MSC Euribia Sails Around Africa Ahead of Season in the Middle East

MSC Euribia Sails Around Africa Ahead of Season in the Middle East

The MSC Euribia is currently sailing to the Middle East ahead of its winter season in the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf.

With its repositioning cruises cancelled due to security concerns in the Red Sea, the LNG-powered ship is currently sailing around Africa.

The long voyage started in Northern Europe in mid-October and included a technical call to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.

The MSC Euribia is now expected to arrive in South Africa’s Durban later this month before embarking on the final leg of the repositioning sailing.

As part of its second season in the region, the 2023-built vessel is set to welcome guests in Dubai on Nov. 8, 2025.

The MSC Euribia is then scheduled to offer a series of weeklong cruises in the region that include visits to destinations in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. In addition to Dubai, the itineraries sail to Abu Dhabi, Sir Bani Yas and Khalifa Bin Salman.

The deployment runs through early April, when the 4,888-guest ship is set to start a repositioning voyage back to Europe.

With original plans also cancelled due to security concerns, the vessel is expected to sail around Africa once again before kicking off a summer deployment in the Northern Fjords.

With the Red Sea still off-limits for cruise ship operations, cruise lines took different approaches to their planned seasons in the Middle East.

Two brands, Costa and AIDA, decided to cancel all of their sailings in the region earlier this year, redeploying their vessels to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.

Celestyal Cruises recently confirmed its season in the Middle East, revealing plans to bring its ships to the region via the Red Sea. The vessels will sail with guests to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, before deadheading to the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

TUI Cruises is operating repositioning cruises to the Arabian Gulf via Africa, with ships sailing around the continent with guests onboard.

 

Virgin Voyages Repositioning Update: Ship Heading Around Africa

Virgin Voyages Repositioning Update: Ship Heading Around Africa

Virgin Voyages is making deployment changes for the upcoming repositioning voyage for the Resilient Lady. The vessel will now sail from Australia to Europe, heading around Africa, and not transiting through the Middle East.

“We remain concerned about potential escalations in this part of the world over the next 12 months and the risk that this presents for safe passage through the region. As a result, we have been left with no choice but to make changes to Resilient Lady’s repositioning voyage taking place on March 27,” the company said.

“In place of her former repositioning voyages, the award-winning Resilient Lady will now be departing from Sydney, embarking on an iconic, once-in-a-lifetime sailing around the coast of Africa with a brand new route stopping in Eden and Fremantle (Perth) in Australia, Port Louis (Mauritius Islands), Durban and Cape Town (South Africa), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Praia (Cape Verde), Santa Cruz de Tenerife (Spain), Casablanca (Morocco), Barcelona (Spain), Valletta (Malta), as well as Santorini and Piraeus (Athens) in Greece — all with extended time at sea,” the company said.

“All passengers on these former three legs of the repositioning voyages will have guaranteed spots on these sailings at no additional cost and a price protection commitment in place. If these dates are not convenient, they can receive a Future Voyage Credit based on their paid balance or a full refund. We know that based on our conversations with passengers and travel partners, they understand the complex geopolitical challenges that have arisen making this change necessary. In addition to this, we are committed to remaining a good partner to our First Mates (travel advisors) and will be protecting their commissions.

“With the very likely continuation of this escalated regional conflict top-of-mind, and in an effort to minimize further disruptions to our passengers’ future vacation plans, Virgin Voyages is now conducting a full review of other geographically similar repositioning voyages and linked sailings. We will provide an update in the coming weeks on any further changes we will need to make.”

Here Are Holland America Line’s Homeports For 2023

Here Are Holland America Line’s Homeports For 2023

MS Nieuw Amsterdam arriving in the port of Vancouver, Photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

With its entire fleet in service again, Holland America Line is planning an expansive global deployment in 2023.

In addition to strong programs from its traditional homeports in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe, the company is also returning to its long-haul, intercontinental itineraries during the year.

Offering round-trip cruises from U.S. ports, Holland America is also returning to the Amazon, the South Pacific, Africa and more.

Other highlights of the year include a summer program in Canada and New England, as well as returns to South America, Asia, the Far East and more.

