#ChampionsLeague - The south Welsh port of Newport has been transformed into a bespoke accommodation and events space due to increased demand from visitors arriving this weekend (2nd – 4th June) for the Champions League Final.

An area of quayside on the South Dock has been transformed into a custom-built events and activity space by French events company, Hopscotch Groupe, on behalf of their client Nissan.

Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) Magellan which Afloat adds is making direct cruises from Dublin beginning this Monday, will be berthed in the Welsh port as a unique accommodation experience for guests of the event.

This inventive use of the port was a result of collaborative working between ABP South Wales, Cruise and Maritime Voyages, and Hopscotch Groupe. It provides an innovative solution to a problem that arose due to the increase in demand for accommodation and events space in the region during this peak period.

The port of Newport covers 685 acres of land and is owned and operated by ABP South Wales. It has excellent links to the nearby M4 and direct rail locations.

Ralph Windeatt, Port Manager, ABP South Wales said: “The port of Newport was chosen to host this events space due to its fantastic location. Strong road, rail, and sea links made it a natural choice as its uniquely positioned to offer a wide-variety of services to customers, including those that are non-cargo related.”

With a fleet of five cruise ships, Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) is Britain's leading independent cruise line. CMV offer a traditional cruise experience sailing from more UK ports than any other cruise operator. The 46,052grt Magellan can accommodate up to 1250 guests providing a wide range of comfortable lounges and leisure facilities.

CMV Commercial Director Chris Coates said ‘We are delighted that our cruise ship Magellan was chosen by Hopscotch for Nissan to accommodate their guests in Newport. Not only has this made it possible for all their guests to stay at the same location, we believe that Magellan will provide a truly unique venue and experience.”

#DirectCruises - Former resident of Bulloch, Dalkey, Co. Dublin, TV Broadcaster and radio personality, Gloria Hunniford who is godmother to CMV’s flagship Magellan is to make direct cruises from Dublin Port this season, writes Jehan Ashmore.

Hunniford who lived at Bartra Rock, a duplex apartment scheme close to Bulloch Harbour (see: proposed development), had named Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) Magellan in 2015. The ceremony took place at the London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury. Originally launched as Carnival Cruises Holiday (1985/46,052grt). Among her names since the mid-80's have included Grand Holiday and she has proved a popular ship for her current UK owners. A couple of years ago Magellan made a maiden call to Dublin. 

CMV specialise in providing no-fly cruising holidays aboard smaller to mid-sized ships with a traditional British cruise experience. The deployment of Magellan to Dublin is to cater for the Irish market this season by providing 'no-fly' cruises. 

Ferdinand Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who organised the Spanish expedition to the East Indies that resulted in the first circumnavigation of the Earth. It is from the downriver terminal at Tilbury on the Thames that Magellen is to first make a Grand Maiden Round the World Cruise totalling 120 nights. This is to include Australia before she returns to Europe in May.

The next month Magellan will make direct cruises from Dublin Port following a departure from Newport, south Wales as previously reported on Afloat. 

Afloat has identified a total of seven separate cruise calls of Magellan visiting Dublin this season. Of those en-route calls, 'five' cruises will permit passengers to directly embark in the capital's port from June. Examples been a ‘Iceland's Land of Ice & Fire’ cruise of 12 nights and to Spain, Portugal, France & Gibraltar of 11 nights duration.

Cruise-goers will be able to walk Magellan's outside timber decks in which nine are for her 1,250 passengers. Accommodation is in 726 cabins including 14 balcony suites.

Also in June a new fleetmate will follow with a call to the Irish capital, the Columbus which will be the successor flagship for CMV having acquired from P&O Cruises in Australia. The former Pacific Pearl's career in the southern hemisphere based out of Sydney. Since last year cruises have also been based from Auckland, New Zealand.

Columbus will easily be the largest of the five-strong fleet at 63,786 gross tonnage. Built for Sitmar Cruises in 1988 as Fair Majesty but never served as P&O took over the 1,400 passenger capacity vessel that has 775 cabins.