Travelling, whether it be within the country or abroad, is on almost everyone’s bucket list. From exploring the natural beauty of the Devil’s Pool in Victoria Falls, to exploring the hidden historical beauty of the Cradle of Humankind in Gauteng – the travel bug is sure to catch us at some point or the other.
But once the planning, booking, and packing are behind us — what really happens during the trip? Is it a day packed with scheduled activities, or do we venture out and explore the wonders on our own without the guidance of a local tour?
HONOR knows travelling can be as confusing as it is exciting, which is why the brand curated the ultimate travel guide for the most memorable trip. The must-pack item, though? The HONOR 200 Series, which features the HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200.
Here’s what every traveller should try out on their trip:
Ditch the Tour: Become a Wanderlust
Travel is about discovering the unexpected. Putting away the map and simply wanders gives travellers to open themselves up to serendipitous moments and hidden gems that aren’t in any guidebook.
And with the HONOR 200 Series, which is embedded with Google Mobile Services, travellers will always have access to Google Maps to make sure they’re going the right way.
Wandering without a plan will get travellers to experience a destination in its most authentic form – whether it be a charming café tucked away in a quiet alley, a local artisan shop, or breathtaking views stumbled on by chance.
Be a Tourist: Get Immersed in Those Iconic Sites
There’s a reason why certain landmarks and attractions draw travellers from all over the world – these attractions are awe-inspiring. So, embrace that inner tourist and take the time to visit those iconic sites.
And of course, take pictures. As many as needed because with the HONOR 200 Series ample storage capacity of 512GB, travellers will have enough space to keep their favourite memories stored safely without ever having to delete any.
Whether it’s standing in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower or driving through the open plains of Kruger National Park to see the Big 5, these experiences create lasting memories.
Snap Every Moment: Pictures Last a Lifetime
Moments of the trip can be fleeting, but pictures allow travellers to relive those moments forever.
The HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200feature an impressive camera system. Equipped with a 50MP Main Portrait Camera, an impressive 50MP Telephoto Camera, and large sensors, it captures every detail, from the vibrant hues of a bustling city to the subtle nuances of a serene landscape. The devices further impresses with its 50MP Portrait Selfie Camera, crafted to enhance travel and vacation photography with exceptional detail.
With the HONOR AI Portrait Engine, tourists can effortlessly capture the perfect shot while the AI handles the technical aspects. It automatically optimises settings, recognises scenes, and enhances photos so users can focus on enjoying their travels and creating memorable personal portraits that highlight both their experiences and surroundings.
Be the Last One Awake: Witness the City Go to Sleep
There’s something magical about being awake when the rest of the world is winding down. As the hustle and bustle of the day fades, cities reveal a quieter, more intimate side. Stroll through the empty streets, listen to the echoes of distant conversations, and watch as the city transitions into slumber.
After a full day of exploring, city gazing at night can still be on the books with the HONOR 200 Series. Featuring a 5200mAh Silicon-Carbon Battery built to last all day on a single charge, the smartphone becomes the ultimate travel companion – ensuring travellers are connected any time of the day.
With all-day battery life, being the last one awake lets explorers experience the serenity of a destination that most travellers miss.
Travelling is more than just checking off destinations on a map – it’s about embracing and immersing oneself in new experiences and creating memories that will last a lifetime. And with the HONOR 200 Pro as the perfect travel companion, explorers can rest assured they’ll be able to get the most out of their trip.
Pricing and Availability
The HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200 are available at the nearest retailer or network provider for the recommended retail price of R19 999 and R15 999, respectively.
The purchase of the HONOR 200 Pro and HONOR 200 will include free gifts to the value of R6 999, including an HONOR SuperCharge plus the cable, a screen protector, free postal repair with pickup and delivery service, a 3-year battery health protection warranty, and a 180-day screen accident warranty, which excludes labour fees.
Victoria Falls Safari Spa manager Avalon van Leent is excited to be bringing a new standard to spas in Victoria Falls and putting Zimbabwe’s leading tourist attraction on the map as a wellness destination.
“It’s exciting because it’s the first purpose-built spa in Victoria Falls and marks a new milestone in the wellness industry in Zimbabwe, with Victoria Falls now catching up with the rest of the world,” Avalon said.
Victoria Falls Safari Spa, nestled in peaceful indigenous woodland, rich in birdlife, with the occasional bushbuck or warthog passing by, will feature three stand-alone treatment rooms, and a main area with a hair and make-up studio, a polish bar, a splash pool and café.
The African tented safari camp style spa will offer massages, facials, manicure and pedicures, as well as many other treatments, with mini options available for children. Its offerings will include half day and full day packages and wellness weekends.
“People are very much about creating memories when they travel, so spa treatments, which can be enjoyed with friends or your partner, will be a wonderful way to do this,” Avalon, 36, said.
