Vidanta Alegria photo from Cruisenews.
Vidanta Alegria - Home Port in Puerto Peñasco?
July 7, 2018
Cruisemapper has issued a statement about Vidanta Alegria, in which information about the ship's past and future is dicussed. The take-away is the following:- Puerto Peñasco is currently developed to become a new cruise port and the ship could be homeported in Puerto Penasco.
- Cruisenews states the ship has two restaurants (both with open-seating) and one specialty restaurant (Explorer Club) which requires reservations for dinner.
- The ship had 270 (of which 35 Suites) cabins. This configuration was supposedly changed according to reports from the Sales Department. It is possible the Cruisenews report does not contain current configuration informaton because the report does not indicate the ship has been located in Naples since June 22, 2018.
What we do know now is cruising is in Vidanta's future and the relationship between a maintenance fee and the cost of a cruise has not been announced. Also, Puerto Peñasco may become the ship's home port, which could be interesting given how close Puerto Peñasco is to the US.
Following is a copy of the article:
Vidanta Alegria Review and Specifications
Specifications of Vidanta Alegria
Christened by: Miranda Krestovnikoff
- Year built: 1990 / Age : 28
- Flag state: Bahamas
- Builder: Union Naval de Levante (Valencia, Spain)
- Building: cost USD 96 million
- Owner: Grupo Vidanta
- Operator: Vidanta Cruises
- Speed: 21 kn / 39 kph / 24 mph
- Length: (LOA) 153 m / 502 ft
- Beam: (width) 21 m / 69 ft
- Gross Tonnage: 15271 gt
- Passengers: 540
- Crew: 215
- Passengers-to-space ratio: 28
- Decks: 9
- Cabins: 270
- Decks with cabins: 5
- Last Refurbishment: 2016
- Sister-ships: MV Discovery
- Former names: Crown Monarch, Nautican, Walrus, Jules Verne, Alexander von Humboldt, MV Voyager
Review of Vidanta Alegria
Vidanta Alegria cruise ship (former "MV Voyager") was built in Valencia (Spain) under the name “Crown Monarch”. The vessel's previous owners were Club Cruise, Casino ship, Cunard and All Leisure Holidays Group. Its sister-ship (MV Discovery) was scrapped in 2015.
History - construction & ownership
The 15,396-ton, 550-passenger ship mv Voyager joined Voyages of Discovery in December 2012. The last drydock refurbishment of MV Voyager was in 2012 (at Port Portland UK). Its sister-ship is MV Discovery, the small-sized of Voyager means that the vessel is able to access remote, out of the way ports.
Since All Leisure Group's bankruptcy in 2017, MV Voyager was moved to Cadiz Spain (Navantia shipyard). Following a drydock refurbishment, the cruise vessel re-entered service for its new owner Grupo Vidanta) in spring 2018. Grupo Vidanta is a major leisure property developer (hotel and resort) in Latin America. The company also owns a private international airport (within a Mexican resort property located near Puerto Penasco (Sonora, Mexico). Puerto Penasco is currently developed to become a new cruise port.
Cruise itinerary program
MV Voyager itinerary program was based mostly on cruises in Europe. Longer itineraries visited ports all around the world. The ship used to sail in the Mediterranean and Around Britain (UK, British Isles), as well as to around the world destinations in Africa and Indian Ocean islands, Caribbean, South Asia.
Starting in 2018, Vidanta Alegria ship's itinerary program offers cruises leaving from ports in Mexico and Latin America. The ship could be homeported in Puerto Penasco (currently developed to become a new cruise port). Puerto Penasco is approx 100 km (60 ml) from the Mexico-USA (Arizona) border. The port town is located on the small strip of land linking Baja California Peninsula with mainland Mexico.
Cabins
The ship has 30 balcony cabins (out of 270) and 87% of all staterooms are outside (with ocean view). Digital media players and flat TVs allow guests in all staterooms to access a large media library with documentaries, classical concerts and movies.
