Royal Caribbean has announced that Meghan Trainor will serve as the godmother of their newest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas.
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Utopia of the Seas will be christened during a three night preview cruise that will depart from Port Canaveral on July 15, 2024.
During the sailing, Trainor will give an exclusive live performance at the AquaTheater the day the ship visits CocoCay.
Royal Caribbean is giving fans the opportunity to celebrate with the cruise line and they are giving 52 fans a free trip on the cruise.
They can enter for a chance to win a trip on the three night preview cruise and the giveaway’s official rules are located on Royal Caribbean’s Instagram channel.
Meghan Trainor, gave the following statement about serving as godmother of Utopia of the Seas:
“It’s an incredible honor to join the Royal Caribbean family as godmother of Utopia of the Seas and set the tone for the parties to come. The best part is that we get to bring that weekend energy to the stage with my family and fans. What’s better than being on vacation with the people you love and dancing to your favorite music? Let’s make some beautiful memories and get this party started!”
Utopia of the Seas will sail her maiden voyage on July 19, 2024. This three night cruise will visit Nassau and CocoCay.
The cruise ship will sail three and four night cruises to the The Bahamas from Port Canaveral for at least the next two years.
Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, said the following:
“Utopia of the Seas is where making the most of the weekend and every moment are more than a state a mind, they’re a reality any day of the week. This is the short getaway that’s all about celebrations, celebrating friends, family and the memories you make together.”
“Meghan embodies that in every way, from who she is to how she shares her music with the world, making her the perfect godmother to match Utopia’s big weekend energy. We’re thrilled to welcome her to the family and host a party of epic proportions fit for the ultimate short getaway.”
The captain of a Carnival cruise ship sent a message to the guests on board regarding the vessel’s planned visit to Cozumel on Saturday.
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Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula just north of Tulum earlier today and the storm currently has maximum sustained winds of 100 mph. All cruise ports in the region are closed today.
Carnival Cruise Line has been monitoring the storm from their Fleet Operations Center and has been altering itineraries throughout the week to keep guests and crew members safe.
Carnival Valor departed from New Orleans yesterday on a four day cruise with one stop in Cozumel on Saturday.
Carnival Valor’s Captain Mazzi sent the following message to guests on the cruise ship regarding their planned visit to Cozumel:
“Hurricane Beryl continues its westerly path across the Caribbean and is set to impact the Yucatan Peninsula in the next few days, passing south of Cozumel, Friday afternoon. The weather looks promising for Saturday, but local authorities must conduct an assessment after the storm passes Cozumel. They will keep us updated about port conditions.”
“For now, we’re heading to Cozumel, as planned, remaining a safe distance from the storm. We will provide timely updates as we sail.”
“Safety is our priority, and we will remain a good distance from the storm.”
Carnival Cruise Line previously made the following changes to itineraries due to Hurricane Beryl:
Carnival Paradise will visit Nassau, The Bahamas on Saturday, July 6 instead of visiting Cozumel, Mexico
Carnival Breeze did not visit Progresso, Mexico as scheduled on July 4, 2024
Carnival Horizon will add a visit to Nassau on Friday, July 5 instead of visiting Cozumel on Thursday, July 4. The ship’s visit to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands on Wednesday, July 3 was canceled
Carnival Liberty visited Cozumel on Tuesday, July 2 instead of Friday, July 5
Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald has been issuing updates on behalf of the cruise line on his Facebook page.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. To read about what happens if there is a hurricane or tropical storm during your cruise dates, you can read our article here.
No cruises have been canceled due to Hurricane Beryl.
Note: Cruise Fever will update this article as more information becomes available.
Disney Cruise Line has announced that it will be adding some exciting new features to the Disney Dream when she undergoes a dry dock renovation in September.
This 13-year-old vessel, which first joined the Disney fleet in 2011, is undergoing its first major remodel. The upgrades include luxurious new suites, innovative dining options, and enhanced entertainment, promising an even more magical experience for guests.
One of the most exciting additions is the Fantastical Funnel Suite.
This luxurious suite is housed inside one of the ship’s two funnels, offering unique accommodation with stunning views, elegant decor, and exclusive amenities.
And the Concierge Lounge for suite guests will be expanded and remodelled, with a new look that’s intended to pay homage to the popular animated movie Hercules.
Dining on the Disney Dream will feature new and innovative options. Guests can look forward to a variety of culinary experiences, from gourmet meals to casual dining.
The ship’s restaurants will feature updated menus, incorporating fresh and locally sourced ingredients.
And the Oceaneer’s Club onboard the ship, for kids aged between 3 and 10, will be getting a makeover with new Marvel features.
