June 2024


Viking Announces Float Out of Newest Egypt Ship


VIKING has announced its newest ship for the Nile River— the 82-guest Viking Sobek— was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Set to sail in the autumn of 2024, the Viking Sobek will join the company’s growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships for the Nile River and will sail Viking’s popular 12- day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. “Egypt has always captivated curious travellers with its rich culture and history, and it continues to be a destination of interest for our guests,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We believe the Viking Sobek and her sister ships are by far the most elegant vessels on the Nile, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests to explore this fantastic region.” The traditional float out ceremony of the Viking


Sobek took place at Massara shipyard in Cairo and is significant because it marks the ship moving into its final stage of construction. She will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out. The Viking Sobek & Viking’s Growing Egypt Fleet Hosting 82 guests in 41 staterooms, the new, state- of-the-art Viking Sobek is inspired by Viking’s award- winning river and ocean ships, with the elegant Scandinavian design for which Viking is known. An identical sister ship to the Viking Osiris, the Viking Aton and the new Viking Hathor, which is scheduled to debut this summer, the Viking Sobek features several aspects familiar to Viking guests, such as a distinctive square bow and an indoor/outdoor Aquavit Terrace. With the addition of both the Viking Hathor and the Viking Sobek, the company will have six ships sailing the Nile by the end of 2024. Additional ships in the Egypt fleet include the Viking


Holland America Line Begins Pilot Test of Renewable Fuels


CRUISE NEWS | 53


MSC Cruises To Show Summer 2024 Football Championship Matches


FOOTBALL fans on board MSC Cruises’ ships in Europe this summer will be able to watch all the live action as their national teams compete in the coveted tournament. Twenty-four European nations are set to compete in


the European football cup staged every four years, set to be one of the sporting highlights of the year. Matches will be broadcast live on all of MSC Cruises’ ships operating in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe between 14 June and 14 July. The competition is a massive event on the football


calendar with the 2020 final attracting more than 300 million viewers.


MSC Cruises guests will be able to watch the games in selected bars and lounges on board, with some ships even offering pool-deck viewing or from the comfort of an atmospheric sports bar. Some ships, including the UK’s favourite, MSC Virtuosa,


will also offer a unique programme


Ra and the MS Antares. During the 12-day, Pharaohs &


Pyramids itinerary, guests begin with a three- night stay at a first-class hotel in Cairo, where they can visit iconic sites such as the Great Pyramids of Giza, the necropolis of Sakkara, the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, or the Grand Egyptian Museum. Guests then fly to Luxor, where they visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding a Viking river ship for an eight-day roundtrip cruise


to demonstrate a next-generation fuel source that can help us toward our pursuit of net zero emissions,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “Converting items such as food waste into fuel is an innovative way to meet environmental challenges and we thank the Dutch government for its support.” The initial tests will occur on one of the ship’s four engines during cruises this month, with the potential to expand to multiple engines during the summer while operating in the Norwegian World Heritage Fjords, specifically Geirangerfjord and Nærøyfjord. What Are Biofuels? Biofuels are derived from feedstocks that are


certified as 100% organic waste or residue, with no risk of land-use change or deforestation and no competition with food production. Produced from waste fats, oils, and grease leftover from feedstock processing, biofuels are associated with minimal emissions during production. This results in a very low carbon intensity, with an estimated reduction of 86% in emissions compared to marine gas oil (MGO). Holland America Line’s existing ships operate


on biofuels without modifications to the engine or fuel structure. Holland America Line continues to partner with companies to find ways to reduce emissions and develop alternative fuels and technologies. “The GoodFuels MR1-100 fits the existing


HOLLAND America Line announced the start of a long-term biofuel test on its flagship, Rotterdam, leveraging 100% low carbon intensity biofuel while sailing within the Norwegian World Heritage Fjords. The ship bunkered the biofuel before leaving the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, April 27, 2024, and will operate one of its four engines using low carbon intensity oil derived from organic waste or residues and certified according to the EU Renewable Energy Directive while in the Fjords. The GoodFuels MR1-100 sustainable biofuel supplied by FincoEnergies will yield an estimated 86% reduction in life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. “Holland America Line is committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and we are excited


practice in shipping where heavier fuels are already used today” said Johannes Schurmann, Commercial Director International Marine at FincoEnergies. “Together with our clients, we optimise sustainability and cost of the biofuel, while not jeopardising the performance in the engine and fuel system.” “There is a need to look at all good alternatives


to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the future and we see biofuels as one of the alternatives that, with the right use and origin, will contribute to emission reductions, which we welcome. The Norwegian Maritime Authority takes a positive view of all measures taken by the industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said Alf Tore, Acting Director General of Shipping and Navigation, Norwegian Maritime Authority. For more information, contact your local travel


agency.


on the Nile River, featuring visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colourful Nubian village, where guests can experience a traditional primary school. Finally, the journey concludes with a flight back to Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.


of tournament-themed activities such as table football games, penalty shoot-out challenges, trivia competitions, and create-your-own-team-shirt events, with opportunities to compete for prizes. Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales and Managing Director of MSC Cruises UK and Ireland said: “We are always listening to what our guests want and we know how popular football is to our British customers. That’s why we will be screening the Euros on board our UK based ship, MSC Virtuosa, as well as the rest of the MSC Cruises fleet.” England’s first game in the tournament kicks off on 16 June, while Scotland’s first game is on 14 June.


Celebrity Cruises Revolutionary Ship Celebrity Apex Homeports in Southampton!


CELEBRITY Apex will kick off her European season from Southampton with an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise. This serene sailing will visit idyllic locations across the region’s much- loved destinations, including calls to Bruges, Belgium, also known as ‘the Venice of the North’, where travelers can stroll along canals and romantic cobblestone alleys; Geiranger, Norway, home to the beautiful Geirangerfjord which boasts dramatic scenery where waterfalls cascade into deep-blue water and snow-capped mountains tower around the ship; and Kristiansand, Norway, the waterfront town nicknamed ‘Summer City’ with sandy beaches, world-class shopping, and an exciting cultural scene. Celebrity Apex, the second ship in the game- changing Edge Series, modernises the way guests see the world, featuring an innovative outward-facing design and visionary spaces that stand apart from anything else at sea. Onboard, Celebrity Apex takes elevated cruising to a whole new level, with enhanced food and drink offerings, sought-after spa and wellness amenities, and high-energy entertainment that rival performances on land. “We’re bringing one of our most innovative


ships, Celebrity Apex, to Southampton,


providing guests the opportunity to sail in style directly from the UK,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises. “It’s an exciting time as we elevate cruising from the region, enabling our guests to explore and restore with premium facilities, elevated food and drink experiences, and exciting activities and entertainment.” With itineraries covering stunning


destinations from Northern Europe to the Canary Islands, the premium cruise line’s state-of-the- art ship will cruise from Southampton from May until October in 2024. Throughout the summer season, travellers can experience a variety of exciting four-to-13-night sailings including the 12-night Norwegian Fjords and Arctic Circle cruise, where guests will revel in the region’s breathtaking natural beauty. Guests can also take advantage of enhanced destination choices from Southampton. In addition to exploration across Northern Europe, sailings take in the breathtaking island of Ibiza where guests are invited to immerse themselves in delicious cuisine at local foodie hotspots, party at vibrant beach clubs and bask in the sunshine.


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