Gene Hackman as Avery Tolar in The Firm | image: Paramount Pictures
Apparently, due to a classic case of last-minute casting and contract messiness, as Gene Hackman joined The Firm quite late into production, his name was eventually removed from any publicity materials. Previously, as Paramount wished to gender-flip his character and cast Meryl Streep in the role, things got messier for Hackman when he joined the project.
Gene Hackman replaced Meryl Streep in Tom Cruise’s The Firm
Real-life lawyer-turned-writer John Grisham has entertained fans with not just his literary works but also with…
In the world of Hollywood casting, there are often moments where actors have to make tough decisions about the roles they take on. One such instance occurred in the early 1990s when Gene Hackman was offered a key role in what would go on to become one of Tom Cruise’s best movies. The film in question was “Jerry Maguire,” a romantic comedy-drama that had initially wanted Meryl Streep for the role of Dorothy Boyd, but ultimately went to Renee Zellweger.
Hackman was offered the role of Dorothy’s father, Jerry’s mentor and friend, but after reading the script and seeing the potential of the film, he made the decision to turn it down. Despite the prestige and recognition that would have come with being part of such a high-profile project, Hackman felt that the character didn’t have enough depth or development to truly interest him as an actor.
In an interview at the time, Hackman explained his reasoning, stating, “I didn’t feel like I could bring anything unique or special to the role. It just didn’t speak to me as an actor.” Instead, he opted to take the high road and pass on the opportunity, allowing another actor to step in and bring their own interpretation to the character.
In the end, Hackman’s decision proved to be beneficial for both him and the film. “Jerry Maguire” went on to become a critical and commercial success, earning several Academy Award nominations, including a win for Cuba Gooding Jr. for Best Supporting Actor. And Hackman continued to be praised for his nuanced and powerful performances in other projects.
While it’s always interesting to think about what could have been, it’s clear that Gene Hackman’s decision to take the high road in this instance ultimately worked out for the best. And “Jerry Maguire” remains a beloved and enduring classic in Tom Cruise’s filmography.
Tags:
Gene Hackman, Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, movie, acting, Hollywood, drama, thriller, film industry, iconic roles, movie stars, on-screen chemistry, award-winning performances.
#Gene #Hackman #High #Road #Tom #Cruises #Movies #Wanted #Meryl #Streep #Role
Ilia Malinin laid in the middle of the ice at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships on Sunday as everyone else stood in ovation.
He has that effect on people.
In another stunning display of athleticism, the reigning world champion landed six of his seven planned quad jumps — including the quad axel, the jump that only Malinin has ever landed in competition — and finished with 333.31 points after his free skate to win his third consecutive national championship at INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas.
Andrew Torgashev landed a pair of quads during his free skate and finished second with 286.49 points, while Camden Pulkinen took advantage of a sloppy free skate from Jimmy Ma to secure the bronze medal with 252.92 points.
Malinin was trying to become the first skater ever to land seven clean quads in competition, and he came close. He opened with the quad flip, easily landed his quad axel and hit his quad lutz — the second-hardest of the quads. But then came his only miscue, when Malinin fell on his quad loop, and he punched the air in mid-routine as if he was miffed at himself.
He landed three more quads, all of them leading into other jumps, and finished it all off with a crowd-pleasing backflip.
“It wasn’t the perfect program that I exactly wanted, but I think I gave a good, solid start for what is working in this program,” said Malinin, who was using nationals as a dress rehearsal for the upcoming world championships in Boston.
If it had been international competition, Malinin’s score would have nearly matched Nathan Chen’s record of 335.30 points.
“I’m still not at my full potential yet and there’s a lot bigger limit, I guess, that I can go for,” Malinin said.
Malinin went into the free skate with a record margin for nationals — 19.14 points over anyone else in the field — after a sublime short program Saturday that was even a bit tame by his standards. The self-proclaimed “Quad God” landed a quad flip and a quad lutz-triple toe loop combination but chose to skip over his quad axel for a triple axel instead.
Malinin was philosophical about it afterward, saying, “There’s the pressure of trying to do (the quad axel) at every competition. People might want to see something bigger and better, but I want to make sure I am consistent.”
That hasn’t been a problem.
The 20-year-old from Fairfax, Virginia, has won eight consecutive competitions since a second-place finish at the Grand Prix de France last year. That stretch of podium perfection included his second national title, two victories at the prestigious Grand Prix Final, and a world championship that Malinin will attempt to defend on home soil in March.
It’s a run that prompted Ma to vault Malinin into the same category of greatness as Chen, the retired Olympic champion.
“I don’t even think of Ilia as competition anymore because it’s not something I think I can achieve,” Ma said. “It’s just an honor to be friends and compete with two people who can be considered GOATs in their own way.”
The 23-year-old Torgashev, who was third at the Grand Prix de France, was so pumped about his performance to the symphonic suite “Scheherazade” that earned him a silver medal that he said stepping off the ice Sunday, “I … crushed it.”
Pulkinen rounded out the podium with a second consecutive bronze medal at nationals.
AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/winter-olympicsAP
Ilia Malinin continues to dominate the ice as he skates his way to another US Figure Skating title. The world champion made history by landing an impressive 6 quad jumps in his routine, showcasing his incredible skill and precision on the ice.
