MSC Magnifica To Hamburg!

Continuing the MSC Cruises voyage aboard MSC Magnifica with Danielle Fear, aka Cruise Miss, from Amsterdam to Dover...

Today I had the chance to enjoy the hospitality of Hamburg as MSC Magnifica sailed into our next port of call. We didn’t arrive until 10.30am so it was the perfect excuse to have a short lie in and not worry about rushing off the ship.

I made my way down for breakfast which consisted for me of an English muffin, beans and a hash brown. Yes just one! I love hash browns, so it was best not to be greedy and just resist the temptation to have more than one. The selection of food was pretty impressive once again, though. I bumped into my adopted Dutch family during breakfast and they said I was welcome to join them for the day so I accepted their invitation and we arranged a time to meet.

This was my first experience of having some passengers disembarking and others just simply trying to get off to enjoy the day ashore. I have to admit it was a little confusing; everyone was trying to get through the same exit but what started out as a huge queue went down in less than 4 minutes and we were off the ship before we knew it. It was one of those times when you don’t judge it, just go with it. It actually worked very well because everyone worked together.

Once off the ship we jumped on the Number 111 bus to Landungsbrucken and began exploring. We walked for what felt like miles and passed the beautiful Municipal Building, truly gorgeous both inside and out. The best section was a courtyard at the back, so don’t miss this if you are heading to Hamburg. In front, there is a pleasant square with a few coffee shops and it branches off onto other streets with stores and other places of interest.

We passed church after church and some impressive bridges, one of which is the oldest in the city and links the old town with the new. It was a mix of modern and historical literally joined together in places; different, but nice.

I must admit I found it difficult to navigate and was fortunate having my Dutch friends with me, one of whom could also speak German. Had I been on my own, I doubt I would have seen half as much as I did. I am good with planning and mapping a route, but can’t quite grasp the German language. I took in my route, noted it down in my brain, then checked the map again but was still baffled!

After having walked some distance, we decided to hop on the train at Baumwall one stop back to Landungsbrucken, where we opted for the water taxi back to the ship - good idea until we got on! The brisk breeze made for lumpy water and, within minutes of leaving, the boat was pitching so much we were getting soaked on the open top deck.

Once back, it was time to grab some lunch. I opted for spinach and ricotta pasta and then grabbed a few steamed asparagus spears, a slice of freshly baked baguette and sat down quite content. As I made my way back to take pictures, I came across the biggest carving joint I have seen in my life. I asked the chef what it was and he said ‘It is beef madam, it’s a leg.’ To me, it looked like a whole cow - it was huge. Again, the food on board had proved its worth, and is one of the reasons I'm sure I won't want to get off on Saturday. 

The evening dress code was Casual, so it was nice to have a fun-filled day without the pressure of having to rush back to dress for dinner. Jeans, pumps and a smart jacket would see me right for the night.

Next up - the island of Heligoland and a rare cruise port of call.

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Sailing Aboard MSC Magnifica

Danielle Fear, aka Cruise Miss, brings us up to date on her voyage aboard MSC Cruises' MSC Magnifica from Amsterdam....

I joined MSC Magnifica (left) yesterday morning and so far I am very impressed. Check-in was swift and I was shown personally to my cabin - a very nice touch I walked through the door and was greeted with a rather nice balcony cabin and queen-sized bed. Yes, I have all of this space to myself and it feels good!

After a brief exploration, I made my way out to explore the rest of the ship. Every inch of this vessel really is beautiful; even the elevators have character. She also has the same sweet floral smell I encountered on MSC Lirica last year (as does the liquid soap in the cabin bathroom). It’s not the usual cruise ship smell - this ship wears hers like perfume!

Over the previous few days I had struggled to fit in a nice sit-down meal so, when lunchtime came, I knew I had the chance to enjoy the Sahara Buffet area and relax. I walked in and it just didn’t end - everywhere you went there was food and it all looked delicious. I have been on larger ships than Magnifica, yet the buffet areas have been less than half the size of the one on here. It was hard to decide what to have, though, but I opted eventually for a cheese wrap that was delicious. I also tried the stir-fried rice with shrimp and chicken, which was equally tasty. All I can say is, for food lovers this is the place to come - it’s far from typical buffet food and the presentation is superb.