She believes Victoria Falls Safari Spa could potentially extend stays in Victoria Falls, as it adds another element to the destination.
Born in Masvingo, Avalon studied Holistic and Spa Therapies with Camelot International in Johannesburg, where she gained a CIDESCO qualification, the world’s most prestigious qualification for Aesthetics and Beauty Therapy.
After her studies, Avalon joined a 5-star cruise ship called The Quest, part of the Yachts of Seabourn, to gain international experience and travel the world as a spa therapist, before moving to Australia and gaining further experience in the wellness industry.
But it was always her dream to return home, bringing her knowledge and experience to Zimbabwe, and after she and her husband Martijn’s travel plans were disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic they moved to Victoria Falls.
Avalon will head up a team of four therapists when Victoria Falls Safari Spa, which will use all natural, plant-based Africology and Cashmere & Co. products, opens on November 1.
MSC Cruises – one of the leading global cruise lines– has reaffirmed that they will be bringing two ships to South Africa’s shores for the 2022/2023 cruise season to. This will mark the first time that two MSC Cruises ships of different classes, the MSC Orchestra – which is part of the Musica class and MSC Sinfonia – which is part of the Lirica class, will be deployed in the country simultaneously providing additional cruise capacity to cater for the demand for cruise holidays in South Africa.
The 2021/2022 local cruise season saw MSC Cruises carry in excess of 40 000 guests to various destinations with new Health & Safety regulations to ensure the safety of all guests. As we prepare for the 2022/2023 local cruise season, we are pleased to confirm that both unvaccinated & vaccinated guests are now able to cruise. At present we can also confirm that :
vaccinated guests are no longer required to provide a Covid-19 test before departure
unvaccinated guests 5 years and older are still required to provide a negative Covid-19 PCR test, 48 hours prior to departure in accordance with the local government regulations in South Africa
children under age 5 are not required to provide a COVID-19 test
Continued investment in Africa’s tourist industry
MSC Cruises’ plan to bring two ships to South Africa in 2022 is part of the company’s commitment to investing in South Africa and African tourism at large. The cruise line’s focus to improving South Africa’s tourist infrastructure has been particularly noteworthy in its development of the Durban port terminal over the past few years. The R300-million terminal was designed, developed, constructed and financed by the KwaZulu Cruise Terminal Consortium, in partnership with the South African chapter of MSC Cruises and empowerment investment entity Africa Armada Consortium.
MSC Orchestra
This project is a significant undertaking for the consortium and represents MSC Cruises’ commitment to the South African economy. The terminal will help promote the country’s image among cruise passengers and provide jobs to many citizens. In addition to our commitment, our investment has included infrastructure development in Mozambique – a popular cruising destination for South Africans – and continued collaboration with the Namibian government, as Walvis Bay is one of the ports that MSC Cruises sails to. There are also knock-on benefits for the tourist industries in the destinations that MSC Cruises sails to, which have been enhanced by increased passenger volumes.
More itineraries offering more cruise holiday options for South Africans
MSC Orchestra, a well-known vessel by local cruisers will return to South African waters in November 2022, with approximately 40 sailings to Mozambique and to local destinations. Alongside MSC Orchestra is MSC Sinfonia that will operate approximately 22 sailings out of Cape Town to Namibia and other various local destinations. The itineraries will vary from two to seven-night cruises, offering guests a wider choice of options to book their cruise holiday. The ships will alternate routes, providing South African cruisers with a wider choice of options to suit their holiday needs with more cruise destinations and packages on offer.
“We are delighted to be bringing two ships to South Africa this upcoming season and we reaffirm our commitment to affordable and safe cruise holidays for South Africans” explains Ross Volk, MD for MSC Cruises South Africa. “Our dedication to playing our part in the recovery of the tourism sector in South Africa, has made it possible for us to create a second cruising hub in Cape Town. MSC Sinfonia will be permanently positioned in Cape Town for the duration of the cruise season and will serve our guests seeking a more cultural experience with our cruises to Namibia. For guests wanting to explore more of our South African destinations we have cruises to Mossel Bay and for guests simply wanting to take time to rest and relax, our “no-destination” cruises at sea provide the perfect getaway to enjoy the Indian and Atlantic Ocean sunrises and sunsets.” continues Volk.
MSC Sinfonia
Cruises as popular holiday ‘destinations’
Cruises are increasingly becoming an appealing holiday choice for South Africans as a hassle-free, safe and all-inclusive vacation with food, accommodation and most activities included in the cruise fare. The diversity of the offerings appeal to holiday makers of all ages, both local and international tourists alike. Guests wishing to experience the delights of an MSC Cruises holiday in the 2022/2023 season can already book any cruise on any of these 2 vessels.
