Category: Ocean Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line returns to cruise

July 28, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Norwegian Cruise Line returns to cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line returns to cruise

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), officially commemorated its highly-anticipated cruise comeback on 25 July, 2021 with a double debut: Norwegian Jade was not only the first of its 17-ship fleet to welcome guests after 500 days, she also made NCL history as the first vessel to homeport in Athens (Piraeus).

Until November 2021, guests sailing aboard Norwegian Jade’s immersive Greek Isles itinerary will wake up in a new destination every day, able to spend eight-to-nine hours exploring some of Greece’s most picturesque islands including luxurious Crete, bustling Mykonos, historical Rhodes and the iconic blue and white Santorini.

Norwegian Jade is the first ship to recommence voyages as part NCL’s larger restart efforts. On 7 August, 2021, Norwegian Encore will be the first ship to return to service from the U.S., when she debuts in Seattle for her inaugural season of Alaska cruises. The fleetwide redeployment will continue in partnership with local governments and are guided by the robust protocols of the Company’s Sail Safe health and safety program, which at its cornerstone includes that all crew and guests must be fully vaccinated to embark for voyages through 31 October, 2021. Working with the leading experts of the Sail Safe Global Health and Wellness Council, the robust protocols will regularly be evaluated and modified as needed, making science-based decisions to protect guests, crew and the destinations it visits.

Oceania Cruises Reveals New Ship Suites and Stateroom Designs

July 19, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Oceania Cruises Reveals New Ship Suites and Stateroom Designs

Vista Debuts in 2023, Setting New Standards for Residential Style Luxury

Oceania Cruises, has revealed the design and décor elements of the Veranda Staterooms, Penthouse Suites, Oceania Suites and Vista Suites aboard its newest ship, Vista, due to debut in early 2023.

Vista will set new standards for comfort and residential-style luxury and will feature all veranda accommodations. All staterooms and suites feature beautifully appointed bathrooms with oversized rainforest showers, large vanities, and copious storage space. Penthouse, Oceania, and Vista Suites are ultra-spacious and true sea-going residences with an abundance of living and dining space for entertaining or simply relaxing. In a first for the brand, Vista will feature a new category of Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms dedicated to solo travellers.

The timeless décor of the accommodations reflects the best of residential design aesthetics to present guests with restful homelike spaces to relax and rejuvenate as they explore the world’s most fascinating destinations. Bathed in soothing tones and detailed with multiple layers of luxurious furnishings, accents, and artwork, each stateroom and suite is a welcoming home away from home.

Veranda Stateroom

Measuring 27 square metres of living space including the private veranda, Vista’s standard Veranda Staterooms are the epitome of spaciousness. Bathed in soft tones of harvest and wheat punctuated with seagrass and bold sienna, each is furnished with a queen size Tranquility Bed piled high with plush linens and plump pillows, a comfortable seating area, private veranda, thoughtful amenities, abundant storage space, and oversized bathroom.

Concierge Level Veranda Stateroom

Vista’s Concierge Level Veranda Staterooms envelope guests in lavish comfort. Shades of cream and rich fawn set the tone for a luxuriant respite with an extravagantly dressed queen size Tranquility Bed, comfortable sitting area and a private veranda to take in the marvels of the surrounding seascapes. All feature extraordinary wardrobe and storage space, and a marble bath with walk-in rainforest shower. A wealth of additional amenities, such as a dedicated Concierge Lounge, room service from The Grand Dining Room, and free laundry services, elevates the experience to the sublime. 

Concierge Level Solo Veranda Stateroom

Solo travellers have a fresh reason to delight in this new category of stateroom designed exclusively for them. Spacious yet cosy, each features all of the comforts and luxuries world travellers expect, including a seating area overlooking the private veranda, separate sleeping area with a comfortable Tranquility Bed and copious storage space. Solo guests, like all sailing in Concierge Level, receive an astonishing array of amenities such as free laundry service and keycard access to the exclusive Concierge Lounge.

Penthouse Suite

An over-abundance of space and elevated levels of luxury define the Penthouse Suite experience. Ingenious design and stylish furnishings punctuate the space, which is resplendent in rich upholstery, fine leathers and stunning works of art. Measuring 41 square metres, Penthouse Suites feature the added luxuries of a walk-in wardrobe, an oversized bath with dual vanities and of course, a large private veranda overlooking the sea. Penthouse guests also have a dedicated Butler and keycard access to the suites-only Executive Lounge with a dedicated Concierge.

Oceania Suite

Spacious and sophisticated with a metropolitan flair, the 14 Oceania Suites are situated in prime locations atop the ship to offer unparalleled views. Averaging approximately 93 to 111 square metres, each radiates an ambiance of exquisite residential luxury. Thoughtfully appointed living and dining spaces invite gracious entertaining, including the oversized private teak veranda, while the master bedroom provides the perfect retreat for relaxation with its grand king size bed, dressing room and opulent marble-clad bathroom. Each home away from home features the added luxury of a cosy study or guest studio and guest bathroom. Oceania Suites offer a dedicated Butler and keycard access to the suites-only Executive Lounge.

