Four new ships for MSC - but smaller

The first of this highly-innovative new generation of ships will come into service in Spring 2023

MSC Cruises and Fincantieri today announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the construction of four ultra-luxury cruise ships for a total value in excess of EUR 2 billion.

The ships, the first of which will be delivered in Spring 2023, will have gross tonnage of approximately 64,000 GT and will feature 500 cabins. The remaining three ships will come into service one per year over the following three years.

The ships will feature the best and latest environmental technology and other cutting-edge maritime solutions at sea. They will also showcase highly-innovative design as well as introduce ground-breaking options for guest comfort and relaxation.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman, said: “It is off the back of the great success of our ship-within-a-ship luxury concept that our guests asked us to enter into the ultra-luxury segment, as a natural evolution of the MSC Yacht Club. These ships will be able to offer unique itineraries, thanks to their size, and the guest services will be taken to another level, including our personalised MSC Yacht Club butler service, available 24/7.”

Mr Vago continued, “I am especially pleased to be able to further extend our partnership with Fincantieri through this new order. The award-winning Seaside and Seaside-Evo class have already been recognised as ground-breaking and innovative designs. We are now introducing another new class, which will establish a new standard of ultra-luxury at sea with ships that will showcase the quality and highest standards that are associated with Made in Italy.”

Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri, stated: “It is with pride that two great brands – an Italian one and one with a strong Italian DNA -, well-known all over the world, today announce an important construction program. We are extremely satisfied that, to launch a new class of ships in the luxury segment, MSC Cruises has recognized that our design will help them create a new generation of ships that will be cutting edge both in terms of safety and technological content and with particular attention paid to passenger comfort. With this project Fincantieri can count on 53 cruise ships in its order book, confirming its position as absolute market leader”.

Silversea opens 2020-21 bookings with Silver Moon

Highlights of the new itineraries include complimentary flights & transfers on most voyages, the debut of Silver Moon, and greater variation in remarkable destinations around the world.




Silversea Cruises opens bookings to the general public for 191 remarkable new voyages, which will unlock 572 destinations in 84 countries from summer 2020 into winter 2021. Complimentary air and transfers will be included on virtually all of the newly announced itineraries, while a number of other highlights will enable Silversea's guests to travel deeper like never before.

Included for most voyages in the new collection, complimentary round-trip economy-class flights and transfers will simplify the travel experience for guests. The new addition will enable guests to travel the world with complete peace of mind: a smooth end-to-end service will make for a seamless connection; full protection covers guests against unforeseen mishaps; and reservations can be made with ease via my.silversea.com or by calling the reservation team. Also available are business-class air upgrades from as low as AU$699 each way. For guests not utilising the air offer, a generous air credit is available. Exceptions and market-specific conditions may apply.

The new collection of itineraries will enable guests to get closer to the authentic beauty of the world with unprecedented variety, increasing the cruise line's ultra-luxury offering in a number of remarkable destinations. Highlights of the collection will include:

Enhanced options in Northern Europe will comprise four ships and 29 voyages: in Iceland, Silversea will offer more immersive experiences on both classic and expedition voyages, including a 9-day circumnavigation aboard Silver Wind, departing Reykjavik on 29 June, 2020; in the British Isles, extended programs will unlock more incredible experiences, with voyages departing from the iconic Tower Bridge; while an exciting new North Sea Capitals voyage will offer overnights in Oslo, Hamburg, Amsterdam, and London.

New deep travel experiences in Alaska and the Russian Far East, with three ships and 21 voyages from which guests can choose. As in 2019, the cruise line's flagship, Silver Muse, will spend a full summer deployed in Alaska in 2020. Silversea's Silver Explorer will cruise in the Sea of Okhotsk, one of the least visited areas in the Russian Far East, on an 18-day voyage from June 2020.
A return to the Canary Islands on two voyages (departing 16 April and 25 September, 2020) and Istanbul on two different itineraries (departing 30 May and 2 August, 2020). 

Maiden calls in: El Hierro, Spain; Fishguard, Wales; Nordfjordeid, Norway; Siglufjörður, Iceland; Durres, Albania; Klaksvik, Faroe Islands; and Patreksfjordur, Iceland.

An increased polar offering, with two ships and 10 voyages and 83 destinations in the Arctic, and 11 itineraries and 26 destinations in Antarctica (including East Antarctica and the Ross Sea). Unprecedented voyages to New Zealand's sub-Antarctic islands and Australia's Macquarie Island (all UNESCO World Heritage Sites) will enable guests to view vast colonies of penguins and thousands of seals; visits to Churchill and Hudson Bay in Manitoba, Canada, will take guests to the 'polar bear capital of the world' and the home of the world's largest beluga whale population, respectively; and concurrent crossings of the Northwest and Northeast Passages will unlock unique, life-defining experiences.

