Diplomacy

A new cruise line, Crescent Seas, was announced today that is promising to be a new residential model for offering luxury apartments at sea.

Navigator will be the first of five cruise ships from Crescent Seas. The ship is currently owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and it will receive a $50 million dollar renovation ahead of its first cruise with the new cruise line in December 2026.

The ship will have 210 residences that can be purchased. Prices range from $800,000 to $8 million and it includes white-glove butler service and Starlink internet connection. The fast internet will allow residents to “work from home”.

The residences on the cruise ship will open for purchasing on April 9, 2025 with a sales gallery in Miami for prospective buyers.

The cruise ship will spend two to three days at every port visiting all seven continents. Destinations will explore places like the French Polynesia, the Faroe Islands and Madagascar.

The cruises will be extended voyages around the world to some of the most far stretched destinations on the planet.

Russell W. Galbut, a founding partner of Crescent Heights and a leader in the cruise industry, gave the following statement:

“After spending so much time on the seas, we noticed that travelers yearned for more. People on the ships kept telling us they wanted to live this luxurious lifestyle. So, we decided to select ships with the right configurations to convert to the most magnificent cruising yachts.

“With most of the earth’s surface covered by water, it only felt right to use our 50 years of development expertise on land, to create the most magical residences at sea. Why vacation to just one gateway city when you can be at home and live in all the greatest gateway cities around the globe?

“After hand-selecting this ship, we hired the same experienced management teams to operate the ship for the first 10 years of operations. We are delighted to be able to provide luxury homes to people that will carry them to places they’ve only dreamed of.”

Navigator currently sails with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, one of the world’s most luxurious cruise lines.

Crescent Seas has plans to add four more cruise ships over the next five years. The cruise line said that their voyages will be designed for discerning travelers accustomed to the private oasis of the yachting lifestyle.

Crescent Seas joins The World and Villa Vie Residences in offering cabins on a cruise ship that you can buy and live in. A third cruise line, Storylines, has also been planning to offer cabins you can buy and live in but construction has yet to start on their first ship.

If you’re a regular cruiser you’ve probably experienced this before.  You’re in your cabin getting ready for the day when the ship’s PA system kicks on with an announcement.  But since the speakers are in the hallway, you strain to hear what’s being said.

You can either open the door, half dressed, and try to hear the tail of the announcement, or remain motionless and pretend you have the ears of a jack rabbit to get the gist of the audio.

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, addressed passenger concerns regarding this very issue of onboard announcements a Facebook Live video this morning.

Heald mentioned the complaints, particularly from passengers on Carnival Pride, who reported difficulty hearing general announcements from inside their cabins.

“Somebody wrote to me from the Carnival Pride this morning saying they couldn’t hear the announcements inside of the cabin,” Heald stated. He clarified that the announcements in question were primarily “general ones with the cruise director saying what’s happening around the ship.”

Heald then reassured passengers that critical announcements would always be relayed directly to cabins.

“If there is anything on any ship, not just Carnival Pride, but on any ship that you need to know, those announcements will be made inside the cabin, whether it’s an emergency announcement and need to know announcement. Those will come in.”

Heald also mentioned wanting announcements to be shown right within the Carnival Hub app, explaining the current issues with that idea.

“It’s not possible to do this at the moment because when the cruise directors make their announcements, they’re ad lib. It’s not written down, so we can’t just take one announcement and put it on the app.”

So, there’s no need to get too worked up if you happen to miss one of these announcements, beyond the possible FOMO of hearing about the day’s events.

It should be noted that sometimes the ship’s captain will give important information or reminders about a port of call or scheduling issue.   While not an emergency, these are announcements most passengers would want to hear. 

But Heald emphasized, in his own humorous way, that passengers should bot fly into a panic over missing an announcement.

“If you do not hear an announcement in the cabin, please do not worry. It is not an emergency. It’s not a need-to-know announcement. You don’t have to fling open the door and forget you’re not wearing anything to hear the announcement of the corridor. It’s just the general what’s happening around the ship type of announcement,” Heald stated.

He also gave a humorous look back at cruise director PA announcements from his time at sea. “When I think about the things that I used to do as a cruise director of the PA system, ohh my goodness, you could not do it today. Ohh no. There would be many people who would not appreciate it.”

Beyond the PA system concerns, Heald also addressed website login issues, assuring viewers that Carnival’s technical team was actively working on a resolution.

“If you’re still getting that error message, please stand by, and we will get that repaired. I’m sorry, so sorry for the frustration this is causing you, and I promise we’re working so hard on this.”