“We continuously strive to bring bigger and better offerings to this country, enriching our itineraries and making cruising more accessible, to more South Africans who are realising that a cruise is an affordable, convenient and exciting holiday option,” concludes Volk.
Winter seems to have come early to the Southern parts of Africa this year as its icy chill has affected most of the country, we at the Bucket aim to help defrost the country with some heat this weekend thanks to the return of the Bucket Babe! Yes, its been a while since we featured a local beauty on the blog but like they say, good things come to those who wait and boy, today we have some thing more than good! Today's featured beauty is a multi-award winner and has spent most of her life behind the lens, be it photography or video, she was a former TV anchor/ journalist but now has stepped into the modeling world where she began to and continues to shine with her Lingerie and Swimwear work. We got to take a few minutes out of her busy schedule to chat about work, life and everything else, read more to see what she had to say.
Astrid Aurora
BIO
Hi! My name is Astrid, I'm from Cape Town and a former Television Anchor and journalist, I know embrace my new career in modelling, doing both commercial and lingerie shoots. I am passionate about the beach and nature, I've taken on this new exciting venture which see's me travelling and exploring while taking my fans along the journey. If you would like to see where I go next, follow me on my Instagram page.
LINKS
Q&A
1. Hot girls and hot cars go hand in hand, what ride would you like to see yourself in?
There are so many cars that I love, but I especially love the Pagani Hermes, Maybach 62 and the new Hybrid Ferrari SF90.
2. What sandwich are you most likely to make for me? and will it be toasted or plain?
I love making sandwiches! A sandwich that I enjoy making is a delicious oven toasted bun with butter, that is layered with rocket, tomato, mayo, lots of pastrami beef, mustard and a sunny side egg on top!
3. Everyone loves popcorn (well I think they do) what is your topping/ sprinkle of choice?
I definitely love butter salt!
4. Dream cover shoot?
Maxim or GQ.
5. If given a choice, full time model or full time executive, what would you choose?
I was a full time executive and worked in corporate for ten years, which was empowering but I can definitely say that being a full time model is a lot more fun!
6. Growing up you must have had someone you aspired to be, so who is your role model?
I have so many role models. I enjoy the fact that women empowerment means women can be anything she desires! I admire both female leaders and glamour models alike! I especially love the Playboy Bunnies.
7. Anyone holding that hand yet? or is it available?
There is a very special man in my life, so unfortunately for you gents, I'm not available.
8. Obviously being a female, fashion would be a big interest to you, do you have a favourite label/ designer?
I adore fashion, such as Dolce & Gabbana, Dior, Chanel and Gucci are my absolute favourites!
Made to merge unbelievable portability and versatility with more power, Lenovo’s Yoga 2-in-1 convertible laptops were pioneers in opening possibilities for users to flip and fold from work to play. The Yoga sub-brand has since expanded to encompass even more premium consumer devices that now span multiple form factors, including ultra-slim clamshell laptops, desktop computers, Chromebooks, and tablets. In today’s new hybrid environment, the new generation of Yoga devices are designed to help people thrive against new challenges and opportunities in the way they connect, consume, create, and collaborate from the home, school, office, and beyond – giving users the tools to do more and the freedom to be themselves.
Lenovo’s new Yoga Slim line exemplifies the pinnacle of this performance and portability – defined by its refined craftsmanship, premium experiences, and bold innovation. These ultra-slim laptops integrate a comfort edge design with humanizing soft contours for easier and more comfortable mobility and handling. They’re also crafted for premium experiences, powered by Lenovo’s X Power,2 a new defined set of features committed to better upgraded performance. To add, they’re enhanced by Lenovo’s show-stopping PureSight displays that set a new standard of premium features for a sharper, faster, more realistic, Eyesafe-certified visual experience.
The Yoga Slim line stands for premium, portable performance – empowering users to adapt to hybrid living through smarter performance, sensing, security, and recognition capabilities – all made possible by the Lenovo A.I. Engine+. This A.I. engine’s smart performance can anticipate the user’s power or battery needs based on what they’re doing, while Lenovo Intelligent Sense and Integrated Security – also part of Lenovo A.I. Engine+ – help keep work and play on the Yoga seamless and safer.
Consumers can also attach Lenovo’s advanced support offering Premium Care for an elevated service experience. The VIP service includes priority treatment, personalized hardware and software support from experts, yearly PC-health checks, among others.
The new 7th Gen Yoga Slim and Convertible devices include the Lenovo’s CO2 Offset Service as standard in Europe, Middle East and Africa. The verified service accounts for the average carbon emissions associated with the respective device, spanning from manufacturing to shipment and the average lifecycle (up to 5 years). and supports United Nations Climate Change vetted projects to ensure the impact and integrity of the environmental projects.
