54 | CRUISE NEWS MSC Cruises Sees Last-Minute
Sailings Soar as Brits Escape Dreary Weather
Introducing Royal Caribbean's $100M Glow-Up Onboard Allure of the Seas
TRAVELLERS can mark their calendars for a new way to adventure in Europe when Royal Caribbean International debuts a newly amplified Allure of the Seas in April 2025. The gamechanger is set
WITH the UK enduring a spell of dismal, changeable weather, MSC Cruises has experienced a 30% surge in bookings for last-minute trips in August and September compared to the same time a year ago. With temperatures switching between the teens and mid-20s (sometimes in a single day!), many sun-starved Brits are planning their escape to new destinations including reliably warmer and sunnier climes.
Delightful
destinations and great value
One of the best ships for these escapes is MSC Virtuosa, which is currently covering the Iberian Coast, the Canary Islands
and
Madeira, as well as the Norwegian Fjords. The ship’s enticing itineraries include stops in a huge range of ports,
from
(Marrakech), Gran Canaria and Bruges,
Casablanca depending
on the sailing, there is something for all types of travellers.
Those who are
looking for destinations packed with culture can choose a Northern European
itinerary with those who like hot weather, choosing the Iberian Coast and Canary Islands.
Flight-free, faff free With all sailings on board MSC Virtuosa during August and September departing directly from Southampton, holidaymakers can bypass airports and step straight onto the stylish ship. Experience the magic
of MSC Virtuosa For those planning on joining one of the upcoming itineraries, MSC Virtuosa offers an unforgettable experience. From award-winning kids
clubs, world-class shopping, delectable food and drink, dazzling entertainment and even the world’s first humanoid robotic bartender at sea, Rob, there is something for everyone on board. Antonio Paradiso,
VP
of International Sales and Managing Director of UK and Ireland said: “Our sailings from Southampton are always in demand, but this year’s dismal UK weather has driven even more
Brits to seek immediate escape. an Those
looking for a quick getaway should book soon as the sailings are selling fast.”
Ambassador Cruise Line Launches with Door-to-Door Services AMBASSADOR Cruise Line,
has
launched a new partnership with dedicated luggage delivery service, Baggex,
to elevate the guest experience.
As an inclusive cruise line renowned for delivering
outstanding guest
satisfaction at affordable prices, the introduction of these new products reaffirms Ambassador’s commitment to delivering enhanced service levels to guests both onboard and pre-and-post their cruise.
Barcelona Increase Tourist Tax for Cruise Passengers
BARCELONA is set to increase the tourist tax for cruise passengers who are visiting the city for less than 12 hours. Currently, the cruise passenger tax for
Barcelona is priced at €7 per day. Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona, announced these changes over the weekend but gave no indication of what the future cost of tourist tax for cruise passengers will be. Collboni made a statement to El Pais newspaper, highlighting that “In the case of short port calls, there is intensive use of public space without any benefit for the city.” Collboni further commented that, “we want to have tourism that is respectful of the destination.” This fee will be applicable to stopover
cruise passengers on planned visits of less than 12 hours.
Swan Hellenic Unveils its Maris 2025 Gourmet Cruises
AN exhilarating, eight-night Norwegian Fjords voyage awaits Celebrity Cruises guests, as Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises, recently announced the cruise line’s 2025 President’s Cruise itinerary.
Guests aboard the 2024
SWAN Hellenic has just unveiled its 2025 Maris gourmet cruises aboard the elegant designer ships SH Diana and SH Vega.
Each of these exclusive Maris voyages showcases the outstanding creativity of one of the world-famous chefs in the gourmet organisation
JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs –
all rising stars under 40 who have already won international accolades, including from Michelin. For 2025, Maris offers a choice of ten
expertly curated cruises from the Arctic to Europe and the Mediterranean, nine on SH Diana and one on SH Vega, each a unique experience of exceptional fine dining and discovery.
