Holland America Line has announced an exciting new partnership with Lindt, the renowned Swiss chocolatier, to bring premium chocolate experiences to their luxury cruises.
This collaboration will introduce a range of exclusive Lindt chocolate offerings, from special desserts to unique events, adding a touch of sweetness to every voyage.
The announcement of the partnership between Holland America Line and Lindt has generated a buzz of excitement among cruise enthusiasts and chocolate lovers alike.
One of the highlights of the partnership is the “Sweet Dreams” turndown service, which greets guests with a delightful treat of either milk chocolate or sea salt truffles on Gala Night.
In addition to the turndown service, guests can look forward to a range of Lindt chocolate desserts available across the fleet. These signature desserts have been carefully crafted to showcase the rich, velvety taste of Lindt chocolate, offering a truly indulgent experience.
A tulip-shaped mousse cake and a gluten-free cake option will be included.
“We’re thrilled to align ourselves with Lindt, a globally beloved brand and one of the world’s leading chocolatiers, to launch an initiative that represents our deep connection to Europe and elevates the culinary experience on board.”
Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line
The range of treats and desserts will roll out across the Holland America fleet in August 2024.
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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 viral clip on social media has entertained and worried cruise guests in equal measure – but it turns out it’s fake!
The clip, titled ‘Scousers on holiday’, is filmed on the balcony of a cruise ship and claims to record some Liverpudlians having a feisty argument.
You can view the clip here – be warned, the language is a little NSFW!
Apparently it’s fake, with the audio added from elsewhere, which is a relief – you certainly wouldn’t want to hear that when you’re onboard a cruise!
It just goes to show that you can’t trust everything you see online, and that you should definitely appreciate those quiet moments you actually enjoy on a cruise ship balcony – and the crew and security teams who help to keep it that way!
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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.
In a groundbreaking move towards environmental sustainability, Carnival Cruise Line has become the first to plug into shore power at PortMiami.
The new shore power offering is a result of a collaboration between Miami-Dade County, the Florida Power & Light Company, and many of the world’s leading cruise lines.
The result is that PortMiami is the first major port on the eastern coast of the US to offer shore power at five cruise berths – and Carnival Conquest was the first ship to make use of it.
“This is an important milestone for our hometown and we’re proud to support Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and all county and port officials for their amazing partnership in bringing shore power to PortMiami.“
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line
Shore power lets ships plug into the electricity grid when they are docked to power the ship. This means they don’t need to run the diesel engines, meaning shore power is much more environmentally friendly.
It’s expected that the new shore power tech will reduce emissions at the port by up to 98%, or it’s the equivalent of removing 37,500 cars from the road.
Around the world, fewer than 20 ports are currently able to offer shore power, though it is being rolled out wherever possible. Significant investment is needed though – it’s estimated that PortMiami’s upgrade cost $125 million.
Only around 30% of the world’s cruise ships are capable of hooking up to shore power, although as that percentage includes the biggest ships in the world, it accounts for 40% of cruise ship capacity.
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Holland America Line is offering fans of the cruise line an interesting opportunity – they can decide on the name of a moose!
Working in collaboration with the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre (AWCC), the cruise line has taken to social media to help find a name for an orphaned moose calf.
Holland America Line has a long-standing history of exploring Alaska and supporting conservation efforts to protect its unique wildlife. The cruise line offers a wide range of sailings for guests in the region.
Fans can submit name suggestions for the orphaned moose calf on Holland America Line’s official Facebook and Instagram pages until 23 June 2024.
The top ten names will be selected and posted for public voting, with the winning name announced in early July.
Holland America Line has been exploring Alaska longer than any other cruise line and we are deeply committed to supporting AWCC in its conservation efforts to protect Alaska’s wildlife. Our guests take an Alaska cruise to see wildlife in the region, and moose are part of ‘Alaska’s Big Five.’ We are excited to give our fans the opportunity to participate with the Alaska community in a fun and meaningful way.
Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer for Holland America Line
Holland America Line guests on cruises this summer will be able to enjoy excursions to the AWCC where they can have a close-up encounter with the animals in the centre’s care.
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Royal Caribbean International has once again set a new benchmark in the cruising industry with the delivery of its latest Oasis-class ship, Utopia of the Seas.
The ship’s handover ceremony took place on 13th June 2024 at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France.
The ceremony was attended by senior bosses from the cruise line along with the nearly 2,300 crew members who will serve onboard and deliver an incredible cruise experience for guests.
All the usual rituals took place, including the signing of contracts, the ceremonial exchange, and the lowering of the shipyard’s flag and the raising of Royal Caribbean’s.
The ship has been under construction since April 2022 and becomes the sixth Oasis-class ship to join the fleet.
While many expected that she would be the last of the class, with the introduction of the larger Icon Class in early 2024, plans have been announced for a seventh Oasis-class ship, yet to be named.
Utopia of the Seas will host 5,668 passengers and is designed for the ‘ultimate weekend’, with a range of 3-night and 4-night cruises around the Bahamas including visits to Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island resort.
She will now be fitted out with the last of the internal furnishings and crew will undergo the necessary training with the new ship as she crosses the Atlantic.
Her maiden voyage will take place on 19th July 2024.
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A cruise ship set to host police officers for the G7 Summit was seized in Brindisi, Italy, due to appalling conditions.
The Goddess of the Night ship, formerly known as Costa Magica, was found to have significant hygienic-sanitary issues and serious accommodation deficiencies.
The cruise ship was seized just a day before it was set to host 2,570 police officers for the G7 Summit. Prosecutors ordered the seizure following initial investigations that revealed alarming conditions on board.
The findings included poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation facilities, and substandard accommodation, prompting immediate legal actions against the ship’s owner.
Goddess of the Night is owned by Neonyx, a cruise line offering Aegean Sea cruises, and she was due to begin sailing for the line from July.
She was previously purchased by Seajets and named the Mykonos Magic, but like many of the ships bought by Seajets, she never actually sailed for the company.
The investigation found broken toilets, several leaks, and problems with the air conditioning throughout the ship. Many of the cabins were just deemed unfit to host anyone with flooding, tears in mattresses, stained carpets and more.
The problems affected the rest of the ship too, including a dirty buffet, mouldy food and waste materials just scattered around the ship.
“The colleagues, rightly bezzled by how they were treated, will clearly do their best to make our country that has the honor of hosting the G7 well, but we believe that your urgent intervention is a must to ensure minimum conditions of livability to those who have been sent from all over Italy to guarantee the security of the important summit.“
Secretary General Domenico Pianese
The ship had been inspected in April, and deficiencies were noted, but they’ve yet to be fixed.
While 1,800 police officers have been moved to alternative hotels, 600 have been moved to Gnv Azzurra, a ferry which is said to also be in poor condition.
The owner of Goddess of the Night is now facing a potential fraud charge.
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A Carnival cruise guest has been banned from ever cruising with the line again, after sharing a potentially dangerous cruise hack on TikTok.
The passenger’s full name has not been revealed but they go by the name Krissy.Kross on TikTok.
They shared a video in 2023 that has since gone viral where they refill one of Carnival’s own water bottles with water from the tap/faucet, and then use glue to re-seal it and place it back on the shelf.
By making the bottle appear unused, the guest wouldn’t have been charged for it.
Once the cruise line became aware of the stunt, they swiftly banned the passenger for life, as confirmed on Facebook by Brand Ambassador John Heald.
The risks are huge, because in theory anyone could copy the guest but replace the water with another substance, or add something to it.
Then, subsequent guests could drink from the bottle, assuming it was just plain water that hadn’t been tampered with.
Carnival has been under fire for the hike in water bottle prices. Within a period of 18 months, a 12-pack of large bottles rose from $4.95 to $14.95.
However, money-saving hacks such as this are not the solution when they risk other guests, and risk getting you banned!
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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.
