SeaDream first ever cruises to Cuba

SEADREAM Yacht Club has had amazing reaction to its first-ever program of sailings in Cuba from early January to April of next year, with all eight of its 7-day voyages already between 80- and 90-percent sold out.

And Australians have been amongst the keenest to book, with company Vice-President Jannicke Rognstad saying our interest has not been surprising, as we have always been to the forefront in sailing SeaDream's voyages to new and off-the-beaten-track destinations.

The mega motor-cruiser SeaDream II that carries just 112 guests and 95 crew will open the inaugural Cuba season on January 26 2019 with 9-days from San Juan in Puerto Rico, to Cienfuegos via the Dominican Republic and Jamaica.

Eight 1-week sailings will follow, visiting hideaway ports few holidaymakers have ever had an opportunity to experience, each sailing embracing Trinidad, Cayo Largo, Isla de Juventad, Maria la Gorda, a day at sea, and a day and overnight in Havana.

Along the way there'll be visits to one-time pirate haunts where divers still treasure-hunt today, two of the world's finest beaches opposite grand hotels and these beaches both gay-friendly and clothing-optional, ports famed both for their wildlife and exceptional seafood dining, the walled city of "Old Havana" founded in 1519… and Santiago de Cuba where Bacardi Rum was created in 1862.

Plus for classic car buffs, the streets of Cuba are something of a rolling museum of tens of thousands of American cars from the 1950s, the result of a grudge by the late-leader Fidel Castro who banned new-car imports from the USA from the 1950s to the 1990s, and today imported car prices still way beyond the reach of most Cubans.

For itineraries and prices of SeaDream Yacht Club's Cuba sailings from January to April 2019, visit www.seadream.com/cuba or see travel agents.


[] CUBA'S streets are today a rolling museum of classic American cars from the 1950s, a continuing result of late-leader Fidel Castro's four-decade long grudge-ban on cars from the USA.

[] SEADREAM II will make the company's first-ever sailings of Cuba from January to April 2019.

Silversea savings

Silversea Cruises is offering its guests a 10% special single supplement on selected cruises, available on bookings made before 31 August 2018. This special offer applies to a selection of cruises in Asia, Antarctica and the Galapagos.

In addition, guests can also enjoy 20% off when booking a second suite until the end of August 2018. This applies to select voyages in Asia, Antarctica and the Galapagos.

Suites strictly limited. Terms and Conditions apply. For more information please visit the Silversea website www.silversea.com

Pacific Aria’s drydock and refurbishment

P&O Cruises' Pacific Aria has entered has entered her 12-day dry dock in Singapore and will soon emerge sporting several stylish new touches.

A key highlight of the refurbishment will be the refresh of popular late night hotspot, The Dome, with the venue set to take on a contemporary nautical theme featuring dark navy blue and white hues, drapes and soft lighting. Overlooking the bow of the ship, The Dome is one of the best places to relax during the day.

The makeover will also include new, modernised décor in the kids zones (Turtle Cove, Shark Shack, HQ and HQ+) and a revamp of the ship's 28 suites and 120 balcony cabins to include new carpets and outdoor furniture. In total, 10,528 square metres of new carpet will be laid throughout the ship.

Pacific Aria's finishing touch will be the Southern Cross livery emblazoned on her hull, now a signature feature of P&O's fleet.

The dry dock is the ship's first since she joined the P&O Cruises fleet in November 2015.

SeaDream Mediterranean includes Monaco Grand Prix

SEADREAM Yacht Club has an exceptional sailing in the Mediterranean in May of next year that is not only for 9-days rather than a usual seven, but three of those days will be on the French Riviera – including being there for the 2019 Monaco Grand Prix.

SEADREAM I at Portofino in Italy, one of the most
popular of her tiny ports of call in the Mediterranean.

The 112-passenger mega motor-cruiser SeaDream I will sail from Rome’s port of Civitavecchia next May 18, visiting ports in Sardinia and Corsica and on the Italian and French Riviera’s, and arriving in Nice in France on May 27.

She will be on the French Riviera for the Monaco Grand Prix on May 26, and will offer a package covering transfers and entry for those who are interested, the price for this being additional to the voyage fare and yet to be announced.

The 9-day sailing is priced from US$6348pp twin-share, including SeaDream’s award-winning cuisine, drinks with meals and from the bars, power and sail water-sports, use of the onboard golf simulator and fitness centre, port charges and taxes, and even crew gratuities.