Malinin’s flawless performance left the crowd in awe as he effortlessly executed each jump with grace and power. His technical prowess combined with his artistic flair earned him top scores from the judges, solidifying his status as one of the best figure skaters in the world.
This victory marks Malinin’s third straight US Figure Skating title, further cementing his legacy in the sport. Fans can’t wait to see what the future holds for this talented skater as he continues to push the boundaries and redefine what is possible on the ice. Congratulations to Ilia Malinin on another incredible performance and well-deserved victory!
Tags:
#World #champ #Ilia #Malinin #lands #quad #jumps #cruises #straight #Figure #Skating #title
Key events
Draper (15) v Alcaraz (3)* (0-1): The third seed holds to 30 in his opening service game. Draper’s first point came courtesy of a rally repeatedly targeting the Spaniard’s backhand until he forced an error. Something to keep an eye on. There’s a double fault from Alcaraz, who wins 100% behind his first serves, but only lands 3/6.
Tommy Paul (12) has cruised to the opening set against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-1.
Draper and Alcaraz are out on Rod Laver Arena warning up. Draper is all in white, Alcaraz is in teal with his massive guns out, both are sporting lemon yellow kicks that I would very much enjoy wearing.
Just a reminder that Draper has spent over six hours on court more than Alcaraz this week. All three of the 15th seed’s victories have been in five sets, whereas the third seed barely broke sweat for a couple of rounds before Nuno Borges pinches a tiebreak a couple of days ago.
The top half of the women’s draw is now down to four seeded players:
Aryna Sabalenka (1) v Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27)
Coco Gauff (3) v Paula Badosa (11)
I’ll keep that one simmering in the background, but my main focus soon will be Jack Draper (15) v Carlos Alcaraz (3). It’s a match-up Tumaini Carayol is all over.
Draper’s determination and guts have earned him a meeting with the Spaniard on one of the sport’s biggest stages. As he has shown in their previous matches, there is no doubt Draper has the weapons and athleticism to challenge Alcaraz. In 2022, a lifetime ago for both players, Alcaraz defeated Draper 7-5 in the third set indoors in Basel. After retiring from their match at Indian Wells a year later, Draper toppled Alcaraz at Queen’s last year. Draper has been the favourite in his first three matches but in Melbourne he must try to play with more freedom against the number three seed.
The only singles match on court for the time being is Tommy Paul (12) v Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on Margaret Court Arena. The American has broken the Spaniard’s opening service game to take the early ascendancy.
“Leave it all out there on the court,” is Coco Gauff’s parting message, and one she lived up to this afternoon.
Reflecting on the opening set the third seed was phlegmatic, focussing on the process and speaking to her box that they acknowledge she isn’t going to win every set or every match even if she plays well.
Coco Gauff finishes in style, winning one of the points of the match with a mesmerising all-volleyed rally at the net after showing off her incredible speed to reach a drop shot. It’s been a superb recovery since dropping the opening set, powering over the top of the tiring Bencic, who has given this tournament so much on her return from maternity leave.
Gauff will play Paula Badosa in the next round, with a mouthwatering clash against Aryna Sabalenka the likely prize.
Gauff (3) v Bencic* (5-7, 6-2, 5-1): Bencic is broken to 15. Her spirit is all but extinguished. Gauff’s endurance is telling late on in these conditions.
The 33 year old veteran is through to face Aryna Sabalenka. It’ll be her ninth major quarter final, but she’s only passed that stage once before.
Gauff (3)* v Bencic (5-7, 6-2, 4-1): Coco Gauff’s court coverage is unbelievable. Not for the first time today she is quickly onto a backhand crosscourt that would ordinarily be a clean winner, wrapping her racket around the ball and sending it back in court outside the net post, inside the umpire’s throne. Bencic can only rest her forehead on her racket and suck in the hot air, disbelieving of the athleticism on the other side of the net. The third seed holds to 30.
Gauff (3) v Bencic* (5-7, 6-2, 3-1): Both women are happy to trade forehands, unfamiliar in a tournament with a strong strategic lean to targeting the backhand wing. Each stumble in their own ways to 30-30, then Bencic swipes long to concede a break point. Jelena Dokic on commentary is concerned the Swiss is losing pace in her groundstrokes, which is not a good sign against a player with Gauff’s court coverage.
She escapes the break after Gauff fails to execute the forehand winner after a blistering backhand return, then wins the next point cheaply behind a strong first serve. An agonising net cord lands on the server’s side with a backhand down the line winner begging to be struck, and the misfortune tells a point later when Bencic this time fails to fully commit to an inside-out forehand that lands wide. Gauff is jigging on the baseline ready for the moment – and a third unforced error in a row hands the third seed the break.
That felt significant. Bencic needs a burst of energy from somewhere.
The 11th seed recovers from 2-5 down in the second seed to reach the quarter finals in straight sets. The former world No 2 will face the winner of Gauff v Bencic.
Gauff (3)* v Bencic (5-7, 6-2, 2-1): Gauff moves to 0-30 with a magnificent point. Both players trade heavy forehands before the American finds an angle acuter than Moo Deng. Bencic scampers to force an extra shot in the rally but the third seed is ready to pounce. At 40-0 Gauff serves her seventh double fault of the afternoon then seals the deal behind a second serve.