Yoga Slim 9i: Smart. Sustainable. Powerful.
As a carbon-neutral-certified laptop,1 the Yoga Slim 9i (14”, 7) is ideal for the eco-conscious without compromising on mobile luxury, premium entertainment features, and A.I.-powered performance. Encased in 3D glass, the comfort-edge design of the thin and light 14.9mm chassis features rounded,
A union of mobility and performance, the Yoga Slim 9i also redefines the meaning of portable entertainment and content creation. It has a 14-inch 16:10 up-to-4K OLED PureSight touchscreen display, complemented with Sound by Bowers & Wilkins. Lenovo’s PureSight visual experience on the optional 4K OLED screen provides ultra-sharp detail and clarity and rich, photorealistic colors — from deep blacks to vibrant lights. With Vesa Certified Display HDR True Black 500, its depth of 10 bits can display over a billion colors in a single pixel and a full color gamut of 100 percent DCI-P3. The Yoga Slim 9i’s four Bowers & Wilkins speakers bring audio to life.
The Yoga Slim 9i lets users tap into a mode of portable performance that adapts to them, powered by Intel Evo featuring 12th Gen Intel Core processors. Powering next-level smarter experiences, the Lenovo A.I. Core 2.0 delivers improved A.I.-enabled performance and smarter security, which includes hardware-level encryption engineered to help protect the device from root and ransomware attacks. And depending on the task at hand and the amount of system load, the A.I. engine can also dynamically adjust fan speed and hardware performance to optimize and accelerate performance.
Yoga Slim 7i Pro X and Yoga Slim 7 Pro X: The Power to Create, No Matter Where
Providing the sheer power to create from anywhere, the Yoga Slim 7i Pro X (14”, 7), and the Yoga Slim 7 Pro X (14”, 7) deliver the raw performance for users to realize their ambitions. They feature up to next-gen processors, up to 32GB of LPDDR5 RAM, up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Laptop GPU with NVIDIA Studio validation, and Lenovo’s X Power that takes thermal design power to the next level. Lenovo’s X Power offers specific tuning for different usage scenarios to push the laptop beyond the benchmarks of maximum CPU and GPU performance. At less than 1.6kg, these thin and light machines are built to go virtually anywhere, while packing the pure performance needed for digital content creation.
Watch the latest show on the 14.5-inch 3K 120Hz refresh Lenovo PureSight display with optional touch, featuring an accurate color palette and richer hues. It has a hardware calibrated 100 percent sRGB gamut coverage with 100 percent sRGB gamut volume, as well as TÜV Hardware Blue Light certification3 to help reduce eye strain. And with the Lenovo A.I. Engine+ on the new Yoga Slim 7i Pro and 7 Pro, users can create as fast as their imaginations run.
Yoga Slim 7i Carbon: The Art of Mobility
For those who embrace hybrid living and the freedom to get things done from their living room to the office, the Yoga Slim 7i Carbon (13”, 7) offers amazing mobile performance, matching its extraordinary lightness of under 1kg and a chassis as thin as 14.8mm at its thinnest point, with the rugged resilience of aerospace-grade magnesium alloy reinforced with multi-layer carbon fiber. Its comfort-edge design is built for ease of carrying. Three contemporary two-tone color options5 and edge-to-edge keyboard with larger trackpad further make the Yoga Slim 7i Carbon a personalized accessory that can be taken anywhere.
Perform at its peak potential with Intel Evo, now featuring 12th Gen Intel Core Processors, enhanced by self-adjusting fan speeds and performance to match the user’s power and battery needs. Create and binge content virtually anytime and anywhere with a Lenovo PureSight 13.3-inch 2.5k optional touchscreen featuring ultra-smooth 90Hz refresh rates and a taller 16:10 aspect ratio. Its Lenovo PureSight display offers an expanded color palette and more accurate, hardware calibrated, hues of 100 percent sRGB color space and 100 percent color volume with 8-bit color, as well as TÜV Hardware Low Blue Light certification3 made for less eye strain.
Yoga Slim 7 Pro and Yoga Slim 7i Pro: Essential Performance
Lenovo is also announcing a refresh of its Yoga Slim 7 Pro (14”, 7) and Yoga Slim 7i Pro (14”, 7). These devices are built for essential performance, with a sleek Storm Grey or Cloud Grey5 premium aluminum design. Create on the go, featuring an option of the latest gen Intel Core or AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors. With up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop GPU, take in the spectacular color, brightness and contrast of its optional OLED Lenovo PureSight display, enhanced by optional Dolby Vision and a 100 percent sRGB color space.
