Azamara Cruises took possession of the 30,277gt/2001 built Azamara Pursuit, formerly the Adonia, as of midday on 14th March whilst the ship was in dry dock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard being repainted into Azamara colours. The ship later set sail for Harland & Wolff, Belfast, to commence her 4 month internal refit, arriving there on 4th April. The naming and maiden voyage will take place at Southampton on 1st August.

Costa Crociere’s 85,619gt/2003 built Costa Mediterranea is the first Costa ship to feature the new graphic design with the ship name and Italian flag on the bow (above). The vessel’s hull was painted during stopovers in Marseille and Savona on 5th/6th April.

Cruceros Maritimos Vacacionales, Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ (CMV) Acapulco based venture, is preparing to launch cruises using the 46,052gt/1985 built and 1,400-passenger capacity Magellan from Acapulco during the winter season 2019. With the first sailing scheduled for 3rd February 2019, the Magellan will offer a seven-day programme, departing on Sundays, and calling at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo. For 2019, the Magellan will operate 10 seven day cruises, but plans call for extending the 2020 season to five months and eventually possibly going to year-round operation according to Global Maritime Group, the parent company of CMV.