After we sailed away from the port of Amsterdam, I went exploring again and discovered the huge Casino. This, my friends, is what a casino on a ship should be! I stumbled across the Sports Bar, with ESPN showing on numerous flatscreen TVs. Along with sporting memorabilia (see below!) and images, it’s a nice space - and a great place for the women to leave the men when in need of some onboard retail therapy!

I walked past the Oriental Plaza restaurant, which is a speciality dining option where the menu features a lot of Sushi, and also came across the Cigar Lounge, the two-lane bowling alley and then right aft on deck 13, the lovely seating area where people were enjoying the sail away and lunch.

Coming back to the centrum of the ship on deck 13, it felt like the majority of passengers were here. The weather was actually pleasant and surprisingly, warm, and the space was full of people enjoying drinks, laughing, chatting and just enjoying being in that holiday spirit.

In the evening I took myself off to the Sports Bar briefly, then made my way back on to the open deck and enjoyed a drink and the atmosphere. The majority of those on board, I think, are German and Dutch; I have come across only two other British passengers so far. Not that it matters, as everyone has been very friendly and will switch to English when you smile and say you don’t understand them.

My first impressions of MSC Magnifica are therefore very positive indeed. She truly is beautiful; everything is clean, tidy and very well cared for. The facilities are above and beyond what I expected and I am certainly enjoying my taste of Italian-style cruising!

 

Next - in port in Hamburg.

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Quantum of the Seas - Too MUCH Innovation?

Royal Caribbean revealed their big Quantum of Solace new-ship details this week in a grand online presentation featuring godmother-to-be Kristin Chenoweth.

It was a glamorous and eye-catching show, with plenty of novel features aboard their latest-and-greatest, which builds on the dramatic success of their 220,000-ton Oasis class duo.

Quantum will add still more innovative elements to the Royal Caribbean line-up, including several headline-grabbing features, like the North Star - a giant mechanical arm with a glass capsule at one end to give passengers a genuinely different view of the ship (above) - and a breathtaking-looking 3-storey lounge venue, Two70, that provides a wide variety of entertainment options, including a night-time aspect where the glass windows become a giant LED screen (below).

Other innovations include inside staterooms with 'virtual balconies' (taking Disney Cruise Line's 'virtual' portholes idea and making it substantially bigger), an onboard 'skydiving' facility (like the land-based vertical wind-tunnels we see at places like iFly Orlando), bumper cars, a circus school, extensive Music Hall live entertainment venue and more. Much more.

And they have yet to unveil any of their dining options and other interior detail!

What we saw this week adds up to a truly mind-boggling array of headline features and amenities for the 4,180-guest ship, which will make its debut in autumn 2014 out of New York.

It certainly adds to the improbable-but-impressive Oasis-class ships, but I have to wonder - at what point do we try to put too MUCH innovation on what is still, essentially, a floating vessel for a week's holiday?

We've seen rock-climbing walls, ziplines, surf pools, ice rinks, bowling alleys and self-levelling pool tables, not to mention a wide array of water slides, extravagant open-air venues, giant video screens and all manner of 'virtual reality' gadgets.

But this is still supposed to be a cruise ship, right? And much of what is being presented here (the likes of bumper cars, rock-climbing, ziplines, etc) can all be done on land, and substantially better.

So why do cruise lines think it is necessary to bombard us with more and more "cruise innovation"? By all means provide new entertainment; the likes of Norwegian Cruise Line's onboard Blue Man Group and Legends In Concert shows are a great addition, as is Royal Caribbean's DreamWorks tie-up to provide onboard character interactions. And the expansion in dining options is very welcome and a notable feature of just about every new ship these days.

But, to be honest, much of what has been released about Quantum of the Seas smacks of sheer gimmickry, providing new ideas simply because they can, not because they are necessarily good ideas. There has to be an unknown safety question to things like North Star and onboard skydiving (which is an incredibly difficult - and expensive - skill to master, if you've been to anywhere like iFly Orlando) and, while the idea of a 'virtual balcony' is pretty cute, how much does it ratchet up the price?

I have always thought that the Oasis-class finally broke the mould of what could realistically be called a 'cruise ship.' They are, in fact, floating resorts with no connection to the sea. They might just as well be moored on a lake in Las Vegas for all the real 'cruising' they do (just adding to the handful of standard and rather dull Caribbean ports of call that can handle these behemoths). 

