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I love all things Cruise and add that to my hobby Photography I’m in dreamland, I’m an exTravel agency owner with the inside contacts, so I will try to keep you updated in all things travel related with a side serving of images and other maritime stories.
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    We Travel 2U-Weblog

    Virgin Voyages has apologised to guests sailing on Valiant Lady

    Valiant Lady seeking into the Port of Liverpool photo credit Spacejunkie2

    Virgin Voyages has apologised to guests sailing on Valiant Lady this week and will offer them a free European voyage this summer, after an onboard medical emergency and overboard incident delayed the ship’s return to Portsmouth as well as its subsequent sailing, which had been due to depart from Portsmouth on Friday (1 April).

    During the early hours of Thursday morning (31 March), the ship’s crew were alerted to reports of a guest going overboard, sparking an “extensive” search and rescue mission.


    “We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with this passenger’s family and loved ones,” said the line in a statement issued to TTG. “Our investigation has indicated this was an intentional act and no foul play is suspected.”


    Earlier in the voyage, another guest suffered a non-Covid-related medical emergency requiring airlift and shoreside care, delaying the ship’s arrival in Lisbon.


    “We’re very happy to report that this person is doing well,” said the line. “As a result of seeking timely medical care for this passenger, we did experience a delay in arrival to Lisbon of several hours. Virgin Voyages did not market this port as a two-night stop, the itinerary was a morning arrival and late debark.”

    The line said the combination of the two incidents meant the ship, which had been due to sail a three-night Long Weekender in Zeebrugge itinerary from Portsmouth on Friday, was now due back in the UK “no sooner than 6pm on 1 April”.


    This has forced the line to delay embarkation for the ship’s next sailing until the morning of 2 April.

    “As a gesture of awareness that some were disappointed, we are offering all sailors [guests] a free voyage this summer in Europe onboard either of our ships, Valiant Lady or Resilient Lady,” said Virgin Voyages.


    The line added: “We set ourselves a very high standard and in this case, we have fallen short on some things – we are very sorry the experience for some has not been ideal.


    “While not everything is in our control, including global supply chain challenges, the weather, or medical emergencies, we remain focused on the sailor [guest] experience and knowledge we need to keep improving.”

  • We Travel 2U - Weblog

    We Travel 2U-Weblog

    Norwegian Star Welcomes Passengers Back in Spain

    https://flic.kr/s/aHsm1LS4LVNorwegian Star smiling again Photo credit Spacejunkie

    After a two-year hiatus, the Norwegian Star is welcoming passengers back to Spain today. As the 14th ship to resume service for Norwegian Cruise Line, the vessel is kicking off a European program that includes itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.

    For its first post-pandemic cruise, the 2001-built ship is sailing a ten-night voyage to Italy. Departing from Spain, the itinerary sails from Barcelona and includes visits to St. Tropez, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples, Messina, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Split, before arriving in Trieste.

    Through November, the vessel’s program also includes a series of cruises in Northern Europe, with visits to Iceland, the British Islands, the Norwegian Fjords, the Baltic and more.

    The program is highlighted by two special ten- and 11-night sailings in July that feature visits to four different ports in Greenland. Departing from Reykjavik, the itineraries also include calls to three additional destinations in Iceland.

    In early December, the vessel repositions to South America, ahead of a winter season in the region.

    Originally ordered for Star Cruises, the Norwegian Star entered service in 2001. With 91,000 tons, it can carry up to 2,200 guests on double occupancy, in addition to 1,031 crew members.

    Offering Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising concept, the ship features more than ten dining venues. Options include favourite speciality restaurants, such as the French Le Bistro and the Cagney’s Steakhouse.

    The vessel also boasts nine bars and lounges, a swimming pool, five hot tubs, a casino, a full-service spa and salon, and a fitness centre.

    As part of the Norwegian Edge program, the Norwegian Star was completely refurbished in 2018. During an 18-day drydock, the vessel received several enhancements, including a revamped atrium, renovated cabins and redesigned restaurants.

