With the arrival of Celebrity Edge this week, the Celebrity Cruises have revealed another innovative move in the way guests can experience an ultimate behind-the-scenes tour.
The tour which is accessed by using a smart phone app, uses binaural audio, soundscaping, and 3-D augmented reality technology. Now if you are anything like me, you won’t have a clue what that means, so here’s a quick introduction.
Binaural audio is a recording method using two microphones. This creates a 3D sound giving the impression that the sound is happening around you. This is most effective when wearing headphones.
Soundscaping is when ambient noises are added creating an immersive environment.
If that’s not enough to excite you, the 3D augmented reality will get your attention. Celebrity Cruises have already employed the technology in one of the Celebrity Edge restaurants, Le Grand Bistro. Here is a flavour of what this technology can do.
The eye-opening tour is narrated by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Chairman and CEO, Richard Fain, and Celebrity Cruises President and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. It showcases more than a dozen of Celebrity Edge’s most innovative spaces, including:
The Grand Plaza: Spanning three decks at the heart of the ship, this spectacular Italian piazza-inspired space acts as the epicenter of Celebrity Edge and the start of this innovative tour
Magic Carpet: This transformative venue is world’s first cantilevered, floating platform that reaches heights of 13 stories above sea level along the ship’s exterior
Resort Deck: Revolutionary in its vision, this outward-facing space offers endless ways for guests to enjoy the outdoors and connect with the sea
Rooftop Garden: A living, outdoor playscape offering everything from live concerts to dinner and movies under the stars
Eden: A unique venue where state-of-the-art design is fused with culinary and entertainment to excite guests’ every sense
Guests can also take a 360-degree peek at the Galley, the Bridge, the Engine Control Room, and the luxurious new Edge Launches
Sailing round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Celebrity Edge will make her first maiden voyage on December 9, 2018 and her inaugural season will be spent sailing alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries for the Winter. In Spring 2019 she repositions to the Mediterranean sailing a range of seven- to 11-night sailings from iconic cities like Barcelona and Rome in 2019.
Celebrity Edge‘s will be joined by Celebrity Apex in 2020, followed by two additional sister ships in 2021 and 2022.
MSC CRUISES TO BECOME OFFICIAL GLOBAL PARTNER OF CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB
Partnership is part of MSC Cruises’ strategic focus on the UK & Ireland
MSC Bellissima first ship to benefit from the partnership with signed memorabilia onboard & Chelsea ambassadors set to attend naming ceremony on 2nd March 2019 in Southampton
Image: MSC Cruises – Antonio Paradiso (MD MSC Cruises UK & Ireland), Bruce Buck (Chairman Chelsea FC), Gianni Onorato (CEO MSC Cruises)
I couldn’t be more excited to see a partnership between MSC Cruises and Chelsea Football Club.
One of my first memories as a child was asking my Mum which football team was the one nearest to where I was born. The answer? Chelsea. In the 1970’s I took a lot of flack for that. But in true Flavia style, I didn’t follow the trend, I stayed loyal to my team and now things are very different.
I manage to dig out a couple of old photos of the day I met Dennis Wise and Steve Clarke. I was lucky enough to be invited to the Players Lounge at an away match many years ago. Can you try and guess what year these photos were taken?
The multi-million-pound deal, includes LED perimeter advertising, VIP hospitality, star player engagement and a dedicated digital marketing presence. The Partnership will start in January 2019 and run until June 2021.
Chris Townsend OBE, Commercial Director, Chelsea Football Club stated: “We are delighted to announce a partnership with MSC Cruises at such an exciting time for their business. With the imminent launch of their new ship, it is the perfect time to begin our partnership.”
“We look forward to collaborating with MSC Cruises and cannot wait to introduce our global fanbase to this fantastic company”
An Industry-Unprecedented Investment Plan
MSC Cruises is the leading cruise line across Europe and the Gulf, South America and Southern Africa and is currently in the midst of an industry-unprecedented 10-year, €13.6 billion investment plan, which will see 17 new ships coming into service over the 2017 – 2027 period.
The partnership with Chelsea comes during a milestone week for MSC Cruises, as the 100-day countdown to the launch of the new MSC Bellissima begins. The Company’s new flag ship, which will be named in Southampton in a star studded ceremony on March 2nd will be the first ship in the fleet to benefit from the partnership where signed Chelsea FC memorabilia will be on display for guests in the British pub on board. In celebration of the partnership, ambassadors from the football club will attend the naming ceremony, as MSC Bellisima becomes the biggest ship ever to launch in the UK.
Antonio Paradiso, MSC Cruises’ Managing Director for UK & Ireland, added: “MSC Cruises has an ongoing commitment to the UK and Irish markets and this partnership with a world renowned and respected British institution, Chelsea FC further demonstrates this. This partnership will allow us to further raise the profile of the brand in the two markets. “
Of the impact on trade activity Antonio Paradiso added: “For our travel agents this will mean both an increased awareness around cruise from the billions of football fans who watch the Premier League every week but also an opportunity to engage a totally new audience who may never have considered a cruise before.”
Visit here for more information on Chelsea Football Club.
Princess Cruises launches Black Friday deals with seven-day sailings from £549pp
12 UK-based voyages feature in the sale, ranging in length from 7-14 days and departing between April and October 2019.
Seven of the voyages are on the 2,670-guest Sapphire Princess and travel roundtrip from Southampton to destinations across Europe. Fares start at £549 for a seven-day cruise and £1,199 for a 14-day cruise.
Deal fares include:
7- day Scandinavia cruise from £549pp for two people sharing an inside stateroom and £99pp for 3rd and 4th guests.
Departs on either 27 April or 29 June 2019. Ports include Copenhagen, Oslo, Zeebrugge (Belgium) and Skagen (Denmark).
14-day Baltic Heritage cruise from £1,199pp for two people sharing an inside stateroom and £199pp for 3rd and 4th guests.
Departs on 31 August 2019. Ports include an overnight stay in St Petersburg as well as Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn (Estonia), Zeebrugge (Belgium) and Gdansk (Poland).
A summer holiday 14-day Mediterranean Adventurer cruise from £1,399pp for two people sharing an inside stateroom and from £799pp for 3rd and 4th guests.
Departs 17 August 2019. Ports include Barcelona, Rome, Marseille, Cadiz, Livorno, Sardinia and Ceuta (Spanish Morocco).
The other five cruises are 12-day round-Britain sailings departing from Southampton. All are on the 3,080-guest Crown Princess, which underwent a multi-million pound refit earlier this year. Prices start from £1,299pp.
Deal fares include:
12-day cruise from £1,299pp for two people sharing an inside stateroom and £199pp for 3rd and 4th guests.
Departs 25 May 25 2019. Ports include St. Peter Port (Guernsey), Cork, Dublin, Belfast, Liverpool, Glasgow, Invergordon, Edinburgh and Le Havre (France).
Tony Roberts, vice president of Princess Cruises UK and Europe, said: “Our Black Friday deals always give great value and this year is no different, with a week’s holiday from the UK available for just over £1000 for two. With bucket list destinations on offer including St Petersburg, Rome, Barcelona and Oslo you can now book your dream cruise at a dream price.”
MSC Cruises has started to reveal details of what guests can look forward to on their flagship MSC Bellissima, which is to be named in Southampton, England on 2nd March 2019.
MSC Bellissima to be the biggest cruise ship named in Southampton.
With a maximum capacity of 5,686 guests and gross tonnage of 171,598, MSC Bellissima will be the biggest cruise ship ever to be named in the UK’s cruise capital.
