Conde Nast Traveller this week gave out Readers’ Choice Awards for cruising and cruise ships for 2024, and Viking did exceeedingly well.
In the mega-ship category, Princess came out on top, followed by Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises. I had a great trip on the MSC World Europa earlier this year.
In the large ship category, first prize went to Virgin Voyages, followed by Disney Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. For medium ships, Viking came out with the gold medal, followed by Explora Journeys and Crystal Cruises. For small ships, the number one spot went to Paul Gauguin Cruises, with the next two places going to Grand Circle Cruise Line and Heritage Line.
Viking took home first prize for river cruises, followed by Aqua Expeditions and French Country Waterways. Here’s a link to a Toronto Sun story I wrote in 2016 after a Viking cruise on the Danube River.
Viking also won for expedition cruise lines, followed by Ecoventura and Quasar.ack-to-back years. Viking made history in 2023 by being the first travel company to be voted #1 in all three categories simultaneously,” officials said.
HOLLAND AMERICA DEAL
Holland America Line’s Eurodam cruise ship. Photo courtesy Holland America Line.
Earlier this summer, Holland America Line added even more value to its already robust Have It All premium package with its best offer of the year on select cruises departing April through October 2025.
Now through Oct. 31, 2024, and promoted as Holland America Line’s “Best Deal Ever,” guests who book select 2025 Alaska, Europe and Canada/New England cruises, Alaska Cruisetours and back-to-back Collectors’ Voyages are entitled to a $99 deposit and will receive up to $300 shore excursion credit, up to three nights of specialty dining, free upgrades to the Elite Beverage and Premium Wi-Fi packages, free prepaid Crew Appreciation and a Low-Price Guarantee included. The added amenities total nearly $1,000 for a seven-day cruise and $1,400 for a 10-day sailing, for example.
The “Best Deal Ever” promotion is one of the most economical packages for guests, representing a 60% savings off the added amenities if purchased separately.
Details of “Best Deal Ever” Offer Perks:
· Shore Excursions: Based on the length of the cruise, guests receive up to three tours valued at $100 each.
· Free Upgrade to Elite Beverage Package: Guests enjoy a large selection of premium wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, soda, bottled water, coffee and more. Up to 15 drinks per day are allowed, and bar service charges are included.
· Specialty Dining: Depending on the ship and duration of the cruise, guests can indulge in Holland America Line’s award-winning specialty dining up to three nights. Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, while Tamarind showcases the traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan. Canaletto is a relaxed venue serving authentic Italian cuisine.
· Free Upgrade to Wi-Fi Premium Package:Stay connected while away from home. With the Premium Wi-Fi package, guests can visit their favorite sites, including email, news and sports, and make audio and video calls.
· Free Crew Appreciation: Guests receive free prepaid stateroom gratuities.
· Low Price Guarantee: If a guest books a Holland America Line cruise with “Best Deal Ever” and then finds a less expensive price for an identical Holland America Line booking within the duration of offer, the difference may be compensated in the form of an onboard credit, stateroom upgrade or other method.
More than 300 cruises and Alaska Cruisetours are included in the “Best Deal Ever” offer.
Here’s a link to my Open Jaw Network story on Holland America’s Global Fresh Fish Program, and also a link to my story on the Eurodam ship and our Alaska excursions from our cruise in September.
CHARLESTON: A NEW RIVERFRONT HOTEL AND A CLASSIC RENOVATION
Artist’s rendering of The Cooper Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina.
I had a chance to catch up with folks from Beemok Hospitality Collection in Toronto on Oct. 2. The company, founded by businessman and philanthropist Ben Navarro, runs Charleston Place in downtown Charleston and is building the new Cooper Hotel, which promises to be the only hotel on the Cooper River in central Charleston.
Air Canada flies directly from Toronto to Charleston, so they were in town to meet with suppliers and the media.
The Cooper, expected to open next fall (2025), will feature four restaurants overlooking the harbor and will have 191 rooms. They also will have handsome Hinckley Yachts to ferry people about (and to take them to events at Credit One Stadium, which is part of the Beemok Hospitality group). There’s beautiful meeting space, a spa with seven treatment rooms, and room for weddings with up t0 300 guests, said Lukus Grace, the hotel’s managing director. The design looks stunning, and the rooftop pool will no doubt be a huge hit.
“It’s quite surprising, but we really will be the only waterfront hotel in the city,” he said.
Beemok also is busy with renovations of Charleston Place, BHC’s flagship, 421-room property that Beemok calls “the city’s living room.”
The hotel is undergoing a transformation valued at more than $150 million USD, said Managing Director Becky Hubbard. I haven’t seen it in person, but the sweeping lobby staircase is quite spectacular. One almost expects Scarlett O’Hara to come sweeping down the stairs with Rhett Butler on her arm. The all-season pool with a retractable roof also looks amazing.
Hubbard said renovations are being done in stages and that the final touches should be in place by 2026/2o27.
Another downtown Charleston project from Beemok is American Gardens, a large bit of downtown greenery that will also feature limited event space. American Gardens will open last next year and is nearly one-acre in size, spanning an entire city block between Meeting and King Streets.
Oh, FYI, there was some wind and rain but Grace and Hubbard said Charleston wasn’t damaged by Hurricane Helene.
