News in Brief: Wednesday September 3
The Regal Princess will debut its newest feature, the Night Sky Lounge on Caribbean itineraries in November.
The top-deck Retreat Pool will transform into the Night Sky Lounge one night during each cruise, inviting guests to enjoy an upbeat and modern, South Miami-style nightclub atmosphere. Accompanied by a pool, furniture lighting, glowing drinks and a DJ, guests will be able hire cabanas, sip cocktails and party throughout the night.
Mark Hutchinson, founder of Air Tahiti Nui’s operations in New Zealand in 2000, will be moving to Tahiti to take up a new role with the airline as commercial and marketing director.
Starting the new role in Papeete on 8 September, Hutchinson said he was very proud to be part of a close knit and passionate team in New Zealand and Australia and expressed his sincere thanks to the industry at large for their unqualified support and friendship.
Virgin Australia, the official airline of the AFL, announced additional seats have been added between Melbourne and Adelaide for this weekend’s AFL elimination final.
The added seats will give more Richmond fans the opportunity to watch their team take on Port Adelaide on Sunday. Virgin Australia chief commercial officer Judith Crompton said adding the extra seat was a reflection of the airline’s commitment to the AFL and its fans. “We are proud to be the official airline of Australia’s most popular sport and are excited to be supporting the Finals Series with a range of unique initiatives,” Crompton said.
Cathay Pacific has announced it will extend the time that passengers can use certain portable electronic devices onboard its flights. This follows the amendment of regulations on the use of such devices by the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department (HKCAD).
From 15 September 2014, starting with flight CX592 departing from Hong Kong to Osaka at 07.55 Hong Kong time, passengers travelling on all Cathay Pacific flights will no longer be required to switch off certain portable electronic devices they carry onboard during take-off and landing.
The Legendary Pacific Coast (TLPC) is making an unprecedented investment in the Singapore market to further build and convert awareness of its Sydney to Brisbane drive in international markets.
“We’re in the midst of a perfect storm of market responsiveness, trade support and frequent and very affordable air access from Singapore to Sydney and the Gold Coast, destinations which book-end the drive,” said TLPC international marketing specialist, Russell Mills, who this week returned from a concentrated Singapore sales mission ahead of the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) Travel Fair 29-31 August.
The Rocky Mountaineer has released tickets available through International Rail for 2015 travellers venturing to Canada. For those wanting to explore the world famous Canadian rockies, travellers will now be able to jump aboard the rail service that offers flexibility and freedom to design a personalised holiday.
A popular service for Australian travellers is the two day journey from Vancouver to Banff, which can be done in RedLeaf, SilverLeaf or GoldLeaf service. Including attractions such as Hell’s gate in the Fraser Canyon, the steep slopes along Thompson River, Kamloops, Craigellachie, Rogers pass, the Kicking Horse Canyon, the Sprial Tunnels and the glaciers and snow-capped peaks of the Canadian Rockies.
Etihad are first off mark for early birds. The airline has released its early bird fares for travel in 2015 across their range of economy, business and first class to popular destinations in Europe, the Middle East and USA.
The early bird airfares are on sale now until 31 October 2014 for travel between 1 February-24 March 2015 and 1 October-31 October 2015.
Virgin Australia has released a new range of dishes across the airline’s domestic lounge network as part of its ongoing program to enhance the customer experience and appeal to both business and leisure purpose travellers.
All Virgin Australia lounges will be able to choose from six new original menus over the coming months. These will continue to be refreshed to ensure variety and choice to the broad range of taste buds that enter the lounges every day. Also from October, Virgin Australia will also launch themed Afternoon Pop Up menus that will include a variety of different cuisines.
Virgin Australia chief customer officer, Mark Hassel said: “These new menus will further enhance the lounge experience by giving our customers more variety and choice”
Passengers cruising to Papua New Guinea on upcoming P&O Cruises’ sailings can look forward to plenty of local culture in the entertainment offerings.
Sture Myrmell, vice president hotel operation for Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said guests on Pacific Pearl’s current cruise to PNG would be treated to some wonderful presentations, where guest lecturers and guest entertainers were one and the same.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
afl air tahiti nuis cathay pacific etihad p&o cruises regal princess tlpc virgin australiaLatest News
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