Tag Archives: Caribbean cruise

Antigua Cruise Port Expects to Welcome Over 600,000 Passengers

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Antigua Cruise Port expects 182,120 passengers to visit between October and December 2022, for a total of 616,419 passengers by the end of its peak cruise season in 2022-23, according to a press release.

The rest of the season is expected to reach new heights, with January 2023 set to be the busiest month, with 79 calls and 135,810 passengers, according to the port.

“In comparison to the modest summer months of 2022, May – September 2023 will see a total of 18 cruise ship calls depicting the growth and development of Antigua’s cruise industry,” said Dona Regis-Prosper, general manager, of Antigua Cruise Port.

n addition, the port will engage in homeporting operations beginning with Star Clipper of Royal Clipper Cruises in December 2022 and continuing with the P&O Arvia.

Each Arvia homeporting operation is expected to accommodate approximately 800 passengers, providing the twin-island nation with a consistent business for all sectors relevant to the industry such as taxi drivers, hotel workers, shipping agents, and restaurants.

Arvia’s homeporting operations are expected to resume again in November 2023, along with the start of Emerald Cruises’ full weekly operations.

Prior to that, the port anticipates five-ship days in December 2022 and January 2023, as well as a ship-ship day in January. In February 2023, seven ships are expected to dock on the same day.

The port is currently providing free security training to all port users, including taxi drivers, vendors, tour guides, security officers, restauranteurs, and retailers.

“We continue to invest in the success of the port community and industry stakeholders. We believe in authentic, open dialogue, and see it as our duty to assist everyone; from our colleagues to our tenants, to port community members to achieve success,” added Regis-Prosper.

New Rotterdam Completes First Year in Service

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The Rotterdam VII is completing its first year in service.

After being delivered a few months earlier, the new Holland America Line flagship welcomed its first guests on October 20, 2021.

On that day, the 2,650-guest vessel departed the Netherlands for a 14-day transatlantic to the United States.

Sailing from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale, the one-way voyage featured visits to five destinations, including the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago located in the middle of the Atlantic, and Brest, in France.

Upon arriving in North America in November, the Rotterdam began its inaugural season in the region, which included five- to 11-night itineraries to the Southern, Western and Eastern Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas.

During its first year in service, the vessel also sailed a summer program in Northern Europe – where it was christened by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands in May.

Currently sailing Holland America’s 150th-anniversary transatlantic crossing, the Rotterdam is now set to offer a second season of Caribbean and Bahamas cruises starting on October 30, 2022. 

The program includes ten- and 11-night itineraries to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean departing from Fort Lauderdale to popular destinations such as Curaçao, Grand Turk and Martinique.

A sister to the 2016-built Koningsdam and 2018-built Nieuw Statendam, the new Rotterdam is part of Holland America’s Pinnacle class.

The seventh ship to carry the name of the company, it offers enhanced amenities and features, such as the Rolling Stone Rock Room, where guests are able to relive rock history with iconic hits performed by live bands.

The Rotterdam also offers 11 different dining experiences, including the Grand Dutch Café, a nod to Holland America Line’s heritage, as well as Italian, Asian and French speciality options.

Another highlight of the ship’s public areas is the theatre. Named World Stage, the showroom is equipped with a round stage and a two-story LED screen that creates a wraparound display.

Virgin Voyages Joins Forces with Chefs and Mixologists for Eat & Drink Month

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Valiant Lady arriving in Liverpool photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Virgin Voyages has introduced its first-ever Eat & Drink Month in partnership with acclaimed chefs and mixologists, taking place in November, according to a press release.

Michelin-starred chefs Matt Lambert and Brad Farmerie, James Beard Award nominees Silvana Salcido Esparza and Sohui Kim, and beverage designer Charles Joly are all working with the cruise line to bring the project to life. The Eat & Drink Month includes four- and five-night voyages on the Scarlet Lady, as well as six- and eight-night voyages on the Valiant Lady. according to Virgin Voyages.

“We have made-to-order culinary experiences in intimate eateries rather than mass-produced banquet food in big dining halls. Our food and drink menus were put together by award-winning chefs and mixologists who have taken their land-based gastronomy experience to our restaurants and cocktail bars on board,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, president and chief experience officer, of Virgin Voyages.

Guests will be treated to speciality cocktails and menu items throughout November, as well as bookable events priced between $15 and 125 per guest, such as elevated dinner and wine pairings, cooking demos, and a preview of the new menu launching next year.

To commemorate Eat & Drink Month, every November booking includes a complimentary $300 Bar Tab that can be used for speciality cocktails or the brand’s unique Shake for Champagne feature, which allows guests to order their drink of choice via their phone.

“Of all the feedback we receive from past guests on TripAdvisor and Cruise Critic, two things stand apart above all else: our amazing Crew and the food & drinks. Eat & Drink Month is a way for us to turn up the heat and celebrate Sailors’ favourite part of coming aboard with a recurring event our guests can look forward to for years to come,” added Saverimuttu.

Once onboard, guests can book a variety of events and special appearances from the Eat & Drink lineup.

Let’s Mushroom Around, Sushi & Poke Demo, Flavors Uncorked at The Wake, Razzle Dazzle Menu Sneak Peek, Creative Collective: Sohui Kim, Creative Collective: Brad Farmerie, and Creative Collective: Silvana Salcido Esparza have all been curated for culinary entertainment onboard.

As for drinks, guests can sip away in one of the following events: Spill the Beans with Intelligentsia Coffee, Filthy Bloody Mary Bar, What’s The Tea?, Lotería Gigante, Seven Sea Sippers, Sip and Sway with Kin Euphorics, Nothing Fancy at The Loose Cannon.