Classic cruise line Voyages of Discovery has been invited to join the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.

The Managing Director of Voyages of Discovery, David Yellow stated that the cruise line was “very pleased and honoured to join” Voyages of Discovery Cruise Line fully supports the ethos of IAATO and joins as an Associate Member, as per IAATO rules, becoming a full member after one full year. The MV Discovery cruise ship part of the Voyages of Discovery fleet, will be cruising to Antarctica from November, beginning its fifth season in the area. The Discovery will be cruising with around 500 passengers as it sails to the Antarctic region, visiting the Chilean Fjords, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Patagonia.

In charge of the expedition team on the MV Discovery is Dr. Peter Carey, a zoologist and founder of the Sub Antarctic Foundation for Ecosystems Research.  Also onboard are six more research scientists and lecturers who will cover areas of biology, ornithology, glaciology and environmental physiology. These experts will lead guided expeditions in each port of call.  Also onboard is an Ice Master together with six Zodiac drivers. Voyages of Discovery’s 2008-09 Antarctica cruises include flights, destination transfers, meals and lectures onboard, gratuities and taxes (price are per person).  Pre-and-post cruise hotel stays are always available and land excursions are available to Iguaçu Falls, the glaciers of Patagonia and Cape Town, South Africa.

The Travolution Awards 2008 has short-listed the Voyages of Discovery cruises company for its Antarctica community website, antarcticadiscovery.com, for a marketing and innovation award in the category ‘Best Use of Social Media’.

Travolution Awards are specifically aimed at the web online travel market.

The Voyages of Discovery website www.antarcticadiscovery.com is a window into the stunning scenery and wildlife of the Antarctic region. This user-friendly website has journals and photos from passengers, crew and visiting lecturers, uploaded and made available for anyone to view. Epostcards of can instantly be sent home by passengers from the MV Discovery for friends and family.

David Yellow, Voyages of Discovery’s Managing Director indicated that the company was delighted to have been nominated for the award.

Google live maps have been added to the site together with bookmarks so pages can be shared with sites such as Stumbleupon, Facebook and Digg.

Voyages of Discovery have always been associated with exploration cruises, offering exclusive itineries and exciting cruise destinations.

The MV Discovery cruise ship has recently left the Antarctic and is now traversing the Panama Canal on its way to Cuba, then onwards to the Amazon.

Well, what can say!! Excitement ruled the day.

As cruise agents my partner Martyn and I had been invited by the MSC rep. to the launch of MSC’s newest cruise ship the MSC Musica which was to be held in Venice.

The 29th June 2006 arrived and the day started early at Leeds Bradford airport, but before we knew it we where alighting in Venice for a short bus ride to the Venice water taxi which was to take us to our final destination, the MSC Musica.

MSC Cruises couldn’t have ordered more beautiful weather for the event, it was glorious. Venice looked amazing, almost dreamlike as we got closer to Venice Island and the MSC Musica.

Special dispensation had been granted for the MSC Musica to dock on Venice Island, as opposed to Venice port, for the magnificent christening ceremony of this brand new cruise ship.

There she lay, in pristine white, the new addition to the Mediterranean Shipping Company fleet, and what a beauty. The Musica was to be the flagship, the pride of MSC cruises. De pied en cap c’est magnifique !

Our day began with a quick change in our cabin and then breakfast in the Gli Archi Cafetteria on Vivace deck, a self service type buffet area with modern clean line seating, understated elegant design and practical informal daytime elegance. The best thing about this eatery was the glass panelling running all the way along the port side, giving spectacular views over Venice and St. Marks Square whilst munching into our international breakfast fare. The food was good quality and incorporated not only typically Italian cuisine but a variety of dishes not unacceptable to the more northern European tastes.

After breakfast, although early undoubtedly, we found ourselves in the Bar della Cascata on Grazioso deck( near reception), an elegant contemporary watering hole tastefully adorned in blues and golds, and incorporating copious down-lighting giving a an airy feel to this mid-ships inside bar. A quick scotch and American dry and Budweiser- respectively – later, well one more, later, and we were on our way to tour the ship (which is what we were really there for).

Always start at the top of a cruise ship and work down, works well as you get tired. Ok, the Sport Deck not much to report here just the usual cruise ship sunbathing area.

One down and it’s the Cantata Deck (Minigolf)

One more down and it’s the Capriccio Deck, here you have the jogging track, golf simulator, deck games areas, Space Ship children play area, virtual games room and at the stern, the disco. Upholstered with square red seats and in a contemporary style, mirrored ceilings and impressive sliding glass walls opening out onto the outside balcony.

And down again, Vivace Deck and to the bow Aloha Beauty Farm and Fitness Centre, Blue Martin Bar, Copacabana Pool Area, La Laguna Pool Bar, La Spiaggla Pool Area, Gli Archi Cafetteria and Il Giardino Restaurant at the stern.

The next five decks down, Virtuoso, Adagio, Minuetto, Intermezzo and Forte are all cabins.

The next Maestoso Deck is home to the upper level of the theatre, Teatro La Scala, Sanremo Casino, Art Gallery, Card Room, Library, Kaito Sushi Bar, Cyber Café, Havana Cigar Room, l’Enoteca Wine Bar, Photo Gallary and shop and at the stern the Crystal Lounge.

Deck Brillante and again at the bow the middle level of the theatre, Teatro La Scala, Il Tucano Lounge, Musica Meeting Room, shops and boutiques, the Golden and Diamond Bars – port and starboard sides and the upper level of Le Maxim Restaurant.

And finally Deck Grazioso with the ground level of the theatre, Teatro La Scala, the Medical Centre, Reception, Bar della Cascata and l’Oleandro Restaurant.

The beautiful 89,000 ton cruise ship MSC Musica was host that day to hundreds of MSC guests from all over Europe, joining the ship in Venice for the spectacular cruise ship christening ceremony which was to follow that evening.

Dressed in our finest, we tentatively stepped onto the red carpet laid at the bottom of the gang-plank and across the quayside. The general public had been kept away by separating them off with builders’ metal security fencing. Cameras flashed at us, mainly because the public didn’t know who we were, but thought we might be someone famous.

We got to our seats overlooking the quayside stage and the late afternoon Venetian sun shone low in the sky, partly blinding us.
The whole proceedings spoken in Italian, which meant a bit boring if you didn’t speak the lingo!

This was a dancing and musical spectacle Italian style, with acrobats and performers dropping onto the stage from high on the Musica itself. Singers and dancers dressed in 17th century Venetian costume, metallic confetti, tug boats spraying water cannon, celebrities, the rich and famous, Italian politicians’ and French actor Gerard Depardieu who recited a poem before the magnificent Sophia Loren, décolleté intact, just, scissored the ribbon letting fly the champagne bottle which christened this cruise ship, MSC Musica.

How much excitement can you take in one day! Anyway back inside for the Gala Dinner then to bed.

A wonderful day and a once in a lifetime experience, well done MSC you did it.