Carnival Magic Repositions to Miami

Posted on 30 October, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Magic in Palma, Majorca photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr account)

The Carnival Magic arrived in Miami today to kick off a series of cruises to the Caribbean.

Sailing from its new year-round homeport in South Florida, the 3,650-guest vessel is set to offer a series of six- to eight-night itineraries to different destinations in the region.

The first cruise of the program includes six days cruising to the Eastern Caribbean, with planned visits to Half Moon Cay, in the Bahamas; Grand Turk, in Turks and Caicos; and Amber Cove, in the Dominican Republic.

Cruises to the Western Caribbean are also part of the program, including six-night itineraries to Mexico and Belize, and seven-night cruises to Mexico and Honduras.

The Carnival Magic is also set to cruise to the Southern Caribbean from Miami, offering eight-night itineraries that feature destinations in Aruba, Curaçao, and more.

Other ports of call included in the ship’s itineraries include St. Thomas, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Philipsburg, in St. Maarten, Nassau, in the Bahamas, and more.

With the Carnival Magic now based in Miami as well, a total of five Carnival Cruise Line ships are sailing from the South Florida homeport on a year-round basis.

The Carnival Celebration, the Carnival Horizon, the Carnival Conquest and the Carnival Sunrise complete the company’s fleet in PortMiami.

Offering three- to eight-night cruises to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, the vessels sail to popular destinations in the region, such as Nassau, Princess Cays, George Town, La Romana, Puerto Rico and more.

A sister to the 2009-built Carnival Dream, the Carnival Magic originally entered service in 2011. Built in Italy by the Fincantieri shipyard, the vessel offers several facilities and attractions, including a large casino, a multi-level theater and an extensive array of dining venues.

The Magic also boasts innovative features, including an outdoors sports complex named Sports Square and The Lanai, a wrap-around promenade with whirlpools that extend out over the ship’s sides.

MOL to Launch New Cruise Brand, Mitsui Ocean Cruises

Posted on 14 October, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

Seabourn Odyssey Photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr photo account)

MOL Group today announced the launch of a new cruise brand named Mitsui Ocean Cruises.

The Japanese shipowner also revealed that the name of its new cruise ship will be Mitsui Ocean Fuji.

Set to enter service for the new brand in December 2024, the 32,000-ton luxury vessel was acquired from Seabourn Cruise Line in March 2023.

According to a press release, the Mitsui Ocean Fuji will become MOL’s second passenger ship, sailing along the 1990-built Nippon Maru.

Onboard the new-to-the-company vessel, MOL said, passengers will be able to experience the combination of Japanese high quality “Omotenashi” service with a western-style luxury hardware.

Currently sailing as the Seabourn Odyssey, the all-suite vessel was originally designed to offer an international upscale cruising experience in regions such as the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Built in Italy by the Fincantieri shipyard, the 450-guest vessel first entered service in June 2009.

Mitsui Ocean Cruises also announced that the Mitsui Ocean Fuji will embark on an Around the World Cruise in April 2025.

Sailing roundtrip from Yokohama, the 100-day voyage will visit 24 yet-to-be-revealed ports of call around the globe.

As part of its new management plan named Blue Action 2035, the MOL Group plans to continues to invest in the cruise business as a way to offset commercial shipping volatilities.

Diversifying its portfolio, the Japanese company plans a “heavy focus” on the cruise industry, with the expansion of its travel businesses and the creation of an international customer’s base.

With plans to launch several new cruise ships in the future, the group will also focus on bringing foreign guests for cruises in Japan, while keeping an eye on expanding its domestic customer reach.

According to MOL, the cruise industry is a “stable and profitable” segment that “is not affected by the same market conditions” as other shipping areas.

Posted on 11 October, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

P&O makes a play for the School half-terms to capture the Family Market.

P&O Britannia sitting pretty in the Caribbean photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr account)

P&O Cruises has bolstered its autumn half-term offering for 2025 in an effort to entice more families onboard its ships.

The line will operate three seven-night ex-Southampton sailings specifically aimed at families whose children go to schools in different countries within the UK.

The voyages depart on 18 October, 25 October and 1 November 2025. Each sailing covers a different October half-term either in Scotland, Northern Ireland or England.

A P&O Cruises spokesperson said: “Consequently, there will be a much larger number of holidays departing during this period.”

P&O Cruises sales director Ruth Venn said: “We’ve tried to put three consecutive sailings to cover each of three half terms. It’s great to have broad appeal.”

P&O Cruises will return to 12 ports, including Los Angeles, Melbourne, Bali, Bodo and Dunedin, for the first time in five or more years during 2025/26.

The programme also features two new itineraries for Britannia. Prices for the sailings, which include calls to Jamaica, Turks and Caicos and Dominican Republic, start from £1,399pp.

From January 2026, Arcadia will operate a 100-night Eastern Circumnavigation World Cruise for the first time in nine years.

The ship will call into 28 destinations including Dubai, Singapore, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Dunedin, Auckland, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Prices start from £9,599pp.

The line will visit Tangier, Morocco, for the first time when Azura calls there during its sailing from Valetta, Malta.

Cruises booked by 4 December will include a 10% saving. Past guests, who have cruised with P&O Cruises for 15 nights or more, can access a further 5% discount on selected sailings.