Crystal Cruises to introduce new itineraries for Crystal Serenity

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 15 December 2015 15 December 2015

Crystal Cruises announced today that it will reposition one of its luxury ocean vessels in 2017, unveiling an entirely new lineup of itineraries. Following the 2017 “Southern Celebración” World Cruise round-trip from Miami, Crystal Serenity will sail throughout North America for the remainder of the year, offering routes along the east and west coasts, through Alaska, New England and Eastern Canada, as well as the eastern seaboard into the Caribbean. Historically, Crystal Serenity has spent the majority of her 12 years at sea cruising the Mediterranean, Western Europe and the Black Sea but the line’s tremendous expansion plans afforded an opportunity for change.

“The Mediterranean and surrounding regions have long been favorite destinations for our guests, and will continue to be, with the launch of Crystal Yacht Cruises and Crystal River Cruises,” says Crystal’s president and CEO, Edie Rodriguez. “These new ventures allow us to expand our offerings for our guests, so they can continue to experience their favorite Crystal vacations in new ways.”

Crystal Serenity’s new roster of ultra-luxury cruises includes a repositioning voyage from Miami to Los Angeles via the Panama Canal; convenient seven-day explorations of California’s coastline; a 14-day intensive Mexico itinerary; a 16-day route through the Hawaiian Islands; seven-, 9- and 10-day cruises through the ports and glaciers of Alaska and British Columbia; seven- and 10-day itineraries through the ports of New England and Eastern Canada; and warm-weather fall and winter cruises along the Southern East Coast into the Caribbean.

Bookings for the newly unveiled 2017 Crystal Serenity voyages will be available starting December 31, 2015, with “Book Now” fares starting at $2,275 per person through February 29, 2016.

Crystal’s newest vessel, luxury yacht Crystal Esprit, as well as its upcoming five luxury river yachts, will focus primarily in the waters of the Mediterranean region nearly year-round. Crystal Esprit will sail to and from long favored cities such as Venice, Dubrovnik and Athens, with calls to lesser explored gems only accessible by yacht. Likewise, the river yachts will grace the waterways of Europe include the Rhine, Seine, Danube, Main, Garonne, and Dordogne Rivers, visiting charming ports throughout Austria, Germany, France, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, and others.

MSC Cruises opens sales for MSC Seaside, set to debut in December 2017

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 15 December 2015 15 December 2015

MSC Cruises — the Switzerland-based, world’s largest privately-owned cruise line and number one cruise line in Europe, South America, and South Africa — announced today that MSC Seaside, the first ship of the cruise line’s Seaside generation of ships, is now open for booking.

Known as “the ship that follows the sun,” MSC Seaside — which is currently under construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy — is set to debut in December 2017 and sail year-round from Miami with a wide range of highly appealing 7-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries. Guests sailing to the eastern Caribbean will visit popular destinations such as St. Thomas, the Bahamas and Puerto Rico, while those heading to the western Caribbean will have the chance to explore Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Cozumel, and the Bahamas. The first sailing will be the Christmas cruise of December 21, 2017.

To reward loyal guests and give them the chance to be among the first to experience the highly-anticipated MSC Seaside, MSC Cruises has opened sales exclusively to MSC Voyager Club Members through December 29. Members that book between December 15-December 29 will receive their standard 5 percent discount that Voyagers Club members receive on all cruises plus a bonus All-Inclusive Classic drink package applicable to first and second guest in a stateroom on all seven night or longer MSC Seaside sailings. On December 29, sales will open to the general public offering a special All-Inclusive Classic drink package, applicable to first and second guest in a stateroom on all seven night or longer MSC Seaside sailings for all bookings made by January 31, 2016. Voyagers Club Members will continue to receive their 5% discount plus All-Inclusive Classic drink package for bookings made through January 31, 2016. Prices start at $589 per person.

