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Silversea Cruises reveals culinary experiences for Silver Endeavour

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 25 October 2022 25 October 2022

Silversea Cruises, the leading ultra-luxury and expedition cruise line, has revealed details on the array of dining experiences aboard its newest ship Silver Endeavour, the world’s most luxurious expedition vessel – set to welcome guests in Antarctica from November 21, 2022. Silver Endeavour will feature four signature restaurants, as well as the cruise line’s Arts Café and 24-hour in-suite dining, offering discerning guests some of the finest dining experiences at sea and the luxury of choice – even when cruising in the world’s remotest regions, including Antarctica and the Arctic.

“A trademark of the Silversea experience, our guests will enjoy the luxury of choice while travelling to the world’s most remote regions aboard Silver Endeavour,” said Barbara Muckermann, Chief Commercial Officer, Silversea Cruises. “Travellers will be able to sample fine international fare of the highest quality in four of our signature restaurants, while admiring the icy landscapes of Antarctica and the Arctic from the comfort of the ship’s spacious interiors. They can also have their butler serve meals in-suite, around the clock, if they prefer. The exceptional culinary offering aboard Silver Endeavour helps to discern the ship as the most luxurious expedition vessel in the world.”

Silver Endeavour is specifically designed to journey to some of the most remote areas of the world, welcoming guests in comfort and style. The ship features the highest space-to-guest ratio in expedition cruising, some of the industry’s most spacious all-balcony suites, and a range of elegant public spaces and restaurants. Serving the industry’s finest gourmet cuisine, as well as a broad-ranging selection of complimentary wines and premium bottles, Silver Endeavour’s restaurants will be among the most spacious and elegant venues in ultra-luxury expedition cruising. Providing the luxury of choice, she will offer her 200 guests almost 300 seats for dinner each night – plus the option of dining in the privacy of their suites. Silver Endeavour’s dining venues include:

The Restaurant (4,144ft²/385m²)
Set on deck 4, Silver Endeavour’s main dining venue welcomes up to 192 guests with a modern, spacious design for atmospheric meals in an elegant setting. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Restaurant offers a wide variety of international and regional menu options, with a selection that rotates daily.

Il Terrazzino (1,044ft²/97m²)
Featuring a brand new aesthetic and intimate proportions on deck 4, Il Terrazzino – meaning ‘little terrace’, in homage to Silversea’s famed La Terrazza restaurant – marks a nod to the cruise line’s refined Italian heritage. The restaurant serves authentic Italian cuisine from an a la carte menu, including some of the best pasta at sea, hosting up to 36 guests in an upscale and intimate setting each dinnertime.

La Dame® (495ft²/46m²)
Silversea’s signature French restaurant, La Dame offers fine French cuisine in an intimate and refined setting on deck 4. Guests can enjoy an a la carte menu or opt for a six-course tasting menu with a wine pairing. Open for dinner only, La Dame will welcome up to 20 guests by reservation only for a nominal fee of USD 60 per person.

The Grill (2,806ft²/261m²)
Offering 270-degree views of the destination from the ship’s aft on deck 4, with a mezzanine on deck 5, The Grill is Silver Endeavour’s casual eatery. Located adjacent to The Pool Deck, The Grill features an a la carte menu of flavourful, international dishes, welcoming up to 80 guests for breakfast and lunch, and up to 48 guests for dinner.

Arts Café (2250ft²/209m²)
Debuting in Polar Regions for the first time, Silver Endeavour’s Arts Café is an upscale take on a classic coffee shop, located in the heart of the ship on deck 5. The beautifully appointed coffee shop, complete with floor-to-ceiling windows for exceptional views of the destination, will serve an extensive collection of speciality coffees and teas, as well as a delicious selection of fresh pastries and gourmet bites.

Silver Endeavour’s guests will also enjoy 24-hour in-suite dining, with an extensive menu that features casual fare and opulent delights, such as sustainable caviar, champagne, and more.

Built to PC6 polar class specifications, Silver Endeavour is designed for polar exploration. She carries state-of-the-art amenities, with an industry-leading Zodiac-to-guest ratio; kayaks; and cutting-edge navigation and exploration technology, including a remote gimbal camera system, which can capture high-quality images from 5km, among other amenities. She maintains Silversea’s trademark level of comfort, with a crew-to-guest ratio of approximately 1:1 and the cruise line’s hallmarks of luxury, including butler service for every suite and some of the most spacious accommodations in expedition cruising.

