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7NEWS
11-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Super-sized cruise ships to get even bigger with new ‘floating cities' announced
Who could forget the images that went viral last year of a cruise ship's stern looking like a top-heavy birthday cake? So colorful and cartoon-like were the decks layered with twisting waterslides, turquoise pools and neon accoutrements galore, many commenters wondered how it could float. If you thought the simultaneous buzz and uproar that accompanied the January 2024 launch of the world's biggest cruise ship — Royal Caribbean's 1196-foot-long Icon of the Seas — was the last you'd hear about super-sized cruise ships for a while, think again. The bigger-is-better adage is one that the world's biggest cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line among them — continue to embrace, as one mega-size cruise ship after another rolls down the pipeline on its way from the shipyard to the sea. This year alone will see a litany of new larger-than-life (and in many cases, larger than their predecessor sister ships) cruise ships traversing the world's oceans. In late April, Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, began cruising out of Florida's Port Canaveral with a passenger capacity of 3600 — 10 per cent more than other Prima Class ships can carry. The cruise line has ordered four larger ships, carrying 5000 passengers each, for delivery starting in 2030 (with several more Prima Class ships rolling out in the interim). Also in April, MSC Cruises debuted its second-largest ship after Mediterranean-based MSC World Europa. MSC World America can accommodate 6762 passengers and stretches 1,092 feet long. It sails on Caribbean itineraries out of the MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the largest cruise terminal in North America, which is capable of processing 36,000 passengers daily on three ships. Two more new MSC World Class ships are in the pipeline for delivery in 2026 (MSC World Asia, which will sail in the Mediterranean) and 2027 (MSC World Atlantic, which will cruise the Caribbean from Port Canaveral). Carnival Cruise Line has plans to launch its most behemoth cruise ship class ever in 2029 when it takes delivery of the first of three ships with more than 3000 cabins and maximum capacity of nearly 8000 guests. And in August of this year, the sister ship to the 7600 passenger Icon of the Seas and the second ship in Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, Star of the Seas, will set sail from Port Canaveral on seven-night year-round Caribbean sailings. The ship will have roughly the same maximum passenger capacity and 20 equally eye-popping decks festooned with waterslides, a water park, seven pools and 40 places to eat and drink. Royal Caribbean isn't stopping there. In 2026, Legend of the Seas, the third ship in the Icon Class, is slated to set sail from Fort Lauderdale. And a fourth yet-to-be-named ship is on tap for delivery in 2027. A demand that shows no signs of ebbing More than 37 million passengers are expected to cruise in 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The global cruise ship orderbook extends through 2036, with 77 new cruise ships scheduled for delivery, a CLIA spokesperson told CNN. While that may sound overwhelming when it comes to choice, size and carbon footprint, rolling out bigger and better ships isn't new. 'Pre-pandemic, cruise lines were on a tear with lots of ships on order. And then, of course, the pandemic happened and virtually everything halted,' says Cruise Critic's editor-in-chief, Colleen McDaniel. What we're seeing now, she says, is what appears to be more cruise ships on order than ever before. Cruise Critic's users are 'absolutely looking forward' to cruising on some of the bigger ships, including Star of the Seas and MSC World America, says McDaniel. 'If you look at the orderbook for cruise ships all the way through 2036, their ships on those, there are some really big ones,' she says. 'The more cruisers you can get onto a ship, the more potential revenue you have from those cruisers.' And while there's no official passenger number when it comes to what defines a super-sized cruise ship, McDaniel says Cruise Critic generally considers ships with more than 3000 passengers in that category. According to CLIA, a little less than one-third (28 per cent) of all cruise ships fall into the large category, with 3,000 or more 'lower berths' (indicating double-occupancy passenger capacity). All about the flow The key to making the experience of a super-sized ship pleasant for passengers is the flow of movement onboard as well as the creation of distinct spaces for guests to escape and make their own, McDaniel says. '(Cruise lines) have to be able to ensure that if you are on a ship that has 6000 people on board, that they're still able to move passengers through comfortably and to make them feel like it's an experience that doesn't have that many guests on board,' says McDaniel, adding that this is something the mega ships do well. 'They make sure that the flow is good. They count on passengers to sort of find and return to spaces they really love,' she says. Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Class ships have 'neighborhoods' while MSC's World Class ships have a 'districts' concept meant to make a large cruise ship feel more manageable. As a result, she says, the ship feels like a destination unto itself and therein lies the appeal for many passengers. 'The era of guests going on a cruise to simply get to a destination is over,' says Suzanne Salas, MSC Cruises executive vice president, marketing, eCommerce and sales. 'People are not using a cruise to get to the Bahamas. People want the cruise to have innovation, to have bars, to have dining, to have entertainment,' she says. And the mega ships offer all that in spades. 