Available in Storm Grey5, the larger Yoga Slim 7 Pro (16”, 7) and Yoga Slim 7i Pro (16”, 7) are built for superior graphical display speeds, featuring a 2.5K IPS monitor at up to 165Hz for ultra-smooth gameplay and video editing. It has up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU with NVIDIA Studio validation on the Yoga Slim 7 Pro (16”, 7) and Intel Arc A370M graphics on Yoga Slim 7i Pro (16”, 7). All Yoga Slim 7 Pro and Yoga Slim 7i Pro laptops come with smart features such as Smart Performance that can dynamically adjust power and battery life, so that users can tap into powerful performance from home or on the go.
Yoga 7: Pure Passion for Entertainment
Crafted for entertainment and creativity, the new Lenovo Yoga 7 (14”, 7) is a versatile 2-in-1 multi-mode convertible laptop that also features a comfort-edge design for an easier hold and carry experience. With powerful AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processors, this entertainment powerhouse packs an up-to-2.8K OLED touchscreen 16:10 display, featuring Dolby Vision for true-to-life color, richer detail, and hardware-based low blue light, as well as Dolby Atmos enveloping spatial audio over four speakers.
The Yoga 7 is defined by its versatility. Go for longer periods without scrambling for a power outlet with its long-lasting battery6 and Rapid Charge Express7 technology. Create, sketch, and take notes with the optional Active Pen.5 Its four usage modes also empower users to interact with their Yoga 7 in a number of different ways. Streamline productivity and learning with smarter features such as noise cancellation during videocalls and low blue light filters to keep video quality clear and free from distraction and eye strain.
Yoga AIO 7:Powerful and Collaborative
Inspired by the many ways in which people are now creating, working, and entertaining at home, the new Yoga AIO 7 (27”, 7) is incredibly adaptive. With a 27-inch 4K IPS narrow-bezel display and 95 percent DCI-P3, the Yoga AIO 7 effortlessly rotates 90 degrees, lifts up, and tilts for more viewing angles – just with the gentle push of a hand or finger via its flexible hinge design. This new Yoga all-in-one desktop computer is made to be at the center of a modern home. And it has the power to match – with AMD Ryzen 6000 Series Processor and optional AMD Radeon RX 6600M graphics featuring the ground-breaking AMD RDNA 2 architecture. It also doubles as a robust home entertainment system, with dual JBL 5W speakers that minimizes distortion through a unique Lenovo passive radiator design, while taking up a smaller base footprint than its previous generation to give back more desk space.
One of the Yoga AIO 7’s best features is enabling sharing and collaboration. Users can now wirelessly cast their smartphone’s screen8 to the desktop monitor to watch videos, scroll through photos, or browse social media on a massive 27-inch display – rotated horizontally or vertically. And while working or binging videos on a laptop,9 one can also augment the audio and screen size by plugging it into the Yoga AIO 7’s full-function Type-C port – letting the user assume control of both devices with a keyboard and mouse, all the while keeping the device charged.
Lenovo Smart Lock Services: Shielding the PC from the Unknown
To further support hybrid lifestyles, Lenovo is introducing its latest software application product, Lenovo Smart Lock Services. Powered by Absolute® and available via Lenovo Vantage and Lenovo.com, this cloud-based security software offers users peace of mind in the event their PC is stolen, giving them more remote control of the personal information stored on their device.
Packed with robust security features, when deployed, Lenovo Smart Lock Services enables users to track and locate the last known location of their Lenovo device either through a web browser or mobile app. They can also remotely lock the device to restrict unauthorized access or, through its data wipe feature, delete sensitive files to help prevent identity and data theft. To help users recover a stolen PC, Lenovo Smart Lock Services includes access to Absolute’s dedicated Investigations team that works closely with local law enforcement to try to track it down.
Pricing and Availability12
● The Yoga Slim 9i (14”, 7) starts at 1.899€ and is expected to be available by end of June 2022.12
● The Yoga Slim 7i Pro X (14”, 7) with Intel Core processor starts at 1.299€ and is expected to be available by end of June 2022. The Yoga Slim 7 Pro X (14”, 7) with AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processor starts at 1.199€ and is expected to be available by end of June 2022.12
● The Yoga Slim 7i Carbon (13”, 7) starts at 1.199€ and is expected to be available by end of June 2022.12
● The Yoga Slim 7 Pro (14”, 7) with AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processor starts at 999€ and is expected to be available by end of August 2022.12 The larger Yoga Slim 7 Pro (16”, 7) with AMD Ryzen 6000 Series processor starts at 1.499€ and is expected to be available by end of July 2022.12
● The Yoga Slim 7i Pro (14”, 7) with Intel Core processor starts at 1.099€ and is expected to be available by end of July 2022. The larger Yoga Slim 7i Pro (16”, 7) with Intel Core processor starts at 1.599€ and is expected to be available by end of July 2022.12
● The Yoga AIO 7 (27”, 7) starts at 1.499€ and is expected to be available by end of June 2022.12
● The Yoga 7 (14”, 7) starts at 1.099€ and is expected to be available by end of June 2022.12
● Lenovo Smart Lock Services is expected to be available in global markets through September 202212
It hasn't been an ideal year for anyone in any form of way but with the world coming to grips with this deadly pandemic, it's good to see some sort of normality coming around. With most public gatherings either being banned or limited to a few number of people, we are also seeing sporting events given the green light with strict policies. One which is getting many excited is the go ahead for the new Formula One season, while we all are enjoying the eRaces with the drivers, nothing beats the real thing. FIA have released dates for the opening 8 races of the season, with some taking place at the same track over two race weekends, now I know it's not ideal but with the number of people involved in the teams and moving of equipment, it really is a recipe for disaster if one person gets infected. So at this stage we will just have to take what we can get, and lets be honest, with F1 the crowds are important to revenue but not that important to what we see on our screens. FIA has said that further races will be announced in the coming weeks for now we cannot wait for the 3rd of July when First Practice starts in Austria!
