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Vidanta Alegria - Now Appears to be Vidanta Elegant
August 23, 2018
Vidanta's cruise plans are evolving. Cruise Industry News is learning what most of us know and have seen over the past ten or more years. The only thing that is constant with Vidanta is change.The Vidanta Alegria is now expected to be Vidanta Elegant. As can be seen in the photo taken by a Cruise Industry News contributor, the ship is undergoing major changes. We only see the surface, and it appears the process will not be completed untill sometime in the 2019 or later guidelines.
The other interesting tidbit is Vidanta has hired personnel with cruise line experience. There may be a European team as well as a team in Mexico. This bit of news could mean more guests from Europe and the UK. Speculation only!
Here is what the article has to say:
The artilce does reinforce the rumor that the cruise port in Puerto Penasco is under development. This could be the home port for the Vidanta Elegant because of the close proximity to the US. Again, speculation!
Grupo Vidanta’s Cruise Start Up Continues to Slowly Move Forward
August 16, 2018
The Vidanta Elegant
The Vidanta Elegant sits out of service undergoing a major refurbishment in Naples as Grupo Vidanta continues to move forward in entering the cruise business.
The Mexico-based hotel operator acquired the 1990-built ship in 2017 following the demise of All Leisure Group, where the vessel sailed as the Voyager.
The ship was then moved to a shipyard in Spain, and has since been relocated again, this time to a yard in Naples.
The vessel was set to be renamed Vidanta Alegría and enter service as soon as the 2018-2019 Mexican Riviera season, but plans appear to have changed.
The Vidanta Elegant in Naples, Italy
Recent photos obtained by Cruise Industry News show a new name, Vidanta Elegant, and a ship that is in the middle of a large-scale refurbishment and may not be entering service until 2019 at the earliest.
Grupo Vidanta was said to have further ambitions to acquire ships, and has made a number of cruise line hires, both for its site team in Europe and for its shoreside office in Mexico.
The company is involved in hotel and resort development, and even has its own private international airport within a resort property in Mexico near Puerto Penasco, where a massive new cruise port is under development.
Grupo Vidanta did not respond to requests for further information.
The 1990-built ship has capacity for 540 passengers and was originally built at Union Naval de Levante in Valencia, Spain, as the Crown Monarch.
Source: Cruise Industry News August 16, 2018
Regardless, there is much to come. Nuevo Vallarta has The Park. East Cape has the new development. Luxxe units will be appearing in both San Jose del Cabo at the current Grand Mayan site as well as the Puerto Penasco site. You know what to do....