P&O Cruises Australia Welcomes the Return of Ni Vanuatu Crew Onboard Pacific Explorer

• P&O Cruises Australia is proud and excited to welcome back our Ni Vanuatu team mates to work onboard our first ship to start sailing from Australia in more than two years.
• P&O Cruises has always valued its strong relationship with Vanuatu and is the only cruise line in the world to employ Ni Vanuatu team mates onboard our ships.
• The first Ni Vanuatu crew left Vila this morning to join the P&O Cruises flagship, Pacific Explorer, which will begin carrying guests from May 31.

PONANT welcomes Le Lapérouse in Darwin ahead of Kimberley season kick-off

• Ponant this week announced the arrival of small expedition ship Le Lapérouse into Darwin, Northern Territory, following a 2-year pandemic stand-by in Noumea.
• With operations resuming 28 April 2022, the monumental moment comes as Le Lapérouse anticipates setting sail for PONANT’s highly anticipated Kimberley 2022 season, operating between Darwin and Broome.
• Le Lapérouse will be accompanied late May in the Kimberley by small luxury expedition ship Le Soléal, PONANT’s second expedition vessel showcasing the wild and grandiose landscapes of the Kimberley across multiple departures of their popular 10-night ‘Australia’s Iconic Kimberley’ luxury expedition itinerary between April and September this year. Due to high demand, PONANT has recently released two new sailings available for booking, departing on 28 May and 7 June on board Le Soléal.

Discovery Princess Officially Named by TV Star Godparents

• In an imaginative ceremony on 29 April 2022 at the Port of Los Angeles, television stars and show hosts united as godparents and officially named Discovery Princess. The godparents included fashion designer Randy Fenoli, chef Alex Guarnaschelli, special effects designer and fabricator Adam Savage, and real estate broker and flipper extraordinaire Page Turner.
• Standing together at the Retreat Pool on the open deck of Discovery Princess with the ship’s Captain Gennaro Arma, they pronounced, “We name this ship Discovery Princess. May God bless her and all who sail on her.” They then sent a giant Nebuchadnezzar-size bottle of champagne against the ship for the celebratory smash, officially welcoming Discovery Princess into the fleet of Princess Cruises, the world’s leading international cruise line and leader on the west coast.
• The “Discover Our World” themed ceremony blended maritime tradition with contemporary elements, celebrating the cruise line’s exclusive, seven-year Discovery at SEA™ program – bringing the spirit of curiosity and exploration to every cruise through branded experiences like Shark Week at Sea, exclusive shore excursions and onboard activities such as the Camp Discovery youth centers and Stargazing at SEA.
• Discovery Princess expands the cruise line’s fleet of MedallionClass ships to 15, offering elegantly appointed accommodations, world-class entertainment, gourmet dining and cocktails, extensive alfresco dining areas and expansive views from the cruise line’s largest balconies at sea in the Sky Suites.
• The 3,660-guest Discovery Princess was built at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and is the sixth and final Royal-Class newbuild sharing all of the spectacular style and luxury of her sister ships – Enchanted Princess® Sky Princess®, Majestic Princess®, Regal Princess® and Royal Princess®.

Costa Venezia – Home Ported in Turkey

• Costa Venezia’s new cruises to Turkey and Greece will make their debut from Istanbul on May 1. This is an absolute novelty in the current panorama of organized holidays, which marks the collaboration between Costa Cruises, Turkish Airlines, the Turkish National Tourist Board and Galataport Istanbul.
• The proposed formula is the “flight+cruise” package, available from all the main European countries, with scheduled Turkish Airlines flights, which will make it possible to reach Istanbul easily, and then embark on board of Costa Venezia from the new Galataport cruise terminal, equipped with all the comforts and services for the next generation of ships.
• Costa Venezia’s program in Turkey includes three different itineraries, all with embarkation and disembarkation in Istanbul, designed to include longer calls in the ports to enjoy the destinations with plenty of time, among cities rich in history, splendid archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage sites and crystal clear seas.
• In spring, summer and autumn, from 1 May to 13 November 2022, Costa Venezia will offer two one-week itineraries dedicated to Turkey and Greece, interchanging with each other, which can be combined into a single 15-day “super tour”, with 8 calls in port longer than 10 hours.
• The first itinerary is ideal for those who want to explore the best of Turkey and Greece in one holiday. It includes a two-day, one-night call in Istanbul, the beautiful Turkish destinations of Izmir and Bodrum, the island of Mykonos and Athens in Greece.
• The second itinerary allows to explore some of Greece’s out-of-the-ordinary locations and the best of Turkey. It includes two two-day, one-night calls in Istanbul and Kusadasi, Turkey, before heading off to explore Rhodes and Heraklion, Greece. 
• In winter 2022-23, Costa Venezia will be offering a third 12-day itinerary to Turkey, Egypt, Israel and Cyprus, visiting Istanbul (with a two-day, one-night call), Bodrum, Limassol, Haifa (also with a two-day, one-night call), Alexandria and Kusadasi. From spring 2023, the two itineraries in Turkey and Greece will resume.

