46 | CRUISE NEWS TUI River Cruises
Expands Activity Offering Onboard its Ships
TUI RIVER Cruises has increased its range of activities on offer for customers while on board, providing guests with the perfect opportunity to get the most out of their cruise while taking in the sights of Europe’s most picturesque rivers. The activities, which are available on all three ships, include a book club, stargazing, crafting, and fitness classes all have a focus around mindfulness, allowing customers to relax and recharge on their cruise. The onboard Book Club gives customers the chance to read and discuss a bestseller whilst making connections with other guests. A number of copies of each book title are made available
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June 2023 BELFAST HARBOUR WELCOMES TWO MILLIONTH CRUISE VISITOR
BELFAST has welcomed its two millionth cruise ship visitor, according to Cruise Belfast, the partnership between Belfast Harbour and Visit Belfast which markets the city as a leading cruise ship destination. The passenger who took the number of visitors
to come to Northern Ireland on cruise ships past the two million mark was on board the Norwegian Dawn, operated by Norwegian Cruise Line, which docked in Belfast this afternoon. Since the first cruise ship visit to Belfast in 1996, the
industry has grown exponentially, with a record 165 cruise calls expected this year. Michael Robinson, Port Director of Belfast Harbour, said Belfast is now well and truly on the radar for international cruise operators when setting their schedules. “The arrival of the two millionth cruise visitor to
onboard for guests to read, with three Book Club sessions held during the cruise. Current titles include ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’ and ‘The Keeper of Stories’, both by author Sally Page. Bespoke stargazing is now available*
guaranteeing an unforgettable experience under the magical night sky of the northern hemisphere. Using telescopes and binoculars customers can marvel at the key constellations, which are pointed out by the onboard activity host. Following the popularity of winter crafts on
board TUI River Cruises, activities such as jewellery making, card making and seasonal wreath making have been added to the summer daytime activity line up to allow guests to create something for themselves, or a gift for a loved one. The summer season will also see a silent fitness
class available for customers who wish to show off their moves in a dance class, with headphones provided to listen to the music. For those looking for the ultimate relaxation will be able to take part in a guided meditation on board, which focuses on relaxation techniques, deep breathing exercises and mindfulness mediation. Katy Berzins, head of TUI River Cruises said:
“Wellness continues to be a global trend, so we’ve decided to incorporate more elements of relaxation and mindfulness into our onboard activity programme. “These new activities will help to ensure customers have time to on the ship to enjoy their hobbies or take part in activities they’ve been looking to try after a day of sightseeing some of Europe’s iconic destinations. “Whether it’s arts and crafts,
stargazing or
reading the latest thriller, we want to give our customers the opportunity to spend a relaxing break on board and immerse themselves in the truly unique river cruise experience.” Due to popular demand, TUI River Cruises has
recently increased capacity for Winter 2023 with an additional seven festive sailings. The boost to the program comes off the back of strong results for the river cruise line, with bookings up more than 30 per cent year on year.
Belfast Harbour is a significant milestone for the cruise industry in Northern Ireland. This year is expected to be a record year for the Port with 165 calls from 34 different cruise lines, carrying more than a quarter of a million passengers. “Cruise visitors make an important contribution to the tourism industry in Northern Ireland bringing tourists from across the world for day trips to
attractions across the region.” Mary Jo McCanny, Director of Visitor Servicing at Visit Belfast, said: “Ahead of such a busy cruise season, welcoming the two millionth visitor to Belfast is another great milestone for the city that again demonstrates the vital partnerships that Cruise Belfast has formed with global cruise operators. “The Visitor Servicing teams work tirelessly to
provide a first-class reception for every visitor who arrives into Belfast, showcasing the very best of the city and the wide range of quality tourist experiences on offer. Belfast has built a strong reputation as a welcoming and exciting cruise destination and that is something we hope to continue for years to come.” Naomi Waite, Tourism NI’s Director of Marketing
added: “The millions of pounds of investment in our tourism infrastructure and visitor experiences in recent years has ensured Belfast and Northern Ireland are at the forefront of the cruise offering. With new attractions such as the re-imagined Titanic Belfast, Titanic Distillers and the Game of Thrones Studio Tour, we can offer new and exciting itineraries to compete within a highly competitive marketplace, which is crucial to continue to attract strong visitor numbers.
