MSC Splendida homeports in Hamburg

MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line, today celebrated the maiden call in Hamburg of MSC Splendida – the most spacious cruise ship with the richest choice of amenities ever to call at Germany’s top cruise port.

An indication of MSC Cruises’ increasing investment in the German market, and in Hamburg in particular, MSC Splendida is the first “Fantasia” class ship – the line’s largest and newest class of ships – to be based at the northern German port for a season.

MSC Splendida will homeport in Hamburg for the summer season, making 13 sailings around northern Europe, encompassing the British Isles, the Norwegian fjords and Iceland.

In addition to featuring the MSC Yacht Club – MSC’s exclusive ship within a ship luxury offering – MSC Splendida offers the most comprehensive range of dining, entertainment and relaxation experiences of any cruise ship ever to serve the German market. Her amenities include 20 bars, six restaurants, five swimming pools – including a large aqua park, 4D cinema, F1 simulator and a variety of wellness, sports, and family options. With 1,637-staterooms, the ship is 137,936 GRT, 1092 feet-long, and 125 feet-wide.

MSC Splendida’s arrival in Hamburg was marked by a ceremonial crest exchange between the ship’s Captain, Giuseppe Maresca, and the Harbourmaster of Hamburg, Jörg Pollman, with MSC Cruises Executive Chairman, Pierfrancesco Vago, Hamburg Senator, Frank Horch, and a large international media contingent in attendance.

Addressing the event, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said: “Home-porting MSC Splendida – one of our largest and finest ships – here is a natural progression for us, following four years of increasing investment in Hamburg.”

He added: “MSC Cruises has already brought around 350,000 vacationers through Hamburg. And this summer MSC Splendida will make 13 sailings – adding more than 100,000 to that total. Our decision to bring MSC Splendida here is rooted in a concrete commitment to this world-class destination.”

That commitment began in 2010 when the Company christened MSC Magnifica in Hamburg, dubbed Germany’s “Gateway to the World.” In addition to deploying MSC Splendida from Hamburg, MSC Cruises will this month base MSC Orchestra in Kiel and MSC Sinfonia in Warnemünde, enabling thousands of German and international travellers to discover the Baltic capitals and the rugged coastlines, islands and fjords of Norway. Additionally, MSC Orchestra and MSC Sinfonia will also offer northern European “Grand Tours,” where two back-to-back cruises combine to create one unforgettable 14-night voyage.

MSC Divina makes maiden call in New York

New York City welcomed the MSC Divina as it called at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal for the first time on April 29 and April 30.

To mark the occasion, a plaques and keys ceremony was held on board MSC Divina on April 29. Captain Pier Paola Scala, Elizabeth Shearin, vice president of cruise operations for the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and Kenneth Winkler, general manager for Ports America, exchanged plaques while a few hundred travel agents witnessed the unique traditional exchange.

While in New York, the company hosted more than 900 travel agents on board – allowing them to tour and experience the ship first hand. Travel agents also attended a presentation by Rick Sasso, president of MSC Cruises USA, and Ken Muskat, executive vice president of sales, PR, & guest services for MSC Cruises, in which they learned about the future growth of the company and particularly the line’s aggressive plans for expansion in North America.

In addition, MSC featured its completely new booking engine for travel agents, MSC Book, to the agency community. While on board, travel agents were able to participate in hour-long live demo sessions and test out the new system.

MSC Divina overnighted in New York City as part of her transatlantic crossing. She is now headed to the Mediterranean where she will stay for the summer season. Highlights of MSC Divina’s itinerary in the Mediterranean include the ability for guests to embark in two marquee ports: Civitavecchia (Rome) on Saturdays and Barcelona on Wednesdays; late night stays in La Spezia, enabling guests to visit nearby cities of Pisa, Florence, Portofino and Cinque Terre; late night stays in Palma de Mallorca, allowing guests to enjoy the lively nightlife of the island; and a call in Naples, allowing time to visit Pompeii, Capri, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast.

Upon her return from the Mediterranean in November 2015, MSC Divina  will start year-round Caribbean sailings from Miami.

