News

Lee Mason, a well-known and beloved Carnival Cruise Director, has been promoted to Fleet Cruise Director for Carnival Cruise Line.

This news comes following Chris Williams’ departure from the position in early August.

Mason, who joined Carnival in November 2016, has served on numerous ships including Carnival Valor, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Glory, and Mardi Gras. He was also the first cruise director for Carnival Celebration and recently worked on Carnival Venezia.

In his new role, Mason will train new cruise directors, develop engaging activities and events onboard, and participate in special ceremonies for new ships. He shared the news with his over 65,000 social media followers, expressing his excitement about the promotion.

The Fleet Cruise Director role was created by Carnival Cruise Line two years ago. Mason joins Mike Pack, Chris “Donkey” Salazar and Erin Weigand in the role.

Chris Williams, Mason’s predecessor, was a prominent figure at Carnival for 13 years. He began as a singer and eventually became a Fleet Cruise Director.

His departure was significant, and Mason’s promotion is viewed positively for the cruise line. Williams was known for his innovative ideas and strong emphasis on guest satisfaction, leaving a lasting impact at Carnival.

The announcement of Mason’s promotion has generated considerable buzz on social media. Guests and followers are excited and supportive, eagerly anticipating the new initiatives Mason will bring to Carnival Cruise Line.

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A man was filmed chasing a cruise ship down the pier after it had already departed… Only to realise he was actually running towards the wrong ship.

The video, shared online by Jordan Flom, shows a man dodging around crowds as he dashes towards Crown Princess, even though the ship has already started to sail away.

However, his friend catches up to him and points out that he’s not actually sailing on that ship, and that his cruise ship behind him is still docked.

The man seems extremely relieved as the many onlookers cheers and laughed, with the guest then bowing to his sudden audience, embracing the embarrassment of the moment.

It seems odd that someone would forget which ship they were sailing on, so there is a chance the man was just pretending for a joke.

But if you see a cruise ship sailing away and you are already nervous about making it back – especially if he’s someone lucky enough to cruise regularly and potentially forget which ship he’s currently on – then it could definitely be something that happened.

If it is fake, he puts in quite the performance and still deserves the attention he’s received!

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Read more about me

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Royal Caribbean International has announced plans to restart cruises to Labadee, Haiti, in October 2024.

The cruises were halted in March 2024 due to issues in Haiti. However, conditions have since improved, with airlines resuming flights and increased peace-keeping efforts, making the cruise line confident it is safe to return.

Labadee is a private destination managed by Royal Caribbean, renowned for its stunning beaches, exclusive amenities, and exciting activities such as zip-lining and water sports.

The return of Royal Caribbean to Labadee will significantly boost the local economy. Tourism is crucial for the area, and cruise passengers will bring revenue to local businesses and vendors.

Safety is paramount for Royal Caribbean. They have implemented enhanced security measures, regular health and safety checks, and are collaborating closely with local authorities to ensure everyone’s safety.

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean plans to further enhance Labadee with new attractions and improved facilities. Celebrity Cruises, a sister brand, will also commence cruises to Labadee in February 2025.

The return of Royal Caribbean to Labadee is a significant development for Haitian tourism, promising economic benefits and exciting future prospects for both travellers and the local community.

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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.

Read more about me

Greece is set to introduce a €20 fee for cruise ship passengers visiting its most popular islands, including Santorini and Mykonos. This move aims to manage the large number of…

Tropical Storm Francine has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is causing concern for cruise passengers in the area. It started as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six and quickly became…

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Greece is set to introduce a €20 fee for cruise ship passengers visiting its most popular islands, including Santorini and Mykonos.

This move aims to manage the large number of tourists and protect the local environments of these beautiful places. The fee will vary depending on the island and the season, with higher charges for Santorini and Mykonos and lower fees for other islands like Rhodes, Corfu, and Crete’s port of Heraklion.

During busy tourist seasons, the charges will be higher to help manage the increased number of visitors, while off-peak seasons will see lower fees to encourage tourism during quieter times.

To further control the number of tourists, the Greek government plans to limit the number of cruise ships allowed to dock at these popular islands, especially during busy seasons.