Holland America Line Wins ‘Best Beverage Menu’ for New Concept Half Moon Bar

• Holland America Line took home a win for “Best Beverage Menu’ for its newest onboard bar —  Half Moon Bar —  at the 2022 VIBE Vista Awards that were presented during the VIBE (Very Important Beverage Executives) conference this week in Carlsbad, California.
• Holland America Line’s Half Moon Bar is a new concept for the brand that was exclusively introduced aboard its most recent ship, Rotterdam, which launched in November 2021. The venue is an immersive experience looking at the history of Holland America Line and cruising through the lens of a cocktail. Each drink comes with a fascinating tale of its inspiration that is vividly described in the bar menu for guests to peruse.
• The creative cocktails at Half Moon Bar aim to take guests back in time, on a journey though Holland America Line’s history. Drinks on the menu include:
  • “The Original” celebrates the line’s first ship, Rotterdam I, made with a Dutch gin and a hint of single malt Scotch, ingredients inspired by the building of the ship and Holland America Line’s Dutch beginnings.
  • “De Halve Moon” is an ode to the Dutch sense of exploration and the botanical wonderland Henry Hudson found in present-day New York, made with Old Duff genever, lemon rosewater shrub and DDG Bitters.
  • “Three Mile Run” is a prohibition cocktail that tells the story of Holland America Line Prohibition-era cruises to nowhere for New Yorkers, where cocktail bars on the ship could be legally open. It is made from a combination of lemon, honey and gin for a Bee’s Knees, whiskey for a Gold Rush or rum for a Honey Bee.
  • “May She Be Blessed” is an ode to the godmothers who bless the Holland America Line ships, made with champagne and a choice of essence.
  • “Rotterdam VII” is dedicated to its namesake ship and the ship’s unique blend of tradition and innovation, made with smoked gin and maraschino cocktail.
• Rotterdam is currently approaching Europe where she will home port from Amsterdam on voyages throughout Northern Europe.

PLUS

• Holland America Line this week announced that Westerdam will be redeployed from Asia to Australia with Itineraries announced soon.

NCL Elevates Spa offering on Prima and Viva

• Norwegian Cruise Line, today shared details surrounding its elevated spa and fitness offerings for its highly-anticipated Norwegian Prima Class vessels – Norwegian Prima and Viva.
• The first two of six ships within this cutting-edge class will feature the cruise industry’s first charcoal sauna at sea as well as a two-story cascading indoor spa waterfall. The Cruise Line has also incorporated several guest favourites including thermal experiences and hot-stone loungers.
• Industry’s First Charcoal Sauna at Sea
  • As part of the ongoing only-found-on-NCL’s Prima Class holiday experiences such as the world’s first three-level racetrack at sea and dry drop slides, the Brand will unveil the industry’s first charcoal sauna. 
  • Derived from Japanese and Korean wellness practices, the charcoal sauna uses a radiant heat system with an outer charcoal layer to reach temperatures between 86-122 degrees Fahrenheit (30-50oC). Guests can recline into relaxation as the sauna helps boost circulation and metabolism while also removing toxins from the body. The sauna also effectively treats muscle stiffness and tension, including relief from backache, headache, and arthritis, by promoting the deep release of connective tissue and muscles. 
• Thermal Experiences
  • The charcoal sauna is just one of eight thermal spa offerings available at the elevated Mandara Spa. Guests can also indulge in a series of blissful experiences such as a salt and steam room, as well as a gambit of Brand-first spa experiences including an Ice Room, Experiential Showers, a Flotation Salt Pool and Infrared Sauna.
  • The Ice Room: After unwinding in the sauna or steam bath, guests can cool off in the refreshing Ice Room. The cold air helps to increase blood circulation, invigorate the respiratory tract, and strengthen the immune system.  
  • The Experiential Showers: Multiple water jets and lighting effects help invigorate the body, lower body temperature, and stimulate blood circulation.
  • Floatation Salt Pool: This treatment allows guests to fully relax all of their muscles while floating in warm water. An experience similar to experiencing zero gravity due to the buoyancy of the saltwater, the Floatation Salt Pool is beneficial for easing mental anxiety and muscle tension.  
  • Infrared Sauna: Unlike traditional saunas that use conventional heat to warm the air, infrared saunas utilise infrared lamps to directly warm the body — and at lower temperatures than traditional saunas. This promotes relaxation, better sleep, sore muscle and joint relief, improved blood circulation, and detoxification.