For details including SeaDream’s other enticing Mediterranean and also Caribbean sailings this year and in 2019, see your favourite travel agent or visit www.seadream.com

(SeaDream I’s 9-day Mediterranean sailing next May 18 from Civitavecchia will include Port Cervo, Portovenere (the Cinque Terre) and Portofino in Italy, Bonifacio and Calvi as well as Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Villefranche-sur-Mer in France, and finally Nice.)

MSC Seaview is named in glittering ceremony in Genoa, Italy

• The striking ship has been designed for the Mediterranean to create a very special connection between guests and the ocean
• Godmother Sophia Loren cut the ribbon on her 13th MSC Cruises ship
• MSC Seaview became the third MSC Cruises ship to be launched in just 12 months 

The newest addition to the ever-growing MSC Cruises fleet and new flagship MSC Seaview was christened in true MSC style in the presence of a suite of stars, VIPs, key travel partners and international media as well as top management from MSC Cruises and its parent company MSC Group. Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group's founder and executive chairman as well as the ship owner, attended together with the Aponte and Aponte-Vago families.

The christening ceremony was hosted by Italian TV star, Michelle Hunziker who welcomed to the stage 'father of Italian blues' Zucchero Fornaciari. TV star Lorella Cuccarini hosted a special moment on stage and Italian children's choir Piccolo Coro Dell'Antoniano performed as the UNICEF ambassadors, to acknowledge the important partnership that seeks to improve the lives of children and their families in developing countries and those affected by crises. Also taking to the stage was Matteo Bocelli, son of the world-famous Andrea Bocelli.  Matteo Bocelli sang during the Officers' Parade, an important tradition to honour the crew from the ship.

Finishing off the traditional proceedings, Godmother Sophia Loren cut the ribbon to launch the bottle of champagne to name MSC Seaview.

Also present at the ceremony was Ramon Freixa, the Spanish two Michelin-starred chef who has now extended his partnership with MSC Cruises to develop his first restaurant at sea on board MSC Seaview. Pan-Asian chef Roy Yamaguchi attended his second MSC christening along with other stars such as Spanish model and actor Jon Kortajarena, Brazlian presenters and actors Giovanna Ewbank and French television personality Ariane Brodier.

Described as a game-changing cruise ship, the vision was to create something truly unique that would enable guests to enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean sea. The ship is designed to enhance the enjoyment of the open water and sunshine, specifically intended to cruise in warmer climates and to create a very special connection between guests and the ocean.

Most cruise ships are planned and engineered to offer entertainment, dining and other experiences inside the ship whilst MSC Seaview is designed to bring guests to the outside of the ship to the open decks and walkways. Featuring the highest ratio of outdoor spaces of any MSC Cruises ship every element of the ship enables guests to enjoy the outdoors in every aspect of their life on board, from cabins and suites with outdoor spaces such as terraces and balconies, eating and drinking in true Mediterranean style "al fresco" through to outdoor fitness and luxury spa cabanas in the open air.

MSC Seaview is the 15th addition to the MSC Cruises fleet and the third ship to come into service just 12 months under the Company's industry-unprecedented €10.5 billion investment plan.

MSC Seaview commenced her maiden voyage from Genoa on June 10 offering six embarkation ports in the Western Mediterranean including the popular ports of Genoa, Marseille and Barcelona as well as other much sought after Mediterranean destinations including Naples, Messina in Sicily and Valetta in Malta.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages itineraries for new ship launch

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) today announced its new ship Vasco da Gama will sail from Singapore to London and London to Sydney in 2019 before launching its inaugural Australian cruise season. Passengers can choose from a range of options along the routes of up to 55 nights with bookings open from Thursday 17 May 2018.

The ship's exciting 44-night Maiden Voyage from Singapore to London will include Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Jordan, Egypt and the iconic passage through the Suez Canal. The cruise will continue to Israel and around the best of the Mediterranean, finishing with Morocco and Portugal before docking in London. Guests wanting more can stay aboard and disembark in Amsterdam (Netherlands) or Bremerhaven (Germany).

Vasco da Gama's 53-night Inaugural Southbound voyage will depart London on 9 October 2019. The Southbound cruise includes 16 ports of call in countries such as Morocco, Barbados, Mexico and New Zealand before arriving in Sydney.

"Our special Southbound voyage will appeal to cruise devotees and discerning travellers alike; we've had unprecedented interest in the new Vasco da Gama from our customers and agents since announcing the acquisition in March," said Dean Brazier, Managing Director of CMV Australia.

"Passengers will have the opportunity to transit the Panama Canal and cross the equator in an experience reminiscent of the grand days of cruising – but with all the mod cons of a contemporary ship.

