The Port of Piraeus has welcomed its first cruise ship call of the new year with the arrival of the Costa Deliziosa on Tuesday, January 2, according to a press release.
To mark the occasion, the Management of Piraeus Port Authority hosted a special ceremony with the exchange of plaques and Christmas treats for all passengers.
The Costa Deliziosa arrived from Izmir, Turkey during its 14-night Mediterranean voyage sailing roundtrip from Trieste, Italy.
The ship then continued its trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia and will also call in Bari, Italy, before returning to Trieste on Saturday, January 6.
The port also reported historical records for cruise passengers in 2023, with approximately 1.5 million passengers, compared to 880,000 in 2022. Additionally, the total number of cruise ships that visited the port was 760.
Royal Caribbean International is now an Official Partner of the Eurovision Song Contest for 2024 and 2025, according to a press release.
Sponsoring the world’s largest live music event, Royal Caribbean will bring to life a variety of experiences, including brand exposure throughout the event, host-city promotion and more.
The new partnership will debut ahead of the upcoming 68th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Malmö, Sweden, in May 2024, and broadcast in the 37 participating countries with millions of viewers online. This will also mark the start of Royal Caribbean’s European season with six ships sailing from eight cities across the continent.
Ben Bouldin, vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Royal Caribbean International, said: “As two world-renowned brands that are known for delivering memorable moments to millions across the globe, the combination of Royal Caribbean International and Eurovision Song Contest makes the ultimate partnership that will bring to life the very best of world-class live entertainment and a fusion of cultures from all over. With more than 60 historic years of the Eurovision Song Contest, we’re proud to partner with an iconic brand that has a global audience, which only continues to grow with the popularity of an event that has become a cultural moment for so many around the world.”
Martin Österdahl, executive supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest said: “We’re thrilled to announce our exciting new partnership with Royal Caribbean International. The Eurovision Song Contest and Royal Caribbean share a passion for creating unforgettable experiences that unite people from all around the world. We look forward to making new memories for our fans and guests alike and can’t wait to set sail together on this new adventure!”
Details on how to get tickets for the 68th annual Eurovision Song Contest with Royal Caribbean will be revealed in the coming months.
The Adora Magic City set sail on its first commercial voyage for Adora Cruises today. Built to serve the Chinese market, the 135,000-ton cruise ship is now offering a series of four- and five-night cruises departing from Shanghai.
The itineraries include visit to different destinations in the Far East, including the Jeju Island, in South Korea, and the Japanese cities of Fukuoka, Okinawa, Sasebo and Nagasaki.
Sailing on a year-round basis, the short cruises also feature one or two full days cruising at the East China Sea.
With a design based on Carnival Cruise Line’s Vista Class, the Adora Magic City is the first ever large cruise ship built at a Chinese shipyard.
According to Adora Cruises, the Magic City combines Eastern and Western aesthetics, as well as diverse concepts to bring guests “ingenious gastronomy, immersive entertainment, trendy shopping areas, and several creative and enjoyable spaces.”
Among the ship’s features is a series of dining venues that serve world cuisine, the company added, as well as special performances at a 1,000-guest, state-of-the-art theater.
With no casino onboard, the cruise ship also offers super-large duty-free shops that sell products from both global and local brands.
In addition to the Magic City, the Mediterranea is also in service for Adora Cruises. After launching service for the company in September 2023, the 2003-built ship is currently offering a series of short cruises departing from Tianjin, in Northern China.
A second Vista-Class ship is also being built for the homegrown cruise line at the Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Yard. Slightly larger than the Adora Magic City, the yet-unnamed vessel is expected to enter service in 2025.
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