Vanessa Williams to perform aboard Crystal Serenity
The multi-award-winning singer and actress joins a nine-night Caribbean voyage departing 23 November, in what promises to be a festive highlight at sea.
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Crystal Cruises has announced that Vanessa Williams will join guests aboard Crystal Serenity for a special Thanksgiving sailing departing Fort Lauderdale on November 23.
Williams, whose career spans music, television and stage, is perhaps best known for chart-topping hits including “Save the Best for Last” and “Love Is.”
She is currently playing Miranda Priestly in the West End production of The Devil Wears Prada in London, and has previously starred in Ugly Betty and Desperate Housewives.
During the voyage, Williams will perform a live set drawing on her greatest hits alongside seasonal favourites, and will host an intimate Q&A session offering guests a closer look at her career and personal stories.
“Music has always been about connection, and there’s something truly special about sharing that connection during the holiday season,” Williams said.
“I’m so excited to join Crystal Serenity this November and look forward to celebrating with my family and guests through music, stories and festive moments.”
The nine-night round-trip itinerary from Fort Lauderdale calls at Samana in the Dominican Republic, Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands and Oranjestad in Aruba, before an overnight stay in Cartagena, Colombia. A Thanksgiving feast is among the onboard highlights.
Bookings can be made through a travel advisor, at crystalcruises.com or by calling 1300 503 640.
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All three vehicles will form part of a broader charitable initiative benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the American Red Cross and Starlight Children’s Foundation
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Avani will make its New Zealand debut in September with a lakefront hotel in Queenstown, adding a contemporary lifestyle option to one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most competitive luxury resort markets.
Avani Queenstown is being positioned as the brand’s New Zealand flagship. Its Lake Wakatipu setting gives guests direct access to the scenery that drives the destination while keeping the restaurants, bars and adventure operators of central Queenstown close at hand.
The timing is significant for Australian travellers. A September opening arrives as the ski season gives way to spring hiking, cycling and wine touring, allowing the hotel to establish itself before the peak summer period.
Queenstown’s appeal has broadened beyond adrenaline tourism. Private aviation, high-end lodges, destination dining, golf and Central Otago pinot noir now attract travellers who want both wilderness and polished service. A lifestyle hotel must bridge those worlds without becoming interchangeable with an urban property.
The Avani brand generally emphasises informal public spaces, contemporary design, social dining and wellness rather than traditional grand-hotel ceremony. In Queenstown, the key test will be whether those elements remain connected to the lake, mountains and local makers.
Travellers considering an early stay should ask which restaurants and facilities will be operating from opening day, whether construction or commissioning work remains, and how lake-view room categories differ. Opening dates can move, so flexible flights and cancellation terms are sensible.
Season also changes the experience dramatically. Winter brings ski traffic, cold-weather logistics and premium weekend rates; spring and autumn offer quieter trails and wineries; summer brings long daylight hours but also Queenstown’s busiest visitor period.
For Avani, the property establishes a base in a globally recognised destination within easy reach of Australia. For Queenstown, it adds another internationally branded hotel at a time when discerning visitors increasingly expect a strong sense of place rather than luxury by checklist.
Fact box
– Hotel: Avani Queenstown
– Location: Lake Wakatipu waterfront, Queenstown, New Zealand
– Opening: Scheduled for September 2026
– Operator: Minor Hotels
– Significance: Avani’s Queenstown debut and New Zealand flagship
– Best for: Short luxury breaks, skiing, hiking, wine touring and lake experiences
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