Royal Caribbean Group and World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Recommit to Partnership

• Royal Caribbean Group, announced its new commitment to the next phase of its ongoing partnership with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) for guidance and counsel in establishing bold environmental goals and sustainable business practices.
• Royal Caribbean Group first partnered with WWF in 2016. Since then, WWF has advised Royal Caribbean Group to embed sustainability into the core of the company’s business and across the industry, promote responsible tourism in priority coastal destinations and help protect the oceans by investing in conservation programs globally.
• This year, WWF and Royal Caribbean Group will work together to establish sustainability goals across three key areas of Ship, Sea and Shore:
  • Ship — Continuous improvement of operational sustainability, including emissions, marine mammal protection, seafood sourcing, plastics reduction, and food waste.
  • Sea — Investing in ocean health through targeted philanthropy; engaging with a global science-driven agenda and consumer-facing education and fundraising campaigns.
  • Shore — Embedding principles of sustainable development in projects and increasing sustainability and certification of tour operators.
• Royal Caribbean Group will also continue to provide financial support to WWF’s global ocean conservation work through a $5 million philanthropic contribution and collaborate with WWF to build global awareness about ocean conservation issues among Royal Caribbean Group’s millions of guests.

From ‘Hocus Pocus’ to ‘Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo,’ Disney Cruise Line Puts a Spell on New Experiences for Halloween on the High Seas

• First-of-its-kind character meet and greet inspired by “Hocus Pocus” awaits guests across the fleet
• Halloween on the High Seas will return to Disney Cruise Line with more sailings than ever before and new one-of-a-kind experiences for families in September and October 2022. Guest-favorite entertainment and activities, including trick-or-treating, spooky parties, elaborate décor and themed food and beverage items, will await guests on these limited-time voyages as each ship transforms into a ghoulish wonderland.
• First-of-its-kind character meet and greet
• Disney Cruise Line guests will be the first to experience an all-new character meet and greet opportunity across the fleet during Halloween on the High Seas sailings. While all of the Disney characters on board will adorn Halloween costumes as part of the festivities, Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Clarabelle Cow will debut a never-before-seen look as they dress up as their favorite Halloween sisters, the Sandersons from the movie “Hocus Pocus.”
• Disney Wish debuts all-new magical Pumpkin Tree
• During its inaugural season of Halloween cruises this fall, the Disney Wish, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, will introduce a unique twist on a Halloween on the High Seas hallmark.
• The centerpiece of every ship during Halloween sailings is the signature magical Pumpkin Tree towering over the atrium lobby, each with sprouting Jack-O-Lanterns and flickering lights.
• Aboard the Disney Wish, guests will witness the debut of an all-new Pumpkin Tree in the “Cinderella”-inspired Grand Hall. Featuring lighter bark, graceful branches and a mystical face, this enchanted tree that grew perfect gourds with the help of a Wishing Star at night produced the perfect pumpkin that became the coach that carried Cinderella to the Prince’s Ball.
• Other special experiences on Halloween on the High Seas sailings include:
  • Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party: Beloved Disney characters in Halloween attire will join guests for a fun-filled costume party.
  • Halloween Isn’t Just For Kids: Adult-exclusive venues across the fleet will become a ghoulish setting for costume contests and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor.
  • Spooky Movies: To get guests into the spirit of the season, Halloween-themed movies will be shown on Funnel Vision by the family pool and in staterooms.
  • Ghoulish Delights: Guests will enjoy special themed food and beverage items.
  • More spooky fun includes mask-making and a ghostly takeover of ship announcements.
• Halloween on the High Seas voyages will be offered aboard select sailings in September and October. Departing from ports in Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida, San Diego and New York City, each cruise will take families to fascinating destinations including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada and Mexico. All sailings from Port Canaveral and Miami will include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise outfitted for family fun and relaxation and brimming with special Disney touches.

