• Following her visit to Asia Norwegian Sky will reposition to Europe for an extensive season -

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel with a 58-year history of breaking boundaries, will have its refurbished ship Norwegian Sky dock at the Mumbai port on April 7 as part of its 14-night port-intensive Asia itinerary.

Norwegian Sky is sailing from Singapore with stops in Port Klang (Malaysia), Phuket (Thailand), Galle (Sri Lanka), Kochi (April 4), New Mangalore (April 5), Mormugao (April 6), Mumbai (April 7), Dubai and Abu Dhabi before concluding its journey in Doha, Qatar.

At the Mumbai stopover, guests will have the opportunity to explore the city’s rich heritage, whether its iconic landmarks like the Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or its bustling markets and historic neighbourhoods. This visit reflected NCL’s commitment to curating more immersive local experiences that connect the brand’s international guests with the destinations they visit.

“Asia remains a key focus for NCL, both as a source market and a sought-after destination for global travellers. The arrival of Norwegian Sky in Mumbai highlights our dedication to offering diverse and immersive itineraries across the region.” said Manoj Singh, Country Head- India, Norwegian Cruise Line.  “Following her visit to India, Norwegian Sky will explore Europe’s most captivating destinations in 2025 and 2026 providing Indian travellers the opportunity to experience more to see, more to do and more to enjoy on a range of 7–15-day immersive itineraries that will visit a new destination each day while enjoying world-class dining, entertainment and relaxation onboard”.

Spanning 846 feet (258 meters) in length with a gross tonnage of 77,104, Norwegian Sky accommodates 1944 guests and 899 crew members, offering a well-appointed cruising experience Originally launched in 1999 and refurbished in 2024, the ship features a variety of dining venues, entertainment spaces and recreational facilities providing guests with a comfortable and engaging onboard experience.

Now is the perfect time to plan your clients next European escape with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), where they can experience MORE to see, MORE to do and MORE to enjoy with immersive itineraries, longer stays in port and more destinations to choose from.

NCL is offering up to 50% off on all cruises as well as exclusive perks under it’s one of a kind ‘More At Sea™’ package, offering travellers maximum value with benefits like unlimited open bar, onboard specialty dining and shore excursion credits, Starlink Wi-Fi and more.

These promotions aim to make cruising even more accessible to travellers from India and across the Asia-Pacific region.

The post NCL ship Norwegian Sky Debut Visit to Mumbai as part of Asia itinerary appeared first on TnHGlobal.

The event was attended by a total of 312 delegates who came together with the aim of promoting regional tourism. The flagship event constituted a panel of delegates from Sri Lanka Tourism, Nepal Tourism Board, and Kazakh Tourism to discuss the future of tourism and its ongoing situation in their respective regions. The event was also graced by the presence of P Kumaran, the High Commissioner of India in Singapore, who talked about the progressive relationship between India and Singapore and offered good wishes to TAAI for its future. 

Domino effect of War, Peace, and Tourism

The first segment of the convention was Oceanside Chat—War, peace, and Tourism. This segment was about the importance of tourism in regional areas. Reasons like limited air capacity, delayed issuance of VISAs, the curse of the pandemic, and the war between Ukraine and Russia are a few factors that are prohibiting long-haul travel from returning to its formal glory pre-covid. The war has led to the closure of airspace between India and Europe. As a result, airfares have risen as flights must take a longer route to avoid flying over the airspace of the two warring nations.

The High Commissioner, P. Kumaran said, “TAAI has served over the years being the key player in managing quality, through ground level coordination, feedback, and supporting growth in the Indian tourism industry.” He further added, “I believe such events are relevant today because we are finally turning a corner. After a couple of difficult years, due to which connectivity had reduced, health challenges became overwhelming, and travel due to restrictions became risky and difficult.” 

One VISA, One Tourism

TAAI President, Jyoti Mayal, while addressing the audience, noted that there is a lot to learn from countries in Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean. Mayal stated that she is working with a federation called FAITH, which is a group of 10 powerful associations that made them heard by the government. Jyoti Mayal specifically emphasized enhancing the human experience and simplifying the tourism sector. “We have to build one policy for tourism in our region. That is what we’re advocating with the government very strongly. We need to interconnect with all our border countries. We need to say One VISA, One Tourism policy.” Jyoti Mayal stated. 