Starting in 2025, Santorini will cap the number of cruise passengers at 8,000 per day. A digital system will be used to manage the arrival of cruise ships, spreading out ship arrivals throughout the day to prevent overcrowding and ensure a more pleasant experience for visitors.

The cruise industry in Greece is expected to see a 20% increase in arrivals in 2024, bringing more than 8 million passengers to the country.

Local authorities, including Santorini Mayor Nikos Zorzos, support these measures to limit cruise visitors, although they know that cruise lines will need to adjust their schedules, which are often planned years in advance, to follow these new rules.

The idea of a day-tripper fee is not new. Earlier this year, Venice implemented a similar fee, charging day visitors €5 to access the island.

This trial generated more than €2.4 million in less than three months, leading to proposals to double the fee in 2025.

The expected benefits of Greece’s new fee structure may inspire other popular tourist destinations to implement similar measures, helping to manage tourist numbers and protect local environments, ensuring sustainable tourism for the future.

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Tropical Storm Francine has formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is causing concern for cruise passengers in the area.

It started as Potential Tropical Cyclone Six and quickly became a named storm. This makes it the sixth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season.

The warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico give the storm energy, and the low wind shear helps it keep its structure. Experts predict that Francine will become a hurricane by Wednesday, 11th September 2024.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Francine and has issued warnings for the Gulf Coast.

The latest forecast says Francine will make landfall between East Texas and western Louisiana by Wednesday night. The storm is expected to bring dangerous conditions, including severe storm surges, heavy rain, and hurricane-force winds.

The Texas coastline, especially near the Port of Galveston, is expected to be one of the hardest-hit areas by Tropical Storm Francine. The Port of Galveston is a major hub for cruise ships, and the storm could disrupt cruise schedules and affect the safety of passengers and crew.

The Louisiana coastline, including the Port of New Orleans, is also expected to be significantly impacted by Tropical Storm Francine.

Carnival could be the cruise line most impacted by the storm. Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream and Carnival Jubilee are all sailing to/from Galveston at this time, while Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty are sailing from New Orleans.

Other ships that may be impacted include Harmony of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas for Royal 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.

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Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a new Multi-Device Premium Wi-Fi Plan, responding to numerous requests from cruisers for a more flexible internet package.

Announced by Brand Ambassador John Heald on 8 September 2024, the new plan allows up to four devices to be connected simultaneously – but it comes with a significant cost, starting at $75 per day.

The Multi-Device Premium Wi-Fi Plan offers internet speeds up to three times faster than Carnival’s existing Value Plan, and the good news is that it can be shared with your family or travelling party.

The standard Premium Wi-Fi Plan costs $21.25 per day, so for a family of four buying it individually, it would’ve cost $85 per day in total – so the new package does offer a saving.

Otherwise, if you aren’t going to need it for four devices, it’s best to buy individual Premium Wi-Fi packages and save.

It supports music and video streaming, as well as video calls on platforms such as Skype, Zoom, and Teams. This improvement follows Carnival’s rollout of Starlink connectivity in May 2024, which uses SpaceX satellites to provide high-speed internet.

Despite the new offering, some initial complaints have arisen about the Starlink service. Common issues include connectivity problems and inconsistent speeds.

The Multi-Device Premium Wi-Fi Plan is available for pre-purchase only and can’t be bought onboard. Guests can secure their internet access in advance by purchasing the plan through Carnival’s website or during the booking process.

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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.

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Royal Caribbean International’s President and CEO, Michael Bayley, has confirmed plans for another Ultimate World Cruise while announcing a special Reunion cruise for the prior one.

The announcement was made by Bayley in a talk onboard the Serenade of the Seas, which was captured by TikTok users brooklyntravelstheworld:

While the exact details and timeline for the next world cruise are still being worked out, Bayley said the cruise line is planning carefully.

They are coordinating with different ports and planning unique shore trips. More information will be shared in the coming months.

Next summer, Royal Caribbean will host a reunion cruise for the Ultimate World Cruise in Alaska onboard the Serenade of the Seas.

During this event, the next Ultimate World Cruise will be officially announced. Guests on the reunion cruise will have a special 24-hour window to make a deposit and secure their spot on the next voyage, ensuring they can choose the best cabins.

The first Ultimate World Cruise was a 274-day journey covering seven continents, 65 countries, and 11 great wonders of the world.