'Yes, you are going to really wonderful places, be it the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, but the ship offers so much to do that it's actually difficult to fit it all into the space of a week,' McDaniel says. A formula that's working In the increasingly competitive global cruise industry, large providers are looking for opportunities to gain market share by driving unique travel experiences, says Jerry Roper, chief digital architect at Deloitte Digital, which analyzes travel industry trends. 'Larger ships are seeing considerable increase in occupancy and the newer experience is a draw for customers,' Roper says. The market is changing from cruise to an integrated experience with multiple examples of cruise partnerships plus expanded, captive experiences — Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and MSC's Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, for example — that expand the cruise experience beyond the confines of the ship, Roper says. Carnival Cruise Line will open its new cruise port destination, Celebration Key, on the south side of Grand Bahama Island this summer. Tampa, Florida, resident Jeanetta Sheppard has sailed on roughly 20 cruises aboard ships of varying sizes but says she prefers mega ships like Icon of the Seas and ships in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, like Utopia of the Seas, which can carry over 5600 passengers. Even when a show ends up getting cancelled, Sheppard says she still finds plenty to do onboard like 'being able to explore the ship and walk and all the different artworks and different floors. There's always something to do.' A few months ago, she cruised on a smaller ship from Tampa and was disappointed despite the service being excellent, Sheppard says. 'I told my husband, 'Let's go explore the ship', and I swear, I walked out my door and before long we'd seen it all,' she says. 'Everything's on track' Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley says that while the company was very optimistic with the launch of Icon of the Seas last year, they had 'no clue how well-received it would be'. The ship was not only the biggest, but the biggest hit the company has ever introduced, he says. Bayley attributes that success, in part, to multi-generational families traveling together more and every member of the family wanting to have places on board where they can gather together and disperse to on their own. A mega ship like Icon or Star takes a bit over two years to build, Bayley says, with the conception and design process starting some five years before the ship will ever enter the water. Still under construction in the shipyard in Turku, Finland, as of early May, Star of the Seas is currently in its finishing stages, says Bayley. 'Her engines are in there with all the techs in there. The ship is almost finished. All of the public spaces are being finalized. So you can imagine the scale of the construction of a ship of that size, and everything's on track and on time,' Bayley told CNN Travel. The sea trials come next, when technicians test the ship's major systems in the water, then it will be sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to Port Canaveral for 'shakedown cruises' to iron out any issues before entering service in late August, he says. Legend of the Seas is in the same shipyard in Finland but still in its early construction stages, Bayley says, adding that it will fundamentally be the same ship as Star with 'various upgrades and some tweaks and changes that improve the product and improve the overall experience.' Right now, he says, Legend looks like a jumble of Lego blocks. 'You look at it and think, what's that?' he says. The enviromental red flags you can't see For all the fans they have in passengers eager to explore their neighborhoods and shows, water parks and thrill rides, behemoth ships also raise environmental concerns and some ports are wary of receiving the inundation of passengers. Mega cruise ships are 'essentially floating cities', says Bryan Comer, marine program director at the International Council on Clean Transportation. 'And with each new launch, we're seeing increases in fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and wastewater discharges,' he says. Mega ships including Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and MSC World America are powered by LNG, an alternative marine fuel produced from natural gas from underground reserves, and traditional marine fuel. All three have shore power connectivity that allows engines to be switched off in port to cut down on local emissions. The sustainability pages for Royal Caribbean , MSC Cruises, Carnival and Norwegian all state the companies' commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. But Comer says bio-methanol and renewable e-methanol are better options than LNG when it comes to long-term climate risk and achieving very low life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. 'Even if ships eventually use bio-LNG or renewable e-LNG, any methane emissions from the fuel tanks or engines will erode some of the climate benefits, making it very challenging to achieve net-zero emissions,' he says. The industry has the opportunity to innovate and lean on low-emission travel now, he says. 'I think it's important to remember that the future of cruising doesn't have to look like the past,' says Comer. There is also the question of overtourism to consider and the impact to local infrastructure that comes with dropping thousands of tourists in ports, big and small. 'Many of the tourism destination leaders we work with tell us yes, some cruise tourism is beneficial to the local economy,' says Paula Vlamings, chief impact officer of global nonprofit Tourism Cares, a pioneer in promoting sustainable tourism. But there's a tipping point, says Vlamings. Too many large ships in a port at once — or the equivalent in the form of one mega ship — can create negative impacts that 'far outweigh the positive,' overwhelming the people that live there, providing little economic opportunity in return and putting a heavy burden on local resources and infrastructure, she says. 'Whether it's cruise ships, tour operators or attractions, the travel industry must focus on protecting the places and people who call them home.'
CNN
07-05-2025
- CNN
Super-sized cruise ships are becoming the norm. Is there an end in sight?
