The Costa Group is spending 66 million euros on dry-dock refurbishment for four ships for its Costa and Iberocruceros brands. The most significant investment, worth of about 55 million euros, is being carried out on Iberocruceros’ Grand Holiday in the S. Giorgio shipyards in Genoa from December through April.
Holland America Line announced its Europe and Alaska cruise schedule for summer 2011, which increases sailings from the homeports of Dover, England, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
When Silversea’s elegant new Silver Spirit sets sail this month, it will have an 8,300-square-foot spa, the largest in the fleet. The Spa will feature a beauty salon, fitness center, nine treatment rooms, two sauna rooms and two steam rooms. Of special note is the debut of the ceramic-tiled Thermal Suite, a spa area furnished with heated lounge chairs.
Royal Caribbean International and Dubailand announced a joint product offering for the new cruise itinerary from Dubai. Starting Jan. 18 through April, Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas will operate seven-night sailings around the Arabian Gulf.
Discovery Cruise Line announced that it will continue sailing in 2010 with a new structure and other new developments to be announced in January. “This announcement is being made in response to inquiries about whether Discovery will continue its itinerary next year,” said Hanns J. Hahn, the general manager of Discovery.
One of the small ships of Princess Cruises, the 710-passenger Royal Princess, will depart the line’s fleet in spring 2011, transferring to sister company P&O Cruises in the U.K. The ship will be renamed Adonia. As a result, five sailings in April and May 2011 will be cancelled, and instead a 26-day “South Pacific and Andes Explorer” cruise will be offered prior to the transfer.