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MSC Grandiosa season extended, MSC Magnifica to cruise east and west Med as itinerary, start date revised

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 September 2020 12 September 2020

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping company, said it has decided MSC Grandiosa’s current itinerary and revised that of MSC Magnifica to include both eastern and western Mediterranean, while prosed seven night cruises this month and early in October have been cancelled.

MSC Grandiosa’s sailings on the present itinerary will be extended through to the end of the year, including the ship’s Christmas cruise to depart from Genoa, Italy on 20 December. MSC Grandiosa is offering seven-night cruises with embarkation in the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Palermo, plus a calling at Valletta, Malta.

MSC Magnifica’s new programme covers both the west and east Mediterranean and will see the ship homeport in Genoa with calls at Livorno for Florence and Pisa, Messina in Sicily, Valletta in Malta, Piraeus for Athens and Katakolon for Olympia in Greece and Civitavecchia for Rome, before returning to Genoa.

As a result of its new itinerary, MSC Magnifica’s four proposed seven-night cruises from Bari, Italy between 26 September to 24 October have been cancelled.

The 10 night itinerary is designed for guests who prefer longer voyages that offer more destinations to visit and more time at sea - thanks to the popularity of protected excursions the cruise line introduced last month under its new health and safety protocol, MSC Cruises said.

“The longer sailing is also expected to appeal to guests flying from Schengen countries because of strong pan-European air links to both Rome and Genoa – which are, together with Messina, two of the ship’s three embarkation ports, as well as ‘proximity cruising’ which is proving to be popular with MSC Cruises’ guests who live both in Italy and in neighbouring countries,” the company said in a statement.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Line parent raises NOK700 million through bond issue

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 September 2020 10 September 2020

Bonheur ASA, the Oslo based listed company that owns Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines (FOCL) in the UK, said it has completed a senior unsecured green bond issue of NOK 700 million with maturity in September 2025. The bond issue was oversubscribed.

The company did not provide further details, e.g. price or coupon of the issue.

DNB Markets and SpareBank1 Markets acted as joint lead managers in connection with the placement of the new bond issue. An application will be made for the bond issue to be listed on Oslo Stock Exchange, the company said.

Bonheur recently acquired two ships from Holland America Line to replace two older and smaller ships in the FOCL fleet. The price of the two ships, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, was not disclosed.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection announces 2022-23 winter season itineraries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 September 2020 08 September 2020

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collectiontoday announced its 2022 and 2023 winter season of itineraries. From the vast and mesmerizing rainforests of Costa Rica, to the secluded sands of the Bahamian islands to the historic transit through thePanama Canal,the newly released itineraries offer the space and freedom to enjoy a variety of destinations and cultures.

“Unique, thoughtful itineraries are one of the defining elements of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection,” said Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “The newly unveiled journeyswere created to deliver additional opportunities for exploration, and we are excited to bring meaningful moments to life for our guests.

“The 2022 to 2023 winter season spans from November through April, stopping at 15 new ports of call along the way, including Golfito, Costa Rica;Portsmouth, Dominica;Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala;and Bocas Del Toro, Panama. With a more leisurely cruising pace, guests of Evrimaare able to enjoy more time exploring each port. Global travelers are invited to search the shores of Aruba for pink flamingos or the waters of Samaná for breaching whales, snorkel the vibrant reefs of Bequiaor glide by kayak through the bioluminescent waters of Vieques. With holiday sailings including Christmas in Roseau, Dominica, and the legendary New Years’ Eve celebration alongside the superyachts in St. Barths, unforgettable festive getaways await. Whether guests are looking for adventure, enrichment or supreme relaxation, the newly released 2022 and 2023 Caribbean and Central American itineraries offer endless opportunities for a luxurious escape.

The 2022 and 2023 winter season is preceded by a collection of 2022 itineraries released earlier this year, which introduced new destinationsincluding the Bahamas, the Western Caribbean, Bermuda and the Holy Land. Featuring an extended Mediterranean season, 2022 spring and summer itineraries feature highlight experiences such as an overnight call in Casablanca allowing guests to explore Marrakech, the unique opportunity to visit Israel and Cyprus, and Marquee Events such as the Monaco Grand Prix.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection brings the legendary Ritz-Carlton service to sea with an all-inclusive luxury sailing experience leading guests to ports at some of the world’s most sought-after destinations. Designed with a yachting lifestyle in mind, Evrima, the first ofthree bespoke yachts from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will stop at both signature and iconic destinations. The yacht experience offers both daytime and overnight ports of call, promising more flexibility for guests’ time on land. Carefully curated programming is offered both at each destination and throughout the journey.