He also mentioned that the Easter menu was posted and that Passover service information will be shared soon.

On cruise ships, the PA system is an important tool for communication, used for everything from daily activity announcements and entertainment updates to safety drills and emergency notifications.

While general announcements are often broadcast throughout public areas, cabins will receive priority alerts for critical information.

Most cruise travelers book a particular sailing because they like the ports of call listed on the itinerary.  After all, cruising provides the most convenient way to visit new places all while sleeping in the same bed each night.

But imagine booking a voyage where the ports you visit are a complete surprise.  That’s exactly what Variety Cruises has just announced with the cruise line’s second “mystery cruise”.

Passengers on the 72-guest vessel only know two locations for the entire itinerary: where the cruise starts and where it ends.  Everything in between is a complete mystery.

The new mystery voyage has been announced for a June 21, 2025 sailing date.   The 8-day Mediterranean Sea cruise will begin at the Valletta cruise port in Malta and end in Naples, Italy.

As far as what ports will be visited along the way, Variety Cruises only gives a few possible hints on their website by asking, “Could it be a secret island lost to time? A forgotten fishing village with stories untold? Or perhaps a hidden cove, known only to the sea?”

But of course, someone has to know where the ship is going.  These details are known only to the crew and the ports themselves.

It takes a unique type of traveler to book this kind of trip.  And it also takes a fair chunk of change, as prices start at $3,912 for a 130-167 sq. ft. cabin and up to almost $8,500 for the 260 sq. ft. Owner’s Suite.

The vessel for this surprise voyage, Variety Voyager, is 223 feet long, has 36 cabins for guests, and has a crew of 32, for an almost 2 to 1 ratio.

So, it’s a more intimate cruising experience no doubt, and some of the proceeds go towards a non-profit that specializes in environmental cleanliness.

Variety Cruises is a family-owned company from Athens, Greece, established in 1949. The company operates a fleet of small vessels, accommodating 34 to 72 passengers, which allows access to unique, less-visited destinations like secluded Greek islands, Tahitian waters, or West African rivers—places larger cruise ships can’t go.

The focus is on sustainable, authentic travel with a personal touch, offering local cuisine and small-group excursions. Led by CEO Filippos Venetopoulos, the company runs eight ships and supports charitable causes, such as ocean conservation and education, through a portion of each fare.

For the first time in the cruise line’s history, Cunard will offer a full season of cruises from Miami when Queen Elizabeth offers sailings to the Caribbean starting in October.

The ship will first offer cruises to Alaska from Seattle before moving to the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami, this fall.

Ahead of the ship’s first season in Miami, Queen Elizabeth received an extensive transformation during a three-week dry dock in Singapore.

Queen Elizabeth’s signature spaces, such as the Commodore Club, Queens Room, Garden Lounge, and The Pavilion, have all been revitalized.

Outdoor decks were revamped with more sunshades added in the aft of the ship, much needed for the sailings from Miami.

The Grills terrace and Queens Room received new carpet and furniture.

The Pavilion Wellness Café was also added to the ship. It first debuted on Queen Anne and will serve breakfast, lunch, and daytime dining with a menu celebrating plant-based cuisine alongside sustainably sourced meat, fish, and dairy.

Another addition from Queen Anne is Harper’s Bazaar Wellness at Sea. Harper’s Bazaar offers three-day wellness packages for relaxation, energy restoration and recovery.

Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, gave the following statement:

 “As Queen Elizabeth begins this exciting new chapter, we are delighted to offer guests an even more refined experience on board, with beautifully updated spaces that combine classic Cunard style with modern comfort.

“With a full season based in Miami for the first time, more guests from the US and around the world can now experience the Caribbean with Cunard’s unique sense of luxury. The region remains a favorite for travelers on both sides of the Atlantic, and we can’t wait to welcome guests on board.”

Queen Elizabeth will offer nine- to 28-day cruises from Miami to the Caribbean starting in October. This will mark the first time that the cruise line has based a ship in Miami for a full season.

Captain Kate McCue, the world’s most famous cruise ship captain, has moved over to Four Seasons Yacht where she will captain their first vessel that debuts in early 2026.

Captain Kate McCue brings more than three decades of maritime expertise and will helm Four Season I. She made history in 2015 being the first American female captain of a mega cruise ship when she was with Celebrity Cruises.

