MSC Cruises takes delivery of MSC Preziosa

MSC Preziosa was officially delivered to MSC Cruises at the STX France shipyard in St Nazaire today, the cruise line said in a statement.

During the traditional flag ceremony, the shipyard’s pennant and the French flag were lowered, accompanied by the French national anthem, before Laurent Castaing, General Manager of STX France, formally handed the ship over to MSC Cruises’ owner Gianluigi Aponte.

Mr Aponte then gave command of the ship to Captain Giuliano Bossi, and the flags of Italy and MSC Cruises were raised to the sound of the Italian national anthem.

Erminio Eschena, General Director of MSC Cruises France, Belgium and Luxembourg, was also in attendance as well as French Minister for Industrial Renewal Arnaud Montebourg, French Junior Minister for Transport and the Maritime Economy Frédéric Cuvillier, H.E. Hye Min LEE, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to France and Mayor of St Nazaire Joël Batteux.

The honour of cutting the ribbon fell to Alexa Aponte Vago, MSC Vice President. After the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne, three blasts from the ship’s siren signalled the end of the ceremony.

Norwegian Getaway to feature all new dining experience

Norwegian Getaway will bring the excitement and allure of the Magic City to sea when she arrives in Miami in February 2014. At Cruise Shipping Miami today, Norwegian Cruise Line announced an all-new dining and entertainment experience, The Illusionarium. A first of its kind at sea, The Illusionarium will envelope guests in the fascinating world of magic, inviting them to experience the astonishing illusions of world-class magicians and supernatural special effects.
 
"I am so excited about this new magical experience that will come to life aboard Norwegian Getaway," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "The Illusionarium will be an experience unlike anything at sea today and take adults and children alike on a journey into the mystical world of magic. This is so perfect for the ship that will embody the vibe of the Magic City."
 
The new experience is the result of a first of its kind collaboration between Norwegian's groundbreaking entertainment team and Broadway director/choreographer Patricia Wilcox, Tony Award winning scenic designer David Gallo and veteran magician Jeff Hobson. The show's design is inspired by the science fiction of Jules Verne, the artistry of legendary magicians such as Houdini and the popularity of recent blockbusters featuring supernatural characters.
 
As guests wait to enter the portal of The Illusionarium, they will be surrounded by antique spell books, magical interactive artifacts and relics in a steampunk-inspired environment. The centerpiece of the Illusionarium is a 30' diameter video dome that will transport audiences to mystical places. The Illusionarium will offer 12 performances per cruise, two shows per night.

CMV’s Discovery to sail from Bristol 15 March as planned

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV)  say that the authorities have completed their inspections onboard Discovery and given clearance for the ship to sail to Bristol Avonmouth in readiness for her scheduled 15 night cruise to the Land of the Northern Lights departing on Friday 15th March.

CMV charter the 20,636 gross ton Discovery from the All Leisure Group and as part of the arrangement, the last-named company are responsible for the technical management of the vessel and the recent refurbishment works undertaken in Italy.

Technical issues precluded Discovery from sailing on its cruise scheduled for 28 February. Instead of Bristol Avonmouth, the 1972 built vessel that was previously known as Island Princess of Princess Cruises,  docked at Portland instead.

Marco Polo to be dry docked, next cruises cut three days short

Marco Polo, the 22,080 cruise ship operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) in the UK,  will be terminating its current Land of the Northern Lights cruise in Antwerp on Thursday 14 March on the scheduled arrival day.

“The ship will undergo a dry docking inspection for minor repairs to her hull after the vessel struck an uncharted object under the command of the local pilot minutes after sailing from Sortland on Saturday evening. CMV have prioritised the comfort and safety of all the passengers and crew,” the company said in a statement.

All passengers will be transferred to Tilbury and London via the Channel Tunnel or ferry by coach scheduled to arrive mid to late afternoon on Thursday 14 March.

The cruise departures 14 March and 28 March will now depart 3 days later and those passengers affected are being advised. All passengers involved in these unavoidable delays and date changes will be receiving compensation, plus special discounts for a future cruise.

Norwegian Getaway to feature first Grammy Experience at sea

Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that it has partnered with The Recording Academy to feature the first GRAMMY Experience at sea onboard its newest ship, Norwegian Getaway, set to launch in February 2014. As part of the partnership, Norwegian Cruise Line has been named "Official Cruise Line Partner of the GRAMMY Awards." In addition, the companies will partner on the first GRAMMY-themed cruise that is scheduled to set sail in the fall of 2014.

The GRAMMY Experience will be located on Deck 8 on Norwegian Getaway and will feature artifacts chosen and curated by the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles. In the evenings, the venue will feature live performances by past GRAMMY winners and nominees, among others.

"Partnering with The Recording Academy and its prestigious GRAMMY Awards to bring the first GRAMMY-branded experience at sea on board Norwegian Getaway is a huge coup for us as we continue to innovate with entertainment," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's Chief Executive Officer. "This GRAMMY venue with nightly performance by top-notch musicians elevates the offerings on Norwegian Getaway to a whole new level."

"The Recording Academy is always looking for unique ways to elevate the GRAMMY brand and extend the GRAMMY experience throughout the year," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This new partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line allows us to continue expanding our brand's reach globally and bring new forms of GRAMMY-themed entertainment to music fans everywhere. We couldn't be more pleased with this new alliance between one of the leading cruise lines and one of the most credible and recognized brands in music."

More details regarding the GRAMMY Experience venue, performances and the GRAMMY theme cruise will be revealed in the coming months.

Currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, the 4,000 passenger Norwegian Getaway will be the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami. The ship represents an opportunity for the Norwegian guest to "get away" from the routine of work, school, and daily stress, and find a true respite at sea that reflects the energy and culture that Miami is known for worldwide. Norwegian Getaway's hull artwork was designed by popular Miami modern artist and muralist David "LEBO" Le Batard.

To date, the company has revealed the ship's groundbreaking design, including an open-air boardwalk, The Waterfront, and 678 Ocean Place; a wide range of indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that will create a whole new complex at sea that enhances guests' connection with the ocean. Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian will also create and oversee the opening of his seafood restaurant, Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian.

The ship will feature a rich mix of stateroom options, including The Haven by Norwegian, comprised of 42 Suites at the top of the ship in an exclusive, private key-card enclave and 22 additional Suites located throughout the ship; the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers; a wide range of Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites; along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa. Norwegian Getaway's sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will begin sailing from her year-round home port of New York City in May 2013.

Norwegian Getaway will sail seven-day cruises from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean beginning on February 1, 2014, with ports of call including Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas.