The largest superliner to be exclusively
built for British holidaymakers, Arcadia was officially launched
by her Godmother, double Olympic Gold Medallist Dame Kelly Holmes
in Southampton in early April. Arcadia arrived in her home port
of Southampton for the very first time on April 6. Featuring
a three-tier theatre and multi-million dollar art collection,
the new, £200 million ($376 million) cruise ship set sail from
Southampton on her maiden voyage on April 14 taking her 1952
passengers to destinations such as Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Rome
(from Civitavecchia) and Gibraltar.
A child-free ship , the Arcadia features
a three-deck atrium; 14 bars including: British pub, cocktail
bar, piano bar, yacht-style bar, 2 deck bars; five restaurants,
including one serving Asian fusion cuisine, and a Gary Rhodes
signature restaurant. There are two swimming pools and five
Jacuzzis; a three-tiered theater, casino, library and Internet
center. The ship also features the Oasis Spa, including a thermal
suite and a hydrotherapy pool. The art gallery contains 3,000
pieces of modern art by contemporary British artists.
Arcadia will operate cruise holidays throughout
the summer departing from and returning to Southampton and calling
at destinations in the Adriatic, Atlantic Isles, Baltics, Mediterranean
and Norwegian Fjords. In winter she will be based in Barbados
for fly-cruises to the Caribbean, Central America and the US.
Arcadia’s Statistics
Launch: April 2005
Gross tonnage: 83,000 tons
Length overall: 285 meters
Beam: 32.3 meters
Draught (full): 8 meters
Service speed: 22 knots
Fuel Capacity: 2,300 metric
tons
Propulsion: Diesel-Electric
Stabilizers: 2
Cost: £200million
(est. $376 million based on$1.88 to the pound)
Crew: 880
Passengers: 1,952 regular
operating capacity
2,388 maximum operating capacity
Passenger decks: 11
Passenger cabins: 976
Inside cabins 218
Outside cabins 73
Balcony cabins 685
At 70,000 tons and built in 1991, the new
ship will carry 1,690 passengers in 845 cabins including 184
with private balcony. While similar in layout to Ocean Village’s
first ship—although passenger capacity will increase seven percent—she
will have three times as many balconied cabins. Like her sister
she will have unusually spacious accommodation, four restaurants,
two pools and a series of bars and entertainment venues providing
Ocean Village's unique blend of active and relaxed lifestyles.
Further enhancements are planned before the new ship enters
service in November 2006.
Alongside the first Ocean Village vessel,
the new ship will extend the brand's winter Caribbean and summer
Mediterranean fly-cruise program.
Ocean Village currently offers two alternating
one week fly-cruises, which can be combined to make a two week
cruise holiday, in the Mediterranean in the summer (based on
Palma Majorca), and in the Caribbean in the winter (based on
Barbados). Stay and cruise options feature a one week hotel
stay in Majorca or Barbados followed by a second week on board.
Each seven-night cruise calls at six destinations each week.
Saga Ruby, sister ship of Saga
Rose, sailed out of Southampton earlier this month on her
inaugural cruise to the Caribbean and America. Saga has invested
£17 million into the re-design of the Saga Ruby, previously
Cunard’s Caronia. This extensive refurbishment promises
to reflect a contemporary elegance, whilst in-keeping with Saga’s
traditional values.
As sister ships, Saga Rose and Saga Ruby
will share many qualities, such as an elegant silhouette, wide
open decks, a spacious interior and a deep hull ideal for long-distance
cruising. Inside, the public rooms and cabins will differ subtly,
as Saga Rose retains her refined and more traditional décor,
while Saga Ruby will have a more modern feel.
The creative thinking behind Saga Ruby’s
new contemporary feel comes from Alison Clixby of Clixby Associates.
Alison was appointed to ensure that Saga Ruby offers high levels
of comfort and quality, and something a little different to
all cruise goers aged 50 and over. Alison first worked with
Saga Shipping in 1997, when she was responsible for Saga Rose’s
refurbishment.
Saga Ruby is also underwent structural changes;
one of the most exciting renovations is the ship’s Lido, whose
teak deck area will be extended to allow for a better spread
of modern sun loungers. The ship’s original deep-sunk pool was
replaced with a stunning new mosaic-tiled pool with a waterfall
edge. Guests will also reap the benefits of a refreshing and
modern looking spa, as well as an indoor swimming pool, treatment
rooms, hair salon, sauna and steam room, and a new gym fitted
with state of the art equipment.
