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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines resumes sailing with new ship Borealis

July 6, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines resumes sailing with new ship Borealis

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines resumes sailing with Maiden Voyage aboard new ship Borealis

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is resuming sailing today, with new ship Borealis to depart on her Maiden Voyage from Liverpool this afternoon (Monday, 5th July).

It is the first time that the 1,360-guest ship will set sail with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and marks the launch of the line’s ‘Welcome Back’ programme of UK summer sailings.

Borealis brings a number of new venues and facilities to the fleet, including a grand, two-tier theatre and main restaurant, an all-weather pool with retractable roof, a large spa and thermal suite and new venue The Auditorium offering culinary demonstrations and more.

While the ship will sail at 50% capacity initially, Borealis will always carry less than 1,400 guests, allowing her and her crew to offer the same small ship experience and attention to detail for which Fred. Olsen is renowned.

Borealis will sail exclusively from Liverpool for 2021 and will debut with scenic-only sailings around the UK before introducing ports of call later into July and August as part of the ‘Welcome Back’ programme of cruises.

Borealis was purchased by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in the summer of 2020, along with sister ship Bolette, as the line looked to strengthen and evolve for its return to cruising.

Freedom of the Seas resumes sailing from Miami

July 6, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Freedom of the Seas resumes sailing from Miami

Freedom of the Seas resumes sailing with Fourth of July Weekend Cruise from Miami

It’s official, Royal Caribbean International is back in the U.S. and delivering the long overdue cruise vacations that families and travellers of all ages have missed. A nearly 16-month journey led up to the moment yesterday when Freedom of the Seas became the first Royal Caribbean ship in the U.S. to welcome guests and the first cruise ship to do so from PortMiami, the cruise capital of the world. Sailing with 93% of the onboard community fully vaccinated and just in time for Fourth of July weekend, Freedom set off on the first cruise of a summer-long series of 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday getaways to Perfect Day at CocoCay – the cruise line’s top-rated private island destination – and Nassau, The Bahamas.

Showcasing its $116 million transformation from March 2020, Freedom has a lineup of new features and amenities in store for guests of all ages, including The Perfect Storm duo of high-speed waterslides, a vibrant, resort-style Caribbean poolscape; the cruise line’s first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and new, dedicated spaces for kids and teens. The amplified ship offers an all-around tropical escape from ship to shore, sailing to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas. At Royal Caribbean’s game-changing private island destination, there are next-level thrills and ways to chill, from the tallest waterslide in North America to the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean, Oasis Lagoon; to the first floating cabanas in The Bahamas at Coco Beach Club. Between the decked-out experience on board and island hopping from one tropical destination to the next, Freedom’s 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday summer cruises from Miami are the perfect short getaways for families to maximize every moment of their precious vacation time.

Carnival Cruise Line Returns To Guest Operations From PortMiami

July 5, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Carnival Cruise Line Returns To Guest Operations From PortMiami

Carnival Returns To PortMiami

Carnival Cruise Line kicked off its first cruise from in almost 16 months from PortMiami, The Cruise Capital of the World, today with the departure of Carnival Horizon.

Carnival’s resumption of service in Miami provides guests with a much-anticipated vacation and is a further boost to the economy both locally and throughout the state.  Florida is number one in the nation in cruise embarkations with the cruise industry contributing more than $9 billion in direct purchases and responsible for over 159,000 jobs.  In Miami-Dade alone, cruise activity generates approximately $7 billion of spend and 40,000 jobs annually.  Of the 437,000 cruise industry-supported jobs in the USA, nearly 37% are in Florida.

In addition to Carnival Horizon’s departure this afternoon, Carnival Vista departed Galveston yesterday, with Carnival Breeze departing from Galveston July 15 and Carnival Miracle kicking off the line’s Alaska season from Seattle July 27. Mardi Gras, the line’s newest ship, sets sail from Port Canaveral July 31.  Other ships in the Carnival fleet will begin service in August.

