Top Headlines

MSC Seascape makes first-ever call at the world's largest cruise terminal

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 08 February 2025 08 February 2025

This morning, MSC Seascape arrived at the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, marking an exciting milestone as the first ship to call at the state-of-the-art facility. The new terminal is the largest in the world, capable of accommodating three ships at once, and set to revolutionize the cruising experience for up to 36,000 guests each day. The project is a partnership between the Cruise Division of MSC Group, PortMiami and Miami-Dade County. The iconic structure was designed by Arquitectonica and built by Fincantieri Infrastructure.

MSC Cruises will have a total of four ships sailing from the new terminal throughout 2025, alongside ships from MSC Group’s luxury brand, Explora Journeys.

Underscoring MSC Cruises’ commitment to the U.S. and unwavering dedication to South Florida, the cruise line will launch its newest World Class ship, MSC World America, at the new terminal in April with a naming ceremony and celebratory sailing. Following the celebrations, MSC World America will continue to make use of the facility, offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries sailing from Miami.

Ponant Explorations starts historic winter voyages along St. Lawrence River

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 03 February 2025 03 February 2025

Ponant Explorations, the world leader in luxury expedition cruises within the small-ship segment (under 500 guests), celebrated the inaugural journey of Le Commandant Charcot through Canada’s St. Lawrence River during the boreal winter. This groundbreaking voyage marked the first time a cruise ship has navigated the St. Lawrence during this extraordinary season, highlighting Ponant Explorations’ commitment to offering its guests the very best in polar exploration.

From January through early March 2025, Le Commandant Charcot is exploring this historic waterway, a vital trading route for millennia. The ship’s presence in the region highlights the unique beauty of the St. Lawrence in winter, offering guests an exclusive opportunity to experience its icy landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

The inaugural voyage began in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon on January 17, with stops at Cap-aux-Meules, Magdalen Islands; Gaspé; Sept-Îles; and Saguenay before arriving at the Port of Québec on January 28, where the ship overnighted for the final evening of the cruise. To commemorate this historic occasion, a press conference and plaque exchange ceremony were held onboard the vessel.

During the press conference, Ponant Explorations Group CEO & Chief Sustainability Officer Hervé Gastinel announced the ship’s return to the region in February 2027 with two new 14-night round-trip Québec St. Lawrence itineraries. These itineraries will provide even more opportunities to explore this remarkable waterway during its most dramatic season.

Key government officials and partners from Québec joined Hervé Gastinel and Captain Patrick Marchesseau, master of the vessel, to mark this momentous occasion. Notable attendees included René Trépanier, Executive Director of Cruise the Saint Lawrence; Mario Girard, CEO of the Port of Québec; L’Honorable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Public Services and Procurement; Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism; and Bruno Marchand, Mayor of Québec. Their presence underscored the collaborative efforts that made this achievement possible.

"It is with great pride to renew the experience of Le Commandant Charcot on the St. Lawrence River in 2027, an adventure made possible thanks to the support of our government and tourism partners," said Hervé Gastinel. "Winter reveals a unique facet of the St. Lawrence, still little known, and Québec, with its rich heritage as a cultural and commercial crossroads, is the ideal homeport for these unique cruises."

CEO of Port of Québec, Mario Girard said: "The arrival of Ponant Explorations’ Le Commandant Charcot marks a historic milestone for the St. Lawrence and positions Québec as a prime destination, even in winter. This moment is a testament to the passion and collaborative efforts of our team, the St. Lawrence ports, and our partners. By welcoming this innovative vessel, we are realizing our vision of a St. Lawrence that is accessible and attractive year-round, staying true to our ambition of innovation and sustainable development. I warmly thank our partners and the Ponant Explorations team for their trust and commitment to our city and our port."

Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx commented: “The arrival of the very first international winter cruise ship at the Port of Québec is a milestone for Québec tourism. Sailing the St. Lawrence in winter is a spectacular experience that puts both our landscapes and our expertise in the spotlight. This ambitious winter tourism project is the result of a 10-year partnership with Ponant Explorations and Cruise the Saint Lawrence. When we invest in unique, sustainable initiatives, we’re strengthening Québec’s position as a must-see destination and maximizing the economic benefits for regions across the province.”

New February 2027 voyages announced

“It is now more than conclusive that boreal winter cruises will be part of our landscape over the next decade,” said Executive Director of Cruise the St. Lawrence, René Trépanier.

In 2027, the ship will sail roundtrip from Québec with two 14-night itineraries departing February 13 and February 27, 2027, venturing west through the Gaspé Peninsula, where guests can snowshoe in Forillon National Park, and explore the Magic Forest with its thousands of snow-covered conifers. Further ports of call include Saint Pierre Island and Québec’s Magdalen Islands.

At Sept-Îles, guests will meet the Indigenous Innu people and learn about their ancestral customs and traditions, while in the borough of La Baie in the majestic Saguenay Valley, they can experience dog-sledding, snowshoeing, and ice-fishing adventures, all while enjoying the renowned hospitality of the Saguenayen people.

Fincantieri launches Four Seasons I in Ancona shipyard

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 23 January 2025 23 January 2025

Today Fincantieri and Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Joint Owner/Operator of Four Seasons Yachts, celebrated at the shipyard in Ancona the launching of Four Seasons I, the first ultra-luxury vessel under construction for Four Seasons Yachts, which will be delivered at the end of this year and setting sail in January 2026.

The launching ceremony was attended for Fincantieri by its Chairman, Biagio Mazzotta, the CEO and Managing Director, Pierroberto Folgiero, the General Manager Merchant Ships Division, Luigi Matarazzo, while for the shipowner by Nadim Ashi, Owner and Executive Chairman, Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings LTD, Joint Owner/Operator of Four Seasons Yachts/Founder and CEO of Fort Partners, by Prosper Assouline, Creative Director, Four Seasons Yachts, and Bart Carnahan, President, Global Business Development, Portfolio Management and Residential, Four Seasons.

With an all-suite, residential style product, Four Seasons I will set a new standard for luxury at sea. The vessel, which will be using the very latest in environmental protection technologies, will be 34,000 gross tons, 207 meters long, and will have 95 exclusive suites with remarkable custom design, focused on removing barriers between guests, the sea, and their surroundings. Each suite features extensive terrace decks, reaching up to impressive 457 square meters in the prestigious Funnel Suite, the Yacht’s most exclusive accommodation.

MSC Cruises to sponsor three Formula 1 Grand Prix races in 2025

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 02 January 2025 02 January 2025

MSC Cruises is gearing up to be the title sponsor of three Formula 1 World Championship Grands Prix in 2025, further building on the cruise line’s partnership with the prestigious motorsport.

The three races will be the Formula 1 MSC Cruises Aiustrian Grand Prix 2025 in June, the Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix 2025 in October, and the Formula 1 MSC Cruises Grande Premio de Sao Paolo 2025 in November.

It is the first time that the cruise line’s brand will be included in the name of these three iconic Formula 1 Grand Prix races and is in addition to the distinct track branding as part of MSC Cruises’ Global Partner status, which has been in place since 2022.

The collaboration between the two world-class brands reflects Formula 1’s continuing global growth and the continued popularity of cruising as a holiday choice.

MSC Group’s luxury travel brand, Explora Journeys, will also be making an appearance at Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco 2025 in May when the newest ship in the fleet, Explora II, will be docked in the heart of Monaco’s famous Port Hercule, offering a prime position for avid race fans throughout race week. She will also play host to a series of spectacular events, providing a fitting venue for one of the most anticipated races and its star-studded crowd, as well as being a luxurious home-away-from-home for guests throughout the weekend.

