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Margaritaville Sets Sail with Margaritaville at Sea

December 9, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Margaritaville Sets Sail with Margaritaville at Sea

Margaritaville announces Margaritaville at Sea, an offshore resort experience. The first cruise ship, Margaritaville Paradise, will offer the fun, escapism, and state of mind synonymous with the global lifestyle brand.

Departing on her first passenger sailing on April 30 from the Port of Palm Beach Florida to Grand Bahama Island, Margaritaville Paradise will include 10 passenger decks and 658 cabins in various stateroom categories. Following a multi-million investment and refurbishment, the ship’s cabins and common spaces will feature Margaritaville’s signature casual-luxe design with subtle nautical details and colours influenced by the surrounding sea, sand, and sky.

Margaritaville Paradise, formerly Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s flagship vessel, Grand Classica, will feature gourmet food and beverage options, including JWB Prime Steak & Seafood, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Port of Indecision Buffet, LandShark Sports Bar, and Margaritaville Coffee & Pastry Shop as well as the Euphoria Lounge, Sunset Bar, and 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar. Additionally, the ship will offer onboard leisure activities and entertainment, including the Par-A-Dice Casino, a Stars on the Water Theatre, St. Somewhere Spa, Fins Up! Fitness Centre, pools, a retail shop, and more. The ship was built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard and entered service as a pioneer ship. She has opened many new markets and frontiers during her lifetime, so it is fitting that Margaritaville Paradise will again be a pioneer for Margaritaville at Sea.

For more information visit you local cruise specialist or margaritavilleatsea.com

Royal Caribbean Reveals Four World-Class Ships Head to Alaska in 2023

December 9, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Royal Caribbean Reveals Four World-Class Ships Head to Alaska in 2023

Following a successful return to service in Alaska earlier this year, Royal Caribbean announces that they’ll return in 2023 for their second consecutive year with four ships in the region.

Three bold, returning favourites, Ovation, Quantum and Radiance of the Seas, will be joined by Enchantment of the Seas to offer families and all travellers a variety of ways to experience the Last Frontier and its majestic glaciers, breathtaking wildlife and charming towns.

From Mendenhall Glacier to the Inside Passage, to onboard memory-making thanks to unique experiences such as simulated skydiving on RipCord by iFly and taking in awe-inspiring views through acres of glass, vacationers have in-store cool thrills from one day to the next.

Ovation and Quantum of the Seas – Cruising from: Seattle

  • On Ovation’s cruises, departing on Fridays, travellers can discover the best of Alaska from one charming town to the next. Extended stays also offer adventure seekers more time to explore in Skagway, Alaska, where one can retrace the steps of the historic Klondike Gold Rush and visit a restored 19th-century railroad depot; and state capital Juneau, Alaska, which offers dogsledding across Mendenhall Glacier and explorations of centuries-old mining trails. Plus, vacationers can head to the road less travelled at Ward Cove near Ketchikan where they can take in the unspoiled scenery along the Tongass Narrows and the wildlife that calls it home, like sea lions, bald eagles, and porpoises.
  • Departing on Mondays, Quantum’s stunning itineraries will bring travellers up close to the massive Dawes Glacier after sailing through the impressive Endicott Arm, alongside visits to four coastal communities, including Ketchikan, Alaska, and Victoria, British Columbia. When heading ashore, travellers can look forward to immersing themselves in the local culture while at destinations like Sitka and Icy Strait Point, Alaska, home to the rich history of the Tlingit and activities ranging from kayak island-hopping to whale watching and fishing.

Radiance and Enchantment of the Seas – Cruising from: Seward and Vancouver

  • Radiance will, once again, sail alternating southbound and northbound itineraries that
  • depart from Seward and Vancouver. Travellers will have the opportunity to discover the region’s
  • magnificent landscapes firsthand when visiting Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Skagway, and as they sail
  • the Inside Passage and by Hubbard Glacier.
  • Enchantment makes its way to the Pacific coast for its debut Alaska season, sailing roundtrip from Vancouver. Vacationers have in store more glaciers than one, Hubbard Glacier and Tracy Arm fjord, and inspiring destinations like Haines, Ketchikan – the gateway to the wild landscapes and seascapes – Skagway and Juneau.

