CRUISE NEWS YOU CAN USE


Virgin Voyages gives first glimpse of its debut ship


Phil Davies phil.davies@travelweekly.co.uk


Virgin Voyages has released the first images of how its maiden ship, due in 2020, will look.


Highlights of the as-yet unnamed vessel include Richard’s Rooftop, named after Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, an outdoor lounge reserved for the ship’s suite guests. The Athletic Club, across both


sides of the aft of the ship, will feature what Virgin claims will be the largest daybeds at sea; a 220sq ft area of triple netting where passengers can overlook decks below as if they were sailing on a catamaran; 10 cabanas overlooking the ocean; and a bar. The Manor will be the nightclub, its name taken from the recording studio that is part of Sir Richard’s history in the music industry. Pink Agave is described as an upscale modern Mexican restaurant with bar and private dining room. An outdoor lounge called The Dock is said to be reminiscent of chic seaside lounges in the Hamptons and Bali. The Test Kitchen restaurant will have a laboratory- themed environment with metallic furniture, beakers and test tubes.


Virgin Voyages product design


senior vice-president Dee Cooper said the ship design is “styled for those thirsty for a wonderfully modern holiday at sea”. “Ranging from gritty to


glamorous, we’ve collaborated with a collection of brilliant interior designers and architects to create a variety of spaces that our ‘sailors’ will love,” she said. The remaining public spaces


VIRGIN VOYAGES: Artist’s impression of the Athletic Club deck area


and cabins will be revealed throughout the year as part of the brand’s #ShipTease series. Virgin Voyages’ first of three 2,700-passenger adult-only vessels will sail Caribbean itineraries from Miami from 2020. President and chief executive


Tom McAlpin said: “Our design partners have dreamt up eye-


catching and alluring spaces.” virginvoyages.com


Disney Cruise heads to host of favourite ports in autumn 2019


Disney Cruise Line has unveiled its autumn 2019 programme featuring sailings to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Baja California, Canada


and the Caribbean. Disney Magic will return to


New York in September 2019 for sailings to Bermuda, the Bahamas and New Brunswick, Canada. Three five-night cruises feature two days in Bermuda, while two seven-night sailings to the Bahamas include a stop at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay and a day at Port Canaveral, Florida. In California, Disney Wonder will


sail from San Diego to the Mexican Riviera with calls including Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Ensenada. From November, the ship will sail out of Galveston, Texas, to the Caribbean and Bahamas. Caribbean cruises include stops in Grand Cayman,


Cozumel and Falmouth (Jamaica). Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy


will sail to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Port Canaveral. Bookings open today (May 24).


disneycruise.com Shearings reveals 14 new river itineraries for 2019


Shearings Holidays is offering 14 new itineraries in its 2019 river cruise brochure. The operator has doubled capacity with A-Rosa for 2019 following its first full year of partnership with the German line. In total, the programme features 52 itineraries, including 16 A-Rosa trips, of which seven are new for next year. Prices for an A-Rosa


package lead in at £753 for a five- day Paris & Versailles itinerary. Shearings has also secured


Infante Don Henrique for a full charter on the Douro with


LAUNCH: Shearings’ Jane Atkins and Matthew Herbert reveal the 2019 River Cruise brochure


CroisiEurope, while three ships, Virginia, Serenade and Esmeralda, are once again chartered for the full season for sailings on rivers such


as the Rhine, Moselle and Danube. shearingsagent.com


MY CHOICE, NaturalLY.


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