Icon of the Seas Generating ‘Exceptional Demand’

Posted on 7 May, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

When the new Icon of the Seas debuts in 2024 for Royal Caribbean International, she will become the world’s biggest ship and is already breaking sales records.

“Despite being on sale for only five months, Icon is significantly more booked for her inaugural season at materially higher rates than any other Royal Caribbean ship launch,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, speaking on the company’s first-quarter earnings call.

“The Icon will join the fleet later this year and debut in the Caribbean in January 2024, with itineraries including Perfect Day at CocoCay and its new expansion, Hideaway Beach.”

Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, added: “Icon is literally the best-performing new product launch we’ve ever had in the history of our business, and we’re delighted with volume and rate, and that really is a full 2024 product … it’s really driving a huge amount of demand and a great rate.”

Following the Icon, the company has another Oasis-class ship coming in 2024, the Utopia of the Seas, plus two more Icon-class vessels, set to debut in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

MSC Cruises holds naming ceremony for MSC Seashore

Posted on 2 December, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

Guests at the event had the chance to explore both the new ship and the private island
MSC Cruises has officially named its new flagship, MSC Seashore, in a ceremony at its private island Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas.

The celebration was the first naming ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island. Italian actress Sophia Loren served as godmother in the ceremony, the 16th time she has performed the role for an MSC Cruises ship.

Guests at the event had the chance to explore the ship and private island, with festivities taking place both onboard and onshore. Events included a gala dinner and live entertainment from three-time Grammy Award-winner Nile Rodgers and his band Chic.

The naming ceremony also served to formally inaugurate Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in December 2019 and closed shortly afterwards due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ground was broken for the MSC Foundation’s Marine Conservation Center, which includes a laboratory and coral nursery areas. The facility will be a key element of the Foundation’s Super Coral Program, which seeks to help restore coral reefs in The Bahamas to a healthy state through the propagation of ‘Super Coral’ species to increase their resilience. This work will be carried out in partnership with the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science and Nova Southeastern University.

Following the event, MSC Seashore will begin sailing her inaugural seven-night cruise season from Miami, Florida, on 20 November.

MSC Seashore to Be Named at Ocean Cay in The Bahamas on Nov. 18

Posted on 8 October, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Cruises has revealed that its latest flagship, the MSC Seashore, will be officially named at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas on Nov. 18, making this the first naming ceremony for a cruise ship to be held at a private island.

According to a press release, the event will be attended by travel advisors and media as well as other key company stakeholders.

Departing Miami on Nov. 17, invitees will be able to get a first look at the new ship before she starts her inaugural seven-night cruise and U.S. season on Nov. 20 and make the most of the onboard entertainment, different activities as well as various bars and restaurants.

As with every new MSC Cruises ship, Hollywood royalty Sophia Loren will perform the role of Godmother as she officially names her 16th MSC Cruises ship. The festivities will take place both onboard and on the island as the ship will remain docked throughout the night, with a gala dinner, live entertainment and more.

The naming of the MSC Seashore will see the formal inauguration of Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, which opened in late 2019 and closed shortly after due to the pandemic.

MSC said that the island has since gone through further work and significant improvements and this is “an opportunity for MSC Cruises to showcase the island to the invitees on this occasion.”

The MSC Seashore will become the third MSC Cruises ship based in the U.S and the company is offering a range of different length cruises from mini cruises, regular seven-night sailings to longer cruises of eight nights and 11 nights.

New for this season is Port Canaveral where the MSC Divina began operating in September. This new homeport is convenient and easily accessible and is close to popular attractions and major cities like Orlando, Tampa and South Florida for those wishing to make the most out of their holiday either before or after the cruise, MSC said.

When the MSC Seashore arrives, the MSC Meraviglia will move to Port Canaveral for the rest of the season and the MSC Divina will move to PortMiami.

The MSC Seashore will remain for summer 2022 in Miami offering cruises with the MSC Divina out of Port Canaveral.