22 | CRUISE NEWS


Oceania Cruises Give Spotlight on Alaska’s ‘Last Frontier’


OCEANIA Cruises offers an abundance of immersive experiences in “The Last Frontier,” embedding travellers in the fabric of


Alaska’s local communities.


Sailing from Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver, travellers looking to go beyond the typical tourist sights and discover unique perspectives on local cultures and cuisines have 14 departures to choose from between May and September 2023 aboard the 656-guest Regatta. With more than 250 tours and excursions offered in Ketchikan,


Sitka,


Wrangell and beyond, the 49th state offers plentiful opportunities for exciting glacial explorations,


Local tour series, guests can participate in exclusive


group excursions


Through Oceania Cruises’ Go small


www.nitravelnews.com


Explora Journeys Unveils Autumn/Winter Schedule for Latest Ship


March/April 2023


P&O Cruises Change Covid Rules and Requirements


Juneau, authentic culinary classes,


native tribal site visits, craft beer tastings, national park excursions and an opportunity to savour the region’s beguiling natural beauty.


to


experience destinations on an entirely new level. Here adventurers are welcomed into local homes and businesses and immersed in the local way of life to learn about and dive into generations-old traditions. “We’re delighted to offer our guests a


fresh perspective of Alaska, one filled with touching personal moments with nature, people and cuisine,” stated Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “The innate beauty of our small ships, especially in a destination like Alaska aboard our intimate Regatta, allows guests access to small ports and remote harbours not offered by others.”


JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME: MSC Opens Bookings for 2025 World Cruise


MSC Cruises has opened the new MSC World Cruise 2025 for bookings.


With an entirely new itinerary


aboard MSC Magnifica voyagers can now embark on a unique journey of a lifetime from four European ports – Civitavecchia/Rome, Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona. The 116-night around-the-world voyage will visit


50 breath-taking destinations in 21 countries, with seven overnight stays, featuring 22 destinations. The three-month long journey will bring cruisers to five continents, crossing three of the world’s largest oceans, sailing over 30,000 nautical miles. The wondrous voyage begins with world-famous cities and ports in Italy, France, and Spain before sailing to Casablanca in Morocco which offers a myriad of markets and medinas. One week into the trip, guests will spend their first days at sea, followed by a day trip to Cape Verde’s capital – Mindelo. After crossing the Atlantic Ocean, guests will spend ten days exploring South America including overnights in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Buenos Aires, Argentina and Valparaiso, Chile as well as a visit to


Port Canaveral Pips Port Miami as Best Cruise Port


PORT Canaveral has bumped Port Miami off the top spot in terms of cruise ports. It has been crowned as the world’s busiest port, just slightly ahead of the previous holder, Port Miami after welcoming 4 million visitors in 2022. Port Canaveral seen 4,072,396 cruise ship


passengers pass through its port, compared to PortMiami’s 4,022,544. “We’ve always aimed to be the best cruise port in the world,” said Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “This historic milestone is testament to the efforts of our team and cruise partners.”


Celestyal Announces Acquisition of New Ship


the Falkland Islands with its stunning vistas and the most southern point of the continent – Ushuaia. Following this, the ship then makes its way across


the South Pacific Ocean visiting tropical islands for almost two weeks – the world-famous Easter Island (Chile), Moorea (French Polynesia) and Aitutaki and Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. Then begins an extended discovery of New


Zealand and Australia starting with the Northern Islands of New Zealand. This sportive area is a popular destination for big-game fishing and to learn about the indigenous inhabitants of the country – the Maori. In eight days, guests visit the cities of Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Christchurch and Dunedin, followed by an exceptional cruising of the Milford Sound fjord in southern New Zealand. One of the highlight legs of the cruise – 19 days


sailing around the rugged and beautiful Southern and Western coasts of Australia. Guests can visit the natural paradise of Eden, famous for its oysters, food and incredible beaches. Dive into the hip city of Melbourne, enjoy outdoors adventure in Adelaide, Penneshaw, get immersed in the historic city of Albany, explore the vibrant beach town of Busselton and the famous Margaret River wine growing region. Then soak up the laid-back vibes of Perth


Carnival Cruise Line Honours Sailing Dog with VIP Status


and marvel at the beautiful town of Broome where outback meets the sea. Arriving in the lush tropical climate of Asia, the


ship will first call port in Benoa on Bali, Indonesia. After an overnight stay, allowing guests plenty of time to explore the islands natural beauty, the backdrop will change entirely as MSC Magnifica sails to the jewel of South-East Asia, Singapore. Here, guests can marvel at futuristic architecture decorated by a mosaic of vertical gardens. To complete the Asian itinerary, guests will visit Port Klang and Penang in Malaysia, followed by the idyllic island of Phuket in Thailand.


