During the summer of 2025, Carnival Cruise Line will open a brand new private port in The Bahamas called Celebration Key. The port is currently under construction on Grand Bahama Island.
Carnival Cruise Line today revealed details for Paradise Plaza and Calypso Lagoon, two of the five portals at its new Celebration Key™ cruise destination on Grand Bahama set to debut in July 2025.
Today, Carnival Cruise Line revealed new more details about Celebration Key that include two of the five portals that will be found at the port.
The first, Paradise Plaza, will welcome Carnival cruisers with a 10 story high Suncastle and live music. There will be a Bahamian themed fountain and ice cream shop and an information booth that highlights all of the great things to do when visiting Celebration Key.
“When guests see our Suncastle as they arrive at Celebration Key, they’ll know immediately they’re in for big FUN. Paradise Plaza will be the perfect welcome spot and will set the tone for the entire visit to this truly unique destination. These new details show the creative design that’s gone into the development of each portal, with Calypso Lagoon alone offering a wide variety of options to fill the day, while honoring the beauty of Grand Bahama and celebrating Bahamian culture,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
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The second portal announced today, Calypso Lagoon, will be located to the west of Paradise Plaza. It will have the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean/Bahamas, loungers, daybeds, and cabanas.
This area will have several bars and nearly 50 swings for guests to dip their toes in the water. There will be two full service restaurants and a casual snack shack.
Part of Calypso Lagoon and a dedicated beach area will be adults only. This area will have a swim-up bar, DJ, food trucks, daybeds, cabanas, and loungers.
Three other portals were previously announced, a family-friendly portal, a private retreat and a retail area. Carnival Cruise Line stated that they will be giving more information about these three areas over the next few months.
The cruise line has future expansion plans to build a waterpark and other features at Celebration Key.
Celebration Key will have a pier that will be able to accommodate up to four Carnival cruise ships in one day.
18 Carnival cruise ships will visit Celebration Key on more than 500 cruises starting in July 2025. All 500 of these cruises are now open for bookings.
Cruises to Celebration Key will be available from 10 different homeports across the U.S.
Viking Cruises continues to grow and the cruise line celebrated the float out of their newest river ship that will debut this summer.
Viking today announced its newest ship for the Nile River—the 82-guest Viking Hathor—was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Pictured here, members of the Viking team at the float out ceremony of the Viking Hathor, which is set to debut in August 2024. For more information, visit www.viking.com.
Viking Hathor touched water for the first time as the ship moves to the final stage of construction. The ship will debut this summer and sail Viking’s popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary in Egypt.
The ship is currently under construction at the Massara shipyard in Cairo. The vessel has moved to an outfitting dock where the interior of the ship will be completed.
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“Egypt is a phenomenal destination, and we are pleased with the continued interest for our Nile River voyages. Our guests are thinking people who are curious about the world—and Egypt, with its cultural treasures and ancient antiquities, remains at the top of the travel list for many of them,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “With the float out of the Viking Hathor, we look forward to welcoming more guests to experience this fantastic region.”
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Viking Hathor will carry 82 guests in 41 cabins and is inspired by the cruise line’s award winning ocean and river ships. She will be the third in her class after Viking Osiris and Viking Aton.
The 12 day itinerary starts with a three night hotel stay in Cairo where guests can visit the pyramids and many of the world renowned museums. They then fly to Luxor to visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak before boarding the ship for the cruise part of the journey.
The cruise is an eight night roundtrip voyage on the Nile River that features visits to the tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens and the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings, and excursions to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena, the temples at Abu Simbel and the High Dam in Aswan, and a visit to a colorful Nubian village.
After the cruise, guests fly back to Cairo for one night when the 12 day trip will end.
By 2025, Viking will have six ships sailing on the Nile River.
Princess Cruises has launched a 72 hours sale on cruises that starts today and runs through March 24, 2024.