Saga Ruby’s more spacious and deluxe cabins
and suites are styled to reflect their own unique ambience.
Highlights include:
-- The Britannia Lounge: luxurious tones
of plum and raspberry, complemented by comfortable, contemporary
furniture
-- The Lido: Mediterranean style with spiced
oranges and terracotta coloring, teak wood fittings and a dark
chocolate stone floor
-- Cabins: fitted in blues, greens and golds,
the cabins will exude warmth and comfort
-- The Ballroom: sandy colors and paprika
hues will create an African-style for lively West End-style
shows and dancing
For further information about the Saga Ruby,
visit www.sagaholidays.co.uk/cruising
Double Olympic gold medalist Dame
Kelly Holmes is to name the largest
superliner to be built exclusively
for Britain - Arcadia, the latest
addition to the P&O Cruises
fleet. Dame Kelly will become Arcadia’s
official Godmother in a spectacular evening ceremony that
will take place
in Southampton on April 12, 2005.
The 16-deck ship was delivered to P&O
on March 20 at Fincantieri’s Venice-Marghera shipyard. She is
the largest ship ever to fly P&O Cruises colors and the
first ship built by the yard for the brand. Dedicated to the
British market, nearly all Arcadia’s internal public spaces
are concentrated on decks 2 and 3, with the higher decks dedicated
to the 998 passenger cabins, of which 86 percent are ocean view
and 69 percent with a balcony.
In keeping with Arcadia’s modern and innovative
values, her naming ceremony
will be a departure from tradition. Dame Kelly will
perform the customary
champagne naming but the celebration will encompass grand scale
theatre and
dramatic surprise, as well as stunning pyrotechnic displays.
A child-free ship, Arcadia will feature
an expansive spa with a thermal suite and hydrotherapy
pool, three-tier theatre, 3,000 piece multi-million dollar modern
British art collection, 14 bars and six fine dining options
including Arcadian Rhodes, a restaurant
developed exclusively for P&O Cruises by
renowned chef Gary Rhodes.
Carrying 1952 passengers and a complement
of 880 crew, she will sail to destinations in the Mediterranean,
Atlantic Isles, Baltic, Norwegian Fjords,
USA, Caribbean and Central America.
The 83,000-ton Arcadia has 540 meters of promenade deck which will
be popular with joggers. Her maximum speed will be 22 knots.
Built at the Financier, Italy shipyard at the cost of £200 million
($882,840), she will carry 1,952 passengers with a crew of 880.
; for the more serious, this
distance can be covered by Dame Kelly in just one
minute 18 seconds based upon her 800m gold winning
time in Athens.
With its European-inspired interiors celebrating
great artisan works, an unforgettable seven-port, 12-day Mediterranean
itinerary, and affordable pricing, Carnival Cruise Lines’ new
110,000-ton Carnival Liberty offers the ultimate European vacation.
Currently under construction at the Financier shipyard in Gonfalon,
Italy, the 2,974-passenger superliner is slated to debut July
20, 2005, with the first in a series of eight 12-day Mediterranean
voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia)—Carnival’s first-ever Mediterranean
cruise program—operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia)
July 20 to October 12, 2005. The unique seven-port itinerary
features some of the most charming and historic cities in Europe,
including Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy (two-day
call); Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and
Livorno, Italy.
Prices for Carnival Liberty’s 12-day Mediterranean
cruises start at $1,899 per person based on double occupancy.
With the high dollar/euro exchange rate, there’s no better way
to experience Europe this summer.
During these cruises, guests can visit popular
destinations such as Capri, Taormina, Monte Carlo and Florence.
Guests can also extend their European vacation with one- to
three-night pre- and post-cruise land packages in Rome.
European-Inspired Interiors
Carnival Liberty will feature an interior
design that celebrates the work of fine craftsmen. The central
theme is certainly evident in the Grand Villa Garden Atrium,
where ironworking, masonry, pottery making and painting come
together to create an elegant park-like atmosphere.
The main show lounge, called Venetian Palace,
captures the artistic variety and quality for which the fabled
Italian city of canals is renowned, while the art of fine tableware
is featured in the Gilded and Sterling dining rooms.
