The November 1 sailing of Norwegian Gem was to have been an 11-night Mediterranean sailing with highlights in Greece, Turkey, and Egypt as well as calls in both Haifa and Ashdod, Israel.
Due to the regional violence and the possibility of the escalating conflict spilling over neighboring borders, as well as stronger travel restrictions throughout the region, it is no longer possible for Norwegian Gem to sail the original itinerary.
Three of the original ports of call have now been cancelled and the ship will no longer be visiting Port Said, Egypt or either Haifa or Ashdod. The stay in Alexandria has been extended to a much longer overnight visit, and two additional ports of call in Greece – Heraklion and Mykonos – have been added.
Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock
Furthermore, other originally scheduled ports have been shifted in the itinerary to accommodate the new destinations and travel route.
“We understand that itinerary changes can be frustrating. We share your disappointment and regret that this situation has prevented us from delivering the vacation that both we and our guests imagined,”the notification to booked guests read.
Norwegian Gem will depart Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday, November 1, as originally scheduled, and the first two days – Kusadasi, Turkey from 1:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday and a day at sea on Friday – remain unchanged.
The ship will reach Alexandria as planned at 6 a.m. on Saturday, but will now remain in that vibrant and colorful port overnight until 6 p.m. on Sunday evening. The call to Limassol, Cyprus will be next on Monday, followed by Alanya, Turkey on Tuesday. The ship will then move on to Heraklion, Rhodes, and Mykonos on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday respectively.
The arrival in Piraeus (Athens) on Saturday, November 11, 2023 is still planned for 6 a.m. as originally scheduled for an on-time debarkation.
Compensation Offered
Guests booked aboard this sailing are being offered a $200 onboard credit per stateroom, distributed as $100 for both the first and second guests in the cabin. This credit is non-refundable, however, and any unused monies will not be refunded at the end of the cruise.
All shore tours booked through Norwegian Cruise Line for the now-cancelled visits to Port Said, Ashdod (Jerusalem), and Haifa (Tel-Aviv) are being automatically cancelled and fully refunded back to guests’ onboard accounts. Similarly, tours booked for Limassol, Alanya, and Rhodes are being rescheduled as necessary for the changes in visits to those ports.
Guests will be able to book tours for Alexandria, Heraklion, and Mykonos soon, as arrangements are still being confirmed with tour operators.
Norwegian Gem Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Paul Wishart)
Any travelers who have made independent tour arrangements will need to reach out to their tour operators as soon as possible for refunds, rescheduling, or other arrangements as available.
Specifically, section 7(a) states that the cruise line“has the sole discretion and liberty to direct the movements of the vessel, including the rights to … deviate from the purchased voyage or the normal course for any purpose, including, without limitation, the health and safety in the interest of Guests or of the vessel.”
This includes the ability to “cancel any scheduled call at any port for any reason and at any time before, during or after sailing of the vessel.”
It is not unusual for cruise lines to adjust itineraries based on political or social upheavals such as protests, acts of terrorism, surges in violence, or other activities that could compromise travelers’ safety. These disruptions might be for just a sailing or two, or could be much longer term adjustments depending on the scope of the individual situation.
Guests booked on any sailing in or near Israel in the coming months will want to stay in close contact with their cruise line or travel agent for updates and potential changes.
Her Majesty’s Coast Guard in the United Kingdom has called off the search for a crew member who went overboard from the German-operated cruise ship, AIDAperla.
The incident that transpired on the morning of October 22, 2023, brought together a host of search and rescue teams searching for any signs of the missing crew member.
The ADIA cruise ship was en route from Hamburg to Spain, making its way towards La Coruña, with the incident occurring near Ramsgate in the United Kingdom. AIDAperla has resumed her course toward Spain, and HM Coast Guard vessels have returned to their base.
Search Called Off For AIDAperla Crew Member
The search for a missing crew member who went overboard from the cruise ship AIDAperla on October 22 has been unsuccessful. After a search that took nearly all of Sunday, the conclusion was that the crew member stood little chance of surviving, considering that the English Channel has a water temperature of around 14 degrees Celsius, or 57 degrees Fahrenheit.
The incident occurred around 08:00 AM on Sunday while AIDAperla was navigating the English Channel near Ramsgate, roughly 20 miles north of the southeast coast of England, en route from Hamburg to Spain.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) was among the first to respond, with its crew out of Ramsgate being alerted at 8:20 AM, followed swiftly by a Dover team 15 minutes later.
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock
HM Coastguard deployed a search and rescue helicopter, a Coastguard fixed-wing aircraft, and coordinated the RNLI’s all-weather lifeboats from Ramsgate and Dover. The Captain of AIDAperla commenced search patterns around the area of the incident.
Despite all parties’ efforts, the nine-hour search did not yield the outcome everyone hoped for. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed the end of the search around 6 PM local time on Sunday. “At about 6 PM on October 22, the search was ended for a man reported overboard from a passenger ship off Ramsgate.”
The Telegraph reports that the Captain confirmed the end of the search attempts in an announcement: “The Coastguard has cancelled the search as twilight set in, and the crew member who fell overboard is unfortunately left with very little chance.”
In a statement, AIDA Cruises extended its thoughts to the missing person’s family and colleagues, maintaining close contact with them and the AIDAperla crew.
The 124,100 gross-ton vessel, which has space for 3,400 guests and a crew of 900, has continued on its voyage and is scheduled to arrive in La Coruna, Spain, on October 23. The cruise will continue to the Canary Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and conclude in La Romana, Dominican Republic, on November 9.
