MSC Divina is afloat and ready to be primped for her 2012 debut
By Jackie Roseboom MSC Divina, the third and latest addition to the MSC Cruises’ flagship Fantasia class, was ceremoniously floated out of dry dock on Sept. 3. She was transferred to a different dock at the STX Europe shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France for final fitting and furnishing ahead of her christening in May 2012. The …...
Norwegian Jade epitomizes “Freestyle Cruising’’ concept
By Michael Coleman EN ROUTE TO SPLIT, CROATIA, August 4, 2011 – The “Freestyle Cruising’’ concept is playing out brilliantly aboard Norwegian Jade here in the Mediterranean this summer. NCL pioneered the model over a decade ago — regimented onboard routines and set dining times would not be thrust on their passengers....
Follow us this week in the Mediterranean aboard Norwegian Jade
Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,402-passenger Norwegian Jade (formerly Pride of Hawaii) embarked on a 7-night roundtrip Mediterranean journey from Venice, Italy, this past weekend. One of 11 ships in the NCL fleet, this European-based vessel will be unveiling a series of 9-day cruises from Barcelona to the Canary Islands beginning in...
Follow us in the Mediterranean aboard Voyager of the Seas
By Michael Coleman Royal Caribbean’s 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas is in the midst of a 7-night roundtrip Mediterranean journey from Venice, Italy, this week. Just over a decade ago it was the largest cruise ship in the world. Today, five other ships within the Royal Caribbean fleet alone are larger, but Voyager at 137,276...
On Board: Follow us on the MSC Fantasia
Cruise News Weekly Editor Michael Coleman is in the Mediterranean this week aboard MSC Fantasia and will be reporting on, among other things, the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive, private onboard enclave. Fantasia will be calling on ports in Italy, Africa and Spain as the week progresses....
Cruise Guide: Seabourn Odyssey debuts in Venice
By Michael Coleman The first luxury cruise ship to be unveiled in six years has been launched and is now sailing in the Mediterranean. The 450-guest, 32,000 ton Seabourn Odyssey features 225 luxury suites (90 percent with verandas), Charlie Palmer cuisine and when a series of voyages ends this year she’ll set off on the …...
On Board: Newly-refurbished Silver Wind sails the Mediterranean
Cruise News Weekly Editor Michael Coleman is in the Mediterranean this week aboard the newly-refurbished Silver Wind. One of the world’s most luxurious ships, the 298-guest vessel was in Venice, Italy a few days ago. She will be calling on ports in Croatia (Zadar and Dubrovnik), Malta (Valletta and Gozo) and Spain (Palma de Mallorca...
Onboard: Solstice wowing passengers in the Med
By Michael Coleman ATHENS, Greece — Passengers were greeted by many firsts this week as they boarded the 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice. The vessel sports a half-acre-sized lawn complete with real grass on the top deck. Between games of bocce ball and croquet, even putting competitions, couples have also been enjoying picnics —...
Follow us this week on the Celebrity Solstice in the Mediterranean
The 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice has just begun its inaugural summer season in the Mediterranean. Italy, the Greek Isles and Turkey await passengers and Cruise News Weekly Editor Michael Coleman will be onboard – this week – profiling the ship’s European debut. We’ll update her progress on this space as the week...
Cruise Guide: Silversea unveils music-themed voyages
By Michael Coleman Ultra-luxurious Silversea Cruises has just unveiled a series of music-themed sailings for the remainder of 2009. From fans of jazz and the Beatles to opera enthusiasts, the line will cater to music lovers on seven voyages that will also explore the Mediterranean and British Isles....