Today MSC Cruises today announced that Ocean Cay’s opening date is now set for December 5, 2019.
The development of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve has been a multiyear project in which MSC Cruises worked with multiple contractors and partners to transform what was once an industrial sand excavation site into a stunning tropical destination, including designating the surrounding waters as a flourishing marine reserve.
This has been an extremely complex project as MSC Cruises has been fully committed to developing the destination in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way. At the same time, while the Company anticipated that the island would be ready to receive guests mid-November, as it reached the final stages of readying the island for its opening, some adverse weather conditions and unexpected last-minute operational challenges slowed down the completion of the island.
First, despite Hurricane Dorian and the demobilization of 600 workers, the Company took measures to remain on track and deliver the project on time. However, in the weeks that followed, further adverse weather conditions with strong winds and heavy swell caused several days of interruptions and created additional delays. This included heavy weather in early November which required part of one of the beaches to be further reinforced.
Secondly, last-minute issues with the leveling of the sand in certain areas of the island, the completion of the second breakwater and the landscaping aspects to be fully in line with the Company’s exceeding environmental criteria, have created further last-minute operational issues that could impact the guest experience.
Providing guests with an outstanding experience in all destinations is a top priority for the Company and Ocean Cay is no exception.When guests start arriving at Ocean Cay they will be greeted by endless sweeping vistas of crystal blue waters and some of the most pristine white sand beaches. From early morning until late evening, they’ll have plenty of time to soak up the spirit of The Bahamas and enjoy the day as they wish, with no disruptions to shore excursions or beach and ocean discovery activities, as well as bars and complimentary dining options available.
The MSC Cruises ships that were scheduled to call the island before December 5, 2019 will be rerouted to alternative Caribbean destinations or will add a day at sea to their schedule. Guests will be compensated for the missed call at Ocean Cay.
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Christine Duffy (L), president of Carnival Cruise Line, and Anne Fink (R), president of PepsiCo Global Foodservice, create the Carnival funnel symbol to celebrate the coming together of two fun-filled U.S. companies.
Carnival Cruise Line has chosen PepsiCo, Inc. to become the preferred beverage partner for its North American fleet. Beginning in January 2020, Carnival Cruise Line will begin serving a variety of beverages from the PepsiCo portfolio featuring premiere brands from Starbucks ready to drink coffee to fast-growing bubly sparkling water. When the transition is complete, Carnival guests will have a broad selection of beverage choices, from iced tea, sparkling water, coffee drinks and sports drinks to juices and soft drinks, including an array of low calorie and no sugar options.
“At Carnival Cruise Line, we invite our guests to Choose Fun, and now with PepsiCo’s extensive portfolio of brands, we’re able to give them more ways to choose a beverage that suits their taste, mood and preference,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “PepsiCo’s line-up of beverages will give our guests access to leading brands in growing non-soda categories like iced tea, juice and sparkling water, as well as popular soft drink brands that consumers love. We’re also excited to work with PepsiCo on our shared commitment to sustainability, including a reduced reliance on plastics, and alternative ways to deliver and serve water and other beverages.”
As they cruise, Carnival Cruise Line guests will be able to enjoy some of their favorite PepsiCo brands such as bubly, Pure Leaf, Naked Juice, Gatorade, MTN Dew, Starbucks, Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Sierra Mist and Sierra Mist Zero Sugar among others.
“Our brands both celebrate having fun and offering something special for everyone, making PepsiCo and Carnival Cruise Line a great match,” said Anne Fink, president of PepsiCo Global Foodservice. “We’re excited to share the voyage as we create enjoyable, seamless experiences for Carnival Cruise Line passengers while they enjoy their fun vacations at sea and ashore.”
MSC Meraviglia Begins Sailing From Her New Homeport In Miami
MSC Meraviglia — MSC Cruises’ first Meraviglia Class smart ship — debuted in North America last month and yesterday made her inaugural visit to Miami, her new homeport for her first winter season in the region. With a double-occupancy capacity of 4,488 and gross tonnage of 171,598 GRT, MSC Meraviglia is MSC Cruises’ largest ship sailing from the U.S., offering guests a completely distinct cruise experience.
“Since MSC Meravigliaarrived in the U.S. in October, we’ve seen tremendous excitement and buzz from our travel advisor partners and guests,” said Ken Muskat, EVP and Chief Operating Officer of MSC Cruises USA. “We are thrilled that MSC Meraviglia will now be part of the beautiful Miami skyline, joining MSC Seaside, MSC Armoniaand MSC Divina. Due to significant demand, this is the first time MSC Cruises’ has four distinct ships sailing the region, all offering an enriching experience inspired by our European heritage while providing our guests even more choice and variety to best fit their vacation needs.”
