MSC Euribia Makes Maiden Call to Southampton

MSC Euribia Makes Maiden Call to Southampton

The port of Southampton has welcomed the first call of MSC Euribia to the UK to start her winter sailings around Northern Europe.

The Friday arrival was celebrated by a traditional exchange of crests between the ship’s master Captain Christopher Pugh, who studied at the Warsash Maritime Academy in Southampton, and local authorities.

The ship will offer options to sail to Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and France until April 2024.

Antonio Paradiso, Managing Director – UK & Ireland, MSC Cruises, said: “The arrival of MSC Euribia in the UK is an exciting moment, welcoming another ship in our fleet to the port of Southampton. After seeing the success of no-fly cruises on MSC Virtuosa, our newest flagship will give British travellers another chance to explore a variety of destinations through the convenience of a cruise.”

MSC Euribia is the second ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet to be powered by liquefied natural gas, the company said.

Steve Masters, Harbour Master, Port of Southampton, added: “We are very pleased to welcome MSC Cruises’ newest flagship vessel to Southampton as her home port and look forward to working with the MSC team during their winter sailings in Northern Europe. Having launched our Ready for Tomorrow Sustainability Strategy earlier this year, it is great that MSC Cruises shares our sustainability values by powering their new fleet with liquefied natural gas reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

MSC Virtuosa the First Ship to Dock in Hamburg in 2023

MSC Virtuosa the First Ship to Dock in Hamburg in 2023

MSC Virtuosa arriving into Southampton Photo Credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

The MSC Virtuosa was the first cruise ship to dock in Hamburg in 2023.

The MSC Virtuosa arrived in Hamburg on January 1, 2023, marking the beginning of this year’s cruise season. 

From January 8 to January 29, the ship will set course for the Canary Islands for three weeks. The ship will make calls in Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Lisbon, Cadiz and Casablanca followed by visits to the Atlantic islands of Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. On the way back to Hamburg, the MSC Virtuosa will call in La Coruna and Southampton.

The MSC Virtuosa will make several calls in Hamburg before April 16 turning around in the German port.

 In the summer of 2023, the cruise ship will then depart from Southampton, England for Norway or southern Europe. 

The MSC Euribia will then take over the trips to Hamburg from the MSC Virtuosa. In the summer of 2023, it will depart from Kiel and head to the Norwegian fjords. Throughout the 2023/2024 season, the MSC Euribia will return to Hamburg on a weekly basis.

The Port of Hamburg is expecting around 280 calls from cruise ships in 2023. The highlights in the port are the port birthday from May 5 to 7, 2023, and the Cruise Days from September 8 to 10, 2023. 

Holland America Line Celebrates 150th Anniversary Crossing

Holland America Line Celebrates 150th Anniversary Crossing

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam VII departed Rotterdam last week for the cruise line’s 150th-anniversary transatlantic crossing, according to a press release.

The 15-day voyage was designed to recreate Holland America Line's first voyage onboard the Rotterdam I and the route follows the original route to New York, with stops in Le Havre, France, and Plymouth, England, according to Holland America Line.

“Today is historic for our brand as we depart 150 years to the day that Holland America Line’s very first ship began its journey to New York,” said Gus Antorcha, president, of Holland America Line.

“In that time, we’ve carried immigrants and cruising vacationers, soldiers and refugees and earned a reputation for the extraordinary care and welcoming all those guests as if into our own homes. As we sail into our next 150 years, that environment of service will be our hallmark as we create exceptional experiences for guests around the world,” he added.

Guests will travel through Holland America Line's history with onboard enrichment programming, culinary recreations of dishes served in the original sailing, and other forms of entertainment. The celebrations will continue on October 26 with a commissioned performance on the World Stage by past and present Lincoln Center Stage performers.

The cruise line will offer its anniversary sailing again on April 6, 2023, setting sail from New York and ending in Rotterdam on April 18.

AIDAprima Completes Bio-Bunkering in Partnership with GoodFuel

AIDAprima Completes Bio-Bunkering in Partnership with GoodFuel

GoodFuels partnered with Carnival Corporation's AIDA Cruises and completed the first bio-bunkering on AIDAprima, according to a press release.

