BON JOVI LIVIN’ ON PAIR OF INTERNATIONAL VOYAGES
Rocker’s Runaway to Paradise appearances highlight cruise news for 2019 and beyond
Just when I thought it would be a relatively quiet October, along comes a veritable onslaught of exciting cruise news. First out of the gate is evidence that Royal Caribbean’s majority acquisition of ultra-luxury line Silversea (cruise.center/silversea) has been a good thing. Royal Caribbean and Silversea recently announced a memorandum of understanding with German shipyard Meyer Werft for two brand-new luxury vessels for Silversea. Known as the Evolution Class, the first of these new vessels will debut in 2022. Details are scant at the moment, but it is known that the Evolution Class will be a brand-new design for Silversea. The line also entered into plans with Dutch shipyard De Hoop to construct a brand new 100-guest expedition ship to replace Silver Galapagos in the Galápagos Islands. The new ship, which will be named Silver Origin, will take over itineraries in the Galapagos when she enters service in 2020, and Silver Galapagos (which began life in 1990 as Renaissance Cruises’ Renaissance III) will leave the fleet. “We are delighted to have entered into an agreement with Meyer Werft on the Silver Evolution series and De Hoop for Silver Origin,” said Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Silversea’s executive chairman. “With our guests in mind, we are pushing the boundaries of ultra-luxury cruising, as well as expedition cruising in the Galápagos Islands and beyond, redefining the concept of immersive travel.” Speaking of Royal Caribbean (cruise.center/royalcaribbean), the popular megaship line celebrates its 50th anniversary next year and is planning a blowout bash aboard its massive Symphony of the Seas in the Eastern Caribbean for next year. Royal Caribbean’s 50 Years Bold birthday cruise will set sail on Nov. 2, 2019, from Miami on a weeklong run through some of the Eastern Caribbean’s most interesting ports of call. The line says the special sailing will be “packed with special programming and events, surprise guest performers, a stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay and much more.” For Royal Caribbean fans, that might be worth saving the date for. Norwegian Cruise Line (cruise. center/norwegian) is also kicking off 2019 with a bang, announcing it has tapped Grammy Awardwinning singer-songwriter Jon Bon Jovi for two special themed cruises next year. The first Runaway to Paradise cruise featuring Bon Jovi will take place aboard the 2,402-guest Norwegian Jade from April 12 to 16, 2019, on a special voyage from Miami to Nassau. The second voyage featuring the New Jersey native will set sail in the Mediterranean, with a short itinerary departing from Barcelona on Aug. 26, 2019 aboard Norwegian Pearl. The highlight of each cruise will be a live concert up on the pool deck, with other special meet-andgreet and Q&A opportunities planned for both voyages. “We are beyond excited to host Runaway to Paradise aboard Norwegian Jade and Pearl,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian’s president and CEO. “Hosting an international rock and roll sensation like Jon Bon Jovi is a testament of our commitment to offer world-class entertainment for all who sail with us. With the recent refurbishments, both of the ships are ideal venues to host this musical experience and will certainly provide our guests with the vacation of a lifetime.” Finally, Cunard Line (cruise. center/cunard) is gearing up for its first Alaska season in 20 years. The line, which will sail from Vancouver next year to Alaska with its elegant Queen Elizabeth, just released its full shore excursion lineup for the four planned 10-night itineraries that will depart round-trip from Canada Place. Ports of call will include Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Sitka, Icy Strait Point and Victoria. And, with only four departures, these voyages will sell out fast. Happy cruising. Visit portsandbows.com, sponsored by Expedia CruiseShipCenters, 1-800-707-7327, www.cruiseshipcenters.com, for daily updates on the latest cruise news, best deals and behind-the-scenes stories from the industry. You can also sign up for an email newsletter on the site for even more cruise information. Aaron Saunders may be contacted directly at portsandbowsaaron@gmail.com