Gauff (3) v Bencic* (5-7, 6-2, 1-1): Bencic holds from 30-30. This is one is a coin toss.
Jonathan Howcroft
Thank you Angus. What a day! The quintessential Australian summer experience. Hot, dry, and amazing live sport to enjoy.
I’m going to remain focussed on Gauff v Bencic until its conclusion, then Draper v Alcaraz afterwards. I’ll drop in other news as it happens. Let’s go!
With temperatures climbing into the mid-30s in Melbourne it’s time for me to apply some ice to my typing digits and hand over to the Bjorn Borg of blogging, Jonathan “Iceman” Howcroft. Thanks for your company this morning and enjoy your afternoon!
Meanwhile, on Margaret Court Arena, Olga Danilovic has staged a remarkable recovery after losing the first set 6-1 against 11th seed Paula Badosa. The Serbian fought back and broke early to lead the second set 5-2 only for Badosa to then turn the tables on her rival again, winning back the break. Badosa is now serving for 5-5.
Over on KIA arena 27th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova has taken the first set in a tiebreak – where she did not lose a point – against 18th seed Donna Vekic.
Coco Gauff has done it! She serves out the second set 6-2.
Meanwhile, reports are emerging of a strange and scary experiences France’s Corentin Moutet suffered before his third-round loss to American qualifier Learner Tien yesterday. Apparently the Frenchman fainted in the shower before taking the court at Kia Arena and woke up dazed in the dark. No wonder he went down in straight sets!
Corentin Moutet fainted in his shower 45 minutes before playing against Learner Tien at the Australian Open.
“I was in the shower, I woke up on the floor. I was in the dark, I couldn’t see anything. I don’t know what happened. I just know I spent 15 minutes in the dark.”
— Quentin Moynet (@QuentinMoynet) January 18, 2025
Coco Gauff is really unloading on Belinda Bencic’s second serve. It’s not working all the time but when it does it’s damaging the Swiss on the scoreboard and, one senses, psychologically.
In the first set, the 2020 Olympic champion outplayed Gauff with patience and power. But the second set has been a different story. The precocious talent and confidence of the 20-year-old American is now coming to the fore. She takes the fourth game of this second set to love to lead 4-1.
In our other women’s singles match, Paula Badosa has taken the first set 6-1 against Olga Danilovic. The winner of that match will meet this morning’s winner Aryna Sabalenka in the quarter final.
Great hustle from Coco Gauff! Bencic had her pinned in the corners but the American lunged for the last and snapped her wrists across it to deliver a superb crosscourt winner against the run of play. She ices that moment by getting her serving radar back on track, recovering from a double fault to ace the last and make it 3-0 in this second set.
Can Belinda Bencic rediscover her mojo? Or will Gauff go all the way?
Coco Gauff has dropped her first set of the tournament (and the year) and the upset is on at Rod Laver Arena as unseeded Swiss Belinda Bencic continues her surge back up the ratings after taking maternity leave with her first child. What a scalp this would be!
Gauff isn’t done yet though. She wins her first service game to lead the second set 1-0 and then attacks Bencic’s serve to win a 0-30 advantage. The Swiss rips a riposte down the line but Gauff has steel in her eyes and kryptonite in her racquet. She seizes on a Bencic error to make it 15-40 then crashes a winner to win the game.
Coco Gauff has the break and leads the second set 2-0!
Belinda Bencic has a second chance to wrap up this set on serve. Can she do it? Gauff’s return finds the tape for 15-0. Coco Gauff, sensing the peril, digs deep on the next point. But she can’t find the corners like the Swiss and after a 20+ shot rally, sends a backhand wide. 30-0. Make that 40-0! Bencic calmly rallies down the middle before Gauff catches some frame. The Swiss swoops on the space and thunders a forehand down the line.
But Gauff fights back! First with a crashing diagonal backhand and then a thunderous 137kph forehand down the line. But again Bencic stays calm, finds the corners and seizes on the space as Gauff tires. She angles the winner and takes the set 7-5!
Belinda Bencic is pressing hard against Coco Gauff. This eleventh game of the set has again gone to deuce and, with Bencic ripping a backhand return to win advantage, Gauff has to conjur her fastest serve of the match – 189kph – to win back parity. She fritters it by netting the next but quickly regains composure with an ace. Or does she? A double fault puts her back in the hole. That’s her second double fault for the set…
Oh dear, make that her third. A second straight double fault delivers Bencic the break. The Swiss will now serve for the set at 6-5.
Just when Belinda Bencic looked to have an upset brewing on Rod Laver Arena, Coco Gauff breaks back! That was wonderful stuff by the young American. The Swiss star was starting to win the grind, converting 55% of her second serves to Gauff’s 40%. But Gauff upped the ante in that game and lashed two explosive backhands from 30-all to win the game. We are 5-5 in the first set and back on serve.
In the other women’s singles match on Margaret Court Arena, Spain’s No 11 seed Paula Badosa has won her first service game against Serbia’s Olga Danilovic.
