roster of exciting new expeditions that will bring guests to the hidden gems in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean, the British Isles, Scandinavia and beyond.

In its inaugural season, the Ocean Explorer will navigate worldwide with 20 itineraries beginning in Asia, through Europe, a transatlantic passage to North America, down to Central and South America, and make its way down to Antarctica. Fine dining, small passenger-to-crew ratio, spa amenities and services await onboard - along with adventures like small-group wildlife viewing, biking, kayaking and paddle-boarding offshore. Multiple stateroom and suite options are available, walk-out balconies offer private panoramic observation opportunities, and unique TriLuxe Suites with the option for adjoining rooms will enhance family and group experiences, while 15 solo travel rooms will cater to solo travellers, providing world-class service and custom programming.

Marking a major milestone in Vantage Deluxe World Travel's history, Vantage Cruise Lines recently announced the expansion of its fleet of world-class cruise ships with two ocean-going vessels, the Ocean Explorer and sister ship, the Ocean Odyssey, which is set to launch in 2022.

Open itineraries include:

Essential Asia: Hong Kong to Singapore

East Asia Adventure: Malaysia, Sri Lanka & Beyond

Around the Arabian Peninsula: Dubai, Oman, Egypt, Jordan and Israel

Across the Indian Ocean: India and the Best of the Emirates

Eastern Mediterranean Crossing: The Holy Land, Greek Islands, Cyprus, Turkey, Egypt & the Suez Canal

Mediterranean Delights: Greece, Italy, France, Monaco, and Spain

Spain & the Portuguese Coast: A Cruise Around Iberia

Lisbon to London: A Coastal Odyssey

Pearls of Northern Europe & the North Sea

Jewels of Scandinavia & the Baltics

Beauty of the British Isles

Guests booking these first voyages will the among the very first to set foot on this brand new, five-star luxury small-ship ocean cruising vessel. For more information, to view deck plans or to see the full list of itineraries, please visit: www.vantage.cruises.

Continuing on their mission to put Canada's 23 million cars to better use and offer a new earnings stream for Nova Scotian car owners, peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace Turo launched in the province recently.

Revolutionizing the economics of car ownership and travel, Turo is a pioneer of the sharing economy with a community of 10 million members globally. Turo connects local car owners with a bustling community of travellers looking for the perfect vehicle for their next adventure. Through the app, car owners (hosts) share their cars with total confidence and earn money in the process, knowing that their car is protected by Turo's commercial insurance policy.

Since its launch into Canada in 2016, Turo has experienced exponential growth in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, quickly becoming the largest car-sharing network in the country with more than 650,000 Canadian members and 22,000 cars listed. Expanding into the East Coast furthers the impact the company can have on car owners and travellers alike, and Turo is hoping to further grow in Atlantic Canada by launching in Prince Edward Island in the future.

"There's strong organic demand for Turo in Halifax and the East Coast," said Cedric Mathieu, Managing Director of Turo Canada. "Nova Scotia is an increasingly popular destination on the Turo app, with several thousand searches for cars in the region every month. We listened to the 600+ car owners in Nova Scotia who've tried to list their cars on the platform in the past, and we are happy to say that they can start sharing their car today and make money doing so," he adds. "There's a strong, growing interest in car-sharing here, so this is a natural expansion for us."