Carnival Cruise Line is offering a combination of three deals for Presidents’ Day 2024 that end at midnight tonight.
Carnival Cruise Line is called America’s Cruise Line since they offer cruises from more homeports in the U.S. than any other cruise line. They were recently named the Best Ocean Cruise Line in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
Carnival Cruise Line’s Star, Stripes, and Savings has up to 35% off cruises, up to $50 in credit that you can spend on the ship, and deposits marked down by 50%. This offer is good on cruises that depart through April 2026. View Best Prices on Carnival Cruises
This offer from Carnival ends at midnight, February 19, 2024. Request rate code OJS when booking.
Sponsored Links
The onboard credit is $12.50 per person on cruises that are two to five nights in length and $25 per person on sailings six nights and longer.
The 50% off deposits is good on Carnival cruises that are outside of final payment and depart through April 2026.
For complete terms and details of this sale from Carnival Cruise Line, visit Carnival.com or contact your preferred travel professional.
USA Today has released their 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2024 for several different cruise categories that range from Best Cruise Line to the Best Cruise Ship for Dining.
USA Today reached out to cruise experts (including Cruise Fever) to nominate cruise lines and cruise ships for each category. The top 20 in each category were named finalists and USA Today readers had one month to vote for their favorite among the finalists. The categories for this year were:
Best Ocean Cruise Line
Best Adults Only Cruise
Best River Cruise Line
Best Cruise Line for Families
Best Cruise Line for Solo Travelers
Best Cruise Ship for Dining
Best Cruise Ship for Entertainment
Best Boutique Cruise Line
Best New Cruise Itinerary
Readers were allowed one vote, per category. per day.
Sponsored Links
Here are the just released results of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for 2024.
Carnival Cruise Line has named the entertainment leaders and senior officers for the latest ship to enter their fleet, Carnival Firenze.
Carnival Firenze will sail its first cruise on April 25, 2024, a voyage to the Mexican Riviera from Long Beach. The cruise ship is currently being transformed into a Carnival Fun Ship after coming over from sister cruise line Costa Cruises. Carnival Firenze is a sister ship to Carnival Venezia.
Joey Boyes will serve as the ship’s Cruise Director with Gordon Travis serving as the Entertainment Director. Captain Crescenzo Palomb will lead the ship and has been working with Carnival Cruise Line for 25 years.
Sponsored Links
Renil Kuruvilla will be Carnival Firenze’s Hotel Director and Rosario Capilli will be the Chief Engineer.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
“Our inaugural team members launching Carnival Firenze are fortunate to work alongside some of the most skilled and experienced leaders in the cruise industry. This ship is a special addition to our fleet as we expand our operations on the West Coast, where we already embark more guests than any other cruise line. We have a unique opportunity to bring our signature FUN to a beautiful vessel inspired by the iconic city of Florence, Italy to our popular homeport of Long Beach. I’m certain this strong team is the perfect group to deliver this dynamic offering to our guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
Even though the ship is only four years old, it is undergoing a massive renovation before it enters service with Carnival.
Carnival Firenze will homeport year-round in Long Beach, California offering a variety of cruises to the Mexican Riviera.
Holland America Line, the only cruise line to offer Cruisetours that go into the Yukon, is updating their McKinley Chalet Resort and adding a new Gold Rush experience.
Holland America Line is elevating its award-winning Alaska Cruisetours in time for the 2024 season with room upgrades at McKinley Chalet Resort and a new, included tour in Dawson City, Yukon.
Holland America Line’s Cruisetours combine a cruise to Alaska along with a land tour to Denali. The cruise line is adding balconies to 28 river view rooms at McKinley Chalet Resort and upgrading them to the Denali Suite category. The resort is located on 68 acres at the entrance to Denali National Park.
They are also adding a new “Klondike Gold Tour” on select Denali and Yukon Cruisetours. This excursion visits the original discovery claim site that launched the gold rush and Gold Dredge 4. This tour will be complimentary on select Cruisetours that include Dawson City.
“We are consistently evolving our Alaska Cruisetour product by adding new amenities that will enhance the overall experience and opportunities to learn more about the destination,” said Dan Rough, Holland America Line’s vice president of revenue management. “Increasing the balcony rooms at McKinley Chalet Resort offers even more visitors the opportunity to take in the incredible views, and adding the Deluxe category allows additional guests to have an elevated stay at the property.”
Sponsored Links
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
Guests on select Denali and Yukon Cruisetours will have a new, included “Klondike Gold Tour” that expands on the region’s famed gold rush experience. The tour visits the original discovery claim site that launched the gold rush and Gold Dredge 4.
“The Yukon Territory is where the Klondike Gold Rush began, and we’re excited to include this new tour to Gold Dredge 4 that will give our guests a first-hand encounter with an important part of North American history and in-depth insight into this era,” added Rough. “Holland America Line is the only cruise line that shows the beginning and end of the Klondike trail, from Skagway all the way to the Yukon.”
Alaska Cruisetours on Holland America Line are available with sailings on Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam and range from nine to 14 days. All of them include a seven night Glacier Discovery cruise and several nights at the cruise line’s resort.
Yukon and Denali Cruisetours are combined with cruises on Koningsdam, Zaandam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Noordam and range from nine to 18 days in length. They also include a seven night Glacier Discovery cruise. These tours spend one to two nights in Dawson City giving guests time to relive gold rush history.
Royal Caribbean has announced that they have entered into an agreement with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard for a seventh Oasis class cruise ship that will debut in 2028.
The Oasis class by Royal Caribbean ushed in the era of mega cruising more than 15 years ago. Their sixth Oasis class vessel, Utopia of the Seas, will debut this July and offer short cruises from Port Canaveral.
“While we eagerly anticipate the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas this summer, we’re already dreaming up her sister ship and the next installation in the brand’s extremely popular Oasis Class,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Across our three brands, we are focused on continuously challenging ourselves to deliver the ultimate vacation experience.
Sponsored Links
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
“This order signals Royal Caribbean Group’s continued confidence in our partnership that has delivered some of the most innovative ships at sea,” said Laurent Castaing, general manager, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “We look forward to building upon this relationship as we help bring this ship to life.”
The ship’s name, homeport, and itineraries will be announced at a later time.
This order by Royal Caribbean for a seventh Oasis class ship is contingent upon financing, but that is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The cruise ship will be a sister ship to Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, and Utopia of the Seas. The Oasis class is the second largest class of cruise ships in the world.
Royal Caribbean is the world’s largest cruise line and carries more passengers each year than any other line.
Royal Caribbean has opened cruises to the Caribbean from Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico for bookings. In addition, the cruise line has released new sailings from the Northeast in 2025-2026.
Royal Caribbean’s Crown & Anchor Society members, frequent cruisers with the cruise line, can now book these new cruises. They will open to the general public tomorrow on February 15, 2024. This includes cruises on seven Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
Odyssey of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas will offer cruises from Bayonne, New Jersey. These sailings will visit The Bahamas, Caribbean, New England, and Canada.
Vision of the Seas will sail from Baltimore offering five, nine, eight, and 12 night cruises to the Caribbean and Canada.
Sponsored Links
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
Jewel of the Seas will homeport in San Juan, Puerto Rico offering week long port intensive cruises to the Southern Caribbean.
Brilliance of the Seas will sail from both San Juan and Boston. From Puerto Rico, the ship will visit the Southern Caribbean and from New England, the vessel will visit Canada.
Allure of the Seas will sail from Galveston and Ft. Lauderdale. Cruises from Texas will be seven nights in length while the ones from Florida will either be six or eight nights. All of these cruises will visit the Caribbean.
Symphony of the Seas will split time between Bayonne and Miami offering seven night cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean.
This is the sixth of nine deployment releases from Royal Caribbean for the 2025-2026 season. Cruises in China, Australia, and Singapore have yet to be released but will open for bookings over the next few months.
Princess Cruises has taken delivery of their newest cruise ship, Sun Princess. However, the cruise line has pushed back the maiden voyage for the second time so the ship can be completed.
Sun Princess at the Fincantieri shipyard in December 2023. Photo Credit: Cruise Fever
Princess Cruises has canceled the February 18 cruise on Sun Princess. Guests who were booked on this cruise will receive a full refund, a 50% future cruise credit, and the cruise line will cover any travel costs associated with the canceling. This includes guests who arrived early in Italy for the cruise or those who need to change airfare.
Our free cruise newsletter offers the latest cruise news and deals: Sign Up
Princess Cruises said that additional technical work is needed to make sure the ship will deliver outstanding vacations once it enters service. The maiden voyage for Sun Princess will now take place on February 28, 2024.
This is the second time that the maiden voyage on Sun Princess has been pushed back. Last month, the cruise line canceled the February 8, 2024 sailing due to the ship not being completed in time.
Sponsored Links
The maiden voyage for Sun Princess will depart from Civitavecchia (Rome) on February 28 and visit Naples, Santorini, Kusadasi, Athens, Messina, and Palma De Mallorca but ending in Barcelona on March 9.
Travel agents who had clients booked on the February 18 sailing will still receive commissions even though the cruise has been canceled.
Cruise Fever will be on the second voyage on Sun Princess, so stayed tuned as we bring you all that this new class of ship has to offer.
Discovery Princess to Call Sydney Home for the 2025/26 Australian Summer Season
Princess Cruises announced that its current flagship vessel – Discovery Princess – will make Sydney her home port in the 2025/26 summer Australia season.
Built in 2022, the 145,000-ton ship measuring 1,083 feet in length, and 19 decks high will be the biggest ship Princess Cruises has ever homeported in Australia in its 50-year cruising history. The 3,660-guest, ship will debut in her home port of Sydney in October 2025, offering a number of itineraries from Down Under.
Princess Cruises President John Padgett was in Sydney yesterday to officially welcome Royal Princess on her debut summer season in Australia and shared the news in an early reveal of the line’s 2025/26 program.
“Nearly half a century has passed since Princess Cruises introduced the Pacific Princess ship to Sydney’s shores. In commemoration of this milestone, we are delighted to unveil the future deployment of the Discovery Princess, further solidifying our belief in the Australian market,” said Padgett. “We are confident that both our international and Australian guests will be excited about the spectacular experience aboard Discovery Princess as she sails from Sydney in late 2025.”
Discovery Princess, the third vessel designed from the ground up with Princess MedallionClass and the sixth Royal-Class ship shares all the spectacular style and luxury of her sister ships – Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess and Royal Princess. With an array of spectacular features, guests will enjoy 270-degree sweeping views from the largest balconies in the Princess fleet with the Sky Suites, unwind in the ultimate comfort at the Sanctuary and indulge the senses with world-class dining options including new to Australia 360: An Extraordinary Experience now available for all guests sailing on Discovery Princess. The Award-winning 360: An Extraordinary Experience is exclusively offered on Discovery Princess and Enchanted Princess taking guests on a sensory journey through world-class cuisine with a fusion of master storytelling and visual entertainment.
In addition, Discovery Princess elevates the guest experience with an abundance of amenities including 14 restaurants, 10 bars and additional lounges, and entertainment options. Among its dining options is The Catch by Rudi, Crown Grill, Sabatini’s Trattoria and Gigi’s Pizzeria. Other features include the SeaWalk, a breathtaking glass-bottomed enclosed walkway that extends nearly 28 feet beyond the ship’s edge, treating guests to awe-inspiring views while suspended 128 feet above the sea.
Other notable features include private poolside cabanas, four main pools including two top-deck pools, Retreat Pool and Wakeview Pool, 10 hot tub spas, the Enclave and Lotus Spa featuring Princess’ largest-ever thermal suite, and an exquisite Chef’s Table Lumiere dining option, where guests are magically surrounded by a curtain of light. Meanwhile, more than 82 percent of the ship’s staterooms offer a private balcony.
In addition to the incredible amenities aboard Discovery Princess, guests also enjoy the Princess exclusive MedallionClass experience, offering a level of service personalization previously only available on small ships now delivered on a large ship, amenity-rich platform.
The connected guest experience maximizes guests’ time by delivering a host of onboard conveniences including contactless payment for anything on board; expedited embarkation; keyless stateroom entry; muster anywhere; friends and family locator; and ordering food, drinks, retail items or requesting service from their smart device or a crew member and having their order delivered directly to them…even if they move.
Padgett added the cruise line is thrilled to announce the addition of Discovery Princess to its Australian fleet for the 2025/26 summer season. The ship will sail in local waters with other Princess ships Crown Princess and Grand Princess as part of the summer program to be revealed in full next month including the longest World Cruise yet.
