CLIA travel agent summer school returns

Cruise Lines International Association announced its ‘summer school’ series schedule for July and August.

The hour-long, trade-friendly virtual classroom sessions each consisting of presentations from representatives of four cruise lines.

They provide a 15-minute product update or training brief covering their respective ocean, river, luxury or expedition brands.

The free-of-charge sessions are held live, so the trade has access to the latest information, and can ask questions in real time.

It follows the June webinars that included two on river cruises and three on expedition cruises.

Summer school begins on July 13 at 9.30am.

Sessions will then take place on consecutive Thursdays, all from 9.30am, until the end of August.

July 13Windstar Cruises, A-ROSA, Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises

July 20Quark Expeditions, Oceania Cruises, Royal Caribbean and APT

July 27, Celestial, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, Swan Hellenic and AmaWaterways

August 3Avalon Waterways, Holland America, Uniworld Boutique

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Booking Is Trying to Acquire a Flights Seller. Europe Would Be Wrong to Block It.

Skift Take

The European Commission’s logic appears to be that any strengthening of Booking.com — even in its flights business — would bolster its grip on the hotel business. Deal or no deal, Booking is committed to expanding in flights.

Dennis Schaal

There is no doubt that Booking.com is the dominant hotel room seller among online travel agencies in Europe. It is also apparent that the European Commission is acutely focused on limiting Booking’s grip.

But in delaying or potentially scuttling parent company Booking Holdings’ still-pending November 2021 deal to acquire Swedish flights seller Etraveli Group for $1.8 billion, the Commission’s logic appears to be skewed.

With a final decision due by August 30, the Commission issued a statement of objections to the proposed acquisition last month, arguing that the deal could strengthen Amsterdam-based Booking’s position in hotels.

Citing one of its concerns, the Commission said the deal could “strengthen

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Worried about air travel this summer? How to have a headache-free vacation

Open this photo in gallery:

Travelers make their way through Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Nov. 14, 2022.Cole Burston/The Canadian Press

After two years of repeated delays and cancellations, Sylvia Beck has all but given up on flying to the Maritimes to visit her son.

First, there was a trip last year where her family lost all their luggage when flying from Toronto to Moncton.

Then, on another recent trip, her daughter flew from Hamilton to avoid Toronto Pearson Airport’s congestion. But her budget carrier canceled the flight just 45 minutes before takeoff, citing bad weather despite other airlines landing in Moncton around the same time.

this year, Ms. Beck says she’ll probably do a two-day road trip instead. Gas and hotel expenses will make it more expensive, but Ms. Beck says it’s worth it for peace of mind and to be able to travel through parts of

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Royal Caribbean responds after a video shows cruise ship passengers hit by flying deck chairs during a storm

Cruise company responds to viral video

Royal Caribbean responded after the cruise ship passengers were hit by flying deck chairs during a severe storm

A Central Florida travel agent is concerned with how Royal Caribbean handled a severe storm, saying it could turn passengers away from future trips.

FOX 35 was sent a video from aboard the Independence of the Seas cruise ship last Friday. Passengers on board were caught in a severe thunderstorm, causing damage and forcing people to scramble looking for safety.

Travel experts say passengers put a lot of trust in cruises when booking vacations, and this isn’t how you maintain that trust. In several videos, you can hear everyone screaming and see dozens running trying to find shelter.

It was a chaotic scene, and Kyleigh Cole was shocked that it even happened in the first place.

“There’s always something you can do, other than just letting

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New Orleans Pelicans and TripADeal announce global partnership

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today a first-of-its-kind global partnership with TripADeal, an Australian-based online travel agent offering bucket list trips at unbelievable prices. The partnership between the Pelicans and TripADeal marks the first Australian International Team Marketing Plan (ITMP) in the NBA. TripADeal will become the Official Online Travel Agency of the Pelicans.

“We are thrilled to partner with TripADeal to help create memorable once-in-a-lifetime experiences for basketball fans worldwide,” said Pelicans President Dennis Lauscha. “With the NBA becoming increasingly popular in Australia, this partnership allows us to grow fan engagement and develop interactive opportunities with the passionate basketball fanbase in Australia and its surrounding markets.”

“We’re proud to be the first Australian organization to sponsor an NBA team, and to be doing it with such a reputable organization as the New Orleans Pelicans,” said TripADeal Co-Founder and Co-CEO Richard Johnston. “The popularity of basketball and the NBA in

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Planning a Private Adventure | TravelPulse

TourRadar is encouraging travelers and their travel advisors to plan adventures on their own terms.

