26 CRUISE NEWS


CELEBRITY CRUISES ASCENDS ON THE CARIBBEAN FOR 2023/24 SEASON


March 2022 Travel News


Silversea Cruises Give First Peek at Silver Nova’s Suites


Silversea Cruises have revealed details of its highly anticipated collection of suites set to debut on Silver Nova in Summer 2023. With 364 suites across 13 categories, Silver Nova –


the first vessel in the cruise line’s Nova class – will feature an entirely new design approach , with an asymmetrical configuration and horizontal layout introducing a new generation of suites. Silver Nova’s innovative interiors provide a more intimate guest experience. “Marking a new era in ultra-luxury cruise travel, the


Silver Nova suite experience represents an evolution of Silversea’s industry-leading offering,” says Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer of Silversea Cruises. Adding that, “With her asymmetrical configuration


T


RAVELLERS craving a tropical escape will have more options as new-luxury brand Celebrity Cruises takes its 2023-2024 Caribbean season


to new heights with the addition of its newest ship, Celebrity Ascent. With eight ships navigating the idyllic island region, including three from the award- winning Edge Series, and itineraries ranging from four- to 12-nights, guests will have more options to choose from when planning their dream holiday. Celebrity Ascent will make her highly anticipated


maiden voyage on 3rd December, 2023. After departing from Ft. Lauderdale, she will explore the exquisite waters of the Eastern Caribbean for the first time. While guests soak up her luxurious new features, she’ll transport them to some of the most sought-after destinations in the region including Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Celebrity Ascent will make round-trip sailings


Oceania Cruises Floats Out New Ship Vista


OCEANIA Cruises have celebrated the float out of its new 67,000-tonne, 1,200-guest Vista on 25 February at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Italy, bordering the famed seaport of Genoa. Shortly after the ceremony, held in full compliance with current health regulations, the massive building dock began filling with water and Vista became one with the sea for the very first time. Presiding over the ceremony were Giuseppe Torrente, Shipyard Director for Fincantieri; and His Excellency Monsignor Tasca, Archbishop of Genoa. After the blessing of the ship, the shipyard’s Madrina, Miss Anna Trucco, released a bottle of prosecco against the hull to invite good fortune for the ship and all those that will sail on her. “Vista is Oceania Cruises’ most anticipated ship in the history of our company, and I am thrilled to be here with our partners from Fincantieri as the ship morphs from blueprints and steel into reality. Vista is truly a ship of dreams, and we cannot wait to welcome her inaugural season guests next year,” stated Howard Sherman, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises. Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Merchant Ships Division of Fincantieri, said: “Ten years have passed since we delivered Riviera to our friends at Oceania Cruises, from the same Sestri shipyard. The launch of this new ship therefore represents an important milestone not only of her construction, but also in the consolidation of the relationship with the shipping company. I am sure that Vista will give life to a new class of ships that will stand out for its refinement and technological advances.” Vista will sail her maiden voyage from Rome to Barcelona on 14 April 2023, followed by 12 additional European voyages prior to commencing sailings from the United States to the Canadian Maritimes and New


England, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean.


The world’s newest wonder Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas, arrived in the U.S. (Sunday 20) ahead of its official debut on March 4, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Vacationers of all ages have in store a combination of new adventures and returning favourites across eight unique neighbourhoods. Highlights include the eighth neighbourhood, a Royal Caribbean first, named the Suite Neighbourhood; new southern restaurant and bar The Mason Jar, serving up southern staples and new twists on classics for brunch, dinner and the late night; and Wonder Playscape, an all-new interactive outdoor play area. Also on deck are signature experiences like The Ultimate Abyss, the


from Celebrity’s state-of-the-art Terminal 25 at Port Everglades every Sunday, journeying through the islands on seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Eastern Caribbean sailings will visit bucket- list worthy locales, including San Juan, Puerto Rico; Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, while Western Caribbean sailings will take guests to the breath-taking ports of Nassau, Bahamas; Cozumel, Mexico and George Town in the Cayman Islands. “We’re so excited to debut the spectacular Celebrity


Ascent in the serene setting of the Caribbean where she and all of her guests will have their moment in the sun,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, CEO and President of Celebrity Cruises.


