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Norwegian to have three ships in Alaska, four in Europe; San Juan new seasonal base port in 2016-17

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 22 December 2014 22 December 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line, the contemporary market unit in the Norwegian Cruise Line Holding group, has announced its 2016-17 deployment. "Highlights include the addition of San Juan, Puerto Rico as a seasonal homeport for Norwegian Gem, along with new eight-night Eastern Caribbean and six-night Western Caribbean Norwegian Escape sailings from Miami," the company said in a statement.

In addition, all guests sailing a Western Caribbean itinerary in 2016-17 will have the opportunity to enjoy a visit to Harvest Caye, Norwegian’s new island destination in Belize.

Seasonally, Norwegian also continues to offer three ships in Alaska, four in Europe, two in Bermuda, as well as a variety of exciting South America; Bahamas & Florida; and repositioning cruises. Norwegian will also continue to offer its unique inter-island Hawaii cruises year-round on Pride of America from Honolulu and short Bahamas itineraries from Miami year-round on Norwegian Sky. The new itineraries open for sale in the UK 8 January 2015 for all bookings.

“Once again, Norwegian Cruise Line continues to offer a wide variety of exciting cruises for our guests to choose from in 2016 and early 2017,” said Drew Madsen, Norwegian’s president and chief operating officer. “Guests can cruise to the Caribbean year-round while experiencing the incredible innovations on Norwegian’s newest ships, Norwegian Escape and Norwegian Getaway. In addition, we continue to offer the best of Europe on four beautiful ships including Norwegian Epic year-round, and the opportunity to experience the scenic beauty of Alaska on some of the youngest ships in the industry.”

Bermuda

Norwegian will continue its tradition of sailing from both New York City and Boston to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda between April and October 2016. Norwegian Breakaway will return to Bermuda, sailing from New York City on seven-night cruises every Sunday from 24 April 2016 through 23 October 2016. From Boston, Norwegian Dawn will sail seven-night cruises, departing every Friday, from 3 June 2016 through 2 September 2016 and from 7 October 2016 through 21 October 2016.

Caribbean

Norwegian’s newest and largest ship, Norwegian Escape, will sail seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailings from Miami year-round. Ports of call include St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.

Norwegian Escape will sail an eight-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Miami on 23 July 2016, 6 August 2016, and 20 August 2016. Ports of call will include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. Norwegian Escape will also sail a six-night Western Caribbean itinerary from Miami on 31 July 2016, 14 August 2016, and 28 August 2016. Ports of call include Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico. These six- and eight-night itineraries can be combined to create an incredible 14-night Caribbean vacation.

Norwegian Getaway, Miami’s Ultimate Ship, will sail from Miami to the Western Caribbean on seven-night cruises every Saturday from 24 April 2016 to 23 April 2017. Ports of call include Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Norwegian’s newest destination Harvest Caye, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Norwegian returns to homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2016 on Norwegian Gem. She will sail a seven-night Southern Caribbean itinerary from San Juan on 23 October 6 and 20 November and 4 December 2016. Ports of call will include Bridgetown, Barbados; Fort-de-France, Martinique; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Norwegian Gem will also sail a variation of the seven-night Southern Caribbean itinerary on 30 October and 13 and 27 November 2016. Ports of call include St. George’s, Grenada; Castries, St. Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; St. John’s, Antigua; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Norwegian Spirit will sail alternating seven-night Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean itineraries departing on Saturdays from Port Canaveral. The Western Caribbean itinerary begins 10 December 2016 and continues to 15 April 2017. Ports of call will include Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. The Eastern Caribbean itinerary stops in Nassau, Bahamas; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands, from 3 December 2016 to 8 April 2017.

Norwegian Jade will sail a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary every Saturday from Houston from 19 November 2016 to 15 April 2017. Ports of call include Cozumel, Mexico; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras.

Norwegian Dawn will sail a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary every Sunday from New Orleans from 20 November 2016 to 16 April 2017. Her stops will include Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Norwegian Star will sail a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary every Sunday from Tampa from 23 October 2016 to 16 April 2017. Ports of call will include Cozumel, Mexico; Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Harvest Caye, Belize.

Alaska

Norwegian will continue to sail three ships in Alaska in the summer of 2016: Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Jewel from Seattle, Washington and Norwegian Sun from Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska.

