MSC Bellissima launched

MSC Bellissima brings to the sea the latest advances in maritime design, state-of-the-art environmental features and cutting-edge customer-centric technology

Second key construction milestone marked with MSC Virtuosa's Coin Ceremony

 MSC Cruises, the world's largest privately-owned cruise company, has taken delivery of MSC Bellissima from Chantiers de l'Atlantique, a world leader in cruise ship construction. With three Meraviglia generation ships under simultaneous construction at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, the two parties marked a double celebration today, with MSC Virtuosa's Coin Ceremony.

MSC Bellissima's Delivery Ceremony took place in the presence of Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group's Founder and Executive Chairman. Also present were Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Cruises, Laurent Castaing, General Manager, Chantiers de l'Atlantique, as well as other regional and local authorities and dignitaries.

Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises' Executive Chairman, said: "Today's delivery marks another chapter in the story of our partnership with Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Together we have already brought to life 14 highly-innovative cruise ships, paving the way for our Company's initial growth. Many more will be built together over the coming years to further deepen the reach of our fleet. Furthermore, MSC Bellissima's elegance and beauty, as well as focus on the best and latest maritime and environmental technology at sea, bear testament to our restless pursuit for innovation."

Laurent Castaing, Chantiers de l'Atlantique's General Manager, said: "This new outstanding ship is another evidence of the quality of the long-term partnership we have established between MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l'Atlantique during these last twenty years. We bring each time all our expertise and innovation capability to deserve the confidence of our customers: this is a real success story for our two companies."



As other ships in MSC Cruises' fleet, MSC Bellissima pushes the boundaries of ship building and design. Bearing testament to the Company's commitment to protect the environment, she has been equipped with some of the latest environmental technologies available. These include, amongst others, a cutting-edge exhaust gas cleaning system, an advanced wastewater treatment plant, systems for the prevention of oil discharge from machinery spaces, a ballast water treatment system, and various energy-saving improvements – from heat recovery systems to LED lighting.

MSC Bellissima is also equipped with cutting-edge guest technology. She is the first MSC Cruises ship to feature ZOE, the world's first virtual personal cruise assistant, which has been added to MSC for Me. The voice-enabled virtual personal assistant will be found in every cabin and can answer hundreds of questions about the cruise.

With the delivery, MSC Bellissima has become the fourth ship to join MSC Cruises' fleet in less than two years. As part of MSC Cruises' unprecedented new builds programme, another 13 next-generation cruise ships are due to join its fleet by 2027. These include four World Class mega cruise ships capable of welcoming nearly 7,000 guests as well as four smaller ships that will serve the ultra-luxury segment.

MSC Bellissima is the second Meraviglia Class ship to join MSC Cruises' fleet. As MSC Meraviglia, she is the ship for all seasons, with plenty of outdoor and indoor public spaces. With a length of just 315 metres, she has been designed to be able to access most of the world's cruise ports.

This evening MSC Bellissima will set sail towards Southampton, UK, where her Naming Ceremony is due to be held on 2 March. On 4 March she will depart on her maiden voyage, which will take her to Genoa, Italy, where she will spend her inaugural season, offering Western Mediterranean cruises. In November 2019, she will reposition to the Gulf, providing weekly sailings out of Dubai. In spring 2020 she will be deployed to Asia.

Earlier in the day, MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l'Atlantique held MSC Virtuosa's Coin Ceremony, which takes place at the early stages of construction of a newbuild, when the keel is laid. Due to be delivered in November 2020, she will become the fourth Meraviglia Class ship in MSC Cruises' fleet and the second of three Meraviglia-Plus ships, a larger and enriched version of the Meraviglia prototype with an increased number of cabins, more public space and additional features. Tradition dictates that two long-standing employees from the shipyard and the ship owner act as godmothers, placing two coins under the new ship's keel block as a sign of blessing and good fortune. Today Elise Guérin, Project Manager, Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Helen Huang, President, Greater China, MSC Cruises had the honour of performing this traditional task.

For more information visit msccruises.com.au or msccruises.co.nz


Delivery date                                27 February 2019
Gross tonnage                               171,598 GT
Lower berth capacity                    4,434
Max. passenger capacity               5,686
Crew members                               1,536
Number of cabins                           2,217
Length / Beam / Height                  315.3 m / 43 m / 65 m
Maximum speed                             22.7 knots

First look at new Seabourn expedition vessels [video]

Is this new Damen design for Seabourn? (Damen) 

Seabourn has released new details on what guests can expect from its two new luxury expedition ships. The cruise line signed a letter of intent with shipbuilders T. Mariotti and Damen in July, marking the brand’s first entry into the expedition cruise market.

The ships will represent a brand-new design, with the first slated for delivery in June 2021 and the second in May 2022. The first ship is currently planned to sail in the Arctic in late summer 2021, with a full summer season in Antarctica to follow.

Each will be designed with a high level of autonomy and a global deployment capability, which Seabourn says will allow them to go farther north and south than any ship in parent company Carnival Corporation’s history, visiting both warm and cool weather destinations. As previously reported, each will be built to PC6 Polar Class standards, allowing them to operate in both summer and autumn in medium first-year ice in Antarctica and the Arctic. The ships will be propelled by Azipods complemented by three bow thrusters, allowing for greater manoeuvrability.




Other newly released design details include shell doors at the ship’s waterline, which will allow guests to move easily on and off the ship via its onboard complement of Zodiacs. Additionally, dynamic positioning systems will provide the ship increased operational flexibility when it comes to maintaining its position.

