Maiden Call for MSC Seascape in Cadiz

Posted on 25 November, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

The port of Cadiz in Spain today welcomed the MSC Seascape for the ship’s maiden call before she sets sail across the Atlantic for her official naming ceremony on Dec. 7 in New York.

The maritime tradition of a Crest Exchange took place onboard MSC’s newest ship between Master of the Vessel Captain Francesco Di Palma and officials from the Spanish port authority and Cadiz’s Councillor for Tourism, Montemayor Mures.

The ship is operating a 17-night Grand Voyage from Europe to the USA with 3,255 guests onboard according to a company statement.

The MSC Seascape will next call Funchal in Madeira and King’s Wharf in Bermuda before arriving in Manhattan on Dec. 5.

MSC said the ship will be the cruise line’s first ship to be named in New York to reflect MSC Cruises’ commitment to the North American market and the ceremony will be celebrated at the city’s Manhattan Cruise Terminal.

The ship will sail to Miami immediately following the event for an inaugural season in the Caribbean with two different 7-night itineraries from PortMiami:

Eastern Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve and Nassau in The Bahamas, San Juan in Puerto Rico, and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic
Western Caribbean: Calling at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Cozumel in Mexico, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Ocho Rios in Jamaica

New AIDAcosma Cruise Ship Delivered

Posted on 21 December, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

AIDA Cruises took delivery of its newest cruise ship, the AIDAcosma, in Bremerhaven from the Meyer Werft shipyard on Dec. 21.

It is the company’s second new building powered by liquefied natural gas, according to a press release, and gives AIDA its 14th ship. AIDA is Carnival Corporation’s German brand.

The ship will enter service in the first quarter, sailing from Hamburg on seven-day so-called metropolis voyages.

On April 9, 2022, the champion athlete Kristina Vogel will christen the new ship in Hamburg.

The new vessel then will sail on a two-week christening voyage, taking passengers to either Mallorca or Barcelona. Further highlights of the itinerary include Lisbon, Cadiz and Malaga as the ship moves to the Mediterranean for the summer season.

From April 23 to October 15, 2022, the AIDAcosma will offer voyages from Palma and Barcelona. The one-week “Mediterranean Treasures” itinerary will also include calls into Florence, Rome and Corsica.

The AIDAcosma will then move to Dubai for the winter 2022-2023 season.

New ship Arvia will offer the line’s first multi-sensory escape room experience

Posted on 20 December, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

The new experience, titled Mission Control, is set underwater onboard a fictional submarine Arvia II, with a series of live-action puzzles.

The “expedition” is led by fictional Dr Ryan and has multiple storylines, suitable for all ages, with a film-like plot and motion simulation.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said holidays are “all about new experiences”, and the “immersive” escape room will create “unforgettable action-packed moments with family and friends”.

“Mission Control will expand our onboard entertainment offering even further, giving guests an opportunity to create unique bonding experiences they will talk about for years to come,” he added.

Arvia’s maiden voyage is a 14-night Canary Islands cruise, departing from and returning to Southampton on 9 December 2020. Ports of call are Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz and Lisbon and prices start from £1,449pp.