Princess Cruises reveals 2020 World Cruise onboard Pacific Princess; 42 destinations, 20 UNESCO World Heritage sites

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (April 24, 2018) – Destination lovers seeking new worldwide travel experiences need to look no further than Princess Cruises and the cruise line’s 2020 World Cruise. Offered on the intimate 670-guest Pacific Princess, cruisers will visit 42 destinations on five continents and come back holding once-in-a-lifetime memories from around the globe.

Due to popular demand of the 2019 World Cruise, the 2020 111-day roundtrip voyage offers similar routing to the 2019 cruise, including South Africa and departs Ft. Lauderdale on January 5, 2020 and Los Angeles on January 20, 2020. Princess Cruises also offers a 96-day Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale segment, departing Los Angeles on January 20, 2020, as well as shorter, multi-day segments along the journey.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. breaks ground on new terminal at PortMiami

 MIAMI, Florida – April 26, 2018 – Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., a leading global cruise company which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, today celebrated the groundbreaking of the new and dedicated Norwegian Cruise Line terminal at PortMiami.

The Miami-Dade County Board of Commissioners approved the project on April 10, 2018, with construction beginning May 1.  Present at the ceremony, which took place at PortMiami’s Terminal B, were Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, Howard Sherman, executive vice president of onboard revenue and destination services, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez, Miami-Dade County commissioner Rebeca Sosa, PortMiami director and chief executive officer Juan Kuryla, Florida State Representative Cynthia Stafford and leading executives from the architecture and construction firms on record, Bermello Ajamil & Partners and the NV2A-Haskell joint venture.

The state-of-the-art terminal is scheduled for completion by the fall of 2019, as Norwegian Encore, the newest ship of the Breakaway Plus class, debuts in Miami with seasonal cruises to the Caribbean.

Cast your cares away on a cruise ship "private island"

   Out to Sea for April 28/18

   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox

   Here’s a chance to play “Gilligan” and escape to an uninhabited exotic island far from the hustle and bustle.

   No traffic, hustling cries of “taxi, taxi” or “I know what you’re looking for” as the popularity of cruise ship “private islands” grows as a hassle-free day at the beach.

   It’s not exactly like being marooned as in the Gilligan’s Island TV show and its doomed charter boat, the S.S. Minnow.

Beach day at a private island with Holland America Line’s Westerdam off shore. (Jim Fox photo)

   This is chilling out in style with pampered service including all-you-can-eat beach barbecues, bar service – both in and out of the water – sifting sand on pristine beaches and adventures in the aquamarine waters.

Carnival Cruise Line takes delivery of 26th ship, Carnival Horizon

 Line’s Newest Ship Sailed on Inaugural Voyage from Barcelona

 

MIAMI –  In a traditional maritime handover ceremony held last month at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, Carnival Cruise Line officially took delivery of the new 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon, the 26^th ship in its fleet.

The 3,954-passenger ship repositioned to Barcelona, Spain, where it departed April 2 on an inaugural 13-day voyage – the first of four sailings from the European port.  The ship will then operate a trans-Atlantic crossing before arriving in New York May 23, 2018, for a pierside overnight gala and naming ceremony featuring the ship’s godmother, Grammy award-winning musical artist and acclaimed actress Queen Latifah.

Following a summer schedule of four-day Bermuda and eight-day Caribbean sailings from New York, Carnival Horizon will shift to Miami for a year-round schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean cruises beginning Sept. 22, 2018.

Carnival Horizon offers several unique and exciting features, including a new Dr. Seuss-themed WaterWorks aqua park, part of the line’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, Bonsai Teppanyaki, the line’s first teppanyaki venue, and Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse|Brewhouse serving up “real deal” barbecue favorites created by Food Network star Guy Fieri, as well as four new craft beers brewed on board.