Crystal Cruises Celebrates Resumption of Ocean Cruising

July 5, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Crystal Cruises Celebrates Resumption of Ocean Cruising

Crystal Serenity Sets Sail for the First Time Since 2020

Crystal Cruises celebrated the resumption of its ocean cruise operations as Crystal Serenity set sail from the Port of Nassau on her Luxury Bahamas Escapes, a seven-night voyage exploring the islands of The Bahamas. Crystal Serenity will now homeport in The Bahamas through November for her series of Luxury Bahamas Escapes cruises, featuring a unique all-Bahamian itinerary.

After more than a year of anticipation and planning, the long-awaited return to cruising was celebrated with a Homeporting Inauguration Ceremony in Nassau by Crystal executives, Bahamian government officials including the Honourable Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar and Director General Joy Jibrilu from The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and dignitaries from the Port of Nassau.

Guests boarded Crystal Serenity for the first time since spring of 2020 and were enthusiastically welcomed back by the joyous and eager officers, staff and crew of Crystal’s flagship.  A Junkanoo parade entertained guests in a lively Bahamian tradition of music, dancing and colourful costumes at the pier. The ship received a water cannon salute as she left the harbour with the sounds of Crystal Cruises’ signature sail away song “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong as the musical backdrop for this milestone moment.

Guests will enjoy the exuberant and distinctly Bahamian send off by a 15-member Junkanoo band on every Luxury Bahamas Escapes voyage as the ship departs the port of Nassau.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Names Newest Ship Seven Seas Grandeur

June 25, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Regent Seven Seas Cruises Names Newest Ship Seven Seas Grandeur

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Names Newest Ship Seven Seas Grandeur

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced the name of its highly anticipated new ship as Seven Seas Grandeur™. Embodying a 30-year legacy of perfecting luxury travel, the sixth member of the Regent fleet is scheduled for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2023. Jason Montague, president & CEO of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, revealed the name in an exciting video, which also unveiled the ship’s beautifully reimagined design of Compass Rose, the cruise line’s signature restaurant.

Seven Seas Grandeur will host only 750 guests and have a gross tonnage of 55,254, providing among the highest space ratios and staff to guest ratios in the industry. She is a sister ship to Seven Seas Explorer®, the most luxurious ship ever built and Seven Seas Splendor®, the ship that perfects luxury.

Further details about Seven Seas Grandeur’s suites, restaurants, amenities and onboard experiences will be revealed at RSSC.com/Seven-Seas-Grandeur leading up to her 2023 debut, with her inaugural season unveiled and open for reservations on 23 September, 2021.

SH Minerva floated out

June 25, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises, Expedition Cruises Comments Off on SH Minerva floated out

Swan Hellenic’s first bespoke expedition cruise ship SH Minerva floated out

Swan Hellenic announced that Helsinki Shipyard had floated SH Minerva out of dry dock. Her twin ship, SH Vega, was floated in dry dock on the same day (23 June 21). Moreover, a few days earlier, steelwork production started for the third and largest vessel commissioned from Helsinki, which currently has the project name Vega 3. The Swan Hellenic fleet is thus coming together on schedule to take adventurous and discerning voyagers on a wide range of distinctive cruises, some already entirely sold out.

All three ships are designed for minimal environmental impact and comply with the latest emission standards, while also being battery-ready for future emission-free silent sailing in port as well as wildlife and marine reserves.

SH Minerva features a 5-megawatt diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction and PC5 ice-strengthened hull that is fully Safe Return to Port certified. At 115 m, the 10,500 GRT vessel has been specially designed for worldwide cruising to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on earth.

Providing elegant and spacious 5-star accommodation for 152 guests in 76 spacious cabins and suites, the vast majority with large balconies, SH Minerva will be operated by an onboard team of 120 to provide the highest levels of personal service, priding itself on one of the highest GRT-to-passenger ratios in its category. The very latest hygiene technology will protect the health of all on board to the highest standards and includes air conditioning with HEPA filters and UV sanitisation systems.