MSC Cruises is to embark on the Company’s most comprehensive new ship launch ever and will carry out the largest face-to-face engagement drive with more than 14,000 travel agents on board MSC Grandiosa. The events will commence in St Nazaire, France when the Company’s newest flag ship officially comes into service on 31October.
Achille Staiano, MSC Cruises VP Global Sales, comments, “The events for the launch of MSC Grandiosa have been carefully designed to enable an extensive programme of activities and celebrations for the travel agency community, as well as other guests and stakeholders. We have designed an inaugural itinerary for the ship with overnight stays in multiple ports to enable as many travel agent partners as possible to stay on board or visit the ship in order to experience it first-hand.”
Staiano continues, “Looking ahead, as MSC Grandiosa will be one of the most environmentally-sound ships at sea, we will utilise the MSC Masters e-learning platform to educate our travel agent partners around our environmental stewardship practices and other environmental initiatives. This will allow them to understand the latest advancements in environmental technology and practices, which will be invaluable information for them and their customers.”
During the course of the launch itinerary, seven ‘All Stars of the Sea’ awards events will be held to recognise the efforts and achievements of travel agents from all around the world, acknowledging MSC Cruises’ distribution in more than 80 countries. Separate familiarisation tours and presentations will also be given to travel agency front-desk staff, managers, proprietors and tour operators.
MSC Grandiosa will remain in the Port of Hamburg from 6 to 10 November, with the christening on the evening of the 9th. The Blue Port will be condensed into a maritime stage around the Elbphilharmonie. Twenty locations in Hamburg's harbour will become ambassadors of light art, shining with a significant blue light, mixing industrial harbour light with graphic drawings. The colour blue is significant for the events as it is part of MSC Cruises livery, as well as representing water to symbolise MSC Cruises’ long-standing commitment to the ocean. To respect the environment and the climate, small lights with low-energy consumption will be used. The dazzling installations will be created by renowned international light artist, Michael Batz.
MSC Grandiosa is equipped with two new and important technological innovations, including a selective catalytic reduction system, which will decrease nitrogen oxide emissions by 90 percent and transform it into pure water and nitrogen. The ship is also fitted with a state-of-the-art advanced wastewater treatment system that will lead to nearly zero impact on discharges and allow MSC Grandiosa to operate in delicate environments such as the Baltic Sea and Alaska.
The new features add to other effective technologies found on MSC Cruises’ fleet to reduce any further environmental impact, including a cutting-edge hybrid exhaust gas cleaning system, systems for the prevention of oil discharge from machinery spaces, a ballast water treatment system and various energy-saving improvements such as heat recovery systems and LED lighting.
Some of the guest highlights of this new state-of-the-art ship include:
·Two original new shows from Cirque du Soleil at Sea
·A Mediterranean Promenade lined with restaurants, including the new restaurant Il Campo and mall-style shopping, with a 93-metre-long LED Sky Screen that displays atmospheric images and animations throughout the day and night
·An immersive art experience in L’Atelier Bistrot with 26 original etchings by French Impressionist, Edgar Degas
·Dedicated kids areas designed in partnership with LEGO and Chicco
·The world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant, ZOE, in every cabin.
MSC Grandiosa will commence her regular seven-night cruises in the Western Mediterranean from 23 November with six embarkation ports, calling at Genoa and Civitavecchia, Italy; Palermo, Sicily; Valetta, Malta; Barcelona, Spain and Marseille, France.
