How to save hundreds on your next cruise

How to save hundreds on your next cruise

One of the best ways for avid cruisers to save on their next holiday, is to infact, book their next cruise on their current one. While you might be sceptical when the crew announce over the loud speaker that you can save thousands on your next holiday – make sure you go to those seminars. … Read more

Rough weather at sea for Carnival Spirit and Pacific Explorer

Rough weather at sea for Carnival Spirit and Pacific Explorer

Coming out of the winter months means calmer waters for cruise passengers. The winter months brings rough weather and the captains of our ships do a good job to keep us safe. Passengers aboard the Carnival Spirit and Pacific Explorer recently endured rough seas. While passengers were dining at Angelo’s Italian restaurant on the Pacific Explorer, … Read more

Luxurious Crystal Bach christened and on its inaugural sailings

Luxurious Crystal Bach christened and on its inaugural sailings

Crystal River Cruises has launched its latest ship, the Crystal Bach.

Christened by the famous soprano vocalist, Anna-Maria Kaufmann who is the Godmother of the ship, the Crystal Bach embarked on her maiden voyage from Amsterdam last week.

Crystal River Cruises has also just released new photos of the interior of this spectacular ship.

“It is an honor to have one of Germany’s most gifted and cherished talents christen Crystal Bach as she officially embarks on the Rhine as part of the award-winning Crystal fleet,” says Crystal CEO and president, Edie Rodriguez. “Naturally, Anna-Maria’s remarkable career in classical music and passion for her chosen homeland are apropos for this stunning ship, but beyond that, her grace and internationally recognisable charm are representative of the elegance found aboard a Crystal river voyage.”

Crystal Bach is the first of four Crystal “Rhine Class” river ships to debut on the rivers of Europe, joining Crystal Mozart as part of the Crystal River Cruises fleet recently named “World’s Best River Cruise Line” by Travel + Leisure.

Sailing 10- and 14-day voyages predominantly along the Rhine River, she will call in medieval towns and modern hubs in Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and Germany.

Crystal’s “Rhine Class” river ships are the river cruising industry’s first and only all-balcony, all-suite vessels in Europe.

All four river ships will offer Crystal’s acclaimed butler service in every room category, king-sized beds, Panoramic Balcony-Windows, walk-in closets and dual vanity in the bathrooms in most categories, ETRO robes and slippers, wall-mounted flat-screen HD TVs, and Nespresso machines.

Additional features include Crystal’s farm-to-table, Michelin-inspired cuisine in multiple, open-seating eateries: the elegant Waterside Restaurant, namesake Bistro cafés and the exclusive optional Vintage Room; and the Palm Court.

MSC Cruises floats out its latest ship, the MSC Seaview

MSC Cruises floats out its latest ship, the MSC Seaview

MSC Cruises has celebrated the float out of the MSC Seaview, its newest ship.

MSC Seaview is the second of MSC Cruises’ Seaside generation of cruise ships, based on a highly-innovative prototype designed to bring guests closer to the sea than ever before.  Designed for warmer climates, she is the ultimate sun and sea cruise experience. MSC Seaview is set to come into service in June 2018, just six months afterMSC Seaside will first come into service with her Grand Voyage from Trieste, Italy to Miami, USA in December 2017.

MSC Seaview will sail her inaugural 2018 summer season in the Mediterranean, offering holidaymakers the chance to experience the jewels of this region like never before on a cruise ship. Guests will discover seven different lively ports from four countries, all without unpacking a suitcase – Genoa, Naples, Messina, Valetta, Barcelona and Marseille.

Following this inaugural season, the ship will follow the sun to Brazil and the Southern hemisphere for the winter 2018-2019 season, with an itinerary that includes Santos, Ilha Grande, Buzios, Porto Belo and Camboriu.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman said, “At MSC Cruises, we are truly leading the way with our ship designs, as each new class of ships that we bring into service is rooted in meeting the needs of holidaymakers of different ages, demographics and holiday desires. With MSC Seaview, in particular, our vision has been inspired by our passion for the sea and we are appealing to guests who are seeking the classic elements of a holiday – sun and sea – taken to the next level with a one-of-a-kind fully immersive and interactive seaside experience even whilst cruising at sea.”

Mr Vago concluded: “We are already the market leading cruise brand in the Mediterranean and Europe and the deployment of MSC Seaview in this key region will help us further push boundaries by bringing one of the most innovative cruise ships to an area that we are deeply committed to and is a cornerstone of our business.”

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “MSC Seaview is a challenge that Fincantieri is proud to carry out successfully, as demonstrated by the milestone reached today. She is a spectacular ship, the second of a new generation that is testing all of our best technical and managerial skills, considering that the float out takes place less than nine months away from that of the prototype that launched this class of ships, MSC Seaside. These two beautiful ships require a real endeavour and our Group will deliver them to meet the high expectations of the ship owner in terms of reliability and product quality.”

Cruise lines create amazing shore excursions Down Under

Azamara's AzAmazing evenings Down Under

Cruise lines are creating more immersive shore excursions so passengers get a better understanding of the culture of the destinations they visit. Princess Cruises are currently launching its’ Across the Ditch program where passengers can learn the Haka, sample local cuisine and wine as well as visit Maori communities. Azamara Club Cruises is known for … Read more

European cities move to ban cruise ships

European cities move to ban cruise ships

The debate about tourism and preservation has caused friction in many historical European cities, with local residents concerned that huge influxes of tourists will destroy their city. Most recently, activist groups in Venice in Italy, Dubrovnik in Croatia as well as Barcelona in Spain are looking to cull the number of tourists, with some singling … Read more

The countries where you’ll save if you cruise

Cheaper to cruise than stay

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There are some destinations in the world where it’s cheaper to see the sights and sound by cruising, than it is to book accommodation, flights and tour packages. We’ve compiled together a list of these destinations which might break the bank, but not if you’re sailing on the high seas.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”48470″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text] Australia … Read more