Costa Crociere cancels 2020-21 South America season, cuts 2021-22 capacity

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 September 2020 08 September 2020

Costa Crociere, part of Carnival Corporation & plc, has announced the cancellation of the 2020-21 season in South America that had been scheduled to employ three ships, while only two will be used in 2021-22.

“All cruises aboard the Costa Fascinosa, Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica ships in South America, with embarkations scheduled for the period from November 2020 to April 2021, are canceled,” the company said in a statement.

Dario Rustico, executive president of Costa Crociere for Central and South America said the company was planning to resume operations in the region in the 2021-22 season with two ships.

With embarkations in Santos, the Costa Favolosa will have its first regular cruise departing on 5 December 2021, and will offer 17 itineraries from six to seven nights, dedicated to the northeast region of the country.

Costa Favolosa will also offer three mini-cruises, from three to four nights, and will have Christmas and New Year's Eve cruises on Copacabana beach and Carnival. Thematic cruises are confirmed with departure dates to be defined.

Confirmed for another summer in South American waters, Costa Pacifica will have cruises of seven and eight nights through the Prata region, with embarkations from Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires and Montevideo. On 31 December 2021, the ship will dock at Copacabana beach for a New Year's Eve celebration.

The 2021-22 season will still be marked by cruises between Italy and Brazil and Brazil and Italy. These cruises allow guests to visit different places in the world in a single voyage, the company said.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils Bolette’s inaugural programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 September 2020 07 September 2020

The inaugural cruise programme for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ (FOCL) new flagship Bolette has been unveiled, including a number of brand new itineraries and a series of UK cruises, with guests able to book from 7 September, the company said in a statement.

“Bolette’s maiden voyage will be a seven-night ‘Scotland & Northern Ireland’ cruise, setting sail from Southampton on 5th March 2021. This will be followed by two further UK cruises before Bolette sets sail for the warmer climates of the Azores and Madeira over the Easter break,” the company said in a statement.

Bolette was previously Amsterdam of Holland America Line and it is one of the two mid-1990s sister ships that the FOCL acquired from the Carnival Corporation & plc group unit. They will replace two older ships, Black Watch and Boudicca, which are smaller and were built in the early 1970s.

Bolette’s inaugural programme will include itineraries previously scheduled for Boudicca, with a number of brand new sailings added, and will operate predominantly from the port of Dover.

Guests who book onto any of Bolette’s sailings for 2021 or 2022 by 30th September 2020 will enjoy FREE tips and up to £100 per person to spend on board.

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service, said: “Our new ships have been a long time in the planning, so it is great to be able to officially unveil our itineraries for Bolette today. We know that our guests can’t wait to get back cruising again, and to experience our new ships for themselves. Now they can really start planning their first holiday back with us, whether they are looking for a UK break, to escape to warmer climates or for something a little more adventurous."

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Some highlights from Bolette’s inaugural cruise season include:

The seven-night T2103 ‘Scenic Scotland with Belfast’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 5th March 2021. Prices start from £699 per person.

Experience something very special and be among the first guests to sail on Fred. Olsen’s new flagship, Bolette. Immerse yourself in the beauty and remoteness of the Scottish isles; Marvel at the intriguing wonders of Dutchman’s Cap and Fingal’s Cave; Explore ashore in the Shetland and Orkney Islands and take in the highlights of Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast.

Ports of call: Southampton, England – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Cruising by Fingals Cave, Isle of Staffa – Cruising by Dutchman’s Cap (Bac Mor) – Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland – Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, Scotland – Southampton, England

The 12-night T2114 Icelandic Wonders & Wildlife cruise, departing from Dover on 3rd June 2021. Prices start from £1,799 per person.

Natural wonders and wildlife await your discovery as you explore Iceland’s incredible landscape and waterways. An overnight stay in Reykjavik offers plenty of time to witness the splendour of the Golden Circle’s many hot springs and waterfalls. Meanwhile, unforgettable experiences such as fjord kayaking and whale watching await, along with the spectacular sights of Seyðisfjörður, Eyjafjörður and Hrisey Island.

Ports of call: Dover, England – Reykjavík, Iceland (overnight stay) – Ísafjörður, Iceland – Akureyri, Iceland – Cruising Eyjafjörður, Iceland – Cruising by Hrisey, Iceland – Seyðisfjörður, Iceland – Cruising Seyðisfjörður, Iceland – Kirkwall, Orkney Islands – Dover, England

The 16-night T2128 ‘Moroccan Discovery with Cape Verde’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 20th November 2021. Prices start from £1,799 per person.

Experience the vibrant cultures, fascinating history and local way of life in visits to Cape Verde and Morocco; Be captivated by the African and Portuguese-influenced architecture, music and dance, in Cape Verde; Behold the buzz of day-to-day Moroccan life amongst the souks, streets and squares of Agadir, Tangier and Casablanca, and seek-out the country’s iconic, world-famous landmarks.