The Port of San Diego kicked off its annual cruise season in high spirits, with an official ceremony featuring Holland America Line, a longstanding partner. The cruise season, which runs between October and March, features 100 port calls from cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Viking, Disney Cruise Line, and Regent Seven Seas.  The Port of San Diego expects to … [Read more...]

Cruise vacations are one of the best ways to experience adventure, relaxation, and true indulgence. While most cruise lines have plenty of luxurious options for guests, knowing what is included in each cruise vacation package can be a little confusing. One of the most common questions is, “Are cruises all-inclusive?” experiences, meaning all of your food and beverages are included in your … [Read more...]

Princess Cruises has announced that the elite 360 dining experience will now be available on a limited basis to non-suite guests. The premium event does command a premium price, but is far more than just a dinner – it is an epic journey through culinary worlds of the Mediterranean, engaging all the senses in a unique event for every taste. Exclusive Dining Experience No Longer … [Read more...]

The UK’s Portland Port, located in Dorset, England, reaped the benefits of its newly-constructed deep-water berth when the port hosted its two largest cruise ships in one day. The record-breaking double port call delivered more than 7,000 cruise guests to the destination. Mega-Ships Dock at Portland Port’s New Berth Officials in Portland Port, UK, celebrated the double port call by … [Read more...]

Norwegian Cruise Line is making a major effort to embrace and encourage the solo cruiser market with the announcement that close to 1,000 staterooms will soon be rebranded as solo cabins. Three stateroom categories earmarked for solo guests will open for bookings this week across the line’s fleet of 19 ships. More Studio Staterooms Available in Early 2024 Responding to recent data … [Read more...]

Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests and travel partners to notify them that spa category staterooms are being recategorized, with spa access and thermal suite privileges removed for future bookings. This will permit more guests onboard to enjoy the facilities regardless of their stateroom category, but may be disappointing for guests who have enjoyed the special privileges … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to booked guests and travel agents to notify them of an upcoming increase in the price of the popular Cheers! all-included beverage package. Guests have just a few days to lock in savings at the current rate before the price increase takes effect on Sunday, October 8, 2023. Drink Package Price Increasing The Cheers! Beverage Program for Carnival … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line celebrated the Bahamas’ 50th anniversary of independence in grand style aboard the fleet’s flagship, Carnival Celebration, with a special event on Sunday, October 1. The event took place in Miami, Florida, in honor of the connections between the Bahamas and Carnival Cruise Line, and is one of several Bahamian independence celebratory events this year. Carnival … [Read more...]

The upcoming Celebrity Ascent cruise ship successfully finished her sea trials over the weekend, bringing her one momentous step closer to her November 2023 debut. Sea trials are a critical step in the finishing phases of a ship’s construction and outfitting, as these tests ensure all critical systems are operating properly and the ship is ready to set sail. Celebrity Ascent Passes Sea … [Read more...]

Carnival Corporation’s President and CEO, Josh Weinstein, has indicated that the company is open to implementing a fuel surcharge. The statement came during a recent Q3 earnings call and signaled a level of uncertainty concerning rising fuel prices. Although Weinstein mentions that any potential surcharge would only affect future bookings, not guests who have already secured their cruise, … [Read more...]

Princess Cruises, a line dedicated to superb culinary experiences, is introducing carefully curated vegan menus across all 15 ships in its fleet. A wide range of plant-based dishes are available, each crafted just as carefully as any menu item offered in Princess Cruises’ main dining rooms or specialty restaurants. Princess Cruises is introducing a new, creative vegan menu aboard all its … [Read more...]

While many people who have never been on a cruise ship assume that the food options would be limited or that the ingredients would lack freshness and quality, the truth is that many modern cruise ships are floating havens for foodies, and there are many common things to eat on a ship. Not only is cruise ship food better than you might expect, but in many cases, the delectable food and culinary … [Read more...]

Holland America Line continues to update its vessels with Starlink internet capabilities, with six ships of the 11 in the fleet now offering high-speed internet service. Progress continues on the installation, and the cruise line plans that the full fleet will be connected before the end of 2023. Holland America Line Continues Starlink Installation Six ships in the Holland America Line fleet … [Read more...]

The annual Cruise Hive Awards are now open for votes – these are the awards chosen by cruisers to note the best ships, best features, and more for the year, and what they are most looking forward to for 2024. Voting will close on Friday, December 22, 2023, so be sure to get your votes in! Voting opened on Monday, October 2, 2023. Each person can cast one vote in each of the eight categories, … [Read more...]

Guests aboard Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess got a slow start to their cruise getaway on Saturday, September 30, 2023. The ship was delayed for approximately 10 hours from departing Barcelona, Spain, but the impact on the ship’s current sailing should be minimal and the vessel has resumed course toward her next port of call. Enchanted Princess Delayed in Barcelona Guests onboard the … [Read more...]

If you’re planning to take a cruise vacation from Baltimore in Maryland, the Baltimore Cruise Terminal will be your point of departure. This guide will provide everything you need to know to help you use the terminal to begin and end your vacation. We’ll take you from arrival and baggage check to sipping a “Welcome aboard” glass of champagne.  We also include info about Baltimore’s … [Read more...]

The Port of Halifax had its only five-ship day of the cruise season on Sunday, October 1, 2023, right at the peak of fall foliage cruising. Ships from five different cruise lines were docked at the popular Canadian Maritime destination, a top port of call for autumn sailings that offers amazing history, culture, and natural beauty for guests to enjoy. Five Ships Visit Port of … [Read more...]

An Australian couple has enjoyed more than a year aboard a cruise ship for less than the cost of retirement home living, and has no plans to stop their oceangoing lifestyle with Princess Cruises for the next few months. The couple is currently aboard Coral Princess for another few months, then will resume their cruise ship retirement aboard Crown Princess after a land-based break. A Cruise … [Read more...]

The Port of Dover has ended its season with Carnival Pride after the ship made 10 total sailings from the UK homeport, offering a range of European sailings through the summer months. Thousands of passengers have sailed on the ship this season, creating amazing experiences with the cruise line’s distinctive FUN voyages to a variety of remarkable ports of call. Dover Bids Farewell to Carnival … [Read more...]

Cruise Hive brings you all of the top news stories from the cruise industry every day, and as usual, we have this week’s big headlines covered, with articles about Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, the Caribbean island of Grand Turk, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Line. In This Article: Cruise News Update It’s been another busy week for cruise news at Cruise Hive, so let’s … [Read more...]