The company’s travel experts save travel advisors valuable time by handling the planning and seamlessly crafting experiences of a lifetime based on TourRadar’s extensive selection of pre-designed, customizable experiences.

Travel advisors looking for upgraded accommodation, extra nights or more activities can make these alterations for clients and there is the option to join a group tour, build a custom itinerary or craft a private experience.

TourRadar’s adventures are designed by local experts who love sharing their destinations with guests. They have a dedicated team with firsthand travel experience who are able to facilitate a stress-free vacation no matter where your journey takes you. Clients will receive VIP treatment whether they are taking the family to Vietnam or planning a romantic sojourn in Paris.

Palolem Beach, Goa, India

PHOTO: Palolem Beach, Goa, India. (photo via lena_serditova/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Your Trip,

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Worldline Wants Customers to ‘Be Their Own Travel Agent’

Payments services company Worldline has launched a partnership with travel website travelplanbooker.com.

“At its core, this is new partnership empowers today’s traveler to be their own travel agent, planning and tailoring their trips to their own personal desires and budget,” Worldline said in a news release Monday (June 5).

The three-year partnership will combine travelplanbooker.com’s interactive travel platform and Worldline’s acquiring solutions and payment services for an easier booking experience, according to the release. Travelers enter data and payment details once through Worldline’s solution as they search for and plot out their itineraries.

“We want our customers to be able to enjoy the exciting phase of building their perfect itinerary all through to the end: plan, search, book and pay all-in-one with their preferred payment method,” Ruedi Hesstravelplanbooker.com’s founder and president, said in the release.

He added that Worldline lets his company “give travelers a stress-free and simple

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Google’s AI to power virtual travel agents from Priceline

June 6 (Reuters) – Want a New York hotel near a Christmas market, a vegan restaurant, or another attraction?

Look no further than artificial intelligence from Google (GOOGL.O) at Priceline as early as this summer, the companies told Reuters.

The online travel agency, part of Booking Holdings (BKNG.O), aims to debut a more sophisticated chatbot for planning trips, as well as hotel suggestions that are like “a personal concierge” tailored to users, said Martin Brodbeck, Priceline’s chief technology officers.

“You can easily find out that in Bryant Park there’s a Christmas market that runs from early November all the way through the beginning of January when you’re actually booking your hotel,” he said.

New tools from Google’s cloud division give Priceline access to generative AI, like the technology behind ChatGPT that can draft text as if a human wrote it. The tools also extract information such as hotel prices from

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AmaWaterways AmaViola – The Ultimate Mother-Daughter Getaway

Let’s talk about the ultimate mother-daughter getaway – a cruise! Specifically, a river cruise on AmaWaterway’s luxurious AmaViola that sails through the rivers of Europe. This cruise experience is perfect for women over 40, especially those looking for a unique and unforgettable bonding experience with their daughters. Imagine sailing past breathtaking landscapes, exploring enchanting cities, and enjoying delicious cuisine, all while spending quality time with your favorite travel companion. So pack your bags, grab your daughter, and let’s set sail on the AmaViola!Mother Daughter AmaWaterways Cruise

AmaViola Ship Overview

Let’s start with the most important part – the ship! AmaViola is one of AmaWaterways’ newer ships, boasting modern and spacious staterooms with good views of the stunning surroundings. The ship has a maximum passenger capacity of 156, guaranteeing an intimate and personalized experience. Our sailing had less than 80 people on board, so we knew almost everyone by the time the week was

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Top 10 Makeup Must Haves

Ok ladies, I know there are a million beauty products out there that promise to do this or that. It’s mind-boggling, frustrating, and expensive. Nobody wants to take their hard-earned money and buy an expensive foundation or blush that just isn’t working as promised.

Luckily for y’all, I have a serious makeup addiction. I have been in the trenches of the finest makeup stores around and spent a small fortune on this stuff. In fact, I could have probably already retired in the Caribbean by now if it wasn’t for makeup. On my journey, I’ve found some really amazing products and some that aren’t so amazing. But now, I’m here to show you the ones that are! The top ten makeup must-haves that are worth every pretty penny for your pretty face!

After this post be sure to look for my next post on my Top 10 Skincare Must Haves,

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