P&O’s New Ship Arvia Set for Ems River Conveyance

Posted on 7 November, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

P&O Cruises’ newest ship, Arvia, will depart Meyer Werft in Papenburg on Saturday, November 5, 2022, when it will be transferred on the Ems River to Eemshaven, Netherlands.

The Arvia is expected to arrive in Eemshaven on Sunday, November 6, where it will see technical and nautical trials before departing for Bremerhaven where it will be delivered to P&O Cruises.

The Arvia will be transferred to the North Sea with the help of two tugs, according to the Meyer shipyard. The Ems River barrier will be closed to traffic. The ship is scheduled to pass the docking log around 7:00 a.m. on Saturday and will pass the Ems barrier around 10:30 p.m.

The Arvia, sister ship to the Iona, which was delivered in 2020, is designed to accommodate 5,200 passengers. It is equipped with a SkyDome entertainment area featuring a swimming pool with a glass dome that can be opened.

The conveyance of the ship is expected to be completed on Monday, November 7.

The Arvia is then to embark on its winter itineraries across the Caribbean, starting with a voyage to the Canary Islands. The ship will depart from Southampton, England on December 3 and visit Funchal, Madeira, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Arrecife, Canary Islands, Cadiz, Spain, and Lisbon, Portugal before returning to Southampton, England.

The company’s newest ship will have a busy start to 2023 with a series of cruises in January. The first 2023 cruise aboard the Arvia is scheduled for January 6, when the ship will depart from Southampton, England and make stops at Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Castries, St. Lucia, St. Georges, Grenada before reaching Bridgetown, Barbados.

P&O Cruises has postponed the Arvia maiden sailing

Posted on 3 November, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

P&O Cruises has postponed the maiden sailing of its new ship Arvia by a fortnight.

Iona’s 5,200-passenger sister ship had been due to launch from Southampton on 9 December but in a statement, on Tuesday (25 October) the line announced the delay blaming “reasons beyond our control”.

Arvia’s first sailing will now take place on 23 December with a Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands itinerary, prior to the ship repositioning to the Caribbean in January.

“Whilst we know this is disappointing for those guests who were booked to travel on 9 December, we will not compromise on the high standards of build, interior design and service for which P&O Cruises is known,” the line added.

MSC Euribia to Homeport in Southampton in 2023/24

Posted on 3 November, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

MSC Euribia will take over from the sucsesfull MSC Virtuosa

MSC Cruises has just announced a brand new ship launching in October 2023, the MSC Euribia. This ship offers sailings from October 2023 through winter 2023 and 2024 based in Southampton. Its homeport in the UK comes after huge demand for no-fly cruises on MSC Virtuosa. MSC Euribia is the second ship in the MSC fleet which will be powered by liquid natural gas fuel. It is set to be a confidently sustainable ship.

This brand-new vessel boats incredible new features including original artwork on the decks and design aspects throughout. Alex Flämig has produced the iconic design coined #SaveTheSea. This message accurately reflects MSC Cruises’ commitment to protecting the marine environment.

Guests will be offered a wide variety of entertainment on MSC Euribia, from theatre shows and casinos to the Coral Reef Aquapark, one of the biggest waterparks at sea. MSC Euribia boasts ultimate relaxation with five swimming pools and the MSC Aurea Spa onboard. The gastronomic escapades are endless with the option of 10 dining venues and 21 bars with global and regional-inspired menus to enjoy.

MSC Virtuosa resumed cruising with a UK itinerary during the startup of cruising from Southampton and with a successful Summer season, she sailed to the Middle East for the winter 21/22 season and then replaced the Magnifica and Preziosa with an all-year-round summer/winter homeporting in Southampton.