Latest Cruise News

Holland America Line’s Westerdam completed a 12-day dry dock in April and she emerged with several major new spaces, including two firsts for the line. Explorations Central, or EXC, in the Crow’s Nest and Rijksmuseum at Sea. Westerdam also received the popular Music Walk venues Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard, the intimate Gallery Bar, a reimagined Lido Market and The Retreat area with private cabanas. Additional upgrades and modifications included suite upgrades, enhancements to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, renovations to youth areas Club HAL and The Loft, and…

Following President Trump’s announcement today regarding new policy changes for U.S. citizens traveling to Cuba, many cruise lines collectively breathed a sigh of relief as they can continue to operate their Cuba cruise programs for the foreseeable future. Royal Caribbean, who operates the Empress of the Seas to Cuba from Florida stated: Norwegian Cruise Line, who operates the Norwegian Sky to Cuba from Miami stated: Carnival Cruise Line, who operates the Carnival Paradise to Cuba from Tampa stated: While cruises to Cuba may continue to operate out of the United…

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest and first purpose-built cruise ship the Asia market, Norwegian Joy, has completed her first preview cruise. David Herrera, President of NCLH China said: Norwegian Joy also features some firsts for a cruise ship, including the first race-track at sea. The two-level track located on decks, 18 and 19, runs 750 feet and features a viewing platform, covered pit lane, workshop, storage room, timing system and floodlights. This isn’t a watered-down version of a go-cart track, as the three speed selections from beginning to expert can have…

Carnival Cruise Line has appointed three experienced maritime professionals as senior officers for their newest cruise ship, Carnival Horizon. The three dedicated senior officers with a combined 60 years experience with Carnival Cruise Line, will lead a team of over 1,400 dedicated crew that will join the ship for its inaugural voyage on April 2, 2018. Carnival Horizon’s senior officers will include: Captain Luigi De Angelis – A 22-year veteran of Carnival Cruise Line, De Angelis joined the company as a deck cadet aboard the Carnival Imagination in 1995 and…

Royal Caribbean will begin offering a new non-refundable deposit program starting on July 1, 2017. In North America, it has widely been the standard that cruise booking deposits are 100% refundable up until final payment dates. There have been some exceptions to this particularly when booking higher level accommodations such as suites, where cancellation penalties may occur before final payment. Royal Caribbean’s new program, that will roll-out fleet wide, includes some key features and benefits for guests. Guests have the option to book a traditional or the new non-refundable fare…

Symphony of the Seas, currently under construction at the STX shipyards in France, has now moved closer to her full completion as she approaches her April 2018 launch date.  With the work on the exterior hull now complete, Symphony of the Seas was floated from her dry dock to begin the interior finishing and fitting out. As the fourth ship in the successful Oasis Class, Symphony of the Seas will spend her inaugural summer season exploring the awe-inspiring destinations of the Mediterranean calling on ports in Barcelona and Palma de…

Carnival Cruise Line has launched a new installment payment program, the first in the cruise industry. Carnival EasyPay is a new program that allows guest to pay for their cruise over three monthly installments. It was designed to provide a hassle-free vacation payment option as the interest-free cruise payments will be automatically deducted from the credit card on file and applied to their cruise balance. To qualify, guests must make the initial deposit at standard amounts. Then, the balance will be charged in three equal payments which are taken out…

In an exclusive agreement with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Broward County’s Port Everglades will invest more than $100 million to renovate Cruise Terminal 25, which will continue to be the preferential berth for Royal Caribbean and their Celebrity brand Cruise ships. This agreement replaces the current one that expires at the end of 2017 and the new one will run through 2026 with options to renew for longer. Steven Cernak, Port Everglades Chief Executive and Port Director said: Cruise Terminal 25 was first constructed in 1992, with the last renovation…

After almost a month in dry dock, the Queen Victoria has emerged from dry dock looking better than ever. The quality of the work done during the dry dock is impressive. This was considered a partial refit that included upgraded and increased choice of staterooms, new Britannia Club dining, a broader more distinctive bar offerings, a transformed sun deck and several new features. The dry dock took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Sicily from May 5 through June 4th. Lido Sun Deck One of the most ambitious parts…