MSC Cruises to bring second ship, MSC Grandiosa to Port Canaveral

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 20 May 2024 20 May 2024

MSC Cruises is expanding its presence at Port Canaveral with a second ship, bringing more 7-night sailings and more short cruises to The Bahamas. Last week the company announced that MSC Grandiosa will begin sailing from the Central Florida port in December of 2025, alongside the guest-favorite MSC Seashore.

Bringing a second ship to Port Canaveral will give MSC Cruises’ guests a much wider selection of cruises. MSC Grandiosa will offer alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Meanwhile, MSC Seashore will sail 3- and 4-night cruises to Nassau and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the line’s private island in The Bahamas.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: “The Winter 2025-2026 season will mark our largest presence in the U.S. to date, and our expansion at Port Canaveral is a big part of that. Ever since we started sailing from Port Canaveral in 2021, our guests have told us they love how convenient that makes it to experience MSC Cruises’ unique international flavor. We know people sailing from Central Florida want options, and we’re delighted to offer them two of our most modern and glamorous ships with itineraries that will appeal to everyone from first-time to seasoned cruisers.”

Carnival Cruise Line is first to sail 10 million guests from Galveston

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 19 May 2024 19 May 2024

Marking a Texas-sized milestone today, Carnival Cruise Line further solidified its position as the market leader in Galveston, Tex., becoming the first cruise operator to embark 10 million guests from the port. Marsha Taulton of Houston was recognized on Carnival Breeze as the 10 millionth Carnival guest cruising from Galveston.

Taulton and her husband, Paul, were welcomed aboard by Capt. Isidoro Renda and Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees, and the ship’s team led an impromptu celebration of the landmark embarkation.

“This is an achievement that speaks to the success of our longstanding partnership with the port and the greater Galveston community,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We are grateful to our guests who have sailed with us from Galveston over the past two decades, continually driving the popularity of this homeport forward. The future is certainly bright, as we’re delighted to welcome more guests aboard than ever before from this great city – next stop, 20 million!”

The 10 millionth guest milestone follows an expansion of Carnival service at the port that began with the introduction of the cruise line’s new flagship, Carnival Jubilee, which was the first new cruise ship to be christened in Galveston. The expansion continues in October when Carnival Miracle begins sailing from Galveston and completes a four-ship deployment strategy. At the end of this year, Carnival’s guest capacity in Galveston is expected to increase by 20 percent compared to last year, carrying more than 800,000 guests.

Carnival launched the first year-round cruise program from Galveston in 2000 and continues to be the leading cruise operator sailing year-round from the port. Carnival ships offer a variety of itineraries from Galveston, with dozens of options available into the spring of 2026, visiting popular destinations across the Caribbean and The Bahamas.

Silversea takes delivery of Silver Ray, the second ship in its Nova-class

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 14 May 2024 14 May 2024

Silversea has taken delivery of Silver Ray, the second ship in its innovative Nova-class. Boarding Silver Ray in Eemshaven on May 14, Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group's president and CEO, celebrated the ship’s official handover with Bert Hernandez, president of Silversea; Bernard Meyer, Chairman of the Meyer Group, and Bernd Eikens, the Meyer Group CEO; executives from the Meyer Werft shipyard and Royal Caribbean Group; and Captain Alessandro Zanello. Attendees participated in storied maritime traditions, including flag-changing and signing ceremonies, commemorative speeches, and a celebratory toast.

Silversea’s Nova-class marks a new take on luxury at sea, introducing an unparalleled openness to the world with an asymmetrical design and 4,000m2 of exterior glass. Silver Ray joins her sister ship, Silver Nova, as one of the most energy efficient ultra-luxury and expedition cruise ships ever built, marking an important milestone on Royal Caribbean Group’s journey to reduce emissions and carbon intensity. Due to embark on her maiden voyage from Lisbon on June 15, Silver Ray will spend her inaugural season in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic to the Americas in December 2024.

“We are thrilled to take delivery of Silver Ray, the newest ultra-luxury and expedition jewel in Royal Caribbean Group’s game-changing fleet,” said Liberty. “Delivering the best vacation experiences responsibly is at the heart of everything we do. We are fortunate to have the best people working together to dream and create unforgettable experiences for our guests, including the Meyer Werft shipyard team, whose partnership has enabled us to continue pushing boundaries.’’

“Silver Ray, the second ship in our cutting-edge Nova-class, alongside sister ship Silver Nova, beautifully encompasses Royal Caribbean Group’s vision for the future of innovative ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel,” said Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea. “In addition to being one of the most energy efficient ships ever built, Silver Ray's game-changing, outward-facing ship design enables greater access and connection for our guests to the incredible destinations we visit. As far as firsts go, I feel honored that my first delivery as president of Silversea is to welcome Silver Ray to our fleet alongside Jason, my Royal Caribbean Group colleagues, and the wonderful Meyer Werft team. I can’t wait for our guests to experience everything this remarkable ship has to offer.”

