Las Vegas NV Blog

Gratuities, gourmet specialty dining, sodas, specialty coffees and teas, and WiFi are all included in the new bundle of value-packed amenities

MIAMI, Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Oceania Cruises^®, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, has unveiled Your World Included™, its new brand value promise that features an updated selection of always included amenities for all guests across the globe, cementing its brand promise, Your World. Your Way.®

As part of Your World Included, all guests will now receive included shipboard gratuities for stateroom attendants, butlers, and dining waitstaff automatically in their cruise fare. Previously, gratuities had been included selectively as travel partner or loyalty club amenities or for guests from certain regions of the world.

Gratuities are in addition to other Your World Included amenities: dining at all gourmet specialty restaurants; sodas, juices, specialty coffees and teas; still and sparkling Vero Water®; unlimited Starlink^® WiFi; in-room dining; fruit smoothies, gelato and artisan ice cream; group fitness classes; and laundry services. 

The updated inclusions will begin on October 1, 2024, for all new reservations on sailings departing on or after January 1, 2025. The line’s current simply MORE™ offering will end on September 30, 2024, meaning that a shore excursion credit and beverage package will no longer be automatically included.

The change has come following guest feedback highlighting that while they enjoyed the simply MORE inclusions, they would rather global guest inclusions focused on what mattered most. At the top of this list was always included gratuities for all guests.    

“Oceania Cruises’ promise to show our guests Your World. Your Way has been at the heart of our business since we launched more than 20 years ago. The change has come following feedback from guests, highlighting that they would prefer that we include amenities valued by all versus amenities valued by some. Not surprisingly, our guests place the greatest value on our core inclusions such as free specialty dining and free WiFi; including gratuities creates the richest possible array of amenities and benefits for our guests globally,” said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “It also gives us a clearly defined position in the cruise sector as the leading ultra-premium line of choice, offering outsized value to our guests.”

Based on a 10-day cruise, guests will receive always included amenities valued at more than $1,800 per stateroom when compared to premium cruise lines. This figure is based on average charges made for gratuities, WiFi, non-alcoholic beverage packages, and specialty dining reservations.

“Here at Oceania Cruises, we’ve always been renowned for our warm and authentic service; it’s part of the intangible magic of sailing on board one of our small, luxurious ships. I’m delighted that we are adding in gratuities for all guests, as our dedicated onboard team is working for guests’ smiles – not their tip. Making every interaction with our guests count is our service culture mantra,” said Del Rio.

The generous suite of always included amenities through the new Your World Included brand value promise in full:

• Gourmet Specialty Restaurants: A variety of distinctive, open-seating restaurants, all at no additional charge.
• In-Suite and In-Stateroom Dining: Our hot and cold in-room dining selections are sublime and complimentary.
• Unlimited WiFi: Starlink^® connectivity affords much quicker upload and download speeds.
• Sodas, Specialty Coffees & Teas: Whether at a restaurant, lounge or Baristas coffee bar, it’s always free.
• Still & Sparkling Vero Water®: Unlimited, eco-friendly and great tasting, the gold standard of still and sparkling water.
• Juices, Smoothies & Gourmet Ice Cream: Cold-pressed juices, fruit smoothies, homemade gelato and gourmet ice creams are always included.
• Group Fitness Classes: Choose from a selection of free classes at Aquamar^® Spa + Vitality Center.
• Laundry Services: With free launderettes included along with laundry services and pressing for Concierge and Suite levels, you’ll always look your finest.
• Shipboard Gratuities: Our people make the difference – they work for your smile, not for your tip.

Guests can personalize their vacation experience with extras such as air transportation and transfers, shore excursions, or a beverage package, to be added according to preference.

For additional information on Oceania Cruises’ small-ship luxury product, exquisitely crafted cuisine and expertly curated travel experiences, visit OceaniaCruises.com, call 855-OCEANIA, or speak with a professional travel advisor.

About Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line’s eight small, luxurious ships carry a maximum of 1,250 guests and feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea^® and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired, small ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises has two additional ships on order scheduled for delivery in 2027 and 2028 or 2029[1]. Oceania Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.
[1] Delivery for the second Oceania Cruises ship is contractually scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2028, but may be delayed to 2029.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises

DENVER, Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SSA Holdings, the parent entity to SSA Group, announces that it has hired Sean Coughlin as its chief revenue officer. He is an experienced growth catalyst and will implement a strategy that allows our partners to focus on their core mission and vision.

“Sean brings a wealth of experience and valuable insight to our growing SSA Holdings team. His experience across multiple industries and his focus on innovation brings a broad perspective to our company. Sean will help our organization mature as we improve the guest experience in concert with our partners,” said Sean McNicholas, president and CEO of SSA.

