Menu

Ireland's sailing, boating & maritime magazine

 

Displaying items by tag: 1st cruise

In UK waters is where the first cruise voyage since the coronavirus pandemic began has got under way.

As BBC News reported, MSC Virtuosa departed Southampton (yesterday evening) on a four-night English Channel excursion, with a stop at Portland in Dorset, where Afloat adds the 6,300 capacity ship is currently berthed.

Passengers joining the (MSC Cruises operated) cruise ship earlier said it was "absolutely amazing" and a "momentous day".

Some other cruise lines are also planning UK-only voyages this summer.

P&O Cruises previously announced it would extend its ban on international trips until the end of September, while Princess Cruises is also offering domestic voyages.

Afloat adds the operator's German built Iona, the largest cruiseship custom built for the UK market is also currently on the English Channel coast at Southampton.

The Hampshire port is where a new fifth dedicated terminal is to open this summer.

Published in Cruise Liners

Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Yacht Race Information

The biennial Dun Laoghaire to Dingle race is a 320-miles race down to the east coast of Ireland, across the south coast and into Dingle harbour in County Kerry.

The race is organised by the National Yacht Club.

It never fails to offer a full range of weather, wind and tide to the intrepid entrants, ranging from a 32ft cruiser to a 79ft all-out racer.

Three divisions are available to enter: cruiser (boats equipped with furlers), racing (the bulk of the fleet) and also two-handed.

D2D Course change overruled

In 2019, the organisers considered changing the course to allow boats to select routes close to shore by removing the requirement to go outside Islands and Lighthouses en route, but following input from regular participants, the National Yacht Club decided to stick with the tried and tested course route in order to be fair to large and smaller boats and to keep race records intact.

RORC Points Calendar

The 2019 race was the first edition to form part of the Royal Ocean Racing Club “RORC” calendar for the season. This is in addition to the race continuing as part of the ISORA programme. 

D2D Course record time

Mick Cotter’s 78ft Whisper established the 1 day and 48 minutes course record for the Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race in 2009 and that time stood until 2019 when Cotter returned to beat his own record but only just, the Dun Laoghaire helmsman crossing the line in Kerry to shave just 20 seconds off his 2009 time.