FIRST AT SEA
Zoe – A Personal Cruise Assistant In Every Cabin.
Guests taking a cruise on board MSC Bellissima will be the first to experience the world’s first digital cruise assistant. Zoe will be available in seven languages and is designed to answer the most commonly asked questions all from the comfort of your cabin. The custom designed voice-enabled Artificial Intelligence device, will elevate the guest service experience to enhance and enrich life on board for MSC Cruises guests.
HOLA! Tapas Bar – New Dining Venue
Michelin Starred Chef Ramon Freixa creates new tapas restaurant concept.
With Michelin Starred Chef Ramon Freixa onboard MSC Seaview earlier this year.
At the heart of the ships’ iconic Galleria, HOLA! Tapas Bar welcomes you into an amazing new culinary experience created by the two Michelin starred chef Ramón Freixa. Designed to be a social dining experience, guests will be able to enjoy shared plates in a traditional celebration of the Mediterranean way of life.
Photo: MSC Cruises – MSC Bellissima, HOLA! TAPAS by Ramon Freixa
Ramón Freixa explains, “I want guests to enjoy a true taste of Spain through appetising tapas and a cheerful bar atmosphere.” Freixa continues, “I am delighted to be collaborating again with MSC Cruises. This partnership is special to me as we have such strong shared values and this new restaurant embodies our passion for sharing the joys of Mediterranean food.”
Photo: MSC Cruises – MSC Bellissima, HOLA! TAPAS by Ramon Freixa
12 Dining Venues and 20 Bars
In addition the tapas restaurant, guests will have 12 international dining venues and 20 bars to choose from including the new French specialty restaurant L’Atelier Bistrot.
L’Atelier Bistrot onboard MSC Seaview will also be on MSC Bellissima
Anyone with a sweet tooth can enjoy unique and elegant chocolate creations and desserts at the Chocolaterie and Chocolate bar designed by acclaimed pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury.
World-Class Entertainment
Two brand new exclusive Cirque du Soleil at Sea performances will be available onboard MSC Bellissima. The new show concepts will be revealed next month. This long-standing partnership with world-leader in live entertainment, Cirque du Soleil will also see a further four new shows created for sister ships MSC Grandiosa, launching November 2019 and MSC Virtuosa launching in 2020.
NEW MAGIC THEMED KIDS’ PROGRAMME
An impressive 700m² children’s play area will host LEGO® and Chicco activities as well as a brand-new School of Magic programme and weekly Magic Talent Show.
Photo: MSC Cruises – MSC Bellissima, Doremiland
Environmental Responsibility
MSC Bellissima will be equipped with the most modern environmental technology, energy-saving features and innovative technology to reduce her environmental footprint.
Some of the things she will be equipped with include: 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.
This all comes as part of MSC Cruises commitment to provide guests with the best holiday experiences at sea in a sustainable way.
MSC Bellissima lives up to her name meaning “most beautiful” by offering guests a beautiful and memorable cruise experience.
MSC Bellissima will feature a brand new Grand Canyon theme for the aquapark with three exhilarating water slides.
Other activities include a full-size bowling alley, F1 simulator and an XD cinema offering fun and interactive entertainment for guests of all ages.
The 985 seater theatre will have six brand new West-end style theatre shows, plus a full programme of activities are organised and hosted by the onboard entertainment team.
At the heart of MSC Bellissima is a stunning Galleria with an 80-metre LED sky screen, a shopping gallery with over 200 brands as well as bars and restaurants.
Photo: MSC Cruises – The stunning Galleria with LCD celing onboard MSC Meraviglia (pictured) will also be onboard MSC Bellissima
For those looking for a bit of pampering, the Balinese MSC Aurea Spa offers 79 different treatments and a stunning thermal area.
MSC Bellissima will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean offering 7-night cruises to some of the region’s most popular ports before moving to the Emirates for Winter 2019/2020.
Watch MSC Bellissima coming together in this incredible timelapse video.
Although Virgin Voyages are on a mission to disrupt the travel industry with their unique approach to cruise holidays, there are some surprisingly traditional roots within the details. Undoubtedly the most eyebrow raising venue revealed for Scarlet Lady to date, is the Razzle Dazzle restaurant.
A Tribute To War Ships
The design of Razzle Dazzle is based on Dazzle Camouflage used on war ships during the first world war. The image above shows gunboat HMS Kildangan in her glorious zebra stripes.
However it wasn’t just war ships that donned the design. Cunard’s RMS Mauretania also had a repaint when she was ordered to serve as a troop ship
RMS Mauretania in Dazzle Camouflage carrying troops.
The camouflage acted as an illusion to U-Boats as shown in the illustration below.
Image: Virgin Voyages – Razzle Dazzle Restaurant onboard Scarlet Lady
Female Impersonators in WW1
Diners in Razzle Dazzle can enjoy entertainment by Scarlet Lady’s resident Drag Queen. Not something we are used to on cruise ships and at first glance may seem a very ‘modern’ approach. However in the war, cross dressing was seen as a coping mechanism to deal with the horror and boredom experienced by troops.
Musicians, singers, and comedians were always on the entertainment bill, but the female impersonator was always a show stopper.
Another first at sea will be Squid Ink. The onboard tattoo parlour will offer Virgin Voyages Sailors the opportunity to keep the memory of their cruise with them forever.
The connection between sailors and tattoos can be traced back to Captain James Cook in the 1700s. After seeing the facial tattoos of Maori tribes, the Captain and his crew decided to get tattoos of their own. It is thought that this is how tattoos were introduced to Europe.
Sailor Jerry
During the second world war California born Norman Collins, nicknamed Sailor Jerry, was the sailors favourite tattoo artist. Enlisting in the US Navy at 19, he had been practicing his skills on drunks at Skid Row. During the war Honolulu, Hawaii, the red-light district was full of sailors and soldiers about to ship off for duty. Before their departure they would queue up in droves to get a tattoo from Jerry.
If you’ve been keeping up with announcements trickling out of Virgin Voyages HQ, you will be familiar with the term Creative Collective. This is the incredible design team that is making ship happen.
Another elaborate Virgin Voyages bash was held this week at Chef Jody Williams’ New York Gastrothèque, Buvette. The company chose the perfect venue to unveil the latest wave of designs by their Creative Collective.
Photographer: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com
“We want our eateries to delight and ignite serendipitous experiences for our sailors, so have set out on a mission to capture the spirit of dining in the best cities of the world and bring it to sea,” said Tom McAlpin, president and chief executive officer for Virgin Voyages. “Because food is the fuel for our bodies and souls, and we’re Virgin Voyages, naturally it all had to be included within your ticket price.”
Sailors will have more than 20 dining options to choose from including restaurants, seaside lounges and casual eateries. Each restaurant has it’s own bar and designed to create experiences that reflect the daily lives of their sailors and who they aspire to be.
In alignment with the cruise lines promise to have the most sustainable ships at sea, their effort to cut back on waste will see all food made to order. There will be no buffets onboard and the restaurants that are typically exclusive on land, will be open to all at no extra charge.
Virgin Voyages aims to be one of the cleanest fleets at sea, with a ban on single-use plastics Photographer: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com
The Restaurants
WAKE
Image: Virgin Voyages – Wake Restaurant served steak and seafood
Situated in a 5,866 square foot restaurant at the aft of the ship, designed by Roman and Williams, Wake offers sailors a dramatic view of the ship’s wake.
