RCI & Celebrity Partner With A&K!
Ray Goldenberg
I received this press release from Royal Caribbean and thought it may
be of interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
archived on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
Royal Caribbean International And Celebrity Cruises Partner With Top
Tour Operator Abercrombie & Kent's Cruise Division
MIAMI, Aug. 24
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. today announced plans to expand
operations into Europe. Partnering with a division of the Abercrombie
& Kent group of companies (A&K), both cruise lines will offer
cruise-tour packages in Spain, Italy, Denmark, France, Ireland and
England, in conjunction with all Royal Caribbean International and
Celebrity Cruises ships deployed on selective round-trip European
sailings.
A division of A&K, the top-ranked tour operator and safari outfitter,
will organize the pre- and post-cruise land tours for guests wishing
to extend their vacation experience. With 42 offices globally, the
company draws on a vast network to supply customers with knowledgeable
and expert tour directors, four-star deluxe accommodations,
transportation between cities, first-class amenities and culturally
educational activities.
``We are enthusiastic about our alliance with Royal Caribbean and
Celebrity Cruises, which brings together two companies, each
preeminent in their own right, to create a one-stop shop of tour
operations across Europe,'' said Joss Kent, chief operating officer of
A&K. ``Working in partnership with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, we
have been able to design creative itineraries, complete with
intriguing tours, professionally trained staff and upscale amenities,
all at reasonable prices.''
Three- to six-night packages will be offered in conjunction with
European cruises on Royal Caribbean's Grandeur of the Seas, Brilliance
of the Seas, and Rhapsody of the Seas, and Celebrity Cruises'
Millennium, Mercury and Constellation. The six-night Barcelona cruise
tour to Paris, Provence, and Barcelona incorporates TGV (Train a
Grande Vitesse) train transportation, a wine tasting in a Provencal
winery, and walking tours.
Vacationers traveling to Italy can join the four-night tour of Rome,
Florence and Siena, focusing on art, history and architecture.
Additional land-tour vacations are available to destinations such as
London, Stonehenge, Bath, Ireland and Copenhagen.
Royal Celebrity Tours, through an agreement with Royal Caribbean
International and Celebrity Cruises, will manage the tour operations.
``Based on the successful launch of our Alaska cruise tours, we
realize that consumers want, and are responding positively, to the
enhanced vacation products and varied itineraries we offer in Alaska,
Canada and, now, Europe,'' said Craig Milan, president of Royal
Celebrity Tours. ``This partnership is an exciting opportunity to
expand into Europe with a prestigious and reputable tour company and
allows us to continue to build on our momentum in the land- tour
market.''
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that
operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Royal
Celebrity Tours. Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises
have a combined total of 21 ships in service and eight under
construction or on firm order. Royal Celebrity Tours operates
land-tour vacations in Alaska utilizing the world's largest
glass-domed train cars. Additional information can be found by
contacting your travel professional.