Princess Cruises just launched their newest and largest ship yet, Sun Princess. To celebrate the addition of this incredible new ship to their fleet, they are offering a three day sale that includes the following:
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Up to 35% off cruises
Deposits marked down to $99
Free cabin upgrades
3rd and 4th guests in a stateroom sail free
Good on cruises to nearly everywhere that Princess sails
Free cabin upgrade promotion applies to booking the stateroom location you wish to sail in for the price of the lowest non-guarantee category within that stateroom type.
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$99 deposits is not valid on world cruises, sailings more than 45 days in length, or sailings in which final payment is required.
While the 3rd and 4th guests in a cabin sail for free, this is for the cruise fare only and not port taxes/fees.
For complete terms and details of this 72 hour sale from Princess Cruises, contact your local travel professional or visit Princess.com.
Margaritaville at Sea will offer longer cruises on their new ship that will enter service with the cruise line this summer, Margaritaville at Sea Islander.
Starting next year, Islander will offer seven new itineraries that will visit new ports for the cruise line. Cruises will range from four to seven nights in length and sail from Tampa, Florida. Destinations visited on these cruises include Cozumel, Costa Maya, Jamaica, Belize, Grand Cayman, and Key West.
The cruise ship will now offer 13 different itineraries to choose from.
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“These longer sails and captivating new ports of call will deliver entirely new experiences for our guests seeking the ultimate in adventure and relaxation,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea. “More days at sea also means plenty of time to explore all the Islander has to offer, from brand new entertainment and food and beverage options to exciting amenities and venues.”
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Islander will be Margaritaville at Sea’s largest cruise ship and carry 2,650 passengers. The ship has over 700 cabins with a balcony and has everything from suites to inside cabins.
Margaritaville at Sea is adding a nautical Margaritaville flip flop and a lively atrium bar to the 14 story atrium.
The ship will have exclusive innovations like the only three-story poolside LandShark Bar at Sea and a Margaritaville-inspired cornhole and mini-golf course alongside new family-friendly spaces like the Caribbean Amphibian Splash and Slide and signature favorites like JWB Prime Steakhouse and Rita’s Taco House.
So far, more than 250,000 guests have sailed on the cruise line’s first ship, Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. Previous guests will find several familiar favorites on this new ship that include Paradise Pickleball at Sea, Frank and Lola’s Pizzeria, Margaritaville Coffee Shop, and Cheeseburger in Paradise.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander will make her debut on June 14, 2024, a four night cruise from Tampa to the Western Caribbean.
Margaritaville at Sea purchased the cruise ship from Costa Cruises and is giving the ship a radical makeover before entering service with the cruise line.
Disney Cruise Line celebrated a construction milestone this week on their new ship debuting in 2025, Disney Destiny.
The keel laying ceremony for Disney Destiny took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The laying of the keel marks the official start of construction on a new cruise ship as the blocks begin to come together to form the ship.
The design theme of Disney Destiny, sister to Disney Wish Disney Treasure, will be “Heroes and Villains,” drawing on the legacy of beloved Disney stories, characters and theme park attractions.
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The Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering teams were inspired by the dynamic duality of every great Disney story, where opposing forces of light and dark drive characters to rise to their purpose, when developing the Disney Destiny.
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Onboard the ship, guests will encounter heroes and villains alike. This includes those from beloved Walt Disney Animation Studios stories like “The Lion King,” “Hercules” and “One Hundred and One Dalmatians”.
“The Disney Destiny will celebrate our most legendary Disney stories and characters, bringing them to life in new and exciting ways exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line. “As we continue to expand our fleet, the Disney Destiny will further strengthen our position as a leader in family cruising as we offer even more ways for families to experience Disney magic and world-class service at sea.”
Disney Destiny will be the third ship in its class. The other two are Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.
Disney Cruise Line also has a new and their largest cruise ship, Disney Adventure, that will homeport in Singapore and sail cruises in Asia.
Celebrity Cruises continues to pour hundreds of millions into their cruise ships as the cruise line works on renovating their entire fleet.
Celebrity Infinity in Athens, Greece after returning to service. Photo Credit: Cruise Fever
Celebrity Infinity returned to service this past week after receiving new suites, a refreshed The Retreat Lounge, and an expanded Luminae.