Image: Virgin Voyages Steak and Seafood Restaurant Wake
Serving a theatrical take on steak and seafood, Wake is the most glamorous restaurant on the ship with an experience inspired by The Wolseley – London and The Grill – New York, a dramatic grand staircase.
Image: Virgin Voyages Steak and Seafood Restaurant Wake
Offerings include a raw bar (design inspired by the bow of a speedboat), land and sea classics, a table-side cocktail cart and a Sommelier led Magnum program.
RAZZLE DAZZLE
“There’s a Virgin twist on everything you’ll see aboard the Scarlet Lady, which means there will be no stuffy formalities, boring buffets and no main dining rooms. Sailors are not going to want to leave our ship after they experience how we’ve designed our restaurants and tasted the dishes we are going to be serving up in 2020,” said Sir Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group.
Photographer: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com
With an interior scheme that nods to the namesake, the bold camouflaging of ships from WWI using patterns of black and white paint, Razzle Dazzle was designed by Concrete Amsterdam.
Photographer: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com
With vibrant and creative twists on vegetarian fare and a juice bar. Razzle Dazzle delivers a healthy dose of nice with just the right amount of wrong.
Photographer: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com
The “nice” menu offers plant-based vegetarian and vegan dishes including must have munchies such as the Impossible Burger.
The “naughty” side enables sailors to order meat “add-ons” and offers to spike their healthy smoothies with boozy shots.
Photographer: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com
To live up to the boldness of its name, Razzle Dazzle will not simply brunch but rather Drag Brunch, where sailors are treated to a performance by the Scarlet Lady’s resident drag performer and friends.
Brita Filter performs at the Virgin Voyages Sea-licious Event in New York Photographer: Benjamin Lozovsky/BFA.com
For a small fee, sailors can opt to enjoy bottomless drag-inspired cocktails like the “Yasss Queen” and the Razzle Dizzle, a CBD infused cocktail.
THE TEST KITCHEN
Image: Virgin Voyages Test Kitchen
The Test Kitchen will offer sailors innovative and avant-garde cuisine in a clean and modern space designed by Concrete Amsterdam.
Image: Virgin Voyages Test Kitchen
Inspired by Escoffier’s Ma Cuisine, this laboratory-like eatery is part cooking school and part restaurant, making it the ultimate place for discovery through cuisine with an atmosphere that is educational, experiential and social all in one. The chef-driven set menus are presented in the form of an ingredient list to Sailors who will discover how the chef combines the list of flavors throughout the course of the meal.
Image: Virgin Voyages Test Kitchen
This eatery hosts a number of different experiences throughout the voyage from cooking classes, to mixology school to coffee labs, and even a few late-night lock-ins, where sailors will be invited to raid the chef’s fridge and dig into a midnight feast.
GEONBAE
Image: Virgin Voyages Geonbae Restaurant
Geonbae, the equivalent of the expression bottoms up in Korean, is a Korean BBQ restaurant designed by Soft Room.
Hosted by the loudest servers at sea, each meal will begin with a complimentary round of soju for the table and throughout the evening sailors are encouraged to take part in lively Korean drinking games.
Image: Virgin Voyages – Geonbae Restaurant
A social, hands on, interactive, fun dining experience, Geonbae features specially engineered flameless grills built into each table and invites Sailors to literally play with their food as they cook their perfect BBQ.
An elevated Mexican restaurant designed by Tom Dixon, Pink Agave transports sailors to the vibrant streets of Mexico City through immersive void lighting.
Image: Virgin Voyages – Blue Agave Mexican Restaurant
Offering a wide variety of Mexican specialties that inspire sailors to discover authentic Mexican flavours including tlayudas, memelas, sopes, tortas, esquites, and tamales.
Pink Agave’s dishes can be paired with a cocktail from the Scarlet Lady’s expansive collection of mezcals, or signature Agua Fresca cocktails. Pink Agave is designed to be a lively shared plate restaurant experience, where the DJ amps up the energy of the room as the evening hours slip away.
EXTRA VIRGIN
Image: Virgin Voyages Italian Restaurant Extra Virgin
Extra Virgin is the ships trattoria serving regionally-inspired and approachable food, deeply rooted in Italian culinary traditions with handmade fresh pasta made daily. A meal begins with shared antipasti followed by approachable pasta-centric favourites.
Image: Virgin Voyages – Italian Restaurant Extra Virgin
Extra Virgin features a wide and wonderful world of amari and digestivi and traditional Italian aperitifs designed to stimulate the appetite. The wine list will be designed with a unique infographic system to help sailors better understand Italian wines and enable them to navigate to the perfect bottle. The integration of a Coravin at the bar will allow sailors to taste rare Italian wines by the glass. Extra Virgin will offer an Aperitivo hour each day with drink specials and small plates.
DOCK
Image: Virgin Voyages – Dock
The dock is a perfect place to hang day and night. Set in the ship’s sun-dappled lounging area at the aft of the ship on deck 7, The Dock is a beach club-inspired space designed by Roman and Williams.
Image: Virgin Voyages Dock Restaurant
Carts of Mediterranean small plates, salads, dips and mezzes provide perfect grazing options throughout the day. Flame grilled to order skewers provide filling hot options for those wanting a substantial bite to eat.
THE GALLEY
Image: Virgin Voyages The Galley
Modelled on popular food halls where visitors can taste a cornucopia from different restaurants, The Galley will be the main space for the quick and casual meal throughout the day.
Image: Virgin Voyages – The Galley
The food hall will feature a mix of more than eight shops and food carts, each offering a unique concept with irresistible signature dishes that changes to suit the time of day.
Image: Virgin Voyages – The Galley Food Hall
The Galley’s concepts include a dedicated bakery and pastry shop, a panini shop, a burger grill, a taco shack, a sushi bar with bento boxes, a noodle bar, a soup and salad stand, and a 24-hour American diner.
THE PIZZA PLACE
Image: Virgin Voyages – Pizza Place
The beach club-inspired Pizza Place offers a quick, easy and delicious meal. Sailors can choose from the classic menu or design their very own pizza.
Image: Virgin Voyages – Pizza Place
This casual chill out spot is a great for lunch, as well as late-night, post drink, hunger buster.
Virtual Tour
I’ve created a video to help bring the ship to life. It’s on my YouTube channel. If you are not already, why not subscribe to my channel. If you like the video please give it a thumbs up and leave any comments about your thoughts on the Virgin Voyages dining concept, below.
Princess Cruises Reveals New Features on Latest Ship
Princess Cruises has unveiled the first wave of new features onboard its newest ship, the 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess. The vessel will hold its naming ceremony in Southampton in late June 2020, making it the first Princess Cruises ship to be named in the UK since Royal Princess in 2013.
As with sister ship Sky Princess, which launches next year, Enchanted Princess will feature two new ‘Sky Suites’ centrally located on the top deck of the ship. The 270-degree panorama staterooms will provide a private vantage point of the ship’s Movies under the Stars screen and create a large space for entertaining. The suites can accommodate up to five guests, making them ideal for families.
The ship will also include:
A redesigned ‘Salty Dog Gastropub’. The venue will screen sporting events and offer a range of premium-range food and drink including the award-winning ‘Ernesto Burger’
A redesigned Sabatini’s speciality restaurant, Princess Cruises’ onboard Italian Trattoria, which will incorporate new handmade pasta dishes prepared fresh every day
An art deco design for The Princess Live TV studio and café, where guests can watch live entertainment, order drinks and light snacks
A ‘Wakeview’ pool on its rear decks
A newly-designed top-deck ‘Sanctuary’, Princess Cruises’ adults only relaxation area, which will house extra private cabanas
Tony Roberts, vice president Princess Cruises UK and Europe, said: “With the launch of Enchanted Princess in Southampton and our continued commitment to enhancing the range of features onboard our growing fleet of ships, this is an exciting time for Princess Cruises as we constantly strive to appeal to passengers looking for something new and exciting, both in terms of onboard offerings and destinations.”