Vista Suite

Offering the loftiest of locations affording sweeping 180-degree views and 135 to 172 square metres of living space, the eight Vista Suites are designed to be the ultimate seaside villas. Swathed in subtle tones that pay deference to the sea and sky and accented by luminescent marbles, granites and rich weathered oak, each is a true retreat. The airy living room is flanked by a handsome dining room and bar area, which feature commanding views and open onto the expansive teak veranda. An extravagant Master Suite features a capacious wardrobe room and dressing area adjacent to the oversized and sunlit master bath complete with porcelain soaking tub. Vista Suites offer an additional layer of pampering with 24-hour Butler service and access to the suites-only Executive Lounge.

Inaugural Season Itineraries – Vista’s inaugural season itineraries will open for viewing on 10 September 2021, and go on sale the following week on 16 September 2021.

MSC Seaview’s first departure from Kiel, Germany

July 6, 2021 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on MSC Seaview’s first departure from Kiel, Germany

MSC Seaview's first departure from Kiel marks the start of MSC Cruises' Northern Europe summer sailings from Germany

MSC Seaview, Kiel. Credit: Frank Erpinar

MSC Cruises commenced the Northern Europe summer season this weekend when MSC Seaview departed from the German port of Kiel for the first of her 7-night cruises in the Baltic Sea.

MSC Seaview is the seventh MSC Cruises’ ship to resume sailings with guests on board with a further three preparing to start future voyages, which will see half of the Company’s fleet back at sea by the end of summer.

MSC Seaview will homeport in Kiel until the beginning of October and the ship will welcome German and European guests for an attractive itinerary to Visby on one of Sweden’s largest islands Gotland,  Nynäshamn near the Swedish capital city of Stockholm and Estonia’s capital Tallinn before returning to her North German base.  MSC Cruises’ industry-pioneering protected shore excursions are available at all ports of call. 

Another German port will be added to MSC Seaview’s itinerary to further enrich the cruise for guests. The ship will call at Warnemunde (for Berlin) from July 23, adding another port in Germany that will allow guests to embark and disembark as well as offering another option for shore excursions. At the mouth of the river Warnow, on the Baltic Sea, Warnemunde, is a former fishing village and popular seaside resort, which surprises with its charm. Guests can also visit Rostock and Berlin, the vibrant German capital city.

Celebrity Silhouette commenced her long-anticipated return to UK waters

July 6, 2021 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Celebrity Silhouette commenced her long-anticipated return to UK waters

Celebrity Silhouette departed Southampton commencing her long anticipated return to UK waters

Celebrity Cruises celebrated a historic milestone over the weekend as Celebrity Silhouette departed her home port of Southampton, ready to welcome her first British guests in over 15 months and show off a new lavish multi-million pound bow to stern revitalisation.

The completion of the dramatic modernisation makes Celebrity Silhouette the fourth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ fleet to undergo the refit, known as The Celebrity Revolution – the brand’s more than $500 million investment in ship-wide upgrades and breath-taking reimagined spaces.

Celebrity Silhouette will spend the summer season embarking on a series of six-to-eight-night itineraries around Britain’s spectacular coastline. From greeting the sunrise with yoga on the open deck to whiling away the day on the ship’s half-acre lawn of real grass, guests will have the chance to truly relax and unwind after a challenging year.

With her stunning new look, Celebrity Silhouette and her crew are ready to indulge guests in fantastic experiences, including:

  • Exclusive open-air hideaway, The Retreat – available to suite guests only, this luxurious space features a private sundeck and lounge designed by award-winning British designer Kelly Hoppen CBE. In The Retreat, every tiny detail is taken care of – whether that’s being handed a fresh towel en route to the pool or a glass of perfectly chilled wine brought to the table.
  • Unforgettable wellness experiences in the spa – Celebrity Silhouette’s onboard spa means guests can indulge in some much deserved ‘me time’ with a rejuvenating treatment, a restorative massage, or by relaxing in The Persian Garden, a peaceful oasis featuring a range of refreshing aquatic experiences, from billows of aromatic steam to tropical showers and heated loungers.
  • Take endorphin levels to new heights in the Fitness Centre – Overhauled as part of her top-to-tail revolution, Celebrity Silhouette boasts state-of-the-art new cardio machines, weight equipment from Technogym and is one of the only places to experience the exhilaration of Peloton’s live-stream classes at sea.
  • Jaw-dropping shows and inspirational talks – after a year without the joy and spectacle of live performance, guests will be enchanted by spellbinding magician Matt McGurk, the multi-award-winning industry veteran and illusionist. The Barricade Boys will also be showcasing some of the UK’s finest male voices and The Beatles Celebration will be paying homage to the world’s most influential band, transporting guests straight to Abbey Road.
  • Sailings will host inspirational talks from Penny Mallory, the world’s first female World Rally Car for Ford in the World Rally Championship and Derek Redmond, one of Britain’s most recognised and determined athletes, renowned for completing the 400m semi-final with a broken hamstring at the 1992 Olympic Games, in spite of his injury.
  • Augmented reality luxury restaurant, Le Petit Chef – Le Petit Chef is a feast for the senses, where an animated 3D character appears right on guest’s plates and prepares each course for a truly interactive, artistic evening.
  • Locally sourced and authentically prepared sushi in Sushi on Five – delight in a menu crafted by expert restaurateur and sushi chef, Yoshikazu “Yoshi” Okadato and try complex flavours of a hand-made sushi roll or nigiri featuring tuna albacore, shrimp, eel, and other fresh selections, or savour the simplicity of yellowtail, salmon, and octopus sashimi.

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.