PONANT unveils Pinnacle Kimberley Experience onboard iconic Le Ponant for 2023

• Ponant is set to take luxury expeditions to another level, opening sales for their highly anticipated 2023 inaugural Kimberley sailing expedition programme onboard the company’s iconic three-masted sailing yacht Le Ponant.
• Commencing on 7 April 2023, Ponant ‘s programme of 26 new itineraries onboard Le Ponant for the 2023 Kimberley season covers the Northern Kimberley, Southern Kimberley, and the Rowley Shoals.
• Ponant’s expertise and signature travel visions onboard Le Ponant highlight the unique mix of adventure, sustainability, and barefoot luxury. The newly refurbished yacht has been transformed to feature the latest technical innovations to reduce emissions and is equipped with state-of-the-art Zodiacs for shore landings and excursions. Having been entirely renovated with a sleek, sophisticated design by Jean-Philippe Nuel Studio, Le Ponant offers an intimate setting with only 16 staterooms for a maximum of 32 guests being looked after by 32 crew members.  An invitation to sail and experience Australia’s breathtaking Kimberley coastline on a journey that combines exploration and eco-responsibility in luxury.
•  As an exclusive addition to this experience, the Northern and Southern Kimberley itineraries include an exclusive charter flight between Kununurra and Kuri Bay or Broome and Kuri Bay on board one of Australian company Paspaley’s vintage Grumman Mallard flying boats to take guests from or to their embarkation point, as well as an exclusive guided visit of Paspaley’s pearl farms in Kuri Bay.

Viking Saturn Meets Water for First Time

• Viking announced its newest ocean ship—the 930-guest Viking Saturn—was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled to debut in April 2023, the Viking Saturn will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.
• The traditional float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of the Viking Saturn began at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time when the Viking team cut a cord that signalled water to flow into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set the Viking Saturn afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.
• Viking Saturn – Viking’s ocean vessels have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. The Viking Saturn will join the award-winning fleet of identical sister ships, which includes Viking Star, Viking Sea, Viking Sky, Viking Orion, Viking Jupiter, Viking Venus and Viking Mars. The Viking Neptune will be delivered in late 2022.

Its Official – Authentic Gelato Experience at Sea

• Italian Chamber of Commerce Certifies Gelato Experience On Board Princess Ships as First to Offer the Authentic Confection Outside Italy
• With the start of summer, scooping up one of Italy’s most famous desserts from Gelato onboard Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess just got a little sweeter. The Princess Cruises gelato shops have been designated as Ospitalità Italiana, and are the first and only locations to offer an authentic Italian gelato experience outside of Italy.
• The prestigious Ospitalità Italiana designation is issued by the Italian Chamber of Commerce committee, an organisation of the Italian government, and confirms that every step of the gelato-making process meets or exceeds a strict set of standards as approved by official Italian auditors and experts, who review the process on a yearly basis. Only gelato shops that attain outstanding quality status are awarded the official Ospitalità Italiana certification.
• Princess Cruises handcrafts its fresh gelato with Italian-certified ingredients and equipment each day in the pastry kitchens onboard the cruise line’s three newest ships – Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess. Corporate pastry chef Eric Le Rouzic trained with the best Italian chefs at the Gelato Carpigiani University in Bologna and the Gelato Comprital Atheneum in Milano to master the art of making this heaven in a bowl. Princess uses top-of-line gelato machines by renowned manufacturer Carpigiani and the Gelato display cases were produced in Italy by expert craftsmen.
• Fun Fact – Gelato Isn’t Ice Cream
• According to legend, the recipe for Gelato was popularised when architect Bernardo Buontalenti was asked to create a special confection for a member of the Medici noble family in the 16th century. Buontalenti mixed milk, eggs, sugar and extracts in a special machine surrounded by ice and salt, and egg cream-based gelato was born.
• While it’s creamy, gelato has less butter fat and fewer calories. The authentic Italian ingredients are combined with Princess’ freshly sourced fruit and is made each day with milk, not requiring the extra fat from cream that is needed in ice cream for a longer shelf life. As a result, a scoop of gelato is 80-100 calories and the sorbet or “fruit gelato” has no fat and is only 50-60 calories, with no dairy.

