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MSC Cruises cancels three sailings in April to avoid transit through the Red Sea

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 January 2024 17 January 2024

MSC Cruises has canceled three repositioning ‘Grand Voyage’ sailings in April from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Europe due to ongoing attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea.

The company canceled a 24-night cruise of MSC Splendida from Durban, South Africa to Genoa, Italy; a 21-night sailing of MSC Opera from Dubai, UAE to Genoa; and a 23-night voyage of MSC Virtuosa from Dubai to Southampton, UK.

The safety of passengers and crew is MSC Cruises’ number one priority. The company attempted to find suitable alternative itineraries, but ultimately found no viable options and regrettably had to cancel the voyages. The three ships will transfer directly to Europe without any passengers on board and avoid transiting through the Red Sea. Instead, they will sail around the west coast of Africa with no ports of call on their journeys to their respective European homeports for the summer 2024 season. None of the other ships in the company’s fleet are affected.

All passengers booked on the three repositioning cruises have been, or are in the process of being, contacted directly or through their travel agent and can transfer their booking to a future Grand Voyage of a similar duration for free. Alternatively, affected passengers can rebook to any other cruise in the company’s global network, with either a partial refund or additional payment for the difference in price of the original booking, or receive a full refund with no cancellation fee.

Photo: MSC Virtuosa is one of the affected ships

Report: Carnival Corporation plans to order 208,000 gross ton ships from Fincantieri

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 January 2024 16 January 2024

Carnival is preparing to order new mega ships ships of 208,000 gross tons with a capacity for almost 10,000 passengers and crew from Fincantieri. These newbuildings would be the largest ever built in Italy and the order should be around 7 billion euros. First delivery would be at the end of 2028, reports ShippingItaly.it

The CEO of Fincantieri, Pierroberto Folgiero, had announced it last September: new orders for cruise ships are "in the oven" and in the first months of 2024 the cooking time will come to an end. In fact, although it will still take some time to sign the construction contracts, the Carnival Corporation is ready to put the dark period of the Covid-19 pandemic behind it to return to investing in new ships.

Currently Carnival Corporation & plc has just three ships on its order book – all from Fincantieri: Sun Princess and Star Princess for its Princess Cruises brand and Queen Anne for its Cunard Line brand.

Photo: 175,500 gross ton Sun Princess is currently in the outfitting stage in Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard. Credit: Teijo Niemela

Meyer Turku begins construction of the third Icon-class ship

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 January 2024 12 January 2024

On Friday, January 12, 2024, the production of the third vessel of the Icon class was started at the Meyer Turku shipyard. Representatives from the organizations of the ship's customer, Royal Caribbean Group, and Meyer Turku were present at the festive event.

The traditional steel cutting ceremony kicked off more than two years of construction and equipment work, in which thousands of professionals from different fields participate. When completed, the 250,800 gross ton ship, whose name will be revealed at a later date, will play an important role in the Royal Caribbean Group's fleet as part of the Icon class, which enables completely new types of vacations.

"With Icon III, we are further strengthening our position as the builder of the world's most advanced cruise ships. The long-term goals of Meyer Turku and the Royal Caribbean Group are becoming concrete, and we are able to set new standards to strengthen our leadership in the green transition of the maritime industry," says Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku.

The planned completion date of the Icon III ship is 2026.

MSC Cruises to base MSC Seascape in Galveston

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 January 2024 11 January 2024

MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest cruise line, is setting course for Texas. Today the cruise line opened sales for its new itineraries out of Galveston, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing U.S. expansion. The sailings are poised to redefine the cruising experiences for families in the region thanks to the modern amenities available on MSC Seascape, one of the newest and most environmentally friendly ships in the company’s fleet. Guests eager to sail from Texas to Mexico and Central America can experience MSC Cruises’ signature European flavor with 7-night sailings beginning in late 2025.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: "Expanding to Galveston with the magnificent MSC Seascape is a pivotal moment for us at MSC Cruises and for our guests. Expanding our U.S. footprint makes our unique cruise experience more accessible to travelers in the central and western parts of the country and it illustrates our commitment to providing families in the region with unparalleled vacation options. MSC Seascape’s family-friendly amenities, award-winning entertainment and innovative offerings will help us deliver exceptional value and memorable journeys for more guests than ever before.”

Starting November 9, 2025, MSC Seascape will set sail from the Port of Galveston with 7-night itineraries visiting must-see destinations including Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Isla de Roatan, Honduras. MSC Cruises offers a range of shore excursions to immerse guests in these culturally renowned, vibrant coastal destinations, from tours of the ancient Mayan Ruins and shipwreck snorkeling to glass bottom boat rides and museum tours.

Rodger Rees, Port Director & CEO, Galveston Wharves, said: “Welcoming MSC Cruises and the MSC Seascape to Galveston offers cruise passengers a new cruise experience and opportunities to explore Galveston Island, a tropical Texas island rich with history, Victorian architecture, sparkling beaches and great restaurants. MSC passengers can come for a fabulous cruise and stay to discover our island treasures.”

The innovative MSC Seascape elevates the industry-standard family experience on board with an astonishing 7,500 square feet of dedicated kids’ space and cutting-edge amusement options. Guests can indulge in the state-of-the-art ROBOTRON robotic arm ride, two LEGO® rooms for ages 3-6 and 7-11, three different concept spaces for teens, a VR 360° Flight Simulator, VR motorcycles and the immersive MSC Formula Racer, perfect for racing enthusiasts ready to get their adrenaline fix.

Icon of the Seas arrives PortMiami for the first time

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 January 2024 11 January 2024

Yesterday, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas took center stage as it arrived in Miami for the first time. The first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation was welcomed with fanfare by air, land and sea, ahead of its official debut on Jan. 27.

Counting down to the start of a new era of vacations, local residents and Royal Caribbean fans, executives and employees were on hand as the first to see Miami’s newest resident. Icon arrived to PortMiami in style, with celebratory fireboat salutes, banner planes in flight and a community celebration at Pérez Art Museum to mark the new vacation’s first appearance of many to come in the Magic City. With the introduction of the world’s best family vacation less than 20 days away, Icon will continue making its final preparations in Miami ahead of an iconic naming celebration and first cruise.

In store on Icon is an all-encompassing lineup of experiences that combines the best of every vacation – from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure – making the first-of-its-kind adventure the way to get away for every type of family and vacationer. Across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in and of themselves are firsts and next-level favorites for everyone day and night, including adrenaline-pumping thrills like six record-breaking waterslides at Category 6 and the Crown’s Edge experience at 154 feet above the ocean, and unrivaled ways to chill with seven pools – one for every day of the week – like the first suspended infinity pool at sea. The game-changing experiences also include a stay-all-day neighborhood designed for families with young kids, more than 40 restaurants, bars and lounges; deck-defying entertainment across air, ice, water and theater; and more.

Starting Jan. 27, vacationers can get away on Icon and island hop in the tropics at any time of the year. Each 7-night Eastern or Western Caribbean adventure from Miami features idyllic destinations in the Caribbean and an unmatched day of thrill and chill at Royal Caribbean’s award-winning private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Plus, dialing up the perfect on Perfect Day in January 2024 is the private island’s first adults-only escape, Hideaway Beach, an all-day experience complete with a private beach and pools, new dedicated spots for drinks and bites, exclusive cabanas, live music and more.