28 CRUISE NEWS


World’s Largest Cruise Ship Arrives in Florida


Princess Cruises Unveil Star-Studded Speaker Line-Up


PRINCESS Cruises has unveiled its line-up of celebri- ty speakers and guest entertainers on Sky Princess’ voy- ages from Southampton this year. The line-up includes household names from across the world of TV, enter- tainment and sports.


As part of Princess Cruises’ partnership with Discov-


ery Channel, the Encounters with Discovery at SEA series comprises: Linda Robson – English actress and television pre- senter best known for playing Tracey Stubbs in ‘Birds of a Feather’. 14-night Spain, France and Portugal cruise departing April 9.


Rustie Lee – one of Britain’s well-known chefs, Rust- ie made her name and grew her reputation on her eight- year residency when she took to TV screens in the 1980s with her authority on Caribbean cuisine. 14-night Med- iterranean Adventurer cruise departing April 30 with stops in France, Spain and Italy.


Ricky Tomlinson – Ricky has starred in Brookside,


Cracker and several films but is best known for his portrayal of the iconic Jim Royle in The Royle Family. 14-night Baltic Heritage cruise departing May 14 with stops in Poland, Sweden, Estonia, Russia, Denmark and Norway.


Grant Harrold – joining Sky Princess for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, Grant is a former mem- ber of the British Royal Household, and a leading et- iquette expert, royal commentator, entertainer, and broadcaster. Seven-night cruise departing May 28 for Scandinavia and a seven-night Norwegian Fjords cruise departing June 4.


Derek Redmond – former British World and Euro- pean relay champion, Derek broke the British 400m re- cord on two occasions; he was one of the country’s best athletes during the 1980s and 1990s. 14-night Iceland and Norway cruise departing June 25. John Inverdale – television and radio presenter, John began his national radio career in 1986 when he became a sports reporter for BBC Radio 2. 14-night Baltic Her- itage cruise departing July 9. Patrick Aryee – wildlife TV presenter & documen-


tary filmmaker, Patrick has spent over a decade work- ing with major broadcasters, including National Geo- graphic, Sky Nature, and the BBC. Seven-night Spain, France and Portugal cruise departing July 23. Tommy Walsh – TV personality, presenter and ce- lebrity builder best known for his DIY television shows such as Ground Force and Homes Under the Hammer. 14-night Mediterranean cruise departing July 30. Simon Weston – joined the Welsh Guards in 1978, known for his charity work and recovery from severe burn injuries suffered during the Falklands War. 14-night Land of the Midnight Sun cruise departing August 20 with stops around Norway. Sue Holderness – British actress best known for her role as Marlene in John Sullivan’s hit BBC1 sitcom Only Fools and Horses. 14-night Baltic Heritage cruise de- parting September 3 and a 25-night Canada and New England cruise departing September 24. Colin McClachen – former SAS operative with more than 25 years of experience in security and high-risk envi- ronments. He starred in Channel 4’s SAS: Who Dares Wins. 25-night Canada and New England cruise de- parting September 24. Graham Gooch – former English first-class cricketer and one of the most successful international batsmen of his generation. Graham was awarded an OBE for his services to cricket in 1991. 10-night Canary Islands cruise departing October 19. In addition, as part of the line’s guest entertainment programme, popstar Gareth Gates will perform on- board the 3,660-guest Sky Princess on voyages depart- ing April 30, July 9, July 30 and August 20. Other guest entertainers include tribute band Beatback Beatles, vocalist Jenny Williams, instrumentalist Chris Wat- kins, vocalist Ross Hunter, ventriloquist Gareth Oliver, and comedians Jeff Stevenson, Josh Daniels and Tom Binns.


Tony Roberts, vice president of Princess Cruises UK


& Europe, said “Now in its fifth year, our UK-based ce- lebrity speaker programme always receives rave reviews from our guests. Having the chance to hear from house- hold names spanning TV, sports and entertainment during your holiday is a unique opportunity not often found at a land-based resort, and further adds to the wide range of entertainment and activities we already have onboard the beautiful Sky Princess.” Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 0344 338 8663 or by visiting the company’s website at princess.com.


March 2022 Travel News T


HE world’s newest wonder Royal Caribbean Inter- national’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 neighbour- hoods. Highlights include the eighth neighbourhood, a Royal Caribbean first, named the Suite Neighbour- hood; 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 Play- scape, an all-new interactive outdoor play area. Also on deck are signature experiences like The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea; the FlowRider surf simulator; rock-climbing walls; and the Central Park neighbour- hood 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 Ba- hamas, from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale before heading to Barcelona, Spain, and Rome to kick off sum- mer vacations in the Mediterranean in May 2022. In No- vember, Wonder returns to explore the tropical shores of the Caribbean and The Bahamas from its year-round home, Port Canaveral, Florida.