Christening Ceremony in Barcelona for Costa Toscana

• Costa Cruises celebrates in the port of Barcelona the christening ceremony of Costa Toscana, the newest Italian-flagged ship in the Costa Cruises fleet, that leads to the discovery of “the art of living the sea”.
• Godmother of Costa Toscana is Chanel, a young singer, actress and dancer who enjoyed great success in Spain and in all Europe after her exhibition during the 2022 Eurovison Song Contest. She will join the ship’s Captain Pietro Sinisi for the ribbon-cutting ceremony in which a bottle will be shattered on the ships bow, as per maritime tradition.
• Costa Toscana represents the restart of Costa Cruises’ fleet, which will operate 10 ships this summer. Summer 2022 appears to be heading toward a significant upswing in travel. According to research commissioned by Costa Cruises from Human Highway in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, nearly 14 million of Europeans dream of taking a cruise in the next 12 months.
• Costa Toscana is a true travelling smart city; Thanks to the use of liquefied natural gas, it is possible to eliminate almost completely the emission of sulfur oxides (zero emissions) and particulates (95-100% reduction) into the atmosphere, while also significantly lowering emissions of nitrogen oxide (direct reduction of 85%) and CO2 (up to 20%).
• During summer 2022, Costa Toscana offers a week-long itinerary making calls in some of the most beautiful cities and islands of the Western Mediterranean, including two calls in Spain: Savona, Civitavecchia/Rome, Naples, Ibiza, Valencia, and Marseille.

COSTA by CARNIVAL

• Costa Cruises announces a new program for the next seasons for Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze as the Company teams up with Carnival Cruise Line creating a new concept for Carnival’s North American guests when COSTA by CARNIVAL debuts in the spring of 2023 and Costa Venezia joins the Carnival fleet. Costa Venezia will be followed by Costa Firenze arriving in the spring of 2024.
• Carnival will operate Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze with an offer that will marry Costa’s Italian style with the great service, food, and entertainment that Carnival’s guests enjoy. The ships will continue operating their regular Costa itineraries until they are assigned to Carnival for deployment.

Carnival Luminosa will homeport in Brisbane from November 2022

• Carnival Cruise Line announced today that Costa Luminosa will join the Carnival fleet in September and will start guest operations as Carnival Luminosa in November 2022 from Brisbane, Australia. The acquisition of Luminosa is an update to the previously announced plans for Carnival to take Costa Magica, which will now remain at Costa Cruises.
• After this delivery, Carnival Luminosa will operate seasonally from October through April from Brisbane, then reposition to Seattle, where it will sail Alaska itineraries from May through September, before returning to Brisbane.
• Luminosa is a sister ship to the four other popular Spirit class ships that already sail for Carnival. Entering service in 2009, the ship accommodates up to 2,826 guests and 1,050 crew at 92,720 gross tons.

