Last Month In Cruise December 2022 Written By Sara Macefield
Forget winding down for Christmas. Last month the cruise industry dialled up the excitement with more glitzy ship christenings and sparkling new arrivals that promise to pave the way for an all-action year in 2023, with new itineraries and the return of Asia bringing added spice.
It’s all in a name
Leading the procession of star-spangled celebrations at 2022’s final naming events was yet another mega-ship from MSC Cruises, just a matter of weeks after its previous one was named in Doha. This time, it was MSC Seascape, the line’s new flagship which was christened in New York, and among its many features is the largest and most luxurious Yacht Club in the MSC fleet. Just a few days later another leviathan, Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas – the world’s largest ship – was named in Florida’s Port Canaveral.
Newcomers make their mark
Making an entrance was P&O Cruises’ latest mega-ship Arvia, whose early-morning arrival brightened up a gloomy December day in Southampton. In a break with tradition, the 5,200-passenger new-build will be named in a beachside ceremony in Barbados during its maiden Caribbean season on March 16 – the first time such an event has taken place – and broadcast live online to a global audience. Kooky cruise line Virgin Voyages welcomed its third ship Resilient Lady from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The latest “Lady Ship” will embark on its inaugural Greek isles sailings from Piraeus in May. Meanwhile Scenic is preparing for the naming of its second Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse II, in Malaga on June 3 with the announcement that its godmother will be one of NASA’s first female astronauts Dr Kathy Sullivan.
British boom time
Hold on to your hats because this industry shows no sign of slowing down. Princess Cruises announced that 2024 would mark the biggest UK and Europe season in its history with 162 departures across five ships, including new Sphere-class Sun Princess whose European maiden season includes an inaugural overnight stay in Southampton. Princess will also have its largest and longest round-trip Southampton deployment with Sky Princess, Regal Princess and Caribbean Princess. Next year also marks the arrival of Cunard’s latest queen as Queen Anne embarks on its maiden season from May 3, while in 2025, Norwegian Cruise Line has confirmed its current newest ship Norwegian Prima will continue to be based in Southampton for summer sailings between the port and Iceland.
Eastern promise
As Asia starts to surface in cruise line itineraries, Scenic is going big in Japan this year with its first dedicated Japan season on Scenic Eclipse with a diverse schedule of sailings focusing on nature, history and traditions. Meanwhile Travelmarvel is debuting a cruise along the Lower Ganges that start and ends in Kolkata. Closer to home and Emerald Cruises is already looking ahead to next Christmas after adding two more festive market sailings on the Danube and Rhine rivers next November and December, while CroisiEurope is giving customers something to celebrate by featuring two of Europe’s most famous carnivals at Venice and Cadiz on its cruises along the Po and Guadalquivir rivers.