Costa Diadema Arrives in Northern Europe for Summer Season

Costa Diadema Arrives in Northern Europe for Summer Season

The Costa Diadema arrived in Northern Europe earlier this month to kick off a summer season in the region.

Having spent the past winter in South America, the Costa Cruises vessel started a series of seven-night cruises to the Norwegian Fjords on May 15, 2026.

Sailing from Kiel and Copenhagen, the weeklong cruises sail to destinations in Norway, Germany and Denmark.

Ports of call set to be visited as part of the deployment include Bergen, Stavanger, Flam, Alesund, Geiranger, Haugesund and Hellesylt.

The season runs through mid-September, when the Diadema is scheduled to reposition to the Western Mediterranean.

The ship initially offers short cruises to Italy, Spain and France before operating longer itineraries that also sail to destinations in Portugal, the United Kingdom and Morocco.

Following its fall schedule in the region, the 2014-built vessel embarks on a repositioning cruise back to South America in early November.

Before kicking off its summer season in Northern Europe, the ship also offered a trans-Atlantic crossing that departed from Santos, Brazil.

The 25-night repositioning voyage included visits to additional Brazilian destinations, along with ports in Cape Verde, Spain, Morocco, Portugal, France, England and Belgium.

Back in South America for the 2026-27 winter season, the Diadema is scheduled to offer cruises to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

Following a series of short cruises from Santos and Itajaí in November, the 3,700-passenger ship kicks off regular cruises to Santos, Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Itajaí in December.

The seven-night itinerary, which allows guests to join the cruise in every port, will be offered through late March.

In addition to the Diadema, Costa is also deploying the Costa Serena in South America for the 2026-27 season, offering cruises from Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro.

MSC Cruises Details Results of World’s First Net Zero Cruise

MSC Cruises Details Results of World’s First Net Zero Cruise

MSC Cruises has shared details of the world’s first net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions cruise operated in June by its newest ship, the LNG-powered MSC Euribia.

The four-day voyage from Saint-Nazaire in France to Copenhagen in Denmark resulted in a saving of 43 tons of fuel, the company said, and enabled the ship to perform 11 per cent better than the vessel’s digital twin – an ashore virtual ship that reproduced the optimum energy flow and mirrored the fuel utilization onboard.

This was thanks to various optimization and energy efficiency measures, including optimal speed profiles, routing, trim and engine configuration and strict management of the hotel`s energy consumption, according to a press release. 

All the required heat for galleys, heating and ventilation systems as well as production of hot water onboard was recovered from the ship’s engines, which eliminated the need to use the boilers during the voyage.

The ship used bio-LNG as a fuel, which is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly method recognized under the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive known as RED II.  Each batch of bio-LNG produced was certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification.

Linden Coppell, vice president of sustainability and ESG at MSC Cruises, said: “The MSC Euribia’s pioneering voyage was a significant achievement and proved that net zero GHG emissions cruising is possible today and well ahead of the 2050 target for the industry.  We are eager for the appropriate regulatory and financial incentives for fuel producers to provide the fuels needed, at the scale that is needed, which, alongside technology, will power the industry’s journey towards decarbonization.”

MSC Cruises said will use the data collected during MSC Euribia’s net zero emissions sailing to drive down further the emissions intensity across the fleet.

Sophia Loren to Name MSC Euribia in Copenhagen

Sophia Loren to Name MSC Euribia in Copenhagen

MSC Cruises announced that Oscar-winning actress Sophia Loren will name the cruise line’s 19th ship, the MSC Euribia at a ceremony scheduled for June 8 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In addition to having the Hollywood star name the ship, the ceremony will be hosted by television personality, model and actress Sarah Grünewald, who will serve as the Master of the Ceremony.

