The Port of Malaga will host the christening of two cruise ships this week. These are the 'Marella Voyager' and the 'Scenic Eclipse II', which, although aimed at different audiences, have both chosen this destination to celebrate this traditional ceremony.
Representatives from the Port Authority, Malaga City Council, Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Andalusian Regional Government, with the collaboration of Malaga Cruise Port, Malagaport Foundation, Suncruise Andalusia, and the ship's agent, Intercruises, will participate in the reception of the crew and in the celebratory events related to the corresponding baptisms.
Christening Wednesday, May 31. Ship 'Marella Voyager'
The British company Marella Cruises, which offers trips around Europe, the Caribbean and Asia, has chosen Malaga to christen 3 of its 5 ships: 'Marella Discovery 2' in 2017; 'Marella Explorer 2' in 2019 and 'Marella Voyager' in 2023.
The Marella Voyager will begin operating in June 2023 on various itineraries throughout the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, and the Western Mediterranean. It is 262 meters long, has 13 decks, 952 cabins, and a maximum capacity of 2,681 passengers.
On May 31, the company will celebrate the christening of its new ship, whose godmothers will be two employees of the cruise line, who together have more than 40 years of experience in the cruise industry. They are Chief Purser Tatyana Olkhovskova and Destination Operations Manager Jacqui Nobile. The ship will embark on its maiden voyage with company employees and other invited industry professionals.
Christening Saturday, June 3rd. Ship 'Scenic Eclipse II'
This ship first visited the Port of Malaga last April, and the christening will take place on June 3rd at the Palmeral Terminal, after a series of exploration voyages to Mediterranean destinations.
The event will also feature NASA scientist Kathy Sullivan as its godmother, who, according to the company, embodies the values of "self-improvement, a passion for adventure and curiosity to discover the world around us," having had a successful career dedicated to research and exploration.
The christening will be celebrated by the passengers on board, as well as 80 other VIP guests and international media who will travel to the capital of Malaga to witness this event and to be able to learn firsthand about the possibilities of the destination.
The ship, which is 168 meters long and has a maximum capacity to accommodate 228 passengers, has 2 helicopters on board and a custom-made submarine for excursions.
In 2022, the shipping company joined the expedition ocean voyages with its first vessel, Scenic Eclipse, christened in New York. The company's next port of call is Málaga, where it will launch the Scenic Eclipse II.
The baptisms scheduled for this week once again place Malaga in the spotlight of international cruise tourism, in a year in which it is hoped that the figures prior to the pandemic period will be definitively consolidated, as the sector is sailing at full capacity.
