48 | CRUISE NEWS
Marella Cruises Reveal Summer 2024
Programme MARELLA Cruises’ Summer 2024 programme is now on sale, providing customers with more choice in different destinations around the world. The cruise line has significantly increased its
beloved Cruise & Stay hotel portfolio by more than 59% across eight destinations, and has introduced two new ports in Sardinia and Spain. In addition, Turkey itineraries, homeporting out of Marmaris, will be returning after a nine-year break. As the market leader in Cruise & Stay holidays,
Marella Cruises offers its customers a combined package holiday, with the chance to experience life at sea along with a stay at a hotel, which can be tagged on either before or after a cruise. Hand-selected from the TUI range, there is an unbeatable range of properties and durations for customers to choose from. From stylish TUI Blue hotels offering a tailored experience, to its premium Platinum collection, or the option to stay at an authentic Small and Friendly hotel, there is something for everyone. Chris Hackney, Managing Director of Cruise for
TUI UK & I said: “Whether you’re a regular cruiser or new to cruising, Cruise & Stay is an excellent way to holiday. The flexibility allows guests to enjoy the best of both worlds, giving them the chance explore several destinations on a cruise, but also the opportunity to spend some time ashore in a destination of their choice. “All our properties are researched and handpicked from TUI’s range to best suit customers’ preferences, and there’s more than 200 hotels to choose from. What’s more, all transfers are included so customers can sit back and enjoy a hassle-free journey from the airport, ship and hotel. In addition, Marella Cruises will be returning
to Marmaris, Turkey with itineraries including; Ottoman Odyssey, Ancient Icons, Undiscovered Aegean and Aegean Jewels, where guests will get the chance to visit some of the most popular hotspots in Cyprus, Turkey, Greece and Israel. Moreover, Marella Explorer will call at new ports, Oristano in Sardinia and Motril in Spain at the end of Winter, before starting its Summer 24 sailings in Corfu.
Highlights of the Mediterranean Marella Cruises offers a fourteen-night Cruise
& stay holiday, with a seven-nights stay at the 4T Hotel Rocamarina in Cala d’Or, Majorca followed by seven-nights Highlights of the Mediterranean Cruise, on Marella Discovery 2. Flights departing from London Luton airport on 2nd July 2024. Aegean Shores Marella Cruises offers a fourteen-night Cruise
& Stay holiday, with a seven-nights Aegean Cruise on Marella Explorer, followed by a seven-nights stay at 5T Restia Suites in Acharavi, Corfu. Flights departing from Bristol airport on 2nd August 2024.
Mediterranean Medley Marella Cruises offers a fourteen-night Cruise &
Stay holiday, with a seven-nights Mediterranean Medley Cruise on Marella Voyager, followed by a seven-nights stay at 3T+ Hotel Son Baulo in Ca’n Picafort, Majorca. Flights departing from London Luton airport.
BY ERIN ENGLISH
erin@nitravelnews.com
NEW York City, the city that never sleeps, welcomed MSC Seascape, the ship that never sleeps for a dazzling naming ceremony. To partake in the naming celebrations, NI Travel News’ Erin English was invited along to witness this shiny new vessel in all its glory. The
conclusion to MSC’s Seaside Class, MSC Seascape takes inspiration from metropolitan New York City. This inspiration goes hand in hand with the furnishing and dedicated decor with pays homage to the beauty of the ocean.
Upon boarding this ship, MSC achieves the task of immediately transporting guests to a land of splendour. A grand staircase cascades the main atrium, embedded with Swarovski Crystals (52,000 to be exact), it is hard not to automatically transition into Holiday Mode. Peering over the panoramic balcony of the main atrium, a standpoint which gives you a view point of the elegant Seascape Bar, you can already see yourself heading back there later in the evening to enjoy a flute of bubbly as you listen to the enchanting melodies of the live performers. With such a grandiose first impression, it was time to delve deeper into a full tour of MSC Seascape. Heartfelt tributes
New York City are dotted throughout the vessel. From venue names to design features, to a three-metre- replica of the Statue of Liberty. Right at the heart of the casino stands a mini- Times Square, an innovative and interactive LED Wall that rise to the height of four decks. The LED wall has a projection of the iconic New York Skyline, a feature which will change from day to night to mimic the bright lights of Manhattan.