Highlights included visits to the Great Wall of China, a safari in South Africa, and a tour of Petra in Jordan.

It became quite the phenomenon online, particularly on TikTok, where there were many influencers making wild accusations about life onboard the world cruise. Many of the stories and videos were fake, clearly showing different cruise ships altogether.

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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.

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Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a new Multi-Device Premium Wi-Fi Plan, responding to numerous requests from cruisers for a more flexible internet package. Announced by Brand Ambassador John Heald on…

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Explora Journeys has announced Rosalba Giugni as the godmother of its latest luxury ship, the Explora II.

The official naming ceremony is set for 15 September 2024, in Civitavecchia, Italy. Giugni, founder and president of the Marevivo Foundation, has been a key figure in marine conservation since 1985.

Her work has led to the creation of marine reserves, stricter fishing rules, and international conservation campaigns.

Giugni’s Marevivo Foundation focuses on saving marine environments, especially in the Mediterranean Sea. The foundation’s projects include the “Blue Schools” programme, beach clean-ups, and the “Guardians of the Sea” programme.

The Explora II, a new addition to Explora Journeys’ fleet, features top-notch amenities, advanced navigation and safety systems, and eco-friendly technologies.

The ship’s environmental efforts include advanced wastewater treatment, energy-efficient systems, and a full recycling programme.

The naming ceremony, a long-standing maritime tradition, will be attended by VIP guests, including industry leaders and environmental advocates.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division at MSC Group, praised Giugni’s dedication to marine conservation and hinted at future collaborations between MSC Group and Marevivo.

Marevivo’s educational programmes aim to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. The foundation involves young people in conservation activities, helping to grow future maritime professionals committed to sustainable practices.

Explora Journeys has several upcoming projects, including new ships and innovative services. The company is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and promoting responsible tourism.

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Holland America Line has unveiled a new menu for its Pinnacle Grill, aiming to make the dining experience even better for its guests.

This new menu includes regional flavours along with traditional steakhouse dishes, promising a diverse and exciting culinary journey.

Over the years, Pinnacle Grill has built a reputation for excellence, but the cruise line saw the need to update and refresh its offerings to keep up with changing guest preferences.

Before the update, the Pinnacle Grill menu featured classic steakhouse dishes, including premium cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and rich desserts.

The decision to update the menu was driven by a desire to provide guests with an extraordinary dining experience that blends classic steakhouse traditions with vibrant regional flavours.

Chef David Burke, a renowned culinary expert, has been instrumental in shaping the Pinnacle Grill’s menu.

Chef Burke’s approach to cooking is rooted in innovation and a deep appreciation for traditional techniques. He believes in using the freshest ingredients and infusing dishes with unique flavours that surprise and delight diners.

The updated menu retains some of Chef Burke’s signature dishes, such as the famous “Clothesline Candied Bacon” and the “Salt Brick Beef.” These dishes have become iconic and continue to be favourites among guests.

One of the most exciting aspects of the new menu is the incorporation of regional flavours. These dishes draw inspiration from various culinary traditions around the world, adding a new dimension to the dining experience.

Guests can look forward to dishes like Mediterranean-inspired seafood, Asian-infused chicken, and South American-style lamb.

The new menu is designed to cater to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. It includes vegetarian options, ensuring that there is something for everyone.

The seafood offerings are a highlight of the new menu, featuring dishes like grilled salmon, lobster tail, and shrimp scampi.

Vegetarian guests can look forward to options such as vegetable stir-fry, stuffed bell peppers, and creamy mushroom risotto.

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A popular Carnival cruise director has shared a video of a special moment onboard Carnival Venezia.

Lee Mason has shared the video of the moment onboard the ship during dinner when guest Irene was presented with an impressive chocolate cake to celebrate her birthday by senior officers on the ship.

She was dining in the Marco Polo restaurant when everyone gathered around to surprise her.

Guests and crew then joined together to sing Happy Birthday to Irene. You can view the video here:

Irene is sailing on the cruise with her daughters and I hope she has an incredible cruise – and many more!

Cruise lines will sometimes surprise guests for their birthdays or anniversaries if they’re made aware of the celebration.

But a 103rd birthday is definitely one to make a big deal out of! Congratulations Irene!

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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.

Read more about me

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