Regional tourism to boost economy

The event was not just aimed at promoting regional tourism in India, but also in neighboring countries. With the aim of promoting tourism in neighboring countries, TAAI also invited representatives from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Kazakhstan. Chalaka Gajabahu, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Galimzhan, Senior Manager International Kazakhstan Tourism, and Laxman Gautam, CEO Marketing Nepal Tourism Board formed the panel at the convention. The three nations invited to the convention made connections with agents and brought to light their own strategies to boost tourism, helping to lift the economies of their countries.

Not divulging into the ongoing problems in Sri Lanka, Chalaka Gajabahu pointed out that the country is going through an economic crisis and it will take some time for the country to overcome its problems. But if you look at it from tourism, hotel, and transportation point of view, everything is under control. He further stated that Sri Lanka is always open to all people regardless of their color, caste, or creed.

Laxman Gautam, CEO of Marketing Nepal Tourism Board also took a step forward to talk about promoting Nepal tourism. He noted that it is time for Nepal tourism to take it up a notch and mentioned how India has become a prime example of a growing economy and a powerhouse of global citizens. It is time for Nepal to rethink its strategy and bring something new to the table.

Integration of technology for a greater experience

The convention also held a detailed discussion on the integration of technology and human interface, which means the experience of travelers with technology. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, Indigo said, “Both airlines as well as airports, are equipping themselves to facilitate the activities of the connected travelers.” Today, 93% of the people who are on flights want to be connected to somebody on the ground for work or otherwise, he noted.

As far as airports are concerned, once you check in, all airports are now subscribing to something called beacon. Beacon tells you everything about your flight details, boarding gate, and other information that makes your airport experience better. As per Vinay Malhotra, over 80% of the airports are going to be using Beacon, which is the location technology, and over 90% of the airports are already wanting to have tracing and tracking technology implemented via an app. Technology is helping airports and travelers simultaneously be connected, resulting in a smooth experience for all.

The post Regional Tourism, New Policy, and Integrated Technology: A takeaway from TAAI 66th Annual Convention appeared first on TnHGlobal.

By Pradeep Chamaria

The current threat to mankind, Coronavirus or COVID-19 is one of the deadliest health hazards to-date for which neither a vaccine, nor a cure has been found. The global economy has come to a standstill amidst this severe, broad-based pandemic. With thousands already dead and more than half a million affected across the world, we are passing through a difficult phase of life. In India too, thousand has been tested positive and the number of cases is rising rapidly; lives and businesses have been badly affected following the lockdown announced to slow the spread of the virus.

Activities in the global travel & tourism, hospitality, aviation, and cruise sectors have been completed halted amidst coronavirus pandemic. Everyone, including me is now confined to the boundaries of our homes as a precautionary measure. Advisories have been issued by government agencies and all of us are following them accordingly. Tourism boards, hotels and eateries; everyone is concerned and trying to do their best by taking several proactive and timely steps to mitigate the threat and spread of COVID 19. In order to minimize the risk, a variety of measures are being taken to ensure the health and safety of all employees, contractors, extended workforce, their families and the broader societal ecosystem around them.

Beginning first week of March, Mandatory Work from Home (WFH) for all the sectors barring the essential services has been in practice, of course with full salaries throughout the WFH so that none of the employee and families are adversely impacted, from a financial standpoint.

Business Continuity Plans by using technology in the best possible way are being setup so that alternatives are available for most of the critical roles. Devices like laptops, desktops, special software and applications to ensure work productivity through online media conferencing are being provided to the employees. Remote on-boarding & training processes for profiles like content writers, and digital marketing have also been setup.

For the sectors where presence of the employee is mandatory, working areas are being steri-fumigated and various measures have been undertaken that include:

· Creating awareness among employees about preventive measures to be taken within & outside office.

· Stopping of punching attendance on bio-metric machine to avoid surface touch. Only digital logins allowed.

· Placing hand sanitizers and napkins at reception area and providing employees with masks, sanitizers and training on necessary precautionary measures.

· Stopping use of common crockery and using available alternate sources like paper plates and cups.

