Saga’s New Spirit of Adventure Is Delayed

Saga Cruises – Late Cruise News
Spirit of Discovery

Saga’s new Spirit of Adventure won’t debut in August, according to a statement from the company.

A Saga spokesperson said: “The Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, which is building the Spirit of Adventure, has informed us that the ship will not now be delivered in time for our planned maiden voyage. Progress has been severely impacted by the workplace and travel restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have written to our customers to let them know and offered them the chance of amending over to the new date once confirmed or to receive a full refund. An inaugural cruise is a very special event and we expect the majority of our guests will want to amend their bookings to the later date. We will continue to work with Meyer Werft on finalising a new delivery date.”

MSC Grandiosa Maiden Voyage Open for Sale

MSC Grandiosa

MSC Cruises announced that sales for MSC Grandiosa’s maiden voyage are now open exclusively for MSC Voyagers Club members through October 21, according to a press release.

During this period, members will not only have the first selection of staterooms but also receive a special 5 per cent discount on top of their 5 per cent loyalty discount, MSC said.

Sales will open for all other guests on October 22, 2018.

Launching in November 2019, MSC Grandiosa will become the company’s newest flagship, as the largest in the MSC fleet.

The megaship is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France.

Departing on November 10, 2019, MSC Grandiosa will sail an itinerary through Northern Europe as well as the Mediterranean. Guests can choose a 10- or 13-night sailing, embarking in Hamburg and disembarking in Genoa, Italy or Marseille, France.

The MSC Grandiosa will also call Southampton, UK, Lisbon, Portugal and Barcelona, Spain, with overnight stays in all three ports.

The MSC Grandiosa will be the second ship to feature the Zoe – the first cruise digital assistant, MSC said.

The MSC Grandiosa will be christened in Hamburg on November 9, 2019, and will make the maiden voyage to her new homeport of Genoa, where she will begin 7-night sailings in the Mediterranean from Genoa starting on November 23, 2019. Ports on the itinerary include Genoa, Civitavecchia, Palermo, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille.

AIDA To Offer Short Cruise Before the Nova’s Maiden Voyage

AIDAnova in Hamburg

AIDA Cruises has announced a series of what it calls pre-premiere cruises on the AIDAnova before the ship sails here maiden voyage on Dec. 2, 2018. AIDA will take ownership of the first new build of the new generation of LNG-fueled ships from Meyer Werft on Nov. 15, 2018.

These short cruises can be booked as of 10:00 a.m. on Feb. 1, 2018. The first four-day trip will start directly after the formal handover of the ship in Bremerhaven on Nov. 15 and will sail to Oslo and then to Hamburg. Further short cruises will be sailing to either Rotterdam or Oslo.

Among the design features aboard the new ship, AIDA highlighted the Four Elements, “surrounded by lush vegetation, guests can climb through the treetops or daydream in cosy, cushioned loungers.”

She will also be the first AIDA ship to feature water slides.

The Time Machine restaurant is said to offer adventure and culinary arts, where “guests will enter a world full of wonders, craziness and surprises. Everything revolves and moves – waiters become magicians, conjuring up a delicious three-course meal.”

The Body & Soul Organic Spa will cover 3,500 square meters and promises to offer more than 80 treatments. For the first time, there are two private outdoor sun islands for couples. Another completely new feature is the outdoor sports area with endurance training equipment and training space for morning yoga, Pilates and more.

The Beach Club will offer a summer experience no matter where the ship is. According to AIDA this light-flooded venue is full of Caribbean warmth, protected by a dome that lets the sun and vacation tan in, but keeps the wind and rain out.

Accommodations include 20 different types of stateroom. The new 73- square-meter Penthouse Suite extends over two decks. Guests will be able to enjoy views through the panorama windows and on their 20-square-meter private sun deck.

For families, Veranda Staterooms Deluxe will be available for the first time on Decks 15, 16 and 17.

AIDAnova also sets another record for the brand, offering more culinary diversity with a total of 17 restaurants. In addition, AIDA’s entertainment has evolved with new formats that involve the guest more than before, the line said.