After its naming ceremony Enchanted Princess will head to the Mediterranean for summer 2020. The ship will offer sailings ranging between seven and 22 days from Barcelona, Athens and Rome. The cruises go on sale on Thursday, November 8 at 5pm.
Meanwhile, bookings for 2020 voyages to southern and northern Europe that depart from Southampton, on the UK-based ships Crown Princess and Island Princess, can be made from Thursday, November 8 at 9am.
For more information or to book call Flavia on 0330 041 7418
MSC Cruises Have Launches A Worldwide Commitment To Eliminate Single-use Plastics Throughout The Fleet
It is the topic of the decade, reducing ocean pollution and MSC Cruises are taking a big step to ensure they are making changes across their family owned fleet. MSC Cruises’ commitment will see the phasing out of all single use plastic straws by December 2018. This is followed by a further pledge which will se the removal of virtually all single-use plastics fleetwide by March 2019.
MSC Cruises’ Plastics Reduction Programme plans to phase out or replace virtually all single-use plastic items by March 2019 across its entire fleet .
The first milestone will be reached by the end of 2018 which will see all plastic straws replaced with 100% compostable and biodegradable alternatives.
The company is exploring end-to-end recycling solutions and for remaining plastic items to get certification by global organisation.
Antonio Paradiso, MD for MSC Cruises UK & Ireland said of the commitment “At MSC Cruises our passion is the sea and we are always working hard to grow and evolve our business with a mind-set to respect the environment and the oceans which we operate in. Our plastic reduction programme aims to move at a very fast pace and by end of December 2018, we will already reach a first milestone by phasing out all single-use plastic straws, followed by another milestone in March 2019 when virtually all single-use plastics will be removed or replaced if alternatives are available.
The depth and diligence of this programme is exceptional and unique: it is not only about single-use plastic straws, or small ‘visible’ restaurant items, the Programme also looks at eliminating ALL ‘invisible’ single-use plastic items from the entire supply chain. At MSC Cruises we are driven by innovation and development and are working with thousands of partners and suppliers to ensure that our Environmental Stewardship Programme matches the innovation of our next generation smart fleet.”
Princess Cruises announces first fully-enabled OceanMedallion ship is now in service.
Princess Cruises has revealed that the 3,140-guest Caribbean Princess is the first ship in its fleet to have full OceanMedallion access. All guests on the vessel are now using the wearable device, which offers a more personalised cruise experience.
The OceanMedallion is the same size as a 10p piece, is fully automated and has no visible technology such as an on-off switch or charging function. Its features include:
A streamlined ship embarkation and disembarkation process, giving quicker and easier entry and exit
Keyless stateroom access
Enhanced interaction with crew members and other guests, e.g. staff can see guest’s individual food and beverage preferences and accordingly offer a more personalised service
OceanCompass, which provides interactive directions throughout the ship and allows guests to easily locate friends, family and children
Access for guests to a real-time look at their itinerary via portals throughout the ship, along with events and activities taking place during their cruise
Interactive games that can be played on portals across the vessel including trivia challenges and a shipwide digital scavenger hunt
A selection of casino games including poker, bingo and roulette available via guests’ smart devices and select portals
Caribbean Princess now also features MedallionNet, which gives guests faster internet streaming speeds equivalent to those on land.
The ship is based in the Caribbean all year round.
Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, said: “Having 100 percent of our guests using OceanMedallion on every sailing of Caribbean Princess is a significant milestone that we are celebrating on the path to fleet-wide implementation. Our guests tell us that OceanMedallion is turning an already extraordinary experience on Princess Cruises into an even more spectacular holiday, making sailing on Caribbean Princess the ultimate Caribbean cruise.”
OceanMedallion was first unveiled by Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald in 2017. It will continue to roll out as part of a phased fleet-wide activation plan with further announcements to be made in due course.
A seven-day ‘Eastern Caribbean Explorers’ roundtrip cruise on Caribbean Princess sets sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on February 9, 2019. Ports of call include the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and the Turks & Caicos Islands. Prices from £649 per person.*
After emerging from a seven-day makeover in Panama, the award-winning Celebrity Xpedition is surrounding guests in upgraded comforts as they explore the Galapagos Islands. It’s another bold step in THE CELEBRITY REVOLUTION, beyond the introduction of two industry-changing ships – Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Flora – and the $500 million modernisation of the rest of the brand’s fleet.
Scheduled to make its return to service on 23 September 2018, the revitalised Celebrity Xpedition will debut an array of enhancements across the 100-guest ship, such as redecorated staterooms, lounges and restaurants, and faster and more reliable Wi-Fi. All of which will compliment the natural beauty of the Galapagos, and allow guests to stay connected even as they disconnect.
“Our commitment to the Galapagos Islands has never been stronger, because we know, having sailed these awe-inspiring islands for so many years, what a life-changing experience it is to come here,” noted Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and ceo, Celebrity Cruises. “The upgrades we’re making to Celebrity Xpedition and the upcoming arrival of our new Celebrity Flora, the first ship designed specifically with the Galapagos Islands in mind, will transform the way our guests discover this amazing place and take our unrivalled Galapagos offerings to an entirely new level.”
THE BEST SHIP IN THE GALAPAGOS IS GETTING EVEN BETTER
As part of her modernisation, Celebrity Xpedition will undergo the following enhancements from bow to stern:
Suites and staterooms will be stunningly refreshed, adding new carpeting and balcony upgrades to a list of already impressive touches. This includes Celebrity Cruises’ eXhaleTM bedding to create a relaxing atmosphere after a long day’s adventure
All suite and stateroom doors will be outfitted with RFID lock technology, making it easier for guests to access their rooms
An upgrade to the shipboard IT systems, including the addition of an O3B satellite to improve the speed and reliability of the ship’s full-coverage Wi-Fi. The adjusted bandwidth will enhance both guest experience and crew efficiency
The Beagle Grill will be outfitted with new furniture and lighting so guests can enjoy an intimate dining experience under the sun and stars, and new ultra-modern culinary equipment to help bring the menus crafted by Celebrity’s Michelin-starred chef to life
In the Discovery Lounge, guests will find a new, state-of-the-art video wall, upgraded finishes and textiles, as well as a new dedicated DJ station to elevate the ambiance of this guest-favourite hangout
The Darwin Dining Room will receive similar design enhancements with new lighting, carpet and millwork
Water filtration system on every deck for guests to enjoy
Crew area enhancements including new mattresses with Celebrity’s eXhaleTM bedding, carpets, and Dayroom TV
Celebrity Xpedition will debut these enhanced suites, services and amenities in June 2019, to coincide with the arrival of the new Celebrity Flora. Suite guests will be equipped with marine binoculars to use on their cruise, as well as premium backpacks and rain ponchos that they can take back home with them. Whilst guests unwind in their suites on-board, stateroom attendants are on hand to help with their packing and unpacking, and are provided with full in-suite dinner service, upgraded premium bathrobes, luxurious Kuno bath products from Ecuador, and many more during their sailing.
FROM BUCKET LIST TO BOOK-IT LIST
With more than 14 years in the Galapagos Islands, Celebrity Cruises remains the authority in the region, offering guests an unparalleled experience in this iconic archipelago of volcanic islands. It offers all-inclusive holiday packages ranging from seven to 16 nights, each featuring an immersive seven-night cruise and seven certified naturalists on board.