P&O Cruises publish 2024/25 programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 24 October 2022 24 October 2022

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit of Carnival Corporation & plc, has published its winter 2024/25 cruise programme.

New ship Arvia (arriving in December 2022) will sail on its first ever four-night, short cruise break to Northern Europe on October 21, 2024. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Zeebrugge and Cherbourg. Prices start from £379 per person (K422), the company said in a statement.

Arvia will also offer a nine-night Southern Cruise break to Spain and Portugal on October 12, 2024. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Le Havre, Vigo, Lisbon and La Coruna. Prices start from £649 per person (K421).

Iona will set sail for a new 35-night holiday to the Caribbean on January 11, 2025. It will be Iona’s first time to the Caribbean and will include two full days in Tenerife and Barbados with visits to many maiden ports. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Tenerife, Tortola, Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada, Antigua, St Kitts, St Maarten and La Coruna. Prices start from £2,579 per person (G501).

For guests looking to join Arvia’s winter season in the Caribbean, 14-night fly cruise itineraries to the region start from £1,749 per person. Ports of call include Antigua, St Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, Martinique, St Kitts, Tortola and St Maarten.

In addition to a maiden cruise to the Caribbean, Iona’s winter season will be spent in Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands with prices for 14-night itineraries starting from £729 per person. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Madeira, Tenerife (evening in port), Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Seville (from Cadiz) and Lisbon (two full days).

During the winter, Britannia heads to the Caribbean with a mix of 14-night fly cruise itineraries with prices starting from £1,179 per person. Ports of call include Bridgetown (Barbados), Curacao, Bonaire (Saint Eustatius and Saba), Castries (Saint Lucia), Grenada, Kingstown (St Vincent), Basseterre (Saint Kitts and Nevis), Antigua and Saint Maarten.

Azura’s winter programme of Canary Islands fly-cruises from Tenerife start from £879 per person for 14-nights. Ports of call include Madeira, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Madeira, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote with three full days in Tenerife and two full days in Madeira.

Aurora to make two month long South America cruise

Aurora will feature a new 65-night Amazon and Caribbean exploration holiday departing Southampton on January 6, 2025. It will include a visit to Parintins in the Amazon River, a partial transit of the Panama Canal and two full days in Manaus.

Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Gran Canaria, Antigua, Tortola, St Lucia, Barbados, Manaus (Brazil), Parintins (Brazil), Santarem (Brazil), sail by Devil's Island, Tobago, Cartagena (Colombia), Colon (Panama), partial transit of the Panama Canal, Puerto Limon (Costa Rica), Roatan (Honduras), Belize, Cozumel (Mexico), Georgetown (Cayman Islands), Montego Bay (Jamaica), Grand Turk, Freeport (Bahamas), Bermuda and Praia da Vitoria (Azores). Prices start from £5,529 per person (R501).

Arcadia to cruise around the world westbound

P&O Cruises world cruise for 99 nights on Arcadia includes two full days in San Francisco, Sydney, Hong Kong and Singapore from £9,629 per person. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Madeira, Barbados, Curacao, Transit of the Panama Canal, Cabo San Lucas (Mexico), San Francisco, Hilo (Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands), Honolulu (Oahu, Hawaiian Islands), cross international date line, Apia (Samoa Islands), Nuku 'Alofa (Tonga), Tauranga (New Zealand), Auckland (New Zealand), Bay of Islands (New Zealand), Sydney (Australia), Brisbane (Australia), Whitsunday Island (from Airlie Beach, Australia), Cairns (Australia), Bitung (Indonesia), Manila (Philippines), Hong Kong, Nha Trang (Vietnam), Singapore, Kuala Lumpar (from Port Kelang, Malaysia), Penang (Malaysia), Colombo (Sri Lanka), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Muscat (Oman), Sharm el Sheikh (Egypt), transit Suez Canal, Valetta (Malta), Seville (from Cadiz) and Spain.