Prior to joining SSA Holdings, Coughlin served in various executive capacities at global consulting firms. There, he honed his skills as an exceptional client advocate, always putting the client’s greater goals and purposes at the forefront of every interaction. Through his client-centric approach, he has helped some of the world’s largest companies meet and exceed their objectives.

Coughlin’s tenured career includes leadership positions at PwC and Slalom, Inc. He has also served on various non-profit boards.

“I am excited to join the SSA family and a company that truly cares about its partners, clients, and employees,” says Coughlin. “At the core of SSA is the unwavering desire to bring the best guest experience through strong execution and innovation. I look forward to working with this team and our partners.”

In his new role at SSA Holdings, Coughlin will serve as a catalyst for advancing SSA’s strategy of helping their partners and clients deliver an exceptional guest experience. This focus will allow SSA’s partners to forward their mission and vision.

For more information about SSA Ventures and its innovative initiatives, please visit https://thessagroup.com/ventures.

About SSA Group
SSA Group partners with cultural attractions across the United States to maximize their mission and streamline the guest experience across integrated food and beverage, retail, and admissions services. SSA makes visits to cultural attractions unique and memorable for more than 58 million guests annually. With focuses on sustainability, technology and people, SSA Group brings products you can feel good about, smart technology to create efficiencies and friendly staff to each guest’s visit. Built by families, for families, SSA Group is a family-owned business headquartered in Denver, CO. To learn more, visit: https://thessagroup.com/

SOURCE SSA Ventures

Now accepting reservations for stays starting December 2024

BOCA RATON, Fla., Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Boca Raton, South Florida’s iconic private club and resort, announces the debut of the reimagined Beach Club, with reservations available beginning December 2024. When the $120 million investment is complete, the luxury oceanfront escape will seamlessly connect to its golden beach backdrop through a stunning redesign and curated experiences. Resort guests and club members will set their own pace at Beach Club with new restaurants, a cocktail lounge and café, new fitness facility, dynamic oceanside event spaces, and a transformation of guest rooms and suites overlooking a half-mile stretch of private beach along the Atlantic Ocean.

“Beach Club has long been recognized as one of the most coveted beachside resort destinations in South Florida, and this evolution is poised to captivate a whole new category of discerning travelers while appealing to our legacy guests,” said Daniel A. Hostettler, President & CEO of The Boca Raton. “We are partnering with top designers and leading industry minds to create intriguing new offerings that will inspire. The new Beach Club will reflect the very best in design, dining, and experience—at the only beachfront resort in Boca Raton.”

Beach Club’s 210 spacious guest rooms and suites will showcase a spectacular design that blurs the lines between interiors and outdoors, complete with floor-to-ceiling ocean or Intracoastal views. The light-filled accommodations will embrace the sea breeze and natural textures, including honed marble and cerused woods complemented by vibrant coral velvet accents. Among the elevated in-room amenities, a wet bar with water filtration system will invite guests to stay hydrated on the go. Beach Club will triple its quantity of suites, including the Grand Suite + Lanai that features one- and two-bedroom options that flow into expansive outdoor poolside living spaces with lounge seating, granting guests easy access to the fresh salt air from their private patios.

INSPIRED DINING
Beach Club will offer distinct oceanfront food and drink options.

The property’s beloved culinary destination, Marisol, will see a newly designed indoor-outdoor setting serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner just steps from the ocean. Fresh Mediterranean fare will appeal to the whole family. And after dinner, Marisol’s bar—a dramatic centerpiece of the restaurant’s design—will be a social hub to enjoy curated cocktails prepared with precision. Inspired by iconic coastal destinations, a new sand-side dining experience, Onda, will spotlight a new culinarian each winter season. In its opening season, guests at Onda will dine on classic island flavors.

Located just beyond Beach Club’s entrance, Living Room will feature world-class mixologists hand-crafting elegant evening aperitifs amid a mesmerizing atmosphere that begets intimate conversations. For a chance to sit back among the stars, an outdoor terrace overlooks the seascape. During daylight hours, guests will refresh and ruminate at Living Room’s café, a sunny space offering house-made pastries, light bites, and gourmet coffee.

The poolside White Bar is an open-air gathering spot with a relaxed atmosphere, featuring creative cocktails and an extensive wine list to be enjoyed while catching up with friends or catching the big game. Situated nearby, Ocean Market features quick gourmet bites and ice cream, allowing guests to return to their beach adventures without missing a beat.

CURATED EXPERIENCES
Beach Club will offer an extensive selection of amenities and services rooted in the spirit of the coastal lifestyle. For a luxury experience with a touch of retro chic, Beach Club will be home to an exclusive VesBAR fleet, repurposed 1960s Vespas helmed by a cadre of skilled bartenders. The hotel’s distinct programming will celebrate intentional moments from day to night, including an immersive Ritual Series beginning with First Light oceanside wellness classes, a Sunset Ritual marking the evening transition with a signature soundtrack and artisanal aperitifs, and Night’s End, a special late-night wind down tradition.