We're almost out of Winter's cold clasp and making our way to warmer weather but we know there's always a few more cold spells to deal with before we get there, we'd thought we would warm things up this weekend with another installment of our ever popular segment, the Bucket Babe. This month's featured model was born and raised in Cape Town, and still currently resides there, although only 21 years of age, she's already accomplished so much and is a real go getter. She loves to travel, and has a great sense of adventure which comes from her mom being of Swiss descent, made the move to Cape Town at just 20 years of age. She considers herself to be a real tomboy type of girl, which means she doesn't feel shy to get messy outdoors, being a fitness trainer she also loves to spend time in the gym working on her body and mind. As a model she found herself doing a lot of work for the overseas clients and we hope she can tap into the local industry after this feature.
Jasmin Rehder
BIO
Hello, I'm Jasmin Rehder, I am 21 years old and my birthday is on the 21st of March and this year I celebrated my crown birthday! I currently work as a group instructor for Silverfit, giving fitness classes twice a week to the community people who are 60 years and older, as well as modelling and promotional work from Thursday to Sunday. If I'm not working, I like to keep myself busy at the gym for at least 2 hours, six times a week where I do a combination of cardio functional, weight and strength exercises as well as try to improve my flexibility which currently is a weak point.
I consider myself to be quite a creative person, as creating photo shoots is a massive creative outlet for me and I also enjoy making things such as string art and interior designing, Some random info about me, I have a fear of cockroaches, I cannot eat lamb or red meat in general. My favourite food has to be sushi, pizza and chocolate, yes I know those are unhealthy considering I am all about fitness and keeping my body fat percentage below 10. My goals/ wishes/ dreams, I would love to hike up Mt Kilimanjaro, cycle the Cape Argus, meet Selena Gomez in person and retire now so I could travel the world for the rest of my life, experiencing different cultures, food, languages and people.
Being environmentally friendly is very important to me, so I recycle whenever and wherever I can to help the planet, as we only have one and we do not know how long mother Earth will be around for. My future goals, include running my own gym facility from home, where I could personally train my clients. Another one of my goals is to work abroad and to achieve that I want to obtain a diploma in events management or do an international bartenders course as I feel having the necessary qualifications will help in pursuing a career abroad. I am only 21 and still very young, so there is plenty of time to enjoy my life and experience new things, and I'm still finding out who I really am.
LINKS
Q&A
1. Hot girls and hot cars go hand in hand, what ride would you like to see yourself in?
Lamborghini Aventador S Roadster in a deep blue colour
2. What sandwich are you most likely to make for me? and will it be toasted or plain?
Haha! that's a great question, as I'm a sucker for toasted sandwiches, I even got a toasted for my birthday. It would have to be a toasted chicken and mayo on brown bread, with greens.
3. Everyone loves popcorn (well I think they do) what is your topping/ sprinkle of choice?
I love popcorn, it's the best go to movie and health snack! As I am a personal trainer! I would have to say plain salt, salt and vinegar and if I'm really having a sweet tooth kinda day, I'll pour a box of Astros over the bowl.
4. Dream cover shoot?
That's a tough one because I know I'm too short for Vogue and not necessarily a high fashion model, but with that cover I'd have to say either Nike or Adidas. Any of those 3 would be a dream come true!
5. If given a choice, full time model or full time executive, what would you choose?
I'd have to go with full time model.
6. Growing up you must have had someone you aspired to be, so who is your role model?
Growing up I had no brothers or sisters, and well my family wasn't a full piece. My role model would have to be my father, he has shaped me into the young successful, outgoing and confident female I am today. He has always been there for me no matter what, his true heat and good traits have rubbed off well on me as I strive to be successful and kind as he is.
7. Anyone holding that hand yet? or is it available?
I'd have to say that hand is taken but not officially yet, as I am only 21, marriage seems a bit scary for me but I have been with my other half now for almost 5 years and even though we aren't married, we already act as if we are. We bring out the better in one another and obviously if the relationship has been going strong for so long, I think I've found Mr right.
8. Obviously being a female you would love fashion. Favourite label/ designer?
I 'm all about my sneakers and fitness clothing! Considering I spend roughly 1 hours everyday at the gym. Nike, Sissyboy and Billabong..
9. What type of music gets your booty shaking?
Seeing as my other half is a DJ, I'm lucky enough to travel with and attend all these Trance Parties and music festivals. My ideal music is Trance (proggy or psy), deep house, techno, minimal and now and again some EDM and dubstep. It all depends on my mood, sometimes I want to sing along to Billie Ellish or Red Hot Chilu Peppers/ Gorrillaz or sometimes at the gym when training in the zone I to still to dubstep, no lyrics.
10. Which city is your dream party destination?
That's a tough one to choose from, I'd love to attend a proper outdoor trance festival in Brazil or Ultra Miami.
MSC Cruises’ upcoming winter Caribbean season from November 2019
to April 2020 will get off to a strong start with MSC Armonia’s maiden
call to the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve just one week after the season begins. As part of her new
and enriched itineraries, MSC Armonia will visit this
exclusive natural island destination every week, as well as other exciting
ports across the Western Caribbean.
