CMV Magellan

CMV Magellan cruise ship is a Holiday-class vessel initially operated by Carnival Cruise Line as MS Holiday. It joined CMV's fleet in Spring 2015. As former Carnival "Fun Ship", Magellan still retains the distinctive funnel shape.

History - construction and ownership

The chartered by CMV 46,052-ton, 1,452-passenger cruise ship ms Magellan belongs to the Holiday-class of cruise ships. The ship was previously operated not only by Carnival but also by Iberocruceros as “MS Grand Holiday”.

A renovation was needed for the cruise ship, because of her condition and the vessel was sent to dry docks for renovation in 2003. Two years later, during the natural phenomenon Hurricane Katrina, the cruise service was temporarily interrupted in order to serve as a shelter for those suffering from the storm. After the disaster, the Grand Holiday left the Mississippi River and was sent again to dry dock for renovations. Engineers and designers worked for several weeks under changes over the propellers and the addition of new carpeting and plumbing. The Grand Holiday was transferred to Iberocruceros' fleet.

A curious fact is that as "MS Grand Holiday", the vessel was chartered as a hotel ship in Port Sochi Russia during the 2014 Winter Olympics (February 5-24, 2014). As "CMV Magellan", the vessel was again chartered as a hotel ship in Newport Wales (South Dock) during 2017 UEFA Champions League Final in Cardiff (June 2017).

In February 2017, Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (part of DSC / Damen Shiprepair & Conversion), completed maintenance works on cruise ships Magellan and Marco Polo. Both vessels are currently operated by British based CMV (Cruise & Maritime Voyages), part of Global Maritime Group.

Cruise itinerary program

MS Magellan itinerary program is based on Western Europe and Baltic Sea cruises, departing from UK ports, including Dundee, Newcastle, Harwich. Magellan will operate a series of voyages to Norway and the Canary islands and a 42-night cruise to Brazil in winter 2017-2018 from Tilbury-London.

(new) CMV Mexican cruise brand "Cruceros Maritimos Vacacionales"

On December 19, 2017, CMV announced Magellan cruise ship's 2019 winter deployment to Mexican Riviera (Pacific Mexico).

• The ship starts operations on February 3 (2019) under a new company brand name - "Cruceros Marítimos Vacacionales".
• The 7-day cruise itinerary program (February through March 2019) offers roundtrips from both Acapulco and Manzanillo. The roundtrip itinerary departs on Sundays and visits Pacific Mexico's ports Cabo San Lucas (Baja California), Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, and has 2 sea days.
• Sunday departures allow passengers to spend overnight in Acapulco (by booking pre- and post-cruise packages combining up to 5-day land stay (hotels and tours) with the 7-day cruise.
• The average 7-day cruise prices start from USD 700 pp (MXN 14,000 / Mexican pesos).
• Maiden 2019 season's total passenger capacity was estimated at 12,000. For 2019, the ship will operate a total of ten 7-day voyages. CMV has plans to extend season 2020 to 5 months, eventually deploying the liner in Mexico for year-round operations.
• CMV opened a sales office in Mexico City in April 2018. It is expected that 80-85% of the embarking passengers will be Mexican.

Cabins

MS Magellan has 9 passenger decks and 726 cabins in 15 grades, of which 14 Balcony Suites, 277 Inside and 449 Oceanview.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

MS Magellan dining rooms include Waldorf and Kensington Restaurants, both featuring open seating breakfast and lunch, as well as two fixed time sittings for dinner. Raffle’s Bistro provides more informal experience.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

There are no “modern time” amenities on board CMV Magellan, like ice-skating rink or climbing wall. The ship is a typical adults-only (child-free) cruising vessel for passengers 16-years and above. Magellan's Lounges & Bars include Magellan 2-deck Main Show Lounge, Neptune Observation Bar, Lido Bar, Eros Bar, Scott’s Nightclub, Hampton’s Lounge Bar, Sinatra’s Lounge Bar, Captain’s Club, Nansen Card & Bridge Room and Internet Cafe. Other amenities include Jade Wellness Centre, Fitness Centre, 2 swimming pool, 3 jacuzzis, Sun Terrace, Casino Royale, Livingstone Library, Shackleton’s Conference Room, photo gallery and Shopping Galleria.

MS Magellan is a Holiday-class cruise liner operated as "MS Holiday" by Carnival Cruise Line and as "MS Grand Holiday" by Ibero Cruises. As a former Carnival ship, Magellan has the distinctive "Fun Ship" funnel shape. The vessel was transformed into a 4-star floating hotel during the Winter Olympics in Port Sochi Russia (February 5-24, 2014).

The 1985-built vessel was last refitted in 2010. CMV confirmed the purchase in November 2014. On November 3, 2014, CMV announced "ms Grand Holiday" joins its fleet in March 2015 under the name "ms Magellan". The ship offers cruises departing from UK ports (in Scotland and England) - Newcastle, Dundee, Tilbury-London. The voyage became the world's first circumnavigation of the planet, starting with a Transatlantic crossing to South America.

Vessel's christening ceremony was on March 12, 2015, in Tilbury (London Cruise Terminal). Ship's new godmother was Mrs. Gloria Hunniford - a presenter for Northern Ireland's ITV and BBC programs, with her own "BBC Radio 2" daily show. This CMV ship is named after Ferdinand Magellan (Fernao de Magalhaes, 1480 - 1521) who was a Portuguese explorer who organized the Spanish sea expedition (between 1519 - 1522, westward route) to the East Indies. 

On  March 15, 2015, was the Inaugural Cruise (maiden voyage for CMV) to Iceland and Faroe Islands. Fun fact is that this CMV ship has a namesake - the 2010-launched "CMA CGM Magellan". The vessel is among the world's largest container ships (capacity 13,830 containers) and operated by CMA-CGM Line.

In June 2017, the vessel was chartered to serve as "floating hotel" for Champions League Final's visitors in Newport Wales. CMV Magellan entered Newport on June 2. The docking area (South Dock's quayside) was transformed into events and activity space managed by Hopscotch Groupe (a French company) on behalf of Nissan. The quayside events operation was co-organized also by CMV and ABP South Wales. The sporting event (2017 UEFA Champions League Final) was held at National Stadium of Wales (Cardiff).

In 2019, the ship started Mexican Riviera cruises under a new CMV brand name - "Cruceros Marítimos Vacacionales". The 7-day itinerary program (February through March 2019) offered roundtrips from both Acapulco and Manzanillo, with ports of call Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas (Baja California), plus 2 sea days. Maiden season's total passenger capacity was estimated at 12,000.