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.
Disney Cruise Line’s ship float – named the Magic Meets the Sea – has debuted in New York City as part of the 95th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 25.
The float was inspired by the Disney Wish, which sets sail in summer 2022.
The Magic Meets the Sea’s participation in the parade was accompanied by a special performance by actor and singer-songwriter Jordan Fisher.
The float featured 15 Disney characters that represent the stories and experiences on the Disney Wish – including Captain Minnie Mouse who adorns the ship’s bow, Princess Tiana who’s part of an interactive adventure aboard the ship, Aladdin and Jasmine whose story has been reimagined into a stage show onboard, and Cinderella whose bronze statue will stand in the Grand Hall.
The Magic Meets the Sea featured design elements including a Mickey Mouse-inspired colour palette, towering red funnels and a filigree motif along the hull.
Norwegian Bliss arriving in Southampton Photo credit Spacejunkie2
Two additional cruise ships resumed service for the Norwegian Cruise Line in November. After first welcoming guests back in July, the brand now has nine vessels back in revenue service.
While more capacity is added, Norwegian is also returning to more homeports and destinations – including the Middle East.
Norwegian Escape Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200 Built: 2015 Homeport: Port Canaveral (United States) Itinerary: Eastern and Western Caribbean First Cruise: November 13
The Norwegian Escape welcomed guests back on November 13, becoming Norwegian’s eighth vessel to resume commercial operations. After a 20-month operational pause, the vessel also marked the company’s return to Port Canaveral.
The ship is now offering seven-night cruises to the Caribbean from the Florida port. The voyages feature visits to major ports in the region, including Tortola in the British Virgin Islands, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Great Stirrup Cay, the company’s private island in the Bahamas.
The Norwegian Escape originally entered service in 2015 as the first vessel of the company’s Breakaway-Plus series.
Before resuming service, the vessel spends time in a European shipyard, undergoing maintenance and mandatory work.
Norwegian Joy Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200 Built: 2017 Homeport: Miami (United States) Itinerary: Western Caribbean First Cruise: November 20
After the Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Cruise Line saw the return of its ninth ship on Nov. 20 as the Norwegian Joy welcomed guests back in Miami, kicking off a series of Caribbean cruises.
For its comeback program, the vessel is sailing seven-night voyages calling at Roatán, Bay Islands; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, Belize – the brand’s private resort destination in Belize.
The week-long itinerary is available through April 23, 2022.
Built-in 2017, the Norwegian Joy is one of the biggest ships in Norwegian’s fleet. As the second Breakaway-Plus vessel, it has unique features, including a two-level go-kart track, an open-air laser tag course, simulator rides and two multi-story waterslides.
The Joy underwent a major refurbishment in 2019 before debuting in the U.S. market.
Four Ships Moving Around
As the winter season approaches, four of Norwegian’s ships are launching new deployments – including the Norwegian Jade, which is now sailing in the Middle East after a summer in Europe. Here are the details:
Ship: Norwegian Jade Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,400 Built: 2006 New Homeport: Dubai (UAE) New Itinerary: the Middle East and Africa
The first ship to resume service for Norwegian, the Norwegian Jade recently concluded its first post-pandemic season in the Mediterranean. The vessel is now offering a winter program in the Indian Ocean, with itineraries visiting the Middle East and Africa.
Ship: Norwegian Gem Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 2,400 Built: 2007 New Homeport: New York City (United States) New Itinerary: Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda and East Coast
After embarking on a series of cruises sailing from Miami, the Norwegian Gem recently started a New York-based program. Sailing from Manhattan, the vessel is now offering voyages to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda.
Ship: Norwegian Breakaway Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,000 Built: 2013 New Homeport: New Orleans (United States) New Itinerary: Caribbean In November, the Norwegian Breakaway marked Norwegian’s return to New Orleans. Initially sailing from New York City, the ship resumed service in September.
Ship: Norwegian Encore Capacity (at 100% Occupancy): 4,200 Built: 2019 New Homeport: Miami (United States) New Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean and the Bahamas
After a summer season in Alaska, the Norwegian Encore launched service from Miami on Nov. 21. The 2019-built ship is now offering week-long Eastern Caribbean itineraries from Norwegian’s Pearl of Miami Cruise Terminal.
MSC Cruises has confirmed the details of an updated sailing itinerary for MSC Bellissima’s winter season from her homeport of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia beginning on Nov. 6. According to a press release, the ship will offer seven-night cruises calling at the Saudi Arabian ports of King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) and Yanbu, then on to Aqaba in Jordan before returning to Jeddah.
MSC said that the port of Safaga in Egypt has been cancelled as many countries from where guests for the Red Sea cruises originate have the country currently listed as a high-risk destination due to the pandemic and for their return home they would have to undergo a period of quarantine.
The Bellissima will now spend an overnight stay in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia so guests can visit AlUla, one of the oldest cities in the Arabian Peninsula and home to Hegra, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Guests will also be able to visit a secluded island, partake in coral reef snorkelling or a desert excursion.
MSC said that KAEC has been added to the ship’s itinerary to include a sightseeing tour of the holy city of Medina or a day on the beach.
As the Bellissima does not leave the Jeddah port until late on Saturday evenings, guests can check-in and embark on the ship and then go ashore in the afternoon to make the most of their day in Saudi Arabia’s second-largest city. According to MSC, A City Of Culture & History tour offers a “journey through centuries of culture and traditions” including a visit to the old town of Al Balad, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Medina sightseeing tours offer a glimpse into the site of Islamic pilgrimage.
The ship will remain in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia overnight to allow guests the opportunity to visit Hegra, AlUla ancient town and the Elephant Rock. The UNESCO World Heritage site Hegra is an ancient city hidden in the sands of the desert. A guided tour will allow guests to discover some of its monuments, of which there are more than 100 at the site.
AlUla is situated in a desert setting in the Hijaz mountains and where pilgrims, travellers and permanent settlers have gathered over the centuries. Surrounded by an ancient oasis, the town boasts a citadel dating back to the 10th century, 900 brick houses, 400 shops and a maze of alleyways and squares.
Elephant Rock is two monolithic rocks, the “trunk” and the “body”, which stand out against the desert backdrop and have been shaped over the centuries by the weather into the shape of an elephant.
MSC said that Yanbu is “known as the diving capital of Saudi Arabia” and snorkelling will be available at Iona Coral Reef to see various fish, the marine flora and the sunken wreck of the British ship Iona. A secluded spot on Baridi Island is also available, as well as a desert camp under the stars.
A “highlight” of the voyage, according to MSC, is a visit to the Wonders of Petra – the ancient city and UNESCO World Heritage site in the middle of the Jordanian desert, rediscovered in 1812.