P&O’s Pacific Partnership Supports PNG’s Conflict Islands’ Turtle Nesting Season

December 9, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on P&O’s Pacific Partnership Supports PNG’s Conflict Islands’ Turtle Nesting Season

A record number of community conservation rangers are preparing the way for nesting marine turtles to come ashore in the Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea, in a program supported by the guest-funded P&O Pacific Partnership.

Sixteen rangers – double the number in 2020 – are removing debris and clearing coastal erosion to provide a clear path for the turtles to lay their eggs as part of the work undertaken by the Conflict Islands Conservation Initiative (CICI).

Their work marks the beginning of the annual nesting season which includes tagging and monitoring endangered Green and critically endangered Hawksbill marine turtles and giving turtle hatchlings the best chance of survival.

Recruitment and training of the rangers, who are all from neighbouring PNG islands, is part of the CICI’s partnership with P&O Cruises Pacific Partnership program to monitor marine turtle populations and to develop a long-term tagging and nesting program.

The Conflict Islands are one of the most remote inhabited archipelagos in the world, and since 2016 P&O has taken guests on memorable holidays to Panasesa Island, one of 21 coral cays in the atoll.

In 2018, valuable guest donations to P&O’s Pacific Partnership helped CICI launch its first Turtle Sanctuary and unique Turtle Interaction Tour which allowed guests to feed baby turtle hatchlings and learn about the important sustainability work happening on the ground in the Conflict Islands.

The CICI team was also able to upgrade its eight 2,500-litre tanks used to house hatchlings prior to their release into the Coral Sea, and install a bronze saltwater pump to improve water flow and the overall health and environment of the nursery facility.

Last year, the CICI also celebrated the record release of 13,672 endangered turtle species as part of the charity’s long-term tagging and nesting program.

P&O Cruises Australia guests can continue to show their support for the efforts being carried out by the CICI by visiting www.cici.org.au/donate.

Princes 2023/24 Australian Deployment now open for Sale

December 7, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Princes 2023/24 Australian Deployment now open for Sale

PLUS Two Royal Class ships call Sydney Home with Majestic Princess and Royal Princess both homeported from the Harbour City

Princess Cruises has unveiled a world of new travel opportunities for Australians in its latest program, including the longest-ever roundtrip cruise offered from Australia – a stunning 110-night global odyssey departing late April 2024.

In a move that reflects strong demand for bucket list destinations, the cruise line today announced it will open bookings for its new 2023/24 Australian cruise program in early December- an unprecedented 11 months ahead of schedule for its world cruise.

Featuring 113 departures between September 2023 and October 2024, the program is one of Princess’ largest yet, with two Royal-class ships – Royal Princess and Majestic Princess – based in Sydney, while Grand Princess will cruise from Melbourne and Coral Princess will sail from Brisbane and Fremantle.

Between them, the four ships will offer more than 40 Australian cruises and over 30 New Zealand cruises, as well as eight Asian itineraries and more than 10 Trans-Pacific sailing options.

The 2000-guest Coral Princess features a large number of balcony staterooms, suites and mini-suites as well as a wide array of restaurants and lounges, and offers a superb level of comfort and space ideal for longer voyages. In addition to the world cruise, Coral Princess will sail on Princess’ popular round-Australia itineraries, with two departures from both Sydney and Brisbane, as well as a 21-night voyage to see the sights of Asia from Sydney to Yokohama aboard Royal Princess departing 6 April 2024.With departures available from Adelaide, Fremantle and Auckland as well Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, the 2023/24 program offers a wide range of Australian itineraries including a new 12-night cruise to South Australia and Tasmania from Sydney on Majestic Princess and two cruises to Queensland from Melbourne.