Who could forget the images that went viral last year of a cruise ship's stern looking like a top-heavy birthday cake? So colorful and cartoon-like were the decks layered with twisting waterslides, turquoise pools and neon accoutrements galore, many commenters wondered how it could float. If you thought the simultaneous buzz and uproar that accompanied the January 2024 launch of the world's biggest cruise ship — Royal Caribbean's 1,196-foot-long Icon of the Seas — was the last you'd hear about super-sized cruise ships for a while, think again. The bigger-is-better adage is one that the world's biggest cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, MSC, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line among them — continue to embrace, as one mega-size cruise ship after another rolls down the pipeline on its way from the shipyard to the sea. This year alone will see a litany of new larger-than-life (and in many cases, larger than their predecessor sister ships) cruise ships traversing the world's oceans. In late April, Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, began cruising out of Florida's Port Canaveral with a passenger capacity of 3,600 — 10% more than other Prima Class ships can carry. The cruise line has ordered four larger ships, carrying 5,000 passengers each, for delivery starting in 2030 (with several more Prima Class ships rolling out in the interim). Also in April, MSC debuted its second-largest ship after Mediterranean-based MSC World Europa. MSC World America can accommodate 6,762 passengers and stretches 1,092 feet long. It sails on Caribbean itineraries out of the MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the largest cruise terminal in the world, which is capable of processing 36,000 passengers daily on three ships. Two more new MSC World Class ships are in the pipeline for delivery in 2026 (MSC World Asia, which will sail in the Mediterranean) and 2027 (MSC World Atlantic, which will cruise the Caribbean from Port Canaveral). Carnival Cruise Line has plans to launch its most behemoth cruise ship class ever in 2029 when it takes delivery of the first of three ships with more than 3,000 cabins and maximum capacity of nearly 8,000 guests. And in August of this year, the sister ship to the 7,600 passenger Icon of the Seas and the second ship in Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, Star of the Seas, will set sail from Port Canaveral on seven-night year-round Caribbean sailings. The ship will have roughly the same maximum passenger capacity and 20 equally eye-popping decks festooned with waterslides, a water park, seven pools and 40 places to eat and drink. Royal Caribbean isn't stopping there. In 2026, Legend of the Seas, the third ship in the Icon Class, is slated to set sail from Fort Lauderdale. And a fourth yet-to-be-named ship is on tap for delivery in 2027. More than 37 million passengers are expected to cruise in 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The global cruise ship orderbook extends through 2036, with 77 new cruise ships scheduled for delivery, a CLIA spokesperson told CNN. While that may sound overwhelming when it comes to choice, size and carbon footprint, rolling out bigger and better ships isn't new. 'Pre-pandemic, cruise lines were on a tear with lots of ships on order. And then, of course, the pandemic happened and virtually everything halted,' says Cruise Critic's editor-in-chief, Colleen McDaniel. What we're seeing now, she says, is what appears to be more cruise ships on order than ever before. Cruise Critic's users are 'absolutely looking forward' to cruising on some of the bigger ships, including Star of the Seas and MSC World America, says McDaniel. 'If you look at the orderbook for cruise ships all the way through 2036, their ships on those, there are some really big ones,' she says. 'The more cruisers you can get onto a ship, the more potential revenue you have from those cruisers.' And while there's no official passenger number when it comes to what defines a super-sized cruise ship, McDaniel says Cruise Critic generally considers ships with more than 3,000 passengers in that category. According to CLIA, a little less than one-third (28%) of all cruise ships fall into the large category, with 3,000 or more 'lower berths' (indicating double-occupancy passenger capacity). The key to making the experience of a super-sized ship pleasant for passengers is the flow of movement onboard as well as the creation of distinct spaces for guests to escape and make their own, McDaniel says. '(Cruise lines) have to be able to ensure that if you are on a ship that has 6,000 people on board, that they're still able to move passengers through comfortably and to make them feel like it's an experience that doesn't have that many guests on board,' says McDaniel, adding that this is something the mega ships do well. 'They make sure that the flow is good. They count on passengers to sort of find and return to spaces they really love,' she says. Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Class ships have 'neighborhoods' while MSC's World Class ships have a 'districts' concept meant to make a large cruise ship feel more manageable. As a result, she says, the ship feels like a destination unto itself and therein lies the appeal for many passengers. 'The era of guests going on a cruise to simply get to a destination is over,' says Suzanne Salas, MSC Cruises executive vice president, marketing, eCommerce and sales. 'People are not using a cruise to get to the Bahamas. People want the cruise to have innovation, to have bars, to have dining, to have entertainment,' she says. And the mega ships offer all that in spades. 'Yes, you are going to really wonderful places, be it the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, but the ship offers so much to do that it's actually difficult to fit it all into the space of a week,' McDaniel says. In the increasingly competitive global cruise industry, large providers are looking for opportunities to gain market share by driving unique travel experiences, says Jerry Roper, chief digital architect at Deloitte Digital, which analyzes travel industry trends. 'Larger ships are seeing considerable increase in occupancy and the newer experience is a draw for customers,' Roper says. The market is changing from cruise to an integrated experience with multiple examples of cruise partnerships plus expanded, captive experiences — Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and MSC's Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, for example — that expand the cruise experience beyond the confines of the ship, Roper says. Carnival Cruise Line will open its new cruise port destination, Celebration Key, on the south side of Grand Bahama Island this summer. Tampa, Florida, resident Jeanetta Sheppard has sailed on roughly 20 cruises aboard ships of varying sizes but says she prefers mega ships like Icon of the Seas and ships in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, like Utopia of the Seas, which can carry over 5,600 passengers. Even when a show ends up getting cancelled, Sheppard says she still finds plenty to do onboard like 'being able to explore the ship and walk and all the different artworks and different floors. There's always something to do.' A few months ago, she cruised on a smaller ship from Tampa and was disappointed despite the service being excellent, Sheppard says. 'I told my husband, 'Let's go explore the ship,' and I swear, I walked out my door and before long we'd seen it all,' she says. Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley says that while the company was very optimistic with the launch of Icon of the Seas last year, they had 'no clue how well-received it would be.' The ship was not only the biggest, but the biggest hit the company has ever introduced, he says. Bayley attributes that success, in part, to multi-generational families traveling together more and every member of the family wanting to have places on board where they can gather together and disperse to on their own. A mega ship like Icon or Star takes a bit over two years to build, Bayley says, with the conception and design process starting some five years before the ship will ever enter the water. Still under construction in the shipyard in Turku, Finland, as of early May, Star of the Seas is currently in its finishing stages, says Bayley. 'Her engines are in there with all the techs in there. The ship is almost finished. All of the public spaces are being finalized. So you can imagine the scale of the construction of a ship of that size, and everything's on track and on time,' Bayley told CNN Travel. The sea trials come next, when technicians test the ship's major systems in the water, then it will be sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to Port Canaveral for 'shakedown cruises' to iron out any issues before entering service in late August, he says. Legend of the Seas is in the same shipyard in Finland but still in its early construction stages, Bayley says, adding that it will fundamentally be the same ship as Star with 'various upgrades and some tweaks and changes that improve the product and improve the overall experience.' Right now, he says, Legend looks like a jumble of Lego blocks. 'You look at it and think, what's that?' he says. For all the fans they have in passengers eager to explore their neighborhoods and shows, water parks and thrill rides, behemoth ships also raise environmental concerns and some ports are wary of receiving the inundation of passengers. Mega cruise ships are 'essentially floating cities,' says Bryan Comer, marine program director at the International Council on Clean Transportation. 'And with each new launch, we're seeing increases in fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and wastewater discharges,' he says. Mega ships including Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and MSC World America are powered by LNG, an alternative marine fuel produced from natural gas from underground reserves, and traditional marine fuel. All three have shore power connectivity that allows engines to be switched off in port to cut down on local emissions. The sustainability pages for Royal Caribbean , MSC, Carnival and Norwegian all state the companies' commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. But Comer says bio-methanol and renewable e-methanol are better options than LNG when it comes to long-term climate risk and achieving very low life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. 'Even if ships eventually use bio-LNG or renewable e-LNG, any methane emissions from the fuel tanks or engines will erode some of the climate benefits, making it very challenging to achieve net-zero emissions,' he says. The industry has the opportunity to innovate and lean on low-emission travel now, he says. 'I think it's important to remember that the future of cruising doesn't have to look like the past,' says Comer. There is also the question of overtourism to consider and the impact to local infrastructure that comes with dropping thousands of tourists in ports, big and small. 'Many of the tourism destination leaders we work with tell us yes, some cruise tourism is beneficial to the local economy,' says Paula Vlamings, chief impact officer of global nonprofit Tourism Cares, a pioneer in promoting sustainable tourism. But there's a tipping point, says Vlamings. Too many large ships in a port at once — or the equivalent in the form of one mega ship — can create negative impacts that 'far outweigh the positive,' overwhelming the people that live there, providing little economic opportunity in return and putting a heavy burden on local resources and infrastructure, she says. 'Whether it's cruise ships, tour operators or attractions, the travel industry must focus on protecting the places and people who call them home.' Florida-based freelance writer Terry Ward lives in Tampa and has been on a handful of cruises of the mega-ship and smaller variety.
