Pacific Explorer to arrive in Sydney on 18 April 22

• In keeping with Sydney Harbour’s rich maritime heritage, on April 18, P&O Cruises Australia’s flagship Pacific Explorer will return home to lead the restart of cruising in Australia.
• Pacific Explorer’s arrival after an absence of more than two years will be embraced by cruise suppliers as a sign that their businesses and livelihoods will soon be in recovery mode with the resumption of cruising based on comprehensive protocols to support its return.
• The P&O Cruises Australia flagship’s arrival is also expected to capture the imagination of Sydneysiders as it enters the Heads on Easter Monday in returning to its home port.
• The Easter Monday holiday arrival will give the city’s ‘boaties’ an opportunity to escort Pacific Explorer as the ship makes its way up the harbour to the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) to be alongside at 10.30am.
• The approximate schedule for Pacific Explorer’s arrival on April 18 is as follows:
  • 9.30am – Pacific Explorer enters Sydney Heads
  • 10.10am – Passing Fort Denison
  • 10.20am – Passing the Sydney Opera House
  • 10.30am – Alongside at the OPT

First Cruise Ship Set to Return to Canada as Country Reopens Cruising After Two-Year Absence

• Holland America Line’s Koningsdam Calls at Victoria and Vancouver April 9 and 10 with local governments holding celebratory events
• Holland America Line will be the first cruise line to return to Canadian cruising following a more than two year industrywide pause due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Koningsdam will call at Victoria, British Columbia, Saturday, April 9, restarting the cruise industry in Canada. The following day the ship will end its current seven-day cruise at Port of Vancouver, its homeport for the summer Alaska season.
• Koningsdam’s call at Victoria marks 905 days since a cruise ship has visited the port, and it also will be a maiden call for the ship. To mark the milestones, Antorcha and local government officials will be on hand in both Victoria and Vancouver to celebrate the return to Canadian cruising and address the importance Canada and Alaska to Holland America Line.
• In 2022, six Holland America Line ships will call at Victoria and Vancouver for the Alaska cruise season. In total, the six ships will make 45 calls at Victoria and bring nearly 75,000 guests to the port, and 76 cruises begin or end at Vancouver, welcoming approximately 140,000 guests.
• For Canada and New England cruising on the East Coast, two ships return in May and cruise between Boston, Massachusetts, and Quebec City or Montreal, Quebec. Nieuw Statendam and Zaandam offer itineraries ranging from seven to 24 days to more than 12 Canadian ports.
• In total for 2022, Holland America Line operates 141 cruises on eight ships in Canada with more than 250,000 guests visiting both coasts. 

Royal Caribbean partners with Queensland Theme Parks

• Royal Caribbean and Village Roadshow Theme Parks Create Ultimate Queensland Getaway
• Two of the biggest icons in family adventure have come together to create the ultimate end-to-end Queensland getaway. Royal Caribbean International has teamed up with Village Roadshow Theme Parks to offer guests sailing from Brisbane on Quantum of the Seas access to exclusive accommodation and attraction packages, combining two amazing family experiences into one holiday with plenty of added perks.
• Making it easy to plan a holiday that combines the best of land and sea, the new, exclusive partnership welcomes Royal Caribbean holidaymakers to enjoy unlimited entry to Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild and Paradise Country, and a 15% discount on accommodation at Australia’s only theme park resort, Sea World Resort with additional inclusions for the whole family, making it easy to plan a holiday combining the best of land and sea.
• Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated launch in Queensland starts this summer with the ground-breaking Quantum sailing from the new Brisbane terminal from 9^th November onwards. Packed full of adventure for the whole family and known for its innovation and countless industry ‘firsts,’ including rock climbing, ice skating, sky diving and surfing at sea, Royal Caribbean will capture the imagination of families and adventurous holidaymakers alike.