Brand new Sunset Suites are now located in the aft of the ship. They offer an extra large balcony and include exclusive amenities in The Retreat, including Butler service, dining at the expanded Luminae at The Retreat, and access to The Retreat Lounge throughout their stay.
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“We strive to exceed guest expectations – from elevated service onboard and thoughtful amenities through to interior spaces designed to make guests feel at home in their surroundings,” said Keith Lane, Celebrity Cruises Senior Vice President Hotel Operations. “The enhancements to Celebrity Infinity, particularly the transformation of The Retreat Lounge, epitomizes our commitment to providing an unmatched experience for our guests, ensuring that every journey with Celebrity Cruises is memorable.”
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Celebrity Infinity will remain in Europe through at least March 2026 offering a wide variety of seven to 12 night cruises.
The updates on Celebrity Infinity are part of Celebrity Cruises’ $500 million fleetwide renovation.
Viking, the #1 rated river cruise line, has kicked off their 2024 river season in Europe as their Longships begin sailing cruises on rivers throughout Europe.
Viking will offer river cruises on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Seine, Rhône, Douro, Moselle and Elbe rivers in 2024. Their river ships carry 190 or fewer guests and have been built specifically for European waterways.
“With its rich history, culture and scenic regions that are best explored by river, Europe remains our most popular destination,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “As more curious travelers become familiar with river voyages as a seamless method for exploring, we are pleased to begin a new season on Europe’s iconic waterways.”
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Viking has also announced a new opportunity to call on ports along the Danube River during the winter months with the 10-day itinerary, Treasures of the Danube. The new voyage will sail between Budapest and Passau, from December 2024 until early March 2025.
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Viking guests also have the choice to explore the Rhine River during the winter season, with the 10-day Treasures of the Rhine itinerary, which debuted in December 2023 and sails between Amsterdam and Basel.
It is an ideal time to visit since winter offers guests smaller crowds and easier access to landmarks.
Some of Viking’s most popular river cruises for 2024 are:
Rhine Getaway (8 days; Amsterdam—Basel)
Danube Waltz (8 days; Budapest—Passau)
Romantic Danube (8 days; Budapest—Regensburg)
Paris & the Heart of Normandy (8 days; Paris roundtrip)
Carnival Cruise Line is bringing back a statue that it took off another ship last year.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced that the replica of Michelangelo’s statue of David will once again be featured on a Carnival cruise ship.
The statue has been added to Carnival Firenze, a ship that is currently being transformed after moving over from sister cruise line Costa Cruises. Since the cruise ship is designed and named after Florence, Italy, it’s a perfect match.
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Guests will find the statue in the main dining room on Carnival Firenze.
The statue was on Carnival Pride for nearly 20 years before being taken off the vessel in 2023.
Carnival Firenze will sail her first cruise under Carnival on April 25, 2024. The ship will offer four to seven night cruises to the Mexican Riviera from Long Beach, California. Port stops on these cruises include Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Ensenada.
Carnival Firenze is a sister ship to Carnival Venezia, another ship that was moved over from Costa Cruises. Both ships feature Carnival cruising with an Italian flair.
MSC Cruises To Host Naming And Celebratory Sailing For MSC World America In Miami
MSC Cruises will host the naming ceremony for its newest flagship – MSC World America – on the evening of April 9, 2025 at the company’s new PortMiami terminal.The ceremony will honour MSC Cruises’ investment in Miami and its commitment to the North American market, with the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle and a slate of immersive onboard events highlighting everything Miami’s newest ultramodern ship has to offer.
Guests attending the naming ceremony will be among the first to discover a new world of cruising when they set sail on a celebratory sailing that will see MSC World America call at the cruise line’s private island—Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. The celebratory sailing’s itinerary calls for an overnight stay at Ocean Cay featuring the island’s signature evening lighthouse show and beach party. Guests will continue to enjoy Ocean Cay the next morning, followed by spending the afternoon at sea to experience the ship’s long list of unique and exciting on board activities and amenities.