Disney Cruise Line Celebrates Summer 2023

• Disney Cruise Line will offer families a variety of enchanting vacations in summer 2023, including cruises to new and favourite ports of call around the world. From the majestic glaciers of Alaska to the sun-kissed Greek isles, pink sand beaches of Bermuda and picturesque fjords of Norway, these summer destinations will sparkle with adventure and excitement. Plus, for the first time ever, families will have the opportunity to sail around the Mediterranean and British Isles on the Disney Dream during its first season in Europe. Bookings open 9 May 2022.
• Disney Dream Marks Inaugural Season in Europe
• For its first-ever summer season in Europe, the Disney Dream will call on a wide variety of destinations among the most treasured in the world. With sailings anywhere from four to 11 nights, the Disney Dream will sail from Barcelona and Rome to picturesque ports of call throughout the Mediterranean, including a first-ever seven-night sailing to the Greek Isles with stops in the ever-popular ports of Santorini and Mykonos.
• Late summer/early fall departures of the Disney Dream from Southampton will feature cruises to a wealth of destinations including Spain, France, the British Isles, Norway and Iceland. New ports of call include the postcard-worthy La Rochelle, France and two new ports in Norway – Skjolden, home to a wealth of natural attractions, and Sandnes, a small city just outside the metropolis of Stavanger known for its outdoor activities.  
• Summer 2023 sailings to Alaska aboard Disney Wonder
• The breathtaking natural beauty of Alaska will combine with the magic of Disney on five-, seven- and nine-night sailings on the Disney Wonder from Vancouver, Canada. Beginning in May, cruisers will be invited to discover exciting ports like Ketchikan and Skagway, with their prehistoric glaciers, gold mining relics and spectacular land- and sea-life. Three Alaskan itineraries call at Icy Strait Point, home to a coastal rainforest, wilderness tours and – for thrill-seekers – ziplining above the treetops.
• Tropical Escapes to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida
• Sun-splashed tropical isles throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean will await guests on three Disney Cruise Line ships from Florida in summer 2023.
• For its first full summer of sailing, the Disney Wish will homeport in Port Canaveral near Orlando for a series of three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Disney’s private island oasis, Castaway Cay. The Disney Wish will feature exciting new additions including Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience and AquaMouse, a wild water adventure and first-ever Disney attraction at sea.
• Port Canaveral will also be the departure point for the Disney Fantasy for sailings ranging in length from five to 10 nights. In addition to seven-night cruises to popular ports in the eastern and western Caribbean, guests will also be able to experience a five-night Bahamian sailing with back-to-back calls at Castaway Cay, a 10-night southern Caribbean itinerary to the islands of Aruba and Bonaire and an eight-night cruise featuring two days on the beautiful pink sand beaches of Bermuda.
• The Disney Magic will make its summer home in Miami for an assortment of exciting destinations. Starting May 27, the Disney Magic will sail four-night Bahamas cruises and five-night western Caribbean voyages, followed by two seven-night sailings in July to the eastern and western Caribbean. Select summer voyages aboard the Disney Magic will include double days – for double the fun – at Castaway Cay.

AIDA Cruises opens season in Kiel with AIDAluna

• AIDAluna is the first AIDA ship to arrived in Kiel this season on April 25, 2022. A total of four ships in the AIDA Cruises fleet will depart from the Schleswig-Holstein state capital for the great North Country adventure.
• From April 25, 2022, AIDAluna will offer the 17-day voyages “Highlights at the Arctic Circle,” which are particularly popular among lovers of the North. Ideal for tasting are the 3- or 4-day short trips to Norway or Denmark in September. A total of 15 different routes from Kiel are available.
• AIDAprima will arrive in Kiel on April 29, 2022, and will depart four times in April and May for Norway and Denmark.
• AIDAnova offers seven-day voyages to Norway and Denmark from May 14, 2022 until mid-October. In addition to a visit to the Danish capital Copenhagen and Kristiansand in Norway, AIDAnova guests can enjoy the very special flair of the midsummer nights during a two-day stay in the Norwegian capital Oslo. On individual sailings, AIDAnova calls at a new AIDA port: Denmark’s Skagen, City of Light. Endless beaches and the country’s largest shifting sand dune, from which only the tower of the silted-up parish church still peeks out, attract visitors.
• Starting May 15, 2022, AIDAbella will embark on 14-day voyages to the Lofoten Islands and the North Cape, and will also call at Great Britain and Iceland.

Atlas Ocean Voyages includes COVID Insurance for all guests

• Atlas Ocean Voyages announced today that the luxe-adventure cruise line will include Covid trip interruption and isolation insurance for all guests on all future voyages. The new Covid insurance coverage for all guests augments Atlas’ expansive list of inclusions, among which are emergency medical evacuation insurance, repatriation insurance, and emergency medical and travel assistance, known as Atlas Assurance. Atlas Assurance provides guests greater peace-of-mind when they are aboard a once-in-a-lifetime, luxe-adventure journey with Atlas Ocean Voyages.
• World Navigator will cruise England, Holland, France, the Norwegian Fjords, Iceland, Greenland, and The Arctic in summer 2022; Central and South America in the autumn; and return to Antarctica for her winter 2022-23 season. In winter 2023, World Traveller will sail her inaugural season in Antarctica. Three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, will join the fleet through 2024.

