Will Payne

Gravesend

Deputy Editor at Real Response Media

Deputy Editor at Cruise Trade News

Articles

Reno River Festival brings springtime fun to Idlewild Park

1 week ago | mynews4.com | Will Payne

It's the same annual community event, but this year it has a new, temporary home. Reno River Festival coordinators from Liquid Blue Events, Neil and Jess Horning, have said so far it's been a hit. "Wingfield (Park's) got a lot going on with the reconstruction of the bridges. So our best immediate choice was Idlewild Park," said Neil Horning. "We're still right on a river, and there's so much shade and relaxation, this place is amazing," Jess Horning said.
Celebrity Cruises to invest $250m in Solstice series upgrade

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

Celebrity Cruises has announced plans to invest more than $250 million to upgrade its Solstice series vesselsStarting with Celebrity Solstice in 2026, the renovations include refreshed outdoor spaces with enhanced views, new restaurants and entertainment options, as well as new stateroom categories and ship-wide cabin upgrades.
TUI River Cruises adds new Danube itineraries to winter 2026

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

TUI River Cruises will debut new sailings on the River Danube for winter 2026 with additional Serbian and Croatian ports of callThe winter itineraries will go on sale from 3 July 2025, offering 33 cruises across the fleet from November 2026 through April 2027.
Carson City neighborhood holds simulated wildfire evacuation

1 week ago | mynews4.com | Will Payne

Carson City resident Cliff Fitterer only moved to the area four years ago, but the recent devastation from the Davis Fire and Los Angeles blazes had him asking all the important questions. "Are we really prepared? Do we know what to do? Does the alert system in Carson City work? How is multi-agency coordination going to work?" said Fitterer. So the president of the Lakeview Property Owners Association decided to connect with Carson City first responders and run a unique drill with his neighborhood.
Silversea appoints James Edwards as BDM for UK south

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

James Edwards has joined the Silversea UK trade sales team as business development manager for the south of the UKThe move marks his return to Silversea, two years after having previously worked with the brand as a future cruise consultant on board for nine years. With experience both on board and in sales shoreside, the line said Edwards will be a “strong addition” to Silversea’s growing UK trade sales team.
Azamara targets UK growth through enhanced trade engagement

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

Azamara will look to grow its presence in the UK by working more closely with its travel agent partners, following a spike in bookings in 2025Speaking to Cruise Trade News during CLIA Conference 2025, the line’s CEO, Dondra Ritzenthaler, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the UK after the brand saw double digit growth in bookings year-on-year. The majority (86 per cent) of Azamara’s product, Ritzenthaler said, is sold by agents.
New Holland America Line TV series a 'game-changer' for the trade

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

The UK director of sales for Holland America Line believes the line’s new eight-part TV series will bring “unique value” to the company’s travel agent partnersKaren Farndell described the upcoming Channel 4 feature as a “game-changer” for trade engagement. “[The show] is an immersive, visual training tool that empowers agents to sell with confidence, deepen their brand expertise, and inspire their clients with real, tangible insights,” she said.
Marella Cruises to return to Tunisia after 10-year hiatus

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

Marella Cruises has confirmed plans to return to Tunisia for the first time in 10 years as part of its winter 2026 deploymentNew and returning destinations for the cruise arm of the TUI Group include La Goulette (for Tunis), Tunisia; Vigo (for Santiago de Compostela), Spain; Lexios (for Porto), Portugal and Tangier, Morocco. Sailings go on sale on 3 July 2025.
Sen. Cortez Masto, business leaders talk potential budget cut impacts on state tourism

1 week ago | mynews4.com | Will Payne

Northern Nevada has all kinds of outdoor recreation opportunities, and for Ellen James, Reno's Gear Hut is the perfect spot to stock up for the next camping trip. "It's mostly like a tent, pad to sleep on, I do have a cooler still. So maybe a backpack. And then I want to try to find some stuff that maybe my toddler can use as he's kinda getting into it," said James. The consignment shop has been running in midtown for the past seven years under the tutelage of Leah Wzientek.
MSC Group extends Formula 1 partnership to 2030

1 week ago | cruisetradenews.com | Will Payne

Formula 1 and the cruise division of the MSC Group have announced a multi-year extension that will see it continue as a global partner of the motorsport through 2030The announcement marks an early renewal of the partnership, which began in 2022, with Formula 1 and The MSC Cruise Division – made up of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys – agreeing to the continuation of existing rights, including title races, trackside branding and hospitality activations.