This will include some exciting new Spider-Man related experiences, with superheroes dropping in to see how the kids are doing.
Edge, the club for 11-14 year olds, will be relocated with some new features including an outdoor ball pit.
The renovations are scheduled to be complete by the end of September.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Cruises are a fantastic way to enjoy a break from everyday life – so much so that, for some people, the transition back into normality can be tough.
The post-cruise blues are a real thing and can be tough to overcome, depending on your circumstances.
But experienced cruisers have some great tips on how to get past them, so that you aren’t wallowing at home, missing your ship and the crew who looked after you so well.
Let’s take a look.
1. Book another cruise
The number one tip that everyone recommends for beating the post-cruise blues is to book another one.
And it makes sense, because the best way to stop thinking about your old cruise is to think about your next one. Having a cruise booked means you can start daydreaming about the ship and itinerary, thinking about what activities you want to try, where you’ll eat and more.
A common comeback is when people say they can’t afford another cruise, and I get that – especially if you’re still paying off the one that you’ve just sailed on!
But there are some great deals you can often find with low deposits. You might only need a nominal fee, and in some rare situations there may even be special offers with zero deposit required!
You don’t have to split your cruise into equal monthly payments, so if you want to book and then wait a couple of months before you start paying for it, that’s fine. And once you have that cruise booked, you’ll soon beat those blues and start getting the excited feeling again.
Also, consider choosing a mini cruise, if you can’t afford a longer one. Even a short 2-night or 3-night getaway can be the ideal bridge to your next longer sailing, and give you something to look forward to.
Just make sure that, once you’ve booked, you put a countdown on your phone, or laptop, or even a good old-fashioned one hung on your wall or noticeboard at home. That way, you can enjoy seeing the days tick by as the cruise gets closer!
2. Plan another cruise
If you absolutely can’t afford to book another cruise yet, don’t worry. You can still plan one, even if you don’t end up actually booking it.
The key is to make sure you have a firm idea in your head. Don’t just look at cruise deals wistfully, without at least trying to make concrete plans, because then you won’t get into it as a project and you’ll just end up feeling sad about the cruise you actually did go on.
Set a rough date and then start looking for deals that’ll work. Think about any pre-cruise hotels you might need to book, and read articles on the cruise line or ship to learn more about it.
Then, when your finances do improve, you can book the cruise quickly.
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3. Write a cruise review
One of the best ways to close the book on a cruise holiday and get yourself back into the ‘everyday’ frame of mind is to write a review about it.
Don’t worry if you aren’t the best at writing, you don’t have to be. Just let everything pour out – talk about the bits you loved, and try to think of anything you didn’t like too. Even the best cruises can have some quirks or niggles.
In fact, finding the little negatives can help you beat the blues, since you stop putting the time on the ship on a pedestal.
Plus, your review will help other people to find their perfect ship – whether they are like you, and would love to have a similar experience, or if they’re a different type of cruiser and your review steers them away from your style of cruise to something else.
Going straight from a cruise holiday back to work or just your usual schedule can feel very blunt, which is often why people feel like they have the blues.
With that in mind, make sure you keep the cruise feeling going just a little bit longer by scheduling some time with your friends and family for a catch up, and sharing your stories.
Try to be mindful that you don’t sound too obsessed (it’s easily done!), but even people who aren’t normally a fan of cruises often like to hear the stories about them since they’re different to a regular holiday.
And by talking about how your cruise went, you’ll feel more reflective and that’ll help you get back into normal life. Or it’ll have you booking your next cruise, if you weren’t already. Either is good!
5. Add a little of the cruise lifestyle to your own
A lot of the discussions I’ve read online about post-cruise blues talk about how the biggest adjustment is losing all the little things that make a cruise special – easy access to amazing food, a room that’s constantly cleaned for you, fantastic cocktails, and a wealth of entertainment.
So, why not bring a little bit of the cruise lifestyle into your everyday? Maybe think back to your favourite meals you had onboard and try to recreate them using recipes you’ve found online?
Or spoil yourself with some cocktails at home at the end of the week. Many of the best cruise line cocktail recipes are available for people to try themselves.
You can even think a little bigger and try to recreate some of the cruise entertainment by checking out comedy and theatre performances near you. Splash out on a couple of nice nights out at a West End-style show and book a meal beforehand.
It won’t be quite the same as having it all on-tap on a cruise ship, but it’ll help capture a bit of that cruise spirit on land.
6. Join Facebook groups and forums
Connecting with like-minded cruise enthusiasts can be a great way to beat the post-cruise blues.
Joining Facebook groups or online forums dedicated to cruising allows you to share experiences, swap tips, and even plan future trips with others who understand your passion.
I have a Facebook group called CRUISE CHAT and I’d love to see you there.
It’s a virtual community where you can relive your cruise memories, discuss upcoming itineraries, and stay engaged in the cruise lifestyle, all from the comfort of home.
Just be aware that you’re probably going to be chatting to people who are about to go on a cruise – try to control the jealousy!
7. Add some cruise décor to your home
Bringing a touch of your cruise experience into your everyday surroundings can work wonders in lifting your spirits.
Consider adding nautical-themed decorations or souvenirs around your house. Whether it’s a framed photograph or photo collage from your cruise, a model ship on a shelf, or even a sea-inspired colour scheme, these elements can serve as gentle reminders of your memorable voyage.
They don’t just help you to preserve the happy memories, but they also make for a fun, cosy atmosphere that you can enjoy all year round.
8. Distract yourself
Sometimes the best way to overcome the blues is by immersing yourself in activities that keep your mind occupied.
Dive into hobbies or interests that you enjoy but might have set aside during your cruise.
Whether it’s picking up a new book, starting a home improvement project, or even planning a weekend getaway, staying busy can prevent you from dwelling on the end of your cruise holiday.
If that doesn’t work, cycle back to number 2 on this list and see if planning a cruise will help to distract you from your last one.
Sometimes you can’t beat the cruise obsession even with your everyday distractions, so just go with the flow!
9. Get active
One of the last bits of advice on ways to beat the holiday blues is to stay active – get out and enjoy some walks, or go to the gym, or take up something sporty.
I understand that exercise releases all kinds of endorphins that should cheer you up, but also, how much are people giving out this advice just because they know you’ve likely over-indulged on your cruise? Haha.
If you have taken advantage of the buffet, and you felt your holiday outfits getting a little tighter as you got closer to disembarkation day, then you might feel a little better if you step up your exercise game once you’re home.
And it will help you to get past those sad feelings too as the natural reactions in your body boost your mood in general.
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Final word
Not everyone feels the post-cruise blues. Maybe your cruise wasn’t as good as you were hoping, because you picked the wrong ship or itinerary for you. Or maybe you were just excited to get home to see your cat or dog.
But some people love cruising so much that the blues hit hard once their cruise holiday is over – and hopefully, if you’re one of those, you’ll find that one of these tips helps you beat the funk.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
A cruise passenger has revealed how they won an upgrade to the best suite on their cruise after winning a game of bingo!
Garett Talcott was on a 20-day cruise on Azamara Quest to Antarctica in December 2023 with his husband, Michael Rivera, when they decided to play bingo on the first night.
The game was Blackout Bingo, meaning the jackpot prize required the winner to complete the entire bingo card. But after spending around $450 on bingo cards, the couple won the prize on the first night.
That prize was an upgrade to the World Owner’s Suite for the remainder of the cruise, the biggest suite onboard the ship.
Normally a 20-night cruise in the suite would cost $50,000 for a couple, so the $450 spent on bingo cards actually turned out to be a bargain!
The couple’s story has only gone viral six months after their sailing, due to a video on TikTok showing you around the suite:
As part of the upgrade, the guests got to enjoy all the perks of the suite, including their own butler, complimentary spirits, and afternoon tea served in the suite.
While not everyone will be as lucky as Talcott and Rivera, it does show that big prizes can be won when you play games like bingo on a cruise!
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
A cruise passenger has expressed frustration due to being owed over $400 from an independent cruise agent, following a cancellation of their booked tour in Greenland.
Jill Reiter was booked on a Carnival cruise to Greenland and Canada on Carnival Legend in 2023 with her family, but the cruise line stated that it would not be arranging excursions in the Greenland ports.
So when Sandra O’Leary, of Sandra’s Cruise Tours, promoted her own excursions on Facebook to those going on the cruise, Reiter signed up, paying $424 for a day trip in Nanortalik for her family.
The itinerary was then shortened due to weather issues, with the Greenland ports cancelled, but Reiter stated that she was unable to get a refund for the excursion from O’Leary.
Not only that, but she claimed that O’Leary changed the terms of her website after the tours had been booked, stating that tours were not refundable.
Reiter tried to get a refund from O’Leary and even issued a chargeback through her bank, although Santander denied this due to the terms on the website stating no refunds were allowed.
O’Leary claimed that she was left out of pocket due to the operator of the tour in Greenland, which was delaying her from refunding passengers including Reiter.
She has since claimed that she will issue refunds minus her own expenses, though under pressure from the website Consumer Rescue she has refused to state what those expenses are.
