Tag Archives: Caribbean cruise

Explora Announces Winter 2024-25 Program for Explora I

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Explora Journeys today announced its itineraries for the autumn and winter 2024-25 season of Explora I, according to a press release.

Featuring 23 journeys and two grand journeys between September 2024 and April 2025, the itineraries will encompass 73 different destinations in 24 countries, the company said in a statement.

Eight of them will be a first for Explora Journeys, including Macapá, Alter-do-Chaõ and Manaus in the Amazon, and the Devil’s Island in French Guiana.

Sacha Rougier, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experiences, at Explora Journeys, said: “Guests will have the chance to delve into an exhilarating celebration of diversity: From private tours of MoMA in New York City to thrilling boat expeditions up the Amazon; discovering new shades of blue on a hidden Caribbean island or being fully immersed in the biggest show on earth with our exclusive Explora Journeys carnival experience in Rio, where they’ll be granted insider access to join the vibrant performers.”

The voyages start in the far north of North America’s East Coast, then sail to the Caribbean and South America before crossing the Atlantic to Europe.

Highlights include an 8-night Journey to Trailing Whales and Falling Leaves, sailing from New York City on Oct. 8 2024 for Boston, Portland and Halifax, the mystical Whale Corridors and the Gulf of St Lawrence, and finishing in Quebec City.

The ship will offer journeys up the Amazon River and into the Brazilian rainforest, complete with torchlit kayak tours and forest trails to hidden tribal villages.  In Manaus, guests will witness the confluence of where the Rio Negro joins the Rio Solimoes and in Santarem where the Amazon meets the waters of the Tapajos.

Journey into Wild and Wonderful Amazonia will depart Bridgetown, Barbados, on November 22 2024, and sail to French Guiana’s Devil’s Island before heading to Macapá, Alter-do-Chaõ and Manaus in Brazil.

A Journey to the Meeting Waters on the Almighty Amazon will set off on November 29 2024 and travel up the Amazon to Macapá and Bequia before returning to Bridgetown.

A Journey of Tantalising Transatlantic Adventures sails on April 3 2025 from Bridgetown on a 14-night transatlantic crossing. Guests can enjoy leisurely days at sea before exploring Cape Verde, the 10-island Creole-Portuguese archipelago.  EXPLORA I will stop to take in the natural attractions of the Canary Islands, followed by Madeira, before arriving in Lisbon, Portugal on April 18, 2025.

The ship’s grand journeys, A Grand Journey to Amazonia & Tropical Isles (28 nights) and A Grand Transatlantic Odyssey in the Atlantic (32 nights), give guests the opportunity to visit the Caribbean, the Amazon and the vastness of the ocean beyond.

Celebrity Millennium Arrives in Puerto Rico for Homeporting Program

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The Celebrity Millennium is starting a homeporting program in Puerto Rico today. Sailing roundtrip from San Juan, the Celebrity Cruises vessel is now set to offer a series of departures to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean.

Three different week-long itineraries in the region are part of the program, which extends through mid-April.

Departing today, the first one includes visits to five different islands: Tortola, St. Maarten, Roseau, Barbados and Grenada.

Focusing on popular destinations in the Southern Caribbean, a second itinerary includes visits to St. Kitts, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, as well as two days at sea.

Before returning to North America in late April, the Millennium also offers a third itinerary week-long in the region. Sailing roundtrip from San Juan too, the cruise features visits to St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Johns, Barbados and St. Lucia.

The local season ends with a repositioning voyage to Fort Lauderdale. Soon after, in May, the 91,000-ton vessel departs Port Everglades on a 15-night Panama Canal cruise to join the Celebrity Eclipse and the Celebrity Solstice in Alaska for a summer program.

First, in a series of four ships known as the Millennium Class, the Celebrity Millennium originally entered service in 2000.

Now offering most of Celebrity’s signature experiences and spaces, the 1,950-guest vessel underwent an extensive renovation in 2019, as part of the Celebrity Revolution program.

In addition to a new livery, the Millennium received several new features during the refit, including the Retreat suite enclave, the Qsine specialty restaurant, a new thermal suite and more.

All of the ship’s staterooms and suites were also update with new designs and furniture to offer what Celebrity calls “modern luxury.”

Other areas that went through redesigned during the refurbishment include the Oceanview Café, the Passport Bar, The Library and more.

Unscheduled Drydocking for Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience

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Ambassador Cruise Line will go ahead with an unscheduled drydock for the Ambience repairs in Germany following a safety issue found on the ship over the weekend.

The ship was unable to be repaired in the UK, according to the cruise line, and will now sail to Bremerhaven for the work.

While the drydock facility was not named, it could be Lloyd Werft, which is a key drydock in Bremerhaven with a long history of working on cruise vessels.

“We do not compromise on the safety of our guests, staff, or crew,” Ambassador said in a statement. “Therefore, while we have already started work, unfortunately, we are unable to complete it at the Port of Tilbury and therefore Ambience will need to go into drydock.

“She has left London Tilbury this afternoon to go to Bremerhaven where the work and tests will be completed. Regrettably, this will not be concluded in time to operate our Christmas & New Year Canary Islands Cruise, which was due to sail on Wednesday, December 21 2022. We will email all guests this afternoon to further explain and communicate this. We would advise all guests on this sailing to please wait to receive this communication before contacting either us directly or your travel agent.”

The company’s Christmas cruise was set to operate over 15 days to the Canaries. The ship is now expected back in service on Jan 5. 2023 for a 42-night cruise to the Caribbean.