The AIDAprima was refuelled with GoodFuels' sustainable biofuels during a port visit to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands as part of a seven-day cruise, visiting Hamburg, Southampton, Le Havre, and Zeebrugge, according to the company. Without requiring any engine or tank modifications, AIDAprima was bunkered with biofuel and continued its itineraries.

"With the successful start of biofuel usage, we have proven that gradual decarbonization is possible even on ships already in service. An important prerequisite for us as a cruise line to be able to use it is that it becomes widely available on an industrial scale and at marketable prices," commented Felix Eichhorn, president, of AIDA Cruises.

The recent bio-bunkering appears to be just the beginning, as AIDA expects additional deliveries and a possible expansion to other Carnival Corporation brands.

 “This first bio-bunkering with AIDA Cruises marks an exciting step forward on the cruise industry’s decarbonisation pathway, demonstrating that our sustainable biofuels are a safe, technically viable and convenient option to drastically cut down emissions from passenger's vessels. As the effects of climate change are felt acutely in several parts of the world, the time for action is now, and biofuels are one of the few options that can already make a difference today. We are delighted to have worked alongside the trail-blazers at AIDA Cruises in the past few months to make this milestone a reality, and we look forward to collaborating again in the future," said Dirk Kronemeijer, chief executive officer, GoodFuels.

MSC Cruise to sail Winter Itineraries from Southampton

MSC Magnifica in Queensferry Edinburgh photo credit Spacejunkie2

Sailing from mid-November until April, MSC Magnifica will call at Hamburg, Ijmuiden (Amsterdam), Zeebrugge, Le Havre and Southampton during a series of seven-night cruises.

 

The line said the itinerary had been created following the popularity of UK-based “sea-cations” this summer as the cruise sector made its comeback and "ongoing demand" for Northern Europe.

 

Passengers will benefit from extended stays in the port of up to 12 hours and embarkation will be possible in each city visited - sales open on Wednesday (6 October).

 

MSC’s the UK and Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso said the Northern Pearls programme would offer Brits "direct and convenient access" to some of Europe’s best cities "for a great winter cruise"

 

All guests aged 12 years and above must be fully vaccinated and passengers aged 2-11 must provide proof of a negative PCR test or antigen taken within 48 hours of their cruise departure.

View Magnifica photos 

Seafarers Grateful for Le Havre Support Initiative

Seafarers calling at Port of Le Havre are very appreciative of an initiative started by local associations and private operators providing moral support during their call at Le Havre.

“As we had our call in Le Havre on March 17, we were really overwhelmed by the warmth of your welcome. Of course, we really appreciated the baguettes and croissants, but the (entire) gesture filled us with joy. We as seafarers are still appreciated!” the captain of the tanker Scheldedijk wrote in a letter to Seamen’s club Le Havre.

The captain added that, during the pandemic, the life of seafarers is uncomfortable, with no permission to leave the ship at ports.

“Our Filipino crew serve mostly quite long contracts and, if you are not allowed to go ashore for some diversion, life can be tough!” the captain wrote. “Please don't underestimate the gesture of your visit onboard our good ship Scheldedijk and the nice surprise treat; it really meant a lot to us. And also, many thanks for helping us go to the supermarket and the nice talks in the Seamen's club.”

According to Port of Le Havre, the initiative – started on March 15 – includes a French breakfast with fresh baguettes, croissants, jam and other delicacies delivered to the ships, as well as a supportive message to the captain and crew.

The surprise and happiness are great and go well beyond this ‘gourmet box’, as shown by the many grateful messages received, the port said.

“We know what (seafarers) endure with extended duration of service onboard without a clear prospect of going back home, and more often without being able to set a foot ashore during port calls. … Initiated by the Propeller Club of Le Havre and thanks to engagement from Seamen’s Club’s volunteers and employees, more than 70 ships, i.e. around 1,500 worldwide seafarers, are now aware that, in our port, we don't forget them,” Port of Le Havre wrote in a press release.