O’Leary has also claimed that she offered a 50% refund immediately with the remaining refund to follow in at the start of the new year, but that anyone who went down the chargeback route would have to instead abide by the bank’s decision, stating that she would not be refunding Reiter for that reason.
She later claimed that she would refund Reiter in exchange for Reiter closing down a Facebook group regarding the situation.
Consumer Rescue is acting on Reiter’s behalf to get her money back but, as it stands, no refund has been issued.
The website has issued advice to anyone considering booking excursions through a third party:
Always book refundable excursions
Screenshot the information about the excursion at the time of booking
Use online reviews to vet companies before booking your excursions
Avoid unlicensed middlemen and use reliable companies instead
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Disney Cruise Line is quietly offering a brand new stateroom aboard the Disney Dream, 13000 – the Dream Tower Suite part of the concierge level stateroom offerings and the new Category 1A offering for sail dates after the September – October 2024 dry dock.
ScreenshotScreenshotScreenshotScreenshot
Experience the pinnacle of luxury in a 2-story suite perched high above the upper decks in the ship’s forward funnel. After some sorcery, the ship’s signature red funnel has been transformed into a one-of-a-kind penthouse at sea featuring décor inspired by the 1940 Disney classic Fantasia and its beloved scene, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.”
Delight in gilded features that reflect the ship’s art deco motif and the awesome powers of Sorcerer Mickey, replete with celestial-inspired décor, a carpet that recalls flowing water and a chandelier expressive of Sorcerer Mickey famously controlling the ocean waves. Enter via a special private entry and relax in the double-height living room which features a spectacular chandelier and floor-to-ceiling glass windows—ideal for taking in sweeping ocean views.
Concierge Dream Tower Suite classifications and locations are as follows:
Category 01A: Decks 13 and 14; elevator with special access to Deck 13
Guests of our Dream Tower Suite have at their disposal:
2 main bedrooms, a library/bedroom and a children’s room
4.5 bathrooms, including 2 main bathrooms with double sinks, stand-alone bathtubs and walk-in rain showers. The children’s room has its own bathroom with a shower. Library/bedroom area on Deck 13 offers a full bathroom with double sinks and a shower, and is ADA compliant. There is also a half-bathroom at the entry.
Large, 2-story living area
Grand spiral staircase
A library that can serve as an additional bedroom containing its own full bathroom with double sinks and a shower
Open dining salon
Pantry and wet bar stocked with water and sodas
Walk-in closet in both main bedrooms
Specifications
Sleeps: 8
Size: 2,030 sq ft
Room Configuration: 2 main bedrooms with 1 king bed in each room, a children’s bedroom with unique bunk beds, and a library/bedroom with queen size wall bed
View: floor-to-ceiling windows in the main living space
Amenities
Custom premium plush Euro-top mattress
Frette® 1,000-thread-count, 100% cotton linens
Frette® luxury robes for each person in the Stateroom
Frette® premium bath towels
Motorized sheer and black-out blinds across floor-to-ceiling windows
A total of 5 LCD flat-screen TVs with remote controls (located in the living room, the 2 main bedrooms, the library and the children’s room)
Central charging station with USB and USB-C ports
Full-length mirrors
Ample closet space
Dining table
Sub-Zero undercounter refrigerator
Sub-Zero wine cooler in bar area
Full pantry with dishwasher, refrigerator and coffee maker
Safe in each main bedroom
Hair dryer
Phone with voicemail messaging
Individual climate control
BVLGARI® White Tea bath, shower and spa products
As a result of the Concierge Dream Tower suite, Outlook and the Radio Studio on deck 14 will be taken over for the suite’s second story. Details on where EDGE the tween club will be relocated is not available at the time of publication, and is NOT listed on the updated deck plan.
The next luxury cruise ship to join the Oceania Cruises fleet has reached a major milestone after being floated out in the shipyard.
Allura is not due to begin sailing for the cruise line until July 2025, but she has now left the dry dock in the Fincantieri shipyard, ready for the next stage of her build.
The floating out ceremony was held in Genoa, Italy, and featured a blessing by the chaplain of the shipyard, Father Stefano.
Unfortunately the ceremony was more subdued than many other floating out ceremonies as the Fincantieri chairman, General Claudio Graziano, had recently passed away.
Oceania Cruises president Frank Del Rio paid tribute to Graziano in his speech during the ceremony, before talking about how excited the cruise line is to welcome Allura to the fleet:
The float out is an important moment for all at Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri, as we progress closer to Allura joining our family. We have lots of exciting enhancements on Allura, further elevating our offerings and firmly cementing Oceania Cruises as the only ultra-premium cruise brand.