Norwegian Epic arrives Barcelona for year-round deployment

Norwegian Cruise Line’s largest ship, Norwegian Epic, arrived this morning in Barcelona, Spain to begin her summer season of seven-night Mediterranean sailings. The award-winning Norwegian Epic features a new entertainment line-up for her new homeport, debuting throughout 2015. Two new Broadway shows will take the stage as headliners: Burn the Floor and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – The Musical, coming in October. The ship will also feature an all-new British pop music entertainment experience, The Cavern Club, bringing the legendary Liverpool venue where the Beatles performed to life at sea.

"We are very excited to bring Norwegian Epic back to Europe. With her innovative accommodations and wide array of dining, spa and leisure amenities, she truly is the best ship to sail the Med and beyond," said Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and chief operating officer. "The new world-class entertainment offerings that guests can enjoy will even further elevate the guest experience, giving them more options to create their perfect cruise holiday."

Broadway sensation Burn the Floor, which has received rave reviews on Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, will bring the sizzle and passion of ballroom dancing to Norwegian Epic with “Ballroom Blitz”, an all new and exciting show specifically designed for European guests. Based on the Oscar-winning movie, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert – The Musical is the heart-warming, uplifting comedy adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus searching for love and friendship and features a hit parade of dance floor favourites, including “It’s Raining Men,” “I Will Survive” and “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.” The show will open on the ship’s October 18, 2015 voyage along with a whole new entertainment venue created through an exclusive partnership with the owners of Liverpool’s The Cavern Club, which will rock guests each evening to the sounds of The Beatles and other international musicians.

Until November 22, 2015, Norwegian Epic will offer 7-night cruises from Barcelona or Civitavecchia (Rome) to the Western Mediterranean, including stops in Naples (Pompeii), Italy; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Cannes, France and Palma, Mallorca, Spain between May 3 and November 22. During the winter season between November 29, 2015 and April 7, 2016, Norwegian Epic will sail alternate 10-night cruises to Morocco, the Canaries, Madeira and Málaga (Granada), and 10-, or 11-, 12-night cruises to the Western Mediterranean including stops in Sardinia, Sicily and Mallorca.

In addition Norwegian Epic will sail two cruises to and from Southampton, England in 2015, marking the first time that the ship has visited the port since the inaugural celebration in June 2010. The ship’s 6-night sailing will depart Barcelona on September 20, 2015 and arrive in Southampton on September 26, 2015, with ports of call including Cartagena, Spain; Málaga (Granada), Spain; and Lisbon, Portugal. Following a 22-day dry dock in France, Norwegian Epic will embark on a 7-night Iberian Peninsula cruise from Southampton to Barcelona on October 18, 2015. The ship will visit ports of call including Vigo, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; Málaga (Granada) and Cartagena, Spain.

Guests looking to celebrate Christmas 2015 on board Norwegian Epic can do so on a 9-night Canary Islands & Morocco itinerary which will be offered on December 19, 2015 and those planning to cruise through the New Year can set sail on December 28, 2015, from Barcelona on a 6-night cruise.

Carnival to reposition Victory, Ecstasy and Fantasy

Building on its distinction as the Caribbean cruise leader, Carnival Cruise Line will reposition the 102,000-ton Carnival Victory on the line’s popular five-port, seven-day southern Caribbean cruise schedule from San Juan beginning in November 2016.

Carnival Victory offers a wide range of on-board amenities and features, including more than 500 balcony staterooms that are perfect for watching the breathtaking Caribbean scenery. Carnival Victory will carry an estimated 150,000 guests from San Juan on an annual basis.

In addition, Carnival announced new ships in two key homeports with Carnival Ecstasy shifting to Charleston, S.C., and Carnival Fantasy to Miami in February 2016, providing exciting new “Fun Ship” cruise options in those markets.

"Our popular southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan offer our guests the opportunity to visit five different tropical destinations during their week-long vacation and each of these fantastic ports feature not only spectacular beaches but also a wide variety of sightseeing opportunities and attractions," said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president. "At the same time, we’re excited to provide two terrific ‘Fun Ship’ vacation choices with Carnival Ecstasy sailing from Charleston and Carnival Fantasy from Miami," she added.

