Cruise lines are moving through the gears as vacations get going again in the wake of the pandemic lay-off. Here’s some of the news that has been cheering us up this week.
Royal Caribbean has to push back Hong Kong return for 3 months
Royal Caribbean has been forced to push back the start of Hong Kong cruises for three months because of strict vaccination and quarantine protocols. New ship Spectrum of the Seas, left, will now have to wait until 5 October to set sail.
Meanwhile, Jewel of the Seas’ first sailing out of Cyprus has marked the line’s return to cruising in Europe. Jewel is one of two Royal Caribbean ships to return to cruising in Europe this week with Anthem of the Seas sailing from the Southampton on Thursday (8 July). www.royalcaribbean.com
MSC kicks off cruising in Europe with MSC Seaview
MSC Cruises has commenced its Northern Europe summer season with MSC Seaview’s departure from the German port of Kiel for the first of her 7-night cruises in the Baltic Sea.
Seaview, the seventh MSC Cruises’ ship to resume sailings with guests on board, will homeport in Kiel until the beginning of October. www.msccruises.com
Costa Firenze departs Savona for domestic maiden voyage
Costa Cruises’ newest vessel Costa Firenze began its first one-week sailing in Italy from the Port of Savona. www.costacruises.co.uk
Crystal returns with first Bahamas cruise
Crystal Cruises is up and running again with Crystal Serenity sailing from Nassau on the first in a series of all-Bahamas itineraries stretching through to November. www.crystalcruises.com
Seabourn restarts with Greece sailings
Seabourn Ovation has spearheaded Seabourn’s return with cruises out of Piraeus. www.seabourn.com
Marella back to international cruising from 3 September
Marella Cruises has announced plans to return to international cruising from from 3 September, with the adult-only Marella Explorer 2 sailing from Malaga to Spanish ports and Marella Discovery from Corfu to Greek ports. www.tui.co.uk/cruises