Rolls Royce on Carnival Ecstasy Gets a New Home on Carnival Celebration

• For three decades, an antique Rolls Royce has been sailing the high seas – on board Carnival Ecstasy. Now, the well-known fixture will continue its travels on Carnival Cruise Line’s next new ship, Carnival Celebration.
• The vintage car, a 1934 Rolls Royce Saloon, was carefully offloaded from Carnival Ecstasy while the ship was docked in Mobile, Ala. last Thursday (click here to see video). It is being carefully shipped to the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland where Carnival Celebration is under construction.
• The car thousands of Carnival guests have admired and taken pictures of over the years will soon find a new home adjacent to The Gateway, a two-deck zone aboard Carnival Celebration which celebrates travel and the excitement of exploring new destinations.
• The Gateway zone includes The Golden Jubilee, a bar venue highlighting Carnival’s evolution of ships over the last 50 years. The bar will feature memorabilia and original pieces from several of Carnival’s earlier vessels and so the Rolls Royce will add to the nostalgia.
• Carnival Ecstasy’s designer searched all over the United Kingdom to find the perfect car to fit the space outside the ship’s Rolls Royce Café. It was acquired from a small antique car dealer in the hills of Northern Wales. Carnival Ecstasy is finishing its final sailing season and will be retired in October.
• Carnival Celebration, the second of Carnival Cruise Line’s new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered ships will begin service in early November with a 14-day transatlantic voyage from London (Southampton) to its homeport of PortMiami. Her arrival will continue the celebration of Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday.

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS! – 100 DAYS UNTIL CARNIVAL SPLENDOR’S RETURN

• Carnival Cruise Line is today celebrating 100 days until the return of Carnival Splendor to Aussie shores. Following a successful season cruising in Alaska, Sydney’s own Carnival ship will arrive home on 30 September, bringing the Carnival fun back to guests and crew.
• With over 900 days since her last Australian cruise, Carnival Splendor will offer Sydneysiders a range of action-packed itineraries from Aussie favourites including Moreton Island and Carnival’s famous Melbourne Cup cruises, to New Zealand and to stunning South Pacific ports including Noumea, Isle of Pines and Mare.
• Carnival Splendor offers a host of exclusive features for Aussie guests to both discover and rediscover, including:
  • Green and Gold waterpark: The action-packed Carnival Waterworks was built specifically for Australia in green and gold colours, complete with a world-first on a cruise ship – the Green Lightning thrill-slide that begins with an impressive 11.3-metre free-fall drop. Waterworks also boasts a 104-metre-long Twister Waterslide, power drencher tipping bucket and mini racing slides.
  • Splashy Cove: Splashy Cove is a special waterpark created just for little ones with fun to be had splashing about with spray toys and mini waterslides. It’s also home to a colourful mural inspired from drawings by patients from The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
  • Cloud 9 Spa and Serenity Retreat: For Aussies who love to relax, Carnival Splendor features the Cloud 9 Spa and Suites, offering everything from a thalassotherapy pool, to thermal suites and state-of-the-art fitness centre. Adults can also unwind at the well-known adults-only Serenity Retreat and enjoy the sea breeze with a cocktail in hand.
  • Dining options: Featuring over 17 different dining options including Masala Tiger, made precisely for Aussies’ adventurous tastebuds and offering fresh and flavourful Indian cuisine straight from the tandoor. Juice and Java, a juice and coffee bar, has also been created exclusively for the Aussie market, while Fahrenheit 555 offers the finest cuts of beef available at sea, cooked to perfection. These tasty offerings join Carnival fan-favourites, such as Seafood Shack, Pizzeria del Capitano and Guy’s Burger Joint.
  • Australia’s favourite coffee: Carnival has partnered with Vittoria Coffee, Australia’s number one pure coffee brand, to make sure the fresh new JavaBlue Café delivers flat whites, long blacks and lattes to perfection.
• Carnival Splendor’s first passenger cruise from Sydney will depart on 02 October 2022.

