News: Celebrity Cruises to Host Demi Lovato Concert and More

Summer is coming to a close, and about half of the people we know are excited for cold weather, snow, dark mornings and Christmas! Before all that, did you catch the Olympics at Rio de Janeiro this year? Incredible performance from everyone involved and some unbelievable records set! Did you know the entire US Olympic basketball team (both men and women) decided they’d much rather stay on Silversea’s Silver Cloud? Or that Olympic rower and Avalon godmother, Katherine Grainger was offered a free Avalon river cruise after her silver medal win? Here’s what else has been happening in the world of cruise…

COSTA MAKE MOVES FROM MUMBAI TO MALDIVES

Costa Cruises has announced that, as early as December 2016, 1,300 passenger Costa neoClassica will make the journey from Mumbai to Male (Maldives’ capital). On the outward journey, the ship looks to call at New Mangalore and Cochin, and the ship’s return will call at Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Mormugoa (Goa).

The ship is scheduled to make the trip from 16th December 2016 until March 2017. This move is yet another to follow the rising interest of cruising across Asia, and Buhdy Bok, president of Costa Group Asia said “For many travellers, the holiday often starts after some sort of a long journey. Now like never before, Indians will have the opportunity to start holidaying — right from their door-step — from India’s largest metropolis, Mumbai.”

SILVERSEA’S SILVER-REFURB

Silversea Cruises has revealed plans for the biggest fleet-wide refurbishment in its history, investing £130 billion to modernise 3 ships in 2016, and potentially more in the future. Silver Whisper, Silver Wind, and Silver Discoverer are all up first, with Wind and Discoverer taking the first steps in the dry-dock spell in October 2016.

The new refurbishments seem to reflect a more authentic and personal yacht feel, with descriptions of new teak decking, dark emperor marble floors, new furniture, carpets, and technological advancements (including new satellite antennas for increasing internet speed, interactive televisions and new AV technology).

PRINCESS CHINA DETAILS

Princess Cruises has released more information regarding Majestic Princess, developed for the Chinese market, and set for launch on 4th April 2017. Setting sail from Rome, and following several weeks of Mediterranean cruising, the ship will relocate to Shanghai sailing predominantly to Japan and Korea.

3,560 passengers Majestic Princess is similar to the Regal Princess and Royal Princess in design, featuring the popular SeaWalk, a protruding glass walkway out over the ocean, and the Piazza Atrium. Unique features a haute cuisine Cantonese restaurant, “Le Bistrot” a French restaurant in the atrium and an Asian “East Meets West” street food buffet counter, as well as the brand-new custom-designed Princess Luxury bed in each of the cabins, and designer stores in the Shops of Princess including Bvlgari, Gucci, Cartier, and Burberry.

DEMI LOVATO WITH CELEBRITY CRUISES

“We always want to offer our guests unforgettable experiences so we’re ecstatic to provide families with the chance to see Demi Lovato perform in concert this holiday season,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, CEO of Celebrity Cruises. “We’re also offering a special meet-and-greet with Demi, a truly unique and unforgettable experience that only Celebrity can provide.”

That’s right, Celebrity Cruises are hosting and sponsoring a concert with pop-singer Demi Lovato in St. Maarten on 28th December 2016. Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and those travelling on the Celebrity Equinox (on 19th December), Celebrity Eclipse (on 21st December), or Celebrity Summit and Reflection (on the 24th December) will all have the chance to grab a ticket, as all ships dock on the same day. Don’t miss out!

OTHER NEWS

Celebrity Cruises recently revealed they’ll be offering year-round Caribbean cruises on the Celebrity Equinox, from April 2017. Departing from Miami, the 2,850 passenger ship (which normally heads for the Mediterranean in the summer) will make its way to New Orleans famous Jazz and Heritage Festival (starting 24th April), before heading off on an Eastern Caribbean adventure. 7-night itineraries will be available between June and August, and 10/11-night itineraries will be available the rest of the year.

Disney Cruise Lines’ Disney Wonder will host “Frozen: A Musical Spectacular” on cruises from 10th November 2016, following a brief refurbishment. Other attractions coming to Disney Wonder in the fall include a Marvel Super Hero Academy, It’s a Small World Nursery, Tiana’s Place restaurant, and the Twist n Spout water slide. The ship goes into dry dock in Cadiz on the 9th September and will emerge on the 23rd October.

Crystal Cruises has changed its plans for 2 vessels originally slated to sail on the Seine, Rhone and Dordogne rivers in France. This ships will now undergo redesign, enlarging them to feature larger suites and an on-board pool, ready for the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers. When asked to explain the changes Crystal Cruises press responded that they had decided “to prioritize their offerings in the German/Austrian region in order to meet traveller’s demand.”

Scenic Cruises has also changed plans for 2 vessels sailing in France. Scenic Diamond and Scenic Sapphire are both to be reduced in size, from 167 passengers to 155, adding two 510 square-foot Royal Owners Suites, alongside a pool, and larger wellness centre. The changes will take place in 2017, and the Diamond will return to Bordeaux, and the Sapphire to the Rhone.