Founded
on a deep commitment to ecological principles, Ocean Cay will be a private
island destination like no other, surrounded by protected waters rich in marine
and coral life. It has been conceived to immerse travellers in the natural
beauty of the Caribbean and The Bahamas.
Snorkelling
tours, scuba diving, stand-up paddle boarding and kayaking are among the
outdoor activities that MSC Armonia’s more adventurous guests
will be able to enjoy at Ocean Cay. Those seeking a more relaxing experience
will have eight white sandy
beaches to choose from, as well as a new luxurious spa concept and countless other options. A vast array of
family-friendly experiences will also be available. Like other MSC Cruises ships in the Caribbean, MSC
Armonia will stay at berth from 9am to 11pm, allowing guests to make
the most of their time on the island and enjoy stunning sunsets by the iconic
lighthouse.
Gianni
Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO comments, “As
we continue to grow our presence in the region, we have enriched MSC
Armonia’s itineraries to offer our guests an even more immersive
Caribbean experience. The Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will be a key highlight,
with a 14-hour call to let our guests explore and enjoy this beautiful island
and its surrounding waters, both during the day and into the night. MSC
Armonia will also visit other gems across the Western Caribbean in
Jamaica, Mexico, the Cayman Islands and beyond.”
From
November 2019 to April 2020, MSC Armonia will depart on
one-week cruises from Miami every Monday, whereas from April to November 2020
her departure from Miami will be moved to Sunday.
In both
cases, long-haul travellers will get a unique opportunity to spend the weekend
in one of North America’s most vibrant cities before embarking on the cruise of
their lives.
TAKE IN
THE GORGEOUS VIEWS OF JAMAICA’S COAST
MSC
Armonia will regularly visit a range of
exciting ports and destinations across the Western Caribbean region. In
Jamaica, MSC Armonia offers three different ports of call
depending on the itinerary. In Ocho Rios, guests will be able to
join a truly Jamaican bobsleigh tour, dive into Dolphin Cove and admire the
Dunn's River Falls, with 180 metres of cool, refreshing water cascading
over natural limestone terraces. In Montego Bay, on Jamaica’s
north-western coast, MSC Armonia’s guests will be able to go
white-water rafting, tour an old plantation at the Good Hope Estate or learn
about the mysteries of Rose Hall Great House, a fascinating colonial relic
imbued with rumour and intrigue. In January 2020, MSC Armonia will
visit Falmouth on Jamaica’s north coast, home to the
Glistening Waters. When they visit the Luminous Lagoon, where the Martha Brae
River and the Caribbean Sea meet, guests will experience first-hand how these
two bodies of water mix to create bioluminescent micro-organisms that glow
brightly.
DISCOVER
THE BEST THE WESTERN CARIBBEAN HAS TO OFFER
MSC
Armonia will bring the very best the
Western Caribbean has to offer to her guests. In addition to Ocean Cay and
Jamaica, the ship will regularly visit Mexico’s Costa Maya during the Northern
Hemisphere’s winter 2019 – 2020 season. Her guests will enjoy an array of
cultural, outdoor and relaxation activities there. George Town in the Cayman
Islands is another idyllic destination that MSC Armonia will
visit every week.
From
April to November 2020, Key West (Florida, USA) will become a regular feature
in MSC Armonia’s itinerary. There, guests will be able to
visit the Historic District at the Old Town, which includes the island’s most
popular spots, such as Mallory Square, Duval Street and Fort Zachary Taylor, as
well as the southernmost point in the United States.
MSC ARMONIA OFFERS ITS OWN DELIGHTS
MSC
Armonia incorporates a range of
features that turn her into a destination in her own right, having recently
gone through a major refurbishment. In terms of food and dining, the new Surf
and Turf Restaurant offers the best of both worlds, such as a
delicious filet mignon and tempting cold-water lobster tail. Bringing the
Caribbean experience on board, the Rum Bar offers a range of
cocktails, whether traditional or out-of-the-box. The White Lion
Pub introduces a new and complimentary menu featuring light meals –
such as mojo chicken quesadillas, avocado and tuna salad wraps and spinach and
artichoke dips to share – along with a wide selection of beers, including
Newcastle Brown Ale, Murphy’s Irish Stout and Lagunitas IPA.
In
addition to MSC Cruises’ fan-favourite parties like the White Party and Silent
Disco, a highlight of MSC Armonia’s entertainment offering
is its evening theatre entertainment, with a line-up of dynamic
performances on board. Cruisers can marvel at a different, distinct show each
evening. MSC Armonia offers a dedicated LEGO kids area,
through its partnership with the toy giant, as well as a splash park.
In
November, MSC Armonia will go through another drydock
operation at the Bahamas’ Grand Bahama Shipyard.
