  MSC Cruises has partnered with award-winning Blackeye Gin, bringing the premium spirit onboard MSC Virtuosa.
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.  Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales MSC Cruises, said “We are delighted to offer Blackeye Gin to guests on MSC Virtuosa. It is an exciting opportunity to introduce something new and distinctive for our guests - a product that delivers both exceptional taste and a strong sense of identity. We knew from the positive guest feedback last year that Blackeye Gin would be a strong addition. Its premium quality and British heritage make it a perfect fit for MSC Virtuosa and for our UK guests to enjoy at sea.” Mike Tindall, Co-Founder of Blackeye Gin and rugby star said; “The three of us have been on a mission to make a gin we'd actually want to drink, and to give back to the game we love as we drink it. Somehow, we’re pulling it off. James brings the noise, Alex brings a lot of words and I just make sure the quality's right. Blackeye has won significant awards, is raising money for the Blackeye Rugby fund and has big plans moving forwards. Now having MSC Cruises serve it on board feels like another proper seal of approval. We hope the MSC guests love it as much as we do.” With its strong rugby heritage, Blackeye Gin is sure to be popular on MSC Virtuosa’s Rugby Champions Cruise to the Canary Islands on Saturday 8 August 2026, where Ben Cohen, Ben Kay and Neil Back will be onboard giving guests’ rugby coaching sessions, a Q&A in the theatre and the opportunity to meet the rugby legends. Ex-Strictly professional Kristina Rihanoff will also be onboard offering dance classes. The 12-night cruise from Southampton starts from £1,149 per person. Book at www.msccruises.co.uk  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 
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 The new programme expands Azamara Cruises’ onboard entertainment following its debut aboard Azamara Pursuit 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.
visit www.azamara.com Marking the inaugural season of EXPLORA VI, the brand opens its most expansive collection to date with all six ships now available for reservation Explora Journeys has opened sales for its Summer 2028 Journeys Collection, a milestone season defined by the arrival of EXPLORA VI. Her August 2028 debut brings the fleet to its full six-ship scale, realising the brand’s original vision as planned at its inception. The new collection, spanning 178 destinations across 27 countries, represents a significant expansion of the brand’s global presence, with all six ships sailing the world’s oceans together for the first time. Iconic city overnights are balanced with several maiden calls, while in many ports late departures allow guests to experience the evolving energy from day to night. “This new Journeys Collection is a celebration of all that Explora Journeys stands for, fulfilling our long-held vision of six ships sailing the world’s oceans by 2028,” said Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys. “The completion of our fleet allows us to offer greater geographic breadth and deeper immersion into regions, providing guests with an unparalleled choice of ocean journeys .” Explorajourneys.com Summer 2028 Overview
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. Seabourn's 2028 /2029 expedition voyage collection unveils a season shaped by deeper exploration in the Arctic and the line’s second Grand Expedition Pole to Pole as part of its 40th anniversary in 2028. Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit will offer 49 departures ranging from eight to 96 days visiting more than 180 destinations across 29 countries. Highlights include expanded Arctic exploration across Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland and Arctic Canada; Antarctica, South Georgia, the Falkland Islands and select remote-region voyages spanning the Chilean Fjords. Itineraries maximise time in nature with Zodiac cruising, kayaking, guided landings and immersive enrichment. The ships will explore new and returning destinations including Ellesmere Island, scenic cruising of Boatswain Bird Island in Ascension, deeper exploration of St. Helena & Tristan da Cunha, Cape Clear Island in Ireland, multiple new points across Labrador and Nunavut, and Tvoroyri in the Faroe Islands. Mark Tamis, Seabourn president said, 'As Seabourn approaches its 40th anniversary, our 2028–2029 expedition season is designed for travellers who want to explore the world’s most remote places in a more meaningful way. From the return of our Grand Expedition: Pole to Pole to a broader Arctic programme that reaches places like Svalbard and the Canadian High Arctic, these voyages reflect our commitment to pairing purposeful exploration with the service and luxury experience our guests expect from Seabourn.' A Landmark Year: The 2028 Grand Expedition: Pole to Pole In a defining moment for the brand during its 40th anniversary year, Seabourn will again unite the world’s southernmost and northernmost frontiers with its second Grand Expedition: Pole to Pole. Departing in August 2028, the 96‑day voyage will sail from Reykjavik to Ushuaia, travelling more than 20,500 nautical miles across 147 degrees of latitude from the High Arctic to Antarctica in one continuous journey. images courtesy of Seabourn The Arctic and Svalbard Between April and September 2028, Venture and Pursuit will explore the Arctic with itineraries spanning Svalbard, Greenland, Iceland, Canadian Arctic and Northwest Passage. With both ships exploring the northern polar region in 2028, the season expands Seabourn’s Arctic programme. In response to guest interest, Seabourn is offering more Arctic sailings in one season, timed for extended daylight hours, favourable ice conditions and seasonal access to some of the region’s most remote, dramatic landscapes. Guests will sail among Greenland’s vast fjord systems, explore the magnitude of Baffin Island and sail to the Torngat Mountains of northern Labrador where soaring peaks and glacial inlets define one of Canada’s most striking Arctic landscapes. Other voyages reach the High Arctic, including Ellesmere Island, one of the world’s northernmost and most remote frontiers. Seabourn Venture will trace the storied Northwest Passage, long associated with the history of exploration, while Seabourn Pursuit marks the line’s return to Svalbard, where sea ice, glacier-carved coastlines and isolated landing sites shape the experience. Across the region, exploration is enriched by expert context on both the natural environment and the communities that have long inhabited these northern frontiers. For reservations / more details about Seabourn’s 2028-2029 luxury expeditions, call Seabourn 0344 338 8615, visit SEABOURN or contact a professional travel agent. |
