With just three weeks this Sunday until Saga Cruises returns to the ocean on Spirit of Discovery, the ship is a hive of activity as it prepares to relaunch. Spirit of Discovery was initially launched on July 10, 2019 so had only recently taken to the waves when Covid-19 locked down the country. Her first sailing as restrictions lift will see her depart Tilbury on Sunday June 27 on a six-night Scottish Highlands and Islands cruise. It will then go on to complete two, six-night itineraries from the Northern Isles to the Fjords* on July 3 and 25 respectively, and in between will take in a Great B ..read more

MSC Cruises has announced it will restart its sailing operations in Spain with the deployment of MSC Grandiosa to Barcelona from 26 June for a Saturday embarkation. Valencia will then be added as an additional port of call as of 30 July. This follows recent announcements by the line that its ships are restarting operations in Germany, France and the Baltics in addition to its current and other Summer 2021 confirmed itineraries in the West and East Mediterranean as well as UK. Barcelona is also a major international travel hub with a leading airport that international guests can now fly to and ..read more

The future of cruising is here as sales have opened for MSC Cruises’ most innovative and environmentally advanced vessel to date, MSC World Europa.   The first in a trailblazing new class of ships – the MSC World Class, this next-generation ship introduces to the market a completely new platform that boasts future-proof marine and on board hospitality technologies as well as ground-breaking and ultramodern design all-around.    Image: MSC Cruises MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago commented, “Quite unlike anything else at sea today, MSC World ..read more

Iona: Picture by Christopher Ison/P&O Cruises Britain’s largest and most environmentally-friendly cruise ship, P&O Cruises Iona, arrived into her home port of Southampton this morning ahead of tonight’s official naming ceremony.  Iona is powered by liquefied natural gas, ground-breaking for the UK cruise industry and one of the cleanest fuels in the world.  Iona: Picture by Christopher Ison/P&O Cruises The ship will be named this evening in a glittering quayside ceremony at 9pm, hosted by Jo Whiley and broadcast to a “virtual” audience, the highlight of which will be Iona ..read more

MSC Virtuosa, MSC Cruises’ latest flagship, has arrived in Southampton, ready to welcome guests as cruising restarts in the UK. The newest and most innovative ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet, MSC Virtuosa will embark on her maiden voyage around the British Isles on 20th May. With all of MSC Cruises’ trademark glamour and European style, MSC Virtuosa is set to bring guests an unbeatable summer holiday, with everything in one place.  MSC Virtuosa arriving in Southampton. Image: MSC Cruises Antonio Paradiso, UK Managing Director said “The arrival of our flagship MSC Virtu ..read more

Disney Magic called at Southampton on Sunday as the cruise ship prepares for “Disney Magic at Sea” UK staycation sailings this summer, for UK residents. Southampton is one of the four home ports, alongside Liverpool, Newcastle and London Tilbury, where “Disney Magic at Sea” limited time sailings will provide guests the opportunity to experience the magic of Disney Cruise Line close to home. The Disney Magic cruise ship will sail mostly 2- and 3-night voyages, as well as limited 4-night sailings round-trip from Liverpool, Southampton, Newcastle and London Tilbury beginning 1 ..read more

P&O Cruises new ship Iona will be officially named in a contemporary ceremony featuring a special one-off performance from Gary Barlow broadcast to a virtual audience.  Dame Irene Hays, DBE, DL, owner and chair of Hays Travel Group, will be godmother to the ship, Britain’s largest and most environmentally-friendly, in the landmark ceremony in Southampton on May 16, 2021.  Gary Barlow will perform a short set as part of the event, which will be broadcast to a VIP audience, in his role as music director. His invo ..read more

All eyes are on MSC Virtuosa, MSC Cruises’ brand-new  flagship, coming to the British Isles this summer. A destination in itself, the ship offers everything a family could want to create the ultimate holiday, with an award-winning* offering for kids of all ages. And parents can rest easy that their little ones is in good hands under the protection of MSC Cruises’ industry-leading health and safety protocol, with a set of specific measures in place for the kids clubs. As a family-owned company, MSC Cruises has always put the needs of families at the heart of the cruise experience and ..read more

Disney Cruise Line’s recently announced “Disney Magic at Sea” staycation sailings will go on sale to U.K. residents from 30 April 2021 at 9.00am. Booking for Castaway Club members – guests who have previously sailed with Disney Cruise Line – is 28 – 29 April 2021. Featuring enchanted entertainment and with multiple layers of health and safety measures, the Disney Magic cruise ship will sail mostly 2- and 3-night voyages, as well as limited 4-night sailings round-trip from Liverpool, Southampton, Newcastle and London Tilbury. The brand-new, limited time sailings provide gues ..read more

Cunard Captain, Christopher Wells, is retiring after a stellar 20 year career with Cunard, part of 30 years spent working across Carnival Corporation cruise lines. In recognition of his outstanding service he has been awarded the rank of Commodore.  Commodore Wells has spent the last 13 years leading the team on board Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, having originally been a key part of the commissioning of the ship which launched in 2004.  Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said: “Commodore Wells has been a wonderful ambassador for Cunard, proudly upholding the finest traditions and ..read more