NCL Covid rules, P&O latest itineraries & MSC new ship details – cruise news

Cruise news is plentiful as October gets underway, with many of the big names in cruising unveiling interesting updates.

NCL, P&O Cruises and MSC Cruises have announced new itineraries, with MSC – along with Viking – also revealing exciting developments for their latest ships.

We’ve rounded up the latest cruise news you need to know.

Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL has made the big move this week of slashing all Covid requirements – all COVID-19 testing, masking and vaccination rules have been cut, freeing up passengers’ cruising opportunities.

The cruise news follows on from Norwegian announcing its new Canary Islands itineraries. Norwegian Sun will sail to four of the islands in the archipelago on a series of fly cruises.

Guests will be able to explore Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s charming squares, check out unique architecture or embark on a whale-watching catamaran tour. Alternatively, snorkel the calm waters of Playa de las Cantas – considered one of the world’s best city beaches – or visit the volcanic lands of Lanzarote by foot or even by camel.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises has also unveiled new holidays, but these are looking ahead to 2024. They include a selection of Scandinavia and Baltic Sea itineraries on which globetrotters will have the opportunity to explore fairy-tale castles, kayak through capital cities or discover the Viking way of life.

Itineraries also include overnight stays in Helsinki, Copenhagen and Stockholm, giving guests more time to experience these cosmopolitan cities until late into the night.

Savings are up for grabs, too – guests can make sure their money goes even further with offers including a 10 percent deposit and extra onboard spending money when booked by November 30, 2022.

MSC Cruises

The new cruises don’t stop there, MSC has revealed a whole host of winter Red Sea itineraries for 2022/2023 onboard MSC Splendida.

These sailings will offer 33 shore excursions including the addition of Cairo, Egypt, and three embarkation ports in Sokhna Port and Safaga in Egypt plus Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

MSC Splendida’s seven-night sailings call at Sokhna Port, Safaga for Hurghada and Luxor in Egypt, Aqaba for Petra in Jordan, and Jeddah and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia.

An extended 13-hour stay in Sokhna Port, Egypt allows for trips to the Great Pyramid of Giza, the only remaining ‘Seven Wonders of the World’, a must-see, once-in-a-lifetime destination.

MSC has additionally revealed the new entertainment options onboard upcoming ship MSC Seascape, including six fantastical new productions specially designed for the Chora Theatre (above right).

The new ship features the popular Dueling Pianos concept featured on MSC Seashore, which launched in 2021, as well as an entirely new theatre offering unique to MSC Seascape. What’s more, Le Cabaret Rouge aft lounge, inspired by French cabaret lounges of the 1920s, will showcase live performances, a band, singers, dancers, aerialists, contortionists and more.

Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises is offering free land programmes on 15 featured 2023 itineraries heading to Africa, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and beyond.

Holidaymakers who book by January 8, 2023, can pick an immersive pre- or post-cruise add-on to such destinations as the Cape Winelands, Taj Mahal, Angkor Wat, the Blue Mountains, Nazca Lines and more, nabbing savings of up to $4,600 per person.

Sail Croatia

Sail Croatia has launched a full-ship charter experience for UK hen and stag events.

The charters will allow groups to exclusively hire any of the ships – from luxury small ships to traditional vessels – in the Navigator fleet. These can be booked by groups of up to 40 to hire.

Ship charters (above right) include a full crew as well as included extras such as a daily breakfast, three-course lunch, complimentary Wi-Fi and an expert tour manager.

Viking

At the end of September, Viking Cruises took delivery of its second expedition ship, Viking Polaris, in Norway. The ship then sailed to Amsterdam where it was named by her ceremonial godmother, polar explorer Ann Bancroft.

Viking Polaris – along with new sister ship Viking Octantis (above right) – will pass the southern hemisphere summer in Antarctica and then cruise north to the Great Lakes for a series of voyages during spring and summer.

Cunard

Also last month, Cunard celebrated the keel laying of its newest ship, Queen Anne (above left), with a traditional, iconic ceremony. This marked the formal start of her construction at the historic Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Italy.

To mark the occasion – and acknowledge Cunard’s seafaring heritage and the significance of the new ship – a Queen Anne coin was commissioned. This unique piece was embedded into the ship’s keel by Captain Inger Thorhauge, alongside an original coin from the ship’s namesake’s reign.

Queen Anne will enter service at the beginning of 2024 alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth.