November/December 2024
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Oceania Cruises to Debut 1,250-Guest Riviera in Alaska in 2025
CRUISE NEWS | 69
an out-of- this-world e xperience with
a front-
row seat for a total eclipse of the sun,” said John Padgett, pr esident of Princess Cruises. “Following the incredible response to our solar eclipse voyages last year,
we’re
OCEANIA Cruises is offering more than a dozen immersive
explorations of Alaska in 2025,
taking travellers beyond typical tourist sights to discover the unique perspectives, local culture, soaring glaciers, and pristine wilderness of “The Last Frontier.” An Oceania Cruises first, the 1,250-guest RivieraTM will sail her first season in Alaska making her the first and only cruise ship in the region designed for foodies, by foodies, where travellers will enjoy the best of the 49th state,
paired with Riviera’s luxurious small- ship ambiance and myriad of gourmet culinary experiences. The 2025 Alaska season takes place from May
through September, offering a variety of itineraries ranging from seven to 12 days that depart from Seattle, Vancouver, and Whittier. Each itinerary features both lesser-known and iconic ports such as Homer, Sitka, and Juneau, giving travellers plentiful opportunities to engage with the destination on an entirely new level through Native tribe site visits, national park excursions, wildlife encounters, and more. Each sailing also features a naturalist on board to offer expert insights into the incredible biodiversity of Alaska, covering everything from whales to bears and seals. “We’re thrilled to bring our 1,250-guest Riviera to
Alaska for the very first time,” said Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania Cruises. “Our elegant, ultra- premium small-ship experience offers the perfect juxtaposition to Alaska’s outdoor adventures, and with Riviera being 30 to 50 percent smaller than other premium cruise lines sailing in the region, we’re able to bring our guests to lesser-known, more remote ports,
for a true immersion into this fascinating destination.” The timeless allure of Alaska means it is a perfect destination for multi-generational gatherings; teens, parents, and grandparents alike will marvel at the majesty of the landscape and the amazing wildlife. Oceania Cruises’ popular Alaska Explorer Youth Program is available on all voyages in the region in 2025. Designed for children between the ages of 5 to 12 years old, the program will include engaging games, activities, and Alaska-inspired special events, where young adventurers will be supervised by experienced and enthusiastic youth counsellors. To further enhance Oceania Cruises’ robust cruise
itineraries, guests have the option to include a pre- or post- cruise land program where they’ll have the opportunity to explore even more of Alaska. Among the land programs offered is Discover Denali, where travellers will enjoy one show-stopping vista after another, including North America’s highest peak, while exploring Denali National Park, the first national park created specifically to protect wildlife. Covering a mind-blowing six million acres, Denali
offers true insight into the 49th state. With over two full days in the park, Oceania Cruises’ guests will revel in a fully escorted experience including travel by domed railcar and along scenic byways through the iconic wilds of Alaska. Wildlife-spotting opportunities abound – including bald eagles, caribou, and Dall sheep – alongside marvelling at glacial-fed rivers and the chance to see the original ranger’s cabin, once the only outpost in the vast park. The four day / three night program also features an Alaskan Native presentation on the history of the land and a natural history tour.
Silver Nova Make Marvellous Debut for Asia-Pacific Season
SILVER Nova debuted in Asia-Pacific as the region’s most luxurious ship at the end of September 2024, sailing the region until April 2025. Marking the start of the ship’s inaugural season in Asia, Silver
Nova arrived in Kushiro (Hokkaido), Japan, on September 27th, undertaking two voyages in the region before crossing over to Australia and New Zealand in November.
Guests will dive deep into the
vibrant cities and magical landscapes of Australia and New Zealand on seven sailings – ranging from 16 to 18 days – between November 18th, 2024, and February 24th, 2025. Silver Nova will then return to Asia until April 2025. Silversea’s Nova-class ships pay testament to Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to delivering the world’s best vacation experiences, responsibly. With pioneering energy efficiency standards, Silver Nova and her sister ship Silver Ray are 40% more energy efficient than required international standards and regulations. Both ships incorporate innovative design features with asymmetrical, horizontal layouts. “We are thrilled to finally be
celebrating the arrival of the beautiful Silver Nova in Asia-Pacific,” said Bert Hernandez,
president, Silversea.
