Citing crew availability issues, P&O Cruises UK has cancelled seven cruises on the Arcadia, extending through a June 23 departure to the Norwegian fjords.
The ship had just restarted service for the brand in late March, marking the Carnival-owned company’s return to full operations.
“The impact of Covid upon airlines and general disruption has necessitated the cancellations as we need to move crew from Arcadia to other ships in the fleet,” P&O said, in a social media post.
With the Arcadia going into a pause state, the ship now returns to service on July 5 for a two-week journey to Iceland, sailing roundtrip from Southampton, England.
After a two-year hiatus, the Norwegian Star is welcoming passengers back to Spain today. As the 14th ship to resume service for Norwegian Cruise Line, the vessel is kicking off a European program that includes itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe.
For its first post-pandemic cruise, the 2001-built ship is sailing a ten-night voyage to Italy. Departing from Spain, the itinerary sails from Barcelona and includes visits to St. Tropez, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Naples, Messina, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik and Split, before arriving in Trieste.
Through November, the vessel’s program also includes a series of cruises in Northern Europe, with visits to Iceland, the British Islands, the Norwegian Fjords, the Baltic and more.
The program is highlighted by two special ten- and 11-night sailings in July that feature visits to four different ports in Greenland. Departing from Reykjavik, the itineraries also include calls to three additional destinations in Iceland.
In early December, the vessel repositions to South America, ahead of a winter season in the region.
Originally ordered for Star Cruises, the Norwegian Star entered service in 2001. With 91,000 tons, it can carry up to 2,200 guests on double occupancy, in addition to 1,031 crew members.
Offering Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising concept, the ship features more than ten dining venues. Options include favourite speciality restaurants, such as the French Le Bistro and the Cagney’s Steakhouse.
The vessel also boasts nine bars and lounges, a swimming pool, five hot tubs, a casino, a full-service spa and salon, and a fitness centre.
As part of the Norwegian Edge program, the Norwegian Star was completely refurbished in 2018. During an 18-day drydock, the vessel received several enhancements, including a revamped atrium, renovated cabins and redesigned restaurants.
Following the Norwegian Star, the Pride of America is also scheduled to resume service for the Norwegian Cruise Line in April.
The Hawaii-based vessel is welcoming back for its seven-night inter-island cruises on April 9.
A glimpse of the new Explora I, which will start being delivered in 2023 (Images: MSC Cruises)
The MSC Group is to enter the luxury cruise market for the first time with the new brand Explora Journeys, which will comprise four luxury ships built by Fincantieri and scheduled for delivery in 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026.
Fincantieri cut the steel for the first ship Explora I at its yard in Monfalcone, Italy on 10 June during a ceremony attended by representatives from MSC Group, Explora Journeys and Fincantieri’s management team.
“Building a luxury brand that will redefine the cruise experience and create a category of its own has been a long-held vision of mine and my family,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s cruise business and broader passenger division. “Inspired by our personal travel wishes, Explora Journeys will be an ocean escape like no other, allowing guests to relax, make memories, and cherish the time at sea with their loved ones. After all, time is the ultimate luxury.”
Created in partnership with renowned superyacht and luxury hospitality designers, Explora I will “blend elegant Swiss precision with modern European craftsmanship” and feature onboard spaces designed with water as a focal point to “put guests in an ocean state of mind”. The ship will span 14 decks and boast 461 oceanfront suites and residences with floor-to-ceiling windows and a private terrace. The suites will start at 35 square metres, making them among the most spacious for the category in the industry.
Explora I will feature a promenade deck with indoor and outdoor whirlpool baths, a pool with a retractable glass roof and more than 2,500 square metres of outdoor decks with three outdoor pools and 64 private cabanas. Other onboard highlights will include nine distinct restaurants offering flexible dining times, several indoor and outdoor bars and lounges, and an indoor/outdoor spa and fitness area where guests will be able to enjoy group classes, personal training sessions and bespoke wellness experiences.
“Explora Journeys was designed for guests who want to stay longer, leave later, and travel deeper,” said Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys. “Customer centricity is at the core of everything we do. We’ve commissioned research, organised focus groups, and hosted roundtable discussions with global specialists in luxury to design the perfect ship for our guests. Explora Journeys will bring a new perspective to the travel industry, reinventing the classic cruise experience for the next generation of luxury travellers.”
All four Explora Journeys vessels will be equipped with the latest green technologies and will be designed to adapt to alternative energy solutions as they become available. Initially, they will be powered by marine gas oil, but the design incorporates provision for battery storage, which will facilitate hybrid power generation in the future. They will also be built with ship-to-shore power capabilities to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions at berth, as well as selective catalytic reduction technology to decrease nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 per cent.
In addition, all four ships will be RINA Dolphin-certified for reduced underwater noise and single-use plastics will be banned – both on the ship and during land-based experiences. “The MSC Family knows the sea like few others, and with that knowledge comes passion, love and most of all, a deep respect,” said Vago. “Our ships will utilise state of the art technology to ensure we are leading the movement towards a more sustainable future. Together with our partners, we’re currently developing groundbreaking technologies that will elevate the status quo, not just for this generation but also beyond.”
Explora Journeys will offer voyages starting at seven nights in length, which will include overnight stays, as well as non-conventional arrival and departure times. Destinations will include well-known destinations such as Reykjavik in Iceland, Saint Tropez and Bordeaux in France, and lesser-known ports such as Kastellorizo in Greece, Bozcaada in Turkey, and Norway’s Lofoten Islands. Bookings for inaugural cruises will open in autumn 2021.
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