“Discovery Princess will continue to set new standards for premium cruising when she sails from Australia in the 2025/26 summer season. She’s an incredible ship with many wonderful features for our guests, from superb cuisine to world-class entertainment and facilities.”
The program will be announced in full on November 15, 2023 and go on sale November 29, 2023.
Sun Princess Will Mesmerise Guests with New Show-Stopping Productions
Iconic performances and world-class experiences headline a show-stopping array of incredible entertainment awaiting guests across the sensational new Sun Princess, the largest-ever ship from Princess Cruises, debuting in early 2024.
Today the cruise brand announced four exceptional production shows that will take centre stage in the Princess Arena, the most technologically advanced entertainment venue at sea. The pinnacle of technological innovation in the world of cruise ship entertainment, the configurable Princess Arena supports shows in the round, in a 270-degree keyhole configuration, as well as via a traditional proscenium theatre.
“The Princess Arena is an engineering marvel that allows us to create awe-inspiring entertainment, offering our guests a completely different experience every night,” said Denise Saviss, vice president of entertainment experience for Princess Cruises. “Not only will our productions shine, but the venue itself, with its state-of-the-art stages, captivating lighting design, and immersive surround-sound, will deliver show-stopping spectacles on every voyage.”
Headlining the entertainment line-up are three completely new productions, showcasing the tremendous talents of the Sun Princess troupe with four lead vocalists, 13 top dancers and eight Dome Cirque artists in various performances, including:
Princess Arena Theatre Shows
NEW! Vallora, A Pirate Quest – Created, directed, and choreographed by Danny Teeson of “American Idol” fame, Pirates features an upbeat and nostalgic 80’s soundtrack, including Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams,” Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger,” Chicago’s “You’re the Inspiration” and Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” The show follows the intrepid heroine ‘Vallora’ through a pirate adventure, telling a thrilling story of searching for what’s lost and above all else, family and love.
NEW! Stage Struck – Celebrating musical theatre, Stage Struck features “On Broadway” from Smokey Joe’s Café, “Danced All Night” from My Fair Lady, “Take Me or Leave Me” from Rent and “One Night Only” from Dreamgirls. Directed and choreographed by Karen Bruce, of “So You Think You Can Dance” for BBC and numerous shows on the West End.
NEW! Viva La Música – This scintillating musical experience from famed Latin American choreographer Liz Imperio, the well-known choreographer of concert tours for Jennifer Lopez, Madonna and Gloria Estefan, features Latin soundtrack favorites like Miami Sound Machine’s “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” Camila Cabello’s “Havana,” Santana’s “Oye Como Va,” and Pete Rodriguez’s “I Like It Like That.” The Latin Grammy inspired concert is highlighted by a dance couple who invite guests to join them on the dance floor for a unique immersive experience.
PRINCESS FAVOURITE REIMAGINED! Fiera! – Love blossoms at a turn-of-the-last-century colourful European fairground in a story revealed through an artfully selected medley of popular songs such as Guns & Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine,” and Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” Directed by famed choreographer Danny Teeson, a large, brilliantly costumed cast of performers brings the story to life, dancing on a vibrant set with a spectacular digital backdrop.
Entertainment extends throughout the ship including two additional prominent venues– the Piazza and The Dome – an iconic new venue at the top forward portion of the ship.
The Dome
The mesmerising artistry of one of the entertainment industry’s biggest names, the renowned Cirque Éloize, will be on full display in The Dome, a remarkable multi-level entertainment venue perched atop the ship.
Three specially-created and captivating shows – “Blue,” “Come Fly Away,” and “Artbeat” – will transport guests into a world of emotion, colour, and music, featuring awe-inspiring acts such as aerial hoops, aerial poles, bungees, Cyr wheel, silks, mind-bending contortions, and more.
Inspired by the enchanting terraces of Santorini, The Dome is a pioneering glass-enclosed structure, the first of its kind ever constructed on a cruise ship. By day, it transforms into an indoor/outdoor oasis with a sparkling pool, while at night, it evolves into an electrifying entertainment venue with a South Beach vibe.