One of the leading cruise experts at Iglu Cruise has revealed 5 factors that can have an impact on cruise prices.
Grace Sandwith, the Commercial Director at Iglu (one of the biggest cruise travel agents in the UK) has offered expert insight on the factors that can increase (and decrease) cruise prices, to help guests get the best value possible from their cruise holiday.
1. Destination
Choosing the right destination is essential for finding a cheaper cruise deal, as prices vary significantly by location.
Flexibility in your choice of destination can help reduce costs, with options ranging from Europe and North America to Asia and beyond.
Repositioning sailings, where a ship moves from one region to another for a new season, often offer great deals. These cruises are typically longer and include more sea days, providing an affordable way to visit less common destinations.
“There are certain destinations such as Canaries which work well during the shoulder seasons and therefore often have great deals. Cruise lines also frequently offer repositioning sailings where ships sail from one destination to another to start their next season. These itineraries are often very interesting and are attractively priced.”
Grace Sandwith
2. Time of booking
Deciding when to book a cruise can impact the price significantly.
Booking well in advance often results in lower prices as operators compete for early customers, and it gives you the best choice of cabins and add-ons.
However, last-minute bookings can also offer great deals if there is still availability. The best strategy depends on demand, the time of year, and the popularity of your chosen destination.
“Booking in advance often gives you the best price and enables you to get the exact cabin that you would like before the ships fill up. However, there are often great last-minute deals to grab. You’ll be able to get a great price, however, you might need to be more flexible in terms of type and location of your cabin.”
Grace Sandwith
3. Cruise dates
When choosing a time of year for your cruise, consider how prices vary with the season. Cruises run year-round, but costs fluctuate significantly.
Summer cruises to popular destinations like the Mediterranean are in high demand due to better weather and school holidays, making them more expensive.
For a more budget-friendly option, consider sailing in early or late summer when demand is lower.
“Often the most popular months are the summer months, particularly for sailings departing from the UK or Europe, hence to get the best price and availability it would be best to book early. There will, however, always be last-minute deals to be had throughout the year. In addition, the shoulder seasons (the time just before and after peak summer season) of spring and autumn are often a great time to secure deals.”
Grace Sandwith
4. Flight times
Flight timing can significantly impact your travel costs. Daytime and weekend flights are typically more expensive due to higher demand.
To save money, look for flights early in the morning or late at night during the week.
While flying from your nearest airport is convenient, it may not offer the best price. Being flexible and considering airports further away could result in cheaper flights.
“It is always worth considering other airports that may not necessarily be the closest to home, it is also usually a money saver to look at options to fly indirectly. As a general rule for flights, booking early is the best way to secure the strongest fare.”
Grace Sandwith
5. Packages
Many people hesitate to book add-ons or package deals for cruises, fearing high costs. However, pre-booking packages can actually save money.
Common add-ons include drinks packages, WiFi, and gratuities, and while some cruises include these in the fare, others offer them as optional extras.
These inclusive packages are popular because they eliminate the need for extra spending during the trip, making them a convenient choice for both first-time cruisers and experienced travellers.
“Where cruise lines offer extras that can be booked and paid for in advance, this is a great way to save money as often things like drinks, WIFI and gratuities are more expensive when booked onboard.”
Grace Sandwith
Check out Iglu Cruise if you want to find out more, or book a cruise. It’s a specialist cruise travel agency with 15 years of experience, with a dedicated team of experts ready to help you.
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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 guest put Carnival Cruise Line on blast after an admin error threatened to derail a wedding cruise.
Writing on the Carnival VIFP Club Members Facebook group (as well as other Facebook groups), the guest explained that the cruise line had accidentally removed someone from their booking.
It happened when the guest called the cruise line to ask them to switch someone in their group booking from one cabin to another. However, an error on the agent’s behalf meant that the individual was removed, and then their place onboard was taken by someone on the ship’s waiting list.
Even though the passenger removed was booked to share a cabin with other passengers, they could not be re-added to the booking, because the ship was at capacity for safety reasons.