The remarkable MSC World America will be MSC Cruises’ first ship in the U.S. market to be powered by LNG. MSC World America is the second of the line’s groundbreaking World Class ships and is specially designed with the North American guest in mind, featuring unique restaurants, bars and experiences that seamlessly blend European design with American comfort. Spanning 22 decks, measuring more than 47 metres wide and featuring 2,614 cabins, MSC World America will be the centerpiece of the Miami skyline when she is named in 2025.
The launch of MSC World America at MSC Cruises’ new PortMiami terminal, coupled with MSC Cruises’ upcoming $100 million U.S. headquarters in downtown Miami, underscores the Company’s unwavering dedication to South Florida. The PortMiami facility is poised to revolutionise the cruising experience for up to 36,000 guests each day. The terminal will support MSC Cruises’ continued growth at PortMiami.
Following the naming ceremony, MSC World America will set sail for her inaugural season on 12 April 2025. She will sail alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Isla de Roatan, Honduras; and Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas.
MSC World America is carefully designed to help reduce her impact on the environment. The ship runs on LNG, a lower-emissions fuel, and is ready for renewable energy sources. Shore power connectivity, where available, reduces emissions by allowing the ship’s engines to be switched off in port. Smart technology is used throughout the ship to ensure guests can travel in comfort while keeping energy and water use low. A robust onboard recycling program minimizes waste, and even the propellors are designed to reduce noise and avoid disturbing marine life.
About MSC World America
MSC World America will create an eye-catching silhouette against the Miami skyline when she enters service in April 2025. The ship’s blend of American comfort and European design will provide guests with a truly memorable cruise experience, whether they’re searching for a relaxing tropical escape or an action-packed vacation.
The new World Class ship’s signature plumb bow will rise vertically from the waterline and her Y-shaped aft will open onto the impressive outdoor World Esplanade. Overall, MSC World America will span 22 decks, measure more than 47 metres wide, feature 2,614 cabins, contain more than 40,000m of public space, and offer top-of-the-line features and facilities, including:
A re-imagined outdoor World Esplanade, where unique dining, lounging and entertainment options are paired with stunning ocean views and unmatched LED light shows
The indoor World Galleria—lined with bars, restaurants, shops and boutiques—topped with a state-of-the-art LED and kinetic light ceiling
13 restaurants:
Six specialty restaurants, featuring two NEW concepts alongside guest favourites like Butcher’s Cut steakhouse, Kaito Sushi and Teppanyaki, and Hola! Tacos and Cantina
Four main restaurants serving globally inspired cuisine and familiar American favourites
Two buffets offering ample choices for casual dining
Luna Park Pizza & Burger: Complimentary casual fast-food spotlocated next to Luna Park in the World Galleria offering quick snacks around the clock
20 bars and lounges, including:
NEW! Sports Bar: New for MSC World America, this warm and inviting venue combines sports memorabilia, technology, and entertainment in a space where guests of all ages will feel welcome. Guests can grab a beer or soft drink and watch the game on one of the many screens while enjoying popular bar food like wings and sliders. Games like darts and foosball will be available, too.
NEW! Comedy Club: New for MSC Cruises, the Comedy Club is a place where guests can come to kick back and enjoy some laughs. Evenings begin with an interactive and comical dueling pianos experience that friends of all ages can enjoy. The laughter will continue with sets from amazing comedians that will rival some of the best shows in NYC & Chicago.
The Gin Project: Offering an extensive choice of craft gins with classic cocktails expertly prepared by gin-tenders.
Elixir – Mixology Bar: Expert mixologists creating handcrafted concoctions, featuring an outdoor terrace to enjoy pre- and post-meal cocktails while enjoying spectacular ocean views.
Masters of the Sea: MSC Cruises’ classic British pub comes complete with a full-scale micro-brewery making MSC Signature beers on board.
Coffee Emporium: A sleek and modern coffee house that is any coffee connoisseur’s dream, offering some of the world’s best coffee beans and a selection of brewing and serving styles including French, Italian, Turkish and Moroccan.
