Cruise News on Cruise Lines, Ships & Ports

Table Of Content

• With new ships in 2022, cruise industry shows recovery after pandemic
• Celebrity, Holland America Line and Celestyal Drastically Alter Itineraries
• Cruise News
• Three MSC Ships Will Transfer Directly to Europe With No Passengers Or Port Calls
• Cruise Line Lets You Cruise Standby From 8 Homeports for $49 per Day

According to data from the Cruise Industry News’ Global Cruise Ship Orderbook Report, the lineup includes a diverse selection of vessels, including mega ships, premium and luxury vessels, and more. Highlights of the newly opened cruises include three ships sailing from Bayonne — Odyssey of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas. The ships will offer a mix of seasonal Caribbean/Bahamas sailings, plus Canada/New England itineraries. The World-class cruise ships, all powered by LNG and with MSC World Europa being the largest LNG-fueled cruise vessel ever built, are expected to be the second-largest class of cruise ships on the planet. We bring you all the very latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines and cruise ship news.

With new ships in 2022, cruise industry shows recovery after pandemic

As the first newbuild commissioned for the British brand in over ten years, the 3,000-guest vessel is scheduled to spend its maiden season offering itineraries to the Canary Islands, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and more. Aboard Sun Princess, the luxurious, spa-inspired, top-deck Sanctuary Club, is now reserved exclusively for Sanctuary Collection guests who access the private entry via their Princess Medallion. In the adults-only (16 and up) area, guests enjoy plush lounge furniture, private cabanas, pool and jacuzzi, attentive service, soothing music, refreshing beverages, and light fare. The Club also features exclusive programming, including sunrise yoga classes and sail-away receptions.

Celebrity, Holland America Line and Celestyal Drastically Alter Itineraries

The Vista-class flagship has emerged from drydock with new venues, including Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, a space that honors military veterans and active-duty service members. Carnival Vista also boasts a new O2 Club for teens as well as a new Effy Jewelry store and a new Cherry on Top shop. The cruise line welcomed Carnival Jubilee in December 2023 and has recently incorporated Carnival Firenze -- formerly Costa Firenze -- to its lineup, growing the current fleet to 27 ships. The cruise line was also full of surprises throughout the evening – from the announcement of a 4th Excel Class ship, to the pledge of raising $50 million by 2030 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Cruise News

Hamburg Reports Record 2023 Cruise Season; Expects Big 2024 - Cruise Industry News

Hamburg Reports Record 2023 Cruise Season; Expects Big 2024.

Posted: Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:15:03 GMT [source]

These cruise lines include Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages, Viking, and more. Closing out Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class, the Utopia of the Seas is set to welcome guests for its inaugural cruise on July 22, 2024. In a first for the company, the LNG-powered newbuild will spend its maiden season offering short cruises to the Bahamas departing from Port Canaveral.

Dozens of Bolivian passengers from an MSC cruise ship are being deported back to their home country after officials in S... The disgruntled passenger, whose name is unknown, complained to guest services staff and said the cruise line did not notify guests about the change. However, it appears that an email was sent to guests and a notice was posted at the luggage check-in area on embarkation day. An irate guest sailing aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star is calling attention to an itinerary change she says is ruining her vacation at sea. Posting videos on TikTok using the name “ruinedvacation,” the woman’s complaints have attracted more than 3 million views.

In its statement, Virgin Voyages said that passengers on the former legs of the original repositioning voyage will have guaranteed spots on the new sailings at no additional cost and a price protection commitment in place. Cruisers also have the option to receive a future cruise credit based on their paid balance or a full refund. The October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas led to a number of lines canceling port calls (see below), while the latest attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea in early 2024 has led to cruise lines canceling itineraries in that region.

Why 2024 is shaping up to be a record year for Port of Vancouver - Cruise and Ferry

Why 2024 is shaping up to be a record year for Port of Vancouver.