Norwegian Jewel, departing Saturdays, will sail a series of seven-night Sawyer Glacier cruises from Seattle between 7 May 2016 and 10 September 2016. Departing Sundays, Norwegian Pearl will set sail on seven-night Glacier Bay itineraries from 15 May 2016 through 18 September 2016. Both itineraries feature stops in Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

For those wishing to cruise on a longer Alaska itinerary, Norwegian Jewel will sail one 10-nightGlacier Bay itinerary on 17 September 2016, and will visit Ketchikan; Juneau; Skagway; Icy Strait Point; and Sitka, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

Norwegian Pearl will offer a 10-night Glacier Bay itinerary from Vancouver on 5 May 2016, stopping in Juneau; Skagway; Sitka; Icy Strait Point; and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia.

Norwegian Sun will sail seven-night Glacier Bay one-way cruises between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seward, Alaska every other week from 30 May 2016 through 5 September 2016. Sailing north from Vancouver, guests will enjoy a cruise through the Inside Passage, Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier and visits to Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau, Alaska.

On Norwegian Sun’s southbound seven-night Sawyer Glacier one-way itineraries from Seward, Alaska, sailing every other week from 6 June to 12 September 2016, guests will cruise the Inside Passage, Sawyer Glacier and Hubbard Glacier and enjoy stops in Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska. Norwegian Sun’s one-way cruises give guests the opportunity to see more of beautiful Alaska and make their cruise an adventure by adding on a pre- or post-cruise CruiseTour, giving guests the chance to experience more of Alaska.

Norwegian Sun will also offer three seven-night Glacier Bay roundtrip cruises from Vancouver on 16 May 2016, 23 May 2016, and 19 September 2016. Ports of call will include Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, Alaska, and will include cruising the Inside Passage and Glacier Bay.

Europe

Norwegian will offer a four-ship deployment in Europe during the summer of 2016. Norwegian Epic will remain in Europe year-round from her homeport in Barcelona, sailing seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from 17 April 2016 to 20 November 2016. Her exciting ports of call include Naples, Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; Cannes, France; and Palma, Majorca, Spain.

On 27 November and 28 December 2016, and 19 February, 12 March and 13 April 2017, Norwegian Epic will sail a 10-night Canary Islands & Morocco itinerary. Her stops will include Tangier, Morocco; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; and Malaga (Granada), Spain. Norwegian Epic will also sail an 11-night Western Mediterranean itinerary on 7 December 2016 and 7 and 18 January, 8 February, 1 and 22 Marchand 2 April 2017. Ports of call include Cagliari, Sardinia; Messina, Sicily; Naples, Italy; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain.

Norwegian Star will return to the Baltic, offering nine-night cruises from Copenhagen, Denmark on 8 and 24 May, 2 and 25 June, and 4 July to 5 September, 2016. This exciting itinerary includes an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia, as well as a scenic sail through the Stockholm Archipelago following the ship’s afternoon departure from Stockholm, Sweden. Other calls include Warnemünde, Germany; Tallinn, Estonia; and Helsinki, Finland.

On 11 June 2016, Norwegian Star will sail a 14-night North Cape itinerary, during the summer solstice. This incredible itinerary will set sail from Copenhagen, Denmark and will visit the best of Norway including Alesund, Hellesylt, Geiranger, Trondheim, Leknes, Tromso, Hammerfest, Honningsvag, Molde, and Bergen, Norway. This itinerary can also be combined with a nine-night Baltic Capitals itinerary for the ultimate northern Europe experience.

Norwegian Star will also sail two seven-night Norwegian Fjords itineraries from Copenhagen, on 1 and 17 May 2016. This breath-taking itinerary will sail through the beautiful fjords of southern Norway featuring stops in Alesund, Geiranger, Flam and Bergen.

Norwegian Star will also sail a 14-night Norway, Iceland, & Faroe Islands cruise from Copenhagen on 14 September 2016. Port calls will include Bergen and Alesund, Norway; Lerwick, Shetland Islands; Thorshavn, Faroe Islands; Reykjavik, Iceland; Greenock, Scotland; and Dublin, Ireland.

Norwegian Jade will return to Venice and sail alternating seven-night Greek Isles and seven-night Adriatic, Greece & Turkey itineraries from May to October 2016. Guests may also choose to combine these two exciting itineraries to enjoy the ultimate 14-night adventure. The Greek Isles sailings will run from 7 May 2016 to 1 October 2016 with calls in Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos, and Olympia (Katakolon), Greece, while the Adriatic, Greece & Turkey itinerary includes Dubrovnik, Croatia; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; and Split, Croatia from 14 May 2016 to 24 September 2016.

For a combination of eastern and western Mediterranean itineraries, guests can embark on Norwegian Spirit’s 12-night Grand Mediterranean from Venice on 19 May, 12 June, 6 July, 1 and 25 August, 18 September, 12 October, and 5 November, 2016. This incredible itinerary visits five different countries, with calls in Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece; Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Livorno (Florence/Pisa), Italy; and Provence (Toulon), France.

