August 21st 2014

We start with Norwegian Cruise Line who made the headlines this week.  According to Travel Weekly the cruise line are at a 'tipping point' with the expansion of their fleet and the need to 'get serious' about sourcing more guests outside of North America - read more here

Over at Cunard there was the unveiling this week of some of the big name speakers who will grace their fleet - the line-up includes a former South Africa President, motorsport genius Murray Walker, and actor Robert Powell - read more here.

In the world of river cruising, Scenic Tours (a recent addition to the CLIA UK & Ireland family) has unveiled some exciting new excursions in Europe - read more here - whilst Carnival Cruise Line unveils some new itineraries from Baltimore and San Juan - read more here

One of the big stories on our Facebook page this week was the float out in Germany of the newest cruise ship ion the world - Quantum of the Seas - looking great with its light blue hull - there is a video you can watch here.  Quantum will launch in October.

Over in the digital editions this week - there is plenty of cruise to keep you busy in TTG, including an interview with Azamara Club Cruises UK boss Richard Twynam - read here and a great piece on CLIA Cruise Week and how travel agents can get involved - read here.

One of the big stories in the US this week is the complete transformation of cruise ship entertainment with the arrival of big name acts and Broadway style glitz!  The question Travel Weekly (US) asks is whether this will continue to be included in the fare? Read more here.

Incidentally - one our Facebook page this week we have images of the new Cruise & Maritime Voyages ship Azores, pictures from Dublin of Holland America Line's Rotterdam, and much more!

We end this week with the craze that includes David Beckham and a host of former Presidents ands celebrities: the ice bucket challenge - here wonderfully demonstrated by Carnival Cruise Lines in the US: see here

Until next week!