Here's a look at the company's planned homeports and their ships for 2023:

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Ships:

- Eurodam (January to April/October to December);
- Nieuw Amsterdam (January to April/October to December);
- Nieuw Statendam (January to April/November and December);
- Rotterdam (January to March/October to December);
- Volendam (January to April);
- Zaandam (January to April/October to December);
- Zuiderdam (January to May/October to December).

Seattle, Washington

Ships:

- Eurodam (April to September);
- Westerdam (May to October).

San Diego, California

Ships:

- Koningsdam (January to March);
- Volendam (October and November);
- Zaandam (January to April).
 

Whittier, Alaska

Ships:

- Nieuw Amsterdam (May to September);
- Noordam (May to September).

Boston, Massachusetts

Ships:

- Zaandam (May to September);
- Zuiderdam (August and September).

Canada

Ships:

- Koningsdam: Vancouver (April to October);
- Nieuw Amsterdam: Vancouver (April to September);
- Noordam: Vancouver (May to September);
- Volendam: Vancouver (May to September); 
- Zaandam: Montreal (April to September);
- Zuiderdam: Quebec City (September).

Europe

Ships:

- Nieuw Statendam: Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Copenhagen, Piraeus and more (April to October);
- Noordam: Barcelona, Lisbon, Trieste, Piraeus and more (April to October);
- Rotterdam: Amsterdam and Rotterdam (April to September);
- Zuiderdam: Rotterdam (May to July).

Australia and New Zealand

Ships:

- Noordam: Sydney and Auckland (January to April/October to December).

Asia and Pacific

Ships:

- Westerdam: Singapore, Yokohama and Hong Kong (January to April/October to December). 

South America

Ships:

- Oosterdam: San Antonio and Buenos Aires (January to March/November and December). 

 Agents hailed as Regent Seven Seas Cruises reports record booking day

Regent Seven Seas Cruises saw its largest ever booking day when sales for its 2022-2023 Voyage Collection opened on October 21.

The previous booking day record for the 28-year-old cruise line was set in April 2018 with the launch of Seven Seas Splendor’s inaugural season.

All destinations saw high levels of interest, but cruises in Africa, Asia, the Mediterranean and northern Europe – especially the Baltics – were notably popular.

Jason Montague, president and chief executive, said: “The staggering response to our 2022-2023 Voyage Collection demonstrates the incredible future demand for the unrivalled Regent experience.

“Luxury travellers simply cannot wait to get back on the oceans to see the world again.

“Our loyal guests wasted no time in securing their perfect itinerary and suite with last year’s Voyage Collection launch day total eclipsed after only 90 minutes of being on sale.”

Graham Sadler, senior vice president and managing director, added: “This phenomenal achievement is a testament to the professionalism and tenacity of our talented UK travel partners and we would like to thank them for their support, without which the hugely successful launch of our 2022-2023 Voyage Collection would not have been possible.”

The collection features 148 sailings from April 2022 to April 2023, with 17 maiden ports of call for the line and 105 overnight visits.

Travellers will have access to more than 350 Unesco World Heritage Sites across thousands of free, unlimited shore excursions.

Crystal Cruises’ new adventure ship emerges from shipyard

Crystal Cruises’ new adventure ship emerges from shipyard

 

The latest Crystal Cruises’ adventure ship Crystal Endeavor has been rolled out of a German shipyard eight months before it is due to enter service.

The 200-passenger polar class expedition vessel touched water for the first time at the MV Werften yard in Stralsund.

The all-suite ship is due to set off on its first cruise from Tokyo on August 10, 2020.

Crystal Endeavor will feature helicopter pads and a submarine capable of carrying seven passengers 980ft under water.

Other facilities include chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma & Sushi Bar; a spa and fitness centre; mud rooms and a helicopter lounge.

Itineraries available until early 2023 range from the Arctic, Antarctica and Australia to Africa, Europe and Indonesia.

Crystal Cruises’ president and chief executive Tom Wolber said: “Each milestone marked in the journey to introducing Crystal Endeavor to the world becomes more thrilling, as we know that the most adventurous luxury travellers are eagerly awaiting the unforgettable experiences that lie ahead, just as we are.