“With an expected record year for the 2023 cruise
season, the boost in cruise ship visitors is sure to make for a fantastic year for the Northern Ireland tourism industry.”
Including the Norwegian Dawn, Belfast has seen a total of 1,161 cruise ship calls by vessels from 75 different cruise lines to date, representing a significant contribution to the growing tourism economy in Northern Ireland. Some of the biggest cruise ships in the world, from world-leading global brands including Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas (347 metres long, gross tonnage 168,666) and MSC Virtuosa (332m long, gross tonnage 181,541) have called at Belfast multiple times in recent years. Between March and October this year, 61 different
vessels will dock at the port. The 165 calls expected this season represents a 15% increase on the previous record set in 2019. There will also be 15 ships calling to Belfast for
the first time in 2023, including Disney Dream, Norwegian Prima and MSC Preziosa, demonstrating Northern Ireland’s increasing popularity as a cruise destination and
providing testament to the quality of the region’s award-winning visitor attractions and tourism offer.
The Curious and The Sea: Silversea Unveil 140-Day World Cruise
SILVERSEA Cruises has unveiled details on its 140-day World Cruise 2026, ‘The Curious and the Sea’—the most diverse and immersive voyage in the cruise line’s history, which broadens the largest collection of extended sailings in ultra-luxury cruising.
Guests will embark Silver Dawn in Fort Lauderdale
on January 6, 2026, before travelling deep into 70 destinations in 37 countries—the most ever on a Silversea World Cruise—including 26 calls that are new for a Silversea World Cruise or unvisited since 2020, and 9 overnights. An exclusive pre-sale opens to Venetian Society members on June 14, while general sales open on June 22. ‘The Curious and the Sea’ will connect travellers with the rich history of navigation, inspired by the same curiosity that led ancient seafarers to sail to unknown lands. Channeling the same spirit of discovery that has driven exploration throughout the ages, bespoke events ashore, onboard activities, regionally inspired culinary experiences, optional overland tours (Uzbekistan, Luxor, and the
three
Balkans), and more will enrich the voyage. Guests will follow ancient trade routes, sailing the waters that connected the Silk Road, and transiting both the Panama and Suez canals; they will step foot on some of the world’s most remote islands, including those in the South Pacific, a region explored by Captain James Cook in the 18th century; and they will witness lands that inspired scientific progression, such as Western Australia, which attracted Charles Darwin in 1836. “Calling in more destinations than any voyage in Silversea’s history,
our World
to unlocking the most immersive travel experiences for our guests, broadening the largest collection of extended voyages in ultra-luxury cruising. We can’t wait to welcome our extended family aboard Silver Dawn for this special sailing.” 70 DESTINATIONS, 37 COUNTRIES, 26 NEW
DESTINATIONS, 140 DAYS Following a curated travel experience—including
Cruise 2026,
‘The Curious and the Sea,’ will connect the most enriching experiences across 70 destinations and six continents,” said Barbara Muckermann, President and CEO, Silversea Cruises. “For this World Cruise, we took inspiration from history’s most pioneering explorers, each of whom has sailed to the end of the earth—driven by curiosity and a thirst for discovery. Appealing to the curious traveller within, we are inviting our guests to experience our planet’s beauty with new eyes, while celebrating the rich history of navigation. ‘The Curious and the Sea’ demonstrates our commitment
private executive transfers, Business class air, and a dedicated meet and greet service—world cruising guests will board Silver Dawn in Fort Lauderdale on January 6, 2026, journeying through Central America, before transiting the Panama Canal to South America. Easter Island, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific will follow, leading guests to New Zealand and a semi- circumnavigation of Australia. Travellers will then explore Southeast Asia, crossing the Bay of Bengal to Sri Lanka, India, and the Red Sea, before passing through the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean. They will delve into European history and culture, before the voyage concludes in Lisbon, Portugal, on May 27, 2026.
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