Posted: Tue, 23 Apr 2024 10:38:24 GMT [source]

The executive added that, beginning in 2027, Carnival Corporation will welcome one to two ships per year in order to "satisfy outsized demand." “Building on our strong performance and growing momentum around the world, we are excited to resume our newbuild program and further enhance our global fleet with yet another state-of-the-art ship,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation. Music will guide guests on their journey, matched with vibrant murals painted by local artists. One of five distinct portals, or areas, on Celebration Key, Lokono Cove will host the cruise destination's retail and shopping areas in an authentic Bahamian artisan market hosting everything from handcrafts to jewellery. But the cruise line had altered the route, removing Paradise Bay and replacing it with scenic cruising near Elephant Island, which is farther from the Antarctic mainland but still technically part of Antarctica.

Carnival Names New Celebration Key Area Lokono Cove

The 2003-built cruise ship is now set to undergo a refit before entering service for Celestyal in the Eastern Mediterranean as the Celestyal Discovery. Following a significant refit, the 2000-built vessel will offer a series of four- and five-night cruises to the Western Caribbean and Key West starting in June. The cruise line announced today that the honor of christening the 5374-passenger ship will fall on music superstar Gwen Stefani. The songwriter, performer and vocalist has achieved global success, selling more than 60 million records as frontwoman of the band No Doubt as well as a solo artist.

But Stefani -- a three-time Grammy award winner, The Voice judge and now cruise ship godmother -- was clearly the star of the event. Like its sister ships, Carnival's fifth Excel-class vessel will be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) and will have capacity for over 6,400 passengers and 1,800 crew. The ship will be christened on April 24 in Long Beach and will embark on its first sailing a day later -- a seven-day Mexican Riviera voyage. Following the Explora I, the Explora II is set to become Explora Journey’s second ultra-luxury ship. Under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the 922-guest will kick off its inaugural season in the Mediterranean on August 11, 2024.

Carnival Firenze will be homeported in Long Beach, from where it will embark on three- and four-day sailings to Mexico and Catalina Island, and five-, six- and seven-day cruises to the Mexican Rivera, calling in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta. After seeing its delivery postponed in 2023, the Brilliant Lady is now expected to enter service for Virgin Voyages in the second quarter of 2024. Details about the vessel’s new inaugural season, however, haven’t been announced by the company yet. Like the existing Excel-class ships, the new vessel will be powered by liquified natural gas, which cuts its carbon footprint by reducing emissions.

Travel advisories are common to many regions, but an increased warning level for Jamaica in May advising travelers to reconsider visiting the island nation raised eyebrows for cruise guests. Crimes such as armed robbery, sexual assault, and homicides were cited as reasons for the raised alert level, along with ineffective police response. Disney Cruise Lines added its fifth and largest ship, Disney Wish, to the fleet this summer and the biggest ship in the world, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas began sailing in March. The new ship launched in the spring, enticing travelers with a two-story sundeck, expanded rooftop garden and French chef Daniel Boulud's first restaurant at sea.

Upon returning to Port Canaveral, Carnival Vista will embark on round-trip, six- to eight-night itineraries, visiting destinations like Halfmoon Cay, Grand Turk, Aruba, San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. The Casino, for instance, has been expanded with a new layout and a separate non-smoking annex. The ship's most noticeable update is its new livery, which now features Carnival's signature red, white and blue colors on the hull.

While being late does happen, it is the casual, nonchalant way this particular passenger strolled back to the ship in that raised the ire of many guests. Most tardy guests at least seem to be rushing, but this woman appeared completely at ease with making everyone else wait. “There are no requirements from us that a passport will be needed next year except on specific cruises to places in Europe and other specific locations,” Heald said. Cruise Lines International Association predicts passenger numbers will exceed pre-pandemic levels next year. "Future is bright, industry is growing, guests are coming back, so we're all very happy," says Lutoff-Perlo.