Royal Caribbean celebrates keel laying of Icon of the Seas

• The building of Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, has reached a pivotal milestone ahead of its fall 2023 debut. A keel-laying ceremony took place at Finnish shipyard Meyer Turku to officially mark the start of the revolutionary ship’s physical construction, with Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku senior executives and teams in attendance.
• The keel laying, a longstanding maritime tradition, involved a 3,000-ton crane lifting a massive steel block that is placed into the new ship’s building dock and on top of freshly minted coins, which represent the shipyard and cruise line. The coins are meant to bring luck during construction, and they will be retrieved and given to Icon’s captain and crew before setting sail.
• Icon will set sail next year with the latest innovations and signature features Royal Caribbean’s teams have imagined and reimagined in bold, new ways, including a shift toward cleaner energy. The first of three Royal Caribbean ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) – the cleanest fossil fuel available to cruise ships today. Combining LNG with a lineup of the cruise line’s proven applications, such as shore power connection and waste heat recovery systems that repurpose excess energy to help power the ship’s operations, Icon will be the next important step in Royal Caribbean’s journey toward a clean-energy future.

Signed, sealed, delivered… Celebrity Beyond.

• Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo honoured the thousands of engineers, architects, designers, contractors, shipyard employees and Celebrity Cruises teams as the brand took delivery of Celebrity Beyond, the third and most luxurious ship in the fleet’s new-luxury Edge Series®, and a true game changer for the travel industry. The moment was particularly special as it marked the shipyard’s first physical delivery ceremony since the pandemic.
• Designed to give guests endless opportunities to disconnect from the world — while simultaneously reconnecting with the world that surrounds them — Celebrity Beyond goes further than imagined possible for a cruise ship, creating a new world of wonder and approachable luxury.  With forward-thinking design by the world’s leading architects and interior designers, culinary excellence from Michelin starred chefs, world renowned wellbeing partners, exquisite art, luxury brand retailers and Celebrity’s uniquely intuitive service, Celebrity Beyond shatters every preconceived notion of the cruising experience. A floating boutique hotel, Celebrity Beyond exemplifies new-luxury travel and its future at sea. 
• As part of the historic moment, Lutoff-Perlo was joined by Royal Caribbean Group’s President and CEO Jason Liberty and the ship’s captain, Kate McCue, as they officially took ownership from the shipyard and completed the traditional changing of the flags, hosting a celebratory ceremony onboard Celebrity Beyond while docked in the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. The momentous occasion was celebrated alongside other Celebrity Cruises executives, shipyard officials including General Manager Laurent Castaing, and Beyond’s 1,400 crew members from over 60 different countries.
• Celebrity Beyond’s maiden voyage will depart on 27 April, 2022, from Southampton, England, for a 10-night Western Europe cruise visiting Bordeaux, France; Lisbon, Portugal; and Seville, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona, Spain.
• She will then offer a variety of Mediterranean journeys including nine-night Italian Riviera and France itineraries and 10-night Greek Isles itineraries through early October, when she then heads to the Caribbean. Voyages are on sale now.

Kristina Vogel christens AIDAcosma in Hamburg

• Under the motto “The world is becoming more colourful”, AIDAcosma was christened on April 9, 2022, as part of a colourful music and light show in the Port of Hamburg. The godmother of AIDA Cruises’ second LNG cruise ship is the eleven-time world champion in track cycling, Kristina Vogel.
• Accompanied by Captain Vincent Cofalka, Kristina Vogel lit up a colorful globe on the Ocean Deck of AIDAcosma at 9:55 p.m. At the same time, the baptismal bottle smashed against the hull of the ship.
• Cruise fans across Germany followed the christening live on the internet, on the AIDA YouTube channel and on board all AIDA ships.
• As part of the naming ceremony, a spectacular light show not only illuminated the newest member of the AIDA fleet. Visible from afar, the evening sky over the Hanseatic city turned into a sea of bright colours.
• At around 11:30 p.m., AIDAcosma said goodbye to Hamburg with a light show from on board, which took place during the departure while passing the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie and the Landungsbrücken to Teufelsbrück. The two-week christening voyage will sail to Palma de Mallorca over the Easter holidays.
• From April 23 to October 29, 2022, AIDAcosma will be offering voyages from Palma (Mallorca) and Barcelona. Florence, Rome and Corsica are also on the program during the weeklong highlight cruise “Mediterranean Treasures”. From autumn 2022, AIDAcosma will set course for its sunny winter home in Dubai.