Greater variety in the Mediterranean with five ships and 54 voyages on offer, including a 37-day, 28-port grand voyage and an extended Grand Prix voyage.
An extended season in the Galápagos Islands.

More overnights than ever before, which will allow guests to spend longer in some of the most amazing destinations in the world. Every voyage over seven nights in Europe and Canada and New England will benefit from an overnight in strategically selected ports.

An additional highlight of the new summer 2020 itineraries, Silversea's Silver Moon will set sail on her inaugural voyage on 6 August, 2020: the ship will depart Trieste, Italy, for Civitavecchia on an 11-day cruise. The sister ship of Silversea's flagship, Silver Muse, Silver Moon will benefit from a number of onboard enhancements. One of five Silversea ships in the region in the summer of 2020, she will cruise in the Mediterranean for her maiden season, until November, when she will cross the Atlantic to Fort Lauderdale.

"For discerning travellers who are in search of rare and authentic moments, these new itineraries offer a unique array of carefully curated, life-enriching experiences," says Adam Armstrong, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand. "With the introduction of free air and transfers on virtually every voyage, visits to over 570 spectacular destinations worldwide, and the debut of our brand-new Silver Moon, this is the perfect time to book a luxury cruise holiday with Silversea to discover the authentic beauty of the world."

Browse Silversea's new collection of voyages for summer 2020/winter 2021: https://www.silversea.com/2020-2021-new-itineraries.html

SeaDream Mediterranean cruises for 2020

SEADREAM Yacht Club has announced a unique new program of sailings in the Mediterranean in 2020 that will mix forever popular major ports of call, together with a fascinating grab-bag of smaller, less-crowded gems on the French and Italian Rivieras, in the Greek Isles, along the Spanish coast and across the Adriatic Sea that are all largely inaccessible to the bigger cruise giants.

And as well sailings range from five to eleven nights, which make them particularly popular in the Australian market, and are designed to also provide SeaDream’s 56-couples (served by 95 crew) with the opportunity of combining two sailings into longer back-to-back voyages without ever visiting the same ports of call twice.

Amongst new ports on these sailings will be Ikaria in Greece that’s one of the world’s “Blue Zones” in which residents enjoy longevity and good health through a diet heavy with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, potatoes, olive oil and antioxidant herbal teas – coupled with a habit of stress-relieving and heart-resting mid-afternoon naps.

Other new Mediterranean ports for both SeaDream I and SeaDream II in 2020 will be Vis in Croatia whose beaches featured in the 2018 movie “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” Santa Maria de Leuca on the southernmost tip of the “heel of Italy’s boot,” and Slovenia’s medieval coastal town of Koper that’s rich in history, culture and classic architecture.

And a new port of embarkation and disembarkation from 2020 will be the Maltese capital of Valletta that is recognised as one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world and often described as “an open-air museum,” together with another first-time for SeaDream the Maltese archipelago island of Gozo with its Xlendi Bay that’s one of the country’s most popular swimming and snorkelling spots.

For full details see your favourite travel agent or visit www.seadream.com; prices include SeaDream’s award-winning cuisine, drinks with meals and from the bars, power and sail water-sports, use of SeaDream onboard golf simulator and fitness centre, port charges and taxes, and even crew gratuities.

Crystal Cruises’ 2021 ‘Ancient Dynasties & World Wonders’ World Cruise Open For Booking

Luxury travellers can choose full 139-day journey or selection of segments




Crystal's 26th annual World Cruise is now open for booking to all luxury travellers. The "Ancient Dynasties & World Wonders" voyage embarks from Miami to London on January 5, 2021, sailing an epic 139-day route through the Caribbean, Hawaiian Islands, South Pacific, Australia, Indonesia, Southeast Asia, the Far East, the UAE and the Mediterranean, featuring transit of the Panama Canal, visits to Egypt's mysterious Valley of Kings, and the winelands of Western Europe. The full World Cruise also offers guests alternate embarkation and disembarkation cities and dates, allowing greater flexibility while still affording all full World Cruise benefits. Segments of 12-21 days are also now available for booking, with focused itineraries along the gulfs of Oman and Aden; Southeast Asia and Vietnam; springtime in Japan; and the Arabian Gulf across the Bay of Bengal.

