MSC Cruises to open private island in Persian Gulf

Posted on 15 June, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

MSC plans to open Sir Bani Yas Island Beach Oasis in December.

Rick Sasso, president of MSC Cruises USA, said a new private island that MSC plans to open in December off the coast of Abu Dhabi is a sign of the company’s global reach.

The island, called Sir Bani Yas Island Beach Oasis, includes about 1.5 miles of beachfront on a barrier island. It will offer horseback riding, water sports, and a dhow tour around the island, among other attractions. “It’s not just a beach with cabanas,” Sasso said.

A bridge from the beach oasis to the main island of Sir Bani Yas will provide access to a nature reserve with dozens of indigenous species. “It will be a huge attraction because it’s unique to the region,” Sasso said.

“We’re thinking very globally now,” said Sasso, noting that MSC has a “pause” between ship deliveries that has allowed it to focus on some off-ship projects.

A bridge from the beach oasis to the main island of Sir Bani Yas will provide access to a nature reserve with dozens of indigenous species.

MSC has 11 ships on order. The next to be delivered is MSC Maraviglia, due a year from now.

“We’ve got to start putting in some stronger anchors beyond the Mediterranean,” Sasso said. “South America was one of those, for the past 10 years. China has opened up as of two months ago. And North America is now getting a swarm of attention with the Divina here year-round and the Seaside coming.”

Sir Bani Yas is the second private island announced by MSC in recent months. It previously disclosed plans for a large private island with extensive facilities in Bimini for use by its ships deployed in the Caribbean.

The island off the southwest coast of Abu Dhabi will initially host passengers from the MSC Fantasia. MSC has been working with the Abu Dhabi Port Authority for about two years to bring the project to fruition.

Booming Cruise Industry Reports Better-Than-Expected Passenger Numbers in 2015

Posted on 9 June, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

Booming Cruise Industry Reports Better-Than-Expected Passenger Numbers in 2015

Independence of the Seas in Southampton, photo by Dave Jones

The Cruise Lines International Association has bumped up its passenger predictions for 2016 after numbers showed that the industry surpassed its 2015 passenger projections.

According to CLIA, the industry reported a total of 23.2 million passengers on ocean cruises globally in 2015, up from a projection of 23 million, and a 4-percent increase over 2014. As a result of steady year-over-year increases, CLIA has modified 2016 expectations and is now predicting 24.2 million travelers will set sail on ocean cruises around the world.

A statement from CLIA says the numbers show that the industry is stronger than ever, coming during a period where pretty much every other maritime sector is struggling.

“The success in 2015 demonstrates the cruise industry’s continued strength in the overall travel sector,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA. “This is a direct result of the amazing work and commitment of our community of Cruise Lines, Executive Partners and Travel Agencies and Agents. Plus, with the highest satisfaction rates among all leisure travel segments, it reflects that a cruise vacation is the vacation of choice for travelers around the world.”

CLIA says that Much of the industry’s growth can be attributed to emerging regions of the world, particularly in Asia and Australia.

In 2015, Asia experienced the most growth year over year in ocean cruise passengers with another impressive 24% increase from 2014 to 2015, with a total of more than 2 million ocean cruise passengers in 2015. While Asia continues to see record growth in the cruise industry, Australia is not far behind. The region, which includes Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, experienced an incredible 14% increase in ocean cruise passengers from 2014 to 2015. Last year, a total of more than 1.1 million ocean cruise travelers originated in Australia.

“When looking at the travel industry, cruise travel has astonishing long-term growth potential since it represents only two percent of the total leisure travel market, has the highest satisfaction rates among global travelers and is growing in popularity,” CLIA said in a statement. “In fact, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, in the decade between 2004 and 2014, global cruise vacations have grown faster in popularity than land-based vacations by a 20-percent margin.”

Of course this growth has not gone unnoticed by cruise lines, with new ship orders from just about every major cruise company such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean. In 2016, a total of 27 new ocean, river, and specialty cruise ships are scheduled for delivery, according to CLIA figures.

MSC rolls out new faster internet and social media packages

Posted on 19 April, 2016 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises has worked with business communications provider Marlink to develop new faster, more reliable and cost-effective internet and social media packages for guests.

Now live onboard MSC Preziosa and MSC Divina, the high bandwidth internet packages are available via the Marlink Sealink Cloud and will be rolled out across all 12 MSC ships over the coming months. The packages will also be available on the line’s next-generation ships that are currently under construction, including MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside.

“We are constantly seeking new ways to innovate and enhance the guest experience aboard what is already the most modern fleet at sea,” said Gianni Onorato, MSC’s CEO. “We know that staying connected while on holiday is increasingly more important to our guests hence we are rolling out state-of-the-art technology to allow them to stay connected whether they are looking to share experiences and memorable moments, stay in touch with friends and family, need to stay on top of work e-mails or simply catch up with daily news.”

Aimed at those who want to be connected 24/7 to social media, the Social Package allows guests to post pictures and chat with friends via popular social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Snapchat, WeChat and Pinterest. Prices start from €3.90 per day or €14.90 for a seven-day cruise.

The Surfer Package is designed for moderate internet users who want to read news, sports scores and catch up on e-mails. It also includes access to social media platforms as per the Social Package. Prices start from €9.90 per day or €29.90 for a seven-day itinerary.

Meanwhile, the Streamer Package has been created for heavy internet users who need access either for work or for personal use and enables full internet and social media access, including audio and video. Prices from €19.90 per day or €59.90 for a full seven-day voyage.

Guests will be able to select their package prior to embarkation and will be easy to upgrade or top up.