NCL has announced it will sail into the Metaverse

• Norwegian Cruise Line,  announced it will sail into the Metaverse with the launch of the cruise industry’s first collection of NFTs, adding to the Brand’s legacy of pioneering firsts.
• NCL will offer a collection of six NFTs for auction and sale to celebrate the launch of the Company’s cutting-edge Norwegian Prima Class on Wednesday, 13 April 2022, at 9 a.m. ET on NCL’s soon to launch online NFT marketplace. The NFT art pieces were created by Manuel Di Rita, widely known as “Peeta,” the Italian artist who designed the hull art on the record-breaking Norwegian Prima and her sister vessel Norwegian Viva.
• The first of the six art pieces will be auctioned at the starting rate of USD$2,500, with the remaining NFTs sold for prices beginning at USD$250. The winner of the auction will be awarded a balcony stateroom on one of Norwegian Prima’s inaugural US voyages, setting sail from NCL’s beautiful new PortMiami terminal in Miami, Florida – the Cruise Capital of the World.
• Launching in August 2022, Norwegian Prima’s Christening voyage will depart from Reykjavík, Iceland, and will feature a performance from the ship’s newly announced godmother, global popstar Katy Perry. During her inaugural season, Norwegian Prima will offer voyages to Northern Europe from Amsterdam; and Copenhagen, Denmark beginning 3 September; and Caribbean itineraries from Galveston, Texas; and Miami and Orlando in Florida commencing from 27 October.

NCL Kicks Off its Greatest Europe Season Yet

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), has kicked off its greatest Europe season yet with eight ships sailing to over 100 destinations from 10 different departure ports, including two ships never-before-seen in Europe: Norwegian Prima makes her global debut in Iceland in August, while Norwegian Escape sails Europe for the very first time, making NCL’s one of the most modern fleets in the region.
• In Northern Europe, NCL will offer a selection of sailings ranging from 8- to 12-days with departures from Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London (Southampton) and Reykjavik aboard four ships – Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Prima – which will take the title of the first major cruise ship christened in the Icelandic capital when she debuts in August. World famous pop icon and “American Idol” judge Katy Perry will serve as the ship’s godmother, fulfilling the longstanding maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming Norwegian Prima, the first of six vessels in the Prima Class, as well as performing during the christening ceremony in Reykjavik.
• Meanwhile in the Mediterranean, three innovative NCL ships – Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Star – will sail from Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Venice (Trieste) and Haifa, Israel, with sailings ranging in length from 5 to 12-days, many with no sea days ensuring guests enjoy maximum time on shore to immerse themselves fully within each and every destination.
• And in the Greek Isles, travellers can look forward to two ships (Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem) offering immersive roundtrip voyages of 7 to 9-nights from Athens (Piraeus), Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia). Each cruise visits an array of breath-taking island locales like Santorini and Mykonos, ancient Greek cities like Athens, as well as the opportunity to explore the Holy Land with calls to Haifa, Israel, and Istanbul, Turkey.

MSC Cruises has opened sales for MSC Euribia

• MSC Cruises has opened sales for MSC Euribia, the line’s most environmentally advanced ship in its fleet and its second LNG-powered ship currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, due to launch in June 2023. The ship will spend her inaugural season in Northern Europe from the German port of Kiel, offering guests incredible destinations to discover.
• MSC Euribia will offer seven-night itineraries sailing to the Norwegian Fjords with weekly departures from Kiel, Germany with calls including Copenhagen, Denmark; Hellesylt, Norway for the Geirangerfjord; as well as Alesund and Flaam, in Norway, among others

MSC Hull Design Winner Revealed

• MSC Euribia will strike a markedly different silhouette than her sister ships in the Meraviglia-Plus class, thanks to an exclusive artwork designed as a commitment by MSC Cruises to the sea. The line held an international design competition through Talent House to create a unique artwork for the ship’s hull, inspired by the sea and its important marine ecosystem. The design will be featured permanently on the ship’s hull, highlighting the steps that the Company is taking towards a greener future.
• Designs from 59 countries worldwide were submitted and the winner, German artist Alex Flaemig has been revealed. Flaemig will have the honour of his artwork gracing the ship’s exterior, shining a light on the Company’s ongoing commitment to the environment and the pledge to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050.
• Flaemig, a native of Dresden, Germany was inspired by the opportunity to transform the hull of MSC Euribia into a giant, floating canvas to highlight the importance of respect for the environment. His design #SaveTheSea, the design features the unique underwater world with its precious life and weaves together the colours of the MSC Cruises and MSC Foundation logos, creating a gradient effect that paints sea fauna and flora across the hull.