So you'll have to excuse me if I reserve judgement on the Quantum experiment for now. Because that is what it seems - an experiment in what people will actually accept in cruise terms. And safety.

PS: for the full video 'reveal' on Quantum, see this link to our friends at Cruise Radio.

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New Entertainment Venue for Splendour

London, 21 November 2011 – Royal Caribbean International’s Splendour of the Seas will reemerge from its extensive revitalisation with the transformation of the elegant and popular Centrum into an exciting entertainment venue.

With its sweeping views and central location on the ship, the Centrum will become a new chic and sophisticated venue featuring a range of daytime activities, nightly entertainment and aerial performers. The Centrum’s Champagne Bar also will be unveiled as a new venue – the R Bar – featuring a sophisticated 1960s vibe, complete with signature cocktails.

Throughout each sailing, guests can gather in the Centrum to enjoy performances from musicians and singers or take a spin on the dance floor at themed parties such as the popular ‘Disco Inferno’ dance party. It’ll also play host to a variety of interactive daytime activities including chef demonstrations, dance classes, game shows, Nintendo Wii competitions, towel folding demonstrations and the popular ‘Captain’s Corner’ where guests can spend time with the Captain.

Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International said: “The revamp of the spectacular 60-foot high Centrum found onboard the Vision-class ships brings new life to a popular gathering space by incorporating innovative technology and vertical entertainment elements to what was already the place to be and be seen. Guests sailing onboard Splendour of the Seas will be in for a multi-sensory experience that puts them at close proximity to amazing aerial performers from multiple viewpoints in a sophisticated and glamorous atmosphere.”

Bringing the Centrum’s new entertainment offerings to life is the latest in sound and light technology. The glass lifts facing into the Centrum will feature large LED panels across their entire length providing a spectacular backdrop of moving visuals five decks high. During the entertainment experiences, the space comes alive with a series of aerial acrobatic performances blurring the lines between artful choreography and state-of-the-art technology.

The R Bar offerings will feature a return to the classic drinks all served in unique glassware with surprising garnishes. The venue’s resident mixologist will create drink specials to complement each evening’s theme and aerial spectacular.

To learn more about Splendour's revitalisation and to see the latest webisode, visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com.

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Royal Caribbean's Big 5-Ship Refurb

London, 9 November 2010 – Royal Caribbean International has announced the revitalisation of five ships in its fleet; Radiance of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas will all undertake various updates during 2011.

“The planned enhancements of five ships in 2011 will help expand some of the most successful programmes that we have launched on our incredible Oasis-class ships to deliver these new ‘wows’ to more ships in our fleet,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “We are proud to continue to deliver more to see, do, and love than ever before to our guests.”

In mid-2011, Radiance will begin its revitalisation with the addition of new speciality restaurants, including the Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse, Mexican-themed Rita’s Cantina, and the Italian Giovanni’s Table, as well as the Park Café deli-style restaurant and the exclusive Chef’s Table dining experience. Other enhancements to the ship will include a new Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty programme members, as well as the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, interactive flat-panel televisions in all staterooms, and Wi-Fi throughout the ship.

Splendour will receive two new speciality restaurants, and the Park Café, the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, a Diamond and Concierge Lounge, flat-panel televisions, and Wi-Fi throughout the ship. In addition, there will be new balcony staterooms added, select stateroom enhancements and upgrades to public areas, including a refreshed Windjammer Marketplace.

Oasis of the Seas will also launch new onboard guest programmes starting in the first quarter of 2011. Guests will be able to enjoy the DreamWorks Experience and 3-D films in the main Opal Theater. Also, a Starbucks coffee shop will replace Mondo Café on the Royal Promenade. This follows the first-ever Starbucks at sea which will launch onboard Allure of the Seas when the sister ship enters service on 1 December 2010.

In early 2011, Freedom (above) and Liberty of the Seas will introduce new dining, entertainment, children’s programming and other enhancements made popular on the Oasis-class ships. This will include the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, The Cupcake Cupboard, the groundbreaking Wayfinding navigation system for guests, and an oversized outdoor video screen in each ship’s main pool area. In addition, the DreamWorks experience, 3-D movies and complimentary guest service kiosks, which will be introduced on Allure, also will be implemented onboard Freedom and Liberty, as well as sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. Saturday Night Fever: The Musical, Royal Caribbean’s third licensed main-stage musical production, will debut on Liberty in the main Platinum Theater.

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