MSC PREZIOSA BOASTS NEW AQUA PARK

Posted on 12 December, 2012 by Spacejunkie2

MSC PREZIOSA BOASTS NEW AQUA PARK AND ‘VERTIGO’, THE LONGEST WATERSLIDE ON THE WAVES

Wild water features and over-the-water slide ensure bucket loads of fun

MSC Preziosa will be christened in Genoa, Italy, on 23 March 2013 and, as the four-month countdown to her arrival has already begun, MSC Cruises is proud to announce the first of many innovative new features to be found on board; the all new Doremi Castle Aqua Park and Vertigo, MSC Cruises’ longest waterslide to date and the longest single rider body waterslide on the seas.

In prime space on deck 16, Doremi Castle Aqua Park boasts an exhilarating pathway of water features on raised platforms including sprays, fountains, water pistols and valves, each designed to splash, soak and delight in equal measures. A drenching bucket builds suspense by filling up drip by drip over unsuspecting heads, ready to rain down from on high, while the area’s water cannons encourage mischievous interaction between friends, old and new.

While children under 120 cm are not permitted to ride the Vertigo waterslide, they won’t miss out at Doremi Castle, where a double and single slide have been designed especially for them. With fun features to ignite imaginations and spark creativity, Doremi Castle is the perfect place for MSC Preziosa’s smallest guests to splash away the day.

Next to the park, thrill seekers can climb the stairs to deck 18 where they can embark on the wildest ride on the waves. Guests will set off on a journey down, around and even off the side of the ship, through 120 metres of fabulous twists and turns. Certain sections of the slide have even been enhanced with translucent bands of colour which catch the light, creating a wonderful strobe effect as guests zip through at top speed.

Vertigo stats

MSC Preziosa’s waterslide is 13 metres high and 120 metres long, with a diameter of 900 mm.

The maximum weight of each rider is 150 kg, and the minimum height is 120 cm.

Riders will travel at an average speed of 6 m/s.

As it shoots out over the edge of the ship, a nine metre long transparent stretch of slide provides riders with amazing views of the water below, but only if they’re brave enough to keep their eyes open!

Spectators who don’t dare ride for themselves can even have fun from decks below by spotting the more adventurous whizzing through the transparent section.

MSC is a family company which prides itself on making sure that there’s never a dull moment for families on board, and these latest features guarantee bucket loads of fun for children, teenagers and the young at heart.

Opening hours of the Vertigo waterslide are likely to fluctuate depending on itinerary and season, so guests should check out the times directly on board.

Does this kind of on board attraction appeal to you?

MSC: OUT with Worrall Thompson, IN with Paul Rankin

Posted on 29 January, 2012 by Spacejunkie2

MSC: OUT with Worrall Thompson, IN with Paul Rankin

Official Press Release

MICHELIN AWARD WINNING CHEF PAUL RANKIN TO SET SAIL WITH MSC CRUISES

It is with regret that MSC Cruises announces that Antony Worrall Thompson will no longer be performing a series of culinary demonstrations on board MSC Splendida next month.

The company is however delighted to inform its guests that Michelin award winning chef Paul Rankin will be joining MSC Splendida in Barcelona on Sunday 5th February 2012. A series of appearances at sea on Monday 6th February will then see him showcase some of his best loved dishes – and a selection unique to MSC.

One of the UK’s most popular chefs, Paul Rankin won Northern Ireland’s first Michelin Star, whilst his trailblazing Cayenne in Belfast is among the country’s top restaurants. A regular on TV shows such as Ready Steady Cook and Ten Mile Menu and the writer of numerous best-selling books, Paul is also a passionate supporter of local produce, so much so that in 2002 he launched The Rankin Selection, a range of traditional foods now stocked in supermarkets throughout the UK.

Paul will be joining MSC Splendida on her 8 day, 7 night cruise departing 4th February 2012 (Genoa, Barcelona, Valletta, La Goulette (Tunisia), Civitavecchia (Rome), Marseille, Genoa).

Carnival chief Arison orders ‘comprehensive review’

Posted on 21 January, 2012 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival chief Arison orders ‘comprehensive review’

Carnival chief Arison orders 'comprehensive review'

Costa Cruises’ parent Carnival Corporation is to undertake a “comprehensive review” of all safety and emergency response procedures across its nine cruise lines which run 101 ships worldwide.

Carnival also gave its backing to a call for thorough evaluation of safety regulations by the International Maritime Organisation, requested yesterday by the Cruise Lines International Association.

The moves came as Costa confirmed that survivors of the Costa Concordia will receive a refund for the abandoned cruise after the ship run onto rocks off the west of Italy and “all material expenses relating to it”.

The Italian company added that it was in contact with passengers and consumer protection associations “to determine indemnity for the hardship endured, with the support of the tour operator association of each country”.

This came as a video emerged showing the crew of Costa Concordia reassuring passengers nothing was wrong, after the ship had begun taking in water.

In the amateur footage, a crew member says “everything is under control” and a generator problem will be fixed. She asks passengers to go to their cabins.

The vessel ran aground off Italy’s coast with 4,200 people on board and listed on its side. At least 11 people died and 21 are still missing.

Italian media broadcast what is claimed to be the first phone conversation between port officials and crew of the vessel about 30 minutes after the ship hit rocks. In the exchange, a crew member is heard saying it is experiencing only a blackout, the BBC reported.

Carnival chairman and CEO Micky Arison admitted the Costa Concordia tragedy “has called into question our company’s safety and emergency response procedures and practices”.

He added: “While I have every confidence in the safety of our vessels and the professionalism of our crews, this review will evaluate all practices and procedures to make sure that this kind of accident doesn’t happen again.”

The action by the company, which includes UK-based P&O Cruises and Cunard Line together with the likes of Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line and Seabourn, will be led by retired US navy captain James Hunn, the organisation’s senior vice president of maritime policy and compliance.

Hunn and senior health and safety executives from each of the lines will review all safety and emergency response policies and procedures, officer and crew training and evaluation, bridge management and company-wide response and support efforts. He will report to the Carnival’s health, environment, safety & security committee and to chief operations officer Howard Frank.

Carnival also announced that the committee is engaging outside “industry-leading experts” in the fields of emergency response organisation, training and implementation to conduct an audit of all of the company’s emergency response and safety procedures and to conduct a thorough review of the Costa Concordia accident.

Frank said: “This company-wide initiative will identify lessons learned and best practices to further ensure the security and safety of all of our passengers and crew.”