In search of the Northern Lights, Aurora will head to Norway on a 12-night itinerary with prices starting from £1,079. Departing from and returning to Southampton, ports of call include Andalsnes, cruise in Romsdalsfjord, Tromso (evening in port), Alta (overnight) and Stavanger.

Ventura’s winter itinerary will include short European breaks from Southampton with ports of call to include Amsterdam and Bruges (from Zeebrugge). Prices start from £399 per person for five nights.

Celebrity Cruises makes its Australia, New Zealand return

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 23 October 2022 23 October 2022

Yesterday, October 22, marked a new beginning, as Celebrity Cruises celebrated its highly anticipated return to Australian and New Zealand waters.

On Saturday, Celebrity Eclipse set sail from Sydney, Australia, allowing guests to Journey WonderFULL on a 12-night itinerary exploring the ruggedly scenic wilderness of New Zealand. This voyage is the first of 17 sailings departing from Sydney and Auckland through April 2023, and the first for Celebrity Eclipse in Australian, New Zealand and South Pacific waters.

Guests onboard the award-winning Celebrity Eclipse will be treated to experiences as enchanting as the cosmopolitan cities, stunning beaches and exotic wildlife they will explore as part of the season’s enhanced onboard and shore-side experiences, with a focus on luxury and relaxation, destination immersion, and culinary exploration.

“The return Down Under has been long-awaited but someday has finally arrived! Celebrity Eclipse is the first Celebrity ship to sail this region for 930 days – a momentous occasion for the brand and our team members who have worked so hard to get to this point; and the first of many WonderFULL sailings ahead,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. “Returning to this region is another significant milestone in the industry’s global recovery, as we sail forward into a bright future.”

Celebrity Cruises Vice President and Managing Director of Australia and APAC, Tim Jones, added, “We’ve been patiently waiting for this moment for so long, and to finally see the freshly painted blue hull of Celebrity Eclipse slice through the waters of Sydney Harbour didn’t disappoint. We were one of the remaining major cruise markets to return to service, and we are really proud to be contributing to the tourism industries of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific once more, alongside rebuilding the economy of key coastal communities.

“Continuing our momentum in the region, next year we’ll be taking the guest experience to the ‘Edge’ with the debut season of Celebrity Edge Down Under! It’s the great outdoors that makes this region truly exceptional and we can’t wait to welcome an equally exceptional ship that’s been uniquely designed to connect guests with their surroundings. Whether you’re flying Down Under to join us, or stepping aboard from your front door, Celebrity Edge is a chance to explore our exotic landscapes like never before, all while sailing in complete luxury. ”

MSC Euribia to Southampton from October 2023

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 October 2022 20 October 2022

MSC Cruises said the 181,541 gross ton newbuilding MSC Euribia would be based at Southampton from October 2023 and operate from the UK port though the winter of 2023/24.

The ship would take over from the 2019 built, similar sized MSC Virtuosa that has been the line’s UK based ship since 2021.

Antonio Paradiso, Managing Director – UK and Ireland, MSC Cruises, said in a ststement: “We are committed to offering the best possible experience for our guests from the UK and Ireland and that is why our newest ship, MSC Euribia, will be in the UK during 2023 and 2024. Since our first full ex-UK season back in 2018, we’ve seen a huge demand for stress-free, no-fly cruises from Southampton on board MSC Virtuosa. Basing MSC Euribia in the UK will help us to build on this success by offering our UK customers the chance to experience one of the most impressive cruise experiences offering leading sustainability technology and cutting-edge design features.”

Itineraries on board MSC Euribia departing from Southampton offer UK customers the chance to visit destinations including Amsterdam, Bruges and Paris.

Cruises start from five-night getaways costing £359, seven-night cruises starting at £499 and a 21-night itinerary departing on 5th January 2024 and stopping at locations perfect for some Winter sun including Casablanca, the Canary Islands and Lisbon, prices starting at £2,399. Cruises on board MSC Euribia will be available to book from w/c Monday 24 October, the company said.