· Training teams to ensure that their families practice social distancing.

· Ensuring strict and regular hygiene procedures in the kitchen.

· Temperature checks prior to entering the kitchens.

· Reducing the number of people on shift at any given time to prevent clustering.

Various organizations which have already adopted these measures to fight the scourge of coronavirus, also include almost every food delivery operation like Zomato, Swiggy, and individual operations like Instapizza – “India ka Pizza, India ki Values”. Others like digital payment sites like PhonePe, various hotels and resorts and many others are also following these measures.

It should be noted here that in the food industry only deliveries are allowed and all seating are suspended under the lockdown. Same goes with the airlines, hotels and resorts. To minimize the financial losses to the customers, most of the hotels have proposed to either refund the full booking amount or to give extra benefits in case the bookings are postponed to a new date. All airlines are following similar steps.

We spoke to Instapizza and they highly praised their delivery teams and kitchen teams that continue to work through the time of COVID19, and said that they are the real heroes of the F&B industry. Various measures have been taken to ensure zero contact during delivery. On the customer side, hand sanitizers are sent to the customer with every order.

Majority of deliveries in the current situation are being made by aggregators of restaurants, Zomato and Swiggy, who are taking extreme measures to ensure full and detailed awareness of the best practices to contain the spread of the virus by their delivery teams. Contactless deliveries are being ensured, and the protocol is to leave the delivery at the customer’s front door or gate, move a distance of at least 5 meters away, and place a call to the customer. The delivery boy remains there until the customer has confirmed, on the phone, that the delivery has been received.

Various other restaurants, lounges and clubs are also feeling the pinch of these lockdowns. Yazu, Pan Asian Supper Club, Mumbai, Yazu, Pan Asian Beach Club, Goa, have been feeling the drastic effects on business. They are taking care of all their employees by providing them with accommodation and stocking their homes with necessary supplies required to get through these times of crisis (like gas, rice, dal, and basic vegetables).

Elephant & Co Gastropub, Pune, have also felt the tremors caused and have asked their staff to stay put and have cancelled all orders and events of the month. They say that the damage is high as there is no revenue generation, but the operating costs like Electricity, damage to the stock, salaries, payment deadlines for suppliers etc. are still mounting.

International Wine & Spirit Expert Vaniitha Jaiin added that with the coronavirus scare, people prefer to have home-cooked food and are avoiding social gatherings and dining out. Hotels, restaurants, wine & spirits retail are all impacted as the travel and tourism business has come to a standstill. Apart from MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) that are most affected, many events and experiences are also put on hold and getting rescheduled for a later date.

In the wine business, Italy, which is one of the significant wine-exporting nations, is the most affected. Major events like ProWein, the world’s biggest international drinks trade show by Messe Düsseldorf, Vinexpo Hong Kong renowned international trade show for professionals in the wine and spirits industry, and in France, the week of the En Primeur or

Wine Futures’ in Bordeaux, that is the method of purchasing wines early while the wine is still in the barrel, and Grands Jours de Bourgogne, have been postponed.

The post Employee Welfare During COVID-19 appeared first on TnHGlobal.

Diwali spreads the spirit of the holiday season by Indians. Travel has always been a part of the festival break, and the trend of travelling solely during a festival break is gaining popularity.

Lights Show Away from Home

Diwali in India is perceived as a family-oriented festival- typically, a time for family members to be reunited in their familial homes to enjoy home-cooked food in a familiar setting. In this context, it is understandable why, during the festival season, many Indians pick destinations that remind them of the atmosphere of home.

Taiwan hosts the Sun Moon lake Cycling, Music and Fireworks festival in the months of October-November. A blend of arts and culture, and of leisure and sports, the festival has a myriad of activities most suitable for family vacations. To give a festive Diwali undertone to your vacation, end the festival nights by appreciating the incredible fireworks show overlooking the majestic Sun Moon lake. A culinary hotspot, there are surprisingly a number of restaurants in Taipei that serve authentic and hearty Indian food, so you won’t be missing the feasts being enjoyed by your family and friends at home.The most recommended Indian restaurants include Saffron, Mayur Indian Kitchen and Balle Balle Indian Restaurant.

