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.
The Iona – the new 5,200-passenger ship operated by P&O Cruises – made its first cruise call at Lisbon, Portugal.
The ship arrived in the Port of Lisbon on the evening of Oct. 6. According to a press statement, passengers were allowed to go ashore in “bubble tours.”
A customary plaque exchange took place on the Quayside with representatives of the Lisbon Harbour Master, Immigration Authority, Customs Authority, Terminal Operator, Port Authority and Port Agency exchanging plaques with Captain Andrew Wolverson.
“It was a successful call and we look forward to seeing the ship again on the 20th of this month at which time we hope passengers and crew can come ashore independently and enjoy our lovely city,” read a statement from James Rawes Navegação, port agents on the call.
Holiday Extras’ Lindsay Garvey-Jones and Silversea’s Julie Nunes launched Travel Talks Menopause earlier this weekThe co-organiser of a new campaign to raise awareness in the travel industry around women’s health, particularly menopause, says she has been “inundated” with industry peers wishing to support the initiative and tell their own stories.
Holiday Extras national retail manager Lindsay Garvey-Jones and Silversea’s regional sales manager Julie Nunes launched Travel Talks Menopause earlier this week.
Garvey-Jones told TTG she felt the topic was among “the last frontiers” of social issues yet to be addressed by the travel industry and deserved to be included in the same conversations as diversity and inclusion and mental health.
The initiative sees Garvey-Jones and Nunes hosting virtual and in-person meetings and recording podcasts with health experts and other speakers to share experiences and boost understanding of how menopause and perimenopause can impact industry employees.
“It’s not just women of a certain age, it can affect anyone over 30 and it’s not just women – for men, it’s their partners, sisters, aunties and everyone has a story to tell and a need to join the conversation,” said Garvey-Jones.
“We want to help create more open and knowledgeable employers and workplaces,” she added. “The initiative is for everyone, all gender identities and all ages.
“We want to create more safe spaces and make this topic – which is so important – one everyone can engage with.”
Garvey-Jones said she hoped the initiative could become “a catalyst for change” and bring in new policies among industry companies – such as those just announced by online fashion store Asos.
Asos has brought in paid leave for staff experiencing menopause, fertility treatment or pregnancy loss and announced a raft of new measures for employees, including flexible working and paid leave at short notice.
The pair have launched an Instagram account (TravelTalksMenopause) for those interested in finding out more about the campaign.
MSC Cruises has revealed that its latest flagship, the MSC Seashore, will be officially named at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas on Nov. 18, making this the first naming ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island.
According to a press release, the event will be attended by travel advisors and media as well as other key company stakeholders.
Departing Miami on Nov. 17, invitees will be able to get a first look at the new ship before she starts her inaugural seven-night cruise and U.S. season on Nov. 20 and make the most of the onboard entertainment, different activities as well as various bars and restaurants.
As with every new MSC Cruises ship, Hollywood royalty Sophia Loren will perform the role of Godmother as she officially names her 16th MSC Cruises ship. The festivities will take place both onboard and on the island as the ship will remain docked throughout the night, with a gala dinner, live entertainment and more.
The naming of the MSC Seashore will see the formal inauguration of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in late 2019 and closed shortly after due to the pandemic.
MSC said that the island has since gone through further work and significant improvements and this is “an opportunity for MSC Cruises to showcase the island to the invitees on this occasion.”
The MSC Seashore will become the third MSC Cruises ship based in the U.S and the company is offering a range of different length cruises from mini cruises, regular seven-night sailings to longer cruises of eight nights and 11 nights.
New for this season is Port Canaveral where the MSC Divina began operating in September. This new homeport is convenient and easily accessible and is close to popular attractions and major cities like Orlando, Tampa and South Florida for those wishing to make the most out of their holiday either before or after the cruise, MSC said.
When the MSC Seashore arrives, the MSC Meraviglia will move to Port Canaveral for the rest of the season and the MSC Divina will move to PortMiami.
The MSC Seashore will remain for summer 2022 in Miami offering cruises with the MSC Divina out of Port Canaveral.
