Tag Archives: Fort Lauderdale

MSC Cruises’ First Newbuilds Completes 20 Years in Service

Posted on by
Reply

MSC Cruises’ first new build is completing 20 years in service in 2023 as the MSC Lirica was delivered to the company on March 24, 2003.

Built-in France by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, the 65,000-ton ship originally debuted in the Mediterranean.

Before kicking off its inaugural program in the region, the Lirica also became the first ship to be christened by Sophia Loren.

Later the godmother of all of the company’s newbuilds, the Italian actress named the vessel during a special ceremony in the Italian port of Naples.

In addition to the Mediterranean, the MSC Lirica also spent its first years in service sailing in the Caribbean – with U.S.-based cruises departing from Fort Lauderdale – and Northern Europe.

The vessel then debuted in South America in 2009 and in the Middle East, becoming the first MSC ship to sail a complete season in 2010.

In 2016, in another first for MSC Cruises, the MSC Lirica was repositioned to Asia for a series of year-round cruises out of China.

Upon returning to Europe in 2018, the 2,160-guest ship resumed its operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and sailed additional seasons in the Middle East.

As part of a €275-million refit plan called the Renaissance Program, the Lirica was enlarged and modernized in 2015.

After being cut in half at a drydock in Italy, the ship received a new 24-meter-long mid-section that allowed the addition of 194 extra cabins, a new lounge, a kid’s water park and more.

In addition to its new features, the MSC Lirica offers a two-deck theatre, a casino, a complete spa, four different restaurants, two swimming pools and more.

LG launches LED displays to elevate the cruise experience

Posted on by
Reply

LG has launched outdoor direct-view LED (DVLED) displays to be used on cruise ships’ outside decks

Launching at Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale at the end of March, the screens will provide a high-quality picture, no matter the weather or the time of day.

“LG’s marine-grade DVLED technology is the ideal outdoor display medium because it can produce bright images and has the contrast necessary for watching videos in direct sunlight,” said LG Business Solutions USA director of hospitality, cruise and fitness Jake Benner.

“Outdoor areas on cruise ships can now be outfitted with movie theatre-sized displays, while providing optimal performance day in and day out, regardless of how salty, wet or unpredictable the environment is.”

LG will launch two models: one with a 6.2-mm pixel pitch and a 5,000:1 contrast ratio for where the viewer is closer to the screen. The second has an 8.3-mm pixel pitch and a 7,000:1 contrast ratio that is aimed at spaces where passengers view the screen from a distance.

Both screens have a 160-degree horizontal viewing angle and can be operated on either 110-volt or 240-volt power systems. They can function in temperatures ranging from -30C to 50C and have a powder coating to protect them against salinity and corrosion.

Mr Benner said, “Cruise operators can deliver large, captivating content that can catch visitors’ eyes from across the deck. The placement possibilities are endless, and we are excited to see how designers and owners integrate these powerful displays into their environments to elevate the cruise experience.”

Fort Lauderdale: LGBTQIA+ Cruises Deliver Key Economic Impact

Posted on by
Reply

Greater Fort Lauderdale is preparing to set a new record in February 2023 with four sold-out LGBTQIA+ cruises bringing in more than $8 million in economic impact, according to Visit Lauderdale, the destination marketing organization.

“With demand for travel to LGBTQIA+ friendly destinations at an all-time high, our reputation for welcoming  ‘everyone under the sun’ has delivered a record-breaking booking of four consecutive LGBT+ cruises of this magnitude,” said Richard Gray, Visit Lauderdale’s senior vice president of inclusion and accessibility.

The four sold-out cruises will bring in a total of 11,500 visitors to Fort Lauderdale, according to a statement. 

In October 2022, Visit Lauderdale launched its new brand campaign titled “Everyone Under the Sun,” aimed at emphasizing Greater Fort Lauderdale’s welcoming atmosphere and its inclusive community. The ads feature locals of all ethnicities and disabilities and members of the area’s LGBTQIA+ community.

Gray worked with LGBTAIA+ cruise operators including Atlantis, VACAYA and Olivia for the past year promoting four sailings on Visit Lauderdale’s website.

The sold-out LGBTQIA+ cruises include:

  • Atlantis’ voyage on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas (February 4-12, 2023);
  • VACAYA’s cruise package on Celebrity Reflections (February 12-19, 2023) 
  • Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam two cruises (February 19-26, 2023 and February 23-March 5, 2023) 


“Beyond our appreciation for the major economic boost to our economy, we want LGBT+ travellers to know they are truly welcome in our community,” concluded Gray.