It’s all been about opera this week. No sooner was MSC Opera under tow after being hit by electrical failure than P&O Cruises announced that Russell “The Voice” Watson would be performing on a three-night mini cruise aboard adults-only ship Arcadia in December.
The December 3 departure from Southampton went on sale today with fares starting at £299. One travel agent friend of mine was reporting by mid-morning that all inside and outside cabins had sold out.
He’s hoping for a similar result when another £299 3-night Arcadia break goes on sale tomorrow. This one, leaving on December 12, will feature two shows by Derren Brown, who was a huge hit when he performed on Aurora in September 2009.
There are two more short-break cruises in December on offer; a two-nighter on Arcadia leaving December 15 with fares from £199, and a five-night voyage on Oriana leaving Southampton on December 12 with fares starting at £399.
Zeebrugge is one destination for all four cruises. Other ports of call (take your pick) include Hamburg and Le Havre.
If you’re organised and will have your Christmas cards written and posted, they provide a perfect opportunity to buy some last minute presents from Christmas markets, and there’s bound to be a festive party spirit on board.
Back to opera again, Fred Olsen chose today to announce the return of the Operababes – Rebecca Knight and Karen England. The duo will be performing on board Braemar during a cruise which leaves Dover on October 28 and visiting Motril and Cartagena in Spain, the island of Ibiza, and Portuguese capital Lisbon. Fares start at £948.
Operababes, who have sung at an FA Cup Final and in front of the Queen at a Festival of Remembrance, last performed on a Fred Olsen ship in October 2010.
Definitely not opera, veteran rock group KISS today announced they would be appearing on a four-night cruise on Carnival Destiny, sailing from Miami to the Bahamas in October.
They will be playing one show in the ship’s main theatre and another acoustic set – without their trademark make-up – out on deck. Fan club members get first chance to book, and the cruise will go on sale to the public on June 7.
Meanwhile, Opera – the ship – has been taken to the Swedish port of Oskarshamn for repairs. Passengers were disembarked in Nynäshamn yesterday and flown home to the UK, Netherlands and Germany.
Technicians who had been airlifted to the ship succeeded in getting one propellor functioning, but the cause of the electrical failure is still being investigated. The ship is expected to be back in service for an eight-night cruise from Southampton to Norway on May 27.
About the Author: John Honeywell
John Honeywell is a travel writer specialising in cruise ships and cruise travel. Winner of CLIA UK's Contribution to Cruise award 2017.
I was aboard MSC Opera when we had the technical fault in the Balkans. To date I have not heard a word from MSC, although they have deducted from my bank account expenses on board, have not had a statement of account, although I requested one on their web account last week. Not inpressed with their customer services.
I was aboard MSC Opera when we had the technical fault in the Balkans. To date I have not heard a word from MSC, although they have deducted from my bank account expenses on board, have not had a statement of account, although I requested one on their web account last week. Not inpressed with their customer services.