When not relaxing on the hotel’s private beach or partaking in on-the-water adventures such as surfing and pedal kayaking, guests can swim or sunbathe at one of three pools or at Cabana Club, a collection of vibrant pool cabanas designed in partnership with St. Tropez swimwear brand Vilebrequin. Waterside adventures await the youngest guests and members at Banyan Bunch Beachside, a dedicated children’s program featuring fun amenities and educational activations designed around adventure, creation, discovery, and nature.

A PLACE TO GATHER
The ultimate setting for unforgettable meetings, events, oceanside weddings and celebrations, Beach Club offers a variety of indoor and outdoor venues. Newly transformed spaces include the beachfront Surfside Lawn framed by swaying palm trees that can be open-air or tented, the expansive Atlantic Ballroom, and the scenic outdoor Coastal Patio, each offering an idyllic location for gatherings of all sizes.

In addition to experiences enjoyed at the Forbes Five-Star Beach Club, a stay provides access to The Boca Raton’s Harborside amenities. Just a five-minute Water Taxi across the Intracoastal, the resort offers golf, tennis, pickleball, wellness experiences at Spa Palmera, as well as three pools, water slides, a floating river, and more at Harborside Pool Club. 

Beach Club is being brought to life by Urban Robot Associates, a design collective based in Miami Beach, as well as landscape architecture firm EDSA, and Garcia Stromberg—a firm of architects, designers, and artists. This marks the second phase of The Boca Raton’s overall $375 million transformation. The first phase was completed in early 2023, which redesigned Harborside’s offerings and amenities, including Tower hotel, more than 12 restaurants and lounges, the new four-acre Harborside Pool Club, and upgrades to the storied Cloister hotel. Visit TheBocaRaton.com and follow along on social media @TheBocaRaton.

The Boca Raton
The Boca Raton originally opened in 1926 as The Ritz-Carlton Cloister Inn. In the 2020s, it celebrates its most remarkable evolution and its 100th anniversary. The property provides year-round escape, exclusively for members of The Boca Raton Club and resort guests. Five hotels amid 200 waterfront acres include Cloister, Yacht Club, Beach Club, Tower, and Bungalows. The unveiling of Beach Club in December 2024 marks a major milestone in The Boca Raton’s storied history, serving as Phase II of the resort’s transformation. The Boca Raton’s culinary offerings showcase a world of flavor, with signature restaurants in partnership with Major Food Group. Resort amenities include a private beach, the Forbes Five-Star Spa Palmera, an 18-hole golf course, a full-service marina, Racquet Club with 14 tennis courts and 12 pickleball courts, retail shops, seven swimming pools, and various water activities at Harborside Pool Club, state-of-the-art fitness clubs and wellness collaborations. For reservations, call (561) 447-3000 or visit TheBocaRaton.com. 

SOURCE The Boca Raton

Cherished holiday traditions and new offerings highlight a festive season of dining, joyful entertainment, and opportunities to celebrate.

GREAT BAY, U.S. Virgin Islands, Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Ritz Carlton, St. Thomas invites guests to experience a season of wonder in the Caribbean’s most enchanting vacation place. Ushering in new holiday events to complement family traditions, the resort has prepared an array of exciting Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s programming, including the beloved appearance of Ritz-Carlton Elf and the lavish poolside cabana for the New Year’s Eve soirée.

Offering an abundance of exclusive activities and events for all ages, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas Ladies and Gentlemen are committed to gifting each guest with indelible memories. Each holiday dinner has been customized by the resort’s accomplished culinary team, combining traditional dishes with Caribbean flavors. Guests are invited to set sail on the Lady Lynsey II with the introduction of new seasonal excursions, take part in the Topgolf Swing Suite experience, or indulge in one of the seasonal Spa treatments for a day of relaxation.

Thanksgiving Sunny days and starry nights draw families to the destination for seasonal festivities, including the Archipelago Breakfast, an island-inspired feast to kick off Thanksgiving Day and the Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, a joyful spectacle showcasing the island culture with carnival dancers and a steel pan band. Additional festivities include the Gratitude Dinner at Sails, an epicurean Caribbean inspired three-course feast, a traditional buffet style Thanksgiving Harvest Meal at Coconut Cove, and a Holiday Bazaar, featuring the works of local artisans, seasonal entertainment, and sweet snacks.

On the first night of Hanukkah, a local rabbi will conduct the lighting of the menorah at the Grand Palazzo building.

In the lead-up to Christmas, all manner of decadent holiday feasts are offered, from a delectable seafood holiday Tropical Tidings Dinner, exclusive to The Ritz-Carlton Sails restaurant to the Christmas Carol-Oke talent in the Topgolf Suite at the Grand Palazzo.