Times
30-04-2025
- Times
The historic Italian coastal city that most tourists forget about
Andrea Doria rather fancied himself and his clan — perhaps justifiably. The admiral had led the offensive to liberate the Genoese republic from the French in 1528 and the newly built Palazzo del Principe, just beyond the capital's medieval centre, was to be his political and military base. In one room a portrait by the Florentine painter Bronzino shows Doria's arm wrapped around a ship's mast, his beard and virile pose alluding to Neptune, god of the sea. On the walls of the loggia terrace, overlooking the harbour, Doria's seafaring ancestors are represented as Roman heroes. One had defeated Pisa in battle, another Venice, yet another the Catalans. This was Genoa in the 16th century: a powerful maritime republic run by aristocratic families such as the Dorias that was soon to become Europe's banking capital as it financed Spain's campaigns in the Americas. Genoa in the 21st century? It's more of a pitstop than a base. The view from the palace gardens sums it up. To the left is the city's main railway station, the gateway to the Italian Riviera for second-homers from Turin and Milan. To the right looms the MSC World Europa cruise ship with its sparkling spiral slide, about to depart on a seven-day trip around the Med. Slicing right across the harbour front is the sopraelevata, a roaring elevated road that takes travellers from Genoa airport to the glitzy hotels of Portofino and the Cinque Terre. This northwestern port city isn't somewhere visitors linger, the panorama says, but rather a crossroads, somewhere travellers tend to pass through on their way elsewhere. • 14 of the best underrated cities in Europe to visit The upshots of this are obvious. While Florence, Rome and Venice are all fighting back against overtourism, Genoa rarely feels too busy — in fact many locals would like the cruisers to stick around longer than just a few hours. The hilly, labyrinthine centre hasn't been hollowed out by short-term lets. And if you avoid the shops near the cruise terminal, prices are clearly aimed at residents rather than tourists (you're talking €1 for a large slice of focaccia). It's lively and diverse, more like Naples or Palermo than its affluent northern neighbours Milan and Turin, and the Genoese are fiercely proud and welcoming. The city may not havemany headline attractions beyond the hulking Renzo Piano-designed aquarium on the waterfront, but in every restaurant, shop or small museum you get the sense of being let in on a secret few others know about. Most alluring, though, are the stories from Genoa's illustrious (and often forgotten) past. Alongside Doria, another name that figures prominently in the Genoese annals is Durazzo. Nine members of this Italian dynasty were doges — elected heads of state — when Genoa was an independent republic between 1099 and 1797. Now you can stay inside one of the family's ancestral homes, a seven-storey harbourside mansion that dates to 1624, which has been restored and turned into a luxury hotel. It's a brilliantly extravagant place to immerse yourself in the history of what was once one of the world's richest cities. The Palazzo Durazzo Suites are sandwiched between the old docks and the tangle of medieval alleyways known as the caruggi. You enter its cavernous entrance hall via a nondescript wooden door on the Via del Campo, the soaring ceilings and family insignia originally intended to dazzle foreign dignitaries. A red-carpeted stone staircase leads you to reception on the third floor, the double-height piano nobile, where our suite, Il Doge, gives onto the sopraelevata and the yachts and shipping containers beyond. My girlfriend Morwenna and I are immediately drawn in by the ceiling. Neptune — him again — snoozes on a rock. The adverse winds are chained to the shore; swirling zephyrs ensure calm seas and safety for the Genoese people. In this fresco by the artist Domenico Parodi the god represents the former owner Stefano Durazzo — who was galleys and war magistrate, and doge in the 1730s — lording it over the dockyards beneath the window (and the enemies out at sea). From the kingsize bed with a canopy shaped like a doge's hat, which looks tiny in the context of the 7m-high room, we feel suitably humbled. It's one of many features, from the gold-painted façade to the 18th-century terrazzo floors, that have been meticulously restored as part of a seven-year renovation, overseen by the architect Emanuela Brignone Cattaneo, wife of the Durazzo descendant Giacomo Cattaneo Adorno. Each of the 12 suites is unique and feels like a work of art. Some rooms have more traditional decor — the Oriente with its gilded tritons by Parodi, the Quattro Stagioni with its own private chapel — whereas others go in for a cleaner, more contemporary vibe. Le Conchighlie has a side room with a shell-covered ceiling inspired by the grottoes of the Ligurian coastline, while La Cupola is an all-white family suite with vaulted ceilings that looks like something from a sci-fi film. All original wooden doors and muted yellows and greens, ours is firmly at the more conservative end — sleeping Stefano deserves some respect, after all — but the sleek grey-painted bathroom with a walk-in shower and Diptyque products offers a splash of modern magnificence. The hotel belongs to the Palazzi dei Rolli, a Unesco world heritage site comprising 42 palaces that aristocratic merchant and banker families built to host important guests such as diplomats and royalty on behalf of the Genoese Republic during the 16th and 17th centuries. To get a sense of Genoa in its glamorous heyday, we wander along the Via Garibaldi, ten minutes' walk from the hotel, where the most OTT mansions are found. The Palazzo Rosso, now an art gallery, holds Chinese vases so big and beautiful you'll want to keep at least five metres clear of them (£8; the Palazzo Carrega-Cataldi, home to Genoa's Chamber of Commerce, has a spectacular rococo golden gallery inspired by Versailles' hall of mirrors (free; and the private museum Palazzo Lomellino hides a garden filled with follies, fountains and statues (£7; Much like central Venice and Rome, these palaces give the city the feel of an open-air museum. The key difference? We don't hear a single British or American accent all day. Squeezed between