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 1452-passenger ship MS Magellan belongs to the Holiday-class of Carnival cruise ships and is currently chartered by CMV UK (Cruise and Maritime Voyages, part of Global Maritime Group). The vessel was previously also operated by Iberocruceros (another Carnival Corporation subsidiary company) 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).

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 Maritimos 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 staterooms in 15 grades, of which 14 Balcony Suites, 277 Inside and 449 Oceanview.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

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.

There are no “modern time” amenities on this "old-time" liner, like ice-skating rinks or climbing walls. The ship is a typical adults-only (child-free) cruise vessel for passengers 16-years and above. Onboard Lounges and Bars include a 2-deck Theatre (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 Room and Internet Cafe. Other amenities include Jade Wellness Centre (Spa and Beauty), Fitness Centre, 2 swimming pools, 3 jacuzzis (outdoor whirlpool hot tubs), Sun Terrace (sundeck with seating), Casino Royale, Livingstone Library, Shackleton’s Conference Room, Photo Gallery, 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 by Carnival 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 for CMV 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 cruise ship 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.

MS Magellan refurbishment 2017 review

The ship's 2017 drydock refurbishment (January-February) was done at Damen Shiprepair Vlissingen (DSV) in Vlissingen Holland. The list of works included routine equipment maintenance, propulsion system (starboard propeller blades polishing, bow, and stern thruster blades repairs), renewal and upgrades in public areas and cabins, repairs of steel damages, overhauling of several systems (main engine blower, tender embarkation cylinders, heaters, evaporator, purifier). Stabilizer fins were also serviced.

A new sewage system was installed (sewage tanks and treatment units replaced). Rudders and the hull underwent inspection and thorough cleaning. Scupper pipes were renewed. The ship's 16 lifeboats were removed and fully-serviced. All air conditioning units were overhauled. The wastewater vacuum system (serving 700 onboard WC-toilets) was chemically cleaned. The ship's incinerator was refurbished.

Magellan ship's 1-month drydock in 2019-2020 (December January) was at Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam. The scheduled drydocking project included general maintenance works (bow and stern thrusters, liferafts), repairs (main-auxiliary engines, steel tanks), cleaning, class inspections. Following the drydock, the liner now has a new livery (on the superstructure) and also repainted hull - in blue (trademarked by CMV colour) with two white lines in the upper section.