Next MSC Opera cruise cancelled

Posted on 10 June, 2019 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Opera

MSC Cruises has decided to cancel the next cruise of the MSC Opera, which collided with a docked river cruise ship and the pier in Venice.

Although the damage to the ship’s hull has been repaired, MSC is still awaiting the completion of the investigation conducted by the authorities, MSC said. The collision occurred after the MSC Opera sounded its horn at length before ramming the river ship. A later statement attributed the ship’s inability to stop to “technical problems.”

The cancelled cruise was scheduled to depart Bari, Italy, on June 8. MSC said that 2,451 guests from 53 countries will be affected.

Guests will be offered a full refund of their cruise fare and incurred travel expenses as well as any pre-booked services, plus a 50% discount on a future 7- to 21-day cruise before the end of 2020.

Cuba Travel Ban Could Ignite Secondhand Ship Market

Posted on 6 June, 2019 by Spacejunkie2

The secondhand cruise ship market could pick up steam following recent Cuba restrictions.

With nautical and infrastructure restrictions in Havana, cruise lines calling on the Cuban city have been using older, medium-sized vessels that may not have fit into their traditional fleets.

Industry sources said they expect some pick-up in the secondhand market with Cuba now off limits, as the now less-competitive tonnage could find new owners, or become ships in new ventures.

Among the players, Carnival Corporation sold multiple ships in 2018 but has not announced any transfers or sales thus far in 2019.

Last year, it was announced that the Pacific Eden was sold to Cruise & Maritime Voyages while the Pacific Jewel was sent to Indian start-up Jalesh Cruises.

Holland America Line sold the Prinsendam, which will become the Amera this summer for Phoenix Reisen.

P&O Cruises UK also announced the Oriana will leave the fleet in 2019, joining the Piano Land startup in China.

Royal Caribbean Cruises has not announced any significant fleet changes in some time, nor has Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.

In December, on an earnings call, Carnival Corp. President and CEO Arnold Donald said that if a ship is earning and relevant, that is most key.

MSC Unveils Stunning Multiple Ship Miami Terminal

Posted on 10 April, 2019 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises has announced details of what it said is a new highly-innovative cruise terminal at PortMiami that will support its expanding presence in North America and in the Caribbean

As per the terms of the agreement, which has today received approval from the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners, MSC Cruises will design, construct, operate and maintain a large building that hosts two cruise terminals (AA and AAA) as well as two berths.

The PortMiami terminals will be capable of hosting two mega cruise ships at the same time, allowing the MSC to conduct two turnaround operations simultaneously, handling up to 28,000 passenger movements per day.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman, said: “With another 13 cruise vessels due to join our fleet in the next eight years, our ambition is to have our most innovative ship classes represented at PortMiami, bringing a wealth of choice to our North American as well as international guests.

“In particular, the new terminal – which will be one of the most innovative the industry has seen – will ensure that we can provide our guests an enhanced end-to-end high-quality experience while both embarking and disembarking, thus adding to their ability to fully enjoy every moment of their vacation.”

Work on the new terminals is due to commence in early 2020. MSC Cruises currently estimates that the work will be completed by late 2022, at which time it will transfer all its PortMiami operations to the new Terminal, according to a statement.