The world’s cruise industry has been getting into the sporting spirit.
Even the Olympic torch likes cruising.
After its 70-day tour, the well-travelled flame completed its final leg
by barge along the River Thames.
A couple of cruise ships also sailed into London in time to soak up
the Games atmosphere.
Silversea’s Silver Cloud arrived last Wednesday night, after a 16-day
journey from Copenhagen, providing its 296 passengers with a
special sailing through the heart of the city.
The luxury ship passed under the Tower Bridge, which was already
lit up with the famous five-rings logo, and moored next to the Royal
Navy’s HMS Belfast.
Peter Deilmann’s MS Deutschland, the largest vessel ever to come
into West India Dock, has taken up residence for three weeks.
The ship is housing the official partners of the German team and
will also host the Champions Club, where athletes are expected to
celebrate and relax after their events.
Fred Olsen Cruise Line’s Braemar and ex-Happy Cruises’ Gemini
(currently for sale) are at Royal Albert Dock, hosting thousands of
bus drivers and security staff.
In addition, Caledonian Sky, co-owned by Australia’s APT, has been
chartered as a floating hotel.
Unfortunately, the new cruise terminal at Greenwich, which was
planned to open in time for the Olympics, has not been built yet.
Preliminary work is due to start in November, with cruise ships set
to dock at Enderby Wharf in 2014, although according to the latest
reports, construction is not due to finish for another five years.
Meanwhile, cruise ships around the world are tuning in to the Games.
MSC’s fleet is broadcasting live coverage of 29 sports and the
opening and closing ceremonies.
Olympic-themed entertainment will include onboard parades of
different nationalities and singing anthems around the pool.
Guests can place bets on the finals and participate in football, ping
pong, darts and shuffleboard tournaments, or fully-clothed relays in
the pool.
MSC’s cocktails have also been renamed, such as the “Tour de
France’ Aperol Spritz” served during the cycling.
Celebrity Cruises will broadcast online via satellite competitions in
swimming, diving, gymnastics, rowing, cycling, athletics and basketball,
as well as daily surveys of the best moments of all other sports.
Major events will be repeated for American passengers so they can
watch the competitions at a more convenient time of day.
Passengers can watch from their cabins or several bars onboard
Celebrity ships in Alaska, Bermuda, Scandinavia, Russia, the
Mediterranean and along the Adriatic Sea.
The only exception is Celebrity Xpedition, which sails year-round in
the Galapagos.
Royal Caribbean is recruiting former Olympians, figure skater
Michelle Kwan and diver Greg Louganis, for a “deck-athlon” aboard
Oasis of the Seas.
The two Americans will compete in 10 events including surfing the
FlowRider, climbing the rock wall, zip-lining across the Boardwalk,
skating in the ice rink, diving at the AquaTheatre, playing mini-golf,
basketball and blackjack, and decorating cupcakes.
The contest is being televised in the US and the public can vote for
the winner on Facebook.
