Tag Archives: Southeast Asia

Arcadia Embarks on P&O’s 2024 World Cruise

Posted on by
Reply

The Arcadia embarked on P&O Cruises’ 2024 World Cruise on Saturday. Sailing roundtrip from Southampton, the vessel is now offering a 99-night voyage that will circumnavigate the globe.

Cruising to Central America, the Caribbean, North America, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, the Far East, the Red Sea, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, the full itinerary features visits to a total of 29 destinations.

After leaving the United Kingdom, the Arcadia is set to cross the Atlantic on its way to Freeport, in the Bahamas.

The 2005-built vessel then visits Florida and Aruba before transiting the Panama Canal and arriving in the Pacific Ocean for ports of call in Guatemala and Costa Rica.

Still in the Pacific, the ship visits Hawaii, Fiji, New Zealand and Australia on its way to Indonesia and the Southeast Asia.

Ports of call in the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia are also on the schedule, in addition to visits to Indonesia and Hong Kong.

On its way back to Europe, the Arcadia sails to other countries in Asia, the Middle East and the Red Sea, including Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Egypt.

The final leg of the 2024 World Cruise features a transit of the Suez Canal, as well as ports of call in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, such as Valletta, in Malta, and Cádiz, in Spain.

Completing the western circumnavigation of the globe, the Arcadia is scheduled to arrive back in Southampton on April 15.

The itinerary is highlighted by extended visits to key destinations across the globe, including overnight calls in Honolulu, Sydney, Hong Kong, and Dubai.

Built by the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the Arcadia originally debuted in April 2005. In 2018, the 1,968-guest ship underwent a major refurbishment that included updates to cabins, public areas, and more.

According to P&O, the project aimed at improving the onboard experience with a fresher and more contemporary feel.

Bellissima Sets Sail to Asia Ahead of MSC’s Return to Japan

Posted on by
Reply

To view images of the MSC Virtuosa visit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

The MSC Bellissima is currently sailing to Asia. Following a program in the Mediterranean, the vessel is set to mark MSC Cruises’ return to Japan later this month.

After leaving Genoa on March 27, the Meraviglia-Class is currently on its way to Singapore, where it is set to arrive on April 16.

From Southeast Asia, the Bellissima is set to arrive in Yokohama to kick off a series of local cruises in Japan on April 29.

Sailing roundtrip from the port, the vessel is set to offer charter cruises in the country, in addition to different departures under MSC’s flag.

Also opened for bookings from international markets, the itineraries being offered by the European cruise line include an eight-night voyage sailing on June 12.

Sailing to Japan and South Korea, the cruise features visits to Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Jeju Island and Kobe – where the Bellissima is set to spend one night docked.

Other destinations being visited by the vessel during its Japan program include Naha, Fukuoka, Kanazawa, Hakodate, Kumamoto and more.

The Bellissima is also set to sail to Taiwan, as well as to more destinations in South Korea, with planned visits to Keelung, Busan and other ports.

At 167,600 tons, the 4,500-guest vessel is also set to become one of the largest ships to sail in the Asian market.

The MSC Bellissima was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France and originally entered service in 2019.

Part of MSC Cruises’ five-ship Meraviglia Class, the vessel offers several different amenities, including the Galleria Bellissima, a 96-meter-long central promenade that features an 80-meter LED dome, in addition to the largest shopping area in the fleet, and a dedicated waterpark.

Previously scheduled to sail in China, the Bellissima also offers 12 international dining venues, as well as 20 different bars.

Holland America’s Westerdam Returns to Japan for Spring Season

Posted on by
Reply

The Westerdam is marking Holland America Line’s return to Japan today after a three-year gap.

Following a short season in Southeast Asia, the 1,900-guest vessel arrived in Yokohama to kick off a spring program in the country.

Sailing roundtrip from the port – which is located near Japan’s capital city, Tokyo – the Westerdam is set to offer a series of 11- to 14-day cruises to different ports including Kobe/Osaka, Tokushima, Kagoshima and Shimizu.

For its first cruise in the region since early 2020, the ship is offering a 14-night itinerary named “Japan Explorer.”

The voyage features visits to a total of ten ports in the region, such as Hiroshima, Kochi and Sakaiminato.

Through April, the program also includes visits to Ishigaki, Naha and other destinations in Japan, as well as ports of call in Taiwan and South Korea.

After completing its Asia schedule, the ship offers a 14-day North Pacific Crossing to Seattle – its homeport for the upcoming summer season in Alaska.

Part of Holland America’s four-ship Vista Class, the Westerdam first entered service in 2004. Extensively refurbished over the years, the 82,000-ton ship underwent a drydock in January 2023 for routine maintenance and class work.

Offering a premium cruise product, the vessel was designed with an array of dining, entertainment and bar venues that include the Exploration’s Café – a lounge that provides travel resources and enrichment opportunities for guests.

Other features comprise the Billboard Onboard, where two pianists perform shows centred around facts and figures of the music industry, and the Lincoln Center Stage, which showcases a nightly ensemble of musicians performing chamber music.

The ship also offers an extensive dining lineup that includes Holland America Line’s signature venues, such as the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and the Italian Canaletto Restaurant.