In true holiday spirit, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas joyfully welcomes the arrival of the Ritz-Carlton Elf, who is busy trying out all the activities St. Thomas has to offer. Each morning, the Elf appears at a new location on the property, waiting to be found. The first person to discover the Elf will win a special prize. Younger guests and toddlers can also enjoy a holiday movie night by the family pool, complete with hot chocolate and popcorn.

The luxury beach resort has alluring, holiday-themed treatments at The Ritz-Carlton spa, including the Under the Mistletoe Couple’s Massage, an 80-minute massage featuring The Ritz-Carlton’s signature Body Butter and Foot Reviver to ease tension. Additional treatments include a Chocolate Berry Hydrafacial, a Cranberry Crush Manicure, Santa’s Salt Stone massage and more.

Guests seeking a lavish getaway may reserve the festive package to prioritize self-care, unwind, and recharge during the holiday season. Available from December 19, 2024 – December 26, 2024, the overnight package will offer a complimentary upgrade, an unforgettable experience on Lady Lynsey II, $100 USD resort credit daily and breakfast for up to two guests daily. To book use code: FOO.

For more information about The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas and its holiday programming and schedule of events, see the brochure linked here. To reserve a stay, visit bit.ly/FestiveRCStThomas.

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas 
Set within a 30-acre beachfront estate overlooking the turquoise waters of Great Bay in the US Virgin Islands, The Ritz Carlton, St Thomas is the perfect hideaway. Home to 180 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, all designed to enhance the natural beauty of the Caribbean Sea. An elegant spa offers a bespoke collection of revitalizing and relaxing treatments, while four dining venues present guests with a diverse array of epicurean delights. The property also offers golf enthusiasts a state-of-the-art Topgolf Swing Suite, a private sport entertainment space featuring 80 18-hole virtual golf courses, plus 10 additional virtual games for parties of up to eight people. Ideal for events of all sizes, The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is equipped with more than 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space. For the most impressive vistas of the glittering Caribbean Ocean the property has the Caribbean’s only three-bedroom presidential suite, the 3,515-sq-ft abode features three spacious bedrooms, five full bathrooms complete with walk-in rain showers and standalone tubs, and an expansive living and dining area ideal for entertaining. More information about The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas is available at https://www.ritzcarlton.com/stthomas or by phone at +1 340-775-3333.

Media Contact 
Melissa Peña
Director of Public Relations, Caribbean
[email protected] 

SOURCE Marriott International Caribbean & Latin America

HOBOKEN, N.J., Sept. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Guests at Royal Mansour Marrakech, Morocco can now look forward to a more personalized stay, thanks to a collaboration with smart hospitality solutions provider Hudini.

Part of The Leading Hotels of the World, the Royal Mansour Marrakech is set amongst 9 acres of palatial gardens within the city’s ancient walls. Known for sumptuous stays and sensorial delights, the luxury hotel has been inspired by a medina and features 53 riads, or traditional houses.

The hotel recently introduced 150 in-room tablets with a guest engagement app designed by Hudini; the platform is a one-point interface with which guests can elevate every aspect of their stay. They’re now welcomed with a customized message and offers; guests can also adjust the room’s ambience using the app’s smart controls and personalize room service orders. Housekeeping can be scheduled at their convenience; restaurant bookings and spa appointments can be made with just a few clicks. Guests can also easily view hotel and local information, leave feedback and preview their bills prior to check-out. The app adds modern convenience and customization to the warmth and opulence of traditional Moroccan hospitality.

Prince Thampi, CEO and Founder of Hudini, says, “We’re proud to have been chosen by the iconic Royal Mansour Marrakech to develop and implement a bespoke app. Even with its reputation for exceptional service, the hotel’s management realized the potential of a digital guest-facing solution to further raise guest experience. It speaks volumes about their hospitality.”

“At Royal Mansour, we pride ourselves on providing unforgettable experiences. Hudini’s digital platform helps us enhance our guest-centric approach, ensuring we meet the expectations of today’s discerning travelers while staying true to Moroccan tradition. This digital shift allows us to better understand and serve our loyal guests, enhancing their satisfaction with our services,” says Driss Idlahcen, Director of Computer Systems, Royal Mansour.

About Hudini
Hudini is the leading digital transformation platform for the hospitality industry. Powered by a proprietary middleware and an omnichannel (App, Web, TV) guest interface that leverages data and AI, Hudini helps increase guest engagement and hotel revenues. Through its 100+ pre-built integrations across all functionalities, Hudini delivers personalized, immersive guest experiences. Hudini is fast becoming the industry benchmark for digital transformation in the hospitality industry, having partnered with more than 400 hotels across 25 countries. www.hudini.io

SOURCE Hudini