42 | CRUISE NEWS
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Luxury Cruise Ship to Double as Boutique Hotel at Next Year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix
September/October 2024
Windstar Cruises’ Newly-Launched 2026 European Voyages Boast Fresh Itineraries
MSC Cruises Partners with New Formula 1 Racing Movie
EXPLORA Journeys has announced that in 2025, EXPLORA II is coming to the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025. The latest ship in Explora Journeys’ fleet will be docked in the heart of Monaco’s famous Port Hercule, offering a prime position throughout race week. She will play host to a series of spectacular events, providing a fitting venue for the most anticipated race and its star-studded crowd, as well as being an elegant Monegasque home-away-from-home for guests across the weekend.
Guests will be able to enjoy the ultimate FORMULA 1®
experience, with EXPLORA II docked just 150 metres from the racetrack. The ship will serve as a luxury boutique hotel at sea during the iconic race event in Monaco. Conveniently situated at the end of the harbour beyond the F1® Paddock, this unique offering allows guests to immerse themselves in the excitement of FORMULA 1® and witness the adrenaline-pumping action of the races, while enjoying the ultimate European luxury and comfort. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy elegant suites and residences with a private ocean-front terrace, eleven unforgettable culinary experiences, unlimited premium beverages,
high-speed Wi-Fi via Starlink
connectivity, vibrant entertainment, and ocean-inspired wellness.
Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise
Division of MSC Group, said: “We are delighted to showcase our second luxury ship
EXPLORA II for the very first time during the FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2025. FORMULA 1® is synonymous with cutting-edge technology, precision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence – values that we share with MSC Cruises and of course our luxury lifestyle brand Explora Journeys. This is one of the most prestigious events in the
calendar, and it is only fitting that this would be where we offer sporting enthusiasts an unforgettable experience that brings together the world of motor sports with the luxury of maritime travel.” Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, also commented on the partnership: “At Formula 1 we always strive to offer our fans new
and incredible experiences that align with our values and elevate our sport. The arrival of EXPLORA II to the Monaco Grand Prix
for the first time will offer fans a truly unique and luxury experience that will make this iconic event even more special”.
Guests can now book their exclusive experience
on board EXPLORA II including Grandstand Tickets or register their interest in F1® Paddock Club™ access via the Explora Experience Centre, on
explorajourneys.com or via their preferred Travel Advisor.
MSC Cruises has announced that the line has partnered with “F1,”
the highly anticipated
Formula 1® racing feature from Apple Original Films, producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joseph Kosinski, due to be released globally in theatres and in IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures in North America on the 27th of June 2025 and internationally beginning on the 25th of June 2025.
MSC Cruises’ logo will feature in
the movie, including on the fictional APXGP car and team kit, as well as on the track at the races included in the storyline. The highly anticipated Formula
1® racing feature stars Brad Pitt as a former driver who returns to Formula 1®, alongside Damson Idris as his teammate at APXGP, a fictional team on the grid. The feature has been shot during actual Grand Prix weekends as the team competes against the titans of the sport. The star-studded cast also includes Academy Award nominee Kerry Condon, Academy Award winner Javier Bardem, Emmy Award winner and Golden Globe Award
nominee Ambassador Cruise Line Launches A Suite of New Products to Enhance Guest Experience
AMBASSADOR Cruise Line has launched two new products designed to elevate the guest experience including induction loops to support those with impaired hearing and eSIMS to keep guests connected worldwide.
As an inclusive cruise line renowned for delivering outstanding
introduction of these new products reaffirms Ambassador’s on both Ambassador ships, Ambience and Ambition. guest satisfaction at affordable prices, the
commitment to delivering enhanced service levels to guests both onboard and pre-and-post their cruise. Whether sailing the seas, hopping across Europe or adventuring
to far-flung destinations across the world, Ambassador Cruise Line understands the importance of being able to use your mobile phone without worrying about high data roaming charges. Infrared loop systems have been installed in the show lounges
Tobias
Sarah Niles, Kim Bodnia and Samson Kayo.
MSC Cruises is a Formula 1® Global
Partner, having entered into a multi- year deal running through to the end of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship.
The partnership
brings together two global leaders in their respective fields to drive change through their shared passion for excellence,
sustainability, and global entertainment.
