Cruise Destinations

Costa claims to be launching a new style of cruising with its neoCollection on board the refurbished neoRiviera and neoRomantica, offering leisurely itineraries to a selection of destinations off the beaten track. Not exactly new then, as it follows the lead set by Azamara Club Cruises and taken up by a number of lines with boutique ships, including the yet-to-launch Viking Ocean Cruises. But in this case, it is the first venture of its kind by a mainstream cruise company. neoRiviera, with 624 cabins, is currently sailing as Grand Mistral for Spanish sister company Iberocruceros; the ship will be refurbished [...]

Dublin welcomed its millionth cruise passenger this morning when Diane Taylor, from Newfoundland, arrived with her husband, Doug, on Carnival Legend - the 100th cruise ship to visit the city this year. They were welcomed at the foot of the gangway by the Lord Mayor, Oisin Quinn, and other dignitaries. After being presented with a bouquet of flowers, they were whisked off on a VIP tour of the Irish capital, with a surprise gift of €1,000 spending money. The millionth arrival marked the end of a record cruise season for Dublin. Passenger numbers have tripled in a decade and the [...]

Thomson Cruises has finally bowed to the inevitable and cancelled its remaining Red Sea cruises scheduled for this winter as a result of the worsening crisis in Egypt. Until last week the ports of Sharm el Sheik and Safaga, and the resort of Hurghada - visited on shore excursions - were considered safe and immune from the violence and demonstrations in Cairo and elsewhere. But in the present circumstances it would be impossible to operate excursions to the Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings, the main reason passengers travel on the Red Sea cruises. Thomson had already cut short [...]

As violence escalates in Egypt and holidaymakers in Red Sea resorts are warned to remain in their hotels, it can only be a matter of time before Thomson Cruises cancels its winter season in the region. While other operators such as MSC, Costa and Holland America Line have all announced that they have pulled their ships from the country, Thomson has only cut short its Red Sea season on Thomson Majesty. The ship is scheduled to be based in Sharm el Sheik from December 19 to February 27, and also has calls into Port Said and Alexandria booked during the [...]