the Apennine Mountains and the Ligurian Sea, Genoa is known for its winds, and in autumn and winter it can drizzle all day long (I speak from experience). But you also have those harsh landscapes to thank for much of the finest local produce. Between our palazzo stops we duck into I Tre Merli, in a former customs building on the marina, for creamy trofie al pesto, small pasta twists with boiled potatoes and green beans in the sauce that Genoa is perhaps most famous for. The intense flavour of the basil comes from a mix of sun and the salty sea air that blows over neighbourhoods such as Pra, where the best stuff is grown (mains from £12; Other hearty dishes that offer a remedy for the chill are the pesto-topped minestrone and île flottante-like custard dessert sciumette at the soup specialist Zupp (mains from £11; on the Piazza di San Matteo, the Doria family's former stomping ground; and the stockfish, olive and pine nut stew — proper sailor's food — at the snug, family-run Le Rune, just outside the city's historic core (mains from £13; • Read our full guide to Italy here A storm rages on our penultimate evening as we tuck into perfectly cooked sea-bass-stuffed ravioli at the wine bar and restaurant Locanda Spinola, a few minutes' walk from the hotel (mains from £8; When we get back we find there has been a power cut and we are guided inside by a doorman with his phone torch, parking ourselves in the enormous lounge bar, where battery-powered lamps are in action. The vibe is less horror movie and more sleepover-style overexcitement: we make the most of the occasion by sinking into the three-cushion-deep red velvet sofas and exploring the wines from the owners' Villa Cambiaso estate in the hills near Genoa; the O Cona Coronata Val Polcevera white is light, fruity sunshine in a glass. The morning after brings low-key surprise after low-key surprise. For starters, the sun's out (as if that vino really had summoned spring). We head on a tour of the botteghe storiche, a network of about 50 well-preserved historic shops, many of which have been run by the same families for more than a century, in some cases two (tours £12; Our charismatic guide, Michela Ceccarini, describes Genoa as a 'city of the understated', and these small boutiques encapsulate that idea. We visit sweet shops, a pharmacy, a fabric maker, a tripery and a stationery store — in nearly every one, the chatty owners are on the shop floor, but one spot really stands out. On the face of it, Pescetto is a clothes shop specialising in silk and wool products, but the dedicated vintage area upstairs is more like a museum. There's a prewar woollen swimsuit, Scottish kilts from the 1960s and 1970s (popular among Italian teens at the time) and a vicuna fleece that has a €1,900 price tag on from a couple of decades ago; fourth-generation owner Francesca says it would be impossible to put a figure on it now. It's a fashion kid's haven. • 21 of the best places to visit in Italy Our final stop is the Museo di Sant'Agostino, an art and archaeology museum in a former monastery. Most of the exhibition space is closed for renovation until 2026 but we enjoy the tour of the storage rooms filled with tombstones, sculptures, altarpieces and frescoes from across nearly a millennium of Genoese history (£7; And in a neighbouring church, where much of the medieval collection is on display, I spy two Doria headstones from very different eras only a century apart. One is Pagano, depicted as a crusading warrior in 1360; the other Lazzaro, a serious merchant from 1486. It makes you think: what would the typical Genoese hero look like today? Modest and warm-hearted, I'd wager, steering you through the dark with an iPhone. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue Huw Oliver was a guest of the Palazzo Durazzo Suites ( which has B&B doubles from £310, and the Genoa Chamber of Commerce ( Fly or take the train to Genoa By Julia Buckley While tourist hordes lay siege to Venice, her near-neighbour floats blissfully crowd-free on her own peaceful inlet. Trieste has a very different feel from the rest of Italy — for centuries this was the sole port of the Austro-Hungarian empire, and as such you'll find Austrian-style coffee houses and swaggering mansions that wouldn't look out of place in Vienna. Taking centre stage is the millpond-flat Gulf of Trieste — see it while hiking on cliff-cut paths above the city; with a spritz from Piazza Unita d'Italia, the gargantuan square that meets the water; or from Miramare Castle, surrounded by a marine reserve. Stay at the Savoia Excelsior Palace, a grande dame on the B&B doubles from £154 ( Fly to Trieste What did the Medici ever do for us? Well here in Livorno they created a free port that not only attracted merchants from all over the Mediterranean, but guaranteed them religious tolerance in the intolerant 1500s. While Second World War bombing destroyed much of the centre, there are still pockets of beauty — starting with the Venezia district, its grand streets cut through with canals. Take a boat trip through thems, see the sparkling Tyrrhenian from the Terrazza Mascagni waterfront, and visit the two grand waterside fortresses that the Medici built. Try Livorno's legendary cacciucco (seafood stew in tomato broth) at Alle Vettovaglie (mains from £8.50; in the 19th-century market and stay in Venezia at the canalside Agave in B&B doubles from £68 ( Fly to Pisa Poor Catania — even with a volcano on the doorstep it's eclipsed by chaotic, addictive Palermo. Not particularly geared for tourism — the Castello Ursino (castle and art gallery) shut for repairs this year, though the website still says it's open — Catania tests your patience but rewards you with the real Sicily. That means a Roman theatre wedged between 19th-century houses, a vast cathedral built with black lava-stone hewn from Etna's eruptions, and incredible food — pasta alla norma originated here. Select works from the Castello Ursino, including an El Greco, are housed until further notice at the Pinacoteca Santa Chiara in an old monastery. Stay at the NH Catania Parco Degli Aragonesi, on the beach between the airport and the B&B doubles from £149 ( Fly to Catania
The Independent
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
A first look at the $1 billion MSC World America cruise ship, from thrill-seeking rides to Dirty Dancing