Being off-season in most European destinations, you can also opt to enjoy the fireworks show at Disneyland Paris- an event much looked-forward to by visitors of all ages. After an almost exhaustingly enjoyable day at Disneyland, end the night watching the closing fireworks show- a thrilling experience for the entire family.

In Japan, the Tsuchiura Fireworks Competition is a great chance to see some of Japan’s best fireworks outside of the summer festivals, this fireworks display a competitive display admired across the country. Held in October on the Sakuragawa riverside in the Gakuen-ohashi area, there is plenty of seating with a good view. The newest designs and creations are displayed by the best pyrotechnicians in Japan, it originally started as a memorial event for officers who died during the war. The event is pretty long, lasting around two and a half hours. Grab some food from the street stalls along the way and get your seat early!

Spending Behaviour

Statistics show that Indians plan their vacations, booking accommodation and flights, in advance when they have holidays from work predicted. Most hotels, to ensure they fill up on inventory, offer early-bird schemes before traditional booking season. Festival travel deals have, in fact, made the season a more economical time to vacation, further giving Indian travellers the incentive to choose faraway destinations over staying home for Diwali.

Another factor that has changed travel trends are the bonuses received at the workplace during the festive time. With bookings done well in advance, the extra money from these bonuses has nurtured a culture of Indians spending more on sightseeing, food, adventure sports and other holiday activities.

Outbound Indians heading to the Gulf can choose from a variety of fun-filled, family-centred activities such as indoor skiing in Ski Dubai, a fun but learning session at Orbi Dubai, Adventureland in Sharjah’s Sahara Centre Mall, and so on. Those heading further West are recommended a visit to Orlando, a city dotted with theme parks that will bring out the inner child in you- a treat, whether or not you are travelling with small children.

Beach Holidays

Statistics show that the summer holidays are the busiest time in travel for Indians, followed by the Diwali holidays. However, Indian summers being notorious for the extreme temperatures, weather conditions make October-November the best time of the year to plan a tropical beach vacation. We are advocating an escape from the season hordes, to trade the air and noise pollution for a quiet vacation along the peaceful blue waters of Cocoon Maldives.

You can also visit beautiful Portugal, where access to stunning shores comes at a fraction of the cost, and a fraction of the crowds.

The post Top travel trends for Indians for this festive season appeared first on TnHGlobal.

Azamara Club Cruises has always been synonymous with luxury and destination immersion. And taking this ‘pursuit’ forward, the cruise line subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has just completed its inaugural sailing from Southampton, England on August 1 , 2018 with a 8 Night Norwiegn Cruise. Azamara Pursuit, a ship that will complement the brand’s proposition further by taking travelers to destinations hitherto unexperienced. With Azamara Pursuit  TIRUN Travel Marketing  the pioneer of cruise tourism in the country and the exclusive India representative of Azamara Club Cruises will extend the Indian travelers the opportunity to enjoy the most uniquely-curated destination experiences in the magnificent sister ship Azamara  of Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest.

The Azamara Pursuit is similar in size to the Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, and its décor and features have been customized to match the exquisite experience provided by its sister ships. However, the most important highlight of the ship will be the journeys it makes to previously uncharted destinations such as the vast salt flats in Chile’s Antofagasta or allowing travelers to dine in the oldest continuously inhabited house of the Americas in Lima, Peru. Furthermore, the stays in the ports will also be much longer, allowing travelers to experience and gather the best of memories from these unseen locales!

Commenting on the acquisition, Ratna Chadha, Chief Executive, TIRUN Travel Marketing said, “Azamara Club Cruises has been highly popular amongst Indian cruise enthusiasts because it offers a delightful blend of upscale experiences and longer overnight stays for a more nuanced enjoyment of the destinations. Azamara Pursuitwill further add to the brand’s value as a cruise line that guarantees the best of aesthetics, experience and extravagance to travelers, bringing its guests the experience of a boutique hotel at sea. The destinations explored by the Azamara Pursuit and the longer itineraries combined with stimulating on-port and on-sea experiences are surely going to find many takers in India. We are pleased to extend the opportunity to our guests to travel to destinations as exciting as Uruguay, Buenos Aires, Belfast, Akureyri and many more on this wonderfully-appointed ship.”

