MSC Cruise reveals New Dining Concepts for the upcoming MSC World Europa

Posted on 15 June, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises’ upcoming vessel World Europa will introduce seven new dining and drinking venues including a mixology bar and Indian tea house.

The new venues include The Gin Project, a dedicated gin bar with specialist gin experts helping guests mix their own cocktails from more than 70 craft gins available, while Elixir Mixology Bar is a new cocktail venue with an outdoor terrace and “liquor corner” for tasting spirits.

The Coffee Emporium will serve French, Italian, Turkish and Moroccan coffees and coffee brand Lavazza will develop an MSC signature roast which passengers can take home.

Raj Polo Tea House offers English breakfast teas, cold-brewed and iced tea selections and tea-infused cocktails and Chef’s Garden Kitchen features greenery grown onboard using a soilless farming style, which the line has termed farm-to-ocean cooking.

The new venue, Chef’s Garden Kitchen, uses a soilless farming method to grow its greenery La Pescaderia is a restaurant specialising in seafood and features a fresh fish display where guests may choose their fish to eat, while Luna Park Pizza & Burger is a buffet-style venue with family games and American cuisine offerings.

The Masters of the Sea, the line’s signature pub, will have a second floor onboard World Europa, which will feature a micro-brewery with MSC beers brewed on board.

The line’s specialist restaurant mainstays will also be onboard, such as Butcher’s Cut, Kaito Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar and Hola! Tacos & Cantina.

The ship is currently being built in Saint Nazaire and will welcome its first guests on board in December 2022 and sail to the Arabian Gulf region for its inaugural season.

Jacques Van Staden, MSC’s vice-president of food and beverage, said the culinary experience onboard the ship had been designed with the future in mind, such as the technology seen at Chef’s Garden Kitchen.

“Each new concept aims to go beyond what traditional venues achieved in the past and focus on crafted, artisanal and immersive experiences that will revolutionise the place dining holds in the overall cruise experience,” he said.

Princess Cruises has reintroduced its onboard mask mandate on three Alaska-based ships.

Posted on 13 June, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

It comes after the line reinstated mask-wearing on Island Princess last week following a number of positive Covid tests amongst staff and guests.

According to a Princess Cruises spokesperson, those who tested positive and their close contacts have been quarantined and are being monitored and cared for by the onboard medical team.

“We recently identified some positive Covid-19 cases among our guests and teammates onboard Island Princess,” they added.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we will now be requiring guests to wear face masks while indoors at all times, except when eating or drinking or in their own staterooms.”

Each of Princess’ ships follows the primary health protocols of the country or region they depart from at the start of their voyage. The line said it will continue to make “any necessary adjustments” as conditions warrant during future cruises.

The company has since reintroduced face coverings on Alaska cruises onboard Royal Princess, Majestic Princess and Grand Princess sailing from Whittier and Vancouver until further notice. Guests will be provided with a mask if needed.

A spokesperson for the line said: “In an abundance of caution masks are required in indoor locations on Alaska cruises aboard Royal Princess, Majestic Princess and Grand Princess sailing from Whittier and Vancouver until further notice. Masks will be provided to guests if needed.”

Royal Caribbean Set for International Calls on Singapore Cruises

Posted on 12 June, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean International is adding international port calls on cruises to Singapore for the first time after restarting cruising in late 2020.

The Spectrum of the Seas begins cruising to popular destinations in Malaysia on June 30, with calls set for Penang and Kuala Lumpur on new three- and four-night itineraries.

“We are thrilled to be the first cruise line in Singapore to reconnect holidaymakers with Asia’s beautiful destinations once again. The vibrant and culture-rich cities of Penang and Kuala Lumpur have so much to offer, and that is only the beginning,” said Angie Stephen, vice president and managing director, Asia-Pacific, Royal Caribbean International.

“After more than two years, the excitement from guests, both locals and fly cruisers, along with our travel partners is undeniable. Singapore is a top destination in and of itself, and its proximity to neighbouring countries makes it easy to venture out and explore. There’s no better way to take full advantage of this than by taking a cruise, where guests can enjoy the ultimate combination of thrills, entertainment, dining and activities as they sail from one idyllic destination to the next on Spectrum of the Seas.”

“We have been working closely with various governments in Southeast Asia to align on cruise protocols and policies, and are excited to bring back port calls in Malaysia for sailings as a start,” said Annie Chang, Director of Cruise, Singapore Tourism Board. “Port calls will provide more vacation options and we look forward to seeing more first-time and repeat cruisers in the coming year as more ports in the region open up.”