Vidanta Elegant

The 1990-built MS Vidanta Elegant cruise ship ("Vidanta Alegria" before June 2018) was constructed in Valencia (Spain) under the name "Crown Monarch". Vessel's previous owners were Club Cruise, Casino Ship, Cunard and All Leisure Holidays Group. Its sistership (MV Discovery) was scrapped in 2015.

The vessel (IMO number 8709573) is currently Bahamas-flagged (MMSI 309695000) and registered in Nassau.

History - construction and ownership

The launched as "Crown Monarch" cruise liner was built by Union Naval de Levante SA (shipbuilding company part of Van Aalst Group).

The 550-passenger ship MV Voyager joined the company Voyages of Discovery in December 2012, following a drydock refurbishment at Port Portland UK. Since All Leisure Group's bankruptcy in 2017, MV Voyager was moved to Cadiz Spain (at Navantia Shipyard). Following a drydock in 2017-2018, the liner re-entered service for its new owner (Grupo Vidanta) under the name "Vidanta Alegria ". However, in June 2018 the vessel was renamed "Vidanta Elegant" and again entered drydock (this time in Naples Italy).

After acquiring the vessel, Vidanta stripped and rebuilt its entire superstructure (from the hull up). The multi-million dollar project involved renowned maritime engineers and architects, including SMC Design (London UK). The extensive refit project lasted through mid-January 2019 and actually reconstructed the vessel by adding a new aft structure and interior spaces. By reducing the ship's cabins number and increasing the crew, Vidanta Elegant now features larger-than-average accommodations, more spacious public spaces, attentive Personal Concierge service (dedicated staff assigned to each cabin). Exclusive partnerships were signed with two French world-famous chefs - Eric Pansu and Pascal Molines (pastry chef).

Grupo Vidanta is a major leisure property developer (hotel and resort) in Latin America. The company also owns a private international airport (within a Mexican resort near Puerto Penasco, Sonora Mexico). Puerto Penasco is currently developed to become a new cruise port.

Grupo Vidanta (1974-founded) fully owns subsidiaries that specialize in design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of hotels, resorts and cruises, plus the associated infrastructure. Grupo Vidanta also owns Mar de Cortes Airport (aka Puerto Penasco International Airport, 2009-opened) with regularly scheduled domestic flights (via Aereo Servicio Guerrero SA) linking to Hermosillo (Sonora Mexico). The corporation is headquartered in Nuevo Vallarta (Nayarit Mexico), employs ~25,000 people and has annual revenue of ~USD 750 million.

In Mexico, Grupo Vidanta owns 7 premium golf courses (Vidanta Golf Brand) in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Riviera Nayarit (featuring the world's longest golf cart suspension bridge), Los Cabos, Puerto Penasco and Acapulco.

Grupo Vidanta's cruise line offers an exclusive benefit that allows travelers to experience the luxury Mexican brand both on land and at sea. With one check-in, cruisers can enjoy a special "cruise and resort vacation" that includes both Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta (resort) and the cruise ship Vidanta Elegant.

Decks and Cabins

MS Vidanta Elegant staterooms number was reduced to 149 from 270 (on MV Voyager / Voyages of Discovery, of which and total 12 grades). The Voyages of Discovery ship had 35x Suites and 30x balcony cabins, and 87% of all staterooms were outside (with windows). The Vidanta cruise ship has all-outside cabins (100%) and its max passenger capacity was also reduced - from MV Voyager's 540 down to just 298, while its staff-crew was increased - from 215 to 252 (max).

The number of cabins was reduced (during drydock 2018-2019 refurbishment) to allow bigger-sized staterooms and more intimate travel experiences. Suite amenities include personal concierge service by a dedicated staff (assigned to each suite). All cruise suites were fully refurbished. Regardless of cabin category, all passenger staterooms are fitted with smart HDTVs, digital media players (complimentary access to a media library with documentaries, classical concerts, movies), large wardrobe, en-suite bathroom (WC, shower, single-sink vanity), individual air-conditioning, hairdryer, electronic safe box (in the closet), 2x lower beds or 1x double.

Of all the 8 decks, 4 are with passenger cabins. Cabins on decks 4, 6 (Promenade) and 7 (Bridge) are with 2x or more windows. Most cabins on Deck 3 are with 2x porthole windows (non-opening). Staterooms on decks 3-4 are with either portholes or large windows. Deck 4's Suites (3x, aft-located) and all Deck 7's Suites are with private outdoor terraces. Most Deck 6 cabins have step-out balconies, except the aft-located 6x cabins that are with large windows.

The ship has all 2 handicaps (wheelchair-accessible) cabins for disabled passengers.

All staterooms offer a digital interface with pre-loaded content accessed via smartphone and through the TV's infotainment system. All passenger cabins are double occupancy and without extra beds (bunk or folding).

Shipboard facilities and amenities

The Vidanta cruise ship has a total of 12 venues (bars, lounges, restaurants), including Almagave Haute Mexican Cuisine, Guo Asian Fusion Restaurant, Montelimar Mediterranean Cuisine, Hivata Buffet (Lido Restaurant), Lobby Bar, Mosaico Cafe, Mosaico Bar, Amura Bar & Entertainment (Theater Lounge), Solana Lounge, Pure Sky Deck, Tlax Snack, midship-located Sundeck with a swimming pool and Pool Bar.

The new ship's wellness complex (Nel Vento Fitness & Spa) is located forward on Deck 5 and consists of Gym, Sauna, Treatment Rooms (for massages), SPA Lounge (relaxation room), Beauty Salon. Most rooms are with floor-ceiling windows.

The list of shipboard entertainment options includes:

• ART CLASSES (course in watercolor painting) - guests can bring their own equipment and paints. Painting kits are available for newcomers
• CHOIR AT SEA (singing classes led by skilled choirmasters)
• CRAFT WORKSHOPS (including jewelry-making, sewing work, embroidery) led by experienced teachers and with provided kits with everything required,
• DIGITAL WORLD - digital photography, Internet, computer classes led by experienced tutors
• ZUMBA dance classes

Itineraries

Vidanta Elegant's itinerary program offers voyages leaving mainly from ports in Mexico and Latin America. The ship could be homeported in Puerto Penasco (currently developed as cruise port terminal). Puerto Penasco is approx 100 km (60 mi) from the Mexico-USA (Arizona) border. The port town is located on the small strip of land linking Baja California Peninsula with mainland Mexico.

Following the 2+ years pause due to the Coronavirus crisis, Vidanta Cruises scheduled its restart of passenger shipping operations for April 14, 2022, with a 2-night roundtrip from Puerto Vallarta to Mazatlan.

Voyages of Discovery MV Voyager itinerary program was based mostly on cruises in Europe. Longer itineraries visited ports all around the world. The ship used to sail in the Mediterranean and Around Britain (UK, British Isles), as well as to destinations in Africa, Indian Ocean islands, Caribbean, South Asia.

MV Voyager's voyages were mostly in Europe (Mediterranean Sea), but the boat also operated world voyages (visiting ports in Southeast Asia, South Africa, Indian Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Panama Canal) as well as Transatlantic crossings on seasonal deployment changes (RepositionCruises.com).