Costa Crociere and MSC Cruises bring more ships to service in Mediterranean

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 04 June 2021 04 June 2021

Costa Crociere, which is part of the Carnival Group and the Geneva based MSC Cruises have unveiled plans to bring more ships in service in the Mediterranean.

Costa Firenze, the latest ship to join Costa fleet and dedicated to the Florentine Renaissance, will enter service this July 4 from Savona and will operate in the Mediterranean until the end of November.

Costa Toscana, currently under construction that will be powered by LNG will debut in December 2021. “Throughout 2022, Costa Toscana will be dedicated to seven-day cruises in the Western Mediterranean, which will enable visits on the same vacation to two fascinating Spanish destinations -- Barcelona and Valencia in spring, or Ibiza and Valencia in summer,” the company said in a statement

Meanwhile, MSC Cruises, said it will restart its sailing operations in Spain with the deployment of MSC Grandiosa to Barcelona from 26 June for a Saturday embarkation. Valencia will then be added as an additional port of call as of 30 July.

This follows recent announcements by the line that its ships are restarting operations in Germany, France and the Baltics in addition to its current and other Summer 2021 confirmed itineraries in the West and East Mediterranean as well as UK. 

Barcelona is also a major international travel hub with a leading airport that international guests can now fly to and join their cruises directly, the company said in a statement.

Silversea continues restart of ultra-luxury cruising in Alaska and Iceland

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 03 June 2021 03 June 2021

Silversea Cruises, the first cruise line to return to global ultra-luxury cruising with voyages in Greece and the Galápagos from June, has announced new summer voyages in Alaska and Iceland, starting in July 2021. With the passage of the U.S. Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, which enables cruises to Alaska without required stops in Canada, Silver Muse will resume round-trip sailings from Seattle starting July 29, making Silversea the first ultra-luxury cruise line to operate in Alaska this summer. Silver Shadow will circumnavigate Iceland with the launch of new all-Icelandic itineraries, returning to Northern Europe with three 10-day voyages from Reykjavik, beginning July 30.

"We proudly continue to lead the ultra-luxury cruise industry’s healthy return to service and commend the leadership of Alaska and Iceland for taking steps to advance the safe resumption of global travel,” says Roberto Martinoli, Silversea's President and CEO. “The return to service is fast gaining momentum, and we’ve seen exceptional demand for travel in Alaska and Iceland. We’re eager to welcome back our guests to unlock unforgettable experiences aboard Silver Muse and Silver Shadow while contributing to the local economies of the incredible communities we visit.”

Made possible by the passing of the U.S. Alaska Tourism Restoration Act, Silver Muse will set sail on round-trip voyages from Seattle as the first ultra-luxury cruise ship to visit Alaska this summer, following a varied series of 10- and 11-day itineraries. These extended voyages will enable Silversea’s guests to journey to some of Alaska’s most breathtaking ice structures, including the Sawyer Glacier and the Mendenhall Glacier, as well as experience the state’s remarkable landscapes, wildlife, and remote communities, such as Ketchikan, Juneau, Wrangell, Skagway, and Sitka.

A diverse array of experiences are available for an additional fee in each destination in Alaska, including the following highlights. From Juneau, Silversea guests can board a helicopter to experience the world-famous Mendenhall Glacier from the air, before touching down in special glacier boots to walk across this immense ice structure, accompanied by a tour guide who will impart their knowledge on glaciers. Offering an alternative experience of the Mendenhall Glacier, travelers can also participate in a three-hour whale quest from Auke Bay, admiring the vast glacier from the comfort of a catamaran while looking out for marine animals. An onboard naturalist will explain the behavior and habitat of the wildlife guests may encounter – from humpback and killer whales to Stellar sea lions, harbor seals, and Bald Eagles. From Skagway, guests can board a vintage train for an exclusive adventure through Skagway's White Pass and Yukon Route, learning about Alaska’s gold rush past while taking in the state’s natural beauty.

Iceland – burgeoning demand

According to the Icelandic Tourist Board, cruise travelers arriving in Iceland peaked at approximately 549,000 in 2019, which indicates a burgeoning demand. Responding to exceptionally strong guest feedback, Silversea Cruises had previously announced its largest-ever collection of voyages in Iceland as part of its voyage collection for 2021/2022. A revised collection following the pandemic, the three round-trip voyages from Reykjavik include calls in Grundarfjordur, Isafjordur, Siglufjordur, Akureyri, Husavik, Seydisfjordur, and the island of Heimaey. Circumnavigating a land of jaw-dropping natural beauty and geological wonders aboard Silversea’s intimate, ultra-luxury Silver Shadow, the cruise line’s guests will have the chance to marvel at volcanoes and glacier-sculpted fjords, walk across lava fields, witness magnificent waterfalls and bubbling hot springs, and so much more.

