44 | CRUISE NEWS
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MSC Euribia To Sail World-First Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cruise
THE Cruise Division of MSC Group next week will operate the industry’s first net zero greenhouse gas emissions voyage when its latest MSC Cruises flagship, the liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered MSC Euribia, leaves her shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France – where she is currently being built – on the way to her naming ceremony in Copenhagen, Denmark. The new ship, the 22nd vessel to join MSC Cruises’ fleet, will sail for four days from Saint-Nazaire to Copenhagen and achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions to demonstrate that net zero cruising is possible today. MSC Euribia will depart the French port on 3 June and is scheduled to arrive in the Danish city on 7 June. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, said: “This industry-first net zero gas emissions voyage of our latest flagship MSC Euribia heralds another significant step on our decarbonisation journey and demonstrates more than anything the extent of our commitment.”
NCL Announce Top UK Radio Presenters as Newest UK Ambassadors
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line (NCL) has announced that British radio presenters, Mike Toolan and Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross, will serve as UK Ambassadors to its fleet of 18 contemporary ships.
As part of NCL’s collaboration with Greatest Hits
Radio and Hits Radio, the presenters will host a series of competitions on air, giving listeners the chance to win complimentary NCL cruises and take their followers on a journey through regular social media content posted throughout the year. Gary Anslow, NCL’s Head of Business UK and “We are delighted to welcome
Ireland said,
Mike and Rossie to the NCL family as our newest Ambassadors. We know that Mike and Rossie will bring their renowned energy and enthusiasm to
this partnership and inspire listeners to choose NCL by delivering a whole host of exciting content on air and online”. Simon ‘Rossie’ Ross, said,
Greatest Hits Radio presenter, “What an amazing honour to
become a Norwegian Cruise Line ambassador. I’m so excited to share my incredible NCL cruise experience with everyone who wakes up with Greatest Hits at Breakfast and give them opportunities to win trips of their own!” Mike Toolan, Hits FM Radio presenter, added: “I’m
super excited to be an ambassador for Norwegian Cruise Line. I had the best time on my first cruise, experiencing NCL “freestyle cruising” with my kids, and can’t wait to give Hits Radio listeners the chance to enjoy it for themselves!”
MSC Cruises purchased 400 tonnes of bio-LNG to show its commitment to the deployment of drop- in renewable fuels and energy transition measures towards the pioneering net zero gas emissions voyage. The line is the industry’s first deep sea ocean cruise operator to buy bio-LNG as a fuel source that has significant lifecycle emissions reductions. Mr Vago continued: “We cannot do this alone, however.
Given the absolute importance of alternative fuels for our industry as well as for other sectors across civil society to achieve decarbonization, we all need to work together to
June 2023
increase their availability at scale. Our purchase of bio-LNG will send a clear and meaningful signal to the market that there is demand from cruise lines and the broader maritime industry for cleaner fuels, but we need governments, producers and end- users to collaborate and scale-up the availability of these much-needed and new sources of power.” The net zero sailing will utilise bio-LNG using a mass-balance system, the most environmentally efficient method of delivering the benefits of renewable biogas.
The entire supply chain will
be fully compliant with the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive, commonly known as RED II, and each individual batch of the total bio-LNG produced has been certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification. Michele Francioni,
SVP, MSC Cruises, added,
“MSC Euribia’s first voyage will be an incredible feat and represents years of commitment and determination. It should prove that we have the capability to operate on a net zero greenhouse gas emissions basis with existing ship technology. “This is just the beginning. We are committed to this transition and putting in place everything we can do to facilitate it. It cannot be done without alternative fuels such as bio-LNG, e-LNG, green hydrogen or green methanol being made widely available at scale to fully realise the vision of net zero cruising.” MSC Cruises is being supported by Nordic energy company Gasum for the net zero greenhouse gas emissions voyage, a leading producer of biogas and processor of biodegradable waste fractions in the Nordic region.