Guests can expect the traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne over the bow of the ship, a special gala dinner and a range of live performances, including a DJ set from the popular French DJ and record producer, Bob Sinclar

Following the naming ceremony, the MSC Euribia will start sailing seven-night cruises in Northern Europe departing from Kiel, Germany and Copenhagen, Denmark. The ship will explore Norwegian Fjords including Geiranger, Ålesund, and Flaam.

At the event in Copenhagen, guests will have the chance to catch a glimpse of the new ships’ features and amenities including Street. 2023, artwork by British artist Julian Opie; The Carousel Lounge; MSC Foundation Lab, an area dedicated to kids; five speciality restaurants including Le Grill and more.

MSC Euribia completes sea trials ahead of launch in June

MSC Cruises’ upcoming ship MSC Euribia has successfully completed its four-day sea trial in the Atlantic Ocean. 

The cruise line tested the performance of the ship’s four LNG-powered engines, manoeuvrability, fuel consumption, safety systems, speed and stopping distances. 

MSC Euribia is now undergoing finishing touches at Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, before its naming ceremony on 8 June in Copenhagen, Denmark. It will then embark on its maiden season in Northern Europe from its homeport in Kiel, Germany. 

The ship, which is the 22nd to join the MSC Cruises fleet, will accommodate up to 6,327 passengers and will host seven different live productions per week to entertain guests. 

The LNG-powered vessel will feature shore power plug-in connectivity to reduce carbon emissions in port as well as advanced wastewater treatment, recycling and underwater noise management systems to protect marine life. 

MSC Cruises’ commitment to sustainability will also be reflected on the ship's exterior via a fresco designed and painted by German graphic artist Alex Flaemig.  

MSC Euribia Completes Sea Trials

MSC Euribia Completes Sea Trials

MSC Cruises’ new ship and second powered by liquefied natural gas, the MSC Euribia has completed a four-day set of sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a statement.

The trial involved checking the performance of the ship’s engines, fuel consumption and safety systems, and speed and stopping distances.

Following the completion of sea trials, the ship set course for Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France before being delivered to MSC Cruises in May.

MSC Euribia’s official christening ceremony is scheduled for June 8 and will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark before its inaugural season in Northern Europe sailing from its homeport in Kiel, Germany.

Shortly after the christening, starting from June 10, the MSC Euribia will offer seven-night sailings from Kiel to Copenhagen and the Norwegian fjords with calls in Geiranger, Ålesund, and Flam. 

 The MSC Euribia will sail Northern Europe for the winter 2023-24 season offering seven-night sailings from Hamburg to Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Zeebrugge, Belgium; Le Havre, France and Southampton in the UK.

 

MSC Cruises to Launch MSC Euribia In Copenhagen

MSC Cruises to Launch MSC Euribia In Copenhagen

MSC Cruises announced that the naming ceremony for its newest ship, the MSC Euribia, will take place on June 8, 2023, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The MSC Euribia will be the company’s second ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), one of the world’s cleanest fuels available at the moment. The new flagship will also feature the ‘Baltic Standard’, an advanced wastewater treatment system and a range of environmental technologies designed to help enable zero emissions from the ship in port where onshore power is available.

The cruise line selected the port of Copenhagen as the launch location due to its rich maritime heritage as well as the fact that Denmark is committed to sustainability.

The new ship will also feature painted art on its exterior which reflects the company’s commitment to preserving the marine environment. The art is the work of German graphic artist, Alex Flaemig, and highlights the importance of protecting the complex ecosystem of the seas.

The MSC Euribia will embark on its inaugural season in Northern Europe on June 10 with seven-night cruises from Kiel, Germany and Copenhagen to the Norwegian Fjords including Geiranger, Ålesund, and Flam.

 The ship is named after the ancient goddess Eurybia who used the winds, weather and constellations to navigate the seas.

The MSC Euribia will feature a Mediterranean-style promenade with a LED Dome, a number of shops, speciality restaurants and entertainment venues. Additionally, it includes 10 elegant dining venues and 21 bars and lounges.

