Tag Archives: Marseille

Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway Return to Cruising in Europe

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Norwegian Cruise Line now has a third of its fleet back in cruise service as the Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway are cruising in the Mediterranean. 

The Norwegian Epic, the fourth ship in the company’s fleet to resume operations, successfully completed her first voyage to the most sought-after ports in Spain and Italy from Barcelona.

Among the big news, the company debuted an all-new The Haven by Norwegian aboard Norwegian Epic, following an extensive refurbishment in Marseille, France at the end of 2020.  The recent renovation resulted in 75 reimagined and upgraded suites combined with redesigned experiences, including The Haven Restaurant and The Haven Courtyard Pool and Sundeck. 

“It has been exhilarating to watch our Great Cruise Comeback unfold over these past three months with a third of our fleet now back, offering unforgettable vacation experiences”, said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “The joy of reuniting with our shipboard families and welcoming our guests back on board will never grow old. Being able to return to one of our most popular homeports in Europe, debuting the recently refurbished The Haven by Norwegian™ aboard Norwegian Epic, is a testament to our unwavering commitment to the extraordinary quality and elevating the standard of excellence across our fleet.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome NCL back to the Port de Barcelona”, said Jose Alberto Carbonell, managing director of the Port de Barcelona. “During the past 18 months, we’ve worked diligently with the NCL team to ensure a safe resumption of cruising from Barcelona for guests, crew and the citizens of our city. We are glad to finally celebrate the comeback of cruising together.”

The Norwegian Getaway today embarks on her first voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia). Through October 25th, she will sail a mix of 10- to 11-day Greek Isles itineraries, calling to Dubrovnik, Corfu, Katakolon – NCL’s newest embarkation port located on the Peloponnese peninsula –Santorini, Mykonos, Naples and Livorno (Florence/Pisa). 

“Reaffirming our longstanding partnership with NCL, we’re pleased to welcome Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Getaway back to the Port of Civitavecchia this month, and to see both ships embark on their first voyage from our shores in almost two years,” said Pino Musolino, president and chief executive officer of Port System Authority of the Central Northern Tyrrhenian Sea. “The cruise industry is an important cornerstone for our country and region, contributing more than €400 million annually to the economy of the territory of Civitavecchia alone and providing for more than 1,800 jobs. As such, we couldn’t be more excited to welcome back both NCL’s crew and guests, and look forward to working closely with the team once again.”

Costa Firenze Added Into Operations, Sails from Savona

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The new Costa Firenze is leaving the port of Savona today on her first cruise.

Designed and built by Fincantieri in the Marghera shipyards, the Costa Firenze is inspired by the Florentine Renaissance according to the Italian brand.

Starting later this month and through August, Valletta is also part of the itinerary. 

“Costa Firenze is the perfect ambassador of Italian style, which we have combined with a series of product innovations designed especially for families and couples,” said Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Cruises. “This is the fourth Costa ship to resume service this summer, confirming the gradual return to normality of our company and the cruise industry, which is of great economic and employment importance for our country”.

With the Firenze now in service, the Smeralda will now offer a different itinerary, marking the return of Costa to France, with weekly calls at Marseille, and to Spain, with weekly calls at Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, in addition to Savona, Civitavecchia/Rome and Messina.

And starting in September, the Costa Firenze will expand its itinerary to France and Spain, sailing to Savona, Civitavecchia/Rome, Naples, Ibiza, Barcelona and Marseille. During the winter of 2021-2022, the Costa Firenze will be positioned in Dubai. The week-long cruises will visit the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, with calls at Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat and a multi-day stopover in Dubai, with specific packages for visits to Expo Dubai 2020, as Costa Cruises is the Gold Sponsor of the Italian Pavilion at Expo Dubai 2020.

Costa’s restart plan also includes the Costa Fascinosa scheduled to return to service on September 23 from Savona for 10-day cruises to Lisbon, and the Costa Diadema, on September 26 from Savona with long cruises to Turkey and Greece or Spain and Portugal.

Inside the MSC Magnifica’s Journey Home with Captain Roberto Leotta

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MSC Magnifica

From March 14 to April 20, the MSC Magnifica did not disembark any guests and sailed straight back to Marseille amid the COVID-19 crisis with Captain Roberto Leotta at the helm for the unprecedented journey.

The ship was in the middle of its world cruise, which was set to span 118 days.

“We were aware of the COVID-19 situation from the moment it became public,” said Leotta. “During the early days of the world cruise, we monitored the situation closely as it was constantly evolving. We adapted to the situation as it unfolded and followed the appropriate heightened health and safety measures.”

As the situation unfolded, Leotta said that government restrictions were remaking port calls more difficult, with the decision coming in Hobart on March 14 to no longer allow guests to disembark for safety reasons.

“By the time we reached Sydney we had technically cancelled the planned world cruise,” he said. ”It was obviously a difficult decision and we, of course, evaluated all of the options carefully.”

Heading back to Marseille, the 2010-built ship provisioned in Fremantle and Colombo.

“I think it is safe to say that this is an unprecedented situation and I am not sure that anyone has experienced anything like this before,” Leotta added, noting that the cruise home was basically treated as a cruise sailing with food, beverage and entertainment.

Leotta will stay aboard the ship for now. He went to sea in 1984, first serving on tanker ships before moving to cruise ships as a deck cadet in 1988, making the grade of captain in 2006.