For more details about Wonder, including sailings now open for bookings, visit Royal Caribbean’s website.


Hurtigruten Norway has initiated one of Europe’s largest environmental ship upgrades. With modern technology, the rebuilt ships will cut CO2 emissions by 25 per cent and NOx emissions by as much as 80 per cent.


With the upgrades, to be completed in 2023, guests


can look forward to greener sailings on all of Hurti- gruten Norway’s seven Coastal Express ships. “This is the largest environmental upgrade in Hurti- gruten’s history, and one of the largest of its kind in Eu- rope. This will make a real impact in reducing emissions in Norwegian waters. The fact that such an investment also leads to ripple effects in the local communities along the coast, is something we are very proud of,” said Hed- da Felin, CEO of Hurtigruten Norway.


Hurtigruten Norway Kicks Off it’s Environmental Upgrades Three of the seven ships will be converted to hybrid


ships. The first one out is MS Richard With, which is currently at Myklebust Yard in northwestern Norway, where the ship will be fitted with brand new main en- gines and battery packs. The same will also be done on board MS Kong Harald and MS Nordlys. Three other ships – MS Nordnorge, MS Nordkapp and MS Polarlys – will also be upgraded, and have SCR facilities installed on board. This will reduce NOx emissions by a massive 80 per cent. The last ship in the fleet, MS Vesterålen, was upgraded with brand new en- gines and SCR facilities already in 2019. “Our goal is zero emissions! But the technology is not mature enough yet, and we must do what we can to cut emissions with the best technology available today and extend the service life of the iconic ships we have in


Around The World In 180 Days With Oceania Cruises


OCEANIA Cruises have announced its highly antic- ipated 2024 Around the World in 180 Days itinerary, along with four distinct Grand Voyages of 72 to 82 days in length.


Featuring 96 destinations in 34 countries, the world cruise aboard the luxurious 684-guest Insignia departs Los Angeles for New York on 14 January 2024, crossing three oceans and 15 seas from the South Pacific to the coasts of Europe.


“Incredibly, last year our 2023 world cruise sold out in just one day, so for 2024 we are providing guests more extended voyage options to deeply and meaningfully re- discover the world,” said Howard Sherman, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises. “While a globe-circling journey is the pinnacle of life-changing travel experienc- es, we have specially curated a set of Grand Voyages for seasoned and time-rich travellers to navigate storied seas, straits and oceans that boldly connect diverse and exotic corners of the globe.” Around the World in 180 Days


The 2024 Around the World journey weaves together a line-up of destinations into a brilliant kaleidoscope of world wonders, marvellous attractions and exception- al encounters. Commencing an intriguing westward route, Insignia sails across the Pacific to legendary beauties in the Hawaiian Islands, French Polynesia and the Samoan Islands. She continues south toward the dramatic fjords of New Zealand and on to adventures Down Under.


Navigating the most thrilling corners of Asia,


guests will have the chance to immerse themselves in everything from the spiritual haven of Bali and the Jap- anese culinary powerhouses of Tokyo and Kyoto, to the dramatic landscape of Ha Long Bay and a true feast for the senses, Yangon. More revelatory explorations await on the exotic shores of India and the Arabian Peninsula, followed by experiences in jewel-box destinations across the Mediterranean and the northern reaches of Europe before crossing the Atlantic to crown the journey on the Eastern Seaboard with her final call in New York.


CROISIEUROPE is inviting travellers to experience the best of springtime in France with two new itinerar- ies on the Seine and the Rhone and the Saône, as well as complimentary excursions on selected French itinerar- ies throughout April and May. On the Seine: A six-night cruise along the mean-


dering Seine from Paris to Honfleur, taking in the ex- traordinary beauty and history of France. With calls in Melun, Mantes-La Jolie and Rouen there are plenty of opportunities to discover authentic Normandy with its charming villages, magnificent abbeys and pretty coast- line. Highlights include cruising through Paris at night; the Palace of Fontainebleau, residence of the French monarchs for over 800 years; the must-see sites of Par- is; Giverny and Monet’s gardens; the art and history of Rouen; the beauty of the Norman Abbey Circuit; and the enchanting city of Honfleur and the Côte Fleurie.