Offering a cruise concept that will bring guests closer to the sea, the 1,059 foot long MSC Seaside will break from established industry designs, featuring a unique 360 degree ocean level promenade on Deck 8 that will include indoor/outdoor shops and restaurants, as well as a full buffet area and a pool, which are traditionally located on a cruise ship’s higher decks. In addition, the ship’s public spaces will feature breathtaking views with a two-deck glass-walled atrium and panoramic exterior elevators.

“The bold, ground-breaking design of MSC Seaside speaks of our company’s commitment to innovation and our desire to continue to introduce both experienced and first-time cruisers to new experiences that will make their vacation truly unforgettable,” said Gianni Onorato, Chief Executive Officer of MSC Cruises. “We’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm and strong demand from travelers around the world interested in experiencing MSC Seaside and are thrilled to be able to open sales for this revolutionary ship two years ahead of its debut.”

Docking at a newly renovated and expanded dedicated berth and terminal at PortMiami, MSC Seaside will join the ultramodern and elegant MSC Divina in servicing the North American market and providing guests with a best-in-class experience.

In addition, the 4,140-guest (double occupancy), 154,000 gross ton ship will be the first MSC Cruises’ ship to head directly to the U.S. from the shipyard, and the first MSC ship to be christened in the U.S.

“As a global company, North America is a strategic market for MSC Cruises as we embark on an ambitious expansion plan centering on seven new cruise ships by 2022,” said Onorato. “With the return of MSC Divina to Miami just last month and plans for MSC Seaside to join her in Miami in 2017, we are looking forward to sharing our distinct Mediterranean heritage – which includes elegant and stylish décor, world-class entertainment, and authentic Mediterranean-style dining – with North American guests.”

Recognized fleet wide for her beautifully decorated and elegant staterooms, MSC Cruises is designing accommodations on MSC Seaside to be the perfect blend of comfort and style. The ship will feature open ‘modular’ staterooms – convertible staterooms that can accommodate up to 10 people – for families and groups, as well as luxury suites with private hot tubs and hanging gardens. MSC Seaside will also boast an enhanced MSC Yacht Club with private solarium, lounge and pool.

Entertainment on board will be available for all ages, including standout activities for families. Highlights include a full-sized bowling alley, a dedicated kids only restaurant, and the most interactive, multi-story water park at sea with five different water slides, an AquaPlay™ area designed for tots, and an adventure trail. In addition, thanks to the company’s world-class partnerships, MSC Seaside will have dedicated LEGO and Chicco designed play areas.

MSC Seaside is the first of two identical ships in the Seaside generation. Her sister ship is set to enter service in 2018 with the option for a third Seaside generation ship to be delivered by 2021.

MSC Seaside and her sister ships will set new standards for eco-friendliness, featuring Advanced Water Treatment (AWT) systems to remove pollutants and hazardous substances from waste water; garbage treatment plants for highly efficient solid waste management; scrubbers to reduce emissions; antifouling paints; and optimized hull lines, propellers and rudders to reduce drag and fuel consumption. In addition, the ships will have LED lighting, meaning lower energy demand and significantly lower fuel consumption, as well as advanced heat recovery plants to feed fresh water, laundry, swimming pools and hot water. The ship is fully compliant with the Safe Return to Port requirement.

Pullmantur launches Movida X Ti

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 14 December 2015 14 December 2015

TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 2 to stage Germany’s first LGBT cruise in 2017

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 11 December 2015 11 December 2015

Mein Schiff 2 of TUI Cruises, the Hamburg based premium market cruise shipping company, will stage the first Rainbow Cruise catering for the LGBT-Community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) in the spring of 2017, the company said in a statement.

The cruise will operate from Palma de Mallorca and depart on 29 April and return there on 07 May, with calls at Salerno, Valletta and Barcelna, where the ship will stay over night.

Wybecke Meier, CEO of the company, said in the statement that the company wants to develop new concepts and to capitalise on the popularity of the company among the gay and lesbian passengers that already cruise with TUI Cruises.