Torrevieja and local areas
thecoastrider@hotmail.com
Tuesday, September 22nd 2015 - Edition 565
Tel: 673 196 455
History in the Making THE MS AMADEA cruise ship from the German Company Phoenix Reisen arrives this afternoon in Torrevieja. This simple act of dropping anchor offshore and tendering their guests ashore to enjoy a little Torrevieja sunshine is a day that will go down in history for Torrevieja as this marks the first time in modern history that a Cruise Ship has visited the City of Salt. Even though by today's standards she's looked upon as a small, almost boutique sized ship anyone on Torrevieja's seafront should be able to see her anchored offshore. With a length of 193 metres and a maximum of 600 guests the MS Amadea fills a unique niche in the German Cruise market providing personalised service and plenty of individual space for everyone. Due to the relatively small size of the ship, her schedules are varied and often extraordinary, which lead to her visiting many interesting harbours which most other cruise-lines never visit, such as today's historic visit to Torrevieja. German is the only language officially used on this ship and therefore, unsurprisingly, when you see cruise line guests today, you may fairly safely assume that most of the guests are from the German speaking countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland making up the typical guest list. The MS Amadea's on-board atmosphere could best be described as cultivated and calm although life on-board is apparently not too formal. The International crew is very friendly and takes good care about the guests' wellbeing. One quite unique feature of the Amadea is the fact that there are only exterior staterooms and all are relatively spacious with lots of amenities like satellite TV with DVD player, mini-bar, WC and shower or even bathtub, hairdryer and bath-robes. Several cabins feature a private balcony. MS AMADEA at a glance: she's 29,000 GRT (Gross Registered Tons); Length: 193 m, Width: 25 m, Draught: 6.50 m, Decks / floors: 8, officially launched in 1991 as the Asuka in Japan and taken over by Phoenix Reisen in 2006. Here two Mitsubishi MAN engines provide her with 11,700 hp giving the MS Amadea a Cruising speed of 15 to 18 knots. The Cruise operation is managed by VShips, Monaco and the ship fly’s the Flag of the Bahamas Crew numbers vary between 250 to 280 and are mostly European and Philippine with the officers mostly German and European. Passengers are up to a maximum of 600, mostly German guests, but the ship is very popular with Austrian, Swiss and also Japanese guests, who sail as a group, mainly due to ship's atmosphere and interesting itineraries. The ship has two Restaurants offering a total of 630 seats; plus free choice of seats and times of eating. According to the Cruise Line's website, the MS Amadea is the Phoenix's flagship being a modern firstclass cruise ship offering generous and elegant cruising
with plenty of space while on your cruise. The Phoenix flagship offers well-appointed spacious bars, salons and rooms on eight passenger decks. In two equivalent restaurants all guests eat in a single sitting. In Lido Café, you can have breakfast outside and have lunch in good weather. She has seven bars, a viewing lounge, smoking lounge, library, fireplace room and an internet cafe where they invite you to linger. The spacious lobby has a large reception, shopping arcades and various areas offering lots of variety. There is also a vantage lounge, a cinema, a hospital and German doctor plus a spacious two-story show lounge and music salon. Five lifts connect the decks together. On board there is a laundry and ironing service as well as room service for drinks, snacks and breakfast. An elegant spa with large beauty salon and panoramic windows offers: beauty salon, fitness centre, massage, sauna, steam rooms and relaxation areas. The outside decks are spacious and offer shade from the sun with deck chairs, shuffleboard, small outdoor pool with Jacuzzi and a wraparound promenade with jogging track. A highlight is the generous garden and golf course landscape with golf bar on the sun deck. The attentive service of a friendly team and a rich program with daytime activities and evening entertainment will make your holiday on our first-class ship unforgettable. You will feel completely at home on board our Amadea. On board, you are surrounded by a pleasant and elegant ambience. Enjoy the simple pleasures of a sea crossing with MS Amadea, such as fresh sea air and a quiet place in the sun. Take an aperitif in one of the many bars and be pampered by the attentive crew. Whether during the day or evening, boredom has no chance on board. Look forward to exciting hours filled with good holiday atmosphere in a stylish setting on board MS Amadea. Upon entering the ship you will feel immediately at home. The dividing of the decks, the understated elegance and generosity make each vacation a memorable experience. Harry's Bar, Havana Club and Vista Bar offer cosy venues in a chic atmosphere. Enjoy a delicious cognac or martini and let the day's events happen. You might want to relax in the cosy lounge with fireplace on Jupiter deck and just spend moments of leisure and meditation. The Vista
Lounge is also inviting and offers a splendid panoramic view ahead. In a cosy cocktail hour, accompanied by piano music, you see the vastness of the sea while the stars seem close as you are swinging at the Copernicus Bar on Jupiter deck where you can enjoy cool drinks on the attractive terrace in good company, or late at night on the dance floor. How about a game of golf on the sun deck? The garden area with 9-hole golf course provides the best opportunity. The golf bar invites all fans of fresh air to stay. A feast for the senses the stylish Non-smokingrestaurant "Four Seasons" and "Amadea" offer the hospitality and attentive service, which make a sea voyage until perfect. Dining happens all day long at the buffet bar where among the more popular lunch and dinner menus include with culinary delicacies, juices and table wine, are served free of charge. Tea and coffee is served throughout the day and a tasty midnight snack completes the day's culinary heights. Anything that can pamper your body, mind and spirit, you will find on board. Comfortable lounge chairs for sunbathing and rest can be found on the sun decks. Take a dip in the small seawater pool, play shuffleboard, hit a golf ball, or visit the fitness centre with spa and wellness centres. Sauna, steam baths, Bio sauna, experience showers, ice fountain and massage services offer relaxation. Loosen your muscles with aerobics and gymnastics. Need to contact the outside world? Visit the Internet Café or browse the library. Your creativity with be opened up when tinkering or painting in the hobby room, or you can expand your knowledge in computer and language courses or lectures on your itinerary (route dependent). In the games room you can enjoy Bingo or how about a shopping spree through the shopping arcade, when the sun goes down, catch heavenly nights on: and there's always a draft beer in the Copernicus bar or if you prefer a classical concert in the Vista Lounge with a glass of wine - the choice is yours. In the Havana Club the scent of old Cognac welcomes and in Harry's Bar live music is playing. In the two-story Atlantic Lounge, nightly shows and entertainment awaits you. Before you visit the discotheque of Copernicus Bar, you might even enjoy the tropical night on deck or listen to the sound of the ocean while walking about the all-around promenade. Every day and every night a completion of the senses that make you your voyage with MS Amadea unforgettable. And while trying to visit the MS Amadea may be impossible today, at least if you are on Torrevieja's seafront, you will witness history in the making. The Ms Amadea is expected offshore about 3.00pm with the tendering service into the Marina Salinas starting around 4.00pm. The ship sails for Palma de Majorca at 11.00pm.