In 2019, the Azamara Pursuit will be covering a total of 74 countries 274 ports that tear. Out of which 19 destinations have not been visited yet by any of Azamara’s ships. 

The ship will be travelling across all the seven continents, Greece, Italy and Croatia, with maiden calls in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy; Trieste, Italy; and Paula, Croatia  allowing travelers to experience an assortment of geographies and cultures. Information about deployment and itineraries for Azamara Pursuit has been made available since October.

The post Azamara Club announces expansion of its fleet with Azamara Pursuit appeared first on TnHGlobal.

TIRUN Travel Marketing, the exclusive India representative of Royal Caribbean International, has announced its association with celebrated Indian Chef Ranveer Brar for its Singapore sailings between October 2018 and August 2020. Onboard Royal Caribbean International’s award-winning ships, the Voyager of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas, Indian guests can now enjoy Indian vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu’s specially curated by the acclaimed Chef. Along with access to world class service and award winning entertainment options, guests can now enjoy mouth-watering delicacies that remind them of their home, but go much beyond in terms of the diverse palette of flavours on offer.

With the double digit annual growth of Indian cruisers for its Singapore sailings, the association with Chef Ranveer Brar is a strong commitment by Royal Caribbean towards the Indian source market. The celebrated chef, TV show host, judge and food stylist has been featured in the list of ‘Top 50’ Chefs in the Indian Culinary Forum Book and has been the head chef at several star-studded galas and political events.

TIRUN has been focused on enhancing the amenities dedicated to Indian cruisers onboard Royal Caribbean ships. The collaboration with Chef Ranveer, for instance, comes right on the heels of TIRUN’s ‘Fly Cruise’ offering (in association with Singapore Airlines) that offers combined flight + cruise tickets for cruising aboard Voyager of the Seas for sailings between September 2018 and June 2019. Along with cost-effective and hassle-free bookings, Indian guests can now make there cruising experience all the more special with the enhanced culinary offerings curated by the Celebrity Chef.

Also through this association guests will get the option of cruising with Chef Ranveer on select sailing’sand get to see him in actions with live demonstrations and talks about his travels and experiences.

Speaking on the association, Varun Chadha, Chief Operating Officer, TIRUN Travel Marketing said, “Chef Ranveer is one of the most recognizable faces of the Indian culinary industry today and it gives us great pleasure to have him partner with us, as we gear up for our next phase of growth. Food/cuisine plays an important role in our guest’s vacation experience and what really drew us to Chef Ranveer was his deep understanding of the Indian traveler and his passion deliver the Wow

Commenting on his collaboration with TIRUN Travel Marketing, Chef Ranveer Brar said “It’s my first association with a cruise company or cruise and I am absolutely excited about it because it’s great for any chef to be able to work at the level of efficiency the ships work and I am happy that my cuisine will align to a brand like Royal Caribbean and TIRUN. I think together we should able to give the Indian consumer traveling in Royal Caribbean a taste of back home and to the non-Indian consumer a fair representation of India.

Royal Caribbean offers multiple itineraries from Singapore cruises such as the 3-night Penang Weekend Cruise (with Singapore and Penang in Malaysia as ports of call), the 3-night Port Klang Weekend Getaway Cruise (with Singapore and Port Klang in Malaysia as ports of call), the 4-night Port Klang and Phuket Cruise, to name a few. Vacationers can log on to www.tirun.com or consult their travel agent, for more details on cruises that feature this enhanced culinary offering.

The post TIRUN brings onboard renowned Indian Chef Ranveer Brar appeared first on TnHGlobal.

Norwegian Cruise Line revealed that Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, the award-winning Spanish artist, created the hull artwork for the fourth and final ship of its Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Encore, debuting in Miami in November 2019.  A representation of his modern and abstract style, the ship’s hull will feature a labyrinth of color inspired by Arranz-Bravo’s life by the sea in Barcelona and pay tribute to the vibrant guest experience for which the Norwegian brand is recognized.

“Norwegian Cruise Line is a dynamic, pioneering company known for its innovative experiences and breathtaking collection of beautifully designed ships,” said Arranz-Bravo. “I am honored to not only bring that vibrancy to life even more on Norwegian Encore but also showcase my love for the ocean and my hometown of Barcelona.”

Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, played a key role in the selection of Arranz-Bravo as the hull artist for Norwegian Encore, having been inspired by his work for many years. Del Rio’s passion for the arts has helped elevate Norwegian’s on-board experience, most recently with the multi-million-dollar art collection curated for Norwegian Bliss.

“We are well-known for our iconic hull designs and know that Arranz-Bravo’s lively design will complement the colorful destinations in the Caribbean that Norwegian Encore will visit when she debuts next year,” said Del Rio.

Recognized for his inventive and humanistic approach to abstract art, Arranz-Bravo’s work is showcased throughout the world and portrays a constant evolution that some refer to as futuristic. He is highly regarded, having been the recipient of countless awards and accolades, and was one of three artists chosen to represent the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

“Eduardo’s design will be a perfect complement to the collection of hull artwork within our fleet and is a testament to the dynamic experience our guests will have on board,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.  “We are proud to welcome him to our Norwegian Cruise Line family.”

At approximately 167,800 gross tons and accommodating up to 4,000 guests, Norwegian Encore will complete the Breakaway-Plus class, the most successful class in the company’s history. She is currently being built at Meyer Werft, in Papenburg, Germany and will feature many innovative dining, entertainment and recreational activities that guests have come to expect from the industry-leading brand.

Following her unveiling, she will cruise out of Miami every Sunday and sail seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean, beginning with her first journey on November 17, 2019 through April 12, 2020. More details on the ship’s design, accommodations, dining and onboard offerings will be shared in the coming months.

The post Norwegian Cruise Line unveils Hull Artwork for Norwegian Encore appeared first on TnHGlobal.

The organisers said that there is no shortage of opportunities to enjoy Kerala’s coastal or inland waterways. As an industry event, the CIBS 2018 reflects the tremendous enthusiasm that Kerala have for spending time in and around the water. With many types of boats on display, and all the gear to go along with them, the Cochin International Boat Show 2018 leaves no doubt about the many ways individuals and families can do so.

They added that CIBS will be a path breaking event within the Indian sub-continent region, with many of the leading International brands being represented through their Indian dealers and exhibiting alongside the leading yacht brands including Princess, Marina, Bayliner, ClassNK and many indigenous boat manufacturers from Kerala too! The CIBS event means that, especially for local boat builders, there is an opportunity for launch of their latest models while many other brands will use this event for their national debuts.

Apart from the boat suppliers, the exhibitors will include a full range of other stakeholders in the recreational & leisure boating market. These include marinas, engines, navigational and other systems and equipment, and other supply and service providers. The CIBS event is not just about boats and yachts, but is strongly promoted as an event which covers all water sports and activities that can happen in the State.  In addition to mainstream craft such as trailer boats, sports boats and luxury sailing and motor yachts and superyachts, CIBS also includes waterskiing and wakeboarding, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing and more.

Many locals are ready to enjoy recreational time on the water each year, and with KRML now focussing on developing the Ernakulam District’s inland boating and marine facilities into a world class facility. Well-equipped marinas and marine recreational and sports activities need to be encouraged by the Government, so there’s high-quality infrastructure in place for boaters and marine enthusiasts of all persuasions. Kerala is fast becoming a well-established first-choice destination for cruising and inshore watersports for the local and international visitors.

The post The First Cochin International Boat Show to be held from September 26 appeared first on TnHGlobal.

 Norwegian Cruise Line announced that three award-winning Broadway songstresses, Melinda Doolittle, Sharon Wilkins and Melba Moore, will be performing in the Tony Award-winning musical, After Midnight, as well as their own Supper Club Cabaret Show, aboard Norwegian Escape.

The announcement, which illustrates the company’s dedication to high-caliber entertainment, comes on the heels of its successful launch of Tony Award-winning musical Jersey Boys and its original production ¡HAVANA! as well as the debut of Syd Norman’s Pour House, an authentic and immersive experience inspired by the greatest clubs in American rock ‘n’ roll history. The increase in star power is in response to the incredible reception of Broadway’s own, Tony Award®-nominated, Brenda Braxton, who has routinely starred in After Midnight aboard Norwegian Escape since its introduction into the fleet in 2015.