“We are grateful to our partners at MSC Cruises for their trust and commitment to growing their business in Miami-Dade County,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Giménez. “We welcome the MSC Meraviglia to the Cruise Capital of the World!”
With a name meaning wonder, MSC Meraviglia boasts an innovative and glamorous design that showcases MSC Cruises’ signature European style. The ship’s two-story Mediterranean-style promenade, featuring the longest LED dome at sea, is lined with a variety of shops and specialty restaurants — including HOLA! Tapas Bar and Ocean Cay, restaurants by two Michelin-starred Spanish chef Ramón Freixa, and Jean-Philippe Chocolat & Café, an open-fronted chocolate atelier by world-renowned pastry chef, Jean Philippe Maury.
MSC Meraviglia’s Led Dome
Entertainment is available around-the-clock with enriching activities for all ages. In addition to six different full-scale theatrical productions every night in the main theater, guests are also able to enjoy two distinct Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, VIAGGIO and SONOR — created exclusively for MSC Meraviglia in a purpose-built entertainment and dining venue, the Carousel Lounge. Immersive kids and family programs include a winter-themed aqua park with four water slides, a Himalayan bridge suspending cruisers high up above the ship, an interactive XD cinema, two full-size bowling lanes, and multiple LEGO-designed kids clubs.
Enjoy two distinct Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows, VIAGGIO and SONOR — created exclusively for MSC Meraviglia in a purpose-built entertainment and dining venue, the Carousel Lounge
Those looking for exclusivity and privacy – while still enjoying all the amenities and choice offered on a larger ship – can book their stay within the MSC Yacht Club, MSC Cruises’ all-inclusive ‘ship-within-a-ship’ concept, featuring private amenities and 24-hour butler service.
MSC Meraviglia North American Itineraries and Experiences Ashore
Designed to sail in all seasons and climates, the glamorous MSC Meraviglia began her North American journey with three sailings from NYC, including two itineraries to New England and Canada and one repositioning to her new homeport in Miami.
From November 10, 2019, through April 5, 2020, MSC Meraviglia will sail two different 7-night western Caribbean itineraries visiting ports in Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and The Bahamas. Sample itineraries include:
January 12, 2019: 7-night sailing visiting Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas. Prices start at $629 per person for a balcony stateroom.
February 16, 2019: 7-night sailing visiting Miami, Florida; Isla de Rotan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya, Mexico; Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Bahamas; Miami, Florida. Prices start at $639 per person for a balcony stateroom.
With MSC Meraviglia’s arrival in North America, she also now features MSC Cruises’ partnership with home and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart, which launched earlier in 2019 on all Caribbean sailings. The exclusive Martha Stewart and MSC Cruises partnership includes celebration surprise gift packages, onboard special holiday dinner menus and recipes, and specially curated shore excursions featuring some of Martha’s favorite activities and allowing guests to learn the local culture of the destination they are visiting.
Following her inaugural season in Miami, MSC Meraviglia will return to Northern Europe for summer 2020 (April – October). Upon returning to the U.S. in October 2020, MSC Meraviglia will once again do three 10-night sailings from New York to Canada & New England before then homeporting back in Miami for 7-night Caribbean sailings.
Carnival Cruise Line celebrated its 25th-anniversary sailing from the Port of Tampa with a reception and luncheon aboard Carnival Legend highlighted by the presentation of a commemorative plaque from Carnival President Christine Duffy to Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson commemorating the milestone.
Carnival Cruise Line was the first cruise operator to recognize the potential of Tampa as a year-round cruise homeport when it launched a schedule of seven-day voyages aboard the since-retired Tropicale in 1994 carrying about 28,000 guests a year.
Fast forward to today and Carnival Cruise Line deploys two ships from Tampa that will carry approximately 240,000 passengers a year from Tampa – nearly a nine-fold increase compared to 25 years ago.
“Tampa is a convenient, centrally located homeport – not to mention a popular vacation destination – and the growth that we’ve experienced at this port is a testament to the wonderful partnership with the Port we’ve enjoyed for the past 25 years,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
“Carnival Cruise Line is truly the pioneer of modern-day cruising throughout the world and from Port Tampa Bay. We value the long term partnership with Carnival and look forward to many more successful years working with them to provide our guests from throughout Central Florida – and beyond – a great vacation experience.” Anderson said.