Le Havre Planning More Cruise Terminals

Le Havre Planning More Cruise Terminals

Le Havre is expecting 140 cruise calls this year and 420,000 cruise passengers, said Jean-Baptiste Gastinne, president of Le Havre Cruise Club.

Those numbers are up from last year and include 40 turnarounds, made up of 22 calls by the MSC Magnifica, 12 from the Royal Princess, as well as turns from Costa Cruises and Rivages du Monde.

The 2017 season was closed out by the Artania, which was on a Christmas cruise, becoming the 129th vessel to visit and rounding the passenger number for 2017 off to 397,522

The port facilities can easily handle three large cruise ships at once, said Gastinne, with virtually no size limits and a generous water depth of 10.5 meters.

There is no shortage of shore excursions for passengers, with both Normandy and Paris nearby.

Terminal 12 will get an upgrade in time for the 2019 season, enhancing its footprint for turnaround operations for big cruise ships.

“Thanks to the strong relationships with other cruise destinations in Northern Europe, we have driven visibility to the region and we now benefit from regular calls from cruise lines, which used to stop only for seasonal repositioning in the past,” noted Gastinne.

As the industry grows, Le Havre hopes to add three additional cruise terminals with the aim of welcoming up to four mega-ships at once and hosting two simultaneous turnarounds. 800,000 passengers annually by 2023 is not unrealistic, Gastinne noted.

STX France reveals newly-christened MSC Meraviglia’s ‘advanced’ propulsion

MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia, built by STX France, has been christened

MSC Cruises’ 171,598gt MSC Meraviglia has been christened at Le Havre, France. As well as being the largest ship belonging to a European shipowner, it has an advanced, “very ambitious” propulsion plant and is the first of MSC Cruises’ fleet to debut digital innovation programme ‘MSC For Me’.

STX France vice president of projects Stéphane Cordier told PST: “From a building efficiency standpoint, the construction of this prototype was extremely smooth; the overall design and architecture of ship developed very efficiently and according to schedule.”

One of the main standout features is MSC For Me, which will be rolled out across the fleet and debuts on MSC Meraviglia.

MSC Meraviglia will be powered by an all-electrical plant consisting of four 12-cylinder diesel engines. Mr Cordier said this arrangement was “very ambitious”. Usually ships of this size have five or six engines.

Singling out the benefits of MSC Meraviglia’s engine arrangement, he said: “The limited number of machines allows them to run at higher power, contributes to the general efficiency and is a more compact arrangement.”

“We have an ambitious vision for the future and MSC Meraviglia marks the start of the second phase of growth for our company,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ executive chairman in a statement. “For this reason, this evening is an extremely proud moment for all of us at MSC Cruises as we see the first of our next-generation ships being named.”

“The new ships that we are building — between 2017 and 2020 alone, we will receive six new ships — are purpose-built, featuring innovation in both product and design, as well as the very latest-cutting edge marine and consumer-facing technology to create unforgettable holiday experiences at sea for guests of all ages. MSC Meraviglia is the first to make this vision come to life, as it sets a new standard for cruise ships as a destination in itself.”

MSC Meraviglia has the longest LED Sky Screen at Sea at 80m long encompassing a 96m long Mediterranean-style promenade, designed to become the social hub of the ship.

MSC Meraviglia Departs from Le Havre

MSC Meraviglia Departs from Le Havre

Following her star-studded Saturday christening event, the new MSC Meraviglia sailed from Le Havre, France, on Sunday afternoon.

10 Talking points about the MSC Meraviglia.

10 Talking points about the MSC Meraviglia.

MSC Meraviglia will be one of the worlds largest ship in terms of passenger capacity. 

• Bigger is better - When it launches in June, MSC Meraviglia will become one of the largest ships in the world, catering for 4,500 passengers at double occupancy, Max. Cap. of 5,714 pax., and a crew of 1,536.