Harry’s, the ship’s reservations-only supper
club, takes its cue from the magnificent pieces of famed jewelry
by designer Harry Winston. Gloves Sports Bar explores the role
of leatherworking, particularly as it relates to sports. Body
art is the craft featured in the Tattoos Dance Club, and photography
in the Paparazzi wine bar.
The fourth in Carnival’s highly successful
Conquest-class, Carnival Liberty will offer a wide range of
signature “Fun Ship” amenities -- a 13,300-square-foot spa,
expansive children’s and teen facilities, and a multitude of
dining options, including two two-deck-high formal restaurants,
a 1,400-seat poolside eatery and an intimate reservations-only
supper club.
Encompassing 13 passenger decks, Carnival
Liberty will also house an Internet café, a jogging track, a
patisserie, full casino gambling, and a multi-level theater
showcasing lavish Vegas-style production shows, just one of
several entertainment venues on board. Of the ship’s
1,479 staterooms, 60 percent will offer either an ocean view
or private balcony.
Featuring cutting-edge technologies and innovative
design, MSC Musica is slated to debut as MSC Cruises’ new flagship
in spring 2006.
Currently under construction at Chantiers
de l’Atlantique in France, the Panamax vessel will be the largest
member of the MSC Cruises’ fleet, with nearly 1,300 passenger
cabins (2,550 passengers) and more than 242,000 square feet
of public area. In response to the demands of today’s travelers,
85 percent of the staterooms will be outside accommodations
and 65 percent of the total number of staterooms will have balconies.
MSC Cruises is working with Genoa-based De
Jorio Design International, which was instrumental in the design
of the line’s MSC Lirica and MSC Opera, to create an interior
design that will coherently blend themes reminiscent of Art
Nouveau and Art Deco, with the geometric designs of the ‘30s,
high tech and contemporary styles, while also featuring the
authentic Italian design for which MSC Cruises has come to be
known. “Many of the design features for MSC Musica, which is
expected to sail Caribbean waters, are ideally suited for the
tastes of our North American guests,” says Richard E. Sasso,
president and CEO of MSC Cruises USA. “She
will make a wonderful addition to the MSC Cruises family.”
One of the highlights of the new ship design
will be the sparkling three-deck waterfall in the central foyer,
where guests can be entertained by a piano suspended, by means
of a transparent crystal floor, above a pool of luminous water.
The ship will feature:
-- Numerous entertainment venues—Three-deck
theatre capable of seating 1,200; show lounge capable of serving
as a theatre, concert room and conference room; a music hall,
equipped for orchestras and performance of cabaret and dance
activities; and a panoramic disco stern, complete with plasma
screens and floors and ceilings illuminated by LEDs; a well-equipped
stage in the pool area, as well as locations throughout the
ship for performances such as piano, small jam sessions, classical
duets, small orchestras and karaoke.
-- A variety of dining experiences including
an elegant panoramic Garden Restaurant, with columns and frescoed
ceilings; a Sushi Bar, complete with Zen garden and background
Oriental music; and a self-service pizza and grill cafeteria
with more than 600 seats.
-- Bars/lounges—Cyber Cigar Room, Wine Tasting
Bar, Piano Bar and Cozy Bar (for an after-dinner aperitif or
cappuccino), as well as a 46-foot-long bar in the casino and
a Well-being and Fitness Center Bar in the spa.
-- Spa—A 13,000-square-foot facility the
features aerobics, yoga and such treatments as aromatherapy,
thalassotherapy, chromotherapeutic hydro-massage and a purifying
Turkish bath.
-- Casino with more than 8,000 square feet
of luxury, complete with slot machines and gaming tables.
MSC Musica will also offer two large swimming
pools, a wading pool, four Jacuzzis, mall shopping area, card
room, library, art gallery, home cinema/conference room, virtual
games room, children’s playroom, beauty parlor and hair styling
salon, tennis and volleyball court, mini-golf and golf training
and a jogging track.
MSC Musica’s sister ship is scheduled to
be delivered in 2007, bring the total number of ships in MSC
Cruises’ fleet to nine.
The company launched a $3 billion expansion
program in 2003 with the introduction of the new MSC Lirica
in 2003. MSC Cruises added the MSC Armonia (built in 2001) to
its fleet in spring of 2004 and the new MSC Opera debuted in
June 2004. The line purchased the MSC Sinfonia (built in 2002)
in July 2004 (the ship begins cruising in March 2005) and has
two 2,600-passenger ships on order for delivery in 2006 and
2007.For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruises.com.