Royal Caribbean details Icon of the Seas' five new neighborhoods

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 20 October 2022 20 October 2022

Royal Caribbean's new 250,800 gross ton Icon of the Seas will feature five new neighborhoods, listed below:

– Thrill Island – Vacationers can test their limits, scale new heights and reach top speeds at the center of thrill. This lost island adventure is home to highlights like Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides: Pressure Drop and its 66-degree incline make it the industry’s first open free-fall slide; the 46-foot-tall Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides at sea with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising’s first mat-racing duo. Living on the edge takes new meaning with Crown’s Edge. Part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride, it culminates in a surprising, shocking moment that will see travelers swing 154 feet above the ocean.

– Chill Island – Among the seven pools on board, four are in this three-deck slice of paradise. There’s a pool for every mood, each with prime ocean views: the vibrant Swim & Tonic, the line’s first swim-up bar at sea; Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea; Cloud 17, an adults-only retreat; and the serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool. Plus, The Lime & Coconut returns with four locations, including Royal Caribbean’s first frozen cocktail bar.

– Surfside – Introducing a neighborhood made for young families from end to end, where adults and kids ages six and under will want to stay and play all day. Grownups can soak up the endless views at Water’s Edge pool, as they keep an eye on the kids at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay. Only steps away are dining options, places to lounge, a bar, the signature carousel, an arcade, Adventure Ocean, and Social020 for teens.

– The Hideaway – Tucked away, this neighborhood 135 feet above the ocean combines the good vibes of beach club scenes around the world and the uninterrupted ocean views only a cruise can offer. The first suspended infinity pool at sea is at the center of it all, and it’s surrounded by a multilevel sun terrace with whirlpools, a variety of seating and a dedicated bar.

– AquaDome – Perched at the top of Icon, what’s in store is a transformational place unlike any other. In a tranquil oasis by day, guests can take in wraparound ocean views and an awe-inspiring waterfall as they enjoy a bite or drink. By night, it becomes a vibrant place great for a night out, complete with restaurants, bars and the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows at the next-level AquaTheater. The signature entertainment venue takes artistry and cutting-edge technology to new heights, with a transforming pool, four robotic arms, state-of-the-art projection and more.

...And returning favorites

The cruise line has raised the bar even further with each of its signature neighborhoods: A grander Royal Promenade features its first floor-to-ceiling ocean views, plus more than 15 restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges; a more lush and livelier Central Park has more ways to dine and be entertained; and the largest Suite Neighborhood is three decks of luxury, offering a multilevel suite sun deck – The Grove – that has a private pool, whirlpool and dining, and a two-story Coastal Kitchen. More returning favorites include experiences like new takes on mini golf at Lost Dunes, rock climbing at Adrenaline Peak, and Absolute Zero, Royal Caribbean’s largest ice arena, and dining venues such as Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar on the Royal Promenade and the Asian-inspired Izumi in Central Park.

With 28 ways to stay, even the rooms are thoughtfully designed for every type of vacationer. It’s come one, come all with more choices, ocean views and room. There are new layouts made for families of three, four, five and more, like the Family Infinite Balcony and Surfside Family Suite – with kids alcoves tucked away from the adults – and the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, complete with its own white picket fence and mailbox. When it comes to views, among the best are from the brand’s first Sunset Corner Suites and Panoramic Ocean Views in AquaDome.

The debut of Icon Class will also mark firsts and the next step in Royal Caribbean’s journey toward a clean-energy future. Icon will be the cruise line’s first ship with fuel cell technology and powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the cleanest-burning marine fuel. Along with other proven applications, such as shore power connection and waste heat recovery systems, the new ship will be the cruise line’s most sustainable to date.

The bold, new standard of vacations also extends to the home away from home for those at the heart of Icon – the crew. Where they live and work has been reimagined with more intuitive design, amenities, room and activities, including a new, patented stateroom created by crew for crew.

Icon will sail year-round, 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami. Every cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas, where adventurers can create their ideal vacation day. In store is everything thrill and chill, from Thrill Waterpark’s 13 waterslides, including the tallest in North America; to Coco Beach Club, featuring the first overwater cabanas in The Bahamas; and Up, Up & Away, a helium balloon adventure. When Icon arrives, the cruise line will debut the island’s adults-only oasis, Hideaway Beach, with an expansive pool, private cabanas with pools, and unmatched views of the ocean hues. Vacationers will also visit Caribbean gems like Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Roatan, Honduras.