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Sept. 16 update: MSC from Canaveral, Atlas confirms Antarctica, Regent resumes, Santander ready for cruises

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Atlas Ocean Voyages' World Navigator is depicted in Antarctica. Its inaugural season there is going ahead as planned
Here's a quick read of some of today’s coronavirus-recovery cruise news. This is being updated throughout the day.

MSC Divina's Port Canaveral debut

MSC Divina's departure from Port Canaveral this evening marks MSC Cruises’ 11th ship back in service. This also kicks off the line's first cruises from Central Florida, all featuring Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.  

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All MSC Divina cruises visit Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

This follows the US return of MSC Meraviglia from PortMiami in early August.

MSC Divina is beginning with three-night getaways and will add seven-night eastern and western Caribbean cruises starting Sept. 19, four-night cruises Sept. 26 and additional seven-night cruises in mid-October.

Three- and four-night cruises in September visit Nassau and stay overnight at Ocean Cay. Seven-night cruises go to Ocean Cay, Cozumel and Costa Maya. In October, seven-night cruise cruises visit Ocean Cay, Nassau, Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman or Ocean Cay, Costa Maya and Cozumel. November sees a 10-night cruise to Ocean Cay, Nassau, Costa Maya and Cozumel.

Travelers 12 and older must be fully vaccinated in accordance with a Bahamas mandate.

Atlas Ocean Voyages confirms inaugural Antarctica season

Atlas Ocean Voyages confirmed its inaugural Antarctica season is on. From November through March, World Navigator will sail nine- and 12- night expeditions, round-trip Ushuaia, Argentina.

As previously reported, Atlas has chartered its own private jet to carry travelers to Ushuaia to embark, shortening the travel time and avoiding overnights and extended layovers at an international airport. This is part of the brand's 'All Inclusive All The Way' offer. As required by the Argentinian authorities, all crew and passengers will be vaccinated for COVID-19.

'We are happy to proceed with World Navigator’s inaugural Antarctica season as planned,' said Alberto Aliberti, president of Atlas Ocean Voyages. ' ... Atlas is establishing a safety bubble in the US and safely flying guests directly to World Navigator in Ushuaia. The benefits of our private charter jet service combined with our proven safety and hygiene protocols were instrumental in clearing our operations from Ushuaia.'

World Navigator’s Nov. 28 journey will provide the chance to see the Dec. 4 solar eclipse, while the Feb. 22 voyage features a crossing into the Antarctic Circle for marine wildlife-spotting.

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Jason Montague and Andrea DeMarco are hosting Seven Seas Society members

First Regent ship resumes passenger service

Regent Seven Seas Cruises embarked on its first voyage in just under 18 months with new ship Seven Seas Splendor sailing from Southampton on Sept. 11.

Protocols include 100% vaccination crew and passengers.

'I am so excited for our guests who have waited patiently, and for our crew and team members across our global offices who have worked so hard to get to this moment,' Regent President and CEO Jason Montague said. 'The Regent family is finally reunited ...'

Montague and new Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Andrea DeMarco are on board, hosting a number of Seven Seas Society members, including Commodores, who have chalked up more than 2,000 nights on Regent ships.

Helmed by Capt. Diego Michelozzi, this cruise is circling the UK, calling at destinations including Edinburgh, Belfast and Liverpool. The ship returns to Southampton Sept. 22, arriving at the new Horizon Cruise Terminal, before embarking on a 14-night voyage to Barcelona. Seven Seas Splendor then spends October and November in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic for a Caribbean season.

Regent's next ship to resume will be Seven Seas Explorer on Oct. 15 from Trieste. Seven Seas Mariner is scheduled to start Dec. 18 and Seven Seas Navigator Jan. 6, both from Miami. Seven Seas Voyager is to return Feb. 15 at Barcelona.

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Phoenix Reisen's Amera to call Santander Sept. 18

Santander ready for its first cruise ship back

The Spanish port of Santander is ready to receive Cantabria's first cruise ship since the pandemic shutdown. On Sept. 18, Phoenix Reisen's Amera is set to arrive with 617 mostly German passengers and 460 crew.

Some 195 of the passengers are scheduled to take a panoramic tour to Santander's main attractions, while 136 will make a twin-destination trip between Santillana del Mar and Santander.

The Port Authority, the Cantabrian government and Santander City Council are collaborating to ensure the call's success. The authorities plan to present a commemorative medallion to the ship's captain to celebrate the arrival.