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Scenic Eclipse to visit Saudi waters for the first time

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 July 2021 10 July 2021

Scenic Group has announced that the company’s ultra-luxury Scenic Eclipse will do a series of itineraries in the Red Sea for the first time in 2021. Scenic Group’s first purpose-built ocean cruise ship will sail Saudi waters from July 17 to December 9, 2021. Selected sailings from October to December will be open to international guests to experience the rich Saudi heritage, stunning landscapes and warm and welcoming hospitality.

Scenic Eclipse sets the standard in ultra-luxury cruising in terms of technology, size and design. Built to deliver an experience of a lifetime, the ultra-luxury yacht takes cruising to a whole new level – marrying luxury, discovery and safety, and offering guests the opportunity to explore above and beyond what was previously imaginable. From nature to cultural encounters, and historic cities to ancient monuments, Scenic Eclipse will offer Red Sea voyages sure to excite. Equipped with an on-board submarine, two helicopters for flightseeing, a fleet of Zodiacs and up to a 20-person Specialist Discovery Team, Scenic Eclipse offers the opportunity for unrivaled exploration. Guests will also enjoy a wealth of innovative and lavish proportions in the ship’s Verandah Suites, as well as the entertainment and wellness areas, and 10 dining options to explore the onboard cuisine delights.

Glen Moroney, Founder and Chairman of Scenic Group commented, “Saudi Arabia will be one of the hottest tourist destinations in coming years and we’re very glad guests will get to experience it in 6-star comfort on board Scenic Eclipse. As a business we continue to raise the bar in ultra-luxury cruising and we are confident that this new season will mark the start of a long relationship with the destination and hope to be able to offer more sailings in the region in the coming seasons as the world starts to open up for international travel.”

Scenic Eclipse will home port in Jeddah Islamic Port on the Red Sea coast. It will offer charter services with unique itineraries, as well as pre-planned itineraries. Among the numerous destinations scheduled is Yanbu, the diving capital of Saudi Arabia. This stunning beach destination offers extensive opportunities for swimming, snorkeling and watersports in the pristine Saudi Red Sea, as well as rich cultural experiences. Yanbu also features the Iona wreck, an amazingly preserved British merchant steamer sunk in 1915 which can be explored in spectacular fashion by diving, snorkeling or submarine. Outside of Saudi, Scenic Eclipse will also have the possibility of visiting Aqaba in Jordan and Port Ghalib Marina, just a short distance from Luxor in Egypt.

Silversea converts Silver Wind for ultra-luxury polar travel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 July 2021 07 July 2021

Silversea Cruises is set to enhance its global fleet with the conversion of Silver Wind to an ice-class, ultra-luxury expedition ship. The move signals continued confidence in the fast-growing popularity of ultra-luxury expedition travel to the pristine glaciers and wildlife-rich regions of Antarctica.

Silver Wind is presently undergoing refurbishments at the Remontowa shipyard in Gdańsk, Poland, following a major upgrade in 2018. The re-design includes an ice-strengthened hull for cruising in polar waters and state-of-the-art technology upgrades. Adding to her sustainability credentials, Silver Wind will be outfitted with a new advanced waste water treatment plant, new food waste treatment facilities, and new fuel-saving boilers.

Silver Wind will emerge as the cruise line’s fourth expedition vessel in its fleet of nine ultra-luxury ships. Marking her maiden voyage on November 20, 2021, Silver Wind is slated to set sail on a 22-day journey to Antarctica, providing guests with a prime viewing position on the White Continent for a solar eclipse on December 4, 2021.

“We are converting our beloved Silver Wind into one of the most luxurious expedition ships at sea to further expand and diversify our cold-water cruise offering,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s President and CEO. “With the backing of the Royal Caribbean Group, we are significantly investing in our ultra-luxury fleet to meet the burgeoning guest demand for voyage options in such breath-taking, remote destinations as Antarctica, and we have more exciting enhancements to come.”

New expedition enhancements

Silver Wind will benefit from a set of enhancements that will enable immersive expedition cruising in both Polar Regions, as well as in the world’s most remote tropical waters. Taking guests closer to the action with on-water discovery, the ship will be fitted with a strengthened hull; ice-detector sonars, designed for use on icebreaker vessels; 24 Zodiacs; and 14 kayaks. With a reduced guest capacity of just 274, Silver Wind will deliver one of the most personalised expedition experiences at sea, carrying up to 28 expedition experts who will share their knowledge during onboard lectures, on guided Zodiac tours, and on experiences ashore. Further enhancing the expedition experience for guests, a Photo Studio (formerly the Casino) with state-of-the-art equipment, a Mudroom, and a special water-heating system in the ship’s swimming pool will highlight Silver Wind’s new amenities.

Refreshed interior spaces

Following the ship’s comprehensive refurbishment in 2018, which saw the enhancement of most public spaces, an array of refreshments will enrich guests’ comfort in the ship’s suites and public areas. Silver Wind’s upper suites will be entirely refurbished, with new furniture and carpets, as well as new walk-in showers to complement the bathtubs. Silver Wind’s Vista and Veranda suites will also be updated, including the installation of new walk-in showers. Many of the ship’s public areas will also be refreshed, with re-painted walls and ceilings in La Dame, La Terrazza, the Observation Lounge, the Panorama Lounge, and the Reception area. The Gym & Beauty Salon will be refreshed too.