• Prepare for launch - Meraviglia is due to be christened in Le Havre on June 3rd 2017, and will then sail on a range of itineraries around the western Mediterranean; out of three home ports Genoa, Barcelona, and Marseille. Meraviglia will then spend the winter homeported in Miami, Florida.

•  Cabins with a view - The ship will have a total of 2,244 cabins across 14 categories - 75% of all cabins will have balconies. These include 23 interlinked "cluster" cabins that can be used by families or groups of up to 10 people, plus 8 suites with balconies and whirlpool baths.

• They will entertain you - A major selling point will be nightly performances of two exclusive shows by Canadian theatrical producer Cirque du Soleil, who will be the head line act of the programme offering 20 hours of daily entertainment. The major onboard venue will be the 985-seat Broadway Theatre, while other facilities include an 80 meter LED screen with daily shows,a full size bowling ally, casino and 10 dancing floors to boogie the night away.

• 
• Making a bigger splash - Onboard water-based activities will be based around four pools and the ships Aqua Park with three water slides including the high speed Champagne bowl slide plus a Himalayan Bridge across the entire width of the deck.

• Fun for all the Family - As well as the water parks there will be a amusement park and children's area located on the same deck. Doremi Tech Lab will allow kids to try the latest technology and the Lego Experience onboard is sure to be a big hit. There will also be a room especially for babies and their families, that has been created with Italian baby research centre Chicco. There is also a separate room for the Teens.

• A feast for cruisers - Meraviglia will offer 12 separate dinning options, including Katio Sushi Bar and Butchers Cut American Steakhouse, as well as a chocolate "Atelier" and creperie from pastry chef Jean Phillippe Maury. Flexible dining will be on offer with 8 sittings per night at selected dining venues and fresh food will be available at the buffet 20 hours a day. There will be a choice of 20 bars and lounges for pre- and after dinner drinks.

• Shop to you drop - Onboard shops will feature a range of 300 brands plus 250 products that will be exclusive to MSC. The line also say there will be a 15% on average in its shops compared with shore prices.

• Relax and get Pampered - The ship will feature a 1,100sqm Balinese-themed MSC Aureau Spa offering an extensive range of 20 massages and 26 facials. There will also be a gym and walking track for the more energetic.

• Enhanced Yacht Club - The MSC Yacht Club is an exclusive area of the ship featuring Royal and Deluxe suites, 24 hour butler service, a private treatment room in the Spa, private pool on the ships highest deck and a separate 130 seat restaurant. The club will accommodate 78 suites, 15 inside cabins and 2 apartments.

MSC to sail Meraviglia-class ship in Miami

MSC Meraviglia Translates to Wonder.

MONFALCONE, ITALY -- MSC Cruises will station a third ship in Miami starting in 2019, the company's executive chairman Pierfrancesco Vago told an audience at the Fincantieri shipyard here.

The ship will be a Meraviglia-class vessel. MSC will introduce the first ship in that class in June, when the MSC Meraviglia is christened in Le Havre, France. The 4,500-passenger ship is scheduled to sail in Europe.

Vago's comment is the first indication that a Meraviglia class ship will sail outside of Europe.

MSC officials wouldn't say whether the Meraviglia class ship will stay in Miami year-round or only for the winter season. Beginning this November, MSC will base two ships in Miami when the MSC Seaside arrives to join the MSC Divina, which is already sailing from Miami. MSC Seaside is expected to cruise from Miami to the Caribbean year-round.

Vago commented during an event in which two gold-plated coins were welded into a small chamber on the keel of the second Seaside-class vessel, which will be called MSC Seaview. It is scheduled to be delivered in May 2018.

MSC has orders for 11 ships, with four under construction and an additional seven due by 2026. Vago suggested more of them are headed for the North American market. "We are primed to grow well beyond what we have officially announced today," he said.

The Seaside class boasts a distinct design with what MSC officials are describing as a "Miami condo" look to the aft, where a pool and a large promenade are located. "We wanted to turn a few heads in North America, we wanted to turn a few heads in Miami," Vago said.

He said MSC has signed a letter of intent to base all of its Caribbean ships at in Miami. The Meraviglia-class ship includes a theater custom-designed for Cirque du Soleil, which will form part of the entertainment offering.