The 25th-anniversary celebration was held aboard Carnival Legend, which arrived in Tampa last month, providing an exciting new choice from this market. The ship features a variety of onboard innovations, including Green Thunder, a drop-down slide that’s one of the fastest and steepest at sea, along with popular food and beverage choices like the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub, Bonsai Sushi serving authentic Asian delicacies, Guy’s Burger Joint developed in tandem with longtime partner and Food Network star Guy Fieri, and a classic American steakhouse. The ship features hundreds of balcony staterooms as well as a luxurious health and wellness facility.
Carnival Legend will operate a seasonal schedule of six-, seven-and eight-day cruises featuring top destinations in the western Caribbean, including Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, Mahogany Bay, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, and Grand Cayman
Carnival Legend will operate a seasonal schedule of six-, seven-and eight-day cruises featuring top destinations in the western Caribbean, including Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, Mahogany Bay, Costa Rica, the Panama Canal, and Grand Cayman. The ship will also offer a 13-day Carnival Journeys cruise from Tampa to New York May 3-16, 2020, featuring a partial transit of the Panama Canal, along with visits to Aruba, Cozumel, Limon (Costa Rica), Cartagena (Colombia) and Grand Turk.
Carnival Paradise, which underwent an extensive multi-million-dollar dry dock last year that added all of the line’s Fun Ship 2.0 food, beverage and entertainment options, operates a year-round schedule of four-day “long weekend” cruises to Cozumel and five-day voyages to Cozumel and Grand Cayman or Mahogany Bay departing on Mondays and Saturdays.
To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visitCarnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.
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Are you trying to plan your trip to the Mediterranean with family, friends, or your loved one? Getting away from the hectic life of the city could be the perfect solution for you. Croatia is one of the most popular destinations on the Adriatic coast and a cruise vacation is a perfect way to experience it. The following reasons are why a holiday on a cruise ship in Croatia will provide you with a dream-like experience.
We all know how difficult carrying luggage around can be, especially if you are traveling with the family. Leaving your luggage behind in hotels or dragging it with you to locations in an unknown country can be quite worrisome. With cruise vacation, you don’t have such problems, your luggage sails the locations with you!
Dubrovnik, Croatia. Panoramic view of the old town.
By booking a cruise holiday you are getting a complete service in one package. Transportation to an amazing destination, with stunning food on-board and the best accommodations to sleep in. This creates an amazing package that would be heavily overpriced if you were to pay for each one separately.
Booking a cruise holiday you are getting a complete service in one package
Family Experience
A cruise vacation is also great for those traveling with family. Cruise holidays are perfect for each age group with activities that you can do both as a family and individually. Parents and children can both have fun separately and together. This is a great way for the whole family to have quality time in one package.
Join Cruise Addicts as we visit Hamburg Cruise Days. The world’s biggest cruise festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to the waterfront in Hamburg, Germany. We will take you up close to the sights, sounds and destinations this historic city has to offer. Learn why this is a must visit destination for every Cruise Addict.
Hamburg Cruise Days is a spectacular finale of a week full of cruise-related events. From the Blue Port art installations to the Seatrade fair and the Cruise Parade in the end, Cruise Week is Europe’s biggest event that concentrates entirely on cruise ship tourism. This includes a whole armada of cruise ships will berth in Hamburg’s port, which makes for an impressive view from the docks and vantage points of Hamburg.
Built for Royal Caribbean International guests, The Royal Beach Club at Fort James will combine the island’s striking beaches with the cruise line’s signature service and amenities.
The Honorable Charles Fernandez, Minister of Tourism, Economic Development and Investments, Government of Antigua and Barbuda, said: “The government of Antigua and Barbuda welcomes this multimillion-dollar investment into our tourism product by Royal Caribbean. The economic impact into our economy is projected to be approximately $80 million USD from direct revenue to the Government over the next 30 years and over $1 billion USD in indirect revenue during the same period.”
Fernandez continued: “The project will also provide meaningful employment to Antiguans and Barbudans for both the construction phase and the operations of the project for years to come. We are truly grateful and appreciative that Royal Caribbean’s first Royal Beach Club will be in Antigua, which confirms confidence in our twin island state.”
Though Royal does not expect to release specific designs for the Antigua destination for several months, the company expects to offer regional fare, island-style BBQs and live music, along with unforgettable experiences, including such thrills as wave runners, paddle boarding, snorkeling, a family splash pad and stunning pool with swim-up bar.
Cruise tourism is growing globally, with an anticipated 50% growth in the Caribbean over the next decade. Through land-based destinations, such as Royal Caribbean’s recently announced Perfect Day Lelepa in the South Pacific, and the new Royal Beach Club concept, the company is supporting its expanding fleet of award-winning, innovative ships.
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Norwegian Cruise Line takes delivery of Norwegian Encore from Meyer Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany.
