EXPLORA I Completes Successful Sea Trials

• The launch of a new way of ocean travel is progressing on schedule. Last month, EXPLORA I surged towards the endless expanse of blue for her sea trials, a significant milestone in the shipbuilding process. Thoughtfully built and designed to mark a new class of luxury ships, EXPLORA I reflects the perfect blend of luxury, home-like comfort, discovery and sustainability.
• This will be the first of a fleet of up to six luxury ships to be built for Explora Journeys by Fincantieri in Italy, one of the finest shipbuilders in the world.
• Following the successful sea trials, EXPLORA I will now undergo final preparations before embarking on her maiden journey in July 2023. Explora Journeys will offer today’s discerning luxury traveller an opportunity to experience a truly transformative and purposeful ocean travel experience, reflecting both the essence of each destination visited as well as the brand’s cosmopolitan and vibrant European luxury.
• Construction of the 63,900 GT vessel began on 10 June 2021 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The naming ceremony for EXPLORA I will take place in Civitavecchia near Rome, Italy on 8 July, followed by her maiden journey departing on 17 July from Southampton, UK for a 15-night sailing into Norwegian fjords and the Arctic Circle to Copenhagen, Denmark.

Holland America Line’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations Filled with Historic Events in Founding City of Rotterdam April 18, 2023

• From a ceremony at an historic landmark with a special gift to shipboard gala celebrations and a toast around the world, Holland America Line is getting ready to celebrate a day 150 years in the making. The premium cruise line’s sesquicentennial birthday is April 18, 2023, and on that date, Rotterdam VII will arrive at its namesake city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to revel with local dignitaries, port officials and guests. Zuiderdam will be at Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that day and host an evening gala party on board for Grand World Voyage guests.
• Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha will lead the celebrations. Also scheduled to attend the events are Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Rotterdam’s godmother; Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of Rotterdam; and descendants from two families of Holland America Line’s original founders.
• Upon Rotterdam’s arrival at Rotterdam April 18, the 150th Anniversary celebrations begin at Hotel New York, home to Holland America Line’s original headquarters. The cruise line will present a commemorative 150th Anniversary bell — in the style of a traditional ship bell — to be permanently displayed at the hotel. At the event, Princess Margriet will follow Holland America Line’s ritual of blessing the bell before it is donated to Hotel New York.
• In addition, an original share of the first Holland America Line stock shares will be presented to be kept as part of a special collection in the city of Rotterdam archives. At the ceremony, PostNL, the postal office of the Netherlands, also will unveil a 24-carat collectable 150th anniversary gold-foil stamp to commemorate the special milestone. Available for purchase throughout the Netherlands, only a limited edition of just 1,000 will be produced.
• Following a Gala Dinner on board Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, the celebrations move to the Lido pool area with live music and a toast to the special day. Anniversary-themed parties also will be held on the nine other ships in Holland America Line’s fleet.
• Anniversary Transatlantic an Ode to Dutch Heritage
• During the 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing aboard Rotterdam that departed New York City April 7 and arrives at Rotterdam April 18, guests will be treated to a host of touches to mark the company’s birthday. Special programming will include cuisine from previous Holland America Line voyages dating back to the 1920s, a “Throwback Happy Hour” that rolls back time with drinks priced as low as 75 cents, Dutch High Tea, a Rijsttafel pop-up in Tamarind, anniversary-themed trivia and presentations by Bill Miller, maritime historian and Holland America Line authority, that relived the history and roots of the company.

Carnival Luminosa says bye to Brisbane

• First sailing into the Sunshine State 166 days ago, yesterday Carnival Luminosa said ‘see you soon’ to Queensland as she embarked on her three-week Journeys cruise to Alaska.
• With over 1,800 guests on board, the incredible voyage is Luminosa’s longest passenger sailing to date since joining the Carnival fleet. Visiting a number of picturesque ports across the 22-day journey, including Noumea, Suva, Tahiti, and Hawaii, guests will still have plenty of time to experience all of the fun Carnival Luminosa has to offer.
• After a sensational first season sailing from Brisbane, Luminosa will now spend the US summer cruise season in Alaska. However, Aussie fun-lovers need not worry as Luminosa will return to Queensland shores in October 2023, bringing more Carnival fun in time for our warmer months.
• With 28 sailings since November 2022, guests onboard Luminosa were able to achieve some impressive feats, including:
  • Over 61,000 guests sailed, including 7,500+ kids
  • 52 ports of call visited across Australia and the South Pacific
  • Over 100,000 melting chocolate cakes devoured
  • More than $50,000 raised for the Children’s Hospital Foundation
  • Including a $10,000 donation for the 2022 Nine Telethon
  • 110,000+ ice creams and 70,000+ pizzas enjoyed
  • 180 live performances attended and 280 Dive-In Movies screened
  • 10,000+ people pampered at the Cloud 9 Spa
• Queenslanders also celebrated some incredible milestones on board Carnival Luminosa, including a very special 100th birthday, one marriage proposal, and an amazing guest who sailed 15 times for a total of 88 days (over half of Luminosa’s total time in Queensland)!

Paul Gauguin Cruises celebrates 25th anniversary

• This year, Paul Gauguin Cruises celebrates 25 years of award-winning sailings in the balmy waters of French Polynesia and the South Pacific starting with an exclusive anniversary offer to discover the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas and beyond.
• Since its launch 25 years ago, Le Paul Gauguin, purposefully designed to navigate the French Polynesian waters, has established itself as the region’s ultimate choice in luxury sailing with elegant interiors, chic yet relaxed ambiance, elevated cuisine and genuine Polynesian hospitable service.
• Having joined the PONANT family in 2019, and now celebrating a quarter of a century of sailing in fabled lagoons and delivering the most authentic Polynesian experiences with Les Gauguins and Les Gauguines, onboard local Tahitian hosts, and an extensive list of expertly hosted local excursions, Paul Gauguin Cruises is unveiling the first act of a series of special festivities.

P&O Cruises Annual Coffee Championships at Sea Return

• After an involuntary three-year hiatus, P&O Cruises’ annual barista competition at sea has returned! The competition has been a staple in the 20-year-plus partnership between Nestlé Professional and P&O Cruises Australia and was held onboard each of P&O’s three ships Pacific Adventure, Pacific Explorer and Pacific Encounter.
• Six talented baristas were selected to compete from the 92 bar staff who service the ships, with their challenge to create an espresso, flat white and cappuccino for each of the of the judges using BUONDI Dark Spark roasted coffee beans – the blend used onboard P&O cruise ships.
• Ultimately one winner per ship was named:
  • Pacific Explorer: Winner – Michelle Carandang
  • Pacific Encounter: Winner – Glenn Kurt Baring
  • Pacific Adventure: Winner – Gilbert Mapa
• Ongoing training with Nestle also ensures P&O guests never have to go without their barista style coffee while cruising.

Remembering Titanic

• 111 years ago, the Titanic hit an ice berg. She sunk early the following morning. All these years later, we reflect on the magnitude of that maritime disaster and remember those who were lost.
• Titanic is a ship that has gone down in history as a legend. However there are still many myths about the ship.
• Here are some interesting facts about the Titanic that you might not know:
• https://youtu.be/ut-hy0eE0tE