Six Months Until Norwegian Spirit Debuts Down Under

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), is celebrating the six-month countdown to the Australasian debut of the all-new Norwegian Spirit for her inaugural local sailing season.
• A completely reimagined ship following her extensive bow-to-stern USD$100m renovation – the most expensive refurbishment in NCL’s 55-year history – Norwegian Spirit’s arrival on 22 December 2022 also marks NCL’s long-awaited return to Australian waters.
• Norwegian Spirit will sail 10 local itineraries between December 2022 and March 2023, including a selection of eight 12-day open-jaw sailings between her dual home-ports of Sydney and Auckland, visiting a variety of regional and metropolitan destinations such as Hobart, Burnie, Melbourne and Eden in Australia, as well as Napier, Tauranga, Wellington and Akaroa in New Zealand. Plus, she will offer two Extraordinary Journeys through the South Pacific, from Papeete to Sydney in December and Sydney to Papeete in March 2023. Norwegian Spirit then returns in December 2023 for her second season home ported in Australian waters.
• Top Three Destinations to Explore
  • Burnie: Tucked away on the northwest coast of Tasmania, Burnie is a quaint seaside enclave renowned for its eclectic shopping, local maker’s workshops, boutique chocolate shops, cafes and galleries – the ideal spots to pick up unique souvenirs to treasure back home. Other highlights include strolling along the Emu Bay waterfront, learning about local wildlife at the Little Penguin Observation Centre or whisky tasting at the internationally acclaimed Hellyers Road Distillery.
  • Tauranga: The largest city in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, Tauranga is a hub for fishing, sailing, kayaking and adventure sports. Those who prefer their action on the ground will enjoy the city’s shopping and gallery scene, or a seaside meal at the buzzing Strand Waterfront precinct. The nearby Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park is popular with travellers keen to hike, spot native birds or learn more about the area’s gold mining history.
  • Doubtful Sound: A genuine wilderness wonderland, Doubtful Sound is less a port of call and more a scenic sailing experience, characterised by dramatic landscapes, cascading waterfalls, sheer cliff faces and captivating wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and penguins. Larger yet less visited than Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound’s majestic beauty will captivate travellers who enjoy areas of untamed natural beauty, and there is no better way to take it all in than from the deck of a cruise ship.

NCL commits to Asia 2023-2024 Itineraries

• NCL will return to Asia for the 2023-2024 cruise season, featuring 12 immersive and port-rich sailings ranging from 10- to 12-days on board Norwegian Jewel as well as a 16-day Extraordinary Journey from Seattle, Washington (U.S.) to Tokyo, Japan.
• The extensive season will operate from October 2023 to March 2024 and will see a vast choice of departure ports including Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan; Taipei (Keelung); Singapore; Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Malaysia; Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Thailand; Benoa, Bali; and Seoul (Incheon), South Korea. In addition, the Company will make “Brand first” visits to four ports in the region including Puerto Princesa, Boracay, Salomague and Hualien, where travellers will explore the natural beauty and rich culture of the Philippines and Taiwan.
• Norwegian Jewel returns to Asia for her second successful season in the region following a 16-day repositioning cruise from Seattle, Washington (U.S.)  to Tokyo, Japan via the wilds of Alaska. Her port-intensive Asia itineraries mostly include less than two sea-days per cruise as well as multiple late-night departures and overnight calls on select itineraries in Osaka, Japan; Singapore; and Phuket, Thailand. Almost all cruises are open-jaw, allowing travellers to bookend their voyage with land explorations in different exotic destinations.
• On board Norwegian Jewel, guests can enjoy numerous amenities including action-packed activities at the outdoor Sports Complex, high energy Zumba® and Flywheel Sports® classes, and multiple uniquely themed bars and lounges, including Bliss Ultra Lounge where guests can dance the night away. Norwegian Jewel, with a guest capacity of 2,376, also offers some of the largest suites at sea with staterooms that accommodate every style and budget. The ship also offers a Haven Deluxe Owner’s Suite that features the most luxurious, well-appointed accommodations on board, including a 24-hour butler service.