During Silversea’s voyages in Iceland, guests will enjoy immersive shore excursions that are included in the fare. Highlight experiences include an insightful half-day tour from Akureyri, during which travelers will discover Iceland’s vast lava fields, bubbling hot pools, hissing fumaroles, breathtaking waterfalls, and internationally-acclaimed birdlife; an awe-inspiring Puffin Tour from Grundarfjordur, during which guests will board a small boat before sailing to an island renowned for its large colony of nesting Atlantic Puffins; an all-terrain vehicle adventure from Heimaey, on which travelers will witness the spectacular beauty of the Vestmannaeyjar Archipelago and the Eldfell Volcano; an unforgettable 4x4 glacier safari with an ice cave visit; and an authentic journey into Iceland’s herring tradition in Siglufjordur with a tasting.

Mandatory vaccinations

All guests and crew will be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before embarking Silver Muse in Alaska and Silver Shadow in Iceland, as part of Silversea's comprehensive, multi-layered set of science-backed protocols that will help to safeguard the health and safety of guests, crew, and visited communities. More information is available on Silversea's website. Silversea will continue to work closely with relevant governing bodies and health authorities to evolve its health and safety procedures, as new health recommendations are issued and as the fluid situation advances.

Carnival Cruise Line agreements with Miami, Galveston and Port Canaveral gain CDC approval as restarts plans progress

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 29 May 2021 29 May 2021

Carnival Corporation yesterday received U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention’s (CDC) acceptance of its Phase 2A Port Agreements for PortMiami, Port of Galveston and Port Canaveral – all key homeports for Carnival Cruise Line and the first three homeports that Carnival is focusing on for its return to guest operations this summer.

Carnival has already announced that Carnival Horizon (sailing from Miami) and Carnival Vista and Breeze (sailing from Galveston) will be the first ships to carry guests as the line plans its July return to service. Port Canaveral has also been identified as a restart priority, and Carnival expects to announce plans for operations from there over the coming days.

Under the CDC guidelines, a cruise line must have agreements with its homeports that they are prepared to support the cruise operator with additional public health and operational resources prior to the implementation of simulated cruise and/or full guest operations.

“These agreements move us one step closer to sailing with our loyal guests,” said Lars Ljoen, Executive Vice President and Chief Maritime Officer for Carnival Cruise Line. “We appreciate the support from not just these three homeport partners, but all of our homeports, that are eager to have us back as soon as possible.”

TDoS adds three new partners

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 28 May 2021 28 May 2021

Tillberg Design of Sweden (TDoS) said three senior executives of the company have joined it as partners and shareholders.

Madelene Hall, CEO of TDoS (centre in the photo), Iina Forsblom, Cruise Design Director (left) and Peter Snellman, Design Director (right), have been included as partners of and shareholders in the company.

"I am delighted to become a partner at TDoS at a time when cruise industry is evolving in so many ways. Our company is contributing in the development of future travel experiences and more sustainable cruise business worldwide." says Iina Forsblom, Cruise Design Director of TDoS with more than thirty years of experience in various roles in shipbuilding projects.

Madelene Hall, CEO of TDoS is adding “I am honored to become a TDoS partner. TDoS is a remarkable company with a superb company culture and great focus on our core: design. It has been a pleasure to speak with clients, collaboration companies and others over the last couple of months – I am confident that both the industry and TDoS have an exciting time ahead of us and look forward to being a part of it.”

Peter Snellman joined TDoS in 1999 and has since then been involved as Project Manager for several NCL and river cruise projects. “This is an exciting opportunity for me. With my background as a project manager and with my expertise in BIM, I wish to contribute by helping to create even better design and a smoother work process.”

Tillberg Design of Sweden was founded in 1964 and are true pioneers in the cruise industry. Since then, we have worked continuously with hospitality projects within both cruise and yacht industry, gathering an unparalleled wealth of experience and over 300 references. Aside from good design, we thoroughly know the hospitality industry, have many valuable contacts and have a deep understanding of operational needs and requirements. TDoS is today owned by Max Sievert, long term owner supporting entrepreneur led growth companies and TDoS partners and are based in Höganäs Sweden, Wroclaw Poland, Miami USA and Singapore in South-East Asia.

“The future is bright, says Stefan R Nilsson, partner & Group CEO. We have great people onboard with vast experience and a wide variety of profound knowledge withing shipbuilding and design but also sustainability and technology and we intend to continue to lead from the front. We will soon present several additional advanced services, including highly qualified consulting and world leading tech solutions all with our clients’ success and prosperity in mind."