Here is a recap of the top 10 cruise news stories featured on Cruise Capital from the month of December.
1. CELEBRITY CRUISES ORDERS TWO NEW SHIPS (4th Dec)
Celebrity Cruises announced that it plans to build two new 117,000GT ships, with the first vessel launching towards the end of 2018 and the second in early 2020. Project EDGE as it has been dubbed, will incorporate much loved features found aboard its Millennium and Solstice class ships.
2. MSC CRUISES NEW PARTNERSHIP TAKES OFF (12th Dec)
The first charter flight under a partnership between Air France KLM and MSC Cruises took off from Paris, carrying 432 MSC guests to the Dominican Republic for a week-long Caribbean cruise. As is traditional when an airline inaugurates a new flight, the Air France Boeing 747–400 received a ceremonial water salute before take-off, passing under plumes of water expelled by airport fire fighting vehicles.
3. HAS DORMANT GEMINI SHIP FOUND A NEW HOME? (14th Dec)
The cruise ship, Gemini, a sister ship to Fred Olsen Cruise Line's Braemar, will finally re-enter passenger service after being berthed at London's Tilbury port since 2011, awaiting a buyer. Sterling Cruise Lines plan on operating the Gemini on 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises from Aruba in the Caribbean, year round.
4. REGENT SEVEN SEAS UNVEILS NEW SHIP SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER (4th Dec)
Regent Seven Seas unveiled the first visuals of their new ship, due to launch in summer 2016. Seven Seas Explorer will carry 750-guests in all-suite, all-balcony staterooms. She will sail on cruises around the Mediterranean when she launches in summer 2016, however specific itineraries are still to be announced.
5. FIRE ONBOARD COSTA CLASSICA (24th Dec)
A fire broke out onboard Costa Cruises' recently refurbished Costa neoClassica. The fire started in the funnel of the ship as the vessel was sailing in the Red Sea on December 23rd. The ship was on a 25-day Indian Ocean voyage and all passengers and crew were unharmed.
6. 3 DEAD AFTER FIRE ONBOARD OCEANIA'S INSIGNIA (11th Dec)
Three crew members tragically died, after an engine room fire started on board the luxury Insignia, operated by Oceania Cruises. The fire resulted in the current cruise being cancelled. It was later reported that the ship will remain out of service until at least 22nd March 2015.
7. VIRGIN CRUISES GETS THE GREEN LIGHT (4th Dec)
Virgin Cruises was officially announced and its head office will be based in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area. After securing vital financial funding by Bain Capital, the new cruise line will construct two brand new cruise ships, with an estimated launch date of 2019.
8. BODY OF MISSING HAL CREW MEMBER WASHES ASHORE (26th Dec)
The body of a missing Holland America Line crew member was found washed up ashore near Pinellas County, Florida. 27-year-old, Cliford B. Minej, from India, disappeared from the Ryndam, as the ship was sailing to Tampa, on 21st December. The body was discovered by a person walking along the beach, who alerted local authorities.
9. NORWEGIAN ESCAPE TO FEATURE MARGARITAVILLE RESTAURANT (5th Dec)
The famous Caribbean restaurant chain, started by American singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett, will be one of Norwegian Escape’s many complimentary dining venues. In addition to the restaurant, the ship will feature the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar, a music venue and outdoor bar on The Waterfront.
10. COOL FUN ONBOARD AIDAPRIMA (23rd Dec)
AIDAprima will offer seasonal activities, as part of their year-round vacation concept. A 200m ice rink, during the Winter season, complete with traditional Gluhwein (mulled wine) and culinary delights, will bring the famous traditional German Christmas Market experience onto the high seas for the first time.
FOR ALL CRUISE NEWS STORIES PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER, CLICK HERE.
1. CELEBRITY CRUISES ORDERS TWO NEW SHIPS (4th Dec)
Celebrity Cruises announced that it plans to build two new 117,000GT ships, with the first vessel launching towards the end of 2018 and the second in early 2020. Project EDGE as it has been dubbed, will incorporate much loved features found aboard its Millennium and Solstice class ships.
2. MSC CRUISES NEW PARTNERSHIP TAKES OFF (12th Dec)
The first charter flight under a partnership between Air France KLM and MSC Cruises took off from Paris, carrying 432 MSC guests to the Dominican Republic for a week-long Caribbean cruise. As is traditional when an airline inaugurates a new flight, the Air France Boeing 747–400 received a ceremonial water salute before take-off, passing under plumes of water expelled by airport fire fighting vehicles.
3. HAS DORMANT GEMINI SHIP FOUND A NEW HOME? (14th Dec)
The cruise ship, Gemini, a sister ship to Fred Olsen Cruise Line's Braemar, will finally re-enter passenger service after being berthed at London's Tilbury port since 2011, awaiting a buyer. Sterling Cruise Lines plan on operating the Gemini on 3-, 4- and 7-night cruises from Aruba in the Caribbean, year round.
4. REGENT SEVEN SEAS UNVEILS NEW SHIP SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER (4th Dec)
Regent Seven Seas unveiled the first visuals of their new ship, due to launch in summer 2016. Seven Seas Explorer will carry 750-guests in all-suite, all-balcony staterooms. She will sail on cruises around the Mediterranean when she launches in summer 2016, however specific itineraries are still to be announced.
5. FIRE ONBOARD COSTA CLASSICA (24th Dec)
A fire broke out onboard Costa Cruises' recently refurbished Costa neoClassica. The fire started in the funnel of the ship as the vessel was sailing in the Red Sea on December 23rd. The ship was on a 25-day Indian Ocean voyage and all passengers and crew were unharmed.
6. 3 DEAD AFTER FIRE ONBOARD OCEANIA'S INSIGNIA (11th Dec)
Three crew members tragically died, after an engine room fire started on board the luxury Insignia, operated by Oceania Cruises. The fire resulted in the current cruise being cancelled. It was later reported that the ship will remain out of service until at least 22nd March 2015.
7. VIRGIN CRUISES GETS THE GREEN LIGHT (4th Dec)
Virgin Cruises was officially announced and its head office will be based in the Miami and Fort Lauderdale area. After securing vital financial funding by Bain Capital, the new cruise line will construct two brand new cruise ships, with an estimated launch date of 2019.
8. BODY OF MISSING HAL CREW MEMBER WASHES ASHORE (26th Dec)
The body of a missing Holland America Line crew member was found washed up ashore near Pinellas County, Florida. 27-year-old, Cliford B. Minej, from India, disappeared from the Ryndam, as the ship was sailing to Tampa, on 21st December. The body was discovered by a person walking along the beach, who alerted local authorities.
9. NORWEGIAN ESCAPE TO FEATURE MARGARITAVILLE RESTAURANT (5th Dec)
The famous Caribbean restaurant chain, started by American singer and songwriter Jimmy Buffett, will be one of Norwegian Escape’s many complimentary dining venues. In addition to the restaurant, the ship will feature the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar, a music venue and outdoor bar on The Waterfront.
10. COOL FUN ONBOARD AIDAPRIMA (23rd Dec)
AIDAprima will offer seasonal activities, as part of their year-round vacation concept. A 200m ice rink, during the Winter season, complete with traditional Gluhwein (mulled wine) and culinary delights, will bring the famous traditional German Christmas Market experience onto the high seas for the first time.
FOR ALL CRUISE NEWS STORIES PUBLISHED IN DECEMBER, CLICK HERE.