WINDSTAR Cruises has unveiled its 2026 European voyages, with more new ports and itineraries than the line has ever debuted in a single season. There are 15 brand-new itineraries, 34 first- time ports, a litany of new Star Collector sailings (which combine several itineraries into one epic/longer adventure) and a first- ever Windstar Solar Eclipse. The 12th August 2026 Around Iceland: A Total Solar Eclipse will place Windstar guests in the path of totality. A new 81-day Star Collector 2026 Grand
Europe Adventure, begins in Helsinki on 14th July and visits 20 countries and 67 ports of call before ending in Athens. Overnight stays for up to four days in a single destination and late-night departures allow guests to travel further inland. The line will also debut new cruise tours
from Madrid, allowing guests to explore further inland in Spain; a brand-new circumnavigation of Ireland; a deep dive into the Aeolian Islands; and an exploration of Northern Greece with highlights including chance to visit the Meteora Monasteries from the port of Volos. A larger sampling of new itineraries is listed below. To celebrate the news, Windstar is
Menzies,
concurrently launching an early booking offer. Those who book a 2026 European cruise by 31st October 2024, will enjoy a complimentary All-Inclusive experience worth £73 per person per day and featuring Wi-Fi, unlimited wine, beer and cocktails, and all gratuities, plus a $100 onboard credit per stateroom. “Our year-round cruises in the Mediterranean and Europe have more small- ship only destinations than ever before,” says Jess Peterson, Windstar’s itinerary planner. “We’ve designed these voyages with a focus on regional exploration, so that means more overnight stays and off-the-beaten-path experiences to help give you a deeper, more genuine look at some of Europe’s best spots.” New itineraries and ports mean a host of
new shore excursions, and Windstar’s team vets every offering to bring a truly special and uniquely local experience to life – like creating moulded chocolates in Bruges or learning the lyra in Thessaloniki. For reservations call 0808 178 2233 or visit
www.windstarcruises.com Norwegian Cruise Line Announces Enhancements Onboard to Norwegian Encore
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line (NCL) has announced that Norwegian Encore will undergo extensive updates including a brand-new Spice H2O; the expansion of two popular dining venues, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki; redesigned suites in The Haven by Norwegian; and 24 new balcony staterooms. Following Norwegian Encore’s two-week dry dock from 18th November, 2024 to 2nd December, 2024, guests will have the opportunity to indulge in a new Spice H2O, the adults-only, complimentary outdoor area tucked away from the main pool deck.
Replacing the laser tag arena, the lounge will feature a new design and elevated layout from NCL’s longtime design partners, Studio Dado, by combining the guest- favourite amenities of Spice H2O from the Breakaway- Plus Class with those from Infinity Beach of the latest Prima Class vessels. Equipped with multiple hot tubs, eight large day beds surrounded by cooling pools and a large bar serving a variety of cocktails, Spice H2O will be the perfect, outdoor oasis for guests of 18 years or older looking for a relaxing escape. The enhancements will also include the expansion of two of the Company’s most popular specialty
dining restaurants, giving guests more of what they want. Cagney’s Steakhouse, which recently won the 2024 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for its wine programme; and Teppanyaki, the hibachi-style restaurant, will soon offer greater capacity by taking over Los Lobos’ footprint on deck eight and Coco’s on deck six. Additionally, Ocean Blue will be converted to the guest-favourite Palomar, boasting elevated Mediterranean seafood cuisine. “Our guests’ wants and needs are at the forefront of every decision that we make, and enhancing Norwegian Encore with more of the experiences they value showcases our commitment to just that,” said David J. Herrera, President
of Norwegian Cruise Line. “From more space for adults to relax, to more opportunities to enjoy their favourite dining options and beyond, we are dedicated to providing our guests with an elevated onboard experience as part of their dream vacation.” Resulting in the growing demand for the three- bedroom suites aboard Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Viva and Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Encore’s Premier Owner’s Suites with a Large Balcony in The Haven by Norwegian will be expanded from two bedrooms to three. Additionally, these two suites will include three and a half bathrooms; a fully renovated living room, master bedroom and outdoor balcony furniture; and a new separate dining room. The Haven by Norwegian is the Company’s exclusive ship-within-a- ship, and keycard access only complex with dedicated experiences including concierge service, a private pool area, restaurant and bar. Similar to the recent refurbishment on Norwegian Joy earlier this year, Norwegian Encore will also debut from its dry dock with an additional 24 new balcony staterooms and two club balcony staterooms by repurposing a portion of the ship’s Observation Lounge.
Once the ship completes the two-week dry dock, Norwegian Encore will embark on a 12-day transatlantic voyage from Southampton, U.K. to Miami and then offer seven-day, round-trip sailings to the Caribbean through March 2025 with calls to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic;
Tortola; British Virgin
Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and NCL’s private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. For summer 2025, Norwegian Encore will sail seven-day, round-trip cruises to Alaska from Seattle, where guests can take in the lush landscape and vast wildlife of the Last Frontier.
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