​​MSC Cruises has partnered with award-winning Blackeye Gin, bringing the premium spirit onboard MSC Virtuosa.

• Founded by 2003 Rugby World Cup winners Mike Tindall and James Haskell alongside broadcaster Alex Payne.

Blackeye Gin is available in all bars on MSC Virtuosa, included for guests with a Premium Drinks Package and those staying in MSC Yacht Club.

  MSC Cruises has announced a new partnership with Blackeye Gin, bringing the award-winning English spirit to MSC Virtuosa. Founded by England Rugby World Cup winners Mike Tindall and James Haskell, alongside respected broadcaster Alex Payne, Blackeye Gin has quickly built a reputation as a high quality, characterful spirit, often described as the unofficial spirit of rugby.

Following a successful trial in 2025, where guest feedback highlighted strong demand, MSC Cruises has confirmed Blackeye Gin will now be fully integrated into the onboard drinks offering on MSC Virtuosa. The gin is available at all bars and is included for guests with a Premium Drinks Package or for those staying in MSC Yacht Club, MSC Cruises ‘ship-within-a-ship’ concept. In this exclusive area of the ship guests enjoy personalised service, priority embarkation and disembarkation; luxurious suites; private lounge, restaurant, sun deck and pool; 24-hour butler and concierge service; thermal suite access; Wi-Fi and premium drinks - and yes, that includes Blackeye Gin of course!

The Blackeye Gin partnership supports MSC Cruises’ wider strategy to further localise its food and beverage offering for the UK market, ensuring guests can enjoy familiar, high-quality brands with strong national relevance.

About Blackeye Gin
Rugby legends Mike Tindall and James Haskell, alongside television presenter Alex Payne, are the proud founders of Blackeye Gin - the ‘unofficial spirit of rugby’. Blackeye was born out of the overwhelming enthusiasm from the loyal listeners of the founders’ podcast, The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby, who made the initial suggestion after one particularly 'energetic' show. 

Named in homage to the physical nature of the sport, Blackeye also captures all those who ride the storms and celebrate the sunshine. The trio have since developed a brand with a mission to support the future of rugby, creating a fund with the backing of an impressive advisory board and significant support from some of the most iconic names in rugby globally.

Tasting Notes: A smooth gin with a viscous mouthfeel. Some woody notes and some warmth before a complex, rounded finish.   www.blackeyegin.co.uk

Images  ©​  Ivan Sarfatti & MSC cruises

The new programme expands Azamara Cruises’ onboard entertainment following its debut aboard Azamara Pursuit
 

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Azamara Cruises, the small-ship cruise line renowned for Destination Immersion® and Extended Destination Days, is continuing the rollout of its new onboard entertainment programme aboard Azamara Journey with the debut of original stage productions created in partnership with RWS Global, the world leader in live experiences across entertainment and sports. Following the successful launch aboard Azamara Pursuit last month, Azamara Journey becomes the second ship in the fleet to introduce the brand’s reimagined evening entertainment experience, combining live music, immersive storytelling, dynamic performances and cinematic visuals.
  
“Entertainment is an essential part of the onboard experience, and we’re excited to continue evolving our programming aboard Azamara Journey,” said Simon Blacoe, Vice President of Hotel Operations at Azamara Cruises. “These new productions bring together incredible talent, memorable music, and immersive storytelling to create dynamic performances that guests can enjoy throughout their sailing.”
 
Azamara Journey
Developed exclusively for Azamara Cruises, the new productions combine live music, theatrical storytelling, striking visuals, and contemporary choreography to create immersive, high-energy entertainment experiences onboard.

• Rendezvous in Paris – A flirty, sophisticated cabaret that reimagines a Parisian dream with dazzling couture costumes inspired by the Lido de Paris and the cheeky flair of Blanc de Blanc. Set to the velvety sounds of classics from Moulin Rouge to Édith Piaf, the show sparkles with elegance, audience interaction and a touch of Parisian charm. With opulent visuals and cast full of personality, Rendezvous in Paris is a delight from start to finish.
• Cinemaphonic – High-excitement musical revue following four starry-eyed dreamers from casting calls to award shows. Packed with showstoppers and movie magic, this glitzy backstage-to-spotlight spectacle blends Golden Age glamour with a pop-chart punch

Featured Across the Fleet (shows to debut on Azamara Onward and Azamara Quest at a later date)

• Written in the Stars invites the Azamara audience on a breathtaking theatrical journey, where the night sky becomes a living canvas of performance, storytelling and wonder. Guided by celestial muses, two star-crossed lovers embark on a journey that begins in a grand library and sweeps them into a world beyond the page. 
• Vinyl Records: The Studio Sessions – A high-energy spectacle  with dynamic dancers, live musicians, multimedia projection and bold storytelling, set within the immersive aesthetic of a vintage recording studio. 

The new entertainment initiative reflects Azamara Cruises’ continued investment in enriching the onboard guest experience through original productions inspired by culture, music and travel. Following the debut aboard Azamara Pursuit and now Azamara Journey, the new shows will continue rolling out across the fleet aboard Azamara Quest in November 2026 and Azamara Onward in April 2027.

visit www.azamara.com
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​Summer 2028 Overview