"Vasco da Gama offers two gorgeous pools, the state-of-the-art Jade Wellness Centre and Spa, a two-tiered theatre, and five inviting bars and lounges. Six dining venues feature cuisine from around the world – The Grill's succulent steaks are expected to be a hit with passengers, and the 'Chef's Table' will provide a degustation menu plus an insight into the workings of the galley.

"The ship's country club ambiance will be suited to couples, groups and solo travellers wishing to explore some of the most fascinating cities in the world while enjoying the comforts of a quality cruise – all among good company. These voyages should be on everyone's bucket lists and we expect them to sell-out quickly," said Mr Brazier.

CMV has launched a 'SELL & SET SAIL' promotion for travel agents. The winner and a friend will spend five nights aboard Vasco da Gama during its inaugural Australian Season in 2019/2020.

The agent who books the highest number of cabins on Vasco da Gama's Maiden Voyages or Inaugural Southbound Voyages by 30 June 2018 will be selected. Register at CMVAustralia.com/SailFree.

Vasco da Gama compliments CMV's Astor, which has been in the Australian market for six years. The new ship will offer more onboard facilities and increased passenger capacity with CMV's hallmark personalised service, while the Astor will maintain its appeal as a boutique and intimate cruising experience.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages will acquire Pacific Eden from P&O Australia in April 2019 and the ship will be dry docked in Singapore before beginning its maiden voyage on 23 April. The vessel will be refreshed while in Singapore and undergo its Vasco da Gama 'makeover' (named after the famous Portuguese explorer and navigator).

London to Sydney cruise-only fares start from AU$6,899 per person twin share for an inside cabin (53 nights), which includes up to AU$2,200 free on-board credit per cabin – for bookings made up until 31 July 2018 – to allow guests to experience even more of the new ship. Singapore to London cruise-only fares start from AU$5,399 per person twin share (44 nights).

Vasco da Gama will be deployed and dedicated to both the German and Australasian cruise markets. During the European summer (May-October) the ship will operate under CMV's German brand, TransOcean Kreuzfahrten, homeporting from both Bremerhaven and Kiel; and during the Australian summer season (December-March) will sail from Fremantle and Adelaide.

For further information, customers can contact their travel agent or register their interest at CMVAustralia.com/Register. To begin selling the cruises, agents can contact their local CMV Sales Representative.

Silversea orders Silver Dawn

She will be the third ship of the Silver Muse class

Silversea Cruises has awarded Fincantieri with an order for another ultra-luxury cruise ship, with delivery scheduled for Q4 2021. The contract is valued at over €320 million (AUD$507.3 million).

Named Silver Dawn, the new vessel will be a sister ship of Silversea's flagship, Silver Muse, which was launched from the Fincantieri shipyard of Sestri Ponente (Genoa) in April 2017 and was welcomed with great acclaim by guests. Silversea has therefore committed to constructing a new ship that will share Silver Muse's ultra-luxury qualities.

The order of Silver Dawn comes just months after the cruise line signed a contract with Fincantieri for the construction of Silver Moon, another sister ship to Silver Muse, which is due to be delivered in 2020. Part of the cruise line's expansion plan, the fleet's eleventh ship – the third ship in the Muse-class series – will strengthen the strategic musification of Silversea's fleet.

Silver Dawn will benefit from the same sense of intimacy and spacious all-suite accommodation options that characterise all Silversea vessels. Providing superlative comfort and an enhanced on-board experience, she will unlock authentic travel experiences for Silversea's discerning guests in the world's most spectacular destinations.

"Following the extraordinary success of Silver Muse, we are delighted to announce Silver Dawn as the eleventh ship to join the Silversea fleet," comments Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, Silversea's Chairman. "Silver Dawn will bear the same hallmarks of quality that guests currently enjoy on our 6-star ships. We look forward to welcoming guests aboard in November 2021. It was my father's dream to grow Silversea to at least a 12-ship fleet; today, we are one step closer to fulfilling his vision".

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, said: "It is a great satisfaction for our Group to see an ambitious project like Silver Muse establish itself on the market and get the highest appreciation from an exclusive and demanding customer like Silversea, that today confirms his trust in us. Thanks to this partnership, based on the quality of the product, our leadership position in the cruise sector is further strengthened, not only from a technological point of view, but also for the commercial ability to find the best agreement with the shipowner".

Fincantieri has built 82 cruise ships from 1990 to today (59 from 2002), while another 44 are currently being designed or built in the Group's yards.

www.silversea.com