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MSC Cruises Unveils Limited Edition “World’s Greatest Bars” Pop-Up

MSC Cruises News

Catie Kovelman

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Apr 5, 2024

MSC Cruises Unveils Limited Edition “World’s Greatest Bars” Pop-Up

Cruisers who are planning to sail onboard MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia in the next several months are in for a special treat. For the next six months, these ships will be offering specialties from globally renowned bars at sea through the “World’s Greatest Bars” program.

MSC Cruises Partners With Famous Bars For Special Pop-Up At Sea

Beginning earlier this week on April 1, 2024, two of MSC Cruises 23 ships began offering a unique mixology experience at sea. Known as the “World’s Greatest Bars” program, the experience will run onboard MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia until October 2024.

In an effort to enhance food and beverage offerings onboard, MSC cruises have partnered with world-renowned bars, such as Paradiso and Sips from Spain, to bring their most famous concoctions to the high seas. Maestros from the partnering bars personally trained the MSC bar teams, sharing the secrets and techniques that take their cocktails to the next level.

“We’re delighted to bring the ‘World’s Greatest Bars’ concept on board our ships to create world-class and innovative experiences for our guests. The new program brings our food and beverage offerings to new heights, providing unforgettable experiences not seen before at sea. We’re thrilled to have on board such exciting bars, Sips and Paradiso, two ranked as some of the best in the world,” said Jacques Van Staden, Food & Beverage Vice President at MSC Cruises.

“These two bars are incredibly hard to get into right now, so we’re so excited that our guests can get a taste of the action,” added Van Staden.

MSC World Europa will feature the Paradiso pop-up, while MSC Euribia will feature drinks from Sips – some of the most popular bars in Barcelona.

Giacomo Giannotti, owner of Paradioso Barcelona and Marc Álvarez, co-owner of Sips Barcelona

All year round, MSC’s ships also offer innovative concepts to elevate their culinary and beverage offerings. For example, MSC Euribia is home to the Helios Wine Bar, which is an immersive digital experience catered to wine lovers. The venue features 96 different types of wines and uses digital coasters to reveal the wine’s grape varieties and to share each bottle’s unique history.

Meanwhile, MSC World Europa is home to the now-famous Gin Project, which features more than 70 different types of high quality, craft gins.

Flavorful Sailings Onboard MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia

With the special “World’s Greatest Bars” program only taking place for six months, the clock is ticking for guests who want a taste of these extra special drinks. So, where can prospective cruisers join the ships?

MSC World Europa is currently sailing throughout the Western Mediterranean on a 7-night voyage that began in Palermo, Sicily, on April 2. The cruise will visit La Valletta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain; Marseille, France; Genoa, Italy; and Naples, Italy; before concluding in Messina, Sicily, on April 9.

For the duration of the program (and even into 2025), the 6,762-guest vessel will offer 7-night Western Mediterranean cruises, with embarkation ports alternating between Marseille, France; Barcelona, Spain; Naples, Italy; Genoa, Italy; and Messina, Sicily.

Meanwhile, MSC Euribia is offering a series of cruises throughout Northern Europe throughout the month of April, with sailings varying in length from 2 days to 14 days. But beginning on April 27, the 6,300-passenger ship will be offering a consistent series of 7-night itineraries throughout Northern Europe, which will be available until mid-October 2024.

Each cruise will either sail round-trip from Kiel, Germany, or Copenhagen, Denmark, and will call on Alesund, Norway; Nordfjordeid, Norway; and Flam, Norway. The 181,000-gross ton ship will also call on whichever port the cruise isn’t sailing from – so Kiel-based cruises will call on Copenhagen and vice versa.

Carnival Provides Further Update on Cruise to Baltimore

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 4, 2024

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Carnival Provides Further Update on Cruise to Baltimore

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on Carnival Pride‘s unique 14-night Journeys cruise to Baltimore with an update about the ship’s anticipated arrival to the Port of Baltimore following the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the halt in marine traffic in the area.

The one-way repositioning cruise is departing Tampa, Florida on Sunday, April 7 and is scheduled to arrive in Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, April 21 – less than one month after the bridge’s collapse.