• EXPLORA I: From April to October, the ship visits six countries and 25  Mediterranean destinations . Guests can visit the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the Turkish Coast, experiencing after-hours Mykonos and Istanbul with overnight stays.
• EXPLORA II: Exploring the Western Mediterranean, North Africa and French and Italian Rivieras, the ship visits 36 destinations from April to October. Itineraries incorporate the Balearic Islands and Madeira, featuring an overnight stay in Lisbon and late departures from eight ports including Ibiza, Capri and Casablanca.
• EXPLORA III: Returning to the pristine wilderness of Alaska from May to September, the ship navigates 20 destinations across the USA and Canada. Itineraries feature scenic sailings through the Inside Passage and Gulf of Alaska, providing a vantage point for the Hubbard Glacier and calls to Juneau, Skagway and smaller communities including Wrangell and Klawock.
• EXPLORA IV: From May to October, the ship sails Northern Europe and the Baltic Sea, uncovering 51 destinations across 15 countries. Guests can cycle along Amsterdam's  canals or stroll  Stockholm's parks during immersive overnight stays, while 11 maiden calls including  Djúpivogur in Iceland, reveal the region's more remote shores.
• EXPLORA V: Between May and September, the ship sails the Baltic Sea, Norwegian fjords and the North Atlantic before sailing to Iceland and Greenland. The season then transitions to the North American Eastern Seaboard to witness the autumn foliage, with overnights in New York City and Quebec City and late departures from Halifax and Boston.
• EXPLORA VI: From August to November 2028, the fleet's newest ship sails the Mediterranean across 13 Journeys. Starting with her Maiden Journey from Rome to Barcelona, itineraries cover Sicily, Sardinia and the French Riviera. During October and November, the ship is Adriatic bound, visiting  Trogir and Dubrovnik.

To celebrate the launch of the new Summer 2028 Journeys Collection, Explora Journeys continue to offer Early Booking Benefit. This initiative rewards guests who choose to plan their future Journeys in advance, providing preferred rates and the first opportunity to secure specific suites on the Inaugural Journeys Collection of EXPLORA VI.

Celestyal has marked a new milestone in its Mediterranean deployment, with the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey making her first call to Agios Nikolaos, Crete. This  forms part of the cruise line’s seven-night  Idyllic Greece itinerary. Celestyal Journey is scheduled to visit the port a further 21 times throughout the 2026 season which runs to November. To mark the occasion, representatives from the destination and local authorities were welcomed onboard by Captain Angelos Vasilakos and crew.
 
Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal said, 'Agios Nikolaos has a growing role as a cruise destination and is a fantastic addition to our ‘Idyllic Greece’ itinerary. It perfectly reflects the type of call our guests are increasingly looking for, combining iconic Mediterranean hotspots with rising star ports that offer a more authentic experience. Our 2026 programme is built around delivering authentically Mediterranean experiences through immersive itineraries, warm hospitality and our signature premium casual approach to cruising. We’re proud to continue expanding our presence across the Greek Islands and showcase destinations like Agios Nikolaos to an international audience.'
 
The seven-night ‘Idyllic Greece’ cruise sails roundtrip from Athens, calling at Kusadasi, Turkey; Rhodes; Agios Nikolaos; Santorini; Mykonos; and Milos. All fares include meals, soft drinks, WiFi, port fees,  gratuities.
 More info at celestyal.com or call 0808 258 4170.

​De Vere Horsley Estate  in  Surrey has unveiled a new heritage offering, ‘The Horsley Tunnel Experience History Tour’. The experience follows the reopening of a long-hidden secret tunnel at the venue, an extraordinary underground passage linked to pioneering mathematician Ada Lovelace. Designed as a multi-sensory journey through time, The Horsley Tunnel Experience brings the estate’s history to life through a series of themed food and drink pairings, each inspired by key figures and eras connected to De Vere Horsley Estate.
 
Guests  journey through three pivotal periods in the estate’s history, meeting figures who left their mark on De Vere Horsley Estate. William King, a prominent 18th-century owner; Ada Byron and Sir Charles Barry, who influenced the estate’s 19th-century architecture and culture and Thomas Sopwith, a key figure in the post-WWI era. This immersive experience brings the estate’s heritage to life through storytelling within the atmospheric surroundings of the secret tunnel. It also makes a memorable addition to meetings, events and private celebrations, offering corporate and group guests an engaging way to connect with the estate’s rich history.
 
Kate Shaw, Sales Director at De Vere Horsley Estate said: 'The reopening of the secret tunnel at De Vere Horsley Estate is a special moment, celebrating both the estate’s heritage and its connection to the local community. It brings to life the extraordinary stories of those who lived here, particularly Ada Lovelace, whose legacy continues to inspire. With the launch of ‘The Horsley Tunnel Experience History Tour’, delegates can now enjoy an immersive journey through the estate’s history, combining storytelling with period-inspired food and drink for a truly memorable experience.'

image thanks to  PR and ©  devere.co.uk  

The tunnel’s history
The tunnel dates back to the 19th century, when it was used as a discreet goods entrance for servants and tradespeople at Horsley Towers. Its reopening not only restores a fascinating architectural feature but also revives a personal connection to Ada Lovelace regarded as one of the world’s first computer programmers.
 
Set within 75 acres of Surrey parkland, De Vere Horsley Estate is just an hour from central London. Originally built in the 19th century, Horsley Towers  was redesigned by Sir Charles Barry, best known for his work on the Palace of Westminster.
 
Following its early ownership by banker William Currie, the estate was later purchased by William King-Noel, who married Ada in 1835. During her time at the estate, she developed part of the first computer algorithm, cementing her legacy as a pioneer of modern computing, a story that remains central to De Vere Horsley Estate’s identity today.
 
For decades, the tunnel served as a gathering place for the surrounding community, hosting celebrations including a Queen’s Silver Jubilee party and vintage car showcases. Local residents recall playing and socialising within the tunnel, making its revival a nostalgic moment for the area.

De Vere , a collection of historic mansion house estates and distinctive contemporary hotels and event destinations, has market-leading conference facilities. Across the properties located around London, the southeast and the Cotswolds, the iconic country estate hotels have recently undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment.    See devere.co.uk.