For Quotes and Bookings please call Flavia on: 0330 041 7433
Ponant Reveal New Ship to be named Le Commandant Charcot, a tribute to Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot
Ponant, the global leader in luxury expeditions and the only French-owned cruise line, has revealed the name of its polar exploration vessel, Le Commandant Charcot. A world first, this hybrid electric icebreaker, powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), has been named after Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot, as an homage to the man known as “the gentleman of the poles”.
Photo Credit: PONANT – Le Commandant Charcot
A tribute to the famous French polar explorer, Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot
The new vessel will bear the name of a great French explorer: Le Commandant Charcot. An explorer by vocation with a true passion for sailing, Jean-Baptiste Charcot is an emblematic figure of French polar expeditions. By naming its forthcoming polar exploration vessel after him, PONANT is paying tribute to this “gentleman of the poles”, who was respected by everyone. This choice is even more significant since this new ship will be fitted with the latest technology for minimising environmental impact, as well as a scientific laboratory for conducting operational oceanography missions and research.
Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot, the gentleman of the poles
Captain Jean-Baptiste Charcot
1867 Born in Neuilly-sur-Seine.
1873 At school, he drew boats on all his exercise books.
1892 For his 25th birthday, he received a small boat as a gift from his father.
1902 He crossed the Arctic Circle and travelled to the Arctic for the first time.
1903 From 1903 to 1905 aboard LeFrançais and from 1908 to 1910 aboard LePourquoi-Pas, he reached the Antarctic regions.
1909 He located Graham Land on navigation charts, dropped anchor near Alexandra Land, and discovered the island that would bear his name.
1920 From 1920 to 1936, his scientific cruises led him from the Hebrides to the east coast of Greenland.
Sustainable development is at the core of the design of the polar exploration vessel
Powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Le Commandant Charcot will be fitted with the latest environmental protection technology:
Advanced “Cleanship” equipment exceeding the requirements imposed by current environmental regulations:
Reduction of SO2, NOₓ, CO2 and particle emissions thanks to the use of LNG
Zero emissions in hybrid electric mode
Energy management:
Energy optimisation system with precise consumption measurement and optimisation of ship sailing methods
Energy recovery system
Consumption optimisation with latest-generation electric batteries that make it possible to stop the engines for 2 to 3 hours
Water treatment:
Advanced waste-water treatment system
Photo Credit: PONANT – Le Commandant Charcot
Pre-bookings can be made from 6 September 2018
Bookings for cruises aboard Le Commandant Charcot will open on 4 April 2019, but pre-bookings may be made from 6 September 2018 to secure a stateroom and the early bird price. A chance to discover the Geographic North Pole (latitude 90 degrees North) or parts of Antarctica, such as the Ross Sea, Charcot Island and Peter Island, that were inaccessible until now… Passengers booking these itineraries will be in for veritable polar odysseys rather than cruises.
Celebrity Cruises Unveils The Breathtaking Grand Plaza.
Welcome To The Grand Plaza
With only three months until the first official sailing of Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Cruises have revealed the heart and soul of Celebrity Edge. The beating heart of the year’s most anticipated new ship will be The Grand Plaza, a stunning venue that will shatter all expectations and break from traditional cruise ship thinking.
Chic Society
Mixing simplicity and modernity, The Grand Plaza takes inspiration from the glamorous days of transatlantic travel. At a time when cruise ships were at the heart of chic society, the centre of these ships were traditionally spectacular ballrooms, accented with dramatic staircases and ornate chandeliers. They were social places to meet, greet, dine, drink and dance. The Grand Plaza pays homage to these powerful historic spaces and reinterprets them for the 21st century.
The Grand Plaza truly is a grand space. At its centre, on Deck 3, guests will find the breathtaking next evolution of the always-buzzing Martini Bar, one of the most popular venues across Celebrity’s fleet.
A breathtaking chandelier-meets-art installation, immediately draws one’s eye from anywhere in the space. Below its atmospheric glow, the bar curves gracefully around to invite conversation and interaction with Celebrity’s talented flair bartenders who’ll impress guests with their gravity-defying skills.
Guests can choose from a wide variety of martinis, including the brand’s Bella Cera, which blends Chameleon cachaça, Bombay Sapphire gin, lime juice, Angostura bitters, and ginger beer; or try the Marmalade Smash, which fuses Bulleit bourbon, lemon juice, simple syrup, orange marmalade, and fresh ginger.
Adorning the edges of The Grand Plaza are intricately hand-stitched mesh screens, combining more than 13,500 pieces of metal, leather, and fabric.
In the morning, The Grand Plaza invites guests to enjoy a cappuccino and a croissant at either of the cafés. Guests can return to The Grand Plaza for afternoon tea or to indulge in a pre-dinner cocktail while enjoying unexpected pop-up performances. At nightfall, the energy transforms completely, and the space becomes the social epicenter of the ship, coming alive with live music.
The Heart and Soul Behind The Heart and Soul of Celebrity Edge
With the aspiration to completely transform the way guests connect to the world, Celebrity sought creative thinkers who were new to the cruise industry to ensure every aspect of Celebrity Edge would be a departure from traditional thinking about cruising.
Turning The Typical Into The Transformative
The Grand Plaza remains a highlight of Jouin Manku’s involvement in the design of Celebrity Edge, but their influence is also strikingly apparent in the Main Dining Atrium on Celebrity Edge, where they’ve taken the concept of a staircase and turned it into a work of art. Hanging three stories between the flights of stairs is yet another meaningful art installation known as The Pendulum. The Pendulum base moves ever so gently to the rhythms of the ocean to remind guests that they are indeed moving and connected to the sea, even when they cannot see it.
Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed that Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, the award-winning Spanish artist, created the hull artwork for the fourth and final ship of its Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Encore, debuting in Miami in November 2019.
A representation of his modern and abstract style, the ship’s hull will feature a labyrinth of color inspired by Arranz-Bravo’s life by the sea in Barcelona and paying tribute to the vibrant guest experience for which the Norwegian brand is recognized.
“Norwegian Cruise Line is a dynamic, pioneering company known for its innovative experiences and breathtaking collection of beautifully designed ships,” said Arranz-Bravo. “I am honored to not only bring that vibrancy to life even more on Norwegian Encore but also showcase my love for the ocean and my hometown of Barcelona.”
Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, played a key role in the selection of Arranz-Bravo as the hull artist for Norwegian Encore, having been inspired by his work for many years. Del Rio’s passion for the arts has helped elevate Norwegian’s on-board experience, most recently with the multi-million-dollar-art collection curated for Norwegian Bliss.
“We are well-known for our iconic hull designs and know that Arranz-Bravo’s lively design will complement the colorful destinations in the Caribbean that Norwegian Encore will visit when she debuts next year,” said Del Rio.
Recognized for his inventive and humanistic approach to abstract art, Arranz-Bravo’s work is showcased throughout the world and portrays a constant evolution that some refer to as futuristic. He is highly regarded, having been the recipient of countless awards and accolades, and was one of three artists chosen to represent the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona.
“Eduardo’s design will be a perfect complement to the collection of hull artwork within our fleet and is a testament to the dynamic experience our guests will have on board,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “We are proud to welcome him to our Norwegian Cruise Line family.”
At approximately 167,800 gross tons and accommodating up to 4,000 guests, Norwegian Encore will complete the Breakaway-Plus class, the most successful class in the company’s history. She is currently being built at Meyer Werft, in Papenburg, Germany and will feature many innovative dining, entertainment and recreational activities that guests have come to expect from the industry-leading brand.