During the journey across the Indian Ocean, guests can enjoy a visit to the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo. Following this, the port of Aqaba in Jordan awaits where guests can visit the world-famous archaeological site of Petra. Next up, travellers can enjoy the beautiful Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheik, the ancient sites in Luxor (from the port of Safaga) the transit through the Suez Canal and then on to Alexandria, from where it is possible to visit Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza. To round up this once-in-a-lifetime itinerary, MSC


Magnifica will sail back to Europe, visiting four iconic cities in Italy, ending a trip full of discovery in Genoa.


CARNIVAL Cruise Line has a unique new member joining the top ranks of its loyalty club – a retired U.S. Army service dog named Sarge. While sailing on Carnival Celebration last


CELESTYAL has confirmed the acquisition of a new vessel.


Originally built as the Ryndam for Holland America Line and more recently operating for P&O Australia, the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey will undergo an extensive €20 million refurbishment and technical maintenance overhaul before entering service. “While the global events of the past few


years have placed our growth plans on pause, the positive industry outlook along with strong bookings for the coming season provides Celestyal with the opportunity to recommence the process of renewing our fleet with new vessels,” said Chris Theophilides, CEO.


“In


addition to her expansive open decks, numerous bar and dining options and spacious public areas and staterooms, the Celestyal Journey provides our guests with a significant increase in premium and balcony staterooms, which continue to be in high demand on all of our voyages. We look forward to welcoming her to the Celestyal fleet!’’ The Celestyal Journey will undergo its capital


expenditure programme in the wider Piraeus ship repair zone area. Details regarding the onboard experience and itineraries will be announced in due course.


week, Sarge reached Diamond status of the Very Important Fun Person (VIFP) Club – though in this case, the “P” could also stand for “pooch.” The 14-year-old Belgian Malinois just completed his 55th cruise and was honored during Carnival Celebration’s Platinum and Diamond loyalty event, for spending more than 200 nights at sea. “What could be more fun than celebrating a beloved four-legged friend as a Diamond cruiser?” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.


“We’re proud to celebrate and support


veterans at Carnival, as the cruise line that carries the most service members, and I’m delighted to count Sarge among them.” Sarge spent most of his life serving in the


military, and now lives and travels with his owner, Justin Marcum, Sr., who is also a Diamond member of Carnival’s VIFP Club.


EXPLORA Journeys has announced a new line-up of journeys for the autumn and winter 2024 – 2025 season of EXPLORA I, the first of a planned fleet of six luxury ships, which are now open for booking. Featuring 23 journeys and 2 grand journeys between September 2024 and April 2025, the itineraries will encompass 73 unique destinations across 24 countries. Eight of them will be a first for Explora Journeys, including Macapá, Alter-do- Chaõ and Manaus in the Amazon, and the Devil’s Island in French Guiana. Each journey has its own character that reflects the distinctive spirit of the destinations, starting at the far north of America’s East Coast, then sailing to the Caribbean and South


America, before crossing the Atlantic to Europe. Highlights include an 8-night Journey to Trailing


Whales and Falling Leaves, sailing from New York City on 8 October 2024 for Boston, Portland and Halifax, the mystical Whale Corridors and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, finishing in Quebec City. In a first for Explora Journeys, EXPLORA I will


offer journeys up the Amazon River and into the Brazilian rainforest, complete with torchlit kayak tours and forest trails to hidden tribal villages. In Manaus, guests will witness the confluence


of the rivers, where the inky Rio Negro joins the powerful Rio Solimoes; and in Santarem, where the Amazon meets the crystal-clear waters of the Tapajos.


P&O CRUISES have adapted its covid vaccination and testing relations for cruise passengers. In a statement via the cruise lines website, it announced, “COVID-19 vaccination and testing are no longer mandatory for guests travelling on our holidays…” “While vaccination is no longer required for the majority of our holidays, we still highly recommend that all guests travelling on our ships are up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters when eligible and where available.” Previously, guests were required to provide proof for full vaccination before coming on board. The company continued, “If you’re displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 or feel unwell in the days leading up to your holiday, we highly recommend that you take a COVID-19 test before you travel and only travel to the ship if this is negative. If you’re symptomatic on the day of embarkation, we ask that you declare this to terminal or check-in staff.” The new instructions are relevant to all cruise


passengers, apart from those guests travelling on Arcadia’s World Cruise, Classic Southern Hemisphere Journeys or Exotic fly-cruises (cruise number J301); These passengers are required to provide proof of full vaccination and testing whilst at check in.


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