to glistening fourth and final
www.nitravelnews.com
January 2023 THE SEASCAPE THAT NEVER SLEEPS
passengers at full capacity. There are a range of different cabin types available for guests. Such standards include Interior, Ocean View, Balcony, Junior Suite Aureau, Premium Suite Aurea (with or without Terrace), Premium Suite Aurea with Whirlpool, One or Two Bedroom Grand Suite Aureas. There are also a range of suites available for MSC Yacht Club Members located on Deck 16-19. Guests will never go hungry on MSC Seascape. Onboard there are eleven eateries, comprising of three main restaurants, a 1,169 seater buffet and five speciality dining options. Along with a dedicated Aureau Restaurant and a Yacht Club Restaurant. While onboard, I tried two of the dining facilities including the complimentary Market Place Buffet and the speciality Kaito Teppanyaki Bar. The Market-Place Buffet was the ideal place for a quick grab and go lunch or breakfast. The range of different food options available for selection were vast, from Indian food to Italian to just light nibbles if an afternoon snack is more your fancy than a sit down lunch. During my time on MSC Seascape, I didn’t get the pleasure of dining in the Market-Place Buffet for my dinner. However, from the wide range of options supplied at lunch time. I image that this dining facility would work a treat if grabbing a quick dinner after a day of exploration at port.
Mini-Times Square isn’t the only tribute to the Big Apple, others include the Loft Cafe, the New-York Style Comedy Club and the American themed Sports Bar onboard.
MSC Seascape is able to hold 5,877
Kaito Teppanyaki Bar is the epitome of Dinner with A Show. Kaito is a must-visit for lovers of sushi and Asian fusion cuisine. Upon arrival, cruisers are sat at a grilling station, surrounding a simplistic but crisp restaurant setting. Kaito is open every evening for Dinner. Kaito is also open for lunch, depending on the timings of the individual cruise itinerary. At Kaito, we were given the option of two tasting menus- I opted for the Vegetarian tasting menu which consisted of Cucumber Maki, Miso Soup, Garlic Fried Rice, Garlic Noodles and a Wasabi and Chocolate dessert. The overall dining experience was spectacular, with food and flavours that melted on your tongue and
blew your mind. Not to mention the art of performance that accompany the array of dishes offered, each grilling station has its own personal expert chef who interacts and performances for those dining. MSC Seascape brings a bit of Broadway to the high seas! The Chora Theatre will be home to a host six star- speckled shows. This includes Imaginocean, Dreamscape, In Concert, Premiere: A cast of singers , Shall We Dance, Love Blooms. The curtain doesn’t fall there though, instead the performance carries through to Le Cabaret Rouge on Deck
8. MSC Seascape brings a bit of 1920s’ Paris into the 2020s’ with this fashionable lounge. Where the rest of the boat takes inspiration from the United States, it’s all J’Taime in La Cabaret Rouge!
Less of an onlooker? Jump right into the adventure on the ROBOTRON. Ever wanted to go on a rollercoaster at sea? MSC Seascape is your chance to do so. To get the adrenaline-pumping, head 53 metres above the ocean level. ROBOTRON is a state-of-the-art robotic arm with an attached gondola that seats three
unobstructed 360° view of the horizon as they hang over the edge of the deck, twist and turn upside down in different directions, and flip upside down. What a better to take in your surroundings while onboard such a fine vessel?
MSC Seascape was named officially on December 8th in a ceremony in New York City. Witnessing this dazzling ceremony was spectacular, with performances from the Broadway cast of ‘A Chorus Line’ along with a spectacle of performances from the shows available onboard MSC Seascape. One of the highlights of the traditional maritime ceremony was a stunning performance from international singer-songwriter
conclude the ceremony, MSC Seascape was blessed virtually by the Godmother of MSC’s Cruise Fleet, Sophia Loren. Alexa Aponte-Vago, daughter of MSC Group’s founder and executive chairman Gianluigi Aponte, then performed the traditional cutting of the ribbon to officially name the ship.
MSC Seascape has become the 21st ship in the MSC Cruises Fleet, and what a vessel she is!
Matteo Bocelli. To guests. ROBOTRON offers an
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