My feet are dangling 50 metres above the sea. I feel like a child again as a metallic red swing rocks me back and forth, offering an unrivalled view of the Atlantic Ocean below. In the highly competitive world of megaships with their ever-competing theme park-style attractions, the Cliffhanger ride I am sitting in is among the many incredible features aboard MSC World America – the newest ship to join the Italian cruise brand's fleet. With my hand gripping the red safety bar in anticipation, the swing slowly rises and there is a sudden 'whoosh!' as I am pushed out over the ship's edge. My heart is thumping and there is nothing but air and sea beneath me – I feel like I'm flying. I was among the first passengers to sail aboard MSC World America from its new hi-tech Miami cruise terminal – where face scanners and biometric e-gates have been installed to speed up the boarding process – to the brand's private Bahamas island, Ocean Cay. The $1 billion cruise ship is the second in MSC's World Class series, which started with World Europa in December 2021. MSC World America looks set to dominate the US market with weekly Caribbean itineraries. With a gross tonnage of 216,638 and with capacity for 6,764 passengers, 19 dining venues and 18 bars and lounges, MSC World America ranks as the eighth largest cruise ship in the world. Anthony Paradiso, vice president of international sales at MSC, explained that the ship aims to combine European style with American-style comfort, and believes the vessel offers something for every kind of traveller. Its 22 decks are named after major American ports and cities such as Seattle and Miami and the ship's godmother is actor and talk show host Drew Barrymore, who proudly cut the ribbon to christen the ship during our sailing. MSC World America borrows plenty of style features from MSC World Europa, such as the sparkling chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the World Galleria on deck 6; the light from these bounces off mirrored pillars and staircases, giving the feel of a swanky boutique hotel. On the pool deck, cabanas provide much-needed shade from the Caribbean sun, and there are British plug sockets and USB-C ports in the cabins for modern smartphones. However, it turns out that Americans may not love speciality tea as much as we Brits do, as the Raj Polo Tea House from MSC World Europa has been replaced with The Loft Comedy club on deck 8. Afternoon tea and soft furnishings have been replaced with bar stools and images of comedy legends Richard Pryor and Sarah Silverman. The venue has the feel of a New York comedy club, with a faux brick wall backdrop and spotlights to illuminate the comedians. A wacky musical comedy act called Duelling Pianos gets the crowd singing along to interpretations of Brown Eyed Girl and American Pie; it makes a nice change from the traditional cabaret shows and singers that you tend to see on cruise ships. Across the deck sits the only Eataly Italian restaurant at sea, which, sadly, is so highly anticipated that it was closed for private events throughout our sailing. However, on peering in, the bright decor inside transports you to a traditional pizzeria on the Amalfi Coast – albeit scrubbed-up – while floor-to-ceiling windows provide amazing ocean views. Given MSC's Italian roots, it is no surprise that there is more Mediterranean food to be found on board. The new Paxos restaurant at the outdoor World Promenade is a place where you need to be careful not to fill up on starters such as warm pitta bread topped with hummus and taramasalata. The mains include melt-in-the-mouth feta pastries, hot from the oven, or succulent seared tuna. American-style food is found opposite Paxos, in the new All-Stars Sports Bar. Think juicy burgers dripping with cheese and BBQ sauce. This is a speciality restaurant, but in my opinion, the burgers are well worth their $10 price tag. Elsewhere on deck 20, the racing waterslides and Venom dry slide showcase the bigger-is-better American way of doing things. And where on MSC World Europa there is a quiet space for sunbathing, on MSC World America, the space is given over to The Harbour, where a festival atmosphere prevails. Pop music plays as passengers jump around its pirate-style playgrounds, high ropes and waterslides, and there is a snack bar serving hot dogs and Jamaican patties; no need to traipse to the buffet for sustenance. Deck 20 is also where I find the adrenaline rush of the Cliffhanger ride, and also nervously launch myself into a shark's mouth for the ship's Venom ride equivalent, Jaw Drop, a spiralling dry slide where screams of joy echo around the ship as you hurtle down 11 decks. Top tip: it can be a faster mode of transport than the lifts during busy periods. The 4D cinema on board MSC World Europa has also been ditched, making way for a larger arcade in the popular Luna Park. Similarly, the bowling alley – where rough sea days made it hard to play successfully (at least that was my excuse) – hasn't made it onto MSC World America. Instead, there is space for three cars instead of two in its F1 simulator ride – though that didn't make me a better racing driver. MSC has also gone big with entertainment, bagging the rights for Dirty Dancing: In Concert as its flagship show in the World Theatre. In the show, singers performed hits from the classic 1980s film, such as Do You Love Me and Time of My Life – accompanied, of course, by the iconic lift scene. It's a nostalgia-filled performance that made me want to try out my own Swayze-style moves across the dance floor. We caught a preview, but the full version of the show will feature a band and performers who sing and dance along to the film playing on stage in the background, in true immersive Secret Cinema-style. The 1980s theme continues at the aft of the ship at Panorama Lounge, where performers in the Queen Symphonic show perform to an incredible orchestra backing track. Clapping our hands and stomping our feet to We Will Rock is the perfect end to our trip – a fun-filled, rollicking ride that would be fun for all the family, even if you do find yourself dangling sky-high over the deep blue sea. A seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard MSC World America, departing from Miami, starts at £770pp, based on a 17 May 2025 departure; flights not included.