Piazza
The heartbeat of the ship, the Piazza on Sun Princess reflects an exciting evolution, surrounded by a multi-tiered sphere of glass offering expansive views as well as a wide selection of entertainment every voyage. Here guests can continue to enjoy beloved musical acts and performances, as well as favourite game shows and an elevated Champagne Waterfall event.
Sun Princess guests will be greeted with a NEW Sailaway Party, NEW night-time Welcome Show, a NEW Themed Deck Party, NEW Game Shows and a memorable NEW Farewell Show and Light Spectacle.
Guests sailing on Sun Princess also can enjoy Spellbound by Magic Castle, a collaboration with the famed Hollywood icon. The extraordinary experience blends the captivating world of magic with the art of mixology and features incredible feats of magic from talented magicians, surprises in themed rooms and theatrical cocktails delivered by sleight-of-hand servers.
Debuting in February 2024, Sun Princess is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. The 175,500-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess will also offer an array of exciting new culinary offerings, as well as luxurious staterooms and suites across a broad spectrum of categories. With the most balconies and sun decks on any Princess ship, guests can take in the sunshine and crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean and Caribbean from the comfort of their stateroom.
Inaugural 2024 Sun Princess cruises to the Mediterranean and Caribbean are on sale now. More ship information and images can be found at www.princess.com/sunprincess.
Estonia is a small but fascinating country located on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea. As part of most Baltic cruises, you’ll likely have the chance to explore its picturesque medieval capital of Tallinn as well as some of the country’s natural beauty. With only a limited time in port, it’s important to plan ahead and make the most of your visit. Here are some tips on how to best experience Estonia during your Baltic cruise.
Visa Requirements
Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and most EU countries do not need an Estonia visa for stays of up to 90 days in Estonia. You’ll just need a valid passport. Double-check the visa policies before your trip, but for short visits on a Baltic cruise, you likely won’t need to worry about this.
Explore Tallinn’s Old Town
Spend at least half a day wandering Tallinn’s incredibly well-preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along the ancient defensive walls, browse the shops and artisans’ studios, and gaze up at the red rooftops from scenic viewpoints. Don’t miss landmarks like the 15th-century Town Hall Square, the onion-domed Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and Toompea Castle. Give yourself time to lose yourself in the cobblestone streets and soak up the medieval charm.
Sample Estonian Cuisine
Be sure to try some classic Estonian dishes during your visit. Look for crepes called pirukas stuffed with meat, cabbage, carrots or curd cheese, served from street food carts. Estonia has a strong beer culture – sample the local brews. Rye bread, pork, potatoes, and preserved fish are also staples of the cuisine. In Tallinn, dine at a medieval-style restaurant like Olde Hansa to taste traditional dishes by candlelight with costumed servers.
Explore Estonia’s Nature
Estonia has miles of unspoiled natural beauty. Many cruises offer excursions to places like Lahemaa National Park, just an hour from Tallinn. Here you can experience Estonia’s pristine forests and stunning coastline. Visit the grand 18th-century Palmse Manor, go kayaking or canoeing on the rivers, and see wildlife like moose and beavers. Alternatively, venture out to the islands of Saaremaa or Hiiumaa to experience more of Estonia’s diverse landscapes.
See Estonia’s Castles
In addition to the castle in Tallinn, consider a day trip to other medieval castles around the country. Just an hour from the city, Padise Klooster is a striking monastery-castle dating to the 14th century. Or head south to visit Otepää Castle, perched on a hilltop surrounded by lakes. Further afield, Narva Castle sits right on the border with Russia along the Narva River. These immersive historical sites provide insight into Estonia’s past.
Experience Local Culture
For an authentic local experience, head to the laid-back student neighborhood of Telliskivi in Tallinn. Wander the creative commune, browse the quirky shops, relax at a cafe, and get a taste of Estonia’s youth culture. Visit Kalamaja, another emerging neighborhood with a popular food and fish market in the Balti Jaam rail station. And if you happen to be visiting during a Song Festival year (the next one is 2025), try to catch this beloved nationwide musical event.
With careful planning, you can see the top sights, taste the local flavors, and immerse yourself in Estonian culture during your day in port. Focus on Tallinn’s Old Town, add a side trip to Lahemaa National Park or a castle, and you’ll get the most out of your limited time in this beautiful Baltic country.
