MSC Cruises to Launch MSC Euribia In Copenhagen

Posted on 24 February, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises announced that the naming ceremony for its newest ship, the MSC Euribia, will take place on June 8, 2023, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The MSC Euribia will be the company’s second ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), one of the world’s cleanest fuels available at the moment. The new flagship will also feature the ‘Baltic Standard’, an advanced wastewater treatment system and a range of environmental technologies designed to help enable zero emissions from the ship in port where onshore power is available.

The cruise line selected the port of Copenhagen as the launch location due to its rich maritime heritage as well as the fact that Denmark is committed to sustainability.

The new ship will also feature painted art on its exterior which reflects the company’s commitment to preserving the marine environment. The art is the work of German graphic artist, Alex Flaemig, and highlights the importance of protecting the complex ecosystem of the seas.

The MSC Euribia will embark on its inaugural season in Northern Europe on June 10 with seven-night cruises from Kiel, Germany and Copenhagen to the Norwegian Fjords including Geiranger, Ålesund, and Flam.

The ship is named after the ancient goddess Eurybia who used the winds, weather and constellations to navigate the seas.

The MSC Euribia will feature a Mediterranean-style promenade with a LED Dome, a number of shops, speciality restaurants and entertainment venues. Additionally, it includes 10 elegant dining venues and 21 bars and lounges.

MSC Virtuosa the First Ship to Dock in Hamburg in 2023

Posted on 3 January, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Virtuosa arriving into Southampton Photo Credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)
The MSC Virtuosa was the first cruise ship to dock in Hamburg in 2023.

The MSC Virtuosa arrived in Hamburg on January 1, 2023, marking the beginning of this year’s cruise season.

From January 8 to January 29, the ship will set course for the Canary Islands for three weeks. The ship will make calls in Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Lisbon, Cadiz and Casablanca followed by visits to the Atlantic islands of Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. On the way back to Hamburg, the MSC Virtuosa will call in La Coruna and Southampton.

The MSC Virtuosa will make several calls in Hamburg before April 16 turning around in the German port.

In the summer of 2023, the cruise ship will then depart from Southampton, England for Norway or southern Europe.

The MSC Euribia will then take over the trips to Hamburg from the MSC Virtuosa. In the summer of 2023, it will depart from Kiel and head to the Norwegian fjords. Throughout the 2023/2024 season, the MSC Euribia will return to Hamburg on a weekly basis.

The Port of Hamburg is expecting around 280 calls from cruise ships in 2023. The highlights in the port are the port birthday from May 5 to 7, 2023, and the Cruise Days from September 8 to 10, 2023.

MSC Cruises recorded its best month for new bookings in the line’s entire history

Posted on 10 November, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Virtuosa Docked in the Port of Rotterdam photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

MSC Cruises recorded its best month for new bookings in the line’s entire history in October after taking nearly 400,000 bookings for winter 2022/23 and summer 2023 itineraries across its global fleet.

The line said average occupancy for its vessels during both winters 2022/23 and summer 2023 would be higher than historical levels, with robust interest and demand for its new flagship MSC World Europa, as well as soon-to-be-delivered MSC Seascape and MSC Euribia, which is due to enter service next summer.

MSC also claimed a recording-breaking October for its UK operation, which the UK and Ireland managing director Antonio Paradiso said was characterised by “strong booking trends” for ex-UK sailings and 2023 cruises. The line was unable to provide specific UK booking data for October.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises chief executive, said: “October has been the strongest month for bookings in the entire history of our brand. We see strong demand with an extended horizon in the medium to longer term to such extent that guests and agent partners are starting to close bookings now to avoid the frustration of not being able to find the perfect holiday option for themselves or their clients.”

Onorato added the trend reflected MSC’s investment in its fleet, its “truly global” array of itineraries and the line’s commitment to operating sustainably, as well as the value an all-inclusive cruise fare represents during the current economic downturn.