Additionally, Norwegian Spirit will sail a 12-night Grand Mediterranean one-way itinerary from Barcelona to Venice on 7 and 31 May, 24 June, 13 August, 16 and 30 September, and 24 October, 2016. Her stops include Provence (Toulon), France; Livorno (Florence/Pisa)), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Istanbul and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; and Venice, Italy.

Norwegian Spirit will also sail a spectacular 14-night Grand Mediterranean itinerary from Barcelona to Venice on 18 July 2016. Ports of call include Provence (Toulon), France; Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Civitavecchia (Rome), and Naples, Italy; Mykonos, Greece; Istanbul and Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Bahamas and Florida

Norwegian Gem will sail seven-night Bahamas & Florida cruises from New York in 2016 from 30 April 2016 to 14 May 2016 and from 18 June 2016 to 27 August 2016. This popular family-friendly itinerary includes visits to Orlando and the Beaches (Port Canaveral), Norwegian’s private island Great Stirrup Cay and Nassau, Bahamas. Along with recent enhancements to add brand favourites Sugarcane Mojito Bar and O’Sheehans Neighborhood Bar & Grill, Norwegian Gem also features exclusive Nickelodeon™ programming on board.

On 21 May 2016 and 4 June 2016, Norwegian Gem will sail eight-night Bahamas and Florida sailings that feature an additional sea day, as well as a full day in Orlando and the Beaches (Port Canaveral).

For a shorter cruise option, Norwegian Sky will continue sailing three and four-night cruises to the Bahamas year-round from Miami departing Fridays and Mondays. Ports of call include: Nassau, Grand Bahama Island, and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island.

Norwegian Getaway will also sail a one-time two-night Bahamas itinerary from Miami on 2 September 2016, stopping in Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.

Canada & New England

Norwegian Gem will again offer two summer Canada & New England roundtrip cruises from New York City in 2016. These six-night sailings on 29 May and 12 June 2016 call in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Portland, Maine.

Norwegian Gem will also offer seven-night cruises roundtrip from New York City from 3 September to 8 October 2016, visiting four beautiful ports of call: Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Portland, Maine; and Newport, Rhode Island.

Norwegian Dawn will offer one-way seven-night cruises between Boston, Massachusetts and Quebec City, Quebec from 9 to 30 September 2016. The northbound itinerary features visit to Portland, Maine; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; Gaspésie, Quebec; and Saguenay (La Baie), Quebec, while the southbound route begins with an overnight in Quebec City, Quebec and then visits Sydney, Nova Scotia; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Bar Harbor, Maine. These sailings can be combined for an ultimate 14-nightCanada & New England experience.

Hawaii

The recently-enhanced Pride of America will continue to sail her very popular seven-night Hawaii itinerary departing from Honolulu every Saturday through April 2018. Offering more than 100 hours of sight-seeing time, ports of call include an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawai`i; Kona, Hawai`i; an overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kaua`i; and an afternoon cruise past the breath-taking Nãpali Coast.

Panama Canal

Back by popular demand, Norwegian Pearl will sail 11 and 10-night Panama Canal itineraries from Miami beginning autumn 2016. The 10-night Panama Canal sails 28 November and 19 December 2016, and 13 March and 3 April 2017, with calls in Oranjestad, Aruba; Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. The 11-night Panama Canal on 29 December 2016 will include port calls in Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; Harvest Caye, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

An alternate 11-night Panama Canal round-trip itinerary on 17 November and 8 December 2016, and 23 March 2017 will include calls in Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

South America

Norwegian Sun returns to South America to sail 14-night South American one-way Westbound itineraries from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso (Santiago) and Eastbound from Valparaiso (Santiago) to Buenos Aires.

The 14-night South America from Buenos Aires (Westbound) sails on 3 and 31 December 2016 and 28 January , 25 February and 25 March 2017, with calls including Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Ushuaia, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Chile; Puerto Chacabuco, Chile; and Puerto Montt, Chile. During the cruise, guests will sail Cape Horn, across the Beagle Channel offering breath-taking glacier views, the Strait of Magellan, the majestic Chilean Fjords, the Patagonic Channels, and Canal Moraleda.