Now it’s Coco Gauff under pressure! Down 30-40 she has to scythe a backhand crosscourt to save deuce. She gets advantage with a delicate drop shot but loses it with a lazy mid-court forehand into the net. Belinda Bencic does the same to concede advantage but wins the next by pounding a return down the line. What a shot!
The two players walk the tightrope, trading winners and errors to take it to a fourth deuce and make this the longest game of the set so far. Bencic swoops on a drop shot to lash it into the corner and advances on Gauff’s reply to take advantage. She presses on the next, pinning Gauff on the baseline and forcing a looped forehand that falls long.
Bencic has the break and will serve for the set at 5-4!
Bencic hangs on again, fighting back from 0-30 to hold serve and take this first set to 4-4. The Swiss is in good form and Gauff senses she is is in a real fight here.
Coco Gauff is yet to drop a first serve in this first set of this fourth round encounter. The 2023 US Open champion – a semi-finalist at Melbourne Park last year – now leads 4-3 and is turning up the heat on Belinda Bencic who was taken to deuce in her last service game and only narrowly avoided being broken.
It’s punch for punch and still on serve in the first set of the Coco Gauff v Belinda Bencic clash on Rod Laver Arena. Gauff has had an impressive start to 2025, winning eight matches and 16 sets straight. She takes a 3-2 lead here.
The 27-year-old Bencic is no easybeat. She may be unseeded at this Australian Open but the Swiss star rose to a career-high ranking of world No 4 in February 2020 and has won eight career singles titles, including the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The fourth round clash between America’s No 3 seed Coco Gauff and unseeded Swiss veteran Belinda Bencic is under way, with Gauff serving first in 32C heat.
Gauff is yet to drop a set at this tournament and early signs are good as the 20-year-old wins the first game to love with an on-song serve doing the damage.
While Team GB fans await the Draper v Alcaraz monster match this evening, they can lick their wounds over yesterday’s 6-1, 6-0 demolition of women’s singles hope Emma Radacanu by Iga Swiatek in their third round clash. It was the heaviest defeat of the young Briton’s career but, despite the setback, she showed the class we love her for.
As we await the arrival of America’s No 3 seed Coco Gauff – who will fight it out on Rod Laver Arena with Switzerland’s unseeded veteran Belinda Bencic – let’s prime ourselves for the big men’s singles showdown tonight: Jack Draper v Carlos Alcaraz.
That round four victory over Mirra Andreeva makes it 18 wins in a row for Aryna Sabalenka at Melbourne Park. She has now reached the most women’s singles quarter finals (10) at grand slam events since 2020.
And just like that, the two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka is into the quarter finals. What a clinical destruction it was. Ultimately, the No 1 seed conceded just three games to her young opponent Mirra Andreeva, cleaning her clock inside an hour and marching into another Australian Open final eight.
If Sabalenka’s rivals in this tournament weren’t already frightened… they are now.
Aryna Sabalenka is in for the kill. After losing the opening point of the seventh game, she chastised herself, went within and unleashed an explosive return that drew gasps from this near-capacity crowd. It was a shot that hurt Andreeva beyond the scoreboard. Shaken, the Russian teenager double faulted on the next and the defending champion takes the next two points with ease.
Sabalenka will now serve for the match and a spot in the quarter final.
Three break point opportunities and four deuces later, Mirra Andreeva has failed in her first genuine chance to break Aryna Sabalenka. Again, despite the teenager returning with precision, she’s undone by the guile of her older rival, a drop shot sealing it.
Sabalenka retains the break advantage and now leads this match 6-1, 4-2.
Over on Margaret Court Arena, the Italian stallions Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori have Spanish pair Pedro Martinez and Jaume Munar on the rack after taking the first 6-3 in their third round game.
Mirra Andreeva has her first break point of the game against Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16 women’s singles match on centre court. Can she convert?
Andreeva strikes back! Sabalenka was going for the throat in that game, pummelling returns in a bid to break the teenager a second time. Instead Andreeva stayed calm and made it five points in a row to get things back to 3-2 in the second set. That was the Russian’s best game of the match so far. Is it a turning point?
Double trouble for Mirra Andreeva. She has lost her second serving game and is unravelling on Rod Laver Arena with even foot faults creeping in.
Two unforced errors gift Aryna Sabalenka an early 30-0 lead in this fourth game of the second set but swinging big for the corners, she gets things back to 30-30. Sabalenka, serving at 72%, crashes a second serve to get to 40-30 but Andreeva hangs tough, a looping return eluding Sabalenka’s backhand.
But just when the teenager forces the longest game of the match so far, she sends two returns wide to concede the game. Sabalenka leads 6-1, 3-1.
Where to now for Mirra Andreeva? She was mauled in that first set and must change things up and start swinging for the fences if she’s to trouble Sabalenka. Showing composure, Andreeva serves out the first game – a nice start. Can she go on with it?
With utter ruthlessness Aryna Sabalenka takes the first set 6-1.
That set was a 24-minute demolition of Mirra Andreeva and the 17 year old will have to find something very special if she’s to fight her way into this match.