VIKING ANNOUNCES NEW EXPEDITION VOYAGES IN THE ARCTIC
VIKING has announced three new summer season expedition voyages in the Arctic. Debuting in July 2025, the new itineraries, which range from 13 to 27 days, explore the polar north in Canada and Greenland, with two of the three voyages visiting the Canadian High Arctic. The 13-day Into the Northwest Passage itinerary
Royal Caribbean Marks Return to China with New Ship in Asia
ROYAL Caribbean International has set the date for its return to China in April 2024, with Asia’s largest and most innovative ship, Spectrum of the Seas, sailing from Shanghai. 4- and 5-night cruises are available to a combination of popular getaway destinations like Fukuoka, Okinawa, Nagasaki, Osaka, and Tokyo, Japan. Spectrum will also offer eight sailings from Hong Kong, starting in December 2024, to places such as Ishigaki and Miyazaki, Japan; Taipei (Keelung), Taiwan, China; and Nha Trang, Vietnam. The cruise line’s Anthem of the Seas will sail in Asia for the first time from Singapore in late 2024. “This is the moment we – along with Chinese holidaymakers – have been waiting for. Our return to China is an exciting milestone that could only be marked with Spectrum of the Seas, which became a household name with Chinese families and travellers alike when it debuted in Shanghai as the latest and greatest Royal Caribbean ship in 2019,” said Bert Hernandez, senior vice president, International, Royal Caribbean International. “We thank the government of China for establishing a pathway forward and continue to be committed to expanding the cruise industry in a region we have sailed from for more than a decade. This has also opened up a world of opportunities to expand the variety of holidays in Asia, as another award- winning ship sets sail in the region with the introduction of Anthem of the Seas in Singapore.” Holidaymakers can soon mark their calendars and book
their holiday to far-flung destinations on Spectrum or Anthem at Royal Caribbean’s website in the coming weeks
sails roundtrip from Nuuk, Greenland and features destinations including the pristine waters of the Ilulissat Icefjord and the eastern entrance of the famed Northwest Passage in Pond Inlet, Canada. Guests can also discover stunning natural beauty and dramatic landscapes during the 15- day Canada & Greenland Explorer itinerary, which sails between Toronto and Nuuk. Those interested in more in-depth exploration can choose a combination of the two itineraries, the new 27-day Canada & the Northwest Passage voyage.
“Our guests are curious
travellers who are eager to explore new and different regions of the world, in Viking comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “From the time of Leif Eriksson and the original Vikings, Greenland and the Canadian High Arctic have fascinated intrepid explorers. Today, there is no better way to experience this pristine area of the world than from the comfort of our purpose-built expedition ships.” 2025 Arctic Voyages: Viking’s new itineraries in the Arctic include: NEW Into the Northwest Passage (13 days; Nuuk to Nuuk) – Discover the diverse landscapes and rugged shores of the world’s largest island. Immerse yourself in Inuit traditions as you explore towns dotted with colourful wooden houses. Head out kayaking on the fjord or partake in a Zodiac landing and witness stunning displays
of nature, from
towering peaks to blue-tinged glaciers. Join Viking on a fascinating voyage exploring the Canadian High Arctic to undiscovered territories beneath the skies of the midnight sun. Sailing dates are available from July through September 2025. NEW Canada & Greenland Explorer (15 days;
between Toronto, Ontario and Nuuk) – Explore Canada and Greenland’s rugged shores on an awe-inspiring journey through one of the most fascinating corners of the world. Sail amid floating icebergs as they drift in blue-tinged waters and witness the wonders of Mother Nature as you immerse yourself in dramatic landscapes. Learn about the Inuit traditions that still thrive in remote communities and experience the stark beauty of the Arctic beneath the skies of the midnight sun. Sailing dates are available in July and September 2025. NEW Canada & the Northwest Passage (27 days; between Nuuk and Toronto, Ontario) – Witness the majesty of floating icebergs and rugged lands as you embark on a journey to the Canadian High Arctic and Greenland. View towering icebergs, expansive icefields and deep-blue fjords that are rich in marine life. Get a glimpse of life in Inuit communities and
learn about traditions that have sustained for generations.
Bask
beneath the skies of the endless midnight sun as you join us on a voyage of discovery to far-flung lands. Sailing dates
are available in July and September 2025. Viking is also offering world cruises between
the Great Lakes and “the end of the world.” The Viking Octantis® will begin her epic journey from Milwaukee to Ushuaia on the 70-day Longitudinal World Cruise III in September 2023 – offering guests a variety of impressive travel milestones in a single journey from the heart of North America through engineering wonders like the Welland and Panama Canals, into the Chilean fjords and finally to Antarctica. Similarly, the Viking Polaris® will embark on the 71-day Longitudinal World Cruise II from Duluth to Ushuaia in September 2023; she will also sail the 62-day Longitudinal World Cruise IV from Milwaukee to Ushuaia in October 2024. Viking also offers a similar voyage in reverse, from Buenos Aires to Milwaukee, with the 65-day Longitudinal World Cruise I, which embarks in February 2024. To make a booking Viking call 0800 458 69 00 or go to
www.viking.com
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