Tag Archives: Northern Europe

MSC Cruises Northern Europe ended successful season in 2014

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The North European season 2014 goes for MSC cruises to the end and the three MSC ships stationed in Germany goodbye. The MSC Magnifica leaves on 12 October 2014 after 22 attempts, the port of Hamburg. It is replaced by the MSC Splendida, which is in the summer season 2015, as the largest passenger ship in the Hanseatic city.

The port of Hamburg says “Goodbye” to the MSC Magnifica. This popular cruise ship brought two summers thousands passengers from Hamburg to the most beautiful coasts of northern Europe. On October 12, they will start from the Hanseatic city from last ports in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and the UK. In November, the MSC Magnifica then takes her three-week Grand Voyage to South America, where it crosses in winter 2014/2015. The two stationed in Kiel and Warnemünde MSC ships, MSC Orchestra and MSC Poesia have left Germany in September and will be stationed in the coming winter in Dubai and South America. The MSC Poesia had a total stored in the last season 18 times of Warnemünde, the MSC Orchestra 19 times of Kiel.

Photo: MSC Cruises

“We look back on an extremely successful season in Germany. Our three ships were booked straight through “ , said Michael Zengerle, CEO of MSC Cruises. “Now we look forward to the summer of 2015, and particularly on the MSC Splendida, with which we will provide three premieres in Hamburg: MSC sends the first time one of its flagships from a German port of departure from the north, our guests can book for the first time the MSC Yacht Club from Germany and the MSC Splendida will also be the largest passenger ship serving of the Hanseatic city of cruises. “

Photo: MSC Cruises

The MSC Splendida is on May 1, 2015 will have their big in Hamburg: The ship of the Fantasia-class of MSC with 330 meters and a gross tonnage of 138,000 will be the largest positioned in the Hanseatic city cruise ship with a capacity of 1,637 cars. The baptized by Sophia Loren in 2009 luxury liner is a total of 12 times set sail and start on eight different routes ports in Great Britain, France, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands as well as in Norway and Iceland. These range from a mini-cruise with four nights to two-week trips. With the MSC Splendida MSC Cruises are in the upcoming summer season about 30 percent more capacity on high demand routes from Hamburg. This MSC responds to the continuing boom in Northern Europe cruises. The three MSC ports in northern and eastern Germany are especially popular with German visitors because of their convenient accessibility.

The MSC Splendida is on the North Europe routes from summer 2015 for the first time an exclusive luxury range available: the MSC Yacht Club, a “ship in the ship” concept for guests who want to be pampered on board in a luxurious ambience and a private atmosphere especially. The MSC Yacht Club includes accommodation in spacious suites in a prime location in the bow of the ship and an all-inclusive drinks deal. Guests may also make use of separate areas such as a restaurant and sun deck as well as use of specific services claim, including them is a personal Butler around the clock.

The MSC Splendida offers its guests a cruise experience at the highest level. The varied gastronomic offer, with 21 bars and five restaurants serving Mediterranean and international cuisine ensures guests every day a new taste experience. The five pools and hot tubs 12 aboard guarantee fun for everyone. A special highlight is the covered and heated pool. This bathing is a pleasure even on chilly days in the far north. The generous Aurea Spa features a sauna, fitness center and elegant massage cabins to relax. Also, tennis, basketball, squash and jogging are possible on board. There is every night in the theater seats 1,600 comprehensive high-class Broadway shows. In addition, on board among others include a 4D cinema, a Formula 1 simulator, bowling, casino, Internet cafe and a disco.

Also in Warnemünde will begin in summer 2015 with the newly refurbished and modernized MSC Sinfonia a new ship, the anfährt on 16 runs many attractive ports in the North and Baltic MSC Cruises. From Kiel MSC Orchestra will happen this coming summer from a total of 19 times and visited, among other things, the port cities of Stockholm, Helsinki and St. Petersburg.