 

Costa Returns to Northern Europe After Three-Year Gap

Costa Returns to Northern Europe After Three-Year Gap

Costa Cruises is sailing in Northern Europe for the first time since 2019. The brand returned to the region with the Costa Diadema, which kicked off the season on May 27.

The vessel is part of a three-ship program in the region, which will see the company offering itineraries to the Norwegian Fjords, the Baltic, the British Islands, Iceland and more.

Cruising in Northern Europe for the first time, the Costa Diadema is now sailing a series of seven-night cruises to the Norwegian Fjords.

The vessel’s itineraries depart from Kiel (Germany) and Copenhagen (Denmark) and include visits to several ports in Norway, such as Flam, Bergen, Hellesylt, Nordfjordeid, Stavanger and Haugesund.

Another ship based in Kiel for the summer, the Costa Fascinosa will offer longer cruises to the Baltic and the Cape North.

Starting on June 7, the 3,012-guest ship sails ten- to 12-night itineraries that ports including Helsinki, Stockholm, Riga, Gdynia, Trondheim, Honningsvag, Tromso, Olden and more.  

Resuming service ahead of its program in Northern Europe, the Costa Fortuna completes the deployment lineup.

The 2003-built vessel will offer cruises departing from three different ports in the Netherlands and Germany: Ijmuiden, Amsterdam and Bremerhaven.

Extending from June 11 to August 28, the ship’s program features port-intensive cruises, with 11- to 14-night itineraries to the British Islands, Iceland, and the Norwegian Fjords.

A fourth ship, the Costa Favolosa, was also set to sail in the region for the company in 2022, offering itineraries at the Baltic. 

The vessel’s program, which featured visits to Saint Petersburg, was entirely cancelled by the company due to the recent developments in Russia.

After becoming one of the first mainstream cruise lines to resume service in 2020, Costa focused its European operations in the Mediterranean.

With the travel restrictions in place in Northern Europe, the company decided to cancel its entire local program in both 2020 and 2021.

MSC Poesia Resumes Service Ahead of Summer Program in Northern Europe

MSC Poesia Resumes Service Ahead of Summer Program in Northern Europe

Dawn and the Wonderful MSC Peosia Photo credit Spacejunkie2

Another MSC Cruises ship is resuming service today as the MSC Poesia welcomes guests back in Civitavecchia, Italy.

Returning after a two-year absence, the 2008-built vessel is kicking off a summer season in Northern Europe with a repositioning voyage to Warnemunde.

The 14-night cruise features visits to 12 different ports in Italy, France, Spain, Portugal, England, Sweden, Denmark and Germany.

A highlight of the port-intensive itinerary is a visit to El Ferrol. Located in Northern Spain, the unusual cruise port also serves as a getaway to other cities in the region, including Santiago de Compostela.

Continuing its summer schedule, the Poesia offers a series of cruises to the Baltic and Scandinavia departing from Copenhagen and Warnemunde.

Ranging from seven to 21 nights in duration, the itineraries feature visits to Norway, Finland, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and more.

The program – which stretches through mid-September – also includes a one-time cruise to Iceland and Greenland. The 21-night voyage visits seven ports in the region, such as Nuuk, Qaqortoq, Reykjavik and Akureyri.

The MSC Poesia was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in St. Nazaire, France. The 93,300-ton vessel entered service in 2008, as the third ship of MSC’s Musica Class.

According to the company, the ship features sophisticated and elegant décor and features 236,000 square feet of public spaces.

Among its many public areas, the Poesia offers two swimming pools, four hot tubs, a 13,000-square-foot spa, and four restaurants - including a Sushi Bar alternative dining restaurant.

With a capacity of 2,550 guests, the vessel boasts 1,275 staterooms, of which 80 per cent face the outside and 65 per cent are equipped with a private balcony.

With the MSC Poesia, a total of four ships resumed service for MSC Cruises in April.

