Cruise Currents Cruise News & Reviews

A big step against public smoking has been taken by a small-ship cruise line. Crystal Cruises announced yesterday that beginning in 2014, smoking will be banned from all bars, restaurants, staterooms, and all other public areas. The only exceptions – the Connoisseur Club and a few areas on exterior decks.  Here is the word from Crystal via their Twitter account: Starting w/ 2014’s ...

Yesterday, Viking River Cruises set a world record with the christening of 10 new Viking Longships. The first-of-its-kind simultaneous christening ceremony in Amsterdam debuted the ships – Viking Aegir, Viking Atla, Viking Bragi, Viking Embla, Viking Forseti, Viking Jarl, Viking Rinda, Viking Skadi, Viking Tor and Viking Var – and was certified by a Guinness World Records adjudicator as ‘The Most Ships Inaugurated in ...

As you may have seen earlier this week, Cunard recently updated their dress code to make their atmosphere a bit more relaxed. This update will now allow only for 3 formal nights a cruise instead of having a “formal night” every night. According to Cunard, the new dress code will allow for ”two or three formal nights each week, there will ...

It is being reported that P&O’s Ventura has lost power to its starboard propeller and is currently sailing at a reduced speed. The Ventura is currently sailing a transatlantic cruise which is expected to arrive in Southampton, it’s debarkation port, later this week. In order to arrive in Southampton on time, the Ventura will be forced to skip its call in Maderia ...

This morning in Saint-Nazaire, France, MSC Preziosa was officially delivered to MSC Cruises at the STX France shipyard. During the traditional flag ceremony, the shipyard’s pennant and the French flag were lowered, accompanied by the French national anthem, before Laurent Castaing, General Manager of STX France, formally handed the ship over to MSC Cruises’ owner Gianluigi Aponte. Mr Aponte then gave command of the ship to Captain Giuliano ...

Earlier last night, the Hurtigruten ship Kong Harald, ran aground after hitting a rock in a fjord located in northern Norway. The Kong Harold was sailing into Trollfjord, when the ship hit a large rock. This collision damaged a ballast tank onboard, which evidently flooded a small area of the ship. Even as the ship took on water, she remained upright and never posed ...

MSC Cruises is delighted to announce that MSC Lirica will return to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the 2013/2014 winter season, taking cruisers on an unparalleled journey of discovery through the region’s rich traditions, vibrant modernity and dramatic landscapes. On 5 November 2013, MSC Lirica will set off on a 19-day/18-nightgrand voyage from Genoa, Italy, arriving in Dubai, UAE, on 22 November 2013 after calls in Civitavecchia, Italy, La Valletta, ...

Shopping lovers take note: MSC Cruises’ latest flagship MSC Preziosa is getting ready for her grand debut in Genoa, Italy, on 23 March 2013, and looks set to take the MSC fleet’s impressive onboard shopping experience to glittering new heights as soon as she sets sail. As well as all the regular Fantasia class favorites, including the duty free Mini Mall, designer watch and sunglasses shop l’Angolo ...

Today, Oceania Cruises announced the successful completion of an extensive new menu rollout featuring 85 new dishes for its Grand Dining Room on the line’s newest ship, Riviera. The remainder of the Oceania Cruises fleet will incorporate the new menus over the next three months. “Since the founding of Oceania Cruises 10 years ago, we have held a reputation for serving cuisine that is the ...

Windstar Cruises has announced that they will be making a huge announcement tomorrow. In a post on Facebook, Windstar claims that this announcement will “make a lot of their long-time guests very happy.” So what do you think Windstar will be announcing tomorrow? Don’t feel shy to share your thoughts in the comment section below! Stay tuned to Windstar’s Facebook & ...