Oh no. Mirra Andreeva has been broken again on centre court. She’s now 5-1 down after just 20 minutes. Aryna Sabalenka has served up a potent brew of power and finesse to completely overwhelm her teenage rival so far. On the final shot of this game, a flurry of bludgeoning baseline shots softened Andreeva up before the No 1 brought the velvet hammer down with a sublime drop shot.
The 17-year-old Russian Mirra Andreeva is under early pressure after losing an early break to Aryna Sabalenka who has defied crowd distractions and even a low-flying airplane to surge to a 4-1 lead. The No 1 seed has dropped only one point so far.
No 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka and No 14 Mirra Andreeva are into it on Rod Laver Arena. Servers are dominating so far with both players winning their opening games to love and Sabalenka just taking the second to lead 2-1 in the first set.
Hello tennis fans and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the 2025 Australian Open. Angus Fontaine here guiding you through the early follies and volleys before Jonathan Howcroft picks up the cudgels in the afternoon session.
We are into round four and the action is heating up. Temperatures are set to reach 30C+ in Melbourne today and the first stars into the pressure cooker of Rod Laver Arena will be the No 1 seed Aryna Sabalenka taking on 17-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva (seeded 14). That match commences shortly.
That tussle will be followed by another women’s single showdown when America’s No 3 seed Coco Gauff’s clashes with Switzerland’s unseeded veteran Belinda Bencic.
Our death in the afternoon duel today is between Great Britain’s No 15 seed Jack Draper and Spain’s smiling assassin Carlos Alcaraz, seeded No 3 and popular favourite to take the men’s singles title this year.
The night arrives in style with No 7 seed Novak Djokovic taking on Czech Republic’s No 24 seed Jiri Lehecka. On the doubles court Australian hopes will rest with Luke Saville and Li Tu who face off with the pair of Goransson and Verbeek.
There’s doubles about to get under way on Margaret Court Arena too so buckle ‘em up and batten ‘em down, we’re about to light the fuse on day eight…
The Australian Open 2025 has been heating up as young tennis sensation Coco Gauff defeats Belinda Bencic in a thrilling match. Gauff showcased her incredible skills and determination to come out on top against the tough opponent.
In another exciting match, Aryna Sabalenka cruised through her match, showing why she is a force to be reckoned with in the tennis world. Sabalenka’s powerful game and aggressive style of play proved too much for her opponent to handle.
Currently, fans are eagerly watching the match between rising stars Jack Draper and Carlos Alcaraz. The two young players are battling it out on the court, showcasing their talent and determination to make a name for themselves in the tennis world.
Stay tuned for more updates and live coverage of the Australian Open 2025 as the tournament continues to unfold with exciting matches and unforgettable moments on the court. Let’s see who will emerge victorious and claim the coveted title at this prestigious event.
Tags:
Australian Open 2025, Gauff vs Bencic, Sabalenka victory, Draper vs Alcaraz live, tennis news, Australian Open updates, young tennis stars, Grand Slam tournament, sports highlights
#Australian #Open #Gauff #beats #Bencic #Sabalenka #cruises #Draper #Alcaraz #live #Australian #Open
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
They say the more the merrier at Christmas – so why not share it with almost 7,000 other people on a cruise ship?
I have always found Christmas to be a strange time of year. I’m generally a bit of a Scrooge-like character at home during this period. There is a part of me, probably the Jewish bit, that is uncomfortable with the stress about making just one day perfect.
So it has been a nice change for my wife, our two daughters and my in-laws to do a Christmas cruise over the past three years.
This year, we spent the festive period onboard MSC Cruises’ MSC World Europa, the largest ship in the Italian brand’s fleet, with capacity for 6,762 passengers. Setting sail from Barcelona, the itinerary was full of stops, with ports of call including Marseille, Genoa, Rome and Palma de Mallorca.
MSC Cruises has spent much of the build-up to the season addressing how Santa makes it onto a cruise ship; MSC Preziosa even built a landing pad for his sleigh.
There was no landing pad on World Europa but there were nods towards St Nick across the ship including snowman cushions on the public seating and a life-size chocolate Santa – for display purposes only, sadly. Christmas trees were lined up across the indoor world promenade and a jolly inflatable St Nick even managed to raise a smile out of me.
The ship is the first of MSC’s World Class fleet – launched in 2022 – and will be joined by World America in 2025 and World Asia in 2026. It is powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) as part of efforts to be more environmentally friendly.
At 1,093ft long and with 20 passenger decks, MSC World Europa is pretty spacious. A crystal chandelier hangs from its World Promenade as you enter on deck 6 but there is less of the glitz and crystal staircases that passengers may have experienced on other MSC ships, such as Virtuosa and Euribia.
Interiors have a more toned down, modern look, with soft seating and arty LED strips on white walls that effectively light up its main atrium.
The World Promenade area stretches across 341 feet, helping to ease the crowds. There are plenty of spaces for people to spill into across the ship’s 20 bars and restaurants.
Read more: The best mini cruises from the UK
One thing MSC Cruises does well is entertainment. The brand is known for its party atmosphere on board and our sailing was no different.
While Christmas music has been blaring out of the radio since mid-November in the UK – far too early in my opinion – we were slowly eased into the festive season on the ship. We boarded on 20 December, and it wasn’t until Christmas Eve that we probably first heard about what Mariah Carey wants from this time of year.