Designed for immersive experiences from extensive open views, SH Minerva features an expedition laboratory, marine life library and observation lounge for lectures by expert expedition leaders and specialists from a wide range of disciplines. Expedition day trips by zodiac are a central feature of the programmes that will be offered, along with kayaking, trekking and other activities. The on-board amenities include a gym, spa, sauna, panoramic restaurant and club lounge serving world-class cuisine, as well as a pool deck with bar.

SH Minerva will be delivered to Swan Hellenic in October 2021, SH Vega in Spring 2022 and the third ship, temporarily named Vega 3, in Autumn 2022.

Saga announce Godmother of Spirit of Adventure

June 23, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Saga announce Godmother of Spirit of Adventure

Former Head of the Royal Navy Medical Service to name Saga’s newest ship, ‘Spirit of Adventure’.

In a mark of respect to the medical profession that has worked so hard over the last 18 months dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, Commodore Inga J. Kennedy CBE QHNS QARNNS, senior Royal Navy officer, former Head of the Royal Navy Medical Service and Non-Executive Director of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, has been named today as the Godmother of Saga Cruises’ newest ship, Spirit of Adventure.

She follows in the footsteps of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, who was Godmother to sister ship Spirit of Discovery in 2019 and is currently Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Medical Service.

Commodore Kennedy will officially name Spirit of Adventure during a special ceremony to be held in Portsmouth on 19 July, coinciding with the UK’s ‘Freedom Day’ when coronavirus restrictions are scheduled to end. In naval tradition, she will offer a blessing of safe sailing and good fortune, marked with the smashing of a bottle on the ship’s hull. Reflecting Saga’s British heritage, the jeroboam in question will be English sparkling wine from the Kent-based Balfour Hush Heath Estate. The ceremony will also be streamed on Facebook Live.

Commodore Inga J. Kennedy, CBE QHNS QARNNS said: “I was thrilled to be asked to become Spirit of Adventure’s Godmother and feel I’m accepting this on behalf of the wider medical community who have worked so tirelessly throughout this pandemic and will continue to do so long after this crisis period fades.

“Personally, it is also a privilege to follow in the footsteps of Spirit of Discovery’s Godmother, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, given her role as Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Navy Medical Service. I wish Spirit of Adventure, and all who sail on her, the very best voyages.”

Following her naming ceremony on 19 July, Spirit of Adventure will undertake her inaugural voyage on 26 July, calling at some of Britain’s most famous ports. She will join sister ship Spirit of Discovery out on the waves, which will set sail on 27 June.

P&O (UK) Cruises announces further 2021 deployment

June 22, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on P&O (UK) Cruises announces further 2021 deployment

P&O (UK) Cruises announces further 2021 deployment

P&O Cruises has announced its expected deployment and phased re-start plan for the remainder of 2021 and into early 2022.

Britannia will begin the planned western Mediterranean itineraries on September 25 and Iona will start her Atlantic coast holidays from the same date. These cruises will follow the series of UK coastal cruises beginning in June.

Ventura’s first cruises will be the planned programme of Atlantic islands holidays from October 3.

Following the Mediterranean season, running until October, Britannia will reposition to the Caribbean for her winter season as scheduled, followed by Azura which will begin Caribbean fly/cruises slightly later than published from December 10, 2021.

The length and complexity of Arcadia and Aurora’s planned long haul cruises from January next year has forced their cancellation and these two ships will not begin sailing until next year. However a replacement itinerary for Aurora, with winter sun (northern winter) appeal, will be announced shortly.