(From left to right: Yard Captain Wolfgang Thos of Meyer Werft; Captain Niklas Persson of Norwegian Encore; Tim Meyer, managing director of Meyer Werft; Andy Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line; and Harry Sommer, incoming president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line)
Today Norwegian Cruise Line took delivery of its newest ship, Norwegian Encore, in Bremerhaven, Germany.
This highly anticipated milestone begins a nearly month-long tour with preview events scheduled in Europe, New York and Miami, including the ship’s naming ceremony on Nov. 21, 2019. In attendance were Norwegian Cruise Line and Meyer Werft executives.
Norwegian Cruise Line takes delivery of Norwegian Encore from Meyer Werft. (Tim Meyer, managing director of Meyer Werft and Andy Stuart, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line.)
“Today we celebrate the delivery of our 17th ship and the close of our history-making Breakaway Plus class – a feat that was made possible through a special collaboration with our partners at Meyer Werft,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Our dedication to creating next-level offerings on board, will allow us to continue to deliver meaningful experiences for our guests, when Norwegian Encore arrives home to Miami.”
The nearly 1,100-foot-long Norwegian Encore, with a gross tonnage of almost 170,000 and a guest capacity of nearly 4,000, will embark on her first preview cruise from Bremerhaven, Germany on Oct.31, arriving to Southampton, England on Nov. 2. During the two-day voyage, guests will enjoy the Company’s newest offerings including the largest and most exciting race track in the industry, the new Onda by Scarpetta, enhanced Galaxy Pavilion and open-air laser tag attractions, and the at-sea debut of the Tony Award®-winning Kinky Boots.
Take A Look At Encore:
“We’re happy to deliver another world-class ship to Norwegian Cruise Line,” said Tim Meyer, managing director of Meyer Werft. “We are extremely proud of our partnership of over 16 years and honored to have been part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s most successful class of ships. We are confident that Norwegian Encore will continue the Company’s legacy of exceeding the expectations of its guests.
Norwegian Encore joins the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.
On Nov. 2, Norwegian Encore will commence her transatlantic voyage to the U.S., arriving to New York on Nov. 10 with a two-day preview scheduled from Nov. 11 to 13. She will then voyage to Miami for a series of events, concluding with the christening ceremony and celebration on Nov. 21, which includes a live performance by Norwegian Encore’s godmother and Grammy Award-winning singer and television host Kelly Clarkson.
In addition to featuring many of the highly rated restaurants and lounges that have made the Breakaway Plus class one of the most innovative and successful in the Company’s history, Norwegian Encore will debut a new elevated Italian dining experience, Onda by Scarpetta, in collaboration with LDV Hospitality. The Tony Award®-winning musical, “Kinky Boots” will headline the world-class entertainment on board, with returning guest favorites “The Choir of Man,” “Happy Hour Prohibition: The Musical” and the rocking Beatles cover band of The Cavern Club.
As part of a recent partnership with JUST Goods, Inc., Norwegian Encore will be the first ship in the Company to be plastic bottle free when she debuts. By Jan. 1, 2020 Norwegian Cruise Line will be the first major cruise line to eliminate plastic bottles across its entire fleet, a significant effort towards providing guests with more sustainable options at sea.
Inaugural Season
Launching this fall, Norwegian Encore will offer seven-day voyages to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami beginning Nov. 24, 2019; Bermuda, and Canada and New England itineraries from New York City beginning Apr. 22, 2020; and voyages to the Western Caribbean from Miami beginning Dec. 12, 2020. In the spring of 2021, she will make her West Coast debut and sail to Alaska from Seattle.
For more information about Norwegian Cruise Line ships and their itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.
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Carnival Panorama as seen during our recent sea trials
With this week’s delivery of Carnival Panorama at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, Carnival Cruise Line officially welcomes its 27th ship and the third vessel in the popular Vista class. Carnival Panorama will now head to Long Beach, Calif. for its naming ceremony and inaugural sailing in December.
“Carnival Panorama is the 15th ship built by Fincantieri for Carnival Cruise Line and once again, the skill and hard work of hundreds of talented craftspeople are on display here aboard the beautiful Carnival Panorama,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Our guests absolutely love Carnival Vista and Horizon and we are certain they are going to love their sister Carnival Panorama.”
Carnival Panorama also offers a variety of longtime guest favorites such as a massive WaterWorks aqua park, Sky Ride, the popular bike in the sky with breathtaking views, a suspended ropes course and dining venues like Bonsai Teppanyaki and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse with barbecue favorites from Food Network star and longtime Carnival partner Guy Fieri along with craft beers brewed on board.
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