Captain Kate will be responsible for the safe navigation of Four Seasons I and the onboard experience for everyone on board. The yacht will feature a 1:1 guest to staff ratio, giving a level of personalization that is among the best in the industry.

Rainer Stampfer, President, Global Operations, Hotels and Resorts, Four Seasons, gave the following statement:

“Captain Kate McCue is the ideal leader to helm Four Seasons I as we embark on this exciting new chapter in luxury yachting. Her passion for hospitality, commitment to excellence, and trailblazing leadership align perfectly with our vision to reimagine the yachting experience.

“We are thrilled to welcome her aboard as we prepare to set sail in 2026, knowing she will inspire both our guests and employees alike.”

Captain Kate added:

“Yachting truly embodies the essence of the sea – calm, effortless, and deeply rejuvenating. This is the same philosophy behind Four Seasons I. This role is both an incredible honor and an exciting opportunity to shape the Four Seasons Yachts experience from the very first voyage. 

“look forward to doing what I love most – connecting with guests, leading an exceptional crew, and engaging with local communities. Together with our crew, we’ll craft unforgettable journeys and set new standards in luxury yachting, ensuring every milestone is a celebration of Four Seasons legendary service and innovation.”

Four Season I will debut in January 2026 and offer cruises to the Caribbean. The yacht will then head to the Mediterranean for the summer season.

The vessel will have a 9,500 sq. ft. suite located in the ship’s funnel.

There will be 95 suites total on the yacht and will have the largest pool deck in its class. The pool will be 66 feet long, one of the largest at sea.

Four Seasons I will also have a marina giving guests easy access to a world of water sports adventure filled with state-of-the-art water toys while in port.

Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise company, has added more solar power to two of its cruise ports in the Caribbean.

Carnival added solar power to the Mahogany Bay Cruise Center in Roatan and to Puerto Maya in Cozumel, Mexico.

In Mahogany Bay, the 400 solar panels is expected to supply 60-70% of the port’s power needs. In Cozumel, solar power will provide renewable energy to power the terminal’s facilities.

These solar installations mark a significant step forward in integrating renewable energy solutions across Carnival Corporation’s global port operations. This reinforces the their commitment to reducing their environmental impact while supporting the long-term sustainability of its cruise destinations.

Previously, Carnival Corporation has completed two successful solar projects in Amber Cove, Dominican Republic and at two of the company’s cruise terminals in Barcelona, Spain (Terminals D and E).

Juan Fernandez, Vice President, Destination Operations, Carnival Corporation, gave the following statement:

“Our investments in solar energy are a testament to our commitment to embedding sustainability into our operations, while also creating meaningful benefits for the communities where we operate.

“We are focused not only on delivering unforgettable vacation experiences for our guests but also on making a lasting, positive impact in our destinations, preserving the natural beauty and charm that makes them so unique. These efforts extend beyond environmental initiatives to our support for local businesses, job creation, and to fostering long-term economic growth.”

Mahogany Bay is a private port in Roatan that opened in 2009 and is used exclusively by Carnival Corporation ships.

Puerto Maya in Cozumel opened in 1997 and allows up to three Carnival cruise ships to dock on any given day. The port is expected to welcome over 1.8 million guests in 2025 on passengers sailings on their different cruise lines.

43% of all guests visiting Cozumel on a cruise ship do so on a ship from Carnival Corporation.

Carnival now has eight leading ports and destinations, and will open their new port, Celebration Key, in The Bahamas in July.

These new solar programs helps reinforce Carnival’s ongoing commitment to sustainability leadership and to empowering the communities connected to its operations, setting a new benchmark for sustainable port management while creating long-term value for the destinations it serves.

A cruise passenger who just got off the ship is warning others about a critical issue about being on time.

Cruise vacations are unlike other types of vacations for a myriad of reasons.  You wake up in a different place every morning, you live in a cashless society, and you can typically eat from dozens of venues for no extra cost.

But the most important rule of cruising is being on time.  This is especially true when visiting a port of call and making sure you’re actually on “ship time”. 

As veteran cruisers know, the cruise ship will often have a slightly different time than the destination the ship is visiting.  And for people who always rely on their phones to give them the time, this could lead to a big headache.

A recent passenger on Carnival Horizon took to Reddit to post a PSA warning with a post title that read “Always ensure you are paying attention to the correct ship time”.

“I’ve been on multiple cruises before. I’ve heard the CD make mentions of ship time,etc but I never had to really pay attention. My phone has always stayed on the standard ship time. No problem,” the user stated.