Frank Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises
Allura will be the second ship in the Allura Class, following sister ship Vista. She’ll be able to accommodate 1,200 guests and will offer a fantastic range of dining options, with one chef onboard for every 10 guests. Debuting on the ship will be a new creperie serving crepes, waffles and sundaes.
Her maiden voyage from Trieste departs on 18th July 2025, one week earlier than originally planned. She’ll then spend the summer season in the Mediterranean before relocating to North America, with sailings in Canada and New England and then a winter season in the Caribbean.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Celestyal Cruises has announced new itineraries and the cruise line will offer year-round sailings for the first time.
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Celestyal Cruises is increasing their capacity by 30% and is offering new “Iconic Arabia” itineraries in 2025 and 2026.
The cruise line announced cruises to Greece, the Mediterranean and the Arabia Gulf for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
They are also adding new port visits to their Greek and Mediterranean cruises on both of their cruise ships for 2025 and 2026.
Here is a look at some of these new itineraries for Celestyal Cruises.
Sailings on Celestyal Journey
The Heavenly Adriatic cruise will depart from Athens with a late stay in Dubrovnik, and full day calls at Kefalonia, Kotor, Bari, and Corfu, plus Katakolo. Prices start at $919 per person.
The Heavenly Adriatic (with Venice, Marghera) cruise is a variant of the Heavenly Adriatic. It will depart from Athens with full day calls at Kotor, Split, Venice (Marghera) and Katakolo. Prices start at $919 per person.
The Idyllic Aegean cruise in 2025 and 2026 will depart from Athens with full days in Kusadasi (Ephesus), Rhodes, Crete, Santorini, and Milos plus a full day and late stay in Mykonos. Prices start at $919 per person.
The Idyllic Aegean sailings can also be combined with the Heavenly Adriatic cruises on select dates to form 14-night voyages, with prices starting from $1529 per person.
Sailings on Celestyal Discovery
The three-night Iconic Aegean cruise will depart from Athens and visit Mykonos, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Patmos, Crete, and Santorini. Prices start at $359 per person.
The four-night Iconic Aegean cruise will leave from Athens and visit at Mykonos, Kusadasi (Ephesus), Patmos, Rhodes, Crete, and Santorini. Prices start at $459 per person.
A three-night Iconic Arabia cruise will depart from Abu Dhabi and visit at Doha (Qatar) and Sir Bani Yas Island (UAE). Prices start at $319 per person.
A four-night Iconic Arabia cruise will depart from Abu Dhabi and visit at Fujairah (UAE), Muscat and Khasab (both Oman). Prices start at $399 per person.
Guests can also combine the last two itineraries into a seven-night Gulf Icons sailing. Prices start at $729 per person.
Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, gave the following statement:
“86% of our guests tell us they want to come back to Celestyal, so we’re delivering on our commitment to broaden our programs. We’re renowned as the cruise specialists of the Greek islands and Mediterranean and, thanks to the commitment of the region and this overwhelming support from our customers and trusted partners, we are now confident in becoming the go-to cruise specialists of the Arabian Gulf.
‘Across our network we offer two types of cruising. Destination intensive three- and four-night itineraries are perfect to combine with a land stay and as a bolt-on to a beach or touring holiday, while our classic seven-night cruises are ideal as a holiday in themselves.
‘We have an award-winning service, two newly refurbished ships, immersive shore excursions, a quality, diverse food, and beverage offering and unrivalled customer satisfaction, as well as the ambition to continuously evolve and deliver more. We really cannot wait to showcase everything Celestyal has to offer to a wider audience.”
Celestyal Cruises is offering a special sale that offers early booking savings up to 50% off on these newly announced itineraries in the Arabian Gulf.
This offer is good on cruises booked through August 31, 2024 on new bookings for 2024 through 2027.
A brawl between passengers on Carnival Paradise has been captured in a shocking video posted to social media.
It’s not clear from the video what caused the brawl – the person who filmed it was not involved. But it involved a group of people throwing punches and throwing chairs at each other.
Because of the nature of the fight, the video is age-restricted, so I can’t embed it – but you can view it here.
It took place in the Lido buffet, and it was a couple of minutes before the security team could reach the fight and separate the fighting passengers.
It happened on the last night of the cruise according to the passenger filming it, who had stopped by to get some pizza.
While the person filming it seemed quite enthusiastic about the fight in their narration, they did at least offer to help the crew with cleaning up the aftermath, which included overturned chairs and smashed plates.
Passenger fights aren’t too common on cruises but they can happen. Usually, guests involved in a big brawl will be kicked off the cruise but as this happened on the last day, they may have just been disembarked the following day.
However, they may have got themselves a ban from ever cruising with Carnival again.
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