The 14-night South America cruise from Valparaiso (Santiago) sails on 19 November and 17 December 2016 and 14 January, 11 February, and 11 March 2017 with calls in Puerto Montt, Chile; Puerto Chacabuco, Chile; Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Argentina; Stanley, Falkland Islands; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; and Montevideo, Uruguay. During the Eastbound cruises, guests will also cruise the Patagonic Channels, Chilean Fjords, Strait of Magellan; Beagle Channel, and Cape Horn. Guests can also choose to extend their South American exploration with a CruiseTour, providing an unparalleled opportunity to explore this region’s culture and spectacular destinations such as Machu Picchu, Iguazu Falls and Easter Island.

Mexican Riviera

Norwegian returns to the Mexican Riviera, offerings cruises from two different homeports. Norwegian Jewel will sail a seven-night itinerary from Los Angeles from 2 October 2016 to 23 April 2017, with calls in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Norwegian Sun will sail an 11-night Mexican Rivera itinerary from San Diego on 30 September 2016 and 11 and 22 October 2016. Ports of call will include Acapulco; Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa; an overnight call in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Repositioning Cruises

In spring of 2015, Norwegian will offer a variety of once-in-a-lifetime repositioning cruises including Caribbean repositioning, Transatlantic cruises and Pacific Coastal itineraries.

AmaWaterways confirms passing of Jimmy Murphy, co-founder and travel industry legend

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 December 2014 19 December 2014

AmaWaterways has confirmed the passing of company co-founder Jimmy Murphy. Murphy passed away yesterday at the age of 82, surrounded by family.

Rudi Schreiner, president and co-owner of AmaWaterways said, “I have known Jimmy Murphy for 25 years and the more I got to know him, the more I realized what a unique, true gentleman Jimmy Murphy actually was. In 2002, Jimmy, Kristin Karst and I decided to start our own river cruise line and during our 12-year partnership at AmaWaterways, our families became very close. When Kristin and I got married in April 2011, Jimmy took over Kristin’s ‘Father of the Bride’ role since her own father no longer traveled long distances and he gracefully guided Kristin to the altar. We all loved Jimmy Murphy and he will be missed by all of us.”

Born and raised in Ireland, Murphy spent nine years with a retail travel agency in Dublin before moving to the United States. He served as a sales executive with Aer Lingus for eleven years before co-founding Brendan Worldwide Vacations in 1969. In 2006, Murphy sold the company after it had become one of the country’s most successful tour operators.

During his tenure at Brendan Worldwide Vacations, Murphy spent four years as national treasurer of American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). He was instrumental in the creation of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), serving as founding president and the company’s first-ever chairman, followed by a second chairman stint in 1992.

In 1995, Murphy received ASTA’s Allied Member of the Year Award and in 2003, was inducted into the ASTA Hall of Fame.

Murphy co-founded AmaWaterways in 2002 with Schreiner and Karst, noting that river cruising was “a thing of the future,” recognizing the opportunities for innovation that were to come from this rapidly growing segment of the travel industry. He served as chairman and co-owner of AmaWaterways until his passing.

Murphy’s son, Gary, who is AmaWaterways’ vice president of sales, commented, “I feel blessed, for rarely do a father and son have the opportunity to share so much together. As a family, we count our blessings for our husband and father, and each other. Dad introduced us to the world, and how to live well in it.”

Murphy is survived by his wife, Sheila Murphy, and his children, Sharon Devitt, Susan Murphy, Sean Murphy and Gary Murphy.

Services will be held Monday, December 22, 2014 at 1 p.m. at Corpus Christie Church, 880 Toyopa Drive, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272. Additional services will be held in Ireland on January 12, 2015, where Murphy will be buried.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the attention of Paul K. Smith, written to “The Archdiocese of LA fbo Murphy Music Fund” at Archdiocese of Los Angeles, 3424 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90010.

Welsh actor Rob Brydon to front new advertising campaign for P&O Cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 December 2014 17 December 2014

Rob Brydon, the Welsh actor and TV presenter, is to be the face of P&O Cruises new advertising campaign which will launch on Christmas Day and introduce a fresh brand identity for the cruise line, the company said in a statement.

“This is the life” is the theme of the multi-million pound campaign which aims to inspire everyone – both seasoned cruiser and new to cruise – to discover their joy of life through an unforgettable holiday experience.

The campaign uses classic British understatement and a familiar British narrative genre to show defining, memorable “this is the life” moments on a P&O Cruises holiday through the eyes of newcomer, Rob Brydon.

Through witty observation, Rob Brydon walks viewers through the full dimension of the experience focusing on the British-ness of the holiday, the huge choice of dining and entertainment, warm and attentive service, exciting destinations and the unique rhythm and pace of a holiday at sea. It also shows the benefits they deliver such as spending time together with the family, discovering new people and places and being able to relax away from every day routine.

The tone of the campaign is simple and down-to-earth with a human voice that tells it how it is.

Speaking about his role in the commercial, Rob Brydon said: “P&O Cruises is a classic British brand and I was delighted to be asked to work with them. Filming onboard was great fun and I really believe that the advert brings to life what “This is the life” is all about.”

P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington added: “At P&O Cruises, we aren’t just in the holiday business – we’re in the good life business and this campaign encourages consumers to leave the ordinary behind and discover just how good life can be on a P&O Cruises holiday.

Rob Brydon was the obvious choice to front the campaign as he is well loved with a great sense of humour and it is easy for potential customers to imagine themselves in his shoes. Through this fresh new campaign, we aim to create a compelling and distinctive brand that will help us remain Britain’s cruise line of choice.”

Launching on Christmas Day, the advertising campaign, developed with lead creative agency Founded, will run throughout 2015 with different versions promoting a variety of holidays and destinations to over 13 million ABC1 45+ adults.

Acclaimed director, Steve Reeves, was commissioned for the commercial. His portfolio includes work with celebrities such as Billy Connolly, Russell Brand and Chris Evans and, true to form, the advert features Reeves’ signature directorial style of visual performance and observed comedy. It was produced with award-winning production house, Another Film Company, with Sam Goldie as director of photography.

Astor to reposition to Fremantle via Panama

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 December 2014 17 December 2014

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based destinational cruise shipping company, will reposition its 21,000 gross ton Astor to Fremantle in Australia for the first time via Panama in October 2015, the company said on its website..

The voyage will be offered in sections as well, the first one of 22 nights to Acapulco; of 48 nights to Sydney; 48 nights to Adelaide and 53 nights to Fremantle, where the ship will remain to be based until March 2016.

On 16 March, it will sail to Cape Town on a 17 night voyage and further to London Tilbury on a voyage of 21 nights. Again, it is possible to sail all the way to the UK from Australia and that voyage will take 38 nights.

Costa neoClassica enters service following $28.1 million restyling

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 December 2014 17 December 2014

Following a major US$28.1 million restyling Costa Cruises' 53,000-ton Costa Classica will join the Costa neoCollection as Costa neoClassica Dec. 18, 2014. Together with Costa neoRomantica and Costa neoRiviera, the refurbished ship will offer itineraries in the "slow cruise" style, featuring cruises to unique destinations with natural and cultural attractions, including many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Costa neoClassica's renovation began at San Giorgio del Porto yards in Genoa, Italy, Nov. 8, and involved about 600 technicians and 400 crewmembers. Extensive work included the hull, engine section and hotel areas.

Public areas and the 654 cabins were totally renovated with new interiors in luminous colors by Partner Ship Design to match the mood and elegance of the more intimate Costa neoCollection ships. In their cabins, guests can taste authentic espresso thanks to a personal Illy brand coffee pod machine, and pampering Elemis beauty products and amenities are provided as well. Suite balconies received new furniture so guests can enjoy the view of the sea in total comfort.

Costa's shipboard cuisine will, as always, feature "Italy's finest." The Restaurant Tivoli has tables for two and four guests to guarantee flexible dining options, including a brunch during sea days. A wide selection of food and wine will be available on Costa neoClassica. Whether on a special culinary tour ashore or onboard, guests can enjoy local gastronomic traditions based on wholesome ingredients available in various ports of call. The menus in the restaurants showcase regional recipes designed to foster local culinary and cultural traditions, thanks to the collaboration between the cruise line and the Università delle Scienze Gastronomiche in Pollenzo, Italy.

The Al Fresco café is a green retreat at sea with a partial roof decorated with trees that creates a peaceful, open-air space with an outdoor area like a balcony on the sea. The Foyer Bar, serving Ferrari sparkling wines, is the ideal location for an indoor aperitif, whereas at the Dolce Amore Bar guests can enjoy coffee specialties from around the world during the day and order pizza in the evening.

On sunny days guests will appreciate the renovated "lounge" style of the open deck by the pool, while on warm summer nights they are protected by a wooden roof.

Costa neoClassica also offers the "Stargazer" experience, an original Costa neoCollection entertainment activity that allows guests to admire the skies through high-quality telescopes with the assistance of Costa astronomy experts.

The wellness facility was refurbished with a new TRX area for Total Body Resistance Exercises and training classes.

Just like the other Costa neoCollection ships, Costa neoClassica has a professional concierge onboard who advises guests on the best services and activities shipboard and ashore. Guests also can get information about and book all available shore excursions through the new kiosks onboard, which are the same as those installed on the new flagship, Costa Diadema.