Following her unveiling, she will cruise out of Miami every Sunday and sail seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean, beginning with her first journey on November 17, 2019 through April 12, 2020.
More details on the ship’s design, accommodations, dining and onboard offerings will be shared in the coming months.
Princess Cruises’ Majestic Princess ‘lands’ on world’s first floating runway in Sydney Harbour
Majestic Princess sailed into Sydney on Saturday morning on the world’s first floating “runway”. The spectacular celebration was held to mark the maiden arrival of the ship, the largest Princess Cruises’ vessel ever to visit Australia.
The 3,560-guest Majestic Princess was filmed arriving into Sydney via the 1,550 metre-long illuminated floating runway, which was created by 62 buoys with red and white flares that guided her path into Sydney Harbour.
The newest ship in Princess Cruises’ fleet, Majestic Princess will be based in Sydney for the next six months, and will join three other Princess Cruises’ ships – Sun Princess, Sea Princess and Golden Princess – in Australia. The vessels will sail from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Fremantle, and Adelaide.
Princess Cruises recently announced its largest ever deployment in the region for 2019-2020. Five ships will travel to more than 100 destinations and carry around 200,000 guests.
The extra capacity will help meet growing demand from the UK. The amount of Brits booking Australia and New Zealand voyages with Princess Cruises has nearly doubled year-on-year in 2018.
Majestic Princess’ current sailing is being filmed as part of series six of ITV documentary ‘The Cruise’, which is due to air on ITV in early 2019. At 143,700 tonnes, Majestic Princess is equivalent to 126 Sydney Manly ferries, while her height of more than 68 metres makes her taller than the Sydney Opera House. The documentary will reveal what life is like for both crew and guests as they sail around Australasia.
Prices start from £2,689 per person for a 13-night cruise onboard Majestic Princess to New Zealand sailing roundtrip from Sydney, departing 1 November 2019.
About Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises operates a fleet of 17 modern cruise ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided with the experience of exceptional customer service. Princess carries two million guests each year to more than 380 destinations around the globe on more than 150 itineraries ranging in length from three to 114 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation
Second Edge Class ship, Celebrity Apex to launch in the UK
One of the world’s most hotly anticipated cruise ships, Celebrity Apex from Celebrity Cruises famed Edge Class series, will launch and be named in the UK ahead of calling Southampton home for its first ever cruises in April 2020.
The news provides a boom to the UK cruise industry in 2020 and will be the first time Celebrity Cruises will operate two ships from the UK’s favourite port with Celebrity Silhouette returning to Southampton for her third consecutive year.
Celebrity Silhouette (pictured) will be joined by Celebrity Apex in Southampton April 2020
Celebrity Apex is the second Edge-class ship from Celebrity Cruises – an innovative new class of ship that is set to revolutionise the industry and set a new benchmark for modern luxury travel. Working with designers including Kelly Hoppen MBE, Patricia Urquiola, Jouin Manku, Celebrity Apex will feature all the signature spaces including the Magic Carpet and the Edge Stateroom with Infinite Balcony.
Ten Years On
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO, Celebrity Cruises, explains:
“When Celebrity Apex launches in Southampton in 2020 it will be another incredible moment for our company and for the UK & Ireland market, especially as it will be ten years since we last named and operated a brand new ship from the UK. In 2010 Celebrity Eclipse changed the face of UK cruising with our modern luxury approach. Celebrity Apex will continue our tradition of reimagining what is expected from all aspects of a holiday at sea and elevate modern luxury cruising in ways never seen before.”
From left to right: Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.; Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises; and Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
More Suites Than Any Other Celebrity Cruises Ship
Boasting some of the most luxurious accommodations, the Edge-class of ships – including Celebrity Apex – has been built to offer the ultimate cruise experience – featuring more suites than any other Celebrity Cruises ship, including the twin-level Edge Villas with outdoor plunge pools. The two Iconic Suites will be the most spacious found anywhere in the fleet featuring over 2,500 square feet of space both indoors and out, plus 82 feet of wraparound glass windows giving uninterrupted views out to sea from the lounge, bedroom and dining room.
Culinary Offerings
From an exhilarating ‘Dinner on the Edge’ experience 16 decks above the ocean, to an immersive fusion of technology, animation and dining like nothing guests have ever experienced at sea, Celebrity Apex’s culinary offering boasts 29 world-class, palate-pleasing venues. This includes four main dining restaurants, one exclusive Suite Class and one exclusive AquaClass restaurant, and seven brand new specialty restaurants.
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo adds:
“Our new Edge-class ships are design and architectural feats that bring a closer connection to both the ocean and the destinations visited with a unique outward facing design. Excitement for our newest ships continues to build and build, and I’m thrilled that this news about Celebrity Apex will ensure that enthusiasm reaches record levels.”
Currently being built at the Chantier de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France, Celebrity Apex will enjoy its official launch celebrations in Southampton, including the prestigious naming ceremony. Celebrity Apex will go on sale 29 November 2018.
Oceania Cruises Offers the Ultimate in Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, New Zealand and the South Pacific
OLife Ultimate Campaign Provides Guests with Outstanding Complimentary Amenities
Oceania Cruises has extended their popular OLife Ultimate promotion to selected 2018 and 2019 sailings in some of the world’s most coveted destinations. The offer by the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, gives guests unlimited internet, up to eight free shore excursions, a free house alcoholic beverage package, up to $800 shipboard credit and free gratuities per stateroom.
Enriching Immersive Destinations and Experiences
One of Oceania Cruises’ most generous ever offers, OLife Ultimate applies to 18 cruises, not only to the stunningly exotic South Pacific Islands, but also now to cruises which take in both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand, eastern Australia and Tasmania, the tropical havens of the Caribbean and fascinating Asian ports from Dubai to Japan and beyond. The full list of applicable cruises can be found at OLife Ultimate Sailings.
New Zealand and Australia
Tasman Traveller offers guests the chance to see the best of the North and South islands of New Zealand; Sydney and Eden on Australia’s east coast; and the energetic seaside town of Burnie in Tasmania. The 16-day cruise sails 30th January 2019 on board Regatta. Highlights of how guests can use their eight free shore excursions include trips to glow worm caves and kayaking adventures at The Bay of Islands, New Zealand, or wild kangaroo spotting and fresh oyster sampling in Eden, Australia.
South Pacific
Two Sparkling South Pacific cruises on board Marina are 10 days long, sailing on 21st and 31st January 2019. They both highlight French Polynesia, round trip from Papeete, visiting the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes and pristine ecosystems of Moorea, Fakarava, Huahine and Raiatea among others. Six shore excursions could see guests sailing a lagoon by catamaran off the most romantic island in the world, Bora Bora, or learn how to grade pearls on a visit to a black pearl farm in Rangiroa.
Safaris, Sands and Splendours
Sailing 20th January 2019 for 30 days, the epic Safaris, Sands and Splendours cruise on board Nautica covers 11 countries from South Africa to Singapore. The sailing stops at Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Seychelles, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia in an astonishing itinerary of contrasting cultures, which guests will be able to delve deeply into with eight free shore excursions. An overnight stay in Cape Town means travellers can take advantage of their free shore excursions with a tour of local winelands or visit Robben Island. Or they can use their shore excursions later in the cruise, visiting the Black Lemur Sanctuary in Madagascar, enjoying an insider’s tour of a tea plantation in Sri Lanka, or experiencing a cave and mangrove adventure in Langkawi, Malaysia. There are also a number of pre-cruise land programmes for guests to enjoy, if they choose to, for an additional cost. These include the four-day Winelands & Wildlife tour which showcases picturesque landscapes and renowned wines of the Cape Town region, as well as offering the chance to see lions, zebras, giraffes and more in one of Africa’s pristine wildlife reserves.
