38 | CRUISE NEWS
EXPLORA II Open Suite-Only Bookings for Monaco F1 2025
Royal Caribbean Adds A ‘Legend’ to Their Midst
ROYAL Caribbean has revealed the name and debut lineup of the third Icon Class vacation – Legend of the Seas. The new ship will sail year-round from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, starting in November 2026 on 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean vacations, including visits to Royal Caribbean’s award-winning Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Prior to her Caribbean debut, Legend will offer summer adventures in Europe with 7-night Western
EXPLORA Journeys has announced that guests can now secure an exclusive stay aboard EXPLORA II, docked in the prestigious Port Hercule during the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025. Two distinct categories are available, offering
unparalleled luxury and breathtaking views: • Monaco City View – Overlooking the vibrant cityscape of Monaco, suites provide a front- row seat to the excitement of the event, with an elegant ocean-front terrace that immerses guests in the legendary atmosphere. • Monaco Ocean View – Offering uninterrupted sea views, suites serve as a serene retreat from the buzz of the race weekend, blending the thrill of the event with the tranquility of a private yacht experience. The on-board experience for guests includes
access to: •
residences with private oceanfront terraces. •
and unlimited premium beverages. •
connectivity. •
entertainment options. •
Elegantly designed suites and Eleven refined culinary experiences High-speed A
Wi-Fi via Starlink
diverse array of vibrant Ocean-inspired wellness facilities,
ensuring relaxation amidst the excitement of race weekend. Both options provide a haven of space and sophistication, complemented by dedicated hosts ensuring every detail is seamlessly taken care of. Guests will also enjoy an enriched onboard entertainment program, making EXPLORA II the ultimate setting for an extraordinary Grand Prix experience.
Oceania Cruises Adds Belfast Food Excursions to its 2025 Sailings
OCEANIA Cruises has expanded its signature range of immer- sive Culinary Discovery Tours™ with the addition of 12 new gourmet excursions for 2025. The new chef-led tours are in diverse locations spanning the globe from Europe and the UK with new excursions in Amsterdam, Belfast, Invergor- don, Valencia, and Valletta; to Asia with three new options for Japan sailings in Kobe, Kochi, and Shimizu, plus Busan in South Korea; and North Amer- ica where new tours are availa- ble in Halifax, Quebec City, and
MSC Cruises Announce New Premium Partner For 2025 and Beyond
MSC Cruises has joined forces with BWT Alpine Formula One Team as a Premium Partner for 2025 and beyond. A Global Partner of Formula One, MSC Cruises now further expand their dedication to the pinnacle of motorsport by teaming up with BWT
Alpine Formula One Team.
The collaboration between the two organisations provides another significant boost in the team’s growing partnership portfolio. MSC Cruises will feature prominently
on the 2025 car, the A525, which will be unveiled at the F175 Launch at the O2 Arena in London on 18 February. The connection between BWT Alpine
Formula One Team and MSC Cruises is most visible in the way both the cruise liner and motorsport industries operate. Collaboration, skill, expertise, and precision teamwork behind the scenes and constant high standards are key values to achieve operation. Competing in design and against the clock is only possible thanks to innovation and team collaboration which are both paramount in the
Victoria. The addi- tions mean
Oceania Cruises now offers a total of 46 Culinary Discovery Tours, available on its four larger ships, Marina™, Rivi- era™, Vista™, and Allura™, which debuts in July 2025. Limited to 18 guests and led by Oceania Cruises’ team of expert Chef Instructors, each of the Culinary Discov- ery Tours goes beyond tradi- tional sightseeing,
provid-
ing access to local markets, acclaimed restaurants, and hands-on cooking classes, both on board and ashore. From foraging for wild sea herbs on Belfast’s rugged coast to indulging in a plant- to-plate luncheon inside an Amsterdam greenhouse, where ingredients are har- vested moments before they reach a guest’s fork, these
CROISIEUROPE CHARTERS THE RV STAR OF LUXOR FOR A BRAND NEW NILE CRUISE
CROISIEUROPE is setting its sights on Egypt with the introduction of a brand new Nile cruise which will take place on the fully- chartered RV Star of Luxor. This new Egypt cruise will allow CroisiEurope to achieve its aim of becoming one of the leaders in the destination in the medium term.