Carnival UK chief warns over tighter sulphur emissions rules

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By Phil Davies 

Carnival UK chief warns over tighter sulphur emissions rulesThe boss of Carnival UK has warned that cruising in northern Europe “is not sacrosanct” as the shipping industry cranks up pressure against tighter planned international rules on sulphur emissions.

Chief executive David Dingle told Travel Weekly that company brands P&O Cruises and Cunard Line have already planned a 28% cut in Baltic and Norway cruises between 2013 and 2015.

Despite a large increase in new ex-UK capacity targeting newcomers to cruise holidays next year, the Baltic region is not a strong draw for new to cruise passengers, suggesting further reductions could be possible.

Dingle spoke after a cross-party group of MPs last week lobbied the government to amend the rules to give the cruise and ferry sectors time to adapt their ships.

The sulphur content of fuel must fall to 0.1% in January 2015 in the North Sea and English Channel to cut pollution.

But Dingle calculated that there was only a “50-50” chance of getting the required breathing space to allow ships to be fitted with the scrubber technology required to clean existing fuel.

The UK Chamber of Shipping wants prime minister David Cameron to lobby Brussels to buy time to allow shipping companies to install the technology.

It estimates that it could take up to two years for every ship to be fitted with the new technology – so the January 1 deadline is seen by the industry as being “entirely unrealistic”.

Dingle said lobbying would be stepped up in the second half of the year ahead of the deadline and warned of the detrimental social and economic impact that would be incurred if ferry companies had to abandon routes and cruise lines were forced to alter itineraries away from regions such as the Baltics and Norway.

DFDS has already announced the closure of the Harwich to Esbjerg route and there are fears that 2,000 jobs could be lost across the country if other routes are forced to closed.

“Northern Europe is not sacrosanct even at a time when cruise lines are starting to grow capacity,” said Dingle.

UK Chamber of Shipping CEO Guy Platten said: “We support the move to reduce sulphur emissions and the introduction of tough new limits.

“But the sharp increase in demand for low sulphur fuel will see a massive spike in costs both for ship owners and potentially for ordinary diesel car users – so we need to use the new technology instead. But that technology is only now beginning to work, and could take up to two years to fit properly to all of our ships.

“Reducing sulphur is a job we agree needs doing, but it needs to be done in a pragmatic way that protects jobs as well as the environment. All we’re asking for is the EU to understand the practical realities we face and give us the time we need to comply.

“A report by [consultants] AMEC recently said if we implement new regulations before the technology is ready, then 2,000 UK jobs could be lost, thousands more lorries will clog up our roads and 12 million tonnes of additional Co2 will be emitted into our atmosphere unnecessarily every year (Travel Weekly June 12).

“We know other countries within the EU share our concerns – but they are waiting for leadership from the UK.

“So this is an issue in Europe where the prime minister can make a real difference, it is a real opportunity for him to stand up for British business in Europe and succeed. We are simply asking that he takes it.”

MSC Cruises set to double UK capacity next autumn

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MSC Cruises set to double UK capacity next autumn

By Hollie-Rae Merrick

MSC Cruises is set to double its capacity from the UK in autumn next year, with a second ship operating out of Southampton.

The line’s product and operations director Oliviero Morelli said the decision demonstrated a commitment to the British market.

The cruise line is sending a second ship, MSC Magnifica, to join MSC Opera in Southampton, for four seven-night cruises in September and October 2014.

The seven-night cruises, covering five Northern Europe destinations including Zeebrugge, Amsterdam and Hamburg, will start from £429.

Morelli said: “MSC continues demonstrating its commitment to the British market by bringing a second and bigger ship to the English shores for the very first time.

“In addition to MSC Opera already based in Southampton during the summer 2014, MSC Magnifica is providing additional capacity to a market that has considerably grown in the recent years.

“MSC Cruises has also seen a sustained increase of its own bookings and, with MSC Magnifica, is hoping to respond to the demand of its own customers.”

The vessel has a maximum capacity of 2,518 guests, with a choice of 17 bars and five restaurants on board.

The cruises include free parking in Southampton or free coach transfers. The sailings will embark from Southampton on September 17, September 24, October 1 and October 8.