This epic voyage features over 100 UNESCO World Heritage sites across 96 destinations, with 24 overnight stays and a series of curated complimentary special onshore events and optional multi-day overland pro- grammes.


Four New Grand Voyages


In addition to Insignia’s Around the World itinerary, Oceania Cruises’ four new Grand Voyages range from 72 to 82 days and feature extended evening port stays plus meaningful excursions ashore that connect guests to the place, culture and people visited. Grand Pacific Expedition from Los Angeles to Syd-


ney: This 77-day voyage departs 4 Oct 2023 on Regatta and visits 12 countries with 10 overnights in iconic ports such as Kyoto, Shanghai, Bali and Perth. Odyssey of Discoveries from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo:


This 82-day voyage departs 29 Dec 2023 on Riviera and visits 18 countries with an array of discoveries across the Arabian Peninsula, India and Asia, plus calls at less-trodden corners such as Sri Lanka and the secluded paradise of the Maldives. Epic Eastern Explorer from Mumbai to Tokyo: This 72-day journey departing 8 Jan 2024 on Riviera visits 15 countries with calls in the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Bangkok and Seoul while also exploring Myanmar’s monasteries, contrasting rural and city life in Vietnam, experiencing revered culinary traditions in Japan and more.


Ultimate Exotic Traveller from Papeete to Cape Town: This 79-day voyage departs 19 Feb 2024 on Nau- tica with a 15-country itinerary featuring a remarkable array of top attractions such as the gorgeous lagoons of Moorea, the unique geothermal landscapes of Rotorua, the iconic Sydney Opera House, the UNESCO-pro- tected Komodo National Park and the renowned game reserves of South Africa.


For additional information on Oceania Cruises’, visit https://www.oceaniacruises.com/ or speak with a pro- fessional travel advisor.


Sail Along The Seine With CroisiEurope


Departures between April and October 2022 onboard MS Seine Princess, MS Renoir II and MS Botticelli . On the Rhone and the Saône: A six-night cruise be- tween Lyon and Martigues featuring colourful stopo- vers in Mâcon, Tain-l’Hermitage, Avignon, Arles and Marseille. Highlights include Mâcon and its historic downtown; the Beaujolais vineyards; Lyon and its se- cret traboules; the hanging houses in the Vercors Mas- sif; a tour of a local olive oil production workshop; a safa- ri in the wild Camargue; and the Mediterranean port of Marseille. Departures between April and October 2022 onboard MS Van Gogh, MS Camargue, MS Mistral and MS Rhone Princess.


For more information on the French rivers call Croi- siEurope on 020 8328 1281 or visit www.croisieurope. co.uk


Carnival Lift Mask Mandate


THE Carnival Corporation has become the latest cruise corporation to announce the lifting of mask on- board its ships.


From March 1st, cruise goers on board the Carnival


fleet will no longer be required to wear a mask whilst on the ship. The fleet includes passengers onboard Princess Cruises, Seabourn cruises, Carnival Cruise line and Holland America Line.


Passengers will still be expected to wear a mask whilst boarding and disembarking the ship, however ,then can be removed whilst sailing.


In a statement from the Carnival Corporation web- site, the company said: “Effective with sailings departing 1 March, masks are recommended on board but not required. However, masks may be required in certain venues and events.


Please pay close attention to onboard signage.”


our fleet,” Felin said. Norwegian technology


Hurtigruten Norway has entered into an agreement


with Kongsberg Maritime for the ships that will be- come hybrids.


“This is one of the largest environmental vessel up- grades to be undertaken in Europe,” says President Egil Haugsdal of Kongsberg Maritime.


“Hurtigruten Norway makes sustainable choices for


its existing fleet. It’s rewarding to work with a company that shares our forward-looking approach to technology and the environment, and not least to work on ships that so many people have a close relationship with,” Haugs- dal said.


MS Richard With will return from yard 9 August. MS Kong Harald will then set sail for Myklebust Yard to do similar upgrades. Then MS Nordlys will follow, and in the first half of 2023 all ships in the Costal Express will be fully upgraded.


Hurtigruten Norway is part of Hurtigruten Group,


the world’s leading adventure travel group, offering unique experiences in the most spectacular areas on the planet. The Group aims to raise and set new standards for the entire travel industry, offering authentic local ex- periences while leaving a footprint to be proud of. After the ongoing green upgrade of the Hurtigruten Norway fleet, the Group will have six hybrid vessels. Hurti- gruten Group stopped using heavy fuel oil more than a decade ago and were the first expedition cruise compa- ny to ban non-essential single-use plastic throughout our entire operation.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48