This week in cruise travel news saw a slate of announcements regarding new and newly renovated ships. Here's the latest.
Silversea Cruises announced that the line's new flagship, the Silver Muse, will be delivered in the spring of 2017.
The new ship is being built by Fincantieri and accommodates 596 guests. The addition of the Silver Muse will expand Silversea's fleet to nine ships.
Enzo Visone, Silversea's CEO, said, "With enhanced design specifications and enriched content, the Silver Muse will continue to build on the sophistication, innovative style and ground-breaking concepts for which Silversea ships are renowned. This ship contributes to our ambitious growth plans that will ensure our continued leadership in ultra-luxury cruising."
Additional details and specifications on the new ship will be announced in the near future.
At the same time, Hurtigruten announced that it would be purchasing a new expedition ship, temporarily named MS Norway Explorer.
The vessel was constructed in Portugal in 2009 at the Viana do Castelo shipyard, and is currently traveling to Scandinavia. There, the ship will undergo a massive reconstruction including adapting for polar waters, upgrading the cabins, suites and public spaces for 320 guests, and adjusting the power plants and emissions in order to meet Hurtigruten’s standards.
MS Norway Explorer will then join the fleet along the Norwegian Coastal Voyage route, replacing the MS Midnatsol, which will instead sail with the MS Fram in Antarctica during the 2016-2017 season.
In renovation news, Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas will be undergoing a drydock to add several new amenities following a decision to keep the ship with Royal Caribbean, instead of transferring it to Pullmantur as had been announced last year.
The ship will homeport in Port Canaveral starting in summer 2016. Before that, it will go into drydock to receive several new upgrades and onboard amenities.
Following the drydock Internet at sea product Voom will be available free and unlimited exclusively for guests on Majesty of the Seas. Additionally, the ship will have new watersides, family-friendly Jacuzzis, a poolside movie screen, and entertainment including the Dreamworks Experience, featuring activities with Shrek, Fiona and other favorite characters from the animation studio’s popular movies. An enhanced casino will offer a variety of slot machines and table games, and suite guests will enjoy exclusive amenities and services as part of a newly enhanced suite program. Some of the new culinary options include Izumi Japanese cuisine, the Mexican Sabor Taqueria, and the Chef’s Table, an exclusive experience hosted by the Executive Chef and Sommelier for an intimate wine pairing dinner.
Majesty of the Seas will sail three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas with visits to the cruise line’s private island destination, CocoCay.
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