“We are thrilled to engage these celebrated Broadway stars and very happy to welcome Melinda, Sharon and Melba to the Norwegian Cruise Line family,” said Richard Ambrose, the company’s vice president of entertainment. “We have long invested in elevating entertainment on board our ships and working with these powerhouse singers is yet another example of our commitment to exceeding guest expectations with world-class entertainment.”

Beginning August 19, American Idol alumnus and soul songstress, Melinda Doolittle, will make her at-sea debut as the lead in the critically-acclaimed Broadway show After Midnight, which celebrates Duke Ellington’s time at Harlem’s famed Cotton Club during the Jazz Age. Doolittle will perform for six weeks aboard Norwegian Escape with Broadway veteran and television actress, Sharon Wilkins, taking over the role on September 30. A 21-year Broadway veteran, Wilkins is an accomplished on-screen actress having performed in films and television series including Maid in Manhattan, National Treasure, Law and Order: SVU and Rescue Me. Wilkins will perform until December 9, 2018 and will reprise her role in February 2019.

From December 9, 2018 to February 1, 2019, three-time Grammy Award-nominated and Tony Award®-winning R&B singer, Melba Moore, will take over for Wilkins as the lead in After Midnight. Recognized as a notable figure within the R&B music genre throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s, Moore has long been a prominent Broadway vocalist with performances in the Grammy and Tony Award®-winning musicals Hair, Les Misérables and Purlie, where she won the Tony Award® for best performance by a featured actress in a musical in 1970.

In addition to performing in After Midnight in the Escape Theater, the three stars will host their own Cabaret Show in The Supper Club, offering guests a more intimate performance including solo singing acts with a three-piece band. The ship’s entertainment schedule features a rotation of these stars well into the 2019 cruise season.

“It is incredibly exciting to be working with Norwegian Cruise Line, a company that is truly redefining entertainment at sea,” said Melba Moore. “I’ve performed in many different arenas throughout my career and am very impressed with the dedication and passion of the team at Norwegian. They really do push the limits to deliver an unforgettable experience for guests. I am anxiously looking forward to joining my fellow cast mates aboard the stunning Norwegian Escape later this year.”

Norwegian Cruise Line’s award-winning entertainment features ten Broadway shows across its 16-ship fleet, including Tony Award-winners and nominees including After Midnight, Jersey Boys, Rock of Ages and Million Dollar Quartet. The company continues to work with top talent from Broadway, including the original creative teams from a majority of top productions, including a long-time working relationship with Tony Award-winning choreographer and director, Warren Carlyle, who worked on the original tour of After Midnight.

The post Norwegian Escape cruise lights up the stage with Broadway stars appeared first on TnHGlobal.

Amid chanting of Vedic mantras and Har Har Mahadev Yogi inaugurated the 60-seater vessel with a modern kitchen on the upper deck. The ride on this cruise will cost around Rs 750 per person, excluding the Goods and Service Tax. The double-storeyed cruise will give the tourists a tour of Varanasi with a capacity of holding 60 people on the lower deck and 30 people on the upper section. It will cover a distance of 10 kms from Assi Ghat to Rajghat. The lower deck is fully air-conditioned with a hall for parties and events. The cruise has bio-toilets so that the holy river is not polluted.

The move has taken a few months ahead of Kumbh Mela which will be organised in Allahabad next year from January 15 to March 4. During this event, scores of Hindus from across the world will gather to bathe in the sacred Ganges. It is believed to be the world’s largest religious gathering.

After inaugurating the cruise, Adityanath addressed a public gathering in the town and elaborated on the developmental steps undertaken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government after coming to power in 2014. “After Modi ji became the Prime Minister, the government formed the policies keeping in mind the upliftment of not only the women but also country’s farmers, poor and the Dalits,” he said.

He also added that under Prime Minister Modi regime, scores of remote villages got electrified and each family was provided funds for building a toilet under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. “This is not only the government’s responsibility but also yours to make your surrounding clean,” he said.

In his concluding remark, Adityanath directed the local authorities to set up health check up camps across the region and provide villagers with all basic medical facility at the earliest.

The post UP CM inaugurates the first luxury cruise in Varanasi appeared first on TnHGlobal.