A €300 million superyacht scheduled to make a stop in Galway has been forced into a sudden change of destination. Owned by a Russian billionaire it had been set to dock in Galway before it was forced to miss out. The MS Amadea -which is operated by Phoenix Reisen - has been carrying out a nearly two-week tour of the UK and Ireland and had been scheduled to make a stop in Galway. However, the mammoth 600-passenger ship, which has two royal suites, 40 suites and 254 cabins on-board for guests, with 106 of the cabins featuring private balconies, was re-routed to Greenock in Scotland.
If the ship is familiar to some that's because it's featured on TV shows including a popular German show called Das Traumschiff, which was about a cruise ship that travelled to different parts of the world. The MS Amadea was constructed in Japan in 1991 by Mitsubishi. The cruise ship measures a whopping 193 metres in length and has a maximum speed of 18 knots. It underwent a significant renovation in the winter of 2021.
Some of the amenities on board the ship include two main restaurants, several lounges and bars, and a fitness centre and spa area in which to relax. Galway is no stranger to huge ships docking in its ports. Just last month, The Ambience docked in Galway along with some 2000 passengers and 700 crew members. The hulking vessel is 245 metres in length, over twice as long as Eyre Square is wide, and has a beam of over 32 metres.
A Week of Surprises in Greenock
A WEEK of surprises has continued at Greenock's Ocean Terminal as it welcomed its third unexpected visitor in four days. Amadea berthed in the area on Friday morning during a 13-day trip around Great Britain and Ireland. She had been scheduled to visit Galway in Ireland, but was re-routed to Greenock instead. The 600-passenger ship has two royal suites, 40 suites and 254 cabins on-board for guests, with 106 of the cabins featuring private balconies. The vessel was previously used as the setting for a German TV series called Das Traumschiff, which was about a cruise ship that travelled to various parts of the world. Amadea is the third unscheduled visitor at the Ocean Terminal this week, following the unexpected arrival of Azamara Quest on Tuesday and the visit of Renaissance on Wednesday.
A Second Cruise Ship Arrives in Greenock
A SECOND cruise ship has made an unscheduled arrival at Greenock's Ocean Terminal. Renaissance berthed at the town's cruise ship terminal on Wednesday morning carrying around 1,200 guests across her five passengers decks. The 31-year-old vessel has been owned by Compagnie Française de Croisières since 2022, having initially been build in Italy in 1992 as Maasdam for Holland America Line. The ship was christened in 1993 by actress June Allyson at Port Everglades in Florida. She has stopped in Greenock amid a 10-day round trip around the British Isles. Her visit follows another surprise stop off from Azamara Quest yesterday. That vessel had been due to visit Oban, but was re-routed to Greenock.
Elegant Cruise Ship Makes Unscheduled Arrival in Greenock
AN elegant cruise ship made waves as she arrived in an overcast Greenock this morning. The 670-passenger Nautica berthed at the ocean terminal amid a 10-day trip from Dublin to Edinburgh. The Oceania Cruises vessel set off on her voyage last Wednesday and has since visited Waterford, Foynes and Killybegs in the Republic of Ireland before stopping off at Belfast in Northern Ireland. She is scheduled to depart Greenock at 5pm tonight bound for the Isle of Skye. The 11-deck ship will then visit Invergordon and Aberdeen before arriving in Leith on Friday.
Reasons Behind the Unexpected Stops
While the exact reasons for the sudden changes in itinerary remain unclear, several factors could be at play. The cruise industry is still recovering from the pandemic and fluctuating fuel prices and port congestion are a reality. Unexpected weather conditions or mechanical issues could also force ships to adjust their routes. Some speculate that the re-routing of the Amadea could be related to its ownership by a Russian billionaire, although this has not been confirmed. Whatever the reasons, the unexpected arrivals have brought a boost to the local economy in Greenock. The influx of tourists has provided a much-needed boost to local businesses.
A Final Note
The cruise industry is a dynamic one, constantly adapting to changing circumstances. The recent unexpected arrivals in Greenock demonstrate the flexibility and adaptability of cruise ships and the industry as a whole. While these events may be surprising, they are a testament to the industry's resilience and its ability to adjust to changing circumstances. In a world where the unexpected can happen at any time, the cruise industry is well-equipped to handle it. The unexpected stops in Greenock have brought a touch of excitement and intrigue to the region. They are a reminder that even in the most carefully planned itineraries, there is always room for the unexpected.
