This Week in Cruise: 2015 Sailings Heat Up

costa mediterraneaCruise lines in Europe and the U.S. began kicking off their 2015 seasons this week. Here's a look at the latest. 

Costa Mediterranea started the 2015 season for Costa Cruises in Trieste, Italy, when it arrived at Trieste after a transatlantic crossing that departed March 20 from Miami, FL. The ship then left April 11 to begin its season of cruises in the Adriatic Sea. In total, during its first call, Costa Mediterranea brought to Trieste more than 3,600 guests (1,400 disembarking and 2,200 embarking) coming from different countries, including Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria and Japan

Through November 21, Costa Mediterranea will depart from Trieste every Saturday, with a total of 33 calls. The ship will sail two different seven-day itineraries, visiting destinations in Croatia, Montenegro and Greece, and, beginning May 9, calling at Venice, Italy.

CroisiEurope is starting off its season with the christening of three new ships in April. 

The line recently added the MS Camarague and the MS Loire Princess, and will soon be inaugurating the MS Gil Eanes on April 17. 

The MS Camarague will cruise from April to November on six- to eight-day trips departing from Lyon and travelling through Macon, Vienne, Arles, Avignon, Viviers and Tournon. The MS Loire Princesse will offer six- to eight-day trips through Nantes, Saint-Nazaire, Ancenis, Angers, the Châteaux of the Loire Valley, Saumur, Bouchemaine, and Ancenis. After its inauguration, the MS Gil Eanes will sail eight-day cruises leaving from Porto to Regua, Vega de Teron, Ferradosa and Pinhao.

On April 2, Canadian singer and broadcaster Jann Arden christened the tenth Suite Ship from Avalon Waterways, the Avalon Tranquility II, in a ceremony in Strasbourg, France.

Now that she has been officially christened, the 110-meter, 128-passenger Tranquility II will commence sailing itineraries through Holland, France, Germany and Switzerland.

Finally, American Cruise Lines is gearing up for the launch of its newest riverboat, the American Eagle, on April 25. The First Lady of New Orleans, Cheryl Landrieu, will christen the vessel.

The paddlewheeler will operate primarily on the Lower Mississippi River between New Orleans and Memphis, and has 84 staterooms (78 of which have large private balconies with sliding glass doors) that can accommodate up to 150 guests.

Other features include elevator service to all decks, six lounges, all-day room service and refreshments and a rear sundeck with panoramic views.

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