Caribbean
Guests could also experience a Caribbean New Year on board Insignia sailing from Miami to New York for 15 days on 27th December 2018. Ringing in the New Year with an overnight stay in Orangestad, Aruba, the ship also visits Santa Marta, Colombia; Willemstad, Curacao; Kralendijk, Bonaire; St. George’s, Grenada; Castries, St. Lucia; Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe; Gustavia, St. Barts; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Explorers can use their eight shore excursions to marvel at the spectacular Quebrada Valencia waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park in Colombia, partake in a 4×4 Land Rover adventure across the rugged eastern shore of Bonaire or discover the rum-making process during a tour of Old San Juan and the Bacardi Rum Distillery. Also, Insignia will be better than new following a re-inspiration of dramatic on-board enhancements, elevating every facet of the guest experience.
Ultimate Amenities on Five Oceania Cruises Ships
OLife Ultimate gives guests a number of free amenities to enjoy on board Oceania Cruises’ Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina and Riviera. Not only will Insignia attract the free amenities, but the ship will also have benefitted from the recently announced OceaniaNEXT $100 million re-inspiration initiative, with her guests among some of the first to enjoy 342 brand new designer suites and staterooms as well as stunning new décor in the restaurants, lounges and bars.
A house beverage package affords guests free and unlimited champagne, wine and beer with lunch and dinner, which can be enjoyed with the Finest Cuisine at Sea in a variety of complimentary dining venues. Sumptuous dining options include authentic Italian, classic French, Asian-fusion and American Steakhouse.
Guests will also receive up to $800 shipboard credit which can be spent in any one of the ship’s luxurious facilities on board. This could be while enjoying a refreshing cocktail in one of many salubrious bars or perhaps a relaxing treatment in the Canyon Ranch Spa. On board Marina and Riviera, guests could even expand their culinary expertise by taking a class in the Culinary Centre which teaches pupils a variety of skills and specialities from ancient cuisines, to magical dishes from Morocco and Turkey, to knife skills.
OLife Ultimate, which must be booked by 30th September 2018, also gives guests complimentary internet as well as free gratuities.
About Oceania Cruises
Celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2018, Oceania Cruises is the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line. The line’s six intimate and luxurious ships which carry only 684 or 1,250 guests offer an unrivalled holiday experience featuring the finest cuisine at sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly crafted voyages aboard designer-inspired, intimate ships call on more than 450 ports across Europe, Alaska, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, New England-Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Tahiti and the South Pacific and epic 180-day Around the World Voyages.
About OceaniaNEXT
You can read more about the OceaniaNEXT re-inspiration of the iconic Regatta-Class ships here.
Celebrity Edge inspires the next generation of explorers at sea
From tots speaking their first words to teens preparing to leap into university, Celebrity Cruises is taking learning at sea to the next level for guests of all ages on its new transformational ship, Celebrity Edge.
Younger travellers will be truly spoilt for choice with the ship’s Camp at Sea programme. With over 500 activities to try out, don’t miss out on the chance to take part in the cruise line’s first youth coding experience at sea, create a holiday vlog using a Go Pro camera or master the music decks with a Scratch DJ tournament.
Those looking to become the next Albert Einstein, Bear Grylls or David Attenborough can harness their inner scientist, explorer and adventurer at Anturus Explorer Academy. Navigate the world like an explorer and uncover the Earth’s magnetic field, test out a homemade shelter with a special camp-out evening on the top deck, and test out those commentary skills at The Explorer Olympics. At the end of the sailing, children will graduate from the academy as an Explorer with their very own certificate and badge, and can put their training to good use after their holiday.
Free for all children on-board, the Anturus Explorer Academy sessions will not only help ignite the imaginations of young people, they also bring the STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering and maths – to life outside the classroom.
Homeporting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Celebrity Cruises’ newest transformational ship, Celebrity Edge, will be making her first sailing in November 2018. Celebrity Edge will spend her inaugural season sailing, alternating seven-night eastern and western Caribbean itineraries before transporting guests to the stunning vistas of the Mediterranean, with a range of seven-to-11-night sailings from iconic cities like Barcelona and Rome in 2018.
Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity Cruises can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. This is the Celebrity Distinction. Celebrity Cruises’ 12 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity Cruises also presents immersive cruise tour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Join Celebrity Cruises for a nine-night Western Mediterranean fly/cruise from £2,659 per person based on two people sharing an Oceanview stateroom. Both guests will receive a free Classic Drinks Package worth £450* per person, along with free soft drinks packages for additional guests.
Departing 10 August 2019, the price includes return flights from London Heathrow airport, transfers, and a nine-night cruise departing Rome (Civitavecchia, Italy), and calling at Naples (Italy), Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), Monte Carlo (Monaco), Santa Margherita (Italy) and Florence/Pisa (La Spezia, Italy), before returning to Rome for the flight home; meals and entertainment on-board the ship and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.
*Subject to availability, prices depending on sailing length
Flexible Itinerary Options Offer Culinary Excursions, Boutique and Market Shopping, Art, and Well-being Themes
European Waterways is the largest luxury hotel barging company in Europe. For those of you not familiar with the term hotel barging, it is a boutique, unique experience, offering an immersive, all-inclusive “gentle voyage of discovery”, focusing on the culture, history, fine wine and gourmet cuisine of the region.
Travelling in groups is increasing in popularity and European Waterways has introduced 6 night “Ladies at Leisure” hotel barge charter options, offering a wide range of excursions, culinary experiences, shopping and health-conscious themes, such as yoga and walking.
They are a unique way for female travellers to indulge in their favourite activities, while on holiday with their relatives, friends, or social groups in some of the most attractive and exclusive regions of Europe.
Managing Director of European Waterways, Derek Banks, said “Today’s female travellers are more confident and independent. The social nature of hotel barging makes it an ideal way to take a break, or mark a celebration, with like-minded friends in a relaxing setting”.
European Waterways’ Ladies at Leisure cruises can be tailored to meet the special interests of each group. For example, a culinary themed cruise can include private cooking demonstrations, excursions may feature truffle hunting and visits to local attractions such as an artisan chocolatier, or a Mediterranean oyster farm.
Guests can take an educational tour of L’Oulibo, a factory that produces the purest extra virgin olive oil from the famous Lucques olive, one of the hardest from which to extract the oil. They can also enjoy gastronomic excursions to local food markets, accompanied by their on-board master chef, who can incorporate their culinary finds into the evening menu.
Culinary-Themed
L’Impressionniste
The deluxe 12-passenger barge which sails Southern Burgundy on the Canal de Bourgogne – the cruise offers free transfers in chauffeured minivans from Paris
Enchanté
For smaller groups, the ultra-deluxe 8-passenger barge cruises on the famed Canal du Midi, are ideal.
What’s Included
Charter pricing includes:
an attentive, experienced crew;
transfers from the pick up point to the barge mooring (and return on the day of departure);
en-suite accommodation;
all gourmet meals; all drinks/fine wines/open bar;
all daily, escorted excursions/tours, which are pre-arranged and these are with transport provided;
use of bicycles on board
Some cruises also feature onboard entertainment by local performers, as well as demonstrations by local craftsmen.