Mid East Info
26-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
MSC CRUISES UNVEILS PREMIUM STAYCATIONS AT SEA WITH MSC EURIBIA'S WINTER GULF SEASON - Middle East Business News and Information
Guests are invited to embark on a refined staycation this winter aboard MSC Euribia to discover the beauty of the Gulf region during the best season of the year. 3, 4- and 7-night itineraries on offer include dazzling highlights such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and other Arabian Gulf gems . The cruise line has also announced MSC World Europa will sail to the region in winter 2026–2027, offering itineraries including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar and reaffirming MSC Cruises long-term commitment to the Gulf cruise sector. Dubai, United Arab Emirates – April 2025 – This winter, MSC Cruises is redefining the concept of the luxury staycation with the return of its iconic ship, MSC Euribia , to the Arabian Gulf. From November 2025, guests will be able to choose from 3, 4, or 7-night roundtrip cruises departing from Dubai and exploring the very best of the region, including Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Sir Bani Yas Island. Crafted for travellers seeking premium, stress-free travel, these elegant itineraries offer a unique opportunity to enjoy a luxurious escape close to home, without the need for flights and complex planning. With everything available in one place, including gourmet dining, world-class entertainment, family-friendly activities, spa, shopping and more, MSC Euribia becomes part of the destination. For those seeking ultimate exclusivity, the MSC Yacht Club offers a private sanctuary with 24-hour butler service, a dedicated restaurant and sundeck, priority access across the ship, and keycard-only areas. It's the perfect match for guests who value both privacy and personalised service, while still enjoying access to the ship's full array of amenities. Angelo Capurro, Executive Director MSC Cruises commented ' We're seeing growing demand from GCC travellers seeking a luxurious and effortless way to rediscover the beauty of their own region. MSC Euribia offers the ideal solution, combining the ease of all-in-one travel with the elegance and comfort of a world-class cruise. And for those looking for an elevated experience, the MSC Yacht Club delivers the utmost in exclusivity, privacy, and personalised service.' Winter is the most beautiful time to cruise the Arabian Gulf, with mild temperatures, clear skies, and comfortable sea conditions to enjoy both city exploration and beach retreats. Highlights from the Arabian Gulf MSC Euribia cruises include: Dubai, UAE: The journey starts in Dubai, the most happening hotspot of the UAE, where travellers will explore world-renowned landmarks, marvel at architectural wonders, and enjoy an endless array of luxury shopping, fine dining, and vibrant entertainment that make this iconic city a global favourite. Abu Dhabi, UAE: In the United Arab Emirates' dazzling capital, from the awe-inspiring Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque to world-class attractions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, guests can immerse themselves in art, heritage, and luxury alike. Sir Bani Yas, UAE: Guests can unwind on the serene shores of Sir Bani Yas Island, the largest natural island in the UAE, known for its pristine beaches and unique wildlife encounters. Exclusive to MSC Cruises on sailing days, the island features a nearly mile-long beach oasis reserved just for guests. Whether relaxing in the sun or exploring the Arabian Wildlife Park, home to some of the region's rarest free-roaming animals, Sir Bani Yas promises a day of discovery and tranquility. Doha, Qatar: Recognised as one of the new 7 Wonders Cities, Doha is a fast-growing and exciting destination. From the vibrant Souq Waqif to the rich Mushreib Museums or the stunning Katara Village, Doha offers an unparalleled cultural offering for guests to enjoy. Manama, Bahrain: The enchanting city of Manama invites guests to explore its rich heritage, bustling souks, and striking skyline. From the ancient Bahrain Fort and vibrant Bab Al Bahrain market to contemporary art galleries and luxury shopping, the capital offers a unique glimpse into the Kingdom's cultural depth and cosmopolitan charm. MSC Euribia will depart for her first seasonal Gulf sailing on 8 November 2025 and offer from 3, to 4 and up to 7-night sailing available for booking now. MSC World Europa will sail to the region in winter 2026–2027, offering itineraries including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar and reaffirming MSC Cruises long-term commitment to the Gulf cruise sector. MSC Cruises' commitment to the Gulf region and its growing popularity as a premier cruise destination is further underscored by its presence at Arabian Travel Market this year with the brand's first-ever dedicated booth at the travel tradeshow. About MSC Cruises: Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the privately-owned MSC Cruises is the world's third largest cruise line and the market leader in Europe with a strong and growing presence in North America. A global cruise brand with 23 modern ships offering cruises across five continents, guests can visit more than 100 countries worldwide with more than 300 destinations, making unforgettable memories and enjoying the finest hospitality.