To make things even worse, the cruise guest making the request was still charged a penalty fee for the late admin change.
And with the cruise departing in just two weeks, the situation was understandably urgent and stressful for the guest – made even more so by the fact that it was part of a wedding cruise.
They took to various social media to raise awareness of the issue and to find the best contact details to get her case heard by the Carnival higher-ups.
Several Facebook commenters recommended that the passenger contact John Heald, as he has significant sway and could have helped to resolve the issue.
A few hours after posting, the passenger provided an update to say that their complaint reached the right person, and that the individual who’d lost their space was re-added to the cruise and the penalty fees removed.
In the end, everything was resolved, but it was clearly a very stressful time for the passenger, all caused by a mistake at the cruise line’s end!
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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.
Iglu Cruise has revealed the five most underrated cruise destinations in Europe for guests to add to their bucket lists, and highlighted some Celebrity cruise itineraries that include visits to those destinations.
European cruises offer something for all travellers, with a variety of climates, landscapes and cuisines to enjoy.
But while ports such as Barcelona, Marseille and Rome are often spoken about as highlights, there are plenty of gems that fewer itineraries include but that are absolutely worth exploring.
With that in mind, cruise travel experts at Iglu Cruise have chosen their five destinations that they feel are the most underrated.
Porto, Portugal
Portugal attracts millions of tourists annually, with many heading to the Algarve, famed for its stunning beaches. However, Porto, situated in northern Portugal, is gaining recognition as one of Europe’s most underrated cities.
This charming city is celebrated for its Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1996.
Notable landmarks such as the Porto Cathedral and Palácio da Bolsa showcase Portuguese architecture, creating a fairytale-like atmosphere.
Athens, Greece
When thinking of Greek cruises, destinations like Santorini, Rhodes, Crete, and Mykonos often come to mind. However, Athens, the country’s capital, is a cruise destination not to be missed.
As one of the oldest cities in the world and the largest in Greece, Athens boasts landmarks such as the Parthenon, Acropolis, and Temple of Zeus. With over 3,000 years of history, it is considered the birthplace of democracy, arts, and philosophy in Western civilisation.
Beyond the city, Athens offers some of Greece’s most beautiful beaches, perfect for swimming in clear waters or relaxing after sightseeing. Kavouri Beach, known for its stunning sunsets, is ideal for enjoying Greek cuisine while overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Coolcationing, the trend of holidaying in cooler climates, makes Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, an ideal cruise destination.
Famed for its Northern Lights and active volcanoes, Iceland’s “Land of Fire and Ice” offers breathtaking landscapes such as Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach, Skogafoss Waterfall, and Snæfellsjökull National Park.
Visitors can also enjoy Iceland’s incredible wildlife, including orcas, humpback, minke, and blue whales, especially during the peak summer whale-watching season.
Zadar, Croatia
Zadar, one of Croatia’s best-kept secrets, offers the historic charm of Dubrovnik with a quieter, more intimate atmosphere. For those seeking a cruise destination with fewer tourists, Zadar is ideal.
Situated on the Adriatic Sea in the northwestern Ravni Kotari region, Zadar boasts some of Croatia’s finest and less crowded beaches. These west-facing beaches provide some of Europe’s best sunsets.
The Sea Organ, a unique city attraction, creates beautiful music played by sea waves. Organ pipes in the marble steps produce a distinctive soundtrack as waves pass through.
Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland
Many Brits may overlook the UK as a holiday destination, especially for cruises. However, the UK offers some of Europe’s best natural beauty, with the Shetland Islands being a prime example.
Lerwick, the Shetlands’ only town, houses half of the island’s population. Despite its small size, there’s plenty to do, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. Exploring this remote part of Scotland by foot allows you to fully appreciate the local wildlife.
The Shetlands are recognised as an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) for orcas, humpbacks, minke whales, and harbour porpoises.
This designation places the Shetlands alongside Antarctica, Madagascar, Baja California, and Patagonia, attracting visitors from around the world to observe these animals in their natural habitat.
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.