Carnival Victory to offer 7-day cruises From San Juan

Carnival Victory will reposition to San Juan to offer a week-long southern Caribbean cruise schedule beginning Nov. 6, 2016.  The itinerary features day-long calls at five magnificent destinations: St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.

In addition to featuring some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, these destinations offer a wide range of unforgettable landside experiences, from shopping for duty-free bargains in St. Thomas and exploring the majestic volcanic mountains called the Pitons in St. Lucia to visiting centuries-old historic structures in Barbados, soaking up the distinctive Dutch/French atmosphere of St. Maarten and traversing St. Kitts’ lush, mountainous landscape.

On board Carnival Victory, guests can enjoy the ship’s array of amenities, including a luxurious 14,500-square foot spa, four swimming pools – one with a 214-foot-long water slide – along with myriad dining, entertainment and nightlife options, all enjoyed amidst stunning interiors that pay homage to legendary bodies of water.

Carnival Ecstasy to operate 4- to 7-day cruises from Charleston

Beginning Feb. 6, 2016, Carnival Ecstasy will launch year-round four- to seven-day departures from Charleston, S.C., providing an array of itinerary and cruise duration choices from this popular homeport.  On its new schedule, four-day cruises will sail to Nassau and five-day cruises will visit Nassau and Freeport or the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay. Two different seven-day options will be available featuring either Grand Turk, Half Moon Cay and Nassau or Amber Cove (Dominican Republic), Grand Turk and Half Moon Cay.  There will also be three special six-day cruises departing May 23 and Oct. 2 and 30, 2016, and visiting Freeport, Nassau and Half Moon Cay.

Carnival Ecstasy offers a wide range of on-board features, including a WaterWorks aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long water slide, a Serenity adults-only retreat and a tropical-themed resort style pool, along with more than 150 staterooms and suites featuring private balconies.

Carnival Fantasy to sail 3- and 4-day cruises from Miami

Carnival Fantasy, currently based in Charleston, will shift to Miami to operate the line’s popular three- and four-day cruise schedule beginning Feb.22, 2016.  On this route, three-day weekend cruises depart Fridays and overnight in Nassau, while four-day voyages depart Mondays and feature Key West and Cozumel.  Prior to the start-up of three- and four-day service from Miami, Carnival Fantasy will offer a special five-day cruise to Amber Cove and Grand Turk departing Feb. 17, 2016. Carnival Fascination will assume this route from the Carnival Fantasy beginning Nov. 7, 2016.  Details on the Carnival Fantasy’s future deployment will be provided at a later date.

Repositioning cruises on Carnival Victory and Carnival Fascination

In preparation for their new homeport deployments, Carnival Fascination and Carnival Victory will offer exciting seven- and eight-day Caribbean cruises, respectively, departing in October 2016 and visiting some of the region’s most sought-after destinations.

Carnival Victory will operate a special seven-day cruise departing Port Canaveral, Fla., Oct. 30, 2016, and arriving in San Juan Nov. 6, 2016.  Featured ports on this itinerary include St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Antigua and St. Maarten.

Carnival Fascination will offer a one-time eight-day cruise from San Juan to Miami Oct. 30 – Nov. 7, 2016, featuring extended calls at St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Kitts, St. Maarten and Grand Turk.

More than 150 evacuated from burning ferry in Mediterranean

More than 150 people were evacuated from a ferry that caught fire while it was on a voyage from Palma de Mallorca to the Spanish mainland on Tuesday, media reports said.

The fire broke out on Sorrento, which was operated by Acciona Trasmediterranea, the Spanish ferry company, which had chartered it from Atlantica di Navigazzione, the principal holding company of Grimaldi Naples group in Italy. Three crew members suffered injuries in the fire, the reports said.

The cause of the fire has not yet been established, but a Spanish government official reportedly said it had broken out on the port side of the ship.

Sorrento is a unit of a series the Visentini shipyard inItaly has built. The yard has built a total of 24 of these 20,000 gross ton ships, according to ferryvolution.com, a ferry industry website.

At the end of 2014, Norman Atlantic, another unit of the Visentini series, caught fire in the Mediterranean. The incident claimed 12 lives. The fire had apparently started in a vehicle that was carried on board.