Carnival Cruise Line Updates Travelers on Journeys Cruise

Guests setting sail on Carnival Pride from Tampa to Baltimore are understandably nervous about the likelihood of actually arriving in Baltimore as planned, given that the port remains closed at this time and no cruise ships are able to reach the cruise terminal.

Nevertheless, with Carnival Pride‘s anticipated arrival in Maryland still more than two weeks away, there is time for further progress that could permit the port to reopen. Meanwhile, Carnival Cruise Line is committed to keeping guests updated at all times.

“We remain in touch with port and federal officials as they work to reopen marine traffic in Baltimore Harbor,” an email dated Thursday, April 4 read. “Unfortunately we have no specific information yet about when that will happen.”

The email once more confirms that the cruise line will be providing complimentary bus service to all three major airports in the Washington, DC region – Baltimore/Washington International (BWI), Reagan National (DCA), and Dulles International (IAD).

“As we learn more, we will provide updates throughout the cruise,” the email reassured guests. “The team on board will work with you to arrange alternate post-cruise plans, if necessary. We realize you would prefer certainty and appreciate your understanding.”

Carnival Pride Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock)

Guests with earlier flights on debarkation day – Sunday, April 21 – may want to proactively switch their flights to a later time or even move them to the following day if their schedules permit, just to ease any tension over the uncertainty of travel plans.

Prior to arriving in Baltimore – or Norfolk, Virginia if the Port of Baltimore is unable to open by April 21 – Carnival Pride will visit outstanding ports of call on her Journeys cruise, including Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, Antigua, and St. Maarten. At this time, there is no expected change to the ship’s itinerary, other than the possibility of debarking in Norfolk instead of Baltimore.

At 88,500 gross tons, the Spirit-class Carnival Pride can welcome 2,680 travelers at double occupancy, and is also home to nearly 900 international crew members.

Status of the Port of Baltimore

Following the complete collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after a collision from the container ship Dali, a 2,000-yard safety zone has been established around the bridge and no vessels may enter that zone without proper authorization. This is to ensure the safety of personnel working in the zone, as well as the integrity of the marine environment while debris is removed.

Cruise Ship in Baltimore, Maryland (Photo Credit: Port of Maryland)

“The Unified Command remains committed to re-opening the port while ensuring safety and environmental protection,” said U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Frank Schiano, Salvage Branch Director of the Key Bridge Response 2024.

Dive and salvage operations are continuing but there is not yet any resumption of marine traffic to the Port of Baltimore. The area of the collapse must be inspected, and any environmental contamination contained must be before intensive debris removal begins.

Inclement weather in recent days has slowed the recovery operations somewhat, but safety of all those involved in the efforts remains the top priority.

Busy 2024 Hurricane Season Expected – What It Means for Cruises

Port News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 4, 2024

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Busy 2024 Hurricane Season Expected – What It Means for Cruises

The first prediction for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season has been released from Colorado State University, and the implications at first look like a hectic, even dangerous season for cruise travelers. Let’s break down the numbers and see what they really mean and how hurricanes could impact cruise vacations in the coming months.

First 2024 Hurricane Season Prediction

Colorado State University has predicted that 2024 will be an “extremely active” Atlantic hurricane season with their initial forecast, released two months before the season begins.

With warmer than typical sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean regions in early spring, as well as transitioning El Niño and La Niña conditions later in the season, both water temperatures and wind patterns are likely to support the formation of more and stronger storms in 2024.

The forecast predicts a total of 23 named storms, including both tropical storms and hurricanes for the full six months of the season, from June 1 through November 30. Of those, 11 are predicted to become hurricanes with sustained wind speeds of at least 74 miles per hour.

A total of 5 major hurricanes are predicted. To be classified as a major storm, wind speeds must reach at least 111 miles per hour for Category 3 status (131 mph for Category 4, and 155 mph for Category 5).

Hurricane in the Caribbean (Photo Credit: Drew McArthur)

It must be noted that the overall number of storms predicted gives no indication of whether or not such storms will actually make landfall. Named storms, for example, include so-called “fish storms” that may spin ferociously out in the Atlantic but come nowhere near land.