For guests, the new ships will have approximately 29,600 square feet of open deck space, complemented by high-quality optics mounted in various areas on the decks when conditions permit, to maximize opportunities to view wildlife and dramatic scenery. Also notable: the ships will carry two onboard submarines for underwater exploration, as well as a complement of kayaks and 24 Zodiacs. Shore experiences will build on the brand’s existing Antarctica and Ventures by Seabourn programs, the cruise line said.

In terms of accommodations, each ship will have 132 oceanfront veranda suites, allowing for a capacity of up to 264 guests.

The onboard crew will include a 26-person expedition team, who will regularly interact with guests. These experts are also part of the Seabourn Conversations program, providing insights into the history, ecology and culture of the places the ships will visit. The expedition team will be available to guests in both formal presentations and casual conversations.

Seabourn said it will continue to announce design and itinerary details for the new ships over the next few months. Expect more on planned itineraries and booking availability this spring.

Captain Serena Melani To Helm Seven Seas Splendor

On International Women's Day, An Historic Cruise Industry Achievement: Captain Serena Melani Will Be First Woman Captain To Launch A Brand-New Cruise Ship

Captain Melani Will Lead Seven Seas SplendorTM When Ship Launches in February 2020

Cruise industry CLIA award winners #TheCLIAs

The big achievers of the Australasian cruising world have been named at this year’s annual Cruise Industry Awards, the biggest night of the year for the Australian and New Zealand cruise community.

Held by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia, the gala dinner and awards night attracted more than 500 guests to Sydney’s Star Event Centre on Saturday and helped mark another successful year in the thriving cruise sector. A total of 20 honours were presented in an evening hosted by actor and singer Tim Campbell, including awards for travel agencies and individuals from across both countries.

CLIA reveals Cruise Industry Awards finalists

Overall winners to be named at industry night of nights in Sydney next month.

Cruise Lines International Association has just released details of the 71 finalists in the 18th annual Cruise Industry Awards.

This year the awards are being conducted under a revamped judging process, with more than 500 submissions considered in the 12 categories open for nomination.

CLIA Australasia Managing Director, Joel Katz, said the standard of entries this year had been particularly high, adding: "the one thing that has become clear from submissions this year is that travel agents are more engaged and dedicated than ever before".

Celebrity Edge Mediterranean Transatlantic & the Southern Caribbean Journey

In November 2019, surround yourself with the picturesque coastlines of Italy, France and Spain, followed by the unforgettable colour and landscapes that make up the Southern Caribbean on Ecruising’s 27-night Mediterranean Transatlantic & the Southern Caribbean Journey.

This unique itinerary invites you on board the recently launched Celebrity Edge, a revolutionary new ship that is poised to change the way you experience cruising. Across 23- nights indulge in world-class restaurants, a state-of-the-art wellness centre and visit the world’s first cantilevered floating platform – reaching heights of 13 stories above sea level, so you can soar over the open ocean, literally.

Arriving in Rome on 30 October, you’ll spend your first two nights at the sensational five star Rome Times Hotel, with a chance to explore the cobblestone streets, beautiful boutiques, cafes and restaurants of the Eternal City.

On 1 November, prepare to embark on the next stage of your journey for a 23-night cruise of a lifetime on board Celebrity Edge. Cruise highlights include stopovers at the Italian seaport of Livorno, the gateway to Florence, Pisa and Tuscany’s vast wine country; Provence in the celebrated French Riviera; the chic island enclave of Palma de Mallorca off the coast of Spain; and Tenerife in the Canary Islands before crossing the Atlantic.

On 15 November, you’ll arrive in the Caribbean where you will spend the next 10 days cruising the pristine waters including stops at Fort Lauderdale in Florida, upscale George Town in the Cayman Islands, Willemstad in Curacao (home of the eponymous liqueur), Kralendijk in Bonaire and Oranjestad in Aruba, before disembarking in Fort Lauderdale on 24 November.

Celebrity Edge pool deck at night

While on board, take time to relax in your luxurious Stateroom where you can enjoy all the comforts of a first class hotel and more, including your very own Infinite Veranda. Other features include a rooftop garden, resort-style pool deck with private cabana retreats, an adults-only indoor Solarium pool and two-story martini hot tubs, not to mention an array of speciality restaurants and the popular Martini Bar.

Spend the final two nights at the five star Westin Fort Lauderdale, the perfect base to explore one of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations. Take time to visit its myriad attractions including the Flamingo Gardens and Wildlife Sanctuary Park, or hop on an airboat on the Intracoastal Waterway and Port Everglades, before flying home to Australia on 26 November.

Ecruising’s 27-night Mediterranean Transatlantic & the Southern Caribbean Journey departs on 29 October. Priced from $7,259 per person twin share, including return economy airfares from Australia, all accommodation, tours and transfers and all main meals on board Celebrity Edge.

*Subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information about this itinerary or Ecruising please visit: www.ecruising.travel or telephone 1300 369 848.

MSC Grandiosa floats out in Saint-Nazaire

MSC Cruises' third Meraviglia generation ship to set sail in November 2019

MSC Cruises, the Swiss-based world's largest privately-owned cruise line and market leader in Europe, South America, South Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and Chantiers de l'Atlantique have celebrated the float out of MSC Grandiosa at the shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, where the ship is being built. She has now been moved to a wet dock, where work on the ship will continue until her delivery in October 2019.