Carnival continues the celebrations… this time… the busiest week of sales ever!

• Carnival Cruise Line said today that the one-week period of March 28-April 3 was its busiest booking week in the company’s history, showing a double-digit increase from the previous record 7-day booking total.
• With 22 of its 23 ships back in guest operations across all its year-round U.S. homeports, Carnival has led the industry in terms of restart and customer demand. Its final ship, Carnival Splendor, will return to service from Seattle on May 2, and then Carnival will welcome its newest ship, Carnival Celebration, to PortMiami in November. By year-end 2022, Carnival will have more capacity sailing (as measured by ALBDs – available lower berth days) than it was sailing in 2019. And then in 2023, Carnival will put into service another new Excel-class ship, Carnival Jubilee from Galveston.

Cunard celebrates the Life and Career of beloved actress and philanthropist Betty White

• Cunard announced today that the company will once again partner with Julien’s Auctions, the world-record breaking auction house to the stars, on an exhibition preview of the Property from the life and career of Betty White. White passed away on December 31, 2021 at the age of 99 years old in Los Angeles.
• Betty White epitomized warmth, grace and class, and our guests are keen to learn about the life of this beloved icon
  During the August 5th Transatlantic Crossing aboard flagship Queen Mary 2, guests will enjoy a sneak-peek preview of the auction’s highlights, and have the special opportunity to bid on select items prior to the official three-day auction event on Friday, September 23rd, Saturday, September 24th and Sunday, September 25th, 2022 at Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills.
  The auction and exhibition will be an exclusive presentation and celebration of the legendary actress and cultural icon’s extraordinary life and eight decade spanning career.
  On offer is an exclusive collection of over 1,500 lots featuring the Hollywood icon’s awards, scripts, wardrobe and memorabilia from her iconic television shows and films, as well as furnishings, artwork, fine jewelry, household and personal items from her beloved homes in Brentwood and Carmel, California.
  “We are delighted to once again collaborate on a Transatlantic Crossing with our longtime partner, Julien’s Auctions, and privileged to bring our guests such a special enrichment opportunity,” said Jamie Paiko, vice president of Sales for Cunard North America. “Betty White epitomized warmth, grace and class, and we know our guests will be keen to learn more about the illustrious life of this beloved icon.”
  During the seven-night Transatlantic Crossing, guests will enjoy:
  • A daily, rotating exhibit of the Property from the Estate of Betty White Collection
  • Q&A with Darren Julien, President/CEO of Julien’s Auctions and Martin Nolan, Executive Director of Julien’s Auctions

Costa Cruises restarts from Genoa with Costa Firenze

• Costa Firenze made her debut in Genoa, inaugurating the restart of Costa’s cruises from the city.
• In 2022 the Italian company, which started cruising in July last year, will call at Genoa every Thursday until the end of November 2022, for a one-week Western Mediterranean itinerary, which also includes Marseille, Barcelona, Cagliari, Palermo and Civitavecchia/Rome. In addition to Costa Firenze, from November 13th until the end of the year, Costa Luminosa will also be in Genoa every Sunday, again for one-week cruises in the Western Mediterranean. In 2022 Costa will be in Genoa for a total of 45 calls, after only a few calls in 2021 and 2020 due to the Covid emergency. In 2023 Costa expects a further growth of her presence in Genoa, thanks to the arrival, every Friday from April to November, of Costa Toscana, the new Liquefied Natural Gas-powered ship of the fleet.
• Costa Firenze, built at Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera and dedicated to the Florentine Renaissance, is a 135,000-ton ship with 2,136 guest cabins. With 13 different restaurants and 8 bars, the food and wine offer is among the widest in the fleet. There are plenty of outdoor spaces to fully enjoy the sailing experience. Families with children will be able to choose between different activities to do on board, including a water park and an adventure park, and couples will find a private spa, swimming pools and various spaces to enjoy a moment of privacy. The offer of excursions available has been redesigned to explore hidden and less frequented gems, and to enjoy the most authentic traditions, flavours and colours.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines unveils 93-night ‘Intrepid Beauty of Africa and Indian Ocean