There was plenty of fun in the build-up, from dazzling shows dedicated to Broadway songs and famous divas to a silent disco and golf putting challenges.
You could tell once Christmas had arrived by the sea of Santa hats among the staff, and activities such as “name that tune”. The shows suddenly had a more festive theme.
Read more: The best cruise ships that you must travel on in your lifetime
Santa even appeared running down the aisles of the World Theatre during the Christmas Eve show and later hosted a disco in the grand Panorama Lounge.
There was also a meet-and-greet with Santa on Christmas Day where the World Theatre stage was turned into a grotto, and kids (whether naughty or nice) lined up patiently for a photo with Father Christmas.
One of the benefits of being on holiday during Christmas is that you avoid cooking. That does mean adapting to someone else’s rules, though.
Passengers are encouraged to scan a QR code to access the menu. This brought some of the traditional Christmas dinner chaos to mealtimes as we navigated the language barrier with our helpful waiter who was doing his best to take orders from the ship’s range of English, Italian, French and German passengers all pointing to tiny mobile devices. Everyone got fed, and all our orders arrived correctly, but it has felt easier and quicker on other ships to point to a dish on a printed menu instead of on a small screen, especially for older passengers.
MSC follows the continental European traditions, so Christmas dinner is served on Christmas Eve, with traditional options including generous portions of succulent turkey and mouth-watering beef for a main course. We couldn’t convince our children to try the Brussels sprouts but the waiters were happy to satisfy our requests for extra roast potatoes. There was also a proper taste of Italy with panettone for dessert – but there wasn’t a Christmas pudding in sight. It was also strange that there were no Christmas crackers, but this may also be down to the ship trying to be more green.
As if that dinner hadn’t filled us up enough, there was a midnight buffet on Christmas Eve where we enjoyed smoked salmon, cheese and biscuits, plus no one had to wash up.
Read more: The best cruises to see the Greek islands
The global tea shortage does seem to have made it onto cruise ships, though.
My father-in-law spent much of the week pocketing rare English breakfast tea bags when they appeared, in order to sneak them back to his cabin for later. The buffet manager later commented to me that it was a struggle to keep up with the demand from tea-drinking passengers.
An unexpected sea day due to storms in the Mediterranean meant we missed a scheduled Christmas Day stop in Malta, which contributed to another thing MSC has an unfortunate reputation for: queues.
It may have been a mix of low staffing levels or just the number of people, but we waited with hungry passengers for close to half an hour to get into the restaurant to be served Christmas lunch.
Passengers and the helpful waiting staff remained jovial, and we even met a fellow cruiser who was like the mad relative that joins at Christmas, running in and out of the kitchen to fetch other tables bread rolls and butter.
Lunch was less festive on Christmas Day – perhaps as passengers were expected to have been off the ship – and there wasn’t even any turkey on the main dining room menu. It felt like any Wednesday as we enjoyed a festive-themed “Christmas salad” of mixed greens and hearts of palm followed by a tender duck. Panettone returned for dessert but there was still no sign of Christmas pudding.
The festivities weren’t too “in your face”, catering for the odd Scrooge or Grinch on board, and it was easy to escape to enjoy other activities for all ages, such as dance classes and karaoke – where I treated fellow passengers to my version of Soft Cell’s Tainted Love.
Our daughters also enjoyed the arcades, roller skating, bumper cars and the 11-deck high Venom slide, plus they were happy to be outside in the hot tubs and swimming pool – a benefit of sailing around the Med during winter.
For a more luxury experience, we tried an afternoon tea of delicious scones and sweet treats in the Yacht Club, MSC’s high-end focused area within the ship. Yacht Club passengers get their own suite and dedicated “butlers” as well as a private lounge, restaurant and pool area.
Its Top Sail lounge was decorated with gingerbread houses and Christmas trees that sparkled against the sunny backdrop of the sea, with Palma de Mallorca in the distance.
It is always interesting to see the various approaches to fashion on a cruise, with passengers feeling comfortable walking around in pyjamas or expressing themselves in anything from football shirts to tuxedos.
This sailing was at least a chance for me to model my Christmas jumpers – one of the few modern traditions I like about this period.
When they weren’t drinking the tea, American passengers were pretty impressed by my Avengers jumper and fellow cruisers had their own styles, such as Donald Duck, The Grinch and even matching family ensembles.
I have found that cruise passengers are more friendly compared with when you meet people on land-based holidays.
We even met another Jewish family, and when we weren’t looking at the menus on our smartphones at dinner, we took the opportunity to use the torches on them for a makeshift menorah so we could mark the first night of Hanukkah, which also fell on Christmas Day.
Doing Christmas for six can be a challenge, let alone for 6,762 – and we still had fun despite the odd queue and tussle for a cup of tea.
In many ways, a cruise itinerary is a perfect way to run Christmas or any family event. Activities were limited to slots of between 30 to 45 minutes, which may well be a tradition we take back ashore to help limit arguments over Monopoly or charades next year – plus we will make sure we have enough teabags.
Cabins are available on MSC World Europa for a festive sailing next Christmas, departing Barcelona on 19 December 2025; from £829pp.
