Choosing Cruising Blog

On 26th February 2010 at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa, Oceania celebrated the filling of water for the building dock of their newest ship Marina and the first steel cut for her future sister ship Riviera.

Marina

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Cunard is bringing classical and contemporary jazz performances to various eastbound Transatlantic crossings aboard Queen Mary 2 from April - October 2010 including renowned trumpeter Eddie Henderson, who’s first trumpet lesson was given to him by the legendary Louis Armstrong.

In addition on the 29th April 2010 during the westbound crossing, acclaimed documentary filmmakers Dori Berinstein and Judd Ehrlich will join the cruise.  Cunard  was the sponsor of the 2009 World Documentary Feature competition and recognised as the 2009 Official Cruise Line of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Royal Caribbean and NCL are going head to head in Barcelona as both Liberty of the Seas and Norwegian Epic will be based there from summer 2011.

Liberty of the Seas

Norwegian Epic

As from summer 2011 NCL will be dropping Dover for Copenhagen as the departure port for summer Baltic cruises onboard Norwegian Sun.

Norwegian Sun

Here is a quick summary of celebrity line up aboard the maiden voyage of P&O Cruises’ new ship Azura:  Opera singer Russell Watson, Gary Wilmot, Mike Alexander and Claire Sweeney.

The innaugural cruise departs (more…)

Guests onboard Crystal Serenity will experience the Venice Redentore Festival in July this year which is a spectacle of brightly coloured boats, gondola races, costumes and traditional feasts culminating in a magnificent fireworks display.

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Grandeur of the Seas is to be based in Palma de Mallorca from Summer 2011. It is the first Royal Caribbean cruise ship to do so, with  7 & 14night  cruises going on sale from March 2010.

Grandeur of the Seas

See Grandeur cruises  here

Giulio Libutti, MSC Cruises’ UK and Ireland Managing Director comments, “Ex UK cruising is becoming ever more desirable and popular and we are delighted to be working with Southampton Port in 2011″.

Ex UK cruising makes for a hassle-free getaway; UK passengers can take as much luggage as they can carry and buy gifts while holidaying, without the worry of strict baggage allowances, often associated with flying. 

MSC Opera will call at Southampton for a total of 13 cruises with a choice of 8 and 10 night itineraries including Norwegian Fjords, Baltic Cities and Mediterranean cruises. Details of the cruises are yet to be announced.

MSC Cruises will be showing off their ship Magnifica in Southampton in February before it’s innaugural cruise with the aim to attract further customers following on from their buoyant 2009 UK market sales.

MSC Magnifica debuts in February 2010

See Magnifica cruises here

Celebrity Cruises will renovate its four Millennium class ships between April 2010 & 2012. As part of the renovations, staterooms will also be overhauled. This includes all new carpeting and bedding. Passengers will also find flat-screen TVs in their staterooms. Suites will also be improved with modern furniture and upholstery.