• Adventurers will have the chance to seek out lemurs in Madagascar, spend time with a Dabbawala in Mumbai and walk the dunes of the Namibian desert aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ brand new Grand Voyage in 2023.
• The cruise, which will set sail from Southampton in November 2023, has been hand-crafted by Fred. Olsen Jnr himself alongside his team of dedicated Journey Planners, and takes in well-known destinations from Mumbai in India to Victoria in Seychelles, as well as discoveries away from the well-sailed routes, including to São Tomé and Zanzibar.
• Guests will enjoy plenty of time to explore ashore in each of the destinations, including overnight stays in Victoria, Seychelles and Mombasa, Kenya, a two-night stay in Port Louis, Mauritius, plus a three-night extended stay in Cape Town, South Africa, where historical sites such as Signal Hill and Robben Island await.
• Bolette’s 93-night T2330 ‘The Intrepid Beauty of Africa and the Indian Ocean’ cruise
• Departing from Southampton on 19^th November 2023. 
• Itinerary: Southampton, England – Tangier, Morocco – Valletta, Malta – Alexandria, Egypt – Port Said, Egypt – Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt – Safaga, Egypt – Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Salalah, Oman – Mumbai, India – Mormugao, India – Mangalore, India – Kochi, Kerala, India – Uligamu, Maldives – Hithadhoo, Maldives – Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles (overnight stay) – Praslin Island, Seychelles – La Digue, Seychelles – Mombasa, Kenya (overnight stay) – Zanzibar, Tanzania – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Mamoudzou, Mayotte – Andoany, Nosy Be, Madagascar – Antsiranana, Madagascar – Port Réunion, Réunion Island – Port Louis, Mauritius (two-night stay) – Toamasina (Tamatave), Madagascar – Port d-Ehoala, Fort-Dauphin, Madagascar – Maputo, Mozambique – Richards Bay, South Africa – Durban, South Africa – East London, South Africa – Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), South Africa – Mossel Bay, South Africa – Cape Town, South Africa (three-night stay) – Walvis Bay, Namibia – São Tomé, São Tomé & Príncipe – Cotonou, Benin – Lomé, Togo – Takoradi, Ghana – Dakar, Senegal – Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Funchal, Madeira – Southampton, England

Saga launches 2023 ocean cruises itineraries

• Saga Cruises has today officially launched its 2023 ocean cruise itineraries with a host of new destinations, ports and experiences for guests
• Travellers can experience a 78-night South American cruise and Saga’s boutique ships will also be visiting some special and unusual destinations including Montserrat, St Barts, Grytviken, Antalya, Limassol, the Scilly Isles and Bordeaux. New ports for the cruise line also include Rovinj, on the Croatian cruise itinerary and Nordfjordeid, on the Norwegian cruise schedules.
• Saga’s 2023 ocean cruising will kick off in style with a 78-night South American itinerary departing from Portsmouth on Spirit of Adventure on January 12. The epic South American Explorer cruise will travel around the vast coastline calling at destinations such as Devil’s Island in Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Colombia, the Chilean Fjords, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, and the Panama Canal transit
• Other sailings of interest:
• 30-night Springtime in the Caribbean cruise departing Portsmouth on March 5, 2023
• Autumn Colours of New England cruise on Spirit of Discovery departing September 26, 2023 for 28-nights
• Guests looking to test a short cruise or those interested in sailing the waters of the British Isles can select from: a five-night Capitals of the Emerald Isle itinerary departing on April 4 on Spirit of Discovery
• Landscapes of Greenland and Iceland cruise on Spirit of Discovery departing on June 29, 2023 for 17-nights
• 18-night Classical Italy and the Western Mediterranean cruise departing from Dover on June 4, 2023
• Both Spirit of Adventure and Spirit of Discovery are small by today’s ship standards, but clever design and a limit to the number of guests (up to 987) give a real feeling of space and comfort, plus all cabins have their own balconies facing onto the ocean.
• Although the ships are very distinctive from one another in décor and style, they both feature five restaurants, bars and a living room. Outdoors there is an observation deck, full wraparound promenade and terrace, pool, sports court and deck games. Entertainment and wellbeing facilities include The Playhouse (a 444-seat theatre with complete unobstructed views seating, home to Saga Cruise’s resident performance company), the signature Britannia Lounge with a dance floor and live entertainment, The Library with refreshments, craft and card rooms, The Spa with hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam and treatment rooms, The Salon, a gym, shop and medical centre.