“The delivery of Silver Ray, two days earlier than scheduled, marks an important milestone for us,” said Bernd Eikens, CEO of the Meyer Group. “The entire Meyer Werft team has worked hard with our partners to bring this ship to life and today, we have delivered another great ship to Silversea.”

The Nova Class ships’ innovative design immerses guests into destinations from virtually all venues and suites, with far-reaching views at every turn. Their reimagined pool decks, which overlook the water on the starboard side, and all-new outdoor venues—the Dusk Bar and the Marquee—capture their unique openness to the destination. Among the most spacious cruise ships ever built, Silver Nova and Silver Ray have a space-to-guest ratio of 75 GRT-per-guest and offer one of the most personalized levels of service at sea, with a crew-to-guest ratio of 1:1.3, including butler service for all suites. Further enriching the onboard experience is the largest selection of bars, restaurants, and lounges in ultra-luxury cruising; Otium, the cruise line’s Roman-inspired wellness program; and the innovative culinary program, Sea and Land Taste (S.A.L.T.).

Following a conveyance of approximately 40km down the River Ems from the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg at the end of April, Silver Ray completed her technical and nautical sea trials in the North Sea on May 8 — under the watch of Captain Alessandro Zanello, the shipyard’s captain, and expert local pilots.

A&K Travel Group partners with Architect Adriana Granato and Naval Architects Giacomo and Lorenzo Mortola

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 09 May 2024 09 May 2024

A&K Travel Group has announced an exclusive partnership with the Architect Adriana Granato as well as a long-term collaboration with the Naval Architects Giacomo and Lorenzo Mortola.

Based in Milan, Granato’s art direction will bring a wealth of expertise and a unique perspective to the group's architectural and interior design projects for their camps, lodges, boats, and ships.

Granato, who holds a double degree in Architecture from Politecnico di Milano and Politecnico di Torino, as well as a PhD in Design and Technologies for Cultural Heritage is one of the youngest female adjunct professors ever hosted by Politecnico di Milano. In 2018, she founded Studio Ibsen, a think tank of architects, interior designers, and researchers that tackles national and international projects, as well as academic research and social-based initiatives.

For A&K's new camps and lodges, Granato will work with local architects and interior designers to ensure the group's Italian heritage, style, and taste blend seamlessly with regional materials, patterns, and colors.

Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, spoke highly of her collaboration with Granato, saying, "Since our first meeting in 2019, Adriana has been an invaluable asset, consistently delivering exceptional results in the face of challenging projects. Her vast knowledge and unparalleled expertise in materials, shapes, and architectural history make her a true visionary in her field. Adriana's deep understanding of my vision for our two brands, coupled with her keen awareness of our Group's strategic goals, enables her to strike the perfect balance between tradition and innovation. This ensures that our offerings resonate with both Millennials and older generations alike, a testament to her remarkable ability to bridge the gap between the past and the future."

Granato expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "It is an honor for me to collaborate with such a legendary travel group, which has always been at the forefront of travelers’ mind as the custodian of the essence of travel. Being able to merge with the spirit of places and communities is what architecture is all about and A&K has championed that over the years. I have embraced the company’s vision from the very beginning of our collaboration, the ability to remain in the firm nature of what is classic while always developing new challenges with a convinced future-oriented approach, and I am delighted to collaborate with the passionate and experienced team in AKTG."

Granato will oversee all architectural and interior design projects for A&K Travel Group, coordinating and guiding the professionals involved.

Crystal's new ocean and expedition ships, as well as some of A&K's new river boats, will be designed by the renowned Studio Gem of Genova, led by Giacomo Mortola and his son Lorenzo Mortola

Based in Genova, Mortola father and son have 70 years of combined experience in ship design and have conceived the interiors of the most graceful ships navigating the oceans.

An internal team of talented naval engineers and architects headed by Roberto Fazi, SVP Marine of Crystal will cooperate with Studio Gem and Studio Ibsen.

Levis commented on the partnership, "I have worked with Mortola father and son for many years, starting from the construction and refurbishment of other ships and finally on the refurbishment of Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. The sophisticated taste of Giacomo Mortola and his meticulous attention to details coupled with the pragmatic and fresh eye of his incredibly talented son Lorenzo are the perfect match for the ambitions for our ships and future projects."

Fernando Delgado, Chief Product Officer of A&K Travel Group, concluded, "I am thrilled to have Adriana helping my team. She brings years of experience in sustainable architecture both in nature and in heritage buildings, an exquisite eye for the details and the refinement of the stile Italiano [Italian style]. She has already marked the difference in the first projects in which she is taking part. I am also very excited to get the opportunity to work again with Giacomo and Lorenzo with whom I had the honor to collaborate in some projects in the past. Their taste is so refined and so aligned with what we aim to achieve that we could not be in better hands.”