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Viking to offer new Greek itinerary, return to Turkey on 2021

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 November 2018 09 November 2018

Viking has announced a new 11-night ocean cruise itinerary, Greek Odyssey, that will allow guests to explore the ancient empires of antiquity of the Aegean Sea during the quiet season. Sailing roundtrip from Athens starting in January 2021, the new itinerary features three new ports of call for Viking, including Volos, Thessaloníki and Nafpilo in Greece, as well as a stop in Ephesus, marking the company’s return to Turkey.

“Our guests are curious explorers who want opportunities for learning while they travel in comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Our destination-focused ocean itineraries are built on the same successful principles as our river itineraries – we offer our guests more time in port, enriching cultural experiences, the best-designed ships at sea with no children, no casinos and no nickel-and-diming. With this new itinerary in Greece and Turkey offered during the quiet winter season, we look forward to helping our guests explore such a culturally rich region of the world in ‘The Viking Way.’”

Sailing on Viking’s 930-guest all-veranda Viking Sea, guests will journey through several millennia of culture and history, from Athens, known as the “birthplace of democracy,” to the island of Crete, home to the mysterious Minoan civilization. Highlights of the new Greek Odyssey itinerary include:

– Ephesus (Kuşadasi), Turkey: One of the best-preserved cities of antiquity in the world, guests can visit the remains of the Byzantine Basilica of St. John, take in sights such as the massive Great Theater and the magnificent Library of Celsus, or see the modest home where, according to legend, the Virgin Mary lived out her final days.
– Volos, Greece: Now a modern, cosmopolitan port city, this region was once thought of as the playground of the gods. Guests can experience the stunning scenery of Meteora, where medieval monasteries stand precariously on hilltops, or explore the ancient religious center of Dion, located on the foothills of Mt. Olympus.
– Thessaloniki, Greece: Greece’s second-largest city offers an exhilarating mix of ancient culture and modern life. While in port, guests can walk the vibrant waterfront promenade with its many cafés and restaurants, or venture outside the city to the remains of the ancient Macedonian kingdom of Alexander the Great.
– Nafpilo, Greece: Set between breathtaking mountains and the Bay of Argos, Nafpilo is one of Greece’s most beautiful and romantic port cities. Guests can discover the charms of its Venetian homes and Byzantine churches, take a drive to Palamidi, an imposing fortress towering over the city, or travel to the nearby Peloponnese peninsula, an ancient area rich in history.
– Scenic cruising: Mt. Athos: During the one sea day on this itinerary, guests will sail past the majestic slopes of Mt. Athos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the spiritual capital of Orthodox Christianity. Called the “Holy Mountain,” the peninsula’s soaring peaks are home to 20 monasteries whose monks work to preserve and catalogue a vast collection of liturgical works and art.

Virgin Voyages to scrap main dining room, buffet and extra charge for specialty restaurants

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 November 2018 08 November 2018

Virgin Voyages, the nascent cruise line that is part of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group of companies, will include dining in all the 20 plus venues onboard Scarlet Lady, its first ship, in the cruise fare.

There will be no main dining room nor a buffet on the 110,000 gross ton ship that is under construction in Italy and which is due to enter service in 2020, the company said in a statement. Dress codes and pre-allocated dining times and seating in restaurants would not be featured either.

“Imagine you're building a city, an epic city, in the middle of the ocean (miles from civilization). Look around the world, find what's hot, ignore what's not, think about what’s next, bring it all together, and only pick the very best.” the company said.

“Our voyages are Adult-by-Design, intended to provide an elevated eating experience that reflects our sailors’ daily lives, and the lives they aspire to lead. Dine wherever you want, whenever you want, in whatever way you want, guaranteed to exceed your appetite’s (and heart’s) expectations,” Virgin Voyages said, adding that there would be a bar in every restaurant on board the ship.

“With 20 plus eating options available and included in your voyage fare, our wide variety of eateries will have you signing up for another voyage if for no other reason than to try everything you missed out on the first time around.” Virgin Voyages said.

Royal Caribbean and PortMiami opens new Terminal A

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 November 2018 07 November 2018

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has officially opened Terminal A, the largest cruise port in the U.S., in collaboration with Miami-Dade County. The new terminal is a striking addition to PortMiami and will serve as homeport to Royal Caribbean International ships such as Symphony of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, two of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships.

“Terminal A is an important milestone in the growth of the cruise industry in South Florida and underscores our commitment to Miami, where our company was founded almost 50 years ago,” said Richard D. Fain, CEO and Chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

“We are thrilled to announce the opening of Terminal A, the largest cruise port in the U.S. and would like to thank Royal Caribbean for their continued support of the Miami community,” said Carlos A. Giménez, Mayor of Miami- Dade County. “With the opening of Terminal A, we are excited to welcome even more visitors to Miami,” said Giménez.