tours give travellers an intimate look at local life through the lens of food and its impact on the culture and community. In Japan, witness the preci-
sion of traditional knife-making in Kobe before a teppanyaki feast of wagyu beef, or master the art of searing bonito over an open flame in Kochi. Uncover the secrets of authentic paella on a boat ride through Valen- cia’s rice fields, or explore South Korea’s famed seafood markets. Jason Montague, Chief Lux- ury Officer, Oceania Cruises
said:“Our guests seek more than just
incredible cuisine – they
crave authentic connections with food, culture, and people. The Culinary Discovery Tours are true behind-the-scenes experiences, guided by top chefs who bring each destination to life and are eager to share epicurean secrets, one bite at a time. These unique excursions allow travellers to sa- vour the essence of destinations in a way that only Oceania Cruis- es can deliver.” Chef Kathryn Kelly, Oceania Cruises’ Director of Culinary
Enrichment, is the founder and driving force behind The Culinary Center and the chief architect of the robust range of Culinary Dis- covery Tours. She commented: “Food has the power to connect people to places in meaningful ways and our fab- ulous Culinary Discovery Tours provide an insider’s look at local markets, artisans, and traditions, allowing guests to take a piece of the destination home with them – not just in their memories, but in the skills and recipes they acquire along the way.”
operations of BWT Alpine Formula One Team and MSC Cruises in
performance and delivering premium experiences.
Mediterranean vacations from Barcelona beginning July 2026. Legend’s debut lineup will soon open on Royal Caribbean’s website and Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members will have special access to book ahead of the official opening on Thursday, Feb. 20. “On the heels of celebrating one year of the record-breaking Icon
Class and the memories made by vacationers of all ages on Icon, we are thrilled to announce the name of Royal Caribbean’s third Icon Class vacation,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Legend of the Seas is the next bold step in this exciting era of vacations and the continuation of the Icon
Class legacy, and we look forward to bringing the revolutionary lineup of experiences to more families and adventurers across Europe, the Caribbean and beyond.” The ship is currently under construction in Turku,
Finland, with it planning to debute in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in August 2025.
Windstar Cruises Announces New Iconic Brand Collaboration
high-end
WINDSTAR Cruises has announced a new sponsorship with AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), the world leader in sports and entertainment. Starting in February, Windstar will become the official cruise line of AEG owned venue The O2, the world’s most popular live entertainment,
leisure, and retail destination. As the world’s busiest arena, The O2 hosts over 200 events a year and has welcomed legendary artists and comedians including U2, Trevor Noah, Adele, The Rolling Stones, Billie Eilish, Chris Rock, Madonna, Beyoncé, Drake and many more since opening in 2007. It has also been home to world- class sporting events including the London 2012 Olympics, NBA season games, UFC and the Laver Cup.
Windstar’s sponsorship reinforces a company commitment to supporting and working with brands in the Anschutz Corporation family. Windstar Cruises is owned by Xanterra Leisure Holding, LLC, which like AEG, is part of the Anschutz Corporation. The sponsorship brings Windstar brand exposure across the venue to reach new potential travellers for the line’s small ship cruises. Visitors to the newest Premium space, The NinetyThird by Qatar Airways, will see a Windstar ship model on display year- round.
As the third largest cruise market globally, the UK
is a key growth focus for Windstar. Windstar Cruises is strengthening its presence in the region, working with The Cruise Line, which recently launched a new UK website with pricing in pounds. Itineraries created to appeal to UK travellers include a new series of three- to four-day cruises sailing roundtrip from London departing from the iconic Tower Bridge, 10-night Canary Islands cruises sailing roundtrip from Santa Cruz de Tenerife between November and February, easily accessible sailings in the Mediterranean and Greece and two seven-night Northern Europe voyages with homeports in London. “We are thrilled to be showcasing our brand in this iconic venue and to be reaching new prospective guests for
Christopher Prelog.
Windstar,” said Windstar President “AEG, The O2, and Windstar
are all leaders in their respective categories, and we feel this is a great first step in a meaningful and rich collaboration.” Nathan Kosky, Vice President at AEG Global
Partnerships commented: “We warmly welcome Windstar Cruises, our newest sponsor to The O2, as they explore new opportunities for their expansion. We look forward to working together to showcase their offering to the millions of fans who visit the venue every year.”
www.nitravelnews.com
March 2025
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