Similarly, the entire hurricane-prone region is a vast geographical space, and even with a high number of storms, there is no guarantee that any one area will – or won’t – be hit with a storm impact.

“It takes only one storm near you to make this an active season for you,” said Professor Michael Bell, one of the forecast’s authors.

But Where Will Storms Hit?

Of course, cruise travelers are most interested in whether or not tropical storms and hurricanes may impact their sailings, whether that means homeport disruptions or port of call changes.

Further analysis of the models used for the prediction indicates that there is a 62% probability of a major hurricane making landfall somewhere on the US coastline (above the 1880-2020 actual average of 43%). For the east coast, including the Florida peninsula and the Sunshine State’s five cruise homeports, that percentage is 34% (above the historic average of 21%).

For the US Gulf Coast, from the Florida panhandle to south Texas, including the homeports of Mobile, New Orleans, and Galveston, the probability of a major hurricane landfall is 42%, above the historic average of just 27%.

When the geographical landfall prediction is expanded to the entire Caribbean – including many top cruise ports – there is a 66% chance of a major hurricane landfall, above the historic average of 47%.

These percentages only concern official landfall statistics. Large storms, however, can have a significant impact on coastlines and port communities even if the center of the storm – where landfall is recorded – remains far out to sea.

How Confident Is the Prediction?

With the official start of hurricane season not until June 1, how likely is a prediction made two months early to be accurate? Any prediction has some degree of uncertainty, but as this season’s spring conditions are showing strong similarities to 1878, 1926, 1998, 2010, and 2020, the degree of confidence is unusually high this year.

“Our analog seasons were all very active Atlantic hurricane seasons,” said Phil Klotzbach, senior research scientist in the Department of Atmospheric Science at CSU and lead author of the report. “This highlights the somewhat lower levels of uncertainty that exist with this outlook relative to our typical early April outlook.”

Cruise Ship Caribbean Storm (Photo Credit: Natasa Ivancev)

Nevertheless, the forecast prediction will be updated on June 11, July 9, and August 6 as the season progresses and models can be fine-tuned with additional current data.

Worth Reading: The 10 Roughest Seas in the World for Cruise Ships

Furthermore, additional agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), will make their own predictions based on their individual forecast modeling and data analysis, which may differ from Colorado State University’s season prediction.

Cruise travelers with any voyages planned during hurricane season – including in late May and early December – should always stay tuned to weather forecasts and remain in close contact with their cruise line in case of updates and changes to their itinerary.

Man Overboard and Missing From Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

Royal Caribbean News

Catie Kovelman

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Apr 4, 2024

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Man Overboard and Missing From Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship

The search is on for a 20-year-old-man who fell overboard from Liberty of the Seas early this morning, Thursday, April 4, 2024. The Freedom-class cruise ship was on its way back to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, when the passenger went into the water.

Passenger Missing After Going Overboard

Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas has lost a passenger while sailing on a 4-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise to and from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The 20-year-old male passenger went overboard in the early morning hours of Thursday, April 4, 2024, approximately 57 miles from Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas.

Coast Guard Cutter Seneca and crews from Coast Guard Air Station Miami are leading the search to find the missing cruiser, who thus far has not been found.

“USCG crews are searching for a 20-year-old man who went overboard from the Liberty of the Seas cruise ship 57 miles from Great Inagua this morning. USCG Cutter Seneca and Air Station Miami HC-144 crews are conducting the search,” the United States Coast Guard wrote on X.

Liberty of the Seas in Florida (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock)

According to guests onboard the 3,634-passenger vessel, the ship halted its course when the man went overboard at approximately 4:30 a.m. local time, with crew attempting to find and rescue the man until the Coast Guard arrived to take over the search between 9 and 10 a.m.

It’s also unclear why or how the man went overboard, and if it was an accident or on purpose. Some passengers onboard have said they believe the man jumped after an argument with his girlfriend, but this has not been confirmed by the authorities or the cruise line.