Celebrity Ascent will be joined by her island-hopping


Edge Series sisters, Celebrity Apex and Celebrity Beyond. Beginning November 2023, Celebrity Apex will embark on rotating seven-night Eastern and


Western Caribbean itineraries. Departing from Ft. Lauderdale guests will visit the sun-filled islands of the Eastern Caribbean, including San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Plata. For a different kind of escape, Celebrity Apex will take guests to the Western Caribbean where they can surrender to the rhythms of paradise in Key West, Florida; Grand Cayman, and Belize. For those wanting more time to explore, Celebrity


Beyond is hosting nine, ten and eleven night voyages to the Southern Caribbean, including overnight stops in Oranjestad, Aruba, where guests can stroll among the brightly-hued Dutch colonial buildings, top rated beaches, and volcanic formations that promise incredible views. A shorter sailing on Beyond will take guests on a six-night cruise to Bimini, Bahamas, the retreat of choice for author Ernest Hemingway, known for its big game fishing, roomy beaches and colourful


nightlife.


Viking Celebrates First Voyages to Antarctica “Viking has done everything possible to make it safe


Viking has marked the launch of its highly-anticipated expeditions as the new purpose-built Viking Octantis started its first Antarctic season. The launch of Viking Expeditions is a significant milestone as the company begins its 25th anniversary year; by the end of the year, Viking will have welcomed a second identical expedition ship, as well as two new identical ocean ships, new Viking Longships in Europe and new purpose-built vessels for the Nile, Mekong and Mississippi rivers. “When we started Viking 25 years ago, we wanted to


do things differently—and since then, our mission has resonated with curious travellers. This week alone our guests are enjoying voyages north of the Arctic Circle and south to the Antarctic Peninsula—as well as to many great destinations in between,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Antarctica has always inspired the most intrepid explorers; for many, visiting the ‘White Continent’ is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With the arrival of the Viking Octantis, we are offering our guests the opportunity to explore this unique part of the world in comfort and in the most responsible way possible.” With expeditions now underway, the first guests on


Viking’s Antarctic Explorer itinerary have provided outstanding ratings and enthusiastic feedback, praising it as one of their best-ever travel experiences. Examples include: “The ship is amazing, inside and out. It has just been exceptional.” –Karen C. “Having been on Viking, I knew this would be first-


class, first-rate…it has just been phenomenal; I have learned a lot.” –Patrick F. “It was nice to feel so confident and secure. The


things we have been able to see up close and to step onto the real ‘White Continent’…being in the snow, being where you can hear the penguins and the birds…it is very special.” –Edna K.


World’s Largest Cruise Ship Arrives in Florida


tallest slide at sea; the FlowRider surf simulator; rock- climbing walls; and the Central Park neighbourhood lined with more than 20,000 real plants. The ultimate vacation will first set sail on 7-night


cruises to the Caribbean and Royal Caribbean’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale before heading to Barcelona, Spain, and Rome to kick off summer vacations in the Mediterranean in May 2022. In November, Wonder returns to explore the tropical shores of the Caribbean and The Bahamas from its year- round home, Port Canaveral, Florida.


for me to come on this remarkable, remarkable journey. What I have had with this ship has been an exceptional experience.” –Ramona F. “The Viking experience and the Viking people make this one of the best experiences of my life.” –Ken K. The Viking Octantis will spend the Austral summer in Antarctica, before travelling north to be named in April 2022 in New York City by her ceremonial godmother, Liv Arnesen, the world-renowned Norwegian explorer and educator. Arnesen became the first woman in the world to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole in 1994. She sailed on board the Viking Octantis for the ship’s first two expeditions to Antarctica and recorded a special video message to welcome guests, which can be viewed here. Following the ship’s naming in New York City, the


Viking Octantis will make her way to the Great Lakes region, for a series of voyages throughout the spring and summer. A second, identical sister ship, the Viking Polaris, will join the fleet later in 2022.