Cruise companies to commit to shore power in the Baltic Sea

MSC Virtuosa Photo credit SpaceJunkie2

Five major cruise companies will commit to using shore power on all cruises in the Baltic Sea from 2024 at the Sustainable Cruising conference hosted by business-to-business network Cruise Baltic, to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 5 April. 

Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, MSC Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises andCarnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, MSC Cruises, Viking Ocean Cruises will sign a memorandum of understanding at the conference, with the Danish minister for environment Lea Wermelin in attendance. 

“We are extremely proud that these cruise lines now commit to shore power in the region, and it shows that the cruise industry is taking an important responsibility when it comes to sustainability,” said Claus Bødker, director of Cruise Baltic. 

The Sustainable Cruise conference will take place at the Copenhagen Marriot Hotel and will feature talks by representatives of cruise lines and Baltic ports and destinations, along with Wermelin and the Lord Mayor of Copenhagen Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.

Sales Open for MSC Euribia’s Inaugural Summer 2023 Season

Sales Open for MSC Euribia’s Inaugural Summer 2023 Season

MSC Cruises has opened sales for the MSC Euribia, the line’s most environmentally advanced ship in its fleet and its second LNG-powered ship currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, due to launch in early June 2023.

The ship will spend her inaugural season in Northern Europe from the German port of Kiel.

The Euribia will offer seven-night itineraries sailing to the Norwegian fjords with calls including Copenhagen, Denmark; Hellesylt, Norway for the Geirangerfjord; as well as Alesund and Flam, also in Norway, among others.

According to a press release, Euribia will look different from her sister ships in the Meraviglia-Plus class, thanks to “an exclusive artwork designed as a commitment by MSC Cruises to the sea.”

The cruise line held an exclusive international design competition through Talent House to create a “unique artwork” for the ship’s hull, inspired by the sea and its important marine ecosystem.

The design highlights “the steps that the company is taking towards a greener future” and will be featured on the ship’s hull permanently.

MSC said that it had designs from 59 countries worldwide submitted. The winner was German artist Alex Flaemig whose artwork will adorn the ship’s exterior.

Five finalists will have their designs displayed onboard the ship in a new art gallery, MSC said.

Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, Pierfrancesco Vago, said: “In response to the growing need to protect the ocean for future generations, we have made it our mission to equip our ships with the latest and most advanced environmental technologies and solutions, with MSC Euribia showcasing the best of them to-date.

“The contest to design the hull for our latest LNG ship was launched to help us communicate our unwavering commitment to the environment as this ship sails the world.

“Flaemig’s design perfectly captured this message of passion and dedication to preserving the marine environment and its complex ecosystem and delivers a strong call to action to everyone who sees this ship to save the seas.”

Competition winner Alex Flaemig added: “In order to make people even more aware of this unique underwater world with its precious life, I have graphically placed a small section of this ecosystem on the hull of the MSC Euribia. What was important to me was not only the representation of the underwater world but also a message about how it should be preserved.“

I also want to express that an intact sea is also the basis for a healthy ecosystem on land. I want to emphasize this with the representation of birds, insects and leaves, and last but not least with the globe. It is still important to me to inspire people and encourage them to participate.”

Flaemig is a native of Dresden, Germany, and was inspired by “the opportunity to transform the hull of the MSC Euribia into a giant, floating canvas to highlight the importance of respect for the environment.”

His #SaveTheSea design features an underwater world with its precious life and weaves together the colours of the MSC Cruises and MSC Foundation logos, the cruise line said. This blending creates a gradient effect that paints sea fauna and flora across the hull.

The winning artwork was selected from entries from around the world by a panel of international judges including sand artist Jben, known for his large-scale sand frescoes that wash away with the tide, architect Martin Francis and Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, Pierfrancesco Vago.