“Anticipation has been building among our valued guests and travel advisors in the region, and we’re delighted to be able to introduce them to one of the most pioneering ships in experiential luxury cruise travel at long last. Silver Nova will be the most luxurious ship sailing in Asia-Pacific until she leaves the region in April 2025, with her striking architectural innovations, advanced energy efficiency standards, and unprecedented range of suites and public venues.”
Sun Princess Lives Up to Name with New Solar Eclipse Itineraries Added
PRINCESS Cruises has added a second Total Solar Eclipse cruise option, this one aboard its newest ship – Sun Princess,,when the next spectacle takes place in August 2026. The cruise company re-worked the itinerary of the Sun Princess voyage departing Barcelona on August 8, 2026 to position the ship off the coast of southern Spain on August 12, where eclipse devotees can marvel in the two minutes and 18 seconds of totality.
With seven to 21-night destination-rich Mediterranean voyage options departing
from
several popular ports, Sun Princess 2026 Total Solar Eclipse itineraries include six incredible sailings, appealing to all cruisers: “Sun Princess truly lives up to its name, offering
thrilled to have both Sky Princess and Sun Princess pr oviding guests with the unique opportunity to experience one of nature’s most breathtaking spectacles.” The Sun
Princess 2026 Total Eclipse Voyage is on sale now.
During the eclipse, Sun Princess guests will gather on the top decks with Princess safety glasses for viewing, and enjoy lectures from astronomy experts, themed treats and drinks, stargazing at night, solar system trivia and more. Guests are even encouraged to set up their own telescopes on deck and wear festive eclipse-themed apparel and accessories. The 14-night
Total Solar Eclipse
Mediterranean cruise onboard 3,560-guest Sky Princess sails August 8-22, 2026, roundtrip from Southampton, and visits seven historical and vibrant ports including Cherbourg, France; Bilbao, Spain, Malaga, Spain; Cartagena Spain; Gibraltar, Lisbon and La Coruña, Spain.
EXPLORA II Delivered at Fincantieri Shipyard in Italy
EXPLORA Journeys staged a triple celebration at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente near Genoa, Italy, as the new luxury brand continues to grow towards a total of six ships planned by 2028. EXPLORA II was delivered to become the second ship to join the luxury
travel brand of the MSC Group’s €3.5 billion fleet of six vessels. The ship will set sail on her maiden journey on 16 September from Civitavecchia in Italy to Sicily, Malta and Spain. The traditional maritime event when a shipbuilder delivers the
new vessel to its owner was attended by Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, the godmother of the ship Stefania Vago, as well as Fincantieri’s Chairman Biagio Mazzotta and the constructor’s CEO and General Manager Pierroberto Folgiero, along with representatives of MSC’s construction team together with managers and workers from the shipyard. The 63,900 GT EXPLORA II will operate in the Caribbean Sea in the winter and return to the Mediterranean Sea for summer 2025. The new luxury ship has 461 oceanfront suites, penthouses and
residences, six different restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, four swimming pools, and a range of wellness venues. A keel-laying ceremony for EXPLORA III also took place today at the
shipyard when commemorative coins were placed inside the ship as a sign of blessing during construction and good fortune in the future by the vessel’s two godmothers, Verena Koetzle, Global Head of Public
Relations for Explora Journeys and Martina Giardina, Public Area Supervisor – Fincantieri Shipyard Sestri Ponente. The liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered EXPLORA III will enter service in 2026. LNG is a direct pathway to renewable drop in substitutes like bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. Explora Journeys’ third celebration was a steel cutting ceremony at
the Fincantieri shipyard to start the construction of EXPLORA IV, which will also be fuelled by LNG, and will be completed in early 2027. EXPLORA V will join the luxury fleet in 2027 and EXPLORA VI in
2028, with a project underway for both to have large fuel cell capacity capable of transforming renewable LNG into hydrogen and significantly reducing emissions. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division, MSC Group,
said, “The delivery of EXPLORA II represents a significant milestone for Explora Journeys and the MSC Group, in our commitment to set new standards in global luxury travel at sea.
This special day also sees us celebrate the coin ceremony for EXPLORA III and the start of construction of EXPLORA IV as we continue to deliver on our commitment to create a fleet of six best-in-class ships offering even more guests a luxury ocean travel experience like no other.”
Captain Serena Melani will be the Master of EXPLORA II which
marks an historic moment as a female captain to lead a ship for Explora Journeys for the second time following her role as Master of EXPLORA I.
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