“Well, just got off the horizon, and on the morning of our Jamaica port, both my wife and I phone times went back an hour. We didn’t notice it until we were already off ship. Apparently, it didn’t just happen to us, a couple people were left at the pier, a fairly large group of people made it on board just barely in time. And I heard from multiple people who missed their excursions completely due to the time confusion.”

The convenience of a phone automatically adjusting to local time can quickly turn into a major inconvenience for cruise travelers not aware of the time discrepancy.

I’ve been on many cruises where my phone adjusted the time to something different from ship time as well.  This is why I usually like to wear an “old school” watch that I can set to ship time and use that as my compass.

While cruise passengers should try to make it back to the ship well before the “all aboard” time anyway, relying on the wrong time could lead to a very expensive addition to the travel budget. 

After all, this requires making your own travel arrangements to meet back up with the ship at the next port of call.

This would not be the first or last time someone has been left at the pier because they relied on their phones to give them the correct time.

Wrong Time On Board Can Mess with Plans Too

But for this cruise passenger it was more of an annoyance than a vacation nightmare.

“Funnily enough, we missed out on dinner that night due to the timing issues. Once back in our room, the wife and I showered and took a nice long winter’s nap. Woke up at “8” to get dressed very quickly for dinner. Tried to check in on the hub app, only to find out that check-in was now closed. Idk how we forgot that our phones got switched away from ship time, but due to that mistake we were stuck with the deli line for dinner,” the user stated.

The post concluded with the simple warning, “Don’t depend only on your phone to keep up with time while in port.”

Experienced cruisers in the comment section offered a few words of advice for passengers in the same boat. One suggested, “you can turn off that feature of your phone that automatically sets time where you are,” to prevent unexpected changes. Another recommended, “We also set a timer. If we’re getting off at 11am and need to be back on at 5pm, the timer is set to 6 hours. The timer isn’t connected to the phone’s time, so it will always be accurate.”

Some also emphasized the reliability of a dedicated watch as I have suggested, saying, “set the watch to ship time and don’t adjust it for ports.”

Others cautioned about the app as well saying, “On occasion, we’ve also found the Hub app to be incorrect.”

In a world where more people rely on their phones for the time, it’s easy, especially for first-time cruisers, to overlook this common issue.

When I’m on a cruise, ship time is the only time.  Keep this rule and you’ll keep yourself from a lot of headaches.  I’d rather be watching the pier runners than become one myself.  I hope that’s not selfish.

To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Celestyal Cruises is offering 2-for-1 cruise fares and the choice of either kids cruise free for 2-for-1 shore excursions.

Celestyal Cruises sailed their first cruise on March 15, 2015, a three-day cruise to Greece and Turkey. Now, the cruise line has two ships in their fleet that sail in the Mediterranean and the Arabian Gulf on port intensive cruises.

Starting today and running through May 31, 2025, Celestyal is offering 2-for-1 cruise fares on 88 sailings that depart in April 2025 through March 2027.

29 of these sailings are the cruise line’s three- and four-night “Iconic Arabia” cruises. These roundtrip cruises from Abu Dhabi include port visits to Dubai, Sir Bani Yas Island, Doha, Khasab and maiden visits to Ras al Khaimah.

Prices start at just $718 for two people and include meals, soft drinks and WiFi.

For seven-night cruises on Celestyal Journey, prices start at just $1,478 for two, around $100 per night, per person. The price includes meals, WiFi, soft drinks and gratuities.

The cruise line is also offering week-long cruises to Greece, Italy and Croatia that start at $1,538 for two. This also includes meals, WiFi, soft drinks and gratuities.

On 59 of the week-long cruises, Celestyal is also offering either kids sail free or 2-for-1 shore excursions.

Lee Haslett, Chief Commercial Officer at Celestyal, gave the following statement:

“While we maintain the fresh mentality of a challenger brand, we are incredibly proud of Celestyal’s heritage, built over 10 years on a foundation of warm hospitality and expertly curated itineraries that combine iconic destinations with hidden gems. To mark this milestone, we wanted to bring a host of unmissable offers to the market.

“Whether it’s a family getaway in the Arabian Gulf or a chance to reconnect with friends and loved ones in the Adriatic, this promotion makes cruising more accessible to both returning and new-to-cruise guests. We pride ourselves on offering exceptional value and inclusive cruise deals, and our anniversary celebrations reflect this with a range of outstanding offers.”

Celestyal Cruises offers sailings year-round on their two ships that sail in the Mediterranean (March to November) and the Arabian Gulf (December to March).