NCL Year round in Europe

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), announced its return to the Canary Islands for the first time since 2017, delivering guests more choice and flexibility with a year-round Europe cruise offering in 2022.
• Following a grand 22-day transatlantic voyage from Miami to Lisbon, Norwegian Sun will make her return to Europe offering immersive Canary Island sailings from 21 November 2022. Cruises on board the nearly 2,000-passenger ship will range from 10 to 14 days and will provide guests with greater flexibility by offering a choice of embarkation ports, including Lisbon, Portugal; Malaga, Spain; and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands. Furthermore, during Norwegian Sun’s debut six-month season in the region she will call to various new ports for NCL, including Puerto del Rosario (Fuerteventura) and San Sebastian de la Gomera, Canary Islands, Spain; Cueta, Spain; Agadir, Morocco; and Horta (Azores), Portugal.
• Including Norwegian Sun, nine NCL ships are sailing in European waters this summer and make up the greatest European fleet in the cruise line’s history. Calling at more European ports than any other contemporary cruise line, NCL will offer guests greater choice than ever before, including Norwegian Prima, the newest member of NCL’s fleet and the first in the ground-breaking Prima Class, set to debut in Iceland in August 2022. NCL’s extensive range of European itineraries in 2022 include voyages to the Greek Isles, the Norwegian Fjords, the Mediterranean and the Canaries.

Double Newbuild milestones for MSC

• The Cruise Division of MSC Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique celebrated two important milestones for MSC Cruises’ first two liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels both under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France.
• MSC World Europa, the first LNG vessel to join the cruise line’s fleet and set to become the biggest LNG-powered cruise ship in the world, completed her first set of sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean that included testing the performance of the ship’s engines, manoeuvrability, fuel consumption, safety systems, speed and stopping distances.
• Meanwhile, MSC Euribia was floated out and has now been moved to a wet dock for work to continue on the ship before she also joins MSC Cruises’ fleet in June 2023.
• MSC has invested €3 billion in three LNG-powered cruise ships and the construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard in Saint-Nazaire of the third ship – ‘World Class II’ – is due to start early next year.

Viking Announces New 2024 Ocean Voyages

• Viking has today announced the release of several new ocean voyages and new 2024 departure dates on some of their most popular itineraries.
• New voyages include the 36-day Grand Fjords & Iconic Viking Shores taking in the striking natural beauty of Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia; plus two new itineraries combining the West Indies with the Mediterranean and the Iberian Peninsula.
• In addition to new 2024 departure dates on some of their most popular voyages, Viking has also announced they will be re-opening two Hawaiian voyages exploring the islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai and traversing the South Pacific to Moorea, Bora Bora and the secluded Marquesas Island.
• New itineraries include:
  • 36-day Grand Fjords & Iconic Viking Shores from Amsterdam to New York City or v.v. Departures: June and July 2024.
  • 25-day West Indies & the Mediterranean from San Juan to Venice or v.v. Departures: March 2024.
  • 13-day West Indies & the Iberian Peninsula from San Juan to Barcelona Departures: March 2024.
• Voyages with new departure dates:
  • 17-day Hawaiian Islands Sojourn sailing Los Angeles return – Departures: December 2023 and February 2024.
  • 33-day Grand Hawaii & Polynesia sailing Los Angeles return – Departures: November 2023 and January 2024.
  • 18-day Panama Canal & the Pacific Coast from Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles or v.v. – Departures: January and March 2024.
  • 29-day Greenland, Iceland, Norway & Beyond from Bergen to New York City or v.v. – Departures: May to August 2024.
  • 22-day Mediterannean & Adriatic Sojourn from Athens to Barcelona or v.v. – Departures: February to September 2024.
  • 15-day Iconic Iceland, Greenland & Canada from Reykjavik to New York City or v.v. – Departures: June and August 2024.
  • 8-day Iceland’s Natural Beauty circumnavigating Iceland from Reykjavik – Departures: July and August 2024.

