Tauck Building New Ship, Launching First-Ever Douro River Cruises in 2020

Tauck has announced that it will offer its first-ever cruises on the Douro River in Portugal next year, and that its three new itineraries will sail aboard a riverboat that’s being designed and built specifically for the Douro.

With the new ship, the ms Andorinha, Tauck says they will continue to defy the standard industry practice of maximizing passenger capacity to boost revenue, and will instead offer more suites, more spacious public areas, and the more intimate ambiance that naturally results from having fewer guests on board. In fact, Tauck is noting that with a capacity of just 84 guests, the ms Andorinha will carry fewer guests than any other vessel currently operated by a major line on the Douro.

“At Tauck, we measure success by the quality of the experience we provide our guests, and one of the best ways to ensure a warm, relaxing and engaging atmosphere on board is to avoid crowding too many guests into a limited space,” said Tauck CEO Dan Mahar. Riverboats sailing the Douro average 260 feet in length, noted Mahar, and accommodate as many as 130 passengers. “That’s 55% more guests in the same space,” said Mahar, “and you just can’t deliver the same level experience or ambiance with those kinds of numbers.”

Even though the ms Andorinha will have far fewer guests than other ships, it will still have more director-level personnel to ensure Tauck’s guests enjoy the highest levels of care and service. As on Tauck riverboats fleet-wide, the newbuild will be staffed by a Tauck Cruise Director and three Tauck Director guides.

Mahar hinted that the ms Andorinha will also boast a number of unique design features to make it perfectly suited to cruising the Douro. “The Douro is a very different river, and so we’ve been consciously deliberate with the ship’s design,” said Mahar. “We won’t be the first company to operate on the Douro when we launch next year, but in terms of infrastructure, we’re excited to have some surprises in store that will truly differentiate us.”

Tauck is again teaming with its longtime partner Scylla AG on the design and construction of the ms Andorinha. The ship’s hull will be fabricated at Vahali Shipyard in Serbia, while final outfitting will be done in Hardinxveld, the Netherlands prior to the ship’s launch in the spring of 2020.

The new ship will have a crew of 36, and it will measure 263 feet in length with a beam of 38 feet. Guests will be accommodated in 42 cabins, including 12 300-square-foot suites on the upper Diamond Deck, and 20 225-square-foot staterooms primarily on the vessel’s Ruby or mid-level deck. The remaining accommodations – six 200-square-foot cabins and four 150-square-foot cabins – will be on the lower or Emerald Deck. The ms Andorinha will also feature a Panorama Lounge, Compass Rose restaurant for fine dining, and a second dining venue, Arthur’s (named for company chairman Arthur Tauck Jr.), serving more casual fare.

ANDORINHA: A PORTUGUESE SYMBOL OF FAMILY, HOME AND FIDELITY
The word “andorinha” is Portuguese for a species of swallow (a small migratory bird) that return to Portugal each spring after wintering in Africa. Small ceramic sculptures of the birds became popular throughout Portugal following their debut in 1891, and because swallows typically return to the same nest each year with the same mate, the figurines have become symbolic of family, home and fidelity – qualities that resonate deeply with a 94-year-old, family-owned and operated company like Tauck, according to CEO Mahar.

Tauck will offer three new Douro River itineraries aboard the ms Andorinha; a 12-day journey that bookends a seven-night Douro cruise with two-night hotel stays in Lisbon and Madrid, an eight-day “cruise-only” itinerary along the river, and an eight-day Tauck Bridges cruise designed specifically for families with four departures slated for late June/early July 2020. Itinerary details and pricing will be announced later this year.

Tauck, www.tauck.com

Silversea Celebrates 10th Year of Expedition Cruising

In its 10th year of expedition cruising, Silversea Cruises is continuing to unlock a broad range of deep travel experiences for guests, taking them closer to the authentic beauty of the world. From the cool conditions of Antarctica to the warm climates of Australia and beyond, Silversea’s guests will explore over 900 destinations in 2019. Standout experiences for 2019 include a recent trip to the isolated waters of the 66th parallel south and a number of upcoming voyages in the spectacular Kimberley region.

Symbolizing Silversea’s commitment to unlocking unique and authentic experiences, Silversea’s Silver Cloud journeyed to the 66th parallel south on January 13, crossing into the Antarctic Circle. It was the first time the ship has ventured so far south. Guests relished the opportunity to cruise in such remote waters and were rewarded with a special ‘Red Nose’ ceremony on the pool deck, an initiation ritual that has historically been performed on this momentous seafaring occasion. Shortly after, a record 98 guests participated in a polar plunge, which was followed by informative lectures and trivia games. Guests even spotted humpback whales as the ship sailed northward, rounding off a successful day.

“You could feel the excitement in the air as we sailed closer to the line,” says Brooke Greene, a member of Silversea’s Expedition Team. “It was a special moment for everyone because most of the staff had never been below the Antarctic Circle, and it was certainly the first time for all the guests. It made it all the more special that it was the first time for Silver Cloud as well.”

“Led by our industry-leading Expedition Team, who enrich the adventure for our guests, our voyages to Antarctica are unique in their offering,” says Conrad Combrink, Silversea’s SVP Strategic Development Expeditions and Experiences. “Not only do guests travel deeper into the last continent, witnessing the iconic sights that define this incredible region, but they do so in ultimate comfort with Silversea’s trademark service.”