Read more: Things you might not have thought of to avoid seasickness on a cruise
My family and I recently had the pleasure of spending Christmas week aboard an MSC cruise, and it was truly a magical experience. From the moment we stepped on board, we were greeted with festive decorations and holiday cheer.
One of the highlights of our trip was the special Christmas activities that MSC had planned for guests. There were holiday-themed shows, gingerbread decorating workshops, and even a visit from Santa himself. My kids were thrilled to meet Santa and tell him their Christmas wishes.
The dining options on board were superb, with a wide variety of delicious food to choose from. We enjoyed festive meals with all the trimmings, and even had the chance to indulge in some holiday treats like mulled wine and gingerbread cookies.
The entertainment on board was top-notch, with live music, comedy shows, and dance performances that kept us entertained throughout the week. We also made sure to take advantage of the onboard amenities, such as the pool, spa, and fitness center.
Overall, our Christmas week on board an MSC cruise was truly unforgettable. The staff went above and beyond to make sure we had a wonderful holiday experience, and we left feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. We can’t wait to book our next cruise with MSC and create more special memories with our family.
Tags:
#MSC #Cruises #review #Christmas #week #spent #searching #Santa
Viking is offering discounted fares on select river, ocean and expedition cruises during the month of January as part of its “Your Choice Sale.”
All-inclusive fares start at just $1,999 per person. In addition, guests can enjoy free international airfare on select departures.
Travelers who reserve their preferred stateroom can also enjoy bonus savings. They can choose between: a double past guest discount; a free Silver Spirits beverage package and included gratuities; or up to $1,000 in onboard credits per couple.
Bookings must be made by January 31
Viking is not the only cruise line hoping to encourage travelers to book their dream vacation this month. Wave season is officially underway, with cruise lines rolling out their best deals and promotions of the year.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Attention all travel enthusiasts!
Viking Cruises has just announced their ‘Your Choice Sale’ featuring amazing deals on river, ocean, and expedition cruises. Whether you’re looking to explore the picturesque waterways of Europe, soak up the sun in the Caribbean, or embark on an epic adventure to Antarctica, Viking has the perfect cruise for you.
With this limited-time offer, you can choose from a variety of sailings and destinations at unbeatable prices. Plus, enjoy exclusive perks such as complimentary shore excursions, onboard credits, and more.
Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience the world in luxury and style with Viking Cruises. Book now and make unforgettable memories on the high seas. Hurry, this sale won’t last long!
Visit the Viking Cruises website or contact your travel agent to learn more about the ‘Your Choice Sale’ and start planning your dream cruise today. Bon voyage! #VikingCruises #YourChoiceSale #TravelGoals
Tags:
#Viking #Launches #Choice #Sale #River #Ocean #Expedition #Cruises
The Big Four—Netflix, YouTube, Amazon and Disney—dominate the streaming universe and are always trying to obtain a bigger reach and a greater audience. Americans subscribe to an average of 2.9 platforms per month, making careful membership choices based on variety, price and brand appeal. Among the media giants, Disney+ has carved out a distinct niche and community, propelled by a vision that far predates the streaming era. Tasked with preserving an entertainment legacy of over a century, Disney+ boasts an expansive and unmatched content library worth billions and is soon becoming the core of the media empire’s growth solution.
As part of a unified strategy to bolster all of its core divisions in 2025, Disney is now offering subscribers a can’t-miss opportunity cradled by the tides. Children of Disney+ subscribers can set sail on select cruises for half price. Disney is leveraging its established marketing reach as a powerful advantage for its streaming ambitions to come, ensuring the brand resonates with families and solidifies connection between parents and their kids. In doing so, Disney anchors subscriptions to its streaming service, while also offering experiences beyond the digital world. With every moment of brand immersion, Disney strengthens its future familiarity, becoming an enduring part of family tradition for generations to come.
Between January 3 and June 13, 2025, Disney+ members can enjoy substantial savings on select Disney Cruise Line sailings, with third and fourth guests under age 18 sailing for just half price when accompanied by two full-fare guests. This limited-time offer is available on three select cruises: Disney Wish, Disney Dream and Disney Wonder. To qualify, primary guests must present proof of their Disney+ subscription. Not a member? You can sign up for the basic option at $9.99 per month. This exciting promotion follows Disney’s plan to invest $60 billion in cruise ships and attractions over the next decade, ensuring the next generation can experience stories like never before.
Disney’s cruise line generates a reported $3 billion a year according to investment banking firm Raymond James, and has long helped bridge the gap between cherished tales and immersive real-world experiences. Aboard the Disney Cruise Line, guests immerse themselves in a dream-like vacation, where beloved childhood heroes are right by their side every step of the way. Since its inaugural voyage in 1998, Disney has made a significant impact in this market where demand outmatches supply, continually integrating cutting-edge technology and engineering to enhance the guest experience.
This dedication shines through in the Disney Wish line, launched in 2022, where adults enjoy just as much magic as kids. The Hyperspace Lounge, a leading feature on board, offers a unique opportunity to sip cocktails inspired by a galaxy far, far away with an expansive drink menu that immerses you in the Star Wars universe and provides a grown-up late-night escape. Four more unique cruise ship concepts will be unveiled by Disney between 2027 and 2031.