Highlights of the 2023/24 program include:

  • Coral Princess’ 110-night world cruise with roundtrip departures from Sydney on 30 April 2024 and Brisbane on 2 May 2024.  Additionally, Princess will offer up to AU$4000 per stateroom of Early Booking Benefits including AU$1,000 of on board credit per person and AU$1,000 worth of savings for past guests.
  • Princess will offer 33 trans-Tasman cruises to New Zealand, ranging from 5 to 20 nights, with departures from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide. 
  • An all new 12-night roundtrip cruise from Sydney on Majestic Princess visiting Melbourne, Kangaroo Island, Adelaide, Port Lincoln, Port Arthur and Hobart. 
  • A 10-night exploration of Western Australia’s stunning Coral Coast, sailing from Fremantle on Coral Princess and visiting Exmouth, Broome, Kuri Bay, and Geraldton. 
  • Round-Australia cruises on Coral Princess, with departures from Sydney and Brisbane. 
  • Cruises between Singapore and Fremantle on Coral Princess taking in the delights of South-east Asia. 

Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils 2024 Deployment

December 7, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils 2024 Deployment

Norwegian Cruise Line Unveils 2024 Deployment, Releases the Most Itineraries for Sale in its History

Haifa Israel

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), has opened for sale the most itineraries at once in its history, unveiling sailings from 35 departure ports – including brand-new NCL homeports in Haifa, Israel and La Romana, Dominican Republic. The announcement includes Australia and New Zealand cruises, as well as cruises within Northern Europe, The Mediterranean, Alaska and the Caribbean through to October 2024, while Hawai’i inter-island 7-day voyages are now open up to Dec 2025.

Australian travellers can look forward to Norwegian Spirit returning to Australian and New Zealand waters from December 2023, offering eight 12-day sailings between Sydney and Auckland. Following the most extensive and expensive makeover in NCL history – at a cost of USD$100m – Norwegian Spirit is designed to be different, appealing to the adult cruiser and epitomising laidback luxury

FIRSTS

The newly opened itineraries feature 35 departure ports across the globe, including two new-to-brand homeport destinations – Haifa, Israel and La Romana, Dominican Republic:

  • Norwegian Epic will make her debut in Haifa, Israel’s largest international seaport, in November 2022. The vessel will offer 11-and-12-day Mediterranean open-jaw sailings to and from Haifa, Israel and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy starting 8 November 2023 through 12 December The ship will call to beautiful destinations such as Livorno (Florence) and Naples, Italy; Kusadasi and Istanbul, Turkey; Piraeus (Athens), Patmos, and Rhodes, Greece; and Limassol, Cyprus. This itinerary will also feature 17-hours of port time in Ashdod, Israel giving guests sufficient time to tour the cosmopolitan city of Tel Aviv as well as one of the oldest cities in the world, Jerusalem.
  • Norwegian Sky will be the first to sail a series of port-rich 7-day roundtrip Southern Caribbean cruises from La Romana, Dominican Republic with a port-of-call each day from 8 January 2024 through 22 April 2024, making NCL the only major cruise company sailing Southern Caribbean voyages with no sea days.

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

  • Norwegian Spirit will return to Australian and New Zealand waters, offering immersive 12-day itineraries that explore exquisite natural beauty and cosmopolitan cities. With departures from both Sydney and Auckland, these open-jaw voyages allow guests plenty of time in port to explore their own backyard in-depth. Highlights include the Art Deco capital of the world, Napier, as well as a scenic cruise through New Zealand’s famous Sounds.

HAWAII

  • Pride of America’s year-round 7-day inter-island Hawai’i voyages are now open for sale through to December 2025. NCL is the only cruise line to offer year-round, inter-island voyages that visit four islands over seven days with two overnights and no sea days, allowing guests more time to explore their stunning surrounds.

ALASKA

  • On 22 April 2024 and 25 September 2024, Norwegian Spirit will once again offer her “Fire and Ice” voyages – an open-jaw itinerary sailing to and from Honolulu and Vancouver, visiting the tropical islands of Hawai’i and beautiful towns of Alaska. Guests will discover paradise as they overnight in Nawiliwili (Kauai), and island hop to Kahului (Maui), and Hilo, Hawai’i and then sail towards the Last Frontier where the vessel will cruise through striking glaciers towards the Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, a United Nations World Heritage Site, followed by calls to Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Skagway and Ketchikan, Alaska. For those looking to be the first to experience this once-in-a-lifetime itinerary, the debut “Fire and Ice” sailing will take place 12 June 2022, followed by a second sailing on 3 October 2022.