Cruising in a distinctly different ecosystem to that of Silver Cloud, Silversea’s Silver Discoverer will enable guests to discover Australia’s Kimberley Coast throughout 2019, showcasing the destination’s beautiful landscapes, remarkable wildlife, and fascinating aboriginal history, among other alluring features. Offering truly immersive experiences in the region, Silversea guests will journey to the King George Falls by Zodiac, getting close enough to feel the spray from the 80m twin cascades; witness Aboriginal rock art, which dates back more than 50,000 years; and spot spectacular wildlife, including the saltwater crocodile, rare bird species, and various reptiles. Many other memorable experiences will ensure a once-in-a-lifetime voyage.

Accompanied by Silversea’s industry-leading Expedition Team, who will provide insightful lectures and lead shore excursions, the following Silversea voyages to the Kimberley region represent a small sampling of what’s on offer:

Broome (Kimberley) to Darwin – Leaving Broome in the Kimberley Region on April 15, 2019, Silver Discoverer will showcase the very best of the Kimberley Coast on this 10-day voyage to Darwin. Guests will first explore the beauty of the Buccaneer Archipelago Region on an overnight stop, before cruising to the Hunter River Region for another overnight call. Next, Silver Discoverer will set her course for the King George River, Wyndham, and Saumlaki in Indonesia, before arriving in Darwin on April 25.

Darwin to Broome (Kimberley) – Departing April 25, 2019, Silver Discoverer will once again unlock the highlights of the Kimberley Coast on this 10-day voyage. From Darwin, guests will witness the natural beauty of Saumlaki in Indonesia, before journeying to Australia’s Wyndham, the King George River, the Hunter River region, and the Buccaneer Archipelago region, ahead of arriving in Broome. As well as majestic sunsets and captivating wildlife, guests will witness the impressive Bungle Bungle Range and the Kimberley’s Aboriginal rock art, among other unforgettable highlights.

Broome (Kimberley) to Darwin – From May 5, 2019, Silver Discoverer will call at the same destinations once more, as she cruises from Broome to Darwin, immersing Silversea’s guests in the region’s natural beauty. During this 10-day voyage, guests will travel deeper into the Kimberley Region, creating rich memories and experiencing truly unforgettable moments.

Broome (Kimberley) to Darwin – Silver Discoverer will then journey between the same captivating destinations once more, from May 25, 2019. From Broome in the Kimberley, guests will enjoy an overnight in the Buccaneer Archipelago Region and an overnight in the Hunter River Region, before discovering the beauty of King George River, Wyndham, and Saumlaki in Indonesia, prior to arriving in Darwin.

“Many travelers who visit the Kimberley Coast share the opinion that it is a life-changing destination,” says Adam Armstrong, Silversea’s Managing Director for Australia & New Zealand. “This remote and unspoiled region is a truly unique place that is best explored by ship. Silversea’s trademark level of comfort and exemplary service complement the immersive experiences on offer to make these expedition voyages unforgettable for guests.”

Aboard Silver Discoverer, as on all other ships in Silversea’s fleet, guests enjoy ocean-view suites, sumptuous cuisine, and the personalized service of a butler. Enriching the experience are such all-inclusive amenities as complimentary premium wines and spirits, speciality coffees, bottled water, juices and soft drinks served throughout the ship; an in-suite bar, stocked with guests’ preferences; in-suite 24-hour dining; and unlimited complimentary Wi-Fi.

Silver Sea Cruises, www.silversea.com

MSC Cruises Details New Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, Set to Open In November

Uninterrupted ocean views, crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches with blue skies and sunshine – this dream of paradise will become a reality for MSC Cruises guests when they visit Ocean Cay (pronounced “key”) MSC Marine Reserve. MSC Cruises, has revealed more details of this one-of-a-kind island experience that will await guests starting November 9th this year.

Imagine a tranquil morning spent relaxing in a cabana on the beach followed by a snorkel tour to discover the coral and taking in the colorful fish and abundant marine life. The afternoon is spent taking part in beach activities, perhaps a game of beach volleyball or shopping for souvenirs. As the sun starts to set, move to one of the beach bars to sip on a cocktail., taking in the stunning sea views and an atmosphere of peace and serenity. Finally, finish the evening with a movie under the stars before returning to the comfort of your ship.

With Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, MSC Cruises is transforming a former industrial sand extraction site into a flourishing marine reserve and private island destination that will exist in harmony with the local ecosystem. Ocean Cay has been designed to immerse guests in the natural beauty of their surroundings. The vision is to create a sustainable destination with activities that allow guests to connect with nature and provide opportunities to learn about the protection of the oceans and the importance of preserving coral reefs through dedicated edutainment programs.

MSC Cruises’ CEO Gianni Onorato explains, “Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will bring something new and unique to our Caribbean itineraries from Miami and is set to become a truly memorable highlight for our guests. We have created a guest experience that complements the breath-taking natural beauty of this remarkable part of the Caribbean. There was no need for us to build extensively on an island that already had the ingredients of a natural paradise. However, we have undertaken extensive work to clean-up the island, removing tons of historic industrial waste and helping to return the beaches, and the entire 64 square miles of protected waters surrounding the island, to their pristine state.”

Onorato continued, “For the guest services on the island we have kept it authentic and designed an experience that will allow guests to simply enjoy nature at its best. The ship is an integral part of the experience as we have built a pier so that guests can go easily back and forth between the ship throughout the day making full use of both the ashore and onboard facilities.”

MSC Cruises, www.msccruisesusa.com

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