Tag Archives: travel-tips

Alma Cruceros Reveals First Details of its New Cruise Line

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Alma Cruceros has revealed the first details of its new cruise operation.

The startup brand is set to operate SunStone’s Ocean Victory during summer seasons starting in 2025.

According to its website, Alma is based in Málaga and plans to become the first luxury cruise line based in Spain.

The company is led by Elisardo Sánchez Burgos, who also serves as Executive President of the Premium Hotels Group.

“An idea that was conceived in May 2018 soon became a dream and is now becoming reality thanks to the enthusiastic and persevering efforts of a wonderfully talented team,” he said in a social media update.

Alma Cruceros is set to embark on its maiden season in April 2025. The maiden voyage sails from Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, to Málaga, in the Western Mediterranean.

According to Burgos, the ship will operate primarily from Málaga, offering itineraries to ports in the region of Andalucía, as well as Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish ports on the North African coast.

“Our project is very important to support the growth and consolidation of the cruise industry in these ports. In some of them, we will be the first shipping company in terms of number of calls,” he said in a LinkedIn post.

Bookings for the maiden season opened in June, with 16 cruises currently on sale for departures between April and October 2025.

In addition to Málaga, the Ocean Victory is also set to offer cruises departing from Barcelona and Tarragona for itineraries to different regions of Spain, including Costa Brava, Costa Azul and the Balearic Islands.

The 186-guest vessel will also sail to international destinations, with planned visits to ports in Corsica, France, and Sardinia, Italy. According to the company’s website, prices for a seven-night cruise start at 3,570 euros per person.

With an all-inclusive product, Alma Cruceros plans to offer an “oasis of sustainability and luxury experiences,” according to its website.

Originally designed for upscale cruises in remote parts of the globe, the Ocean Victory represents the “perfect fusion of modern luxury and eco-responsibility, offering an unparalleled onboard experience,” the company added.

Alma also said that its product will focus on the Spanish identity, with a celebration of the local culture that will resonate with Spanish-speaking guests.

Different aspects of the onboard experience, from gastronomy to entertainment, were tailored to reflect the Spanish heritage.

Part of SunStone’s Infinity Class, the Ocean Victory will operate for Alma Cruceros as part of a charter agreement announced back in April.

The 2021-built vessel also offers winter seasons in Antarctica for Albatros Expeditions as part of a different charter deal.

MSC Cruises Introduces Summer 2024 ‘Stay & Cruise’ Program

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MSC Cruises announced its new summer 2024 “Stay & Cruise” program, offering guests the chance to extend their seven-night sailing into a nine or 10-night voyage, according to a statement. 

 The add-on packages are available for sailings on 11 MSC ships at five destinations; Athens, Venice, Rome, Miami and New York.

Travellers can add two nights’ accommodation with breakfast before or after their seven-night voyage at a 4-star hotel in Athens, Venice and Rome or a 3-star hotel in Miami, plus the option for two or three nights at a 4-star hotel in New York.

All “Stay & Cruise” packages offer a half-day excursion to explore the city’s attractions.

 Ground transfers from airports to hotels are included for guests staying before the cruise and from the hotel to the ship.  Additionally, for guests staying after the cruise, transfers from the ship to the hotel and from the hotel to the airport are also included.

 The offer applies to the MSC Divina, MSC Fantasia, MSC Musica, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview from Civitavecchia for an extended stay in Rome before or after a cruise.

 The add-on package to explore Venice is available pre- or post-cruise onboard the MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica and MSC Sinfonia from Marghera-Venice. Additionally, guests sailing on the MSC Opera, departing from the port of Piraeus, can extend their vacation in Athens.

 The program is available for Caribbean itineraries on the MSC Seascape departing from Miami with an additional two-day stay in the city.

 Guests sailing onboard the MSC Meraviglia can also extend their trip pre-cruise in New York before the ship sets sail.

An add-on package for Istanbul will also be available soon for MSC Cruises’ winter 2024-25 ‘Stay & Cruise’ program.

Saga Looking Into ‘Partnership’ for Cruise Business

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Saga has confirmed its looking into potential partnerships for its ocean cruises business based on reports in British media.

“We are looking at how we can offer more cruises to more guests in the future,” Saga Cruises CEO Nigel Blanks said in a statement shared on social media.

“This comes on the back of exceptional demand for our boutique ocean cruise offer,” he continued noting that the Spirit of Discovery and the Spirit of Adventure are operating “close to capacity.”

“With this in mind, we have been looking into the possibility of entering a partnership arrangement for our ocean cruise business as the best way to support further growth,” Blanks said.

The move would also create value for the company’s shareholders, he noted, pointing out to Saga’s “unique business, with a strong brand and committed team.”

“We are still in the early stages of the process of exploring opportunities,” Blanks said, noting that transactions of this nature “usually take months rather than days or weeks.”

Earlier this month, Sky News reported that Saga was looking into a range of potential options for its cruise operations, which included selling a stake in the business.

According to Sky News, the debt-challenged tour operator was working with advisers and also considered selling its two cruise vessels or offloading the entire business under a licensing arrangement.

After initially entering the cruise business with second-hand vessels, Saga Cruises took delivery of two new cruise ships in 2019 and 2020.

Sailing from different ports in the United Kingdom on a year-round basis, the Spirit of Discovery and the Spirit of Adventure were built by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

Designed to offer a boutique cruise experience, the 55,000-ton sister ships can accommodate up to 999 guests in double occupancy.