After the two commemorative coins, one for MSC and one for Fincantieri, were attached to the keel, a massive 600-ton crane lifted the hull section off the quay and slowly manoeuvred it into position onto blocks in a subterranean construction dock, where other sections of the ship will be welded together until it is in a position to be floated out for finishing later this year.

Vago said MSC has committed to spending €2.5 billion with Fincantieri on the Seaside class, with an option for a third ship yet to be exercised.

He said that on Nov. 30, MSC will dock the ship in nearby Trieste and hold an open house so that the residents of the area can see it before it sails for Miami and a Dec. 21 christening there.

MSC announces UK return with Magnifica season

MSC announces UK return with Magnifica season

by Natasha Salmon 
MSC will return to the UK in 2018 with Magnifica sailing its first full season ex-UK programme.

The ship, which launched in 2009, will make Southampton its home for eight months from April until November.

The company also revealed it will operate its first world cruise in 2019.

UK managing director Antonio Paradiso announced the ‘big UK comeback’ at their All Star of the Seas event held on Sunday November 13 onboard the MSC Fantasia in Barcelona.

Paradiso said: “We are coming back to the UK with our ship Magnifica for a whole season, it is a big comeback for us and we are very excited.

“It marks a new dedication from MSC to the UK market and how we want to be one of the most popular cruise lines in the country.

“We have created itineraries that make the most of the British Isles and the best of what are customers can experience out of their own country.

“I am really excited, this is game on for us. I want us to become one of the top three cruise lines in the UK.”

There will be five new itineraries out of Southampton including a 14-day sailing calling at Le Havre, La Coruna, Leixoes, Lisbon, Malaga then Amsterdam and Hamburg.

A North Sea sailing will travel to Stavanger, Bergen, Olden and Alesund in Norway plus a round-UK sailing calling at Southampton, Newcastle, South Queensferry in Edinburgh and Invergordon.

Following the UK sailings, the Magnifica will then host the company’s first ever world cruise from January 2019.

The 119-day itinerary will visit 32 countries with 49 ports of call with some destinations including Panama, San Francisco, Melbourne and Petra in Jordan.

Paradiso said: “This will open up a whole new market for us and it is something we have waited a long time to do.

“We wanted to reduce days at sea so during the 119 days there will be no more than five consecutive days at sea.”

Bookings for the ex-UK Magnifica sailings will be available in early 2017, no set date has been released yet.

Smiles all 'round for AIDAprima

Smiles all 'round for AIDAprima

AIDAprima's lips will shine across a total area of 150sq mtr

Rostock artist Feliks Büttner, creator of the signature kissing lips, eyes and waves found on the bow of every AIDA Cruises ship, faced a special challenge designing the motif for AIDAprima, currently under construction at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard in Nagasaki, Japan.

The designer had to adapt the graphic design for the first AIDA ship to be built outside Germany, as the bow of the MHI-constructed vessel is different from the others in the fleet.

The position lights and anchor hatch in the bow section also had to be taken into account in the application of the motif in order to create its familiar three-dimensional effect. A total 342 litres of paint in 11 colours was used.

In 1996, AIDA Cruises became the first cruise line to introduce a painting on its ships' bows.

For two decades, AIDA ships have been wearing the smile across the oceans.

When completed, AIDAprima’s kissing lips will shine across a total area of 150sq mtr. Each eye on the starboard and port side covers an area of 212sq mgr, and the blue waves on both sides of the hull fill an area of 330sq mtr. The entire painting extends over a length of 261mtr, surpassing all previous such paintings in the AIDA fleet.

The 124,500gt AIDAprima is scheduled to start its maiden cruise on October 1 from Yokohama, Japan. The 50-day journey ends on November 20 in Dubai. Following a winter season in the Middle East, the ship will depart from Dubai on March 18, 2016, headed for home port of Hamburg commencing a year-round programme of weekly cruises to Southhampton, Le Havre, Zeebrugge and Rotterdam end April.