Cruise Hive reached out to Royal Caribbean and the cruise line responded with the following statement: “The ship’s crew immediately launched a search and rescue effort alongside the U.S. Coast Guard, who has taken over the search. Our Care Team is providing support and assistance to the guest’s family during this difficult time. For the privacy of the guest and their family, we have no additional details to share.”

Authorities have not yet revealed the man’s identity in order to protect the privacy of the missing person and his family.

Liberty of the Seas Continues Sailing

While the man going overboard constitutes an emergency and a potential tragedy if he is not found, Royal Caribbean has a responsibility to the thousands of other passengers onboard to continue on with the voyage once the search was left in the capable hands of the United States Coast Guard. Indeed, it is not unusual for cruise ships to be released once rescue personnel arrive.

When the unidentified man went overboard, Liberty of the Seas was nearing the end of a 4-night Eastern Caribbean sailing that embarked on Monday, April 1, 2024, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship called on Puerto Plata/Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic on April 3, and was on its way back to Fort Lauderdale when the man went into the water 57 miles from the Great Inagua island in the Bahamas.

As of now, the ship is still scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale on April 5, as was previously planned. On the same day, the 155,889-gross-ton vessel is scheduled to head back out to sea for a 3-night sailing to Nassau, Bahamas and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination.

The Freedom-class ship will continue to offer 3-5 night Caribbean and Bahamas cruises from Fort Lauderdale until May 4, when the vessel will switch its homeport to New York City, from where it will offer Bermuda cruises.

Passengers sailing on upcoming Liberty of the Seas cruises shouldn’t worry too much about going overboard. These incidents are rare, with roughly 20-30 passengers and crew members going overboard each year out of the millions that go on a cruise. The cruise lines also go out of their way to make sure their ships are as safe as possible, such as by installing high railings on outdoor areas and balconies.

That said, it doesn’t mean these emergency situations never occur. Royal Caribbean experienced a similar incident onboard Vision of the Seas last year in late December, when a 41-year-old man went overboard during a holiday cruise to the Bahamas. The passenger went overboard at approximately 7:15 p.m. on December 23, 2023, while positioned approximately 27 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina.

Although crew members sprung into action and followed emergency procedures, and the coast guard once again quickly joined the search, this incident ended in tragedy. The search was called off on the following day, Christmas Eve, and the man was never found.

UK Port Readies for Visits From Two Special Cruise Ships

Donna Tunney

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Apr 4, 2024

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UK Port Readies for Visits From Two Special Cruise Ships

Gearing up for a banner year in cruise tourism, the UK’s Port of Dover is celebrating the return visits of two Holland America Line ships in 2024, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam. The cruise line has a long history with the port and is committed to a homeport schedule for one ship in 2025.

Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam to Call at Dover in April

The month of April 2024 will be a special one for the Port of Dover, as Holland America Line’s Rotterdam makes her first call since the ship sailed a special cruise to mark the line’s 150th anniversary in April 2023. The Pinnacle-class ship is set to call at the port on April 26, 2024, as part of her transatlantic crossing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Rotterdam is the line’s newest ship, having debuted in 2021.

Nieuw Statendam, also a Pinnacle-class ship, made her maiden call at Dover on September 8, 2023, and will return on April 20, 2024, also during her transatlantic voyage from Fort Lauderdale.

Both ships are repositioning for their summer seasons in Europe. Rotterdam will be homeport in Rotterdam, Netherlands, sailing 7- to 21-day voyages around the British Isles and to Scandinavia. Nieuw Statendam will sail 7- to 25-day cruises between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Reykjavik, Iceland, calling at a wide variety of ports in the British Isles and Northern Europe.

The Port of Dover is celebrating the return visits of both ships, particularly Nieuw Statendam, since she will be based at Dover during the summer of 2025 for the first time.

“Nieuw Statendam will be a regular fixture next year, as she will spend a full season sailing out of Dover, providing our guests with an even greater choice of destinations and the option to sail with us without the need to fly. So the visit gives us the ideal opportunity to prepare for 2025 and all the benefits and opportunities it will bring,” said Karen Farndell, director of sales and marketing at Holland America Line.

