Teri West, Travel Weekly Journalist Profile

Articles

Rich and Jazzy duo build a community with Melanin at Sea

1 week ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

"I tore that crab cake up, y'all," Jasmine says on a vlog, later posted to YouTube. "If I could order another one, I would."That YouTube channel -- A Rich and Jazzy Life -- was what started it all for the couple. And "all" now includes a 116,000-member Facebook community for cruise enthusiasts of color, called Melanin at Sea, and group cruise experiences of the same name. Along the way, the Ramnarines built a travel agency that has enabled them to quickly become top sellers for Virgin Voyages.
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth arrives in Seattle for summer of Alaska cruises

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

After its summer Alaska season, Queen Elizabeth will do another first -- a full season of Caribbean sailings from Miami, beginning in October. The roundtrip Seattle itineraries are between seven and 11 nights. Roundtrip cruises are convenient for U.S. guests, said Liz Fettes, Cunard's senior vice president of commercial North America.
Viking creates extended voyages for 2026 and 2027

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

The itineraries range from 15 to 36 days and are primarily in the U.K., Ireland, Scandinavia and the Mediterranean. The shortest options are three 15-day Mediterranean cruises -- one roundtrip from Barcelona, another between Lisbon and Rome and the third roundtrip from Rome. The longest will journey from Lisbon to Istanbul over 36 days. The other new itineraries include:• "Iconic Western Europe," 19 days between London and Barcelona.
Variety Cruises celebrates major fleet refurbishments: Travel Weekly

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

The 49-passenger Galileo motor sailer had a complete overhaul and now has new lounge seating and décor, a redesigned outdoor bar, new cabin furnishings and fully renovated cabin bathrooms. The 49-passenger Harmony V yacht also had major renovations, including new carpets, flooring, lighting, soundproofing and furniture. Wood and glass areas of the sun deck were renovated.
Regent's Seven Seas Prestige to reach a new level of opulence with top suite

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

The cruise line is calling the Skyview Regent Suite aboard the Seven Seas Prestige "the largest ultra-luxury cruise suite in history.""We have this beauty of a suite, which is going to truly be a first in the industry from the standpoint of the most inclusive as well as the most sought-after address at sea," said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer for Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises.
Why Celebrity Cruises is changing its grass lawn to 'Sunset Park': Travel Weekly

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

The Lawn Club recreated a park-like experience for guests at sea. And every other ship of the Solstice class followed with its own Lawn Club, enabling thousands of passengers over the years to experience the lawn and offer the line feedback. According to Celebrity, that feedback has indicated that guests want more to do there.
NCL's John Chernesky on improving support for travel advisors

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

Q: Tell me about how these first two years have been for you at the company and what you've learned in that time. A: It's hard to believe it's only been two years. It feels longer, in a good way, because I have really enjoyed my time. I love my team. I love the culture at NCL. Don't tell my boss I said this, but he's great. He has really allowed me to get into the weeds and understand the business of NCL and how does that then apply to the travel agent community.
Carnival Cruise Line launches Funnel Faves campaign to support travel advisors: Travel Weekly

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

The monthlong launch will also include four promotions, each a week long, in which advisors can win rewards and earn incentives. Carnival is simultaneously adding new business development managers in the field, new directors of strategic partnership and more charter meetings, said Janet Wygert, the new senior vice president of sales and trade marketing. "We're thrilled to give you more business experts to help you grow your business," she said in a YouTube video for travel advisors.
Greek cruise line Celestyal hires John Diorio

2 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

Diorio will launch an advisor engagement strategy at Celestyal as he works to develop the cruise line's strategic business plan for North America, the company said. Diorio departed Virgin Voyages in March after seven years and was most recently its vice president for North American sales. He had also worked in sales at vacation packager Mark Travel and in marketing at Hotels.com. "I'm incredibly excited to join Celestyal at this pivotal time of growth and partnership expansion," Diorio said.
Cruise guests increasingly seek private, premier shore excursions

3 weeks ago | travelweekly.com | Teri West

Guests are increasingly seeking to spend time on land in a comfortable setting with only their immediate travel companions. That often means a private car rather than a tour bus and an itinerary tailored to their particular needs and cravings. Shore Excursions Group CEO Paul Kiritsy said that trend is growing in Europe in particular. It doesn't matter the ship size or whether it's contemporary or luxury, said Rinat Glinert of Venture Ashore, another third-party shore excursion provider.