GREEK ISLES AND MEDITERRANEAN

  • Norwegian Epic will make her debut in Trieste (Venice), Italy and Koper, Slovenia during her 14-day Grand Mediterranean holiday sailing on 22 December 2023 – inviting guests to experience Europe in a unique way, during the cooler festive season. The itinerary will offer zero sea days and overnight visits in Dubrovnik, Croatia on Christmas Eve, as well as Barcelona and Palma Mallorca, Spain to celebrate the new year.
  • Norwegian Escape will offer five, 10-to-11-day Grand Mediterranean sailings between April 2024 and October 2024 where guests will spend over 105 hours exploring Mediterranean ports in Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Malta and Spain. During the 24 April 2024 sailing, the ship will call to Ibiza, Spain with a late midnight departure allowing guests to enjoy the late evening hours of the famed town. The ship will also make her debut call in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Norwegian Escape will also offer a series of 7-day roundtrip cruises from Barcelona starting on 26 May 2024, featuring zero sea days and visiting six ports-of-call including Cannes, France; Livorno (Florence), Civitavecchia (Rome), Naples, and Cagliari, Italy; and Palma De Mallorca, Spain. Guests have the chance to spend more than 11 hours in Livorno (Florence), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples, three of the most historically and culturally rich cities in Italy.
  • Norwegian Pearl will sail a series of 7-day roundtrip voyages from 26 May 2024 through 27 October 2024 from Trieste (Venice), Italy making calls in two medieval walled towns: Kotor, Montenegro and Dubrovnik, Croatia, and offering a late departure in Santorini for guests to take in their picturesque sunsets.

NORTHERN EUROPE

  • Norwegian Getaway will offer one 9-day roundtrip sailing from Copenhagen on 13 May 2024 where guests have the chance to visit seven different countries in Northern Europe in nine days: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom. Travellers can fully immerse themselves in each city as the itinerary allows them to spend at least nine hours in every port.

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND

  • From 2 September through 25 September 2024 Norwegian Joy will offer 7-and-8-day open jaw sailings from New York City and Quebec City, one of the top-rated ports by our guests sailing Canada and New England itineraries. Travelers can plan an extended stay in each city pre-and-post cruise to further enjoy the destinations.

PANAMA CANAL

  • Norwegian Joy will offer an 11-day open jaw sailing from Miami to Panama City on 25 November 2023 where guests will have over eight hours in all ports-of-call with a full 13 hours in Willemstad, Curaçao, ideal for a scuba diving adventure or a stroll down their picturesque pier featuring colorful colonial Dutch buildings. The vessel will also offer two 15-day Panama Canal open-jaw sailings from Miami on 6 January  2024 and from Los Angeles on 26 January 2024 where she will overnight in Panama City where guests can tour its old colonial center or enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

CARIBBEAN

Several NCL ships will be sailing the Caribbean with three vessels making a first-time visit to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, plus additional ports-of-call.

  • Norwegian Getaway will make her debut in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos during her 12-day holiday sailing on 21 December 2023 from New York City where guests will spend Christmas day in tropical San Juan, Puerto Rico; while Norwegian Joy will make her debut in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos during a summer voyage from New York City in August 2024.
  • Norwegian Joy will make her debut call in Philipsburg, St. Maarten and Kralendijk, Bonaire during her 12-day Southern Caribbean cruise from New York City to Miami on 16 October 2023.
  • Norwegian Jade will make her debut in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; and St. George’s, Grenada, during her 14-day Southern Caribbean voyage on 26 November 2023 from Tampa, Florida.

BERMUDA

  • Norwegian Joy will offer four, five and 7-day roundtrip sailings from New York City to Bermuda from 9 April 2024 through 11 October 2024 with the 7-day sailings providing up to 55 hours in port at the Royal Naval Dockyard. Currently, NCL is the only cruise line to offer three days in Bermuda allowing guests to shop in the capital city of Hamilton or relax on the destination’s famous pink sand beaches.
La Romana, Dominican Republic

MSC Cruises, hosted the naming ceremony of MSC Virtuosa in Dubai

December 7, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on MSC Cruises, hosted the naming ceremony of MSC Virtuosa in Dubai

MSC Cruises, has hosted the naming ceremony of MSC Virtuosa when Hollywood superstar Sophia Loren officially named the ship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the weekend.