Oscar-winning French Director Luc Jacquet film shoot on Le Commandant Charcot

• Last November, PONANTs Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury polar exploration hybrid-electric vessel powered by Liquified Natural Gas, set sail from Punta Arenas on her maiden cruise to the Antarctic. On board was a particularly enthusiastic guest: Luc Jacquet. It was an opportunity for the French filmmaker and his team to capture more images and emotions in the very heart of the White Continent.
• A world-renowned filmmaker, Luc Jacquet has directed numerous feature films and documentaries, including the Oscar-winning March of the Penguins. Strikingly beautiful, his cultural works have helped reconnect humankind with Nature, a philosophy shared by PONANT which raises guests’ awareness, through its expeditions to remote regions, of how vital it is to protect the environment. During Le Commandant Charcot’s first Antarctic expedition in November 2021, Luc Jacquet welcomed the chance to share his experiences and passion for the polar world with guests.
• Luc Jacquet and his team were on Le Commandant Charcot to capture images of the polar regions for his new film project Continent Magnétique (Magnetic Continent), and his next immersive exhibition entitled Sur les traces de l’Empereur (On the tracks of the Emperor Penguin).

Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Unveils the New National Geographic Islander II

• All-Suite 48-Guest Expedition Ship to Launch in the Galápagos Islands in 2022
• Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic has unveiled the newest addition to their award-winning fleet, National Geographic Islander ll. With just 48 guests, and the spirit and soul of a private yacht, the all-suite ship will make her inaugural voyage in the Galápagos on August 18, 2022 for year-round expeditions in the islands.
• Formerly the Crystal Esprit, the sleek and elegant National Geographic Islander ll’s top-to-bottom refit will elevate the guest experience to an entirely new level. Travelers will find encircling teak decks that gracefully connect the indoor and outdoor spaces, a well-outfitted observation deck, indoor-outdoor dining options, 26 light and airy suites, and new expedition amenities including a marina and Science Hub.
• Elegantly appointed, each of the 26 suites feature large windows, convertible king/twin beds, sofa, marble double-sink bathrooms, stocked mini-bar, Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV and ample closets. The four Islander Suites, three of them brand new, have four windows, separate living rooms and bathrooms outfitted with a tub and rain shower. Connecting suites are available, plus four dedicated solo suites and triple options. The Santa Cruz Islander Suite can be reserved as a family suite with a connecting double suite.
• The National Geographic Islander II is a true ocean-going vessel, 280 feet long, 46 feet wide, and is equipped with stabilizers for smooth sailing. The refit of the ship for Galápagos includes key environmental and fuel-efficient upgrades like reduced outdoor lighting, special paint, and recycled water from new air conditioning systems.

SH Diana is name of Swan Hellenic’s third and largest bespoke expedition cruise ship