Dining options - Food & Drinks
The ship has two restaurants (both with open-seating) and one specialty restaurant (Explorer Club) which requires reservations for dinner.
Veranda Restaurant offers indoor and al fresco dining (on an open-air terrace). This is the ship's Lido Buffet restaurant aft on deck 7.
Discovery Restaurant is the ship's main dining room restaurant located midship-aft on deck 5.
Explorer Grill is an alternative (larger-sized) club restaurant (at fee) located midship-portside on deck 5.
Entertainment options - Fun & Sport
The new features of mv Voyager include Scott’s Lounge, a piano bar that serves cocktails in the evening, the Lookout Lounge with panoramic views from front of the ship and a new terrace added to Veranda Restaurant for al fresco style dining. The new Bridge Club is dual purpose and can also be used for lectures onboard the ship. MV Voyager features a swimming pool (midship), two whirlpools, gym, Beauty Salon.
The list of shipboard entertainment options includes:
- (deck 7) Lido Pool and Bar is an outdoor sundeck area for relaxation and sunbathing, featuring a swimming pool and two jacuzzi hot tubs.
- (deck 8) The Bridge Club is a top-deck (aft-located) bar lounge with panoramic views.
- (deck 5) The fore-located Lookout Lounge is the ship's disco nightclub ("dancing lounge") with large dance floor and live band music performances.
- (deck 5) Darwin Lounge is the ship's theater lounge hosting evening shows and daily enrichment and entertainment events, including port talks, lectures and media presentations by guest speakers.
- (deck 5) Scott’s Lounge is a classy cocktail lounge offering live piano performances in the evenings.
- ART CLASSES (course in watercolour painting) - guests can bring their own equipment and paints. Painting kits are available for newcomers
- CHOIR AT SEA (singing classes led by skilled choirmasters)
- CRAFT WORKSHOPS (including jewelry-making, sewing work, embroidery) led by experienced teachers and with provided kits with everything required,
- DIGITAL WORLD - digital photography, Internet, computer classes led by experienced tutors
- ZUMBA dance classes
Vidanta Alegria wiki
mv Voyager joined the Voyages of Discovery line company in the end of 2012, following a refurbishment in Portland (England, UK). The ship was formerly operated as "MV Alexander von Humboldt" (between 2008–2012), "MV Jules Verne" (between 2007–2008), "MV Walrus" (between 1996–2007), "MV Nautican" (between 1994–1996). The vessel was originally built for Crown Cruise Line as "Crown Monarch" and operated under this name between 1990–1994. After numerous refurbishments, refits and upgrades, today the Voyager cruise ship boasts 87% outside cabins, with 30 of the suites being staterooms with private balconies.
- Accident reports and news CruiseMinus.com
- Cabin grades number: 12
- Total number of cabins: 270 (of which 35 Suites).
- Dining Rooms: Discovery, Veranda
- Restaurants and food bars: Lido Bar, the Explorer Club (specialty)
- Lounges & Bars: Sunset Club, Scott's Lounge (piano bar), Darwin Lounge, Lookout Lounge
- Sun Deck, Fitness Center, Pool, 2 Hot Tubs, Atlantis Spa, Library, Internet hub, Gift Shop.
The ship's last naming ceremony took place at the home-port Portsmouth (South Hampshire, England) on December 4, 2012.
MV Voyager cruise itineraries are mostly in the Mediterranean Sea (Europe). However, the ship also cruises around the world, visiting ports in Southeast Asia, South Africa, Indian Ocean, Caribbean Sea (incl Panama Canal). Transatlantic cruises are offered on repositioning.
Since All Leisure Group's bankruptcy (see in "Accidents"), the vessel was moved to Cadiz Spain (Navantia shipyard). Following a drydock refurbishment, the cruise vessel re-entered service for its new owner (Grupo Vidanta, major hotel and resort developer in Latin America) in spring 2018. The itinerary program offers cruises leaving from ports in Mexico and Latin America.