Three ships, 34 voyages, up to 80 landing sites: Silversea kicks off its Antarctica season

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 15 November 2024 15 November 2024

Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, has kicked off its 2024/2025 Antarctica season with Silver Endeavour hosting guests on an 18-night voyage to South Georgia, the South Shetland Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula. Between October 29, 2024, and March 10, 2025, Silversea will deploy three ships to the continent, undertaking 34 voyages in the austral summer as part of one of the broadest and most diverse Antarctica offerings in luxury expedition travel.

Highlights of Silver Endeavour’s first Antarctica voyage of the 2024/2025 season include the moment guests witnessed a pod of approximately 50 orca whales; a landing at the very rarely visited site of Baily Head in the South Shetland Islands, which is home to approximately 45,000 pairs of chinstrap penguins; and calls in the scenic destinations of South Georgia, Wilhelmina Bay, and Neko Harbour.

“We are delighted to return to Antarctica for our 2024/2025 season, sailing to many of the Polar Region’s most spectacular corners,” said Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea. “As industry pioneers, Silversea has a history of leadership and innovation in experiential luxury polar travel. On a recent scouting trip, our teams identified a total of 22 new landing sites, bringing Silversea’s total Antarctic landing sites up to 80 — meaning guests benefit from one of the most diverse expedition experiences available. With our 150-room hotel in Puerto Williams opening at the end of 2025, we are set to enhance our industry-leading Antarctica offering and continue to push industry boundaries to deliver a lifetime of vacations to our guests.”

Among the broadest, most diverse offerings of luxury Antarctica expeditions

Catering to the diverse needs and preferences of an array of travelers, Silver Endeavour, Silver Wind, and Silver Cloud will offer a range of 6- to 22-night Antarctica voyages in the 2024/2025 season. Silversea’s innovative 6-night Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise offerings allow guests to fly over the Drake Passage, providing a shorter travel option without compromising on the time spent in the destination. The company’s 10-night Antarctica Peninsula sailings from Puerto Williams provide the quintessential polar experience with approximately six days in the destination, while the 12-night variation extends deeper into the Polar Circle. Longer expedition options of 15-22 days allow for some of the most immersive deep dives into Antarctica and the Southern Ocean available to travelers.

Opening in 2025: the southernmost hotel on earth

Creating an unrivaled experience for guests to explore the rugged landscape of Antarctica, Silversea is developing a hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile – the southernmost city on Earth. The hotel will facilitate a uniquely frictionless journey to the continent, allowing guests to enjoy Silversea’s personalized service and warm hospitality throughout their entire travel experience. Guests embarking on the cruise line’s innovative Antarctica Bridge fly-cruise program – the fastest and most direct route to Antarctica – will fly directly to Puerto Williams from Santiago, Chile’s capital city, and then on to King George Island in Antarctica for a superior and seamless experience.

Enhancing the experience

Having pioneered the luxury expedition cruise concept in 2008, Silversea became the first travel brand to offer luxury Antarctica expeditions. Through its learnings in the region, Silversea now offers the most enriching and personalized destination experiences available on the continent, with an industry-leading expedition team that comprises up to 28 experts in their field, knowledgeable kayak instructors, world-class onboard lectures, and some of the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratios in the industry, among other enriching features.

Silversea’s expedition experts host guided walks ashore, identifying wildlife species, unique glacial and geological structures, and other fascinating features only found on an Antarctic expedition. Back on board, the team delivers insightful lectures that provide guests with an overview of the day’s sightings and experiences.

One such lecture topic which has gained interest since the ship was located in 2022 is that of Ernest Shackleton and Endurance. Silversea’s talented historians bring the story of Shackleton to life, contextualized within the golden age of exploration, through captivating storytelling and visual materials. In December 2022, Nicholas Crane, former president of the Royal Geographical Society, gave a series of talks on the history of polar exploration to guests, presenting original lantern slides from the Endurance expedition aboard Silver Endeavour. Moreover, Captain Freddie Lighthelm - one of Silversea’s Masters - was part of the expedition team that discovered Shackleton’s ship.