Port of Dover and Nieuw Statendam (Photo: Port of Dover)

Both ships accommodate up to 2,700 guests in double occupancy, making their port calls a boon to the local economy. The port enjoyed a robust 2023, and is expecting the same in 2024. It typically welcomes about 200,000 cruise arrivals from ships operated by more than 20 cruise lines.

The two ships are both sailing 14-day repositioning cruises that include the stop in Dover. Rotterdam departs Fort Lauderdale on April 13, 2024 and calls at Ponta Delgada, Azores; Brest, France; Portland, England; Le Havre, France; and Dover before concluding in Rotterdam.

Nieuw Statendam leaves Fort Lauderdale on April 7, 2024 and visits Kings Wharf, Bermuda; Cork, Ireland; St. Peter Port, Guernsey; Le Havre, and Dover, and also ends in Rotterdam.

Port Attracts Ships From Several Major Lines

The Port of Dover, just over an hour’s train ride from London, also operates a busy ferry terminal. Besides Holland America Line, other cruise lines with ships slated to call at Dover include AIDA Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Saga Cruises, Viking Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises.

Cruise Ships Docked in Dover, UK (Photo Credit: ALLYOU Grzegorz Wasowicz)

“It’s always a joy to welcome Holland America Line and their guests back to Dover. The upcoming return of Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will give us another fantastic opportunity to celebrate our unique history together, whilst adding another chapter to the story,” said Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover.

“We are excited for the future and look forward to presenting the very best of Kent alongside Dover’s much-loved scenery and heritage when Nieuw Statendam sails in for many more port of call visits,” Wright added.

Dover’s growing cruise industry mirrors the success of other UK ports. In 2023, 2,499 ships called at ports across the UK, exceeding the pre-pandemic number from 2019, and the number of cruisers embarking on a voyage from a British port broke the 1.5 million mark for the first time.

Irish Port Welcomes First Cruise Ship of the Season

Port News

Lissa Poirot

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Apr 4, 2024

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Irish Port Welcomes First Cruise Ship of the Season

The Port of Cork marked the commencement of its annual cruise season with the docking of the cruise ship, Ambition, kick-starting what is anticipated to be a record year for the industry in the region.

A Promising Outlook for 2024

On April 4, the Port of Cork in Cobh, Ireland, celebrated the inaugural voyage of Ambition, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, as it graced Cork Harbour, initiating the 2024 season.

The vessel’s arrival, on its 12-day “Easter British Isles Discovery” journey, is the first of what the Port of Cork anticipates will be its biggest season to date. This year, the Irish port is set to welcome over 100 cruise ships between April and November, reflecting a 10% increase over 2023.

“The official start of the 2024 cruise season marks an exciting time for Cork,” said Conor Mowlds, chief commercial officer at the Port of Cork Company (PoCC) and chairperson of Cruise Ireland. “We are thrilled to welcome Ambition for the first time to the port and look forward to many other maiden calls this year.”

Cruise ship in Cork Harbour (Photo Credit: mikemike10)

Cruise tourism remains a vital component of the local economy, generating an estimated €17 million. The Irish Maritime Development Office reported the average onshore spending by passengers and crew is €81 per passenger and €29 per crewperson.

During Ambition’s call, PoCC held a traditional plague exchange to welcome the new ship. With 680 cabins and the capacity to host 1,200 guests, Ambition highlights the scale the Port of Cork can handle in Cobh’s deep-water quay.

Cork’s Upcoming Cruise Season

The Port of Cork’s 2024 cruise season is off to a promising start with Ambition’s arrival, and the ship will return again at the end of the month during its “Ireland Discovery” voyage. April will also witness the arrival of two ships simultaneously on April 10 as Holland America Line’s ms Nieuw Statendam and Saga’s Spirit of Discovery call together.

Princess Cruises arrives with its Regal Princess on April 22, and both Celebrity Cruises and Oceania Cruises bring ships to call on April 30. Regal Princess arrives on its 12-night “British Isles” journey, as Sirena calls during its “Seafarer’s Inspiration Miami to Rome” voyage, respectively.