"We are delighted to present the world's most discerning travellers with one of Crystal Cruises' most extensive World Cruise journeys ever," says Crystal's Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Australasia, Karen Christensen. "Whether guests choose the complete 139-day odyssey or any combination of segments, they're in for the journey of a lifetime, as a Crystal World Cruise is truly something special."

Named for the diverse array of destinations, cultures and monumental sites to be explored on the journey, the "Ancient Dynasties & World Wonders" World Cruise offers travellers equally tremendous value and exceptionally enriching experiences on board and ashore. Guests can choose to sail the complete itinerary from Miami to London (January 5 to May 24, 139 days); from Los Angeles to London (January 21 to May 24, 123 days); Miami to Rome (January 5 to May 12, 127 days); or Los Angeles to Rome (January 21 to May 12, 111 days). Guests booking any of these full World Cruise options enjoy special benefits and amenities, including a welcome celebration dinner aboard Crystal Serenity in Miami or in Los Angeles, "As You Wish" shipboard spending credits of up to US$2,500 per guest; complimentary private car and driver transfers between the ship and airport; a gala dinner World Cruise Extravaganza Event; an exclusive shore-side event; special World Cruise-themed onboard events; and specially curated gifts.

For More Information

For more information and Crystal reservations, contact your travel professional, or Crystal's Sydney office on:

1300 059 260 (Local Call Australia)

0800 600 108 (Toll Free New Zealand)

Or visit Crystal's website: www.crystalcruises.com

Join the hundreds of thousands who subscribe to the Crystal Insider blog, follow Crystal Cruises' Facebook page and @crystalcruises on Twitter and Instagram, and engage in the conversation with #crystalcruises.

Silversea world-first, 7-continent World Cruise 2020

. The leading ultra-luxury cruise line will enrich its pioneering 62-port itinerary with a selection of once-in-a-lifetime events, shore-side excursions and expedition-style embellishments. Over 140 days, Silversea's Silver Whisper will take guests closer to the authentic beauty of the world, unlocking unique experiences in the most spectacular destinations between Fort Lauderdale and Amsterdam.

Pushing the boundaries of ultra-luxury cruising, Silversea's World Cruise 2020 will be the first time guests will be able to step foot on all seven continents on a world cruise. In 2020, the groundbreaking voyage will incorporate many 'soft expedition' features, including an extraordinary 3-day Antarctic experience, in which guests may well witness penguins, seals, whales, and other species in their natural habitat. Led by a team of nine qualified specialists – including marine biologists, a geologist, a naturalist, an ornithologist, a glaciologist, and more – Silversea's guests will explore the final continent on Zodiac® excursions, landing for shore-side adventures, before learning more about this spectacular region through onboard lectures and workshops from industry-leading experts. Guests will also unlock a special range of immersive travel experiences in the South Pacific, accompanied by a team of nine expedition experts.

Dream Cruises expanding to Australia

source: Cruise Weekly

DREAM Cruises will operate outside of Asia for the first time in 2019/2020, with parent company Genting Hong Kong yesterday unveiling a series of 21 seven- day Australasian voyages for the newly transformed Explorer Dream (CW breaking news).

The 1,870 passenger vessel, currently sailing with sister brand Star Cruises as SuperStar Virgo (pic above), will undergo a US$30 million makeover next year prior to the down under deployment, which will offer cruises in Australia and New Zealand to its Asian-sourced passengers, according to Genting Hong Kong executive chairman, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay.

The refurbishment will incorporate all new food and beverage options combining the best of “East meets West”, a Crystal Life Spa, and Dream Cruises’ signature The Palace private luxury enclave with 50 suites and butler service.

“Explorer Dream will offer another option for our Asia-based guests to expand their travel horizons with new rail/cruise and fly/cruise opportunities to see the world,” Kok Thay said.

Prior to her Australian season, the ship will homeport in Shanghai and Tianjin during the northern summer of 2019, cruising to Japan, Russia, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

The local deployment will include six Barrier Reef voyages calling at Mooloolaba, Brisbane, Newcastle and Gladstone; eight Tasmania and Melbourne cruises calling at Port Arthur, Hobart, Burnie, Melbourne, Philip Island and Eden; and seven New Zealand itineraries cruising to Wellington, Milford Sound, Dunedin, Napier, Bay of Islands, Akaroa, Picton and Gisborne. The Genting chief said the move would help accelerate the company’s vision to “develop Dream Cruises into Asia’s global cruise line”.

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.