PortMiami currently serves 750,000 Royal Caribbean passengers annually, representing roughly 15% of the port’s overall passenger traffic. Because of the new terminal, Royal Caribbean expects to increase its Miami passenger intake to nearly 2 million annually. This will make PortMiami Royal Caribbean’s largest cruise port in the U.S., solidifying PortMiami’s status as the Cruise Capital of the World.

“We look forward to all the new and exciting developments the opening of Terminal A will bring to our cruise lines, our guests, and the Miami community. We are proud that our Oasis class vessels, each hosting more than 5,000 guests, will now be able to call on PortMiami,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

Terminal A will accommodate the passengers of two of the world’s largest ships in the Oasis class, the new Symphony of the Seas and her sister, Allure of the Seas. The new LEED certified facility, which is the largest and most modern cruise facility in the U.S., has leveraged new technologies to enhance the waiting areas and boarding experience of guests. Overall, the design evokes the points in Royal Caribbean’s crown and anchor logo when viewed from the water; the ‘M’ of Miami when viewed from the east or western approaches; and a sense of waves rising or ships passing when viewed from the terminal side. As a result, the terminal will serve as a dynamic addition to the Miami skyline.

Former Marella Spirit reported sold for scrap

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 06 November 2018 06 November 2018

Former Marella Spirit that had until recently been operated by TUI AG’s British cruise line Marella Cruises on charter, has reportedly been sold for demolition in India.

A report on the sergiocruises.blogspot.com website said that the sale was concluded on 29 October and the ship had been renamed Mare S for a voyage from Athens to Alang. The ship had been owned by the Cyprus based Louis Group since 2003.

The 33,930 gross ton ship had been built as Nieuw Amsterdam for Holland America Line at Chantiers de l’ Atlantique in France in 1983.

It was the first major passenger ship built for the company since the Rotterdam of 1959. Its design was based on the 8,566 gross ton Prinsendam of 1973 that had been lost in a fire in 1980. A second ship of the same class called Noordam followed in 1984 (not to be confused with present ship of the same name).

In 2001-02 the ship operated as Patriot for American Classic voyages and after the collapse of this company, it was chartered by Thomson Cruises in the UK as Thomson Spirit. The company changed name to Marella Cruises in 2017.

The two Holland America ships were notable also for the fact that they marked the yard’s return into the construction of major passenger tonnage – the previous large passenger vessel built at the yard had been the Trans-Atlantic liner France in 1962.

Virgin Voyages to call in Cuba during the inaugural season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 November 2018 05 November 2018

Virgin Voyages has announced that the company’s first ship, Scarlet Lady, will feature Cuba as one of her voyage destinations during its inaugural season in 2020.

Virgin Voyages’ decision to sail to Cuba was influenced by customer and travel partner research it conducted in North America and the United Kingdom. Both groups consistently rank the Caribbean island as one of the most desired and interesting destinations to visit on a voyage.

“Virgin Atlantic has been visiting Cuba for 13 years, and I cannot wait to see our iconic Scarlet Lady gleaming in the Havana Harbor,” said Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson. “Havana is the perfect place for our sailors to go and experience a city that exudes an irresistible energy and passion.”

“We are thrilled to share the news about our partnership with Cuba and can’t wait to take our sailors to Havana, which is without doubt, one of the Caribbean’s most authentic and enriching destinations,” said Virgin Voyages President and CEO Tom McAlpin. “This fantastic place offers the chance for our sailors to create their own unique stories as they uncover cultural treasures, meet the locals and just soak up the atmosphere.”

The Adult By Design (18+) brand will offer the newest and most beautifully designed ship sailing to Havana ensuring that their sailors get there in style. All sailings to Cuba from Miami feature an overnight stay, meaning sailors have time to really explore and experience the capital city’s vibrant nightlife and cultural heritage.

While in port, sailors can visit Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; dance the night away at a salsa club, visit Cuba's warm and friendly residents through people-to-people exchanges, or simply wander the streets alongside pastel-washed colonial architecture. OFAC-compliant shore experiences are in development and details will be made available later in 2019.

The Virgin Voyages destination announcement was made at the Havana International Fair, FIHAV, with remarks from Virgin Voyages executives, government representatives and local tourism leadership.

“We have a long-standing relationship with Sir Richard Branson and the Virgin Group and are pleased to announce this new partnership with Virgin Voyages,” said Manuel Marrero Cruz, Minister of Tourism for Cuba. “The Cuban people look forward to welcoming Virgin Voyages’ first ship, its crew and passengers to our shores in 2020”.

Specific sailing dates relating to Virgin Voyages’ visits to Cuba will be released when the company opens up bookings for sale next year.