Added Mowlds, “The surge in cruise calls this year reflects the collaborative efforts between the Port of Cork and our local partners, demonstrating our commitment to delivering exceptional services and experiences for local visitors, passengers, and crew.”

Cruise ship in Cork, Ireland (Photo Credit: Riekelt Hakvoort)

In May, Norwegian Cruise Line brings Norwegian Pearl on May 5 and Norwegian Star on May 14, as Princess returns with Regal Princess and introduces Caribbean Princess to the lineup. Holland America also adds more ships, arriving on May 18 with ms Zuiderdam and May 21 with ms Rotterdam. Celebrity Cruises also adds Celebrity Silhouette to the Irish port, as MSC Cruises arrives at the end of the month with MSC Virtuosa.

Princess returns in June as Coral Princess makes her way from a Cape Town to London world cruise. Oceania Cruises also arrives from a Cape Town to Paris voyage, calling on Cork on June 18 with Nautica.

Other cruise lines dropping anchor in Cork through the end of October include Regent Seven Seas, Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Azamara, Silversea, and Disney Cruise Line.

The last arrival slated for the year is British cruise line operator Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. It’s Borealis call on October 27 during its “Canada in the Fall” roundtrip cruise from Southampton. Ambassador’s Ambition will be the first ship to return in 2025.

Expedition Cruise Line to Welcome New Vessel in 2025

Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Apr 4, 2024

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Expedition Cruise Line to Welcome New Vessel in 2025

Aurora Expeditions, the Australian-owned adventure cruise company, has announced the upcoming launch of its third small ship, the Douglas Mawson, set to begin sailing in late 2025.

Introducing the Douglas Mawson

Signifying Aurora Expeditions’ return to East Antarctica with new itineraries from Hobart, Tasmania, Aurora Expeditions is set to enhance its fleet with the introduction of the Douglas Mawson. The new Infinity Class vessel will debut in late 2025.

The ship, named after pioneering Australian geologist and explorer Sir Douglas Mawson, will embark on its inaugural season with a special focus on East Antarctica, Aurora’s first return to the region after 15 years.

“We’re thrilled to be launching the newest and final Infinity Class vessel,” said Michael Heath, chief executive officer, Aurora Expeditions. “We are equally delighted to be offering passengers new itineraries departing from Australia as part of the ship’s inaugural season.”

Observation Lounge Rendering, Douglas Mawson (Photo Credit: Aurora Expeditions)

As a key figure in the “Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration,” Mawson led the Australasian Antarctic Expedition from 1911 to 1914, helping to map the Antarctic coastline. The expedition established bases, conducted extensive studies, and explored previously unknown regions.

“Aurora takes great inspiration from the incredible legacy of Sir Douglas Mawson. It was Mawson’s SY Aurora vessel that inspired our founder, Greg Mortimer, to name our company Aurora,” said Hayley Peacock-Gower, chief marketing officer, Aurora Expeditions.

Features and Itineraries of Douglas Mawson

Designed to carry an average of 154 passengers, Douglas Mawson will join its sister ships, the 132-passenger Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle, also named for exploration and environmental conservation pioneers. The ships will emphasize small-group, immersive experiences.

Douglas Mawson will feature a Nordic-inspired interior with a range of staterooms and suites, most equipped with private balconies. Unique to the ship will be several single-berth cabins to cater to solo travelers. There will be 86 cabins in total.

Public areas will include diverse dining options, bars, and outdoor heated swimming pool, and wellness amenities. The ship also emphasizes educational opportunities with a citizen science center and lecture theater offering various participative and educational programs.

Aurora Stateroom Single Rendering, Douglas Mawson (Photo Credit: Aurora Expeditions)

As an expedition ship, passengers will enjoy expansive observation decks with panoramic views of the wilderness and wildlife. Indoor lounge areas will feature floor-to-ceiling windows, and the Glass Atrium Lounge inside the bow.

For its inaugural journey, Douglas Mawson will offer a special itinerary that follows in the footsteps of Mawson’s Antarctica. Passengers will visit Mawson’s Huts at Cape Denison, Commonwealth Bay, and New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands.