MSC Cruises chose Dubai to host the ceremony in recognition of its long-term commitment to the UAE and the wider Middle East market where it is the brand leader.

Equipped with some of the latest marine technologies available, MSC Virtuosa is one of the world’s most environmentally advanced cruise ships. No effort has been spared to minimise her footprint. MSC Cruises shares the UAE’s ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050 and MSC Virtuosa represents yet another milestone on the journey towards reaching this goal.

MSC Virtuosa can carry up to 6,334 passengers and 1,704 crew and is set to serve the Arabian Sea until March 2022 from her base in Dubai.

Hosted by well-known UAE TV personality Omar Butti as Master of Ceremonies, Hollywood icon Sophia Loren took to the stage to officially name her 17th MSC Cruises’ ship by cutting the ribbon that breaks the bottle on the ship’s hull.

The star-studded night culminated in a spectacular firework display against the stunning Dubai skyline, before a celebratory gourmet dinner in one of the ships’ elegant restaurants. Event guests were also treated to a performance by internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Rag’n’Bone Man.

Dream Cruises welcomes international travellers to cruise from Singapore

December 7, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Dream Cruises welcomes international travellers to cruise from Singapore

Dream Cruises announces Singapore departures now open for bookings from international travellers, including Australians

World Dream bookings that are available for Singapore residents only are also currently open to non-residents in Singapore, as well as international travellers, including Australians entering the country via the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL). This marks a new milestone for Dream Cruises that will help to fuel the recovery of the Fly-cruise industry for both Singapore and internationally.

Travellers from abroad entering Singapore will have to fulfil the mandatory Border & Health Control Measures in Response to COVID-19 as implemented by the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) to be eligible to cruise. As part of Dream Cruises’ ongoing commitment towards safety for its guests and crew, all embarking guests will also need to undergo a compulsory pre-boarding Antigen Rapid Test (ART) at the cruise terminal and present a negative test result for COVID-19.

World Dream celebrated its first anniversary of cruise resumption in Singapore, earlier this month with over 200,000 guests since 6 November 2020.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette, makes inaugural sailing from Southampton

November 4, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette, makes inaugural sailing from Southampton

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ new flagship Bolette makes inaugural sailing from Southampton ahead of winter season of cruising

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ new flagship Bolette is setting sail on her first venture from Southampton, marking the start of its inaugural season of sailing from the city.

Between now and August 2022, Bolette will offer 26 hand-crafted sailings from Southampton, including opportunities to witness the Northern Lights in Norway and the Geminid Meteor Shower in the Canary Islands.

The ship will set sail to Antwerp and Amsterdam on Bolette’s five-night ‘Netherlands & Belgium City Break’ this evening, with future destinations including the Amalfi Coast, Norwegian fjords, European cities and Iceland. Durations range from four to 19-nights.

Highlights of Bolette’s inaugural programme from Southampton include:

  • Bolette’s 14-night T2129 ‘Landscapes of the Canaries’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 6th December 2021. 
    • Guests aboard will have the chance to witness the Geminid Meteor Shower during this cruise.
    • Itinerary: Southampton, England – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria – Santa Cruz, La Palma – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – San Sebastian, La Gomera – Funchal, Madeira – Lisbon, Portugal – Southampton, England
  • Bolette’s seven-night T2210 ‘Norwegian Fjords & Mighty Waterfalls’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 15th May 2022. 
    • Sail size-restricted Lysefjord on this sailing, only accessible to smaller ships, steeped by mountainous cliffs including the famous Pulpit Rock.
    • Itinerary: Southampton, England – cruising Lysefjord, Norway – cruising Jøsenfjord, Norway – Eidfjord, Norway – cruise Hardangerfjord, Norway – cruising Maurangerfjord and Furebergfossen (to see Fureberg Waterfall), Norway – Olden, Norway – cruising Nordfjord, Norway – cruising by Hornelen, Norway – Haugesund, Norway – Southampton, England
  • Bolette’s 18-night T2213 ‘Discovering the Balkans’ cruise, departing from Southampton on 14th June 2022. 
    • Visit cities of deep historical importance in shaping the Balkan’s fascinating history, as well as lesser-known destinations off the beaten tourist trail.
    • Itinerary: Southampton, England – Cartagena, Spain – cruising Strait of Messina, Italy – cruising Bay of Kotor, Montenegro – Kotor, Montenegro – Dubrovnik, Croatia – Neum, Bosnia and Herzegovina – Split, Croatia – Durres, Albania – cruise Strait of Messina – Cagliari, Sardinia – Tangier, Morocco – Southampton, England

