Western Mediterranean
Cruise Shipping: Sea Cloud Spirit Delivered
Sea Cloud Spirit has been delivered to Sea Cloud Cruises from the Vigo, Spain shipyard, and its maiden voyage is set for September 14, 2021, for a 10-night roundtrip Rome to Rome. The plan is to have the ship spend the fall in the Western Mediterranean and the upcoming winter season in the Canary Islands. As cruising makes its return, the new build with a capacity of only 136 guests, is expected to become a nice alternative for younger guests looking for a smaller cruise experience.Sea Cloud Spirit is a modern sailing ship…
YSA Design Interiors Ideas for Bellissima
Stand-out gastronomic attractions on board MSC Bellissima will be served up in spaces that YSA Design believes deliver a first shipboard example of contemporary industrial restaurant design, and in a re-envisioned version of the chocolaterie that proved such a hit on Bellissima’s predecessor. Named at a star-studded ceremony in Southampton by Godmother Sophia Loren in early March, the 5,686-passenger capacity, 171,598gt luxury ship is now on its maiden voyage to the Western Mediterranean. MSC Bellissima is the second ship in MSC Cruises’ innovative Meraviglia-class.
Slipstream and Crew Win Yachts de Coeur Humanitarian Prize
Slipstream, a 60-m Burgess motor yacht, and her crew were presented with the annual Yachts de Coeur humanitarian prize in Cannes in June 2018. The award was presented to recognize their efforts to aid the Caribbean islands and people affected by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Autumn 2017. The award was presented on the 11th June by Commandant Oliver Troy of the French Royal Navy, and depicts Ceres, the Roman goddess of nature and charity.The award was presented to Captains Phil Stevens and Steve Osborne and the crew of Slipstream…
Mediterranean - A New Playground for IMOCAs
In line with a sports policy driven by its President HSH Prince Albert II, the Yacht Club de Monaco is organizing the first Monaco Globe Series early June, the first stage of the new IMOCA (2018-2020) Championship. The second will be the Route du Rhum in November which celebrates its 40th anniversary. With nine of the 60-footers already registered and one pending confirmation, the double-handed non-stop offshore race without assistance is a chance for competitors to rack up points towards selection for the Vendée Globe 2020.
Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series Comes to a Close
The 5th Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series of monthly regattas from October to March ended today. Organized by the Yacht Club de Monaco, in collaboration with technical clothing supplier SLAM, the meetings offer international teams an opportunity to establish their winter base in the Principality before the main season starts. Monaco, a veritable capital of yachting, attracts talent from all walks of life as evidenced by the 260-plus sailors from 11 nationalities on 180 boats, who descended on Monaco over the winter to compete in a total of 58 races.
Gercke to Christen AIDAperla
Lena Gercke will christen AIDAperla, the 12th member of the AIDA fleet, in Palma de Mallorca on June 30, 2017. In Germany, Gercke is among the most famous and successful models and presenters. The skyline of the old city of Palma will form the perfect backdrop when the night sky above AIDAperla is transformed into a sparkling sea of color during a spectacular music and lighting event. “With her natural charm and vitality, Lena Gercke is the ideal godmother of AIDAperla. I’m delighted that she will christen our new vessel.
Cruise Ships Cancel Tunisia Calls in Wake of Islamic Terrorists Attack
Cruise lines like Holland America, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, Star Clippers, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Aida Cruises have canceled all port stops to Tunisia for the rest of the year following the jihadist terrorist attack and massacre in the capital March 18th. Seventeen cruisers from Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises ships visiting Tunis for the day were killed in Wednesday's attack, which took place at the city's Bardo National Museum. More than 20 other cruisers were wounded. The Seattle-based Holland America has announced that…
Places of Refuge
The concept of force majeure has been broadly accepted since mariners initially encountered the perils of the sea. Persons and governments ashore have been obligated, at least by natural law, to accept and succor those in distress at sea. Concomitant with force majeure is the notion of providing a ship in distress with a place or port of refuge. A place of refuge is where a ship could go to avoid or ameliorate the peril and then depart at the earliest opportunity. While the original need for force majeure and a place of refuge was to reduce the risk to the lives of those on board the ship…