Jean-Phillipe Chocolate shop and Café: Offering custom chocolates, coffee and other treats in a relaxed café atmosphere.
More NEW concepts on the way!
A striking 11-deck-high dry slide made of stainless steel, giving guests a fun way to reach the lower decks in style.
Six pools and 14 hot tubs, including a spacious indoor pool with retractable roof and twin adults-only Zen pools at the aft of the ship.
Expansive water park with water slides that include a VR experience.
Kids Clubs featuring dedicated facilities for age groups ranging from infants to 17 years old.
Three entertainment venues with all-new live entertainment and theater shows.
Stylish and comfortable staterooms and suites, including Infinite Ocean View cabins, balconies that overlook the outdoor World Promenade and connecting family staterooms.
The MSC Yacht Club, featuring spacious suites, dedicated lounge and restaurant, private pool and sun deck facilities, and 24-hour concierge and butler service as well as spacious, luxurious suites.
Renewable Energy
At launch, MSC World America will be one of the most energy-efficient cruise ships in the world, surpassing all design requirements under the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). The ship’s latest-generation engines will reduce greenhouse gases emissions (GHG) by up to 20 percent, along with an 85 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions and a nearly total elimination of sulphur oxide and particulate emissions. The ship is capable of running on Bio-LNG and Synthetic Renewable LNG, either of which would achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions of up to 100 percent.
Clean Water
Wastewater is treated to a very high quality that exceeds the standards in place at many shoreside municipal wastewater treatment systems worldwide and meets the strictest international IMO standards, including the so-called Baltic standard.
Waste Reduction
The ship is fitted with advanced waste management systems to reduce, reuse, and recycle the waste generated on board.
Commitment to net zero GHG emissions by 2050
MSC Cruises has reduced the intensity of its ship operations by 33.5 percent since 2008, and the company will achieve a 40% reduction ahead of the IMO 2030 target. Far beyond simply finding further operational efficiencies, MSC Cruises is embracing new technologies and identify paths for switching to non-carbon and renewable fuels, while working with fuel providers and other partners on using Bio-LNG and Synthetic Renewable LNG in the near term.
Since rebranding to HX last December, this product evolution is one of many new initiatives that seek to combine their renowned exploring heritage with the modern-day guest experience. The ‘all-inclusive’ offering ranges from including expert-led daily expeditions, access to a whole series of science-led activities both on board and out in the wild, to alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and even professional photographs. These changes look to enhance the guest experience onboard, part of a larger project aimed at crafting the ultimate expedition cruise experience, but importantly simplify the product offering for trade.
Alex Delamere-White, HX Chief Commercial Officer, states: “Expedition cruising can be a complex product for agents to sell, given the unique destinations we visit and varying experiences by operator. We’re confident that by including so many elements as standard in the price, we can simplify life onboard and enhance our trade-friendly focus.”
“We want our guests to fully embrace being curious travellers when they’re with us. By making things as easy as possible, they can focus on exploring remote parts of the world and learning from our expert team. We believe adventure should be all-inclusive, which is why our daily expeditions, talks and access to the science centre come at no extra cost, alongside delicious food and drink.”
“In direct response to guest and partner feedback, this product evolution marks one of many initiatives to establish our new brand identity and enhance the guest experience. We have been the experts in expedition since 1896, now our team are focussed on strengthening our position as the global leaders in expedition cruising by providing pioneering experiences, unmatched itineraries and great value.”
For guests booking a HX expedition, starting with Antarctica & Galápagos expeditions in October 2024, their regular grade cabin will now include:
Daily expeditions and activities such as hikes, community visits, talks and more
Full board dining, including breakfast, lunch and dinner with house wine and beer
Wine, beer, spirits and cocktails available across the day and evening
All-day coffee, tea & soft drinks
Free Wi-Fi
Gratuities
Our interactive science programme, Science Centre and activities both on and off the ships
Access to sauna, hot tubs, fitness room and more
Professional photos from the onboard photographer
Opportunities to engage with and support local communities and environmental initiatives through Hurtigruten Foundation.
Take home expedition gear and reusable water bottle