New flagship Bolette set sail with Fred. Olsen for the first time in August 2021, following an extensive refurbishment project. Named after the great-great-Grandmother of company Chairman Fred. Olsen Junior, Bolette carries 1,338-guests at full capacity, and continues to offer the small ship experience, attention to detail and personal service for which Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is renowned

Celebrity Cruises celebrates The Apex of Change

November 4, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Celebrity Cruises celebrates The Apex of Change

As the exquisite Celebrity Apex sailed into the setting sun from Port Everglades, the moment was made sweeter as the ship’s Godmother, Reshma Saujani, the inspiring the founder of groundbreaking non-profit Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms and author of bestseller, “Brave, Not Perfect” joined Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO, and Richard Fain, Chairman of the Royal Caribbean Group and hundreds of guests including local dignitaries and media and influencers in an official naming ceremony of the stunning vessel.

Saujani is a lifelong activist who surged onto the political scene as the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress in 2010. Her viral TED Talk and international bestseller “Brave, Not Perfect” have sparked a worldwide conversation about how we’re raising our girls and inspired countless women to fear less, fail more and live better.

Since launching in the U.S. in 2012, Girls Who Code has reached 450,000 girls across the globe at nearly every stage of their educational journey. With a presence in the UK, U.S., India, and Canada the organisation runs free programming for girls from ages 11-18, to inspire them to get excited about coding and computer science by providing learning opportunities, clear career pathways and a supportive sisterhood of peers and role models. In 2019, Girls Who Code was named the No.1 Non-Profit on Fast Company’s The World’s Most Innovative Companies list.

Building on her work to empower women and girls, Reshma has most recently founded the Marshall Plan for Moms, a campaign to put women at the center of our nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. After witnessing the impact the pandemic had on working mothers, millions of whom were pushed out of the workforce to care for children and take on increased labor at home, she built a movement to champion public and private sector policies to support all moms. Her efforts have led lawmakers to introduce resolutions in support of the plan.

Celebrity Apex‘s much-anticipated arrival to U.S ports is a landmark moment for the brand, as the vessel’s launch was originally planned for March 2020. Following a short run of Greek Island sailings this past summer, the ship now embarks for the first time from U.S shores on rotating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, where guests will visit the picturesque islands of Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Belize, Grand Caymans and more.

DANZA DEL MARE A Symbol of the MSC Foundation’s efforts to protect the Sea

November 4, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on DANZA DEL MARE A Symbol of the MSC Foundation’s efforts to protect the Sea

The sublime sculpture Danza del Mare was created for the MSC Foundation in partnership with Venini, one of the world’s most esteemed glassmakers in the world which this year celebrates its 100 Anniversary. As a work of art, the creation, symbolises MSC Foundation’s dedication to protecting and promoting the natural environment of which we are a part and upon which we depend: our Blue Planet. The sculpture was designed by Monica Guggisberg and Philip Baldwin for MSC Seashore and is located in the MSC Foundation Centre, rising from deck 5 to deck 8, surrounded by a mirror wall that proliferates the light and colours emanating from it, lit by a spotlight located in its base.

The design uses the magical, fluid medium of glass to express the fluidity of the seas and everything in them, animal, vegetable and mineral, coral, fish, seaweed and oxygen. The immense depth and expanse of the sea, covering 71% of our world’s surface, is contained in the imagery of the sculpture, in its great height and the density of its contents, as if it were the sea itself in a soaring prism of charged and moving constituents. Partly an image of Earth’s lungs, partly an image of Earth’s nutrition and partly an image of simple beauty, it symbolises the sea’s indispensable role in our and our planet’s wellbeing. We are dependent upon it. It is not dependent upon us.