Euribia will come into service in 2023 and become the second LNG-powered ship in the MSC Cruises fleet. The cruise line said that LNG plays a “key role” in the journey towards climate change mitigation and will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 25 per cent on the Euribia compared to standard fuels while also virtually eliminating other air emissions.

As bio and synthetic fuels become available, Euribia’s emissions will be further reduced, according to the press release.

LNG is key to the development of low carbon solutions for shipping as emerging technologies such as fuel cells can be operated with LNG until zero emissions bio-LNG or green hydrogen become available at scale.

MSC Cruises said it is “actively involved” in several projects to develop and make these technologies viable in partnership with regulators, academia, shipyards and industry. This includes a project to study the use of hydrogen fuel in cruise ships in partnership with Fincantieri and SNAM, as well as a pilot project for the development of solid oxide fuel cell technology for cruise ships with Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Bloom Energy.

Euribia will utilize an advanced wastewater treatment system, as well as an underwater radiated noise management system to minimize the effects of vibrations on marine life. Multiple energy efficiency features help reduce and optimize engine use.

MSC Cruises stated it was committed to powering at least three upcoming ships with LNG, representing a total investment exceeding 3 billion euros.

AIDA Announces Substitute Ports in the Baltic with Russia Out

AIDA Announces Substitute Ports in the Baltic with Russia Out

AIDA Cruises, Carnival Corporation's German brand, has announced replacement ports in the Baltic and not call in Saint Petersburg this summer. 

The AIDAdiva, AIDAmar, AIDAnova and AIDAvita will see calls in Russia cancelled and replaced by destinations such as Riga (Latvia), Copenhagen (Denmark), Oslo (Norway) or Visby (Gotland/Sweden).

The AIDAdiva will call at the Latvian capital Riga or Copenhagen instead of Saint Petersburg on its seven-day Baltic Sea roundtrip from Warnemünde starting between May 14 and October 8, 2022. The voyage with a departure date of May 7, 2022, will include a visit to Hamina in southern Finland.

For the seven-day round trips in the Baltic Sea with the AIDAnova from Kiel with departure dates between May 14 and October 15, 2022, AIDA Cruises has developed alternative routes in the Baltic Sea as well as to Norway and Denmark. Baltic cruises now include an extended stay in the Estonian capital Tallinn. Copenhagen/Kalundborg is also new on the itinerary.

The AIDAnova is now setting course for Scandinavia on new voyages. In addition to a visit to Copenhagen and Kristiansand, AIDAnova’s guests can enjoy a two-day stay in Oslo.

On its 10 day Baltic cruises, the AIDAmar will call at the port of Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland and the Latvian capital Riga instead of Saint Petersburg.

In addition, the first sailing of the AIDAvita will depart on July 24, 2022. 

Denmark is Now Requiring Cruise Passengers to Get Tested to Go Ashore

From Aug. 24, cruise guests who want to go ashore in Denmark must get tested for coronavirus, the Danish authorities have announced according to CruiseCopenhagen. This applies to immune and vaccinated guests as well.

According to a press release, before disembarking a cruise in Denmark all guests must either take a PCR test within 72 hours before arrival or an antigen test within 48 hours before arrival. This also applies to those guests who are vaccinated or are immune due to an earlier infection with COVID-19.

Previously, since June 26, 2021, only cruise guests vaccinated with an EMA-accepted vaccine were allowed to go ashore in Denmark.

CruiseCopenhagen said that while they welcome the step allowing unvaccinated guests to explore the country, it believes that "the border entry rules for cruise guests should be equal to the rules of general tourism in this country."

"Even though cruising is the safest mode of vacationing, the Danish authorities are extremely cautious with letting our guests in as opposed to general tourism,“ said Claus Bødker, director of CruiseCopenhagen.

Copenhagen Puts New Cruise Terminal Project on Pause

Copenhagen won't be getting a new cruise terminal in 2022, as the port originally promised.