Maiden voyage

Her maiden voyage as an expedition ship, Silver Wind is scheduled to depart on a 22-day sailing to Antarctica on November 20, 2021, spending her inaugural season exploring the White Continent. Not only will guests marvel at the remarkable landscapes and breathtaking wildlife of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Antarctica, but they will be perfectly placed to experience the solar eclipse on December 4 on what promises to be an unforgettable journey.

Albatros Expeditions announces Arctic 2023 season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 July 2021 06 July 2021

The Danish boutique expedition cruise operator Albatros Expeditions, part of the Albatros Travel Group, has released its first Arctic season on the brand-new Ocean Albatros. The Ocean Albatros is a sister ship of the Ocean Victory, having the same excellent environmental performance with the lowest Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions per passenger in the industry.

Albatros Expeditions has always been an award-winning Greenland expert, and will offer seven different itineraries in 2023 that will explore all areas of the biggest island in the world, covering the largest national park worldwide on the east side, the Viking history in the south, and the authentic settlements with the UNESCO World Heritage Icefjord on the west side. Albatros also has four different itineraries to Svalbard, one of the best places in the world to observe the mighty polar bear in its natural habitat. More excitingly, there are two brand new trips exploring unique historic and natural locations in the Baltic Sea.

According to Albatros Expeditions owner and chairman Soren Rasmussen, these new Baltic Sea voyages will tell a relatively unknown but unique story. He says: “After the fall of Jerusalem in 1187, the crusading knights and the states that supported them pointed their weapons at the pagan tribes along the Baltic Sea. This rarely told story of the Danish medieval kings and the expansion of the German order of knights forms the framework for these cruises."

All voyages aboard the Ocean Albatros, come with some unique features that enhance the environmental performance of the vessel. Hans Lagerweij, the company’s president, explains: “First of all, Ocean Albatros has Tier III compliant engines, the cleanest engines in the world that limit the amount of nitrous oxides. Secondly, we only burn marine gas oil, which emits less CO2 per ton burned compared to a heavier bunker fuel. Thirdly,the patented and revolutionary Ulstein X-bow is fantastically efficient, especially with surf and in rougher seas. And lastly, Ocean Albatros has a fully optimised compact design, providing comfortable space for 183 guests in only 104 metres length and just over 8,000 gross tons."

Caribbean tops wish list in UK cruise poll

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 July 2021 06 July 2021

The Caribbean has been emerged as the most popular bucket list destination in the UK for people looking to book a cruise, a poll conducted by cruise.co.uk, a major online retailer of cruises.

The tropical islands are on the wish-list of over four in ten (42%) would-be cruisers who are setting their sights on a special sailing.

Although UK passengers will not be on board cruises operating in the region as part of the current guidance, it is clear many of us are planning to set sail to there as soon as international travel opens up.

Alaska’s scenery, wildlife and national parks proved second-most popular, capturing the imagination of 30% of respondents.

Almost as popular was northern Europe, with 29% of travellers wanting to sample the experience of watching the Northern Lights, as well as explore the sights of Scandinavia. South America and Australia made up the top five desired destinations, cruise.co.uk said in a statement.

The survey, completed by 1,250 respondents, asked aspiring holidaymakers to name their top bucket list destinations.

Half of MSC Cruises’ fleet in service as MSC Seaview sails from Kiel

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 July 2021 06 July 2021

MSC Cruises said it has commenced the Northern Europe summer season the past weekend when MSC Seaview departed from the German port of Kiel for the first of its seven night cruises in the Baltic Sea.

MSC Seaview is the seventh MSC Cruises’ ship to resume sailings with guests on board with a further three preparing to start future voyages, which will see half of the company’s fleet back at sea by the end of summer.

MSC Seaview will homeport in Kiel until the beginning of October and the ship will welcome German and international guests for an attractive itinerary to Visby on one of Sweden’s largest islands Gotland, Nynäshamn near the Swedish capital city of Stockholm and Estonia’s capital Tallinn before returning to her North German base. MSC Cruises’ industry-pioneering protected shore excursions are available at all ports of call.

Another German port will be added to MSC Seaview’s itinerary to further enrich the cruise for guests. The ship will call at Warnemunde from July 23, adding another port in Germany that will allow guests to embark and disembark as well as offering another option for shore excursions.

MSC Seaside adds Marseille to itinerary

The weekend also saw Marseille added to MSC Seaview’s sister ship MSC Seaside’s West Mediterranean itinerary, the first French port to reopen for the cruise line and welcome international guests for weekly calls.

Five MSC Cruises’ ships are currently sailing in the Mediterranean - MSC Grandiosa MSC Seaside, MSC Orchestra, MSC Splendida and MSC Magnifica. A sixth ship MSC Virtuosa has operated cruises around the UK for British guests only since 20 May.

MSC Meraviglia from 2 August will resume Caribbean cruises from Miami and will be joined in the region from 18 September when MSC Divina restarts sailing from Port Canaveral near Orlando in Florida.

MSC Seashore will come into service in August with voyages in the West Mediterranean before the Company’s newest flagship transfers in November to Miami for a season in the Caribbean.

Photo credit: Frank Erpinar