Tag Archives: Western Mediterranean

Enchanted Opens Princess’ 2023 Summer Program in Europe

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The Enchanted Princess is launching Princess Cruises’ 2023 summer program in Europe today.

After crossing the Atlantic, the vessel is in Barcelona to start the first cruise of the season: a six-night voyage to the Western Mediterranean.

Cruising roundtrip from the Spanish port, the itinerary sails to France and Gibraltar. In addition to the UK port in the Iberian Peninsula, the cruise features visits to Ajaccio and Marseille, as well as two full days at sea.

Following a routine drydock, the Enchanted Princess continues its European summer program in mid-April, offering additional itineraries in both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean.

The series of seven-to 21-night cruises include different destinations across the Greek Islands, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Montenegro and more.

Fifth in a series of six ships known as Royal Class, the Enchanted Princess first entered service in November 2021.

Built-in Italy by the Fincantieri shipyard, the 3,660-guest ship offers more than 25 dining venues and bars onboard, including the new such as La Mer, a French Bistro that debuted on the Majestic Princess.

The ship also offers varied entertainment options, as well as unique Sky Suites. According to Princess, the balconies of the staterooms – which measure over 90 square meters – are among the biggest in the entire cruise industry.

In addition to the Enchanted Princess, three other Princess Cruises vessels are cruising in Europe during the 2023 summer: the Sky Princess, the Regal Princess and the Island Princess.

Mostly sailing in Northern Europe, the ships will offer different itineraries between March and early December.

Based out of the UK, the Sky Princess is sailing a series of four- to 24-night cruises to Scandinavia, Iceland, Norway, the Canaries, the Baltic and the Mediterranean departing from Southampton.

Also sailing from the English port, the Regal Princess is poised to sail a program of ten- and 12-night itineraries to the British Islands.

Completing the local offering, the Island Princess sails in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, offering longer cruises departing from Southampton, Copenhagen, Civitavecchia and more.

MSC Seashore Completes First Year in Service

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The MSC Seashore completes its first year in service today. Currently sailing in the Caribbean, the vessel entered service for MSC Cruises in Europe on August 9, 2021.

Third, in a series of four Seaside-Class cruise ships, the ship was built in Italy by the Fincantieri shipyard.

After leaving its construction dock, the vessel spent its inaugural summer season in the Western Mediterranean.

Featuring seven-night cruises, the debut program featured regular itineraries to Spain, France, Italy and Malta visiting Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina and Valletta.

In November, the MSC Seashore crossed the Atlantic for the first time while sailing to Miami – its new homeport.

Once in the United States, the vessel kicked off a series of seven-night Caribbean cruises, sailing two different itineraries – which are still being offered in 2022. 

The first, in the Western Caribbean, includes calls to Ocho Rios in Jamaica, George Town in the Cayman Islands and Cozumel in Mexico.

The second, meanwhile, sails to the Eastern Caribbean and features visits to San Juan in Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie on the island of St. Thomas and Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic.

Both voyages also include a stop at Ocean Cay, MSC’s private island destination in the Bahamas.

Before kicking off service in North America, the vessel was also christened at the island during a ceremony that received the godmother Sofia Loren and other VIPs and stakeholders.

Following its season serving the U.S. market, the MSC Seashore is set to debut in Brazil in late 2022.

As part of MSC’s local program, the 4,560-guest ship will offer domestic cruising in the South American country until early 2023.

In April, the Seashore is set to return to Europe for a second summer program in the Western Mediterranean.  

The second season in North America is also on the plans. In November 2023, the vessel is set to debut in Port Canaveral for a year-round program of cruises leaving from Central Florida.

MSC Bellissima Returns to the Mediterranean

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Returning to Europe after a three-year gap, the MSC Bellissima is kicking off a series of Western Mediterranean cruises today.

Departing from Valencia, the 2019-built vessel welcomes guests for a cruise that sails to four popular destinations in Spain and Italy.

The seven-night route features visits to Barcelona, Genoa, Naples and Livorno, and two full days at sea.

Designed with more extended stays in ports, the itinerary allows guests to explore additional cities such as Madrid and Florence.

With Tarragona replacing Barcelona on selected departures, the cruise is set to be repeated through early November.

Previously scheduled to sail in the Far East, the Bellissima spent the last three months cruising in the Middle East.

Extending MSC Cruises’ season in the region, the vessel arrived in the region in March for a series of seven-night itineraries that included visits to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Sir Bani Yas.

Upon resuming revenue service in July, the vessel also sailed in the Red Sea, offering three- and four-night cruises to Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt.

Built-in France, the MSC Bellissima debuted in early 2019 as the second in a series of five ships known as the Meraviglia Class.

According to MSC Cruises, the vessel offers a “stunning array of features,” including 12 international dining venues and 20 different bars.

The 167,600-ton ship is also highlighted by 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.

Boasting 19 decks and a capacity for over 4,500 guests in double occupancy, the Bellissima is also one of the largest ships of the MSC’s fleet – which now has all of its vessels in service again.

In June, the MSC Musica welcomed guests back, marking the return of all of the company’s 19 cruise ships for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.