"A very significantly changed cruise market, due to the crisis with the coronavirus pandemic, means that Copenhagen Malmö Port (CMP) will postpone the establishment of what was planned to be a new cruise terminal at Copenhagen’s Oceankaj," the port said, in a statement. 

“This is, it goes without saying, extremely regrettable, including of course also to the parties involved in the tendering process, that the investment in a new cruise terminal is being postponed. Until a few months ago, we saw a healthy 2020 with a record number of port calls from cruise ships with almost a million guests visiting Copenhagen. However, with the arrival of the crisis accompanying the coronavirus pandemic, the brakes have suddenly been put on global growth – including in Copenhagen, where forecasts indicate that the 2020 cruise season will be entirely cancelled, followed by some uncertainty in the next few years. The new terminal was to confirm Copenhagen’s position as a hub for cruise tourism in northern Europe, however now we will simply have to wait for the situation to reverse so that we can again focus on developing sustainable cruise tourism for the benefit of the entire region as a whole,” said Barbara Scheel Agersnap, CEO of Copenhagen Malmö Port.

The port said it will be in a wait and see approach, and "will decide when the process for a new cruise terminal will be relaunched."

Carnival's Mardi Gras to sail four cruises before Port Canaveral arrival

The Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruise Line's largest ship when it enters service, will sail four cruises before its Port Canaveral deployment in October 2020.

The Mardi Gras' maiden voyage will be a nine-day cruise from Copenhagen to Southampton, England, departing Aug. 31 and calling at Kiel, Germany; Gothenburg, Sweden; Oslo, Norway; Rotterdam, Netherlands; Zeebrugge, Belgium; and Le Havre, France.

A 14-day transatlantic crossing from Southampton to New York is scheduled to depart Sept. 9.

The following cruise will be a six-day roundtrip from New York to Portland, Maine, and Saint John, New Brunswick, departing Sept. 24.

There will be a 15-day Carnival Journeys voyage departing New York on Sept. 30 and making various stops in the eastern and southern Caribbean before arriving at Port Canaveral on Oct. 15.

The Mardi Gras will accommodate 5,200-plus passengers and feature six design zones and the first roller coaster at sea. The ship will sail seven-day cruises from Port Canaveral.

Viking Passengers Rate Kirkwall Top Destination in Northern Europe

Viking Ocean Cruises passengers have rated Kirkwall as their top Northern Europe and Scandinavian cruise destination.

The rating was based on guest feedback following analysis of 2018 itineraries, according to a statement the Orkney Islands Council.

Kirkwall has been rated top destination from a total portfolio of 46 Northern Europe and Scandinavian destinations from Viking. 

"Viking Ocean Cruises are one of our most regular cruise lines calling into Kirkwall and their outstanding vessels are a corner stone of our local cruise industry," said Michael Morrison, the Council's Business Development Manager for Marine Services. "For their guests to rate us so highly is indeed an accolade that all of us who deliver the marine tourism product in Orkney can be truly proud of. To receive a higher level of customer satisfaction that destinations such as Copenhagen and St. Petersburg  is indeed a tremendous achievement  Kirkwall is the UK’s cruise destination capital and this endorsement from Viking Cruises will motivate Team Orkney to continue to deliver the high quality of destination experience that Orkney is so very good at."

The 2019 Orkney season has 170 port calls planned compared to 140 booked for 2018. Bookings for 2020 are encouraging as well, with over 100 calls already scheduled. 

This year will see growth in smaller vessels calling, with 71 calls scheduled from ships with under 500 guests. 

Copenhagen Set for New Terminal in 2020

Cruise ship calls continue to increase on an annual basis in Copenhagen as the Danish city has gone from 325 calls in 2017 to 346 in 2018, and expects 355 calls and 900,000 guests next year, according to Arnt Moller Pedersen, COO cruise and ferries.

The 2018 season kicked off in late March with the Astoria and will go to the end of October when the AIDAmar calls on Halloween. That is a full month longer than the 2017 season, with 2018 featuring nine new ships.

