CruiseSource – Cruise News June 20, 2012

This week – hear about Crystal Symphony’s extreme makeover, Holland America Line’s new Master Chef International dinner, an all-inclusive beverage package from MSC, and a newly added Silversea expedition ship.   Sounds like great fun to design my own three or four course dinner from a variety of cultures on a Holland America cruise, and enjoy endless tasty smoothies and milkshakes throughout an MSC cruise with their new “Allegrissimio” beverage package.

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Crystal Symphony Completes Dazzling Extreme Ship Makeover
Completing a two-week extreme makeover, ultra-luxe Crystal Cruises reveals chic-ly redesigned major public spaces aboard Crystal Symphony, including the Avenue Saloon, Palm Court lounge, Galaxy showroom, Hollywood Theatre, Bridge Lounge, Fantasia and Waves “junior cruisers” areas, and the Tender Landing/passenger boarding area.  This latest triumph marks the culmination of a $65 million, five-year plan to redesign every room aboard the award-winning ship.  Other invigorating new touches include “bells and whistles” added to all staterooms, paddle tennis court resurfacing, sprucing of tender shuttles, more energy-efficient hull paint, galley updates, and general maintenance and detailing of the entire ship, from propellers and boilers to the bridge and lifeboats.

Holland America Line Introduces Master Chef’s International Dinner
Holland America Line has unveiled a new Master Chef’s International Dinner in the main dining room, a unique experience showcasing signature dishes from around the world. The exotic menu is offered once a cruise and features cuisine from six continents crafted by Holland America Line’s award-winning Master Chef Rudi Sodamin in collaboration with several of the line’s expert chefs.

Guests can design their international three- or four-course meal by choosing each course from selections that represent a variety of cultures. The exclusive 20-dish menu includes appetizers, entrees and desserts from Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, North and South America, as well as wine pairings from each region. Guests also can choose Chef Rudi’s Tour Around the World, a pre-selected three-course meal by the master chef.

MSC Cruises Launches an All-Inclusive Beverage Package
MSC Cruises has announced an all-inclusive beverage package, ‘Allegrissimo’, allowing guests to enjoy unlimited wines, cocktails and beverages throughout their entire cruise.

Adults can enjoy unlimited wines by the glass, cocktails, draught beer, soft drinks and juices, mineral water, smoothies, and take away ice creams.  Children can enjoy soft drinks and juices, mineral water, hot drinks, smoothies and milkshakes, and take away ice creams.  The package can be used at every venue throughout the ship during the entire cruise, with the exception of the à-la-carte restaurants and mini-bars.

The ‘Allegrissimo Premium’ packages offer even more choice, and include all premium brands, a large range of DOC/DOCG wines by the glass, the best selection of premium and signature cocktails, drinks from the minibar as well as items from the ‘Gelateria’ menu, Pastry Shop and food from the room service menu.

Silversea Acquires Galapagos Tourism Company and Expedition Ship
The Silversea Group announced today that it has purchased Canodros SA, the premier Ecuadorian tourism company that operates in the Galapagos Islands, and their upmarket expedition ship, Galapagos Explorer II.

Silversea plans to add Galapagos Explorer II to its ultra-luxury fleet of six ships next year, after the all-suite, 100-guest vessel undergoes a major refurbishment in September 2013 and is given a new name, steps that will ensure consistency with the standards of the Silversea fleet.

Until that time, Galapagos Explorer II will continue on its planned schedule of cruises and will continue to be operated by Canodros, which is based in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Canodros will also continue handling reservations for Galapagos Explorer II, as well as sales and marketing through its established network of travel companies and tour operators.

The acquisition will enable the award-winning cruise company chaired by Manfredi Lefebvre to expand the Silversea Expeditions brand. Its existing expedition ship, Silver Explorer, is regularly deployed in the polar regions, and the addition of a second vessel, offering year-round unique luxury expedition cruises in the Galapagos archipelago, means Silversea will have the opportunity to offer the adventure traveller a broader portfolio of itineraries, encompassing some of the world’s most desired and least explored regions.