More News

Voyager of the Seas to receive $97 million upgrade, 72 additional cabins in autumn

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 June 2019 27 June 2019

Voyager of the Seas, which is the lead ship in the Voyager class ships in the fleet of Royal Caribbean International, will receive a $97 million upgrade in the autumn that includes 72 new cabins, parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises ltd (RCCL) said in a statement.

It will be the fourth ship reimagined as part of the Royal Amplified fleet modernisation effort built on research and guest feedback. “The cruise line's investment of more than $1.0 billion spans 10 ships in four years and touches every facet of the guest experience,” RCCL said in a statement.

“From The Perfect Storm duo of racer waterslides to the reinvigorated Vitality Spa and redesigned kids and teens spaces, Voyager will tout a thrilling combination of experiences that makes for an unforgettable family vacation to far-flung destinations on the other side of the world,” RCCL stated.

The ship will also receive a total of 72 inside and balcone cabins, a Suite Lounge and outdoor area – exclusively for guests in Grand Suites and above; and the Diamond Lounge for members of Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor Society loyalty program. “The reimagined ship will also feature the new Royal Caribbean International mobile app. Travelers can soon check in for their cruise vacation from their phone, and once on board, the app will deliver an array of capabilities. From exploring and planning activities for each day,” RCCL said.

Beginning 21 October , the newly transformed ship will set sail on a series of three to five night Southeast Asia itineraries from Singapore, followed by a season with nine to 12 night South Pacific cruises from Sydney, Australia, starting on 30 November.

MSC Cruises opens sales for MSC Seashore

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 June 2019 27 June 2019

MSC Cruises has opened sales for MSC Seashore for her inaugural season in the Western Mediterranean. Starting in June 2021, she will sail a 7-night itinerary calling at the high-demand ports of Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina and Valetta.

Sales open yesterday exclusively for MSC Voyagers Club members for a two-week period, as one of the many benefits of the program that rewards loyal MSC Cruises’ guests. All other guests will be able to book cruises starting July 11, 2019. MSC Seashore will be the third ship in the innovative Seaside generation, following MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview, which launched in 2017 and 2018 respectively, and the first of two enriched Seaside Evo ships with extended public spaces, more staterooms and the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest of any cruise ship in the company’s fleet.

Gianni Onorato, Chief Executive Officer of MSC Cruises, commented, “Each and every ship that we build is different. MSC Seashore is an evolution of the ground-breaking Seaside prototype but this enriched ship has allowed us to further enhance the guest experience with the introduction of new features and facilities as well as some further improvement of the existing ones. With an increased capacity and expanded facilities, MSC Seashore will offer guests myriad opportunities to get closer to the sea, providing yet more options for vacationers to enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean when the ship comes into service.”

The increased length of the ship by 52 ft. has allowed for some of the public spaces to be redesigned, creating new public areas as well as optimizing the location of other areas throughout the ship. A new double deck show lounge has been created below the aft pool, which is now on Deck 8, while the indoor pool on Deck 18 will be extended with an additional deck over and around the pool. The family offering has also been expanded with an even bigger kids’ area and the ultimate state-of-the-art waterpark.

A brand-new restaurant will be introduced for Aurea guests as well as an additional main restaurant. There will be a new location for the specialty restaurants on Deck 8, as the buffet will move to Deck 16. This new position for the specialty restaurants allows for waterfront seating on the iconic waterfront boardwalk bringing guests ever closer to the sea as they enjoy their lunch or dinner.

MSC Seashore will also feature new stateroom designs such as connected staterooms for families and groups. The MSC Yacht Club will offer a new style of suite, featuring a walk-in wardrobe. In addition, there will be two more luxury suites with whirlpool baths, and 28 more terraced staterooms with their own private area for sunbathing.

MSC Seashore will be fitted with the best and latest available environmental technology to reduce her environmental impact including: an exhaust gas cleaning system for cleaner emissions; an advanced wastewater treatment system; smart heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) to recover heat from machinery spaces; and LED lighting and smart devices to significantly save energy. In addition, she will be equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) into harmless nitrogen (N2) and water. This is all part of MSC Cruises commitment to provide guests with the best vacation experiences at sea in a sustainable way.

MSC Seashore, as well as the fourth ship from MSC Cruises’ Seaside-generation is being built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, one of the largest shipbuilding groups in the world. These new ships combineFincantieri's long history of shipbuilding, expertise and Italian flair for design with industry-leading innovation and the global vision of MSC Cruises.

When booking MSC Seashore over the initial two-week opening of sales period exclusive to them, MSC Voyagers Club members will not only be able to have the first selection of staterooms, but also receive a special 5% discount in addition to their 5% loyalty discount. All other guests will enjoy a 5% early booking discount until September 11, 2019. Prices start at $1,249 CAD per person for a balcony stateroom.

MSC Seashore will commence her maiden voyage on June 13, 2021 and will be joined merely 18 months later by a second Seaside EVO ship in autumn 2022.

Carnival provides an update of Carnival Vista drydocking

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 26 June 2019 26 June 2019

Carnival Cruise Line shared some additional information yesterday on the dry dock scheduled next month for Carnival Vista to complete a repair to the ship’s Azipods. As previously announced, Carnival Vista will be taken out of service on July 9, at which time it will transit to Freeport, Bahamas.

Carnival is working with ABB, the Azipod manufacturer, to complete the repairs and return the ship to scheduled service on July 27. Carnival is completing negotiations and planning with a shipping vessel operator on a protocol that will be a first-of-its-kind procedure to facilitate the repair, given the current lack of facilities at Grand Bahama Shipyard.

More information on that procedure will be forthcoming, but plans are in place to complete the work and return Carnival Vista to Galveston for the scheduled July 27 sailing.

Tillberg Design of Sweden launches a new visual identity

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 June 2019 20 June 2019

Tillberg Design of Sweden has launched a new visual identity for the group. The new design is built around the logotype made up of thin intersecting lines, creating a timeless brand mark that combines our heritage from 1964 with contemporary design. The light Nordic design also stands for simplicity and transparency, two of TDoS core values.

”After more than 50 years of creating award winning marine architecture & interior design, it was time to redesign ourselves.” says Fredrik Johansson, Owner & Executive Project Director. ”The new visual identity is developed during the last 12 months collateral with a strategic project that will sharpen our design and content products to our clients”.

Pace of UK & Ireland river cruise volume growth halved in 2018

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 June 2019 19 June 2019

The number of river cruises taken by British and Irish passengers has reached record levels but the rate of growth halved from the previous year, CLIA UK & Ireland said in a statement.

The total number of river cruise passengers reached 232,300 last year – an increase of 21,900, or 10.4% year on year. However, that compares with a 21% rise in 2017 when the annual total jumped by 36,000 to 210,400.

The number of ocean cruise passengers increased by 2.0% to 2.01 million, CLIA UK & Ireland has reported earlier.