Windstar Celebrates 35 Years in the Tropical Paradise of Tahiti

• It’s the island paradise so beautiful that French artist Paul Gauguin couldn’t stop painting it. Fletcher Christian didn’t want to leave it and mutinied (on the HMS Bounty) to stay there. Remote, tropical, romantic, and beautiful – it’s one of the world’s most aspirational places to visit: The Islands of Tahiti, otherwise known as French Polynesia.  
• The Islands of Tahiti are best accessed via small ship – allowing effortless travel amongst some of French Polynesia’s most storied and iconic 121 islands and atolls. Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises simply knows it best, having sailed the longest of any operator in the region and celebrating 35 years of Tahitian sailings in 2022. It’s also the only destination where the U.S.-based cruise line sails year-round, giving guests ample opportunity to plan a once-in-a-lifetime visit in any season.
• This October, there’s double the chance. The 148-guest Wind Spirit, complete with sails built for the breezes of the South Pacific, is sailing around the Islands of Tahiti now, but in October, Windstar will move the all-suite, 312-guest Star Breeze to the region, increasing capacity with two yacht options to choose from. All-suite Star Breeze features newly transformed guest suites,  two new restaurants, a new World Spa, an infinity pool, and more. Although without sails, Star Breeze is ideal for accessing the shallow lagoons that helped make the destination famous. Both Wind Spirit and Star Breeze feature Windstar’s signature sports platform, opening up right off the back deck into crystal clear waters perfect for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding .  In February 2024, Star Breeze will move to Tahiti year-round in place of Wind Spirit.

A-ROSA SENA completes maiden voyage

• On 18 June 2022, the A-ROSA SENA departed from Cologne for her maiden voyage with her first guests on board. Prior to this, the ship was blessed in Düsseldorf by Deacon Michael Inden, as well as christened by Clara Eichler, daughter of A-ROSA CEO Jörg Eichler, in the presence of the management, the investors and the crew. Due to supply challenges, the first cruise started slightly later than initially planned, which meant that this ceremony took place in a small circle only. Thanks to the hybrid propulsion system, the first departure was accomplished with the help of electrical energy from the battery storage.
• Guests and crew were excited about the sustainable new ship: “A-ROSA SENA’s design is truly unique on the river. Together with the spacious interior layout, she offers a completely new travel experience”, comments hotel manager Dennis Brenner. Captain Ulrich Schwalbe adds: “Thanks to the hybrid propulsion system and the exhaust gas purification filter, you don’t notice any emissions on board and can just enjoy the pure cruising experience.” The E-Motion Ship recently received the “German Award for Sustainability Projects 2022” for her environmentally friendly technologies.
• Throughout the summer, the A-ROSA SENA offers 7-night voyages from Cologne via Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Antwerp. Guests can disembark individually or discover the destinations through exclusive shore excursions organized by A-ROSA. Whether a gracht tour in Amsterdam, a visit to the miniature world Madurodam in Rotterdam, a canoe trip through the nature reserve Biesbosch or a culinary city tour through Antwerp – there is something for all tastes. The last day of the trip is a cruising day during which guests can enjoy everything the ship has to offer at their leisure: The large SPA-ROSA with sauna, whirlpool and massage room, the fitness area, two pools on the sun deck, the Kids Club for little guests and various restaurants and bars.

Queensland Couple Embarks on Two Years Back-to-Back Cruising as Coral Princess Begins Historic Inaugural Cruise Season

• In an amazing illustration of their passion for cruising, Brisbane couple, Jessica and Marty Ansen, embarked on an incredible two years of back-to-back cruising as Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess, the first cruise ship home ported at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, began its first cruise season following the restart of the Australian cruise industry.
• Jessica and Marty Ansen have previously sailed on 31 cruises with Princess with 1,173 days at sea. They have been anxiously awaiting cruising’s restart to indulge their love for holidaying on the high seas with a landmark 53 separate cruises between now and August 2024.
• And the couple is not ruling out adding more voyages to keep their life at sea sailing along into the future.
• “Cruising offers the ultimate holiday experience. You go onboard, you only unpack once, and you have all this amazing entertainment, exceptional food, great company and you can see the world. And, the crew deliver incredible service – that’s why we cruise.”
• The Ansens booked their two years of back-to-back cruises (795 sea days) – including two round world cruises in 2023 and 2024 – with Brisbane-based family-owned travel agency, which has specialised in booking cruise holidays since 2007.