Viking and the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy marked a major milestone in the construction of the cruise line’s newest ship, Viking Vela, when she was floated out on November 30, 2023, and touched water for the first time. The ship, the 10th in the Viking fleet, is slated to launch in December 2024. Viking Vela Celebrates a Maritime Tradition Viking’s 998-guest Viking Vela was floated out of … [Read more...]

Celebrity Cruises and its luxury retail partner are set to unveil several exclusive shops and services aboard the line’s newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, a vessel poised to enter service following her December 1, 2023 christening ceremony. The ship is the fourth in the line’s popular Edge class. High-end Brands Will Entice Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Known for its “Modern Luxury” marketing … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean International has announced that the already highly anticipated second Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, will be homeported from Port Canaveral when she debuts in the summer of 2025. Her first cruises will go on sale on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, though her exact itineraries have not yet been disclosed. Star of the Seas to Homeport in Florida Star of the Seas, sister … [Read more...]

P&O Australia’s Pacific Adventure has been having a rough time with her current sailing, and more itinerary changes are in store for the vessel due to rough weather. The ship’s planned New Zealand itinerary has already had to be scrubbed due to biosecurity and hull cleaning for local environmental regulations, and now the replacement itinerary must also be changed due to bad … [Read more...]

Port Everglades had a homecoming ceremony for the newest Celebrity Cruises ship, Celebrity Ascent, as the vessel begins homeporting from the booming South Florida cruise port. The ceremony included a plaque-and-key presentation and other traditions to welcome the ship and cement goodwill between authorities and executives to ensure good sailing for the vessel. Celebrity Ascent Welcomed to … [Read more...]

Galveston Wharves is gearing up for a record-breaking 2024, with more passengers and ships sailing from the port than ever. The projected numbers were revealed in the budget meeting held by the port authorities on November 28. The budget projects operating revenues of more than 70 million USD. ​The robust financial outlook sets the stage for significant expansions and enhancements across the … [Read more...]

Melbourne, once a bustling hub for cruising, is facing a significant shift as two cruise lines, Princess Cruises and Cunard, announce their withdrawal from the city’s ports starting in 2025.  This decision, a response to Ports Victoria’s recent hike in port charges, is concerning for the local tourism industry as together, the two cruise lines have around 40 calls scheduled each … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line has released the first images of the 2024 loyalty pins, collectible gifts given to Gold, Platinum, and Diamond level members of the cruise line’s “Very Important Fun Person” loyalty club. The designs are quite a departure from the look of the pins in recent years, with a simpler style that evokes the ocean while highlighting the classic Carnival whale tail. New Loyalty … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line is testing a new debarkation procedure using the Carnival Hub app, with the hopes that it will help streamline the process and minimize crowds while still giving guests plenty of options for how they choose to leave the ship at the end of their cruise vacation. Luggage Tag Distribution to Change In an effort to further smooth the debarkation process, Carnival Cruise Line … [Read more...]

Holland America Line’s Black Friday booking incentives have again set impressive new records, with double-digit increases in booking volume not only for the single shopping day but also for the holiday weekend, through Cyber Monday. It was the second consecutive year of substantial gains, and again eclipsed holiday sales of the pre-pandemic years. In a sure sign that the cruise industry’s … [Read more...]

A number of guests booked aboard Quantum of the Seas were denied boarding in Brisbane, Australia through no fault of their own. The cruise line had overbooked guarantee staterooms, and without available cabins, several guests were denied boarding and left behind as the ship set sail on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Quantum of the Seas Overbooked Several guests hoping to set sail with … [Read more...]

The newest Norwegian Cruise Line ship and second in the award-winning Prima class, Norwegian Viva, has been officially christened in a glittering ceremony with both modern and traditional elements in Miami, Florida on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. The event also included paying homage to the cruise line’s history and dedicating a new installation at the Norwegian Cruise Line Terminal in … [Read more...]

Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to guests sailing onboard the new Norwegian Viva with details about a new sanitation process for all in-stateroom whirlpool spas. Due to increased sanitation requirements, the spas will not be as readily available to guests, but onboard credit is being offered for the inconvenience. Norwegian Viva Stateroom Hot Tubs No Longer Always Available Guests … [Read more...]

Viking has started its third expedition season in Antarctica with the arrival of the Viking Octantis and her sistership, the Viking Polaris, to the Antarctic Peninsula. The two expedition cruise ships will spend the entire southern summer sailing around the white continent. Onboard Polaris and Octantis, guests will be able to explore the most remote and pristine area on our planet in comfort … [Read more...]

What was to have been a relaxing weekend cruise ended in tragedy for one family aboard Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas, as a young passenger has died after falling from one of the ship’s balconies. Few details are available, though the cruise line has confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to the family. Passenger Dies After Cruise Ship Fall Allure of the Seas … [Read more...]

Cruise ports across Atlantic Canada enjoyed a gangbuster 2023 season, continuing a robust post-pandemic rebound and setting several new records in ship calls and cruise guest arrivals. Two ports in particular achieved remarkable gains, as cruise lines showcased Eastern Canada destinations on popular Canada/New England itineraries. Ports Make Major Gains in Ship, Guest Arrivals Statistics … [Read more...]

TUI Cruises and Royal Caribbean Group had reason to celebrate today as Mein Schiff Relax, the first of two InTUItion class cruise ships, floated out at the Monfalcone shipyard in Italy.  The launch marks a new era for TUI Cruises, a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Group, as they take delivery of this innovative, dual-fuel-powered vessel from Fincantieri, which promises to … [Read more...]

With holiday cruises now underway, Carnival Cruise Line has found itself in the middle of another dress code controversy – whether or not guests should be able to wear pajamas to breakfast in the Main Dining Room. For many families, a cozy, pajama-clad breakfast is a holiday tradition, but some travelers feel such casualness should be reserved for while one is celebrating at home, not on a … [Read more...]

Princess Cruises is betting big on its newest ship, Sun Princess, set to launch in February 2024. The cruise line has allocated a whopping 9,000 square feet to host what will be its largest casino at sea, a venue designed to attract seasoned players as well as beginners. Sun Princess Hits the Jackpot With New Casino Design Sun Princess, the first ship in Princess Cruises’ new Sphere class, … [Read more...]

Cruise passengers visiting the top two cruise ports of call in Mexico, Cozumel and Costa Maya, may need to begin paying extra taxes in January 2025. The Mexican state of Quintana Roo, home to both ports, has proposed a $5 (USD) per person tax for all cruise ship passengers, with the funds earmarked for tourism infrastructure projects and natural disaster recovery. New Tax Proposed for Cruise … [Read more...]