Cunard responds to demand for Britannia Club accommodation experience on new ship Queen Anne

• Cunard is so confident with guest demand for their Britannia Club staterooms on new ship Queen Anne, that they have increased their volume of this accommodation category by more than 200% versus other ships in the fleet.
• The accommodation and dining on board Queen Anne offer upgraded levels of luxury, whatever type guests choose, from Britannia staterooms to Britannia Club through to Princess and Queens Grill Suites.
• Guests staying in Britannia Club, an experience unique to Cunard, will be able to dine in the dedicated Britannia Club Restaurant, which is positioned at the heart of the ship next to the atmospheric Grand Lobby, boasting breath-taking panoramic sea views. Guests will have their own dedicated table, reserved exclusively for the duration of their voyage. They can dine for breakfast, lunch and dinner, at whichever time they choose, and will be attended to by Cunard’s renowned White Star Service trained crew.
• Queen Anne will set sail in early 2024, with her maiden season programme available to book from May 2022

Azamara Onward Splashes on the Scene

• Azamara, will introduce its newest ship, Azamara Onward, to the world next month with a christening and maiden voyage from Monte Carlo to Venice. Azamara Onward’s inaugural season will take travellers to the heart of the Mediterranean, exploring its hidden gems and bringing guests closer to the true culture of each destination they visit. The new sister ship will offer guests fresh additions to its onboard venues and luxury retail spaces, as well as refreshed accommodations and new entertainment options for travellers to enjoy throughout their sailing.

MSC’s Journey Towards Net-Zero Emissions By 2050

• Having made the pledge in 2021 to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, MSC Cruises is continuously exploring and investing in new technologies that are helping to decarbonize, some with very promising results. On this journey, minimising the impact of cruises ships on port communities and their environment while berthed is key.
  • Starting this Northern Hemisphere summer season, MSC Virtuosa and MSC Poesia will be consistently using shore power at the ports of Southampton (UK) and of Rostock-Warnemünde (Germany).
  • MSC Cruises has also signed an agreement with Cruise Baltic to achieve widespread use of shore power in the Baltic Sea region by 2024.
  • MSC Cruises is ready to plug into more ports. Over half the fleet is projected to be shore power compatible by the end of 2022.
• On top of this, MSC Cruises’ first hybrid LNG ship operating with the largest solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) ever installed will be launching later this year – MSC World Europa.
• By the end of 2022, 11 of MSC Cruises’ 21 ships – including all the new ships built since 2017 – will be fitted with shore power capability. Existing ships are currently being or will be retrofitted in the future as their itineraries take them to ports where shore power will be available.

MSC announces Seascape will be christened in NYC.

• New York City will serve as the glittering backdrop for an extraordinary inaugural event when MSC Cruises’ newest flagship – MSC Seascape – comes into service later this year. The cruise line announced plans to hold the ship’s Naming Ceremony at New York’s centrally located Manhattan Cruise Terminal on Wednesday, 7 December 2022. The star-studded event will bring MSC Cruises’ distinctive European style and glamour to the Big Apple and will be attended by local dignitaries, important partners, top travel advisors, media from around the world, celebrities and international artists. And of course, no Naming Ceremony would be complete without Academy Award-Winning star Sophia Loren carrying out her iconic role as godmother to her 18th MSC Cruises ship.
• MSC Seascape will offer two different 7-night itineraries from PortMiami:
  • Eastern Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic
  • Western Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica

European Waterways’ ‘Opera Cruise’

• European Waterways has a limited number of cabins available for the July 17, 2022 departure of the company’s annual “Opera Cruise” in Venice. Exclusive to luxury hotel barge La Bella Vita (20 guests), the 6-night all-inclusive cruise features premium seats to a performance of George Bizet’s “Carmen” at Arena di Verona Roman Amphitheatre. The cruise is an opera lover’s dream, with an itinerary that brings to life the traditions, history and lore of one of the world’s most enduring musical art forms. Guests will also enjoy private excursions that include a wine tasting and dinner with a countess, as well as regional wines with gourmet meals prepared onboard by their master chef.
• The cruise will take guests to the island of Pellestrina, where they can enjoy a sunset stroll or bicycle ride along its 18th century sea wall. A visit to Chioggia’s bustling fish market is also on the itinerary, as well as cruise through the Po River Delta, a nature reserve that is home to migratory birds such as flamingos, heron, and snipe.