There are also nine off-season Christmas and New Years call, an all-time high.

Among the highlights, the biggest ship to call was the Norwegian Breakaway, while May 20 saw the port handle six ships, 24,000 cruise passengers and 8,000 crew in a single day, said Pedersen.

“We are building a new cruise terminal in Copenhagen with capacity for 5,000 guests and with a quay length of 370 meters and a water depth of 12 meters,” he said, noting it will be ready by April 2020. “The terminal building will have two floors, totalling 10,000 square meters and two gangway bridges.”

Overall more than 1.1 million cruise passengers are expected to visit Danish ports this year, with an economic impact of 200 million euro, according to a statement.

In addition to Copenhagen’s strong numbers, Aarhus will welcome 100,000 passengers for the first time; and business is also expected to double for the port of Skagen.

And in Visby, a new cruise quay opened earlier this year and was inaugurated by a call from the AIDAdiva in April.

MSC Cruises Northern Europe ended successful season in 2014

The North European season 2014 goes for MSC cruises to the end and the three MSC ships stationed in Germany goodbye. The MSC Magnifica leaves on 12 October 2014 after 22 attempts, the port of Hamburg. It is replaced by the MSC Splendida, which is in the summer season 2015, as the largest passenger ship in the Hanseatic city.

The port of Hamburg says "Goodbye" to the MSC Magnifica. This popular cruise ship brought two summers thousands passengers from Hamburg to the most beautiful coasts of northern Europe. On October 12, they will start from the Hanseatic city from last ports in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and the UK. In November, the MSC Magnifica then takes her three-week Grand Voyage to South America, where it crosses in winter 2014/2015. The two stationed in Kiel and Warnemünde MSC ships, MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia have left Germany in September and will be stationed in the coming winter in Dubai and South America. The MSC Poesia had a total stored in the last season 18 times of Warnemünde, the MSC Orchestra 19 times of Kiel.

Photo: MSC Cruises

"We look back on an extremely successful season in Germany. Our three ships were booked straight through " , said Michael Zengerle, CEO of MSC Cruises. "Now we look forward to the summer of 2015, and particularly on the MSC Splendida, with which we will provide three premieres in Hamburg: MSC sends the first time one of its flagships from a German port of departure from the north, our guests can book for the first time the MSC Yacht Club from Germany and the MSC Splendida will also be the largest passenger ship serving of the Hanseatic city of cruises. "

Photo: MSC Cruises

The MSC Splendida is on May 1, 2015 will have their big in Hamburg: The ship of the Fantasia-class of MSC with 330 meters and a gross tonnage of 138,000 will be the largest positioned in the Hanseatic city cruise ship with a capacity of 1,637 cars. The baptized by Sophia Loren in 2009 luxury liner is a total of 12 times set sail and start on eight different routes ports in Great Britain, France, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands as well as in Norway and Iceland. These range from a mini-cruise with four nights to two-week trips. With the MSC Splendida MSC Cruises are in the upcoming summer season about 30 percent more capacity on high demand routes from Hamburg. This MSC responds to the continuing boom in Northern Europe cruises. The three MSC ports in northern and eastern Germany are especially popular with German visitors because of their convenient accessibility.

The MSC Splendida is on the North Europe routes from summer 2015 for the first time an exclusive luxury range available: the MSC Yacht Club, a "ship in the ship" concept for guests who want to be pampered on board in a luxurious ambience and a private atmosphere especially. The MSC Yacht Club includes accommodation in spacious suites in a prime location in the bow of the ship and an all-inclusive drinks deal. Guests may also make use of separate areas such as a restaurant and sun deck as well as use of specific services claim, including them is a personal Butler around the clock.