President’s Cruise were the first to learn about the upcoming sailing aboard the iconic Celebrity Apex on 17th May 2025. For Captain’s Club members, the annual cruise offers a holiday experience like no other. It is a special opportunity for Hodges Bethge and other Celebrity Cruises executive team members to spend time with the cruise line’s loyal guests, while enjoying elevated experiences not offered on any other sailing. Natural wonders and once-in-a-lifetime thrills await on this special sailing combining the spectacular landscapes,
majestic
wildlife and towering waterfalls of the Norwegian Fjords with the bucket-list opportunities for history buffs, foodies, and adventure seekers provided by Norway’s
cities and villages. Guests
can soak up the magic and culture of picturesque cities like Oslo, Alesund and Bergen with an exciting array of to- be-announced shore excursions, special events, and unique experiences only offered on the 2025 President’s Cruise. “The President’s Cruise is a massive
celebration of our Captain’s Club members, and the sailing is an incredible opportunity for me and the executive
team to spend time with our guests,” said Laura Hodges Bethge. “It is incredibly rewarding to hear guests’ stories and experience Celebrity through their eyes. The feedback and ideas we receive while onboard are instrumental in shaping the future of Celebrity Cruises, allowing us to innovate and enhance our offerings in ways that truly resonate with our guests.” This
year, the six-night Caribbean
escape on the popular Celebrity Beyond from Sunday 23rd June to Saturday 29th June featured exclusive onboard entertainment,
premium tailored
excursions, and a sneak peek into what Celebrity guests can experience in the months and years to come. Two unforgettable sea days were filled with one-of-a-kind activities. A pool party like no other featured performances from members of the Team USA Artistic Swimming team, entertainment from Guinness World Record holding hula hoopers, and crowd-favourite games like the Officers vs Guests pool volleyball game, umpired by Hodges Bethge. “A Conversation with Celebrity” gave guests an opportunity to ask their unfiltered questions to Celebrity executives and guests were treated to unique performances
throughout the week
from West End star Marisha Wallace and Celebrity Reflection captain, Captain Kyriakos Matragkas.
for a more than $100 million encore of epic proportions that will combine bold experiences and must-see destinations to create Europe’s holiday of the summer, from more than 35 ways to dine and drink to new thrills and ways to chill in and by the water, to adventures in Provence (Marseille), France; Florence/ Pisa (La Spezia) and Rome, Italy; Palma de Mallorca, Spain, and more. Following the success of the amplified Oasis of the Seas in 2019, Allure is the latest in the game-changing Oasis Class to be reimagined as part of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Amplified programme, which was first introduced in 2018. Allure will be one
of six Royal Caribbean holidays sailing from five destinations in Europe for summer 2025 before heading to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in November 2025.
THE world’s most remote destinations have never been closer in reach. PONANT has partnered with the world’s leading
South they
company, PASPALEY. Together,
Sea pearling introduce
a
30-guest boutique expedition motor yacht, PASPALEY PEARL, that will sail year-round to regions spanning the Kimberley, Australia’s Far North, East Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. With a dedicated crew of 21, including four passionate naturalist guides, PASPALEY PEARL will offer guests personalised and expert-led voyages that promise transformative experiences.
With a combined
history of more than 85 years in the Kimberley region and other remote maritime environments, PONANT and PASPALEY will offer guests the rare chance to experience the hidden corners of the Asia Pacific region. This includes the untrammeled
routes pioneered by Nicholas Paspaley AC and his crew in the 1970s. Setting sail from East Timor to Bali in January 2025 after a multi-million-dollar refit, PASPALEY PEARL emerges as the only boutique expedition yacht in the Kimberley with private balconies — merging the thrill of discovery with the pinnacle of maritime excellence. Embarking on an expedition
with PASPALEY PEARL by PONANT guarantees a deep immersion in the “pearls” of the Asia Pacific region, including
Indonesia’s Raja Ampat
and Spice Islands, showcasing the Kimberley through a new lens through
PASPALEY’S 80+ year
heritage, and the Sepik River and New Britain Island in Papua New Guinea. Along the way, guests will discover the region’s abundant biodiversity through thrilling activities like remote fishing, and pearl cultivation along the Kimberley coast. There will also be a strong emphasis on local cultural traditions, whether it’s witnessing the traditional buffalo races of Sumbawa Besar, experiencing the secret Duk- Duk society of the Tolai people, or discovering Sepik River culture in the village of Kopar. Departing January 10, 2025, the
inaugural 10-night expedition will take guests from Dili in Timor Leste to Bali and promise unique encounters with rare wildlife including whale sharks and Komodo dragons. Other highlights include swimming and snorkeling in the clear tropical waters of the Seventeen Islands
Marine Park, visiting
the remote Lembata Island and discovering their ancient traditions, and experiencing traditional Alorese culture.
Celebrity Cruises Announces First Ever President’s Cruise in The Norwegian Fjords
www.nitravelnews.com
September/October 2024 Ponant Announces Latest Jewel To Fleet
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