• Cultural expedition cruise pioneer reveals name while reporting strong progress on construction of third next-generation ship
• Swan Hellenic announced that construction of its third and largest next-generation ship was proceeding smoothly at Helsinki Shipyard, with more than half the structure already assembled and all but two blocks now delivered. Crowning the announcement was news revealing her name – SH Diana – in the classic Swan Hellenic tradition.
• The elegant new ship is a next-generation polar expedition vessel, designed for worldwide cruising with a strong focus on high-latitude areas. SH Diana will feature a 4.6-megawatt diesel-electric hybrid-ready propulsion system with selective catalytic reduction and PC 6 ice-strengthened hull that is fully Safe Return to Port certified. Although the largest ship in the Swan Hellenic fleet, the 125 m long, 12,100 GRT expedition vessel has been specially designed for worldwide cruising to explore the most inspiring and inaccessible places on earth.
• Providing panoramic 5-star accommodation for 192 guests in 96 spacious staterooms and suites, the vast majority with large balconies, SH Diana will be operated by an onboard team of 141 to provide exceptional personal service. Cutting edge hygiene technology will protect the health of all on board to the highest standards and includes air conditioning with UV sanitisation systems.
• Designed for immersive experiences and extensive open views, the on-board amenities include a swimming pool, spa, panoramic sauna, gym, library, expedition laboratory and observation lounge for lectures by seasoned expedition leaders and leading experts from a wide range of disciplines. World-class gourmet cuisine, local specialities and healthy dining will be offered in the panoramic restaurant, club lounge and pool bar, as well as through full room service.
• In addition, SH Diana builds on the outstanding facilities of her sister ships, offering a dedicated Multifunctional Room next to the Observation Lounge, a Private Dining Room for special occasions, more suites and 2 tenders, which bring guests a comfortable alternative to Zodiacs for expedition landings. Expedition day trips are a central feature of the programmes that will be offered, along with kayaking, trekking and other activities.
• Aptly named after the Ancient Roman goddess of light, the moon, hunting and the wilderness, SH Diana will take Swan Hellenic back to its roots when she launches in early 2023, exploring the Mediterranean and its famous sites of antiquity.

A-ROSA celebrates 20th anniversary

• On 5 April 2022, the A-ROSA Flussschiff GmbH will celebrate its 20th birthday. Exactly 20 years ago – on 5 April 2002 – the first two ships in the fleet were christened A-ROSA BELLA and A-ROSA DONNA in Rostock. A-ROSA celebrates the anniversary on board its ships with an A-ROSA United Event, where guests celebrate together with the crew until late at night.
• With the introduction of the A-ROSA brand, river cruises were offered for the first time to a younger clientele – detached from conventions, casual, active and full of highlights on board and ashore. The company has always remained true to this concept.
• Review of the christening of A-ROSA BELLA and A-ROSA DONNA
• After a construction period of only twelve months in the Neptun Yard Rostock, the two innovative river ships A-ROSA BELLA and A-ROSA DONNA received their official names during a double christening ceremony on 5th April 2002 in Rostock’s city harbour.
• Godmother of A-ROSA BELLA was the 18-year-old The Honourable Anna Sterling, daughter of Lord Sterling of Plaistow, Chairman of P&O Princess Cruises. A-ROSA DONNA was christened by Anja Mager, 19 years old and an office management trainee with Seetours in Rostock.
• After an experience ship tour and reception in the coffee house on board, the guests were invited to the dinner “La BELLA DONNA” with live entertainment in the Nikolaikirche Rostock.
• Immediately after the christening, the two 860-ton ships left the Rostock overseas port expertly packed and secured on a barge for the Danube delta.
• History of A-ROSA
• The A-ROSA brand was founded in 2000 by Seetours, the German offshoot of P&O Princess Cruises. Shortly after the deployment of the first two Danube ships, the company was taken over by Deutsche Seereederei in 2003 and the Danube fleet was expanded by two more ships. The Rhône was introduced as a new trade lane in 2005, on which A-ROSA STELLA and LUNA have been cruising ever since.
• In 2009, the first cruises on the Rhine started and the financial investor Waterland bought A-ROSA. After three classic Rhine ships, two Rhine-Main-Danube ships were put into service in 2012 and 2014 with the A-ROSA SILVA and FLORA. In 2013, Jörg Eichler came on board as managing director and introduced the premium all-inclusive fare and family cruises with Kids Club from 2014.
• With the Seine, the second French cruising area was added to the portfolio in 2017. After the takeover by the British financial investor Duke Street in 2018, the A-ROSA ALVA set sail on Portugal’s Douro.
• In the 20th anniversary year of 2022, a total of twelve A-ROSA ships will be sailing in five European destinations. In May 2022, the A-ROSA SENA, the most innovative ship in the fleet, will join them, offering more space for the A-ROSA concept – spacious balcony cabins, a dedicated Family Area with Kids Club, several restaurants and bars as well as a particularly large wellness and fitness area. Thanks to a hybrid drive system with battery storage, it is the most climate-friendly cruise ship on Europe’s rivers. A-ROSA also presented its new orientation from 2023, where even more quality and individuality will be offered with a PremiumPLUS range.