The MSC Splendida offers its guests a cruise experience at the highest level. The varied gastronomic offer, with 21 bars and five restaurants serving Mediterranean and international cuisine ensures guests every day a new taste experience. The five pools and hot tubs 12 aboard guarantee fun for everyone. A special highlight is the covered and heated pool. This bathing is a pleasure even on chilly days in the far north. The generous Aurea Spa features a sauna, fitness center and elegant massage cabins to relax. Also, tennis, basketball, squash and jogging are possible on board. There is every night in the theater seats 1,600 comprehensive high-class Broadway shows. In addition, on board among others include a 4D cinema, a Formula 1 simulator, bowling, casino, Internet cafe and a disco.

Also in Warnemünde will begin in summer 2015 with the newly refurbished and modernized MSC Sinfonia a new ship, the anfährt on 16 runs many attractive ports in the North and Baltic MSC Cruises. From Kiel MSC Orchestra will happen this coming summer from a total of 19 times and visited, among other things, the port cities of Stockholm, Helsinki and St. Petersburg.

Disney to cruise Norwegian fjords

By Jerry Limone

Disney Cruise Line will for the first time sail the Norwegian fjords on three cruises departing Copenhagen, Denmark, in June 2015.

A seven-day cruise on the Disney Magic visits Stavanger, Alesund, Geiranger and Bergen, Norway. A nine-day cruise calls at the same Norwegian ports, plus Molde and Olden.

An 11-day cruise includes calls in Kristiansand and Stavanger, Norway; Akureyri and Reykjavik, Iceland; and Torshavn, Faroe Islands. The cruise ends in Dover, England. The Reykjavik call is an overnight visit.

In addition to the Norwegian fjords itineraries, Disney is returning to the Baltic for all-new itineraries, including sailings from Copenhagen to St. Petersburg, Russia.

Cruises to the Mediterranean, Alaska, Caribbean and Bahamas also are also in Disney’s summer lineup.

Bookings open to the public on March 27.

Carnival Legend- Review Baltic Cruise- Dover to St. Petersburg.

Carnival Legend- Review

Baltic Cruise- Dover to St. Petersburg.

My Cruise photos can be seen on Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/45642696@N07/sets/72157635095801316/ 

We had sailed on 4 other companies (Costa, Royal,NCL and MSC) and between us have all ways said that there are good points and some great points in all the companies, example we like NCL Freestyle Dining, and MSC style, so joining Carnival Legend for the first time from Dover was going to be an experience, the check-in at Dover was the best we have ever had, we were on-board having a wee dram by 11am, that was a first for us. Legend is an exact layout as the Costa Mediterranea which was our first ship, happy memories. She is a lovely ship which needs a dry dock which she is having i Jan 14 (I think) before going down under, just to spruce her up a bit.

The food in the main dining room was excellent with always a Didja Ever option on the menu, which we enjoyed trying that something different such as Alligator, Frogs Legs, and Snails. The service was very good and a waiter dance at 7:15 in the evening, which they grabbed a willing volunteer in my wife, she enjoyed it and i enjoyed videoing the show for evidence and later brownie points when needed.

The show's where the best we had seen on any cruise before, the dancers were fantastic, and the singers were top notch. Head of Entertainment John Heard was an excellent compare, and was always willing to chat when seen around the ship. the entertainers around the ship were average and we have seen better on the Norwegian Jade, there seemed to be too many quiz's and not enough music.

The tours were well organised and seemed to be a fair price considering the tours of St. Petersberg and a train trip to Berlin.

The shops on board were the normal offerings such as a Logo/tee shirt shop, a sweet shop, and a top end Jewellers. The photo gallery was the largest selling the mandatory on-board pics, places of interest pics, and a camera and accessory section.

Overall I would not hesitate to join a Carnival Cruise again, and we enjoyed the company of our fellow passengers, especially those pesky Canadians, who we keep in-touch with. Thanks to all who served and cleaned up after us.

If anyone who sailed on the same Baltic Cruise as us, we were the Stars of the cruise from the Welsh Non-Romantic Couple.