    Following the Norwegian Star, the Pride of America is also scheduled to resume service for the Norwegian Cruise Line in April.

    The Hawaii-based vessel is welcoming back for its seven-night inter-island cruises on April 9.

    After first resuming guest service in July 2021, Norwegian Cruise Line has now brought 14 ships back into revenue operations.

  • We Travel 2U - Weblog

    We Travel 2U-Weblog

    Silversea debuts third new cruise ship in nine months

    Silversea Cruises has debuted its third new cruise ship in nine months, after christening Silver Dawn in Lisbon, Portugal on 31 March.

    The vessel, which is the third in the Muse class and the 10th ship to join the fleet, was inaugurated during a traditional christening ceremony followed by a gala dinner. Both were attended by executives from Silversea Cruises, parent company Royal Caribbean Group, shipbuilder Fincantieri, local dignitaries and other invited guests.

    During the ceremony, guests watched a bagpipe performance, a theatrical re-telling of the story of Silversea’s Muse-class ships, a blessing from a religious leader, speeches from dignitaries, and singers reciting the national anthems of the USA, Italy and Portugal. Finally, godmother Nilou Motamed, an Emmy-nominated television personality and former editor-in-chief of several culinary publications cut a ribbon to trigger a champagne bottle to smash on the ship’s hull to close the ceremony.

    “Celebrating the naming of Silver Dawn in Lisbon marked an incredibly proud moment for all involved,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO at Royal Caribbean Group. “I thank and congratulate Roberto Martinoli [president and CEO of Silversea] and our entire team, including Captain Failla and the crew, as well as everyone at Fincantieri, our shipbuilding partner. Silver Dawn is a jewel in the Silversea fleet and speaks to Royal Caribbean Group’s commitment to delivering the best vacation experiences in a responsible way.”

    Silver Dawn can accommodate 596 guests in 298 ocean-view suites, 96 per cent of which have a private veranda. The vessel is the first to debut Silversea’s new Otium wellness programme, which is inspired by the cruise line’s Italian heritage and ancient Roman culture, where ‘otium’ denoted a period of time dedicated exclusively to leisure. It will provide guests with customised, multi-dimensional wellness offerings across the ship, including curated spa treatments, gourmet snacks, champagne, signature cocktails, bespoke in-suite experiences and more.

    In addition, guests sailing on Silver Dawn will benefit from the next iteration of Silversea’s immersive S.A.L.T. culinary programme, which launched in 2021 on the other Muse-class ships.

    “An evolution of our unique take on luxury, Silver Dawn is the third Silversea ship to be named in the last nine months,” said Martinoli. “As well as S.A.L.T., our immersive culinary programme, Silver Dawn enriches guests’ travels with Otium, our indulgent new wellness programme, which is inspired by the ancient Roman lifestyle. She really is magnificent. I extend my gratitude to Jason Liberty and all involved at Royal Caribbean Group, as well as to the team at Silversea, Fincantieri, and Captain Failla and his crew—our most valuable asset. Moreover, I proudly welcome Nilou Motamed as the godmother of Silver Dawn.”

    Speaking about her role as godmother, Motamed said: “It’s a great honour to have been selected as the godmother of Silver Dawn and to have been on board for her naming ceremony in Lisbon. Growing up in multiple countries [Iran, France and the USA] has helped me recognise that one of our deepest common bonds, wherever we go, is food. Like many of Silversea’s guests, I always pair my cultural explorations with culinary ones. That’s why I’ve loved seeing the world through Silversea’s S.A.L.T. programme. I’ve dedicated my career to celebrating authentic, local cuisines and cultures. For me, nothing is more rewarding than connecting with people over a shared meal.”

    Silver Dawn embarked on her maiden voyage on 1 April, sailing from Lisbon to Barcelona, Spain. The vessel will sail Mediterranean itineraries until November 2022 and then cross the Atlantic Ocean, via the Canary Islands, to begin a season of voyages in the Caribbean and Central America.