With the charter offer applying, full barge prices for selected Spring 2019 cruise departures aboard Enchanté start from £29,080, based on 8 people, a saving of over £8,000.
Well Being Cruises
Health-themed holidays are also increasingly popular with female travellers, and European Waterways’ cruises offer plenty of opportunities to engage in “gentle exercise”, such as walking on the gentle towpaths that run parallel to the canal, or starting the day with a morning yoga class on deck.
L’Art de Vivre the 8-passenger hotel barge offers Walking Cruises in Burgundy between Auxerre and Chevroches, with the cruises providing countless opportunities to take in the historic Burgundian countryside and picturesque medieval villages along the way.
Wine Appreciation Cruises
The 8-passenger Rosa hotel barge sails through the sun soaked city of Saint-Émilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the most famous of the Bordeaux appellations.
The 20-passenger La Bella Vita provides a slice of the good life on her Wine Appreciation Cruise through the Veneto region of Italy. Guests can taste world-renowned vintages as they tour the sprawling Renaissance wine estates en route between Venice and Mantua.
Art Themed Cruises
For more creative groups, art-themed cruises come with an expert “art guide” who shows guests around craft workshops and boutiques and suggests the best painting spots. The hotel barge itself makes an ideal “spot,” and guests can paint on-board while enjoying a cocktail, or chilled glass of champagne.
Onboard Activities
“There is never a ‘what do we do today’ moment on a European Waterways’ cruise, because activities are carefully planned to fill the days,” said Banks. “We also ensure there is plenty of free time for our guests to do nothing at all but enjoy the beautiful countryside as they sit back and sip their favourite wine. For some, that’s ‘activity’ enough!”
European Waterways
With over 40 years’ experience and a fleet that spans nine countries, a 6 to 20-person capacity and 1:2 crew ratio, European Waterways is able to provide an impeccable level of on board service and can transport guests on the intimate inland waterways that are inaccessible to larger vessels.
This fascinating network of smaller canals allows for flexibility, spontaneity and ample opportunity to hop off and explore the beautiful surroundings via bicycle, or on foot.
In addition to this there are daily, chauffeured excursions “off the beaten track” to a wide variety of enthralling locations, from exquisite wine tastings to private tours of stately homes.
From dawn until dusk Iona’s SkyDome brings the outside in
P&O Cruises newest ship Iona will connect guests with the sea, sky and shoreline with an innovative SkyDome. This incredible feature will include a swimming pool that transforms into a stage at night, as well as a glass dome roof which creates a temperate climate while providing guests with fabulous views as they cruise through the scenic Norwegian Fjords.
The first of its kind in the cruise industry, the two-deck SkyDome on decks 16 and 17 will be the place to go for relaxation, effortless dining and contemporary entertainment.
During the day, SkyDome will be a relaxed, poolside environment, with mouth watering dining and drinking options including a grill, pizzeria and street food as well as premium ice cream with flavours inspired by popular ports of call. The area will feature a central pool and two whirlpools. Sun loungers, reclining chairs, greenery and artworks will all create a peaceful environment and make it a tranquil space during the day, giving it the feel of an English park in summer.
As the sun goes down SkyDome will come alive as the space seamlessly transitions into a must-visit entertainment venue, showcasing spectacular aerialist performances and playing host to party nights under the stars.
The mood will change from daytime to showtime with stunning audio-visual effects including dazzling light shows creating a dynamic ambience. The swimming pool will transform into a stage for the night’s entertainment, while dramatic aerial acrobatic shows will make full use of SkyDome’s height. After the show, the space will transition into a party night, with DJs playing as guests dance under the night sky, whatever the weather.
The glass dome roof was designed by award-winning British engineers Eckersley O’Callaghan, renowned for their work on such innovative structures as Bulgari Glass House in Italy and Apple Park in California. The inviting living space underneath the dome was created by cruise ship specialists Partner Ship Design.
P&O Cruises senior vice president, Paul Ludlow said: “SkyDome promises to be one of Iona’s star attractions, providing guests with a magical venue in which to spend quality time whatever the weather. With stunning views of the ocean by day and of starry skies at night, I’m confident that this extraordinary venue will prove popular with our guests, whether they are early birds or night owls. With sunshine, swimming, dining and dancing all in one contemporary, visually spectacular space, SkyDome will raise the bar for entertainment spaces at sea.”
Iona is currently being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg and will be launched in May 2020. Holidays on Iona will go on sale in September 2018.
Gratuities will no longer be added automatically on P&O Cruises
Gratuities have been a bone of contention for cruisers far and wide. Someone only has to mention the word on social media and the flood gates open.
So today’s announcement from P&O Cruises that the daily on board discretionary Service Charge will be removed across the fleet on cruises departing from May 2019, has been welcomed with open arms.
Guests will pay one set price which will include luxury accommodation, award-winning dining in a range of restaurants, complimentary children’s clubs and a wide choice of entertainment options including theatre shows, comedy and headline performers.
Guests will pay one set price which will include childrens clubs
P&O Cruises senior vice president Paul Ludlow said: “We take huge pride in giving guests a holiday experience that’s truly memorable and special. By removing the daily discretionary Service Charge, P&O Cruises will make enjoying a cruise holiday an effortless experience, knowing that great service comes as standard.”
Guests will pay one set price which will include entertainment
Applicable Sailings
From May 2019 the daily discretionary service charge on board will be removed from the following cruises and all thereafter;
Oceana E911/A 2 May 2019
Azura A911 4 May 2019
Britannia B912 4 May 2019
Arcadia J903 5 May 2019
Ventura N910 5 May 2019
Oriana X907 11 May 2019
Aurora R907 13 May 2019
P&O Cruises Facebook page has already received 342 comments in two hours. Here are some of the cruise line’s responses;
Rest assured, our wonderful on board staff will not lose out
We will be making up any difference in wage to them.
We have listened to guest feedback regarding this
Cruises will not be going up as a result of this, please note we do operate fluid pricing, meaning they can go up or down at anytime due to demand and other reasons.
We do not plan to introduce any gratuity on our drinks on board.
On board spend should also remain the same across Select fare bookings (where applicable).
About P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises fleet of seven ships offer holidays tailored to British tastes. Their newest ship, Iona, a 180,000 ton LNG-powered ship is on order for delivery in 2020 with a similar ship on order for delivery in 2022.
Princess Cruises have announced today its fifth Royal-Class ship is going to be named Enchanted Princess.
The 143,700-tonne, 3,660-guest Enchanted Princess is scheduled to launch on the 15 June 2020. She will be sailing on a series of European voyages and will be a sister ship to Royal Princess, Regal Princess, Majestic Princess and Sky Princess (joining the fleet in October 2019).
Excited guests will soon be able to book sailings for Enchanted Princess’ maiden season, as they go on sale from 8 November 2018.
Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, said: “The name Enchanted Princess is captivating and conveys the elegance and grace of our new ship which will introduce more travellers to the pleasures and value of cruising. We are certain Enchanted Princess will exceed the expectations of our guests, ensuring they have the most memorable cruise.”
There is more to come from Princess Cruises as Enchanted Princess will be followed by the debut of their sixth Royal-Class ship in 2021. The cruise line also has two new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered ships on order to be delivered in late 2023 and spring 2025, bringing its new ship order to five ships in six years.
Construction of the new ship will take place in the Fincantieri Monfalcone shipyard. Enchanted Princess is set to feature an evolution of the current Royal-Class design platform.
The Princess Cruises fleet currently consists of 17 modern cruise ships, sailing to over 380 destinations across all 7 continents.