Douglas Mawson, like its sister ships, will serve as a base camp for passengers to explore. The ship will feature Zodiac access points, a changing room and a mudroom preparing passengers for off-ship and on-shore activities, and Ulstein X-BOW technology to improve fuel efficiency while offering smoother ocean crossings.

Aurora has not revealed the full program of voyages for Douglas Mawson, but the cruise line says it will visit the polar regions and “some exciting new destinations.” The inaugural voyage is anticipated for December 2025.

Aurora Expeditions is launching its 2024 expedition season in April with a “Patagonia & Chilean Fjords” voyage aboard Sylvia Earle. Launching April 5, the 15-day cruise will explore Cape Horn, Beagle Channel, Glacier Alley, Francisco Coloane Marine Reserve, the Chilean Fjords, Torres del Paine National Park, PIO XI Glacier, Tic Toc Bay, Castro, and Puerto Montt.

Holland America Line Changes Itinerary for Upcoming Grand Voyage

Holland America Line News

Catie Kovelman

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Apr 3, 2024

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Holland America Line Changes Itinerary for Upcoming Grand Voyage

With no end in sight to the ongoing conflict in the Red Sea region, Holland America Line has opted to change the itinerary for its 2025 world cruise out of an abundance of caution. The cruise line is notifying guests of the change early, which will impact about a third of the voyage, to give them ample time to adjust their travel plans.

Holland America Alters Zuiderdam’s 2025 World Cruise

Passengers of Zuiderdam’s grand voyage will still get to see the world, but not in the way they may have been expecting. The 124-night sailing, which will embark from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on January 4, 2025, will no longer call on ports within the Red Sea region of the Middle East.

While no cruise ships have been targeted during the crisis, many cruise lines have opted to avoid the region while the unrest continues out of an abundance of caution – which is what Holland America Line also chose to do. The unrest primarily stems from the conflict involving Houthi rebels in Yemen.

“The safety of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance, and we have made the decision to avoid the Red Sea after close consultation with global security experts and government authorities,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line.

“Making this change now allows us to provide certainty for our guests in preparing for this 124-day trip around the world. The new itinerary was built with guest experience top of mind and maintains exciting European and African destinations with even more ports to explore in the Mediterranean,” added Bodensteiner.

Zuiderdam Cruise Ship in Iceland — Photo Credit: Gestur Gislason / Shutterstock

Holland America hoped by notifying guests early, they would be able to adjust to the new itinerary more easily and plan accordingly, such as with booking shore excursions.

This is also not the only cruise line to alter its world cruise itineraries because of the Red Sea conflict. Just to name one example, MSC Cruises had to cancel all three of its grand voyages aboard MSC Splendida, MSC Opera, and MSC Virtuosa that were scheduled for April 2024.

Zuiderdam’s New Grand Voyage Itinerary

Even with the change to the end of the world cruise itinerary, Zuiderdam’s passengers will still be visiting 49 unique ports (one more than originally planned!) across 34 countries and six continents throughout the course of the 124-day journey.

The change to 1,964-guest ship’s itinerary will impact the final 43 days of the voyage, which equates to roughly a third of the cruise. Instead of sailing through the Red Sea, the cruise will instead call on new ports in Africa and Europe. It will also add a stop at San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Holland America Line Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright: VIDEOVISTAVIEW / Shutterstock)

The changes will take effect beginning on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, with an overnight visit to Cape Town, South Africa, and will last until the cruise concludes as planned in Fort Lauderdale on Friday, May 9.

The 82,318 gross-ton ship will no longer call on destinations like Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Mayotte, Comoros; Zanzibar, Tanzania; Mombasa, Kenya; Safaga, Egypt; Aqaba, Jordan; and the Suez Canal, which the cruise was supposed to visit in late March and early April 2025.

Instead, the Vista-class ship will sail to Walvis Bay, Namibia, on March 28 and Praia, Ilha de Santiago, Cape Verde, on April 4 before arriving in Spain on April 7. The ship will then mostly explore Europe for the remainder of the sailing, bopping around between Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy. The exceptions are calls to Alexandria (Cario), Egypt, on April 16, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey, on April 18, and Tangier (Tétouan), Morocco, on April 29.

