Tag Archives: Asia

Royal Caribbean Offering Unique Mix of Cruises From Singapore

Posted on by
Reply

Royal Caribbean International is highlighting its upcoming sailings from Singapore, which offer a unique mix of itineraries.

The homeporting program from Singapore includes several destinations in Southeast Asia, the company said, such as Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China and Malaysia.

12 Nights, Four Countries and Seven Cities

On September 19, 2023, the Spectrum of the Seas is offering a 12-night cruise to Japan. Sailing from Singapore to Tokyo, the one-way cruise was designed for “adventurers at heart,” Royal Caribbean said, and allows passengers to experience the sights, sounds and cultures of Asia.

The itinerary features stops at a total of four countries and seven cities: Nha Trang, in Vietnam; Hong Kong, in China; and Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima, in Japan.

Three-Night Getaway

The Spectrum of the Seas offers short getaways as well, including a three-night cruise to Penang, in Malaysia, on November 6, 2023.

The short sailing offers the “perfect opportunity to unwind, recharge, and bond,” Royal Caribbean said.

New Year, New Travel Destinations

Royal Caribbean is also offering a couple of nine-night cruises to Thailand and Vietnam in early 2024. According to the company, these itineraries allow guests to “explore a myriad of cultures, historical sites, and street food, starting the new year with new horizons.”

Departing on January 2 and February 17, the cruises sail roundtrip from Singapore and feature visits to different destinations, including Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City and Bangkok.

Discover Shanghai’s Magic and Majesty

Passengers can also sail from Singapore to Shanghai with this special eight-night repositioning cruise scheduled for April 18, 2024.

The itinerary also features visits to Nha Trang, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.

For those seeking to deepen their exploration of China, the company suggests different land tours as well, including a scenic train ride to Beijing.

Anthem of the Seas Arrives in November 2024

Replacing the Spectrum of the Seas, the Anthem of the Seas is set to arrive in Singapore in November 2024.

Set to debut in the region, the Quantum-class vessel offers a series of Royal Caribbean signature features, as well as a new Olivier Award-winning musical, We Will Rock You.

Taking guests to various destinations in Southeast Asia, the ship’s program includes sailing to Penang, in Malaysia, and Phuket, in Thailand, on January 27 and February 4, 2025.

Mediterranea Returns to Asia Ahead of Adora Cruises Debut

Posted on by
Reply

After spending several months out of service in Europe, the former Costa Mediterranea returned to Asia earlier this month.

Set to debut for Adora Cruises in the fourth quarter, the 2003-built vessel is currently undergoing a refit in Singapore. Being prepared to serve the Chinese market starting this fall, the cruise ship entered the drydock of the Tuas Shipyard on August 15.

In addition to regular maintenance and class surveys, the Mediterranea is expected to be upgraded for Adora, receiving new features and also a new livery.

According to the company, the new ship’s new colour scheme was created to blend the Mediterranean’s iconic blue, green, and white tones, recreating the “elegant and artistic temperament” of the European inner sea.

In addition to the unique livery, the 2,100-guest vessel will also offer a new onboard experience tailored to the Chinese market, Adora Cruises added.

Renamed Mediterranea, the cruise ship is scheduled to offer a series of short international cruises from Tianjin later this year.

Originally built for Costa Cruises, the 86,000-ton vessel first entered service in 2003. After nearly 20 years of serving the Italian brand, the vessel was sold to CSSC Carnival – which later became Adora Cruises – in 2021.

Sharing the design of Carnival Cruise Line’s Spirit Class, the vessel features themed interiors that pay homage to Italy’s palaces and castles.

Designed by the hospitality architect Joe Farcus, the public areas include three pool decks, a multi-story atrium, a selection of dining venues and several bars and lounges.

Following the Mediterranea, the Adora Magic City is also scheduled to start service for Adora Cruises later this year. In the final stages of construction, the China-built vessel will offer short cruises from Shanghai.

A joint venture between Carnival Corporation and the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Adora Cruises also operated the Costa Atlantica. Currently laid-up in Italy, the 2000-built vessel is a sister to the former Costa Mediterranea.

MSC Opens 2024-25 Cruise Deployment for Sale

Posted on by
Reply

MSC Virtuosa in Flam Norway to view the inside images of MSC Virtuosa click the link (Flickr) or Image

MSC Cruises today opened sales for a range of its winter 2024-25 season sailings. The line will soon provide details for its winter 2024-25 sailing programs in South America, Southern Africa and the Far East but today unveiled the voyages now available to book, according to a press release.

Highlights include six ships serving the Caribbean Sea and MSC Cruises’ flagship MSC Euribia operating for the first time in the Middle East.

Details are:

NORTH AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN

The MSC Meraviglia will operate from New York with seven- to 11-night itineraries to Port Canaveral for Orlando, Nassau in the Bahamas and MSC Cruises’ private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

The MSC Seascape will sail every Saturday from Miami with either 7-night cruises to the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Ocean Cay or to Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico and Ocean Cay.

The MSC Seaside every Sunday will offer 7-night voyages from Miami, alternating between the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic or Mexico, Honduras or Belize, and the Bahamas.

The MSC Divina will also be based in Miami and offer an array of three- to 10-night itineraries, all including calls to Ocean Cay.  Longer sailings will take guests to Jamaica, Aruba, Curaçao, Dominican Republic and the Bahamas.

The MSC Seashore will homeport in Port Canaveral for three- to four-night mini cruises to the Bahamas, including calls at Ocean Cay, and also sail seven-night voyages with additional stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico.

The MSC Virtuosa will homeport in Fort-de-France, Martinique and embark on back-to-back 7-night itineraries including Guadeloupe, the Virgin Islands, St. Maarten, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Vincent & The Grenadines, Barbados, Grenada, and Saint Lucia.

ARABIAN GULF

The line’s newest flagship the MSC Euribia will make her debut in the region from Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). It will offer seven-night sailings to two other UAE destinations, Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island, plus Doha, Qatar and Manama in Bahrain.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA

The MSC World Europa will sail every Sunday from Genoa for a seven-night voyage with calls at Civitavecchia for Rome, Messina in Sicily, Valletta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France

NORTHERN EUROPE

The MSC Preziosa will operate seven-night voyages every Sunday from Hamburg, Germany with calls at Zeebrugge for Bruges and Brussels in Belgium; Rotterdam in the Netherlands; Le Havre for Paris and Southampton for London. Additionally, one 21-night long cruise from Southampton will visit the Canary Islands, Madeira and Morocco.

RED SEA

The MSC Musica will offer seven-night sailings from Safaga, Egypt to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Aqaba for Petra in Jordan, Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt and Sokhna Port for the country’s capital Cairo before returning to Safaga for an opportunity to visit Luxor.