Cruise Destinations

The on-going - and unnecessary - row between Southampton and Liverpool has resulted in Britain's leading cruise port deciding to delay work to create a fifth terminal. There may be similar north-south tensions in Spain, but they haven't put a stop to progress. On the Costa del Sol, Malaga this month opens a new building which alongside a berth which can accommodate ships of up to 200 metres in length. Part of Quay Two's Palmeral de las Sorpresas (Palm Groove promenade) is a picturesque walkway that incorporates gardens and shaded areas, as well as a children's play area. The passenger [...]

New ports around the world, additional disembarkation points in the UK, voyages of a lifetime, and free drinks - they are all included in Fred Olsen's 2013-14 cruise programme, announced this week with the release of a new brochure. The company's four ships - Black Watch, Boudicca, Balmoral and Braemar - will be visiting a total of 240 ports in 77 countries. Twelve of them will be maiden calls: Haugesund and Bronnovsund in Norway; Vaasa in Sweden; Husavik in Iceland; Boulogne, France; Melilla, a Spanish enclave in Morocco; Townsville, Australia; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Nawiliwili, Hawaii; Osaka and Hiroshima, Japan; and [...]

When I visited the boutique expedition ship Silversea Explorer in Dartmouth a few weeks ago, there was speculation that the company was looking to purchase another vessel to bolster its fleet. Well they've only been and gone and done it. Silversea announced today they had bought Canodros, a company which operates voyages to the Galapagos Islands, and with it the upmarket ship Galapagos Explorer II. The vessel, which currently carries up to 100 passengers, will receive a major refit in September 2013 before being given a new name as it joins the Silversea fleet. Until then it will continue to [...]

The pilots' strike which has disrupted shipping in Norway has been settled and cruise lines are making hasty plans for their ships to resume their original itineraries. The dispute had closed Oslofjord since last weekend and spread to the rest of the country on Wednesday, initially forcing several ships to be diverted and later resulting in wholesale changes to itineraries. Announcing the settlement, the Norwegian Coastal Administration said: "The strike among the pilots in the Oslofjord, and the 103 pilot boat skippers in the country is over. The parties reached an agreement during the night of June 2. "NCA is [...]