It’s also worth noting that the new itinerary includes an overnight call to Barcelona, Spain, on April 24-25. While in Barcelona, Zuiderdam will have a once-in-a-life time “Grand Meetup” with Volendam, which will be in the middle of its own 133-night “pole-to-pole” grand voyage. The occasion will be commemorated with a special celebration for guests and crew members aboard both cruise ships.

Cruise Ship Held in Barcelona Due to Improper Visas

Lissa Poirot

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Apr 3, 2024

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Cruise Ship Held in Barcelona Due to Improper Visas

MSC Cruises’ MSC Armonia and its 1,500 passengers have been halted at the Port of Barcelona due to visa discrepancies faced by 69 Bolivian travelers. Spanish authorities and the Bolivian Embassy are working to resolve the impasse.

Visa Hitch at Barcelona Port for MSC Armonia

In a surprising turn of events, MSC Armonia, which has journeyed from Brazil through the Mediterranean, finds itself anchored at the Port of Barcelona. The detention is attributed to visa issues encountered by a contingent of Bolivian passengers, making it impossible for them to disembark.

Spanish officials told the cruise line that the snag has affected 69 Bolivians who, despite appearing to have the correct documentation upon departure in Brazil when the cruise first departed on March 17, 2024, have been found ineligible to enter the Schengen zone.

“As a result, these guests have not been able to disembark in Barcelona, which was their final destination,” said a spokesperson for MSC Cruises. “The ship has remained in the port while we work with the relevant authorities to find a solution to this complex issue.”

Complications Affect Itinerary and Plans

The 58,600-gross ton MSC Armonia departed on a 16-night Grand Voyage from Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 17. It continued to Rio de Janeiro and Maceio, Brazil, before crossing the Atlantic to call in Tenerife, Funchal, and Malaga, Spain, before officials in Barcelona discovered the visa issues on April 2.

MSC Armonia Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Stefan Lambauer)

“We are currently working with the Spanish authorities to manage a situation with a number of guests from Bolivia that includes families and children,” MSC’s spokesperson stated.

Echoing MSC, the Bolivian Foreign Ministry released a statement saying Bolivia’s Consulate General in Barcelona “are carrying out the pertinent steps to address this case.”

The Associated Press has reported that 69 Bolivians are among the 1,500 passengers affected by the delay. Although the Bolivians were set to disembark in Barcelona, the ship’s Grand Voyage extended through April 8, keeping other guests stuck in the Spanish port.

As MSC Armonia was set to depart Barcelona at 4 p.m. for Ajaccio, Corsica, the fate of its Corsica arrival, slated for 10 a.m. on April 3, as well as its following call in Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, on April 4, are now in question. The voyage is also scheduled to continue to Corfu, Greece, and Dubrovnik, Croatia, before concluding in Venice, Italy.

MSC Cruise Ship in Barcelona, Spain — Photo Credit: Enrico Powell / Shutterstock.com

Traditionally, when cruise lines are forced to reschedule port calls, passengers who booked excursions through the ship will automatically be refunded or rebooked. Passengers who have booked private excursions are left to reschedule or seek refunds from their private operators.

No updates have been given on MSC Armonia’s itinerary as the cruise line works with officials to first get the visa situation under control.

Schengen Visa Requirements

The Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa within the coalition of 29 mostly European Union countries that allows for passport-free travel across borders. Bolivians looking to enter the Schengen Area would need to apply for a Schengen Visa, which includes proving the purpose of the visit, having a valid passport, securing travel insurance, and demonstrating sufficient financial means during the duration of the stay.

Travel documents that do not meet entry requirements of the Schengen Agreement prevent entry into a Schengen country. Invalid visas could be due to the visa being expired, bring for a different Schengen country without multi-entry rights, or being a type that does not permit entry into Spain specifically.

The international news of the detainment comes on the heels of eight passengers stranded on the African island of Sao Tome after missing the all-aboard call on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dawn.