MSC Closes Island for Six Weeks
MSC Cruises’ private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, will be temporarily closed from April 7 to May 22, 2024, for improvements.
The closure affects many scheduled cruises on ships like MSC Seashore, MSC Seascape, MSC Divina, and MSC Meraviglia, leading to itinerary adjustments, including exciting alternative ports like Nassau or Freeport.
While specifics on the “guest experience enhancements” remain unknown, it will be five years since the island opened.
Guests can opt for a refund if they don’t like the new itineraries.
MSC private island first opened in 2019.
Royal Caribbean Details Crew Areas
When Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas debuts next January, it will not only have neighborhoods for guests but also one for the crew.
The line revealed a dedicated ‘crew neighborhood’ designed with the help of crew members’ feedback.
It’ll feature better crew accommodations, an indoor and outdoor pub, a gym, a barbershop, and a new type of room known as the L-shaped stateroom, offering more privacy and space.
The crew will also have access to a clubhouse with a coffee shop and lounge area, a gaming room, and a store.
The dining area will feature live cooking stations and ocean views.
It’ll also feature a multi-function room that will serve as a space for professional development and leisure activities.
Royal will take delivery of the ship in October, and it will debut next January in South Florida.
New Ship for World Cruise
Despite disagreements over the seaworthiness of its last ship, Life at Sea Cruises has found another ship to take its place.
Life at Sea Cruises is upgrading its three-year world voyage experience with a bigger and newer ship, the 1,250-guest Lara.
The Lara, which previously served Carnival Corporation’s German brand, AIDA Cruises, known as AIDAvita, has been revamped to offer enhanced living spaces and amenities like a business center, cigar and wine bar, and even a 24-hour hospital with free medical visits.
During the voyage, the Lara will cover an impressive 130,000 miles, touching 382 ports across all seven continents and 148 countries.
It will all start in Istanbul on November 1, 2023.