NEWS: First look at Disney's next ships - Rendering

(News Release)

The Disney Cruise Line fleet has the most beautiful ships at sea and the three newest vessels setting sail in 2021, 2022 and 2023 will be no exception. This first, early rendering depicts the magnificent exterior of the newest Disney ships that will elevate family cruise vacations to a whole new level.

In keeping with the distinct Disney Cruise Line style, the new ships will embody the elegance and romance of the golden age of ocean cruising with unique touches all their own.

The new vessels will offer more innovation, new technologies, spectacular entertainment and more Disney stories and characters than ever before.

Queen Mary 2 guests to be first to board the QE2 Hotel in Dubai

 VALENCIA, Calif., Apr. 17, 2018 -- Dubai will welcome the most famous ocean liners in the world when the arrival of Queen Mary 2 coincides with the opening of the Queen Elizabeth 2 hotel.

Guests travelling on QM2 will have the opportunity to join VIPs and local media at the opening of the QE2 on 18th April. Future guests will also have the chance to visit when QM2 returns to Dubai in January and April 2019 as part of her World Voyage.

QE2 was launched by Her Majesty the Queen in 1967 and was the Cunard flagship liner (a role she relinquished to Queen Mary 2 in May 2004), undertaking 25 world cruises, crossing the Atlantic more than 800 times and carrying more than 2.5 million passengers. QE2 is owned by PCFC Hotels - part of the Dubai government’s Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation and will reside permanently at Mina Rashid, Dubai.

Celebrity Cruises adds service-centered partnership with Forbes Travel Guide

 MIAMI, FL – April 5, 2018 – With service like no other, Celebrity Cruises is raising the bar even further in a first-of-its-kind travel partnership with Forbes Travel Guide. A global authority on luxury service, Celebrity entered the partnership to tap into Forbes Travel Guide’s 60 years of expertise as the modern luxury brand continues to refine its already heralded award-winning guest experience.

Celebrity is the first cruise line to secure a fleet wide partnership with Forbes Travel Guide, and hold itself to the highest luxury service standards in the world, further proving the brands commitment to world-class service.

“Celebrity Cruises has been recognized for its industry-leading hospitality that offers guests personalized, genuine and knowledgeable service unlike any other,” said Brian Abel, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Celebrity Cruises.

“But we’re not resting on our laurels; we’re always looking for ways to continue to improve upon our service, and that’s what we hope to gain from this industry-first partnership with Forbes Travel Guide.”

Carnival Cruise Line adds 20 cruises to Cuba from Tampa aboard the Paradise in2019

Follows Recently Announced Series of 17 Cuba Voyages Aboard Carnival Sensation from Miami in 2019-20

MIAMI (April 6, 2018) – Carnival Cruise Line has announced it has added another 20 voyages to Cuba aboard Carnival Paradise from Tampa in 2019, complementing the 11 cruises to the island taking place aboard the vessel through next year.

The new voyages aboard Carnival Paradise are in addition to the 17 recently announced Cuba cruises aboard Carnival Sensation departing from Miami in 2019, indicating that more and more travelers view cruising as a great way to experience the destination.

“Our Cuba cruises have been met with phenomenal guest response since we began sailing to the island last year and we’re thrilled to add yet another 20 voyages to this fascinating and sought-after destination,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

The newly added five-day voyages on Carnival Paradise will depart Tampa on Saturdays and feature a day-long or a full day and overnight call in the Cuban capital of Havana, along with stops at tropical destinations Key West and Cozumel.

            Carnival Paradise’s new Cuba cruise schedule includes:

Queen Latifah named godmother of Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, Carnival Horizon

(News Release)

Grammy-Award Winning Artist to Preside Over Ship’s Official Naming Ceremony in New York

Featuring ‘Lip Sync Battle: Horizon’ and Honoring St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

 

MIAMI (March 1, 2018) – Queen Latifah – Grammy award-winning musical artist, acclaimed television and film actress, label president, author and entrepreneur – has been named the godmother to Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon. 

