Disney Cruise Line has begun its three-day unveiling event for its highly anticipated new ship, Disney Destiny. The event, which runs from today, July 30, through August 1, launched with a sneak-peak at the vessel’s staterooms and suites.
“Every hero needs a place to rest after a day battling villains,” the cruise line teased on its blog about the Disney Destiny’s new heroes and villains-inspired design. “A true hero’s welcome will be waiting for you,” it continued.
Disney Destiny Royal Suite Incredibles (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
Details for the new ship, which will draw inspiration from Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters in a Heroes and Villains theme, revealed every stateroom and suite on Disney Destiny will showcase custom artwork depicting the adventures of famous Disney legends.
Concierge offerings, which include premium services and exclusive amenities, will feature artwork inspired by Disney Animation’s “Fantasia,” using elegant watercolor-style illustrations to capture the film’s rich color palette.
Additionally, seven VIP special ocean-view rooms will be located directly above the bridge. Adorned with iconography from Pixar’s “The Incredibles,” these will offer floor-to-ceiling views.
Four royal suites will celebrate the powers and heroism depicted in “The Incredibles” in IncrediSuites, as well as the Disney Animation’s “Hercules,” where Hercules’ Hero Suites will incorporate Greco-Roman design elements, colors, and patterns.
Concierge guests will also have exclusive access to a concierge lounge and private sun deck, as well as dedicated crew members. Although more details weren’t revealed, royal suites typically can accommodate up to six guests.
Disney Destiny Verandah Stateroom (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
Disney also divulged that most of the staterooms aboard the approximately 144,000-gross-ton vessel, currently under construction at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, will feature Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bath concept, which allows multiple guests to get ready simultaneously.
Additionally, many rooms will offer the option of a connecting door, catering to larger families.
Disney Destiny’s New Reveals
In a stunning plot twist, the cruise line also revealed today that Disney Destiny will call Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale home when it is delivered from the shipyard in December 2025.
The new Triton-class ship, which will accommodate 4,000 passengers and 1,555 crew members, will be joining Disney Dream and Disney Magic at the port’s “Finding Nemo”-inspired terminal.
Disney’s presence in Fort Lauderdale is growing following the opening of its dedicated terminal at the port last November, marking its second year-round homeport outside of Port Canaveral in Orlando, where Disney World Resort awaits passengers for pre- and post-cruise vacations.
This is the first time Disney is introducing a new ship in a port outside of its Orlando-area hub.
Disney Destiny Royal Suite Hercules (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
Additional reveals today included a new confection shop. Edna A La Mode Sweets, themed around “The Incredibles’” Edna Mode, and a “The Lion King” dining experience.
The latter will feature a savanna-themed venue with live musical performances and special effects in “Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King.”
While an inaugural voyage date has yet to be confirmed, Disney Destiny is expected to operate roundtrip cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.
These will undoubtedly include plenty of visits to Disney Cruise Line’s original private island destination, Castaway Cay, and its newest destination, Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, both in The Bahamas.
Bookings will open to the general public on August 9, 2024, following an early booking opportunity for Disney Castaway Club members.
Disney Destiny will be the third Triton Class ship following sister ship Disney Wish, which debuted in 2022, and the upcoming Disney Treasure, anticipated to debut in December 2024.
TUI Cruises has launched its retail offerings aboard its latest vessel, Mein Schiff 7. The ship’s retail space, spread across two decks and 5,629 square feet, features retail offerings curated by Starboard, a prominent retail curator at sea.
The unique retail experience is debuting a focus heavily inspired by the ship’s maiden season in Northern Europe and a sustainability approach.
As the ship sails between Kiel, Germany, and Norway this summer, The Baltic destination shop is a highlight of the offerings, featuring food, apparel, fashion accessories, jewelry, books, drinkware, and souvenirs centered around the Baltic region.
Beauty and Fragrance, Mein Schiff 7 (Photo Credit: Starboard)
Also joining the space is Scandinavian brand Sandqvist, providing functional bags made from recycled materials; Norlender, collaborating with European spinners to create woolen sweaters and accessories; and Omnom Chocolates from Iceland, featuring premium, ethically sourced chocolates.
As the Baltic region is also renowned for its amber, also called “Baltic gold,” Mein Schiff 7 also features a shop dedicated to the fossilized tree resin often found along the shores of the Baltic Sea. A range of jewelry made with the 44-million-year-old amber will be found at Baltic Amber.
Carolin Bauer, head of on-board commerce for TUI Cruises, said, “Mein Schiff 7 is the seventh addition to the Mein Schiff fleet, incorporating new features based on our guests’ feedback, and it was important for our retail offerings to reflect these enhancements.”
She expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “We are thrilled to partner with Starboard as our official onboard retail partner and introduce our guests to high-quality, specially curated products.”
Diverse and Sustainable Retail Offerings
Additionally, Starboard’s retail experience includes sustainable brands, including Engrace Diamonds’ lab-grown diamonds, Certified Pre-Owned Rolex watches, and vintage luxury accessories curated by What Goes Around Comes Around.
Certified B Corporations, awarded to companies meeting high social and environmental standards, are also available, including the eco-conscious Rituals Cosmetics.
For beauty, TUI Cruises introduces the AI-driven SkInsight augmented reality skin analysis technology, a first for the cruise line, to provide personalized skincare recommendations.
A full lifestyle presentation of women’s apparel and accessories from globally recognized brand Karl Lagerfeld and Danish jewelry brand Pandora are available in the Mein Stil boutique.
The retail curator, which also partners with leading cruise lines like Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages, also worked with TUI Cruises to offer Mein Schiff branded collections and destination-inspired products, including German-based Lamy Writing Instruments and Junghan watches in the ship’s Neuer Wall Shops.
Lisa Bauer, Starboard’s president and CEO, said,“This new venture positions us to continue demonstrating our expertise in delivering exceptional curated retail experiences, uniquely tailored to the German cruise market.”
Exploring Northern Europe, the 115,000-gross-ton Mein Schiff 7 officially entered service on June 10, 2024, when it was handed over to the cruise line from the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.
The 2,896-passenger vessel’s official christening ceremony took place on June 22, 2024, and it is currently sailing its inaugural season in the Baltic, visiting destinations like the Norwegian Fjords, Artic Circle, and various of Scandinavian ports.
Designed with sustainability in mind, Mein Schiff 7 is equipped with low-emission marine diesel engines and catalytic converters, reducing nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 75 percent.
The ship also features shore power connectivity and is built to potentially run on green methanol, aiming for almost CO2-neutral propulsion.
TUI Cruises is expanding its fleet with two additional ships under construction in Finland. Mein Schiff Relaxand Mein Schiff 9, are expected to debut in 2025 and 2026, respectively.
Disney Cruise Line has announced that Disney Destiny, the line’s third Wish-class ship set to debut in 2025, will be based at Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The line also unveiled several onboard features, including a unique dining venue inspired by the Disney classic “The Lion King.”
The announcement on July 30, 2024 followed the cruise line’s pledge a week earlier to reveal certain amenities, venues, and accommodations the 4,000-guest ship will offer.
The line’s 3-day “reveal event” will continue through August 1, 2024, introducing more insights and plans for the ship’s “Heroes and Villains” theme.
Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King on Disney Destiny
Along with the new eatery, called Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, the cruise line revealed that Disney Destiny will feature a sweet shop, two cafes, four “royal suites,” and high-end finishes and services across the ship’s accommodation choices.
“For the Disney Destiny, we will introduce brand-new cruise experiences inspired by the legends and legacies of some of Disney’s most iconic heroes and villains,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Cruise Line.
“From the dining rooms to the staterooms and everywhere in between, guests aboard our new ship will be surrounded by extraordinary storytelling paired with the signature service and family-fun adventures that are hallmarks of a Disney Cruise vacation,” Siskie added.
The 144,000-gross ton Disney Destiny is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, where her keel laying ceremony was held in March 2024, the same time the ship’s name and theme were revealed.
The Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King restaurant, an experience that the cruise line dubbed “the mane event,” will sport a savanna theme that will use lighting and special effects to bring animal depictions to life. A window across the venue’s back wall will change from sunrises to sunsets during meals.
Musicians and storytellers will perform songs from “The Lion King” at a central stage in the restaurant, offering renditions of favorites such as “Circle of Life,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King.” A themed menu will round out the experience.
Dessert lovers will want to try out the goodies at a confectionary called Edna Á La Mode Sweets, a venue inspired by Disney’s “Auntie Edna” short film. In her efforts to entertain baby Jack-Jack, Auntie Edna comes up with various indulgences such as gelato, ice cream, cookies, and candy.
Two new cafes, Cafe Megara and Cafe Merida, will serve coffee, tea, and other beverages, plus snacks. The venues are named for the heroine of Disney Animation’s “Hercules” and the heroine of Pixar’s “Brave,” respectively.
Stateroom Designs Aim to Meet Needs of Families
Disney Cruise Line detailed some of the special qualities that Disney Destiny’s staterooms will offer guests, including artwork from popular Disney stories and the ability to meet the needs of families.
For instance, many cabins will offer the line’s split-bath design and connecting doors so that families can stay together in more spacious settings. Concierge-level staterooms will provide enhanced services and entry to exclusive areas such as a private lounge and sun deck.
Concierge cabins and suites all will feature artwork from Disney Animation’s classic “Fantasia,” while seven oceanview staterooms immediately above the bridge will offer designs inspired by Pixar’s “The Incredibles.”
The cruise line also offered a few details about four royal suites — indicating they will be of “heroic proportions” but providing no square footage or design elements yet — called Hero Suites and IncrediSuites. The high-end accommodations will be designed using Greco-Roman architecture.
Disney Destiny is the third Wish-class ship in the fleet. The first, Disney Wish, entered service in 2022 and the second, Disney Treasure, is slated to launch in December 2024. Disney Wish is based in Port Canaveral, and Disney Treasure will also be homeported there.
If you’ve ever woken up to be startled by a crew member working right outside your balcony or porthole, you’re not alone. It’s not overly uncommon for guests to get an surprise wake-up call from a squeegee-armed crew member cleaning your window, especially on longer sailings.
Of course, the cruise lines do typically notify their guests of the impending cleaning service. In the past Carnival Cruise Line has done so by leaving a letter in all impacted staterooms.
Butthe 27-ship fleet has changed things up by rolling out a new system utilizing labeled door cards instead of paper memos, which read “window cleaning tomorrow” or “balcony cleaning tomorrow.”
Carnival Cruise Line Door Hangers
“I wanted to show you the new door cards that have already been placed across the fleet. These are for balcony cabins and for Oceanview cabins,”John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador, wrote on his Facebook page.
“Remember, we used to put a letter in your cabin to let you know when the wonderful crew were going to wash the balconies or clean the windows and portholes? These have been replaced now with these door hangers,”continued the post.
Heald did not specify why the change – which was implemented fleet-wide – was made. Although, it wouldn’t be surprising if the popular cruise brand made this call due to environmental impact and pricing.
The biggest Carnival ship, Carnival Jubilee, has 2,687 cabins onboard, while the smallest operational ship, Carnival Paradise, still offers more than 950 staterooms.
Considering hundreds to thousands of letters are needed every time there is a window or balcony cleaning fleet-wide, which can happen weekly (or even daily) depending on the cruise line, that is a LOT of paper.
Switching to reusable door hangers is both a greener and more cost efficient alternative.
How Do Cruisers Feel About the New Notifications?
In less than a week, John Heald’s Facebook post earned over 900 likes and more than 100 comments.
Generally, the reception to the new door handles were quite positive, with some avid cruisers already spotting the hangers on their recent 2024 sailings.
“I like these more than the letters. These I won’t miss!,” commented one person.
“Less paper, reusable, and easily noticed – a good change,” wrote another fan.
“Just saw this on last cruise. Can’t miss it! Just have to remember to close curtains if we’re planning to sleep in a bit,” added a recent passenger.
That said, some other recent Carnival guests suggested that this system may still have a few kinks to work out.
“I think they should be placed on our cabin doors. I had one placed on my balcony door last night. If I hadn’t opened the curtains, I wouldn’t have known about the cleaning today,” commented a current cruiser.
“Sometimes these get knocked to the ground, especially if the seas are rough,” advised another.
As the new system is still young, this is certainly good feedback for Heald to take back to the crew members.
So, how much maintenance truly takes place during a cruise? Aside from window washing, crew members are constantly busy making sure the ship is operating at peak performance.
In addition to window washing, this includes ongoing inspections, applying fresh coats of paint, keeping all common areas clean and sanitized, engine oil changes, and standard pool maintenance, which often means draining and deep cleaning the pools overnight.
Oftentimes, guests won’t even know that these tasks are being completed – and bigger overhauls take place in dry dock every three years outside of revenue sailings, so no guests would be onboard.
Carnival Cruise Line will be returning to the original, hand-cut French fries for Guy’s Burger Joint across the fleet, much to the great delight of many fans of the dining venue. The announcement was recently confirmed by John Heald, the cruise line’s official Brand Ambassador.
Heald responds to hundreds of guest comments, questions, and requests nearly every day. Recently, several guests have noted a change in the fries offered, and asked whether this was a standard change or just a fleeting option.
“[For] those of you commenting about the fries, you may have noticed that on some ships we have returned to the original recipe hand-cut fries and will be doing this throughout the fleet in the days and weeks ahead,”Heald confirmed.“Cheers to Richard our SVP of food and beverage for listening to you!”
Buy’s Burger and Fries
Richard Morse is the Senior Vice President of Food and Beverage at Carnival Cruise Line. He joined the cruise line in January 2016, following more than 35 years’ experience in hotel and property management. Heald often passes guest comments and requests on to the appropriate cruise line executives for further attention.
Guy’s Burger Joint was first introduced aboard Carnival Liberty in 2011 in partnership with renowned chef Guy Fieri. The fast-service venue quickly rocketed to high popularity with both novice and experienced Carnival guests.
The casual restaurant served up more than 10.5 million burgers in 2023 across the fleet and has frequently been voted as the best burgers at sea. Guests can choose from a small menu of different burger types, each served with hot, seasoned fries, and can customize their order at the nearby toppings bar.
It is the fries that have had some controversy over the years, however. While the hand-cut fries first offered were a quick favorite among guests, the fries were later changed to a thicker processed cut with what appeared to be somewhat different seasoning.
Now, however, the hand-cut fries are back as the perfect accompaniment to the hot, fresh-off-the-grill smash burgers, with a very enthusiastic response from guests.
“So happy they are going back to the original hand cut fries. They were awesome!”
“Thank you. Those hand cut fries are the best!”
“That is great! The original ones were way better.”
Few guests know that while the fries are typically seasoned – which can range from heavy to mild – they can also ask for unseasoned fries if preferred, or if the spiciness doesn’t agree with them. It may take a few minutes for a new batch, but it can be well worth the wait.
More Carnival Food Requests Granted
Carnival Cruise Line does listen to guest comments and make adjustments to menus and operational guidelines where possible. For example, just days ago the cruise line confirmed that the popular Funfetti Cheesecake will now be offered fleetwide as an embarkation day dessert at the Lido Marketplace, a treat that was missing from the Excel-class ships.
Over the past two years, Carnival Cruise Line has also responded to guest interest in more vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menu options, revamping dining room menus to offer even more healthy selections to travelers.
Still, there is no lack of dining options aboard any Carnival ship, and furthermore, the dining team will always do what they can to honor special orders and requests. While not every request may be possible, there are always delicious things to enjoy when sailing with Carnival.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced expanded partnerships and new scholarships to two Philippine colleges in an effort to hire thousands of new Filipino workers over the next few years.
This will help create the larger workforce necessary as the cruise line brings new and larger ships into its fleet, ensuring adequate staffing for every vessel.
According to ABS-CBN News, the cruise line’s president, Christine Duffy, is currently in the Philippines to advance these initiatives that will create more opportunities for interested workers to get the training necessary to join one of the world’s largest cruise lines.
“We’re visiting STI and we’re awarding some scholarships,”Duffy confirmed.“We’re also expanding the work that we’re doing with PMMA [Philippine Merchant Marine Academy] because these really create even better opportunities for Filipino employees that join us where historically, perhaps they’ve come in more entry-level roles, by providing an expanded curriculum.”
Filipino workers serve in a variety of roles with Carnival Cruise Line, including deck and engine roles as well as part of the hotel and hospitality programs.
From general deck hands to engineers to cabin attendants, bartenders, and wait staff, the cruise line employs roughly 12,000 Filipino crew members.
When all the cruise lines under the Carnival Corporation and plc umbrella are combined, there are around 50,000 Filipino crew members across the eight brands, including Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and P&O Cruises.
STI is an extensive group of colleges in the Philippines, offering a wide range of programs useful to future cruise employees, including Hospitality Management, Culinary Management, Business Administration, Tourism Management, Marine Engineering, and Naval Architecture.
The Philippine Merchant Marine Academy is a public maritime school that offers programs and certifications in Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering, along with training courses in Fire Fighting, Handling a Free-Fall Lifeboat, and more.
More Workers Needed for Growing Fleet
Carnival Cruise Line just announced on July 23 that a new class of ships measuring almost 230,000 gross tons per vessel was being ordered, with three ships to join the fleet in 2029, 2031, and 2033. This follows the two additional Excel class ships already ordered for 2027 and 2028.
Furthermore, the P&O Cruises Australia brand is being dissolved early in 2025, with two of the ships – Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter – to be renovated and join the Carnival fleet for continued operations.
When these seven new ships are considered, Carnival Cruise Line could need as many as 10,000 or more new workers over the next nine years, even if all the crew members from Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter remain with the company.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
Of course, the company will also need to account for retiring crew members in that time period, as well as those who choose different career paths and do not renew their contracts with Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival has regularly been recognized as an excellent employer for many different career options. Just days ago, the cruise line was recognized as the highest-ranked cruise line of America’s Best Employers for Women by Forbes.
Carnival Cruise Line also prides itself on the diversity of its workforce, celebrating unique cultures and all they can contribute to the global company.
“At Carnival Corporation, we proudly support a workforce of over 160,000 team members representing 150 countries, and it is imperative that we cultivate a positive environment that celebrates the diversity of our people and empower all walks of life,”said Bettina Deynes, global chief human resources officer for Carnival Corporation.
The cruise line has earned similar accolades for diversity, LGBTQ+ equality, a top company for Latinos, and being an overall excellent employer.
Holland America Line is launching a new series of cruises to give guests front-row seats to extraordinary celestial events across Europe.
Starting July 31, 2024, travelers can book these special Celestial Cruises to witness events like the Northern Lights, a total solar eclipse, and the summer solstice above the Arctic Circle.
“After the excitement and success around of 2024 eclipse cruises, we knew our guests were looking for additional opportunities to get a front-row seat for some of the world’s most special natural spectacles,”said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line.
Total Eclipse (Photo Credit: Orlowski Designs LLC)
The new itineraries follow on the heels of the cruise line’s popular 2024 Solar Eclipse at Sea itineraries. Holland America Line’s Koningsdam and Zaandam were able to experience the totality of April 8’s total solar eclipse as it traveled off the coast of Mexico, to the delight of its 2,650 and 1,432 passengers, respectively.
Koningsdam departed San Diego and headed to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, before spending a day at sea for the eclipse as Zaandam traveled from San Diego to Mazatlan, Mexico, for the rare celestial event.
“We’re positioning our ships in the perfect location for guest to see the eclipse,”said Bill Prince, vice president for Holland America Line ahead of the cruises. “For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’re known for creating immersive programing, and this will be an unforgettable live event.”
To keep the celestial spirit going, the new 2026 cruises will feature three Solar Eclipse Cruises, positioning ships in the fleet under the path of totality for the August 12, 2026, solar eclipse.
Guests on the solar eclipse cruises can look forward to lectures from scientific experts, themed activities, and proper eclipse glasses to ensure the safety of all guests.
In addition, the cruise line is offering inaugural Northern Lights Cruises in 2026. With an active aurora forecast, passengers can enjoy extensive explorations of Norway, featuring overnight stays in Alta and multiple days above the Arctic Circle.
Guests on Northern Light voyages will have the option to sign up for wake-up calls whenever the aurora borealis is visible.
Unique Itineraries Witnessing Celestial Events
Three Solar Eclipse Cruises are scheduled to take place in 2026, with Oosterdam bringing guests to witness the eclipse off the coast of Spain while the Nieuw Statendam does the same off the coast of Iceland. Zuiderdam will also be in position for the eclipse during its Voyage of the Vikings.
The first solar eclipse cruise, the 35-day Voyage of the Vikings, is a roundtrip voyage from Boston, Massachusetts. Departing on July 18, 2026, with up to 1,964 passengers, the 82,318–gross-ton ship the cruise will be in the path of totality off the western coast of Iceland.
The itinerary includes calls at various ports in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Northern Ireland, as it follows the path of ancient Viking sailors.
Holland America Line’s Koningsdam
The second option is a 28-Day Legendary Voyage aboard the 99,500–gross-ton Nieuw Statendam. Departing July 25, 2026, from Dover, England, or Rotterdam, The Netherlands, the ship’s roundtrip journey will also bring passengers into the path of totality at sea off the northwest coast of Iceland.
The itinerary includes stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Scotland.
Finally, 1,964-guests on Oosterdam can get a glimpse of total darkness on a 13-day Mediterranean Solar Eclipse option. Sailing from Lisbon, Portugal, on August 9, 2026, the cruise will be at sea during the eclipse as it sails to Piraeus, Greece, via stops in Spain, France, Italy, and Montenegro.
Various Northern Lights options are also available, with the first departing from Rotterdam on October 4, 2026, aboard the 114,044-gross-ton Rotterdam. The 14-day journey will travel to various Norwegian ports and Lerwick in the Shetland Islands before concluding in Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Additionally, Nieuw Statendam will travel from Dover, England, to Rotterdam and back, to provide a 15- and a 14-day journey to see the Northern Lights at numerous Norwegian calls.
For those wanting to experience the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, Nieuw Statendam will travel above the Arctic Circle for the June 21, 2026, event.
With roundtrip departures available from Rotterdam or Dover, the 2,666–passenger ship will provide a 14-day excursion on its North Cape Solstice cruise.
In response to guest inquiries and the love of sweet-toothed cruisers, Carnival Cruise Line has announced that one of the most popular embarkation day treats, the colorful “Funfetti Cheesecake” will now be available fleetwide when every cruise sets sail.
The decadent treat has been a staple on many ships, but has been missing from Carnival’s newest and largest ships, the Excel class.
Now, however, the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has responded to many guest comments, questions, and pleas for the Funfetti Cheesecake to be more widely available. Heald interacts widely with guests through his popular Facebook page, where the cheesecake has often been a topic.
Heald shared the requests with Carnival Cruise Line’s Senior Fleet Culinary Operations Manager, Roshan D’souza, to help grant guests’ requests.
“Chef Roshan has read the comments I sent him showing that this Funfetti Cheesecake has become an iconic Lido deck favourite on embarkation day,”Heald confirmed.“Chef informed me that this will now be available every embarkation day on every ship (including Excel ships) for Lido embarkation day lunch.”
D’souza has been with Carnival Cruise Line since August 2002 and brings his classical French training together with food cultures from around the world, including what he calls “American creativity” to create new and delicious dishes for the cruise line.
The Funfetti Cheesecake is a decadent treat of classic cheesecake and fluffy vanilla cake liberally mixed with rainbow sprinkles, topped with a thick layer of icing and adorned with even more colorful sprinkles.
Offered just on embarkation day to welcome guests to the start of a fun cruise vacation, it is a favorite dessert of many loyal Carnival guests, with more than 4,200 positive reactions to Heald’s announcement, along with hundreds of enthusiastic comments.
“I was 9 cruises in before I found out about this gem, OMG it is so good, I don’t eat sweets very often but now I run to this first, even Before Guys burgers!”
“I love it, it is my favorite – I can eat it everyday!”
“First thing I do after muster drill is head to the lido deck for this dessert.”
“On my last cruise, a fellow cruiser gave me the heads up to grab a few slices because it was only available the first day. Best advice ever!”
“Calories don’t count on embarkation day, right?”
Funfetti Cheesecake
Guests eager for a slice should note that at this time, the Funfetti Cheesecake is only served on embarkation day at the Lido Marketplace buffet and is not available at other times or at other dining venues.
Of special note is that the cake will now be offered on the cruise line’s three Excel-class vessels – Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee – where it has been notably absent.
There is no timeline for exactly when the special dessert will be available fleetwide. There may still be occasional individual cruises that aren’t able to offer the treat due to supply issues or other factors, just as all menus must be adaptable to each current situation.
Other Carnival Desserts
Cruise guests are passionate about their food selections, and desserts in particular do gain fans and establish followings. While few desserts can match the extraordinary popularity of Carnival’s signature warm chocolate melting cake (my personal choice!), other top favorites include creme brulee, tiramisu, and carrot cake.
Carnival also offers a variety of low-sugar or no-sugar dessert options to meet different dietary needs and preferences, as well as tropical fruit and a cheese plate for those who prefer less sweetness to finish a meal.
It’s time for another weekly round-up of cruise news from Cruise Hive, your go-to source for developments across the cruise industry. Our recap this week highlights stories from Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and the city of Barcelona.
It’s been a busy week for cruise news, so let’s dive into the stories behind the headlines. Our coverage this week includes Princess Cruises announcing it will not open two areas on Sun Princess; Barcelona proposing to hike its cruise guest tax; Carnival Cruise Line ordering three more mega-ships; MSC Cruises detailing new outdoor spaces aboard new-build MSC World America; Princess Cruises adding capacity to its 2026 Alaska schedule; and Carnival Cruise Line beefing up its online security measures.
Cruise Line Nixes Two Adventure Areas on Sun Princess
Both features were installed on the 4,300-guest ship, which entered service in February 2024, but were never opened to guests.
The cruise line gave no reason for the permanent closures, nor did it indicate whether any new experiences would ultimately replace the two features. The RollGlider was described as a glider-style zip-line attached to an overhead track. It was to provide thrilling sea views for all ages.
Sun Princess Park19
Coastal Climb was to be a two-deck ropes course with challenging features such as bridges, nets, and planks. At its top, a destination called The Lookout was slated to be an observation deck offering 360-degree ocean views.
Both activities were part of the ship’s Park19 space, a destination that continues to offer plenty of other experiences, such as Infinite Horizon, a viewing platform area with cantilevered walls that extend over the sides of the ship.
Park19 also has the Splash Zone, for water-based fun, and the Recreational Court, offering games such as corn hole, shuffleboard, and ping pong. A jogging track also is found in Park19.
Barcelona Eyes Increase in Cruise Guest Tax
Cruise guests on ships calling at Barcelona already pay €7 per day to enter the city, but that amount is likely to rise as city officials respond to local concerns about the continued rise in tourism.
Barcelona Mayor Jaume Collboni revealed the city’s plan to bump up the cruise tourist tax. He offered no specific amount but indicated the new fee will be significantly higher.
Cruise Ships Docked in Barcelona, Spain (Photo Credit: Aerial Film Studio)
The destination on the Spanish Riviera is a major embarkation port for cruise ships as well as a popular port call for ships sailing the Western Mediterranean. The port broke records in 2023, when 803 cruise ships visited, delivering 3.5 million cruise arrivals.
The data reflects a nearly 14% spike from pre-pandemic arrival levels. The record is expected to be broken again in 2024.
Barcelona in 2023 enacted a ban on cruise ships docking in the city’s World Trade Center area and at the Muelle Barcelona Norte, forcing them to instead dock at the Moll d’Adossat pier, which is farther from the central tourist areas.
The mayor also is considering limiting the number of cruise ships and guests entering the city. Currently, the port of Barcelona can accommodate 10 ships daily, and officials have proposed lowering the number to 7.
In recent weeks residents of Barcelona made headlines when they attacked tourists by spraying them with water and throwing debris at them.
Carnival Cruise Line Places Three-Ship Order
Carnival Cruise Line ordered the construction of three “next generation” mega-ships that will form a new, as yet unnamed, class of ship, with the vessels slated for delivery in 2029, 2031, and 2033.
Italian shipyard Fincantieri will build the ships, each of which will have 3,000-plus staterooms with double occupancy capacity of about 6,000 guests and room for up to 8,000 guests with all berths occupied.
Carnival Cruise Line Ship Under Construction
The ships will weigh in at 230,000 gross tons, putting them at roughly the same weight as Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class. While details about the new class are yet to come, Carnival Cruise Line revealed that the ships will be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) and be outfitted with energy-saving and environmentally-responsible systems.
The new ships will be the largest ever built by Fincantieri and the largest to be constructed at any Italian shipyard.
The new ship order adds to capacity the cruise line already has in the pipeline. Two more Excel-class ships are due to enter service in 2027 and 2028, and two additional ships will join the fleet in 2025, when Carnival Cruise Line absorbs Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter from the P&O Cruises brand, which is being dissolved.
Carnival Cruise Line promised that the new class of mega-ships will introduce new features and offer many Fun Ship favorites, too.
Cruise Line Reveals Thrill Rides, Play Areas on Newest Ship
Water thrill rides, playgrounds for youngsters, zip-line style experiences, and a challenging ropes course all will be featured in The Harbour, a new outdoor space onboard MSC Cruises’ MSC World America.
The cruise line revealed the onboard destination’s details as construction of the 6,700-guest ship continues at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipbuilders in France. MSC World America is slated to debut in April 2025.
Among the adventures guests can experience in the Harbour Aquapark are the Cliffhanger, an over-water, motorized swing ride; a raft slide that uses virtual reality technology, a rock-climbing wall; and a dual racing slide.
MSC World America The Harbour
The Harbour Light House Playground will be modeled on the cruise line’s Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas, with a real lighthouse that children can climb. The Harbour will be situated within the ship’s Family Aventura zone, an area that also will be home to the Doremiland kids area and the Sportsplex.
Doremiland will house the ship’s supervised programming for children and teens, while Sportsplex will feature various sports courses and other activities for kids and adults.
The 22-deck ship will be based at PortMiami, offering a series of Caribbean voyages.
Princess Cruises Bets on Alaska’s Growing Popularity
As Alaska’s popularity as a cruise destination continues to soar in the post-pandemic era, Princess Cruises is adding capacity to the region in 2026, with eight ships to be deployed including its newest vessel, the 4,300-guest Star Princess.
Star Princess is under construction at an Italian shipyard and will enter service in September 2025. Initially homeported in Fort Lauderdale, the ship will reposition to Seattle in March 2026 for her inaugural season in the Great Land.
Star Princess Cruise in Alaska
Other ships that will deploy to Alaska in summer 2026 include Emerald Princess, Island Princess, Grand Princess, Royal Princess, Discovery Princess, Ruby Princess, and Coral Princess. The cruise line will open bookings for sale on August 1, 2024.
All told, the ships will sail 180 departures and visit 19 destinations on itineraries ranging from 7 to 20 days. Additionally, 20 cruisetours will be featured for the 2026 season.
Seven- to 20-day cruises along the Inside Passage will be offered from multiple homeports, including Seattle, aboard Royal Princess and Star Princess; San Francisco, aboard Ruby Princess; and Vancouver, British Columbia, and Los Angeles, aboard Emerald Princess.
The longer itineraries include a 20-day Ultimate Alaska Solstice journey on Ruby Princess roundtrip from San Francisco and a 16-day Inside Passage Cruise on Emerald Princess from the Port of Los Angeles.
Cruisetours combine a voyage with a land tour, featuring rail transportation into interior Alaska and accommodations at four wilderness lodges that Princess Cruises owns.
Cruise Line Boosts Online Security Measures for Guests
Carnival Cruise Line has shored up its online account security measures with an eye toward better safeguarding guest information.
Guests entering the line’s website to manage their reservation must now provide more detail before accessing their booking, such as their date of birth, their sail date, and their ship name. This data is in addition to the guest’s name and booking ID number, which were required previously.
Carnival Cruise Line Ship (Photo Credit: Just dance)
The changes follow a recent identity theft case that was widely publicized on social media after a guest posted her booking ID and cabin number on the platform. An unknown person was able to log into her booking and cancel it, causing a major financial loss for the victim, who then shared the story online.
Rules for accessing bookings on cruise line websites vary by line, with some requiring two-factor authentication codes, text message responses, and answers to security questions, among other measures.
To maintain privacy and keep fraudsters away from booking data, cruisers should generally avoid sharing key information online, such as departure date, booking and cabin number, and any logins.
The cruiser who was victimized by sharing her data had booked Carnival Celebration‘s presidential suite at a cost of $12,000. At the time of her identity theft, it was too late to claim any refund from the cruise line.
More Cruise Headlines
Get even more insights into the week’s cruise news with additional coverage from Cruise Hive, including Oceania Cruises unwrapping its holiday sailings through 2026; the final ‘Golden Girls’ theme cruise being held aboard a Celebrity Cruises ship in 2025; Royal Caribbean posting an upbeat bookings and earnings report; the Port of Nassau welcoming the inaugural visit of Utopia of the Seas; and a UK cruise line offering behind-the-scenes ship tours.