and horizontal layout, Silver Nova will offer guests a new generation of spacious suites that are unseen in Silversea’s fleet. Not only will Silver Nova surpass our guests’ expectations in terms of comfort, but she will be one of the most environmentally conscious cruise ships ever built, paving the way for the future of ultra-luxury, sustainable cruising.” AN UNPRECEDENTED COLLECTION OF SUITES A first in Silversea’s history, Silver Nova employs a horizontal layout, meaning suites run the entire length of the ship on four decks. Enhancing the luxury of choice, Silver Nova will introduce an unprecedented collection of suites, including seven new categories. The collection comprises greater variety, including brand new premium aft suites – a first for Silversea. Among these new suite categories are: The Signature Suite- The Signature Suite offers


an immersive destination experience with sweeping views from all interior spaces. The Signature Suite not only offers comfortable and spacious interiors, including a dining, living and sleeping area and a luxurious bathroom, but it also features one of the largest balconies on board with ample space in which to relax and unwind. The Signature Suite also includes custom-made luxury mattresses, two large flat-screen televisions, a sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, and an espresso machine. The Otium Suite- Inspired by Silversea’s new


wellness programme, OtiumSM, the Otium Suite offers the most spacious interiors aboard Silver Nova for the ultimate suite experience at sea, located in the premium aft corner position. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows in all living areas, it unlocks unprecedented 270-degree views from the inside, while its balcony is the most spacious on board and features a private whirlpool. The Otium Suite also includes custom-made luxury mattresses, two large flat-screen televisions, a sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, and an espresso machine.


THE LUXURY OF SPACE Among the most spacious suites at sea, Silver Nova’s


suites range in size from 33 sq. m. (357 sq. ft.) to 123 sq. m. (1324 sq. ft.). All 364 suites ensure a superlative sense of comfort and personal space, achieved through a thoughtful re-design – particularly the bathrooms and walk-in closets. The bathroom has been refined to include a modern oversized mirror, a large vanity with two faucets, a spacious walk-in shower, and a lavish bathtub or whirlpool. The walk-in closet has been reimagined to provide a more significant openness, particularly in the Veranda Suites, and includes a set of intuitive design details, such as dedicated compartments for personal jewellery. Furthermore, all suites benefit from large balconies, ranging from 5 sq. m. to 40 sq. m., with 270-degree ocean and land views from select suites. For more information, visit https://www.silversea. com/ships/silver-nova.html


MSC Cruises has announced that it has suspended its ships’ calls to St Petersburg, Russia due to recent developments in the region and related security concerns. The Company said the health and safety of its passengers and crew was its top priority and that from the end of May until October its four ships with Baltic Sea sailings that had included St Petersburg in any of their summer 2022 itineraries – MSC Preziosa, MSC Grandiosa, MSC Poesia and MSC Virtuosa – will all suspend their calls to the Russian city.


PRINCESS Cruises has launched a new campaign named ‘Our Gift To You’, offering up to $500 onboard spend per couple when booking any 2023 Europe cruise. Guests booking a 2023 cruise from Southampton can also choose from free parking or transfers. The cam- paign runs from 1 March – 2 May 2022. The onboard spend offer applies to more than 100


Princess voyages sailing in Europe on Enchanted Prin- cess, Sky Princess, Regal Princess, Emerald Princess, and Island Princess. Itineraries include the Mediterra- nean, Scandinavia, Norway, Canary Islands, and the British Isles.


MSC Cruises Suspends Calls to St Petersburg Since the onset of the current events the line has been


in touch with alternative ports – such as Stockholm, Helsinki and Tallinn – to confirm calls for the four vessels and it will communicate the exact details for each individual sailing as soon as possible to travel agents and any customers affected by the new arrangements. MSC Cruises will also update its website to reflect


the confirmed details of the new itineraries to provide maximum clarity for existing guests as well as for anyone looking to book future holidays at sea in the Baltic Sea.


Princess Cruises Launches ‘Our Gift to You’ Campaign Spend can be used on various onboard amenities,


such as speciality dining, shore excursions, Lotus Spa, and in the Princess shops. In addition to onboard spend, guests sailing from Southampton can choose between free parking at the terminal or free transfers to and from the ports. More details about the ‘Our Gift to You’ campaign


can be found at princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions/ uk/our-gift-to-you/ To book, talk to a professional travel agent, call 0344 338 8663 or visit the company’s website at princess.com.


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