Tag Archives: Europe

MSC Cruises Named Official Main Partner of Tudor Pro Cycling

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MSC Cruises Named Official Main Partner of Tudor Pro Cycling

MSC Cruises has partnered with Tudor Pro Cycling to become its official main partner through the 2027 season, including a debut at the 2025 Tour de France, which starts on July 5.

The partnership was unveiled today ahead of the Tour de France Official Team Presentation in Lille.

Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman at MSC Cruises, said: “We are proud to partner with the Tudor Pro Cycling team as official main partner at the start of this exciting new chapter for the team as they are participating for the first time in the world’s biggest cycling event.”

“We look forward to supporting the team as they race across the world, introducing our brand to a new global audience that follows this exciting international sport. Team sports, such as this, reflect our commitment to delivering outstanding experiences driven by teamwork, excellence and passion,” added Vago.

Raphael Meyer, CEO of Tudor Pro Cycling: “We are honoured and excited to welcome MSC Cruises as our new main partner of Tudor Pro Cycling. Their support comes at a truly historic moment for our team, as we prepare to compete in our very first Tour de France.”

“This milestone marks a bold new chapter in our journey, and we are thrilled to have MSC Cruises on board with us. Together, we share a commitment to excellence, innovation, and pushing boundaries, values that will drive us forward both on and off the road,” added Meyer.

MSC Cruises said in a press release that the company will have visibility across the Tudor Pro Cycling team’s kit, with branding featured on rider jerseys as well as on team vehicles, including support cars and team buses.

Audiences will see the new branding for the first time at the 2025 Tour de France.

MSC Cruises added that the move is its first involvement in the world of professional cycling.

MSC said the partnership reflects a shared national heritage and a focus on high operational standards.

Former FTI Berlin Sets Sail to Malaysia

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Former FTI Berlin Sets Sail to Malaysia

The former FTI Berlin recently set sail for its new home in Malaysia after spending several months in Ningde, China.

Acquired by the Berlin Capital Group in late 2024, the 1980-built vessel is being prepared to offer short casino cruises out of Penang.

The company’s plans initially called for a March 2025 startup, which was later postponed due to delays in the ship’s refit.

Renamed the Berlin Oceanis, the 9,570-ton vessel departed from the port of Ningde on May 24, 2025.

Sailing under the flag of Comoros, the ship is now expected to arrive at its new homeport on June 2, 2025.

According to a series of updates shared by the new owner, most of the public areas onboard the vessel were renovated during refurbishment in China.

In a video shared in early March, the company marked the demolition of venues on deck five, which made room for new spaces.

“This phase has been one of the most time-consuming parts of the transformation, but now that it’s done, everything will start moving much faster,” the Berlin Capital Group said.

“With this major milestone behind us, we’re looking forward to smoother progress,” the company added.

Additional details about the ship’s first voyages and commissioning were still to be announced at press time.

Originally built for Germany-based Peter Deilmann, the Berlin Oceanis was last operated by FTI Cruises.

With its owners shutting down cruise operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the vessel was sold to Dreamliner Cruises in late 2020.

Renamed Dream Goddess, the ship was to undergo a major refurbishment and be converted into a mega yacht.

However, the project did not proceed, and the former Berlin remained docked at a Greek port for nearly five years.

In addition to Peter Deilmann and FTI Cruises, the vessel also sailed for Saga Cruises and other brands.

Silversea to Increase Muse’s Capacity During Drydock

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Silversea is planning a substantial increase in guest capacity for the Silver Muse during an upcoming dry dock.

According to the ship’s new deck plans, its double occupancy will grow by approximately seven per cent, reaching 632 guests from just under 600.

After entering service in 2017, the Silver Muse is scheduled to undergo a routine shipyard stay in Europe in November 2025.

The updated deck plans show that the capacity increase will be achieved through smaller staterooms.

Plans call for several larger Silver Suites on decks 9, 10 and 11 to replace smaller Medallion and Classic Veranda suites.

On Deck 9, six Silver Suites are being replaced with 12 new, smaller staterooms of different categories.

Cruise Industry News estimates that after the refit, the number of Silver Suites will decrease from 34 to eight.

According to a message shared with guests by Silversea, the Silver Muse will undergo a “redefining revitalisation” during its dry dock.

The 40,700-ton vessel will see the addition of “timeless beauty and elegance,” the company continued, as well as an “extension of the choice of suite options” onboard.

Other new features coming to the ship include S.A.L.T., which is described by Silversea as a “pioneering culinary experience.”

The speciality restaurant that features changing menus inspired by destinations being visited by the vessel will be added to Deck 4.

Taking the space previously occupied by the ship’s Asian speciality venue, Indochine, S.A.L.T. will also feature a bar for regionally inspired drinks and wines.

As part of the drydock, the ship’s La Dolce Vita main dining room is also set to be reduced for the creation of new technical spaces.

Currently offering summer cruises in Europe, the Silver Muse will debut its new enhancements in early December ahead of a winter season in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands.