Carnival Cruise Line to return to Europe

Carnival Cruise Line will make a return to Europe in 2016 when it launches new ship Carnival Vista.

The news comes after the line announced in May 2013 that it would have no ships sailing in Europe during 2014 and 2015, citing increasing airfares as the reason behind the decision.

New itineraries for summer 2016 on Carnival Vista include Athens, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Izmir, Corfu, Livorno, Marseille, Messina (Sicily), Naples, Rome, Trieste and Valetta.

The ship will have its first European sailing on May 1 and will then have 18 sailings in Europe before moving on to New York in October. The ship’s official homeport has yet to be revealed.

The ship will have the first IMAX cinema at sea, as well as new dining options, more alfresco dining and the biggest Waterworks of any Carnival ship. The ship will also have a new Havana pool at the back of the ship, with Havana cabana staterooms available to book.

Mark Tamis (pictured), senior vice president of guest operations, said: “I really feel and we do [at Carnival] that this is the greatest ship to date and certainly the best ship to come from Carnival Cruise Line.

“This is about building on past success. This is built of the success of Carnival Breeze and what is rolling out across the whole Carnival fleet.

“We set out to make this our most innovative ship to date. This is about creating connects and a connection to the sea. This ship, like no other ship, brings that all together.“

When the line announced it was pulling away from Europe in last year, the company said it didn’t believe Americans, who make up the vast majority of its passengers, would pay increased airfares to cross the Atlantic.

In May last year, agents were praised for switch-selling customers to book a Caribbean cruise with Carnival rather than a European one.

During a VIP agent trip on Carnival Breeze last year, Lynn Torrent, executive vice-president os sales and guest services, said the line’s bosses were watching the moves being made by other international brands. She said Carnival was sitting back and seeing what other lines were doing in the UK market before making a decision.

Carnival Vista launch event, January 22nd, 2015

Carnival Vista launch event

News on the Carnival Vista has remained rather elusive since we first heard details of its existence, but all that is about to change. This is because we were recently contacted about the Carnival Vista launch event, which should help to paint a clearer picture of what to expect.

The date for the Carnival Vista launch event will take place on January 22nd, 2015. However, we believe that there are to be two events, one will be in New York, with the other being in London.

We will be heading to London on the evening of Jan. 22nd for a special dinner that will begin at 7PM. During the evening Carnival Cruise Lines will announce the launch of its latest ship, the Carnival Vista during a special presentation.

People that attend, including us, will then be given further information to take away with them.

There has been a great deal of hype in regard to this new cruise ship, so depending on what time we get back from the event, we hope to share many of those details with you on January 22nd. However, we can tell you that Carnival will take delivery of its new ship in the Spring of 2016.

Construction begins on Seven Seas Explorer®: The Most Luxurious Ship in the World™

Construction began this morning for Seven Seas Explorer at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa, Italy. The crisp pop of a cork being freed from a Krug Grande Cuvée magnum initiated a laser, which cut the ceremonial first piece of steel for the new ship.  Incorporating a bottle of the world’s finest champagne to start the building process is symbolic of the high level of sophistication and design being developed for Seven Seas Explorer, which is scheduled to debut in summer 2016.

The ceremonial first piece of steel cut this morning will serve as the foundation for an opulent, one-of-a-kind suite unlike any other at sea. The owner’s suite resplendent with exquisite stonework and luscious fabrics will serve as a hallmark for the superior level of elegance found throughout the ship.

During the ceremony, Kunal S. Kamlani, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, and Gabriele Cocco, senior executive vice president of merchant ships for Fincantieri, began a countdown that culminated with Maison Krug Italy’s master sommelier, Michela Cimatoribus, releasing the cork from a magnum of Krug Grande Cuvée.  As the cork soared and the champagne flowed, confetti cascaded down and the laser cut the first piece of steel for the 750-passenger ship.

“We’re one step closer to fulfilling our dream of building the most luxurious ship in the world and giving our guests another exciting option to explore inspired global destinations with our special brand of all-inclusive luxury,” noted Kamlani.  “Seven Seas Explorer will surpass the current standard in luxury cruising, offering a new level of grandeur throughout the ship from its lavish suites to its elegant public spaces and gourmet restaurants.”

When she debuts in the summer 2016, Seven Seas Explorer will establish a new benchmark for style and service. At 54,000 gross-registered tons and carrying only 750-guests, Seven Seas Explorer will boast the highest space ratios and staff-to-guest ratios in the cruise industry, as well as an opulent one-of-a-kind suite unlike any other at sea.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises will begin taking reservations for her maiden voyage and inaugural season in early 2015.  Will you be among the first to sail aboard ‘The Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built™?