34 | CRUISE NEWS
AROYA Cruises Unveils First Cruise Ship
AROYA Cruises, the new Arabian cruise line operated by Cruise Saudi, a Public Investment Fund Owned company responsible for the development of Saudi’s cruise industry, has unveiled the first cruise ship in its fleet. The 335-metre-long ship is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment to tailor the ship to the highest standard in line with the taste of Arabian passengers. With 19 decks and 1,682 elegant cabins, this grand ship will redefine Arabian holidays. With exceptional on-board service, an eclectic culinary offering, and a sensational activities program, guests aboard AROYA Cruises’ will enjoy a unique remarkably Arabian hospitality experience that reflects the warm and welcoming values of Saudi culture. Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, said: “We are delighted to sail into the new year with the unveiling of our first AROYA Cruises ship. This marks exciting
a n milestone
for Cruise Saudi in creating a world-class cruise industry in Saudi, whilst offering a new way to holiday in the Kingdom for locals.”
www.nitravelnews.com
February 2024 MSC Cruises Further Expands U.S Footprint with New Home Port
MSC Cruises announced another milestone in its ongoing U.S. expansion with the opening of a brand new home port for the line. Galveston, Texas, on the south coast of the U.S will become the home for MSC Seascape from November 2025, becoming MSC Cruises’ fourth U.S home port. The line opened sales for year-round sailings from the port, offering seven-night itineraries with Sunday embarkation. Guests will be treated to a unique itinerary sailing to stunning destinations in the Caribbean including Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico) and Isla de Roatan (Honduras) with the first departure set for 09 November 2025.
Marking a significant milestone in its ongoing
U.S. expansion, MSC Cruises’ CEO Gianni Onorato commented, “This announcement is the latest step in our strategy to continue to grow our U.S footprint. Earlier this year we began operations from
our third U.S home port, New York City, where we now sail year-round, and we are proud to add Galveston to that growing line-up alongside PortMiami and Port Canaveral. We are committed to bringing our newest,
largest, most innovative ships to the U.S. and are pleased that MSC Seascape will be more easily accessible to guests in central and western parts of the U.S through Galveston, as
well as to our guests internationally via the well- connected international airport hub of Houston.” The innovative MSC Seascape elevates the
family experience on board with an astonishing 7,500 square feet of dedicated kids’ facilities and cutting-edge amusement options. Guests can indulge in the state-of-the-art
ROBOTRON robotic arm ride, two LEGO® rooms for ages 3-6 and 7-11, three different concept spaces for teens, a VR 360° Flight Simulator, VR motorcycles and the immersive MSC Formula Racer, perfect for racing enthusiasts ready to get their adrenaline fix. For more information on MSC Cruises, contact your local travel agent.
Azamara Onward Officially Sets Sail on First Ever World Cruise
AZAMARA has waved off Azamara Onward on its first-ever world cruise. The ship is on a 155-night journey that will visit 40 countries. During the next five months, Azamara Onward will
reach more than 40 countries in six continents with Extended Destination Days – including 22 overnight stays and 27 late nights in port – giving travellers ample time to fully explore the rich culture and
history of each destination. It was marked by a World Cruise Welcome Party
at the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale before officially setting sail. The great success of the sold-out 2024 World Cruise has led Azamara to introduce additional world cruises for 2025 and 2026, both of which are also proving to be popular. To learn more, please visit
www.azamara.com.
Welcome to Miami: Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas Arrives for The First Time
THE new year is kicking off with an iconic celebration. Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Icon of the Seas took center stage as it arrived in Miami for the first time. The first-of-its- kind combination of the best of every vacation was welcomed with fanfare by air, land and sea. Welcoming the start of a new era of vacations,
Silversea Celebrate Official Naming Ceremony of Silver Nova
HERALDING a new world of luxury at sea, Silversea officially named Silver Nova during an intimate ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, honouring maritime traditions to welcome the ‘Ship of Light’ to its fleet. Emotions ran high as bagpipes — a customary tradition of Royal Caribbean Group — resounded triumphantly through Silver Nova’s theatre to mark the commencement of the ceremony. An emotional performance of the U.S. national anthem by Rachel York followed, as well as an exclusive screening of a commemorative video to honor Silversea’s 30th anniversary, which the Brand celebrates in 2024. Reverend Sanford Sears and Rabbi Adam Watstein blessed Silver Nova. Barbara Muckermann, President of Silversea, and Jason Liberty, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, addressed members of the Brand’s extended family and announced the ship’s Godmother: celebrated chef, restaurateur, and television personality Nina Compton. Rounding out the ceremony, Compton – accompanied by Captain Cosimo Pontillo – officially named Silver Nova and triggered a magnum-sized bottle of champagne to smash on the ship’s hull, before Liberty led guests in a toast to mark the momentous occasion. “It is fitting that we officially named
Silver Nova – a truly pioneering ship – in the same year Silversea celebrates its 30th anniversary: the ship connects our history with our tomorrow, striking a perfect balance between our Brand’s refined
heritage and the future of ultra-luxury cruise travel,” said Barbara Muckermann. “Launching this pioneering ship would not have been possible without the invaluable support of Jason Liberty, and all involved at Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea, and Meyer Werft. A strong expression of our brand positioning, Silver Nova will immerse guests into the world’s most enriching destinations, championing human connection and cultural discovery. For this reason, Chef Nina Compton is the perfect fit for the ship’s Godmother – her values perfectly align with those at the heart of our S.A.L.T. culinary program, and I have no doubt she will inspire our guests to engage meaningfully with the planet and its people.” Born in St. Lucia, resident of New
Orleans, and trained at the Culinary Institute of America, Nina Compton is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, and TV personality. Her values of human connection, cultural discovery, and the honoring of heritage,
tradition, and
identity align with those of Silversea’s S.A.L.T. culinary program. The owner of two restaurants in New Orleans, Compton is a leading practitioner and passionate advocate for the food of the Caribbean, and was named a Culinary Ambassador for her home country of St. Lucia, where her father served as the island nation’s first Prime Minister.
“I am honored to have been named Godmother of Silver Nova,” said Nina Compton.
local residents and Royal Caribbean fans, executives and employees were on hand as the first to see Miami’s newest resident. Icon arrived to PortMiami in style, with celebratory fireboat salutes, banner planes in flight and a community celebration at Pérez Art Museum to mark the new vacation’s first appearance of many to come in the Magic City. In store on Icon is an all-encompassing lineup of
experiences that combines the best of every vacation – from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure – making the first-of-its-kind adventure the way to get away for every type of
family and vacationer. Across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in and of themselves are firsts and next-level favorites for everyone day and night, including adrenaline-pumping thrills like six record-breaking waterslides at Category 6 and the Crown’s Edge experience at 154 feet above the ocean, and unrivaled ways to chill with seven pools – one for every day of the week – like the first suspended infinity pool at sea. The game- changing experiences also include a stay-all-day neighborhood designed for families with young kids, more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges; deck-defying entertainment across air, ice, water and theater; and more. Chill at Royal Caribbean’s award-winning
private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. For more details about Icon, contact your local
travel agent.
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