Disney’s diverse and cross-functional approach to its cruise and resort ventures is the very strategy that has fueled its global notoriety. With stories, characters and messages that have stood the test of time, Disney is revered by consumers both on-screen and off, across a variety of entertainment environments that appeal to all. The media giant keeps its stories alive in ways competitors struggle to replicate. Seamlessly blending the past with the present, Disney offers families the chance to bond and escape together through the stories they cherish most.
Digitally, the race for the top spot will always be fierce. However, given Disney’s century-long legacy of connecting with families, the company will carve out a special spot in the streaming future by fusing its immense offerings to give consumers deals and experiences they can’t find anywhere else.
On select Disney Cruise lines, vacationers are now even provided with wearable devices and innovative mobile app options, allowing them to make special requests, communicate with fellow guests and streamline boarding times for a smoother, more immersive journey. The DisneyBand+, available on Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, Disney Dream, Disney Wonder and Disney Treasure fleets, lets you enjoy the fun with a simple tap, putting everything you need right at your fingertips. As digital consumers, we’re moving beyond just a screen-based world, and Disney is meeting that demand with enchanting, tech-enhanced adventures that offer something unique.
“The business, even prior to COVID continues to generate double-digit returns on investment for our shareholders,” Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney’s New Experiences Portfolio and Disney Signature Experiences, told the LA Times. “With our expansions, we certainly expect similar, attractive returns from our future ships.”
Disney’s commitment to investing in attractions and experiences is a calculated investment for the future, one that will yield rewards as other platforms falter. The strength of physical offerings is not to be overlooked; it is a timeless and essential way to keep your brand nestled within everyday consumer life, ensuring that your stories and products remain eternally relevant and alive. The immersive experiences Disney offers seamlessly complement its digital ventures, providing a new avenue for exploration into stories you thought had reached their end.
Mazloum describes Disney’s cruise line as a “movable asset,” serving primarily as a global ambassador for the brand. Fortunately for Disney, this venture is now blossoming into an era where the only way is up. A 2023 study revealed that cruising is one of the fastest-growing travel sectors, with Disney’s cruise line ranked as the top choice in the U.S. for families.
Synergy between physical assets and digital offerings is a winning formula. Turning live experiences into brand touchpoints boosts customer loyalty and ensures seamless promotion across channels. With decades of experience in shaping this approach, Disney shines bright as a beacon in a vast ocean of competitors.
Photo courtesy of Qart Hadasht/Shutterstock
Exciting news for Disney+ subscribers! Starting next month, Disney is offering a special promotion where subscribers can get 50% off select cruises. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the magic of Disney at sea while enjoying incredible savings.
Whether you’re a fan of Disney movies, theme parks, or just looking for a fun and relaxing vacation, a Disney cruise is the perfect way to make unforgettable memories. With world-class entertainment, delicious dining options, and exciting ports of call, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on board.
To take advantage of this exclusive offer, simply book your cruise through the Disney Cruise Line website and enter your Disney+ subscription information at checkout. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to sail the high seas with Disney at a discounted rate!
So pack your bags, grab your Mickey ears, and get ready for the vacation of a lifetime. Disney+ subscribers, this is your chance to make your dreams come true at sea!
Tags:
Disney+, subscribers, 50% off, select cruises, Disney cruise, exclusive discount, vacation deal, limited time offer, Disney magic, savings, travel promotion, cruise discount, subscriber perk, special offer, Disney vacation, cruise deal.
#Disney #Subscribers #Select #Cruises
Princess Cruises Ship – 7.48 GB USB / Memory Stick / Flash Drive – Data Storage
Price : 15.57
Ends on : N/A
View on eBay
Are you a fan of Princess Cruises and looking for a unique way to store your data? Look no further than this Princess Cruises Ship USB! With a whopping 7.48 GB of storage space, this memory stick is perfect for storing all your photos, documents, and more.
Whether you’re a frequent cruiser with Princess Cruises or just a fan of their luxurious ships, this USB is a must-have for any traveler. It’s also a great gift for anyone who loves to travel or has fond memories of sailing with Princess Cruises.
Don’t miss out on this limited edition Princess Cruises Ship USB – get yours today and sail away with your data in style!
#Princess #Cruises #Ship #USB #Memory #Stick #Flash #Drive #Data #Storage, Data Storage
Princess Cruises Ship – 15.71 GB USB / Memory Stick / Flash Drive – Data Storage
Price : 19.99
Ends on : N/A
View on eBay
Looking for the perfect way to store all your vacation memories from your Princess Cruises adventure? Look no further than our Princess Cruises Ship USB memory stick! With a whopping 15.71 GB of storage space, you can save all your photos, videos, and more from your trip of a lifetime.
This sleek and stylish USB stick features a design inspired by the luxurious Princess Cruises ships, making it the perfect keepsake to remember your incredible journey. Whether you want to save your favorite onboard moments, keep track of your shore excursions, or simply have a handy storage device for all your travel needs, this Princess Cruises Ship USB has you covered.
Don’t miss out on this must-have accessory for any Princess Cruises enthusiast. Order yours today and start preserving your memories in style!
#Princess #Cruises #Ship #USB #Memory #Stick #Flash #Drive #Data #Storage