Latifah will participate in the ship’s official naming ceremony as well as a special “Lip Sync Battle: Horizon” showcase that is part of the line’s authentic shipboard reproduction of the hit Paramount Network series.  The event will be held during an invitation-only overnight gala onboard Carnival Horizon in New York City on May 23, 2018.

Currently starring in the FOX series “STAR,” Latifah is an incredible talent earning an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe nomination and a SAG Award nomination for her portrayal as Mama Morton in Chicago.

She also received an Emmy nomination, a Golden Globe win and a SAG Award win for performances in both “Life Support” and “Bessie,” an HBO biopic on the legendary jazz artist Bessie Smith as well as accolades for her performance as the title character in NBC’s The Wiz Live! 

Guests can explore the world without leaving their table on the transformative new Celebrity Edge

(News Release)

 

Five years of planning. Thousands of hours in the kitchen. Hundreds of unique new recipes. Countless new ways to experience the flavors of the world.

MIAMI, FL – March 1, 2018 – From an exhilarating, sky-high dinner cantilevered 16 decks above the ocean, to an immersive fusion of technology, animation and dining, like nothing guests have ever experienced at sea, and everything in between, the latest culinary hot spots will be found miles at sea on Celebrity Cruises’ transformative new ship, Celebrity Edge.

With 29 world-class, palate-pleasing venues – including four main dining restaurants, two exclusive Suite and AquaClass restaurants, seven brand new specialty restaurants, five complimentary dining venues, and 11 bars and lounges – guests are invited to embark on a cross-continental culinary journey with more restaurant and bar options than ever before.

Disney Cruise Line adds new destinations for families to see the world in summer 2019

(News Release)

New cruise from Rome and seven new ports in Europe, plus Alaska and Caribbean sailings, take center stage

CELEBRATION, Fla. (Mar. 1, 2018) – In summer 2019, Disney Cruise Line will sail on new itineraries and to seven new ports in Europe, including a first-ever round-trip cruise from Rome and first-time visits to destinations in Sweden, France, Spain, Denmark and Northern Ireland.

Disney Cruise Line takes guests on a grand tour of Europe with visits to the Mediterranean in early summer and northern Europe in late summer. Plus, adventures continue with sailings to Alaska, the Caribbean and the Bahamas, including new cruise lengths aboard the Disney Fantasy.

Bookings open to the public on March 8, 2018. More details on 2019 itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2019 page of disneycruise.com.

Don't miss the boats: New cruise ships sailing the high -- and calm -- seas in 2018

   Out to Sea for Feb. 24/18

 

   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox

    Sun Media newspapers/websites (Postmedia Network)

   That new cruise ship smell will be permeating the oceans as almost every major line rolls out a new build this year.

   Along with the newbies will be the largest at sea, sister ships to existing builds and new innovations and attractions.

   This includes racing a go-cart on the top deck, huge waterparks and a two-level family suite with slide to the living room from the bedroom.

   Here’s a guide to sailing the seven seas and five oceans onboard some of the latest and the greatest.

   Don’t miss the boats

   - Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas: Join 5,200 of your friends on the biggest cruise ship ever built.

Symphony of the Seas has a two-level Ultimate Family Suite with slide.

   The ship, with the innovative two-level Ultimate Family Suite and slide, LEGO wall, air-hockey and pool tables, 3-D movie theatre room, climbing wall, whirlpool and wrap-around balcony, sails March 31 from Barcelona.

   Along with new dining options such as El Loco Fresh Mexican, Hooked Seafood and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, live theatre includes Hairspray and Flight.

   After sailing the Mediterranean, it repositions to Miami in November for seven-day eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

   - Carnival Horizon: Sailing her maiden voyage April 2 from Barcelona, this ship carries 3,950 passengers and is similar to sister-ship Carnival Vista.

Enjoying a fun day at sea on a Carnival ship in the Caribbean. (Barbara Fox photo)