New cruise schedule for 2021/222

  • Iona – UK coastal cruises from August 7 to September 25 then sailing Atlantic coast beginning with G133 on September 25, 2021
  • Britannia – UK coastal cruises from June 27 to September 25 then sailing Western Mediterranean beginning with B122 on September 25, 2021
  • Ventura – Currently paused up to September 4 – two new cruises cancelled (N118 and N119) – then sailing Atlantic islands cruises from N120 October 3, 2021
  • Azura – Currently paused up to September 1 – cancelled A118A to A124A inclusive – then sailing Caribbean fly/cruises from A125 / A125A December 10, 2021
  • Aurora – Currently paused up to September 1 – 9 new cruises cancelled – then sailing R202 Central Med on April 13, 2022 (although replacement itinerary for early 2022 will be announced shortly)
  • Arcadia – Currently paused up to September 14 – 10 new cruises cancelled – then sailing J204 March 27, 2022

Celebrity Apex debuts in Athens

June 22, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Celebrity Apex debuts in Athens

The next new-luxury addition to Celebrity Cruises’ fleet welcomed its first guests and departed Athens

Excitement, anticipation, and awe. These three words captured the feeling of passengers and onlookers as Celebrity Apex, the world’s most anticipated new-luxury cruise ship, sailed out of the Port of Athens (19 June 2021),  to begin her maiden voyage and first summer season in the Aegean.

The much-anticipated sailing marks an historic moment for the company, which had originally planned to introduce its newest ship in late March, 2020. Guests and fans of the brand have waited ever-since with huge anticipation to experience the fleet’s new flagship.

That moment came as Celebrity Apex sailed gracefully out of port at 8:30pm Eastern European Summer Time, ushering in not only an important return to European sailing, but a new standard of luxury travel.  With the vivid and vibrant backdrop of the azure Athens sky, Celebrity Apex, the second ship in the brand’s transformational, multi-award-winning Edge Series, set sail on a seven-night cruise of the Aegean, delighting those who have waited with patience for more than 15 months to explore the world by sea. 

The company’s return to the Aegean is all the more poignant given Celebrity Cruises’ proud Greek heritage. Founded in 1988 by the Chandris family of Greece, the company later became a part of the Royal Caribbean Group. Celebrity Cruises is still rooted in its Greek origins today, with 70% of marine officers across the fleet, hailing from Greece with more than 40 Captains and Chief Engineers, including the Captain of Celebrity Apex, Dimitrios Kafetzis.

Guests travelling on the Greek Islands and Cyprus itinerary will have the chance to visit the ancient city of Rhodes, with its stunning classical Acropolis and unparalleled Medieval architecture; the beauty and mythology of Mykonos; the incredible island of Santorini, a world heritage site and bucket list destination famous for the colourful blue and white palettes that pepper the architecture of this fascinating and historical coastal town. And finally, Limassol. Tucked away on the southern coast of Cyprus, it exemplifies all that is great about the unique island culture – with heavy influences from eastern neighbours, Turkey and Egypt.

Grand Bahama welcomes Adventure of the Seas

June 22, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Grand Bahama welcomes Adventure of the Seas

Island embraces role as newest homeport destination to RCI's Adventure of the Seas

With lively Junkanoo performances and celebrations, government officials and key business leaders welcomed Royal Caribbean International (RCI) with open arms on Friday, June 18 as Adventure of the Seas completed its inaugural homeporting ceremony in Grand Bahama Island, with 1,000 eager passengers.

Following a 16-month hiatus due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, the return of cruising to Grand Bahama Island marks a pivotal moment for the local community. It signals the commitment to revitalization following the economic challenges first introduced by the devasting impact of Hurricane Dorian and then worsened amid the global pandemic shutdowns. Freeport Harbour is thrilled to serve as the newest homeport destination responsible for major provisioning and refuelling before the vessel returns to Nassau.

Adventure of the Seas debuted its seven-night getaways from Nassau on June 12, which feature two back-to-back days of thrills at Perfect Day at CocoCay, adventures in Cozumel and a full day of unwinding on Grand Bahama’s white-sand beaches every Saturday throughout the northern summer.