Safety Onboard Cruise Ships
The unfortunate incident sheds light on the inherent risks associated with cruise vacations and working onboard cruise ships despite stringent safety measures.
Among those measures are man overboard systems, a blend of video surveillance and motion sensors designed to detect and alert the crew when someone goes overboard.
Cruise ships also operate with several emergency response procedures, which include coordinated ship-wide drills such as Code Oscar training for search and rescue operations, and are equipped with specialized rescue boats ready for rapid deployment, further improving the chances of a successful rescue.
Additional preventive measures include higher railings, offset decks, CCTV, and increased security to stop individuals from venturing into unsafe areas. Despite these measures, the tragic event onboard AIDAperla underscores the fact that safety measures mitigate but cannot avoid accidents.
Carnival Freedom has officially set sail again sporting her brand new, iconic “whale tail” winged funnel following more than two weeks in dry dock in Cadiz, Spain. The ship’s return to service is also with additional renovations and refreshment, including adding a popular new venue onboard.
Carnival Freedom Finishes Dry Dock
The 110,000-gross-ton, Conquest-class Carnival Freedom has successfully completed her dry dock in Cadiz, Spain, and has welcomed guests back aboard for a transatlantic cruise to return to her homeport of Port Canaveral, Florida.
The ship spent a total of 16 days in dry dock undergoing intensive refurbishment, which has included refreshing public areas as well as guest staterooms, expanding the onboard casino, and general maintenance work.
Of special interest are the aesthetic upgrades to the ship’s appearance, most notably the replacement of the ship’s winged funnel, which was damaged by a fire in May 2022 while docked in Grand Turk. There were no injuries during the fire, but the starboard wing of the funnel structure was severely damaged, resulting in both wings being removed for more than a year until this dry dock.
Carnival Freedom Completes Dry Dock
This marks the first time that the team members at the Cadiz shipyard have designed and manufactured a Carnival funnel, bringing the ship back to her characteristic appearance that is so instantly recognizable to cruise lovers around the globe.
Another update to Carnival Freedom‘s appearance is that her hull has now been repainted in the new red, white, and blue livery that first debuted with Mardi Gras in 2021 and has been rolling out across the fleet as each ship enters dry dock.
This overall refreshment inside and out gives Carnival Freedom, which first set sail in 2007, a brand new look for guests to enjoy.
New Venues Onboard
It isn’t just the overall look of Carnival Freedom that has been updated. The ship has also had the popular Heroes Tribute Bar added with fitting military décor, a “Welcome Home” tribute and memorabilia wall, and a patriotic scheme to honor veterans and active-duty service members.
Carnival Cruise Line is gradually adding the Heroes Tribute Bar to all ships in the fleet. The venue first debuted with Carnival Panorama in 2019, and has been a hit for veterans, active service members, and their families to share the camaraderie of their service and experiences.
Carnival Freedom Tribute Bar
“The Heroes Tribute Bar is a project that is very near and dear to my heart and one that everyone at Carnival is extremely proud of,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line president, when the venue opened aboard Carnival Panorama.
“We’re always looking for new ways to honor our military heroes and this new outlet is a wonderful tribute to the sacrifices of our Armed Services personnel and their families, and is a wonderful complement to our extremely popular military tributes which are held on each and every Carnival cruise.”
Another new venue, the Dreams Studio, has also been added aboard Carnival Freedom. The studio offers private photography sessions for guests to capture the very best of their vacation memories with Carnival’s expert photography staff.
Carnival Freedom Sailing Again
To return to Florida, Carnival Freedom is now sailing a 14-night transatlantic cruise from Barcelona, visiting Valencia and Malaga in Spain, the Canary Islands, and Bermuda before she will arrive in Port Canaveral on Monday, November 6, 2023.
Once back in her year-round homeport, the ship will offer 4- and 5-night Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean sailings, visiting popular destinations like Nassau, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Bimini, Half Moon Cay, and Princess Cays, depending on the cruise length and departure date. The ship is scheduled to remain sailing from Port Canaveral at least until early April 2026.
Carnival Freedom can welcome 2,980 guests aboard at double occupancy, or as many as 3,754 guests when fully booked with all berths filled. The ship is also home to approximately 1,150 international crew members who are ready to once again welcome guests to phenomenal vacations on the revitalized ship.
From the ocean itself to pools, hot tubs, waterslides, splash pads, and more, cruise ships are known for water. What is more unusual, however, is guests waking up in the middle of the night to water flooding their stateroom and pooling in the hallway outside as it rains down from the ceiling, but that is just what happened to guests aboard Carnival Radiance recently.
Videos Show Flooding on Carnival Radiance
Two new videos have been flooding – pun intended – social media showing soaked floors and the raining ceiling aboard what is reported to be Carnival Radiance.
Uploaded on TikTok by a woman named Amber, hashtags #carnivalcruise and #flooding help describe the videos, while the posted description indicates the incident occurred aboard Carnival Radiance. The hallway décor and brief glimpses of crew identification badges and nametags do indeed confirm that this was on a Carnival cruise ship.
The first video is just six seconds long and was posted in mid-October, showing the massive water accumulation in the hallway. That brief video already has more than 107,000 likes and more than 7,300 comments – many of which are making joking Titanic references.
The incident apparently happened in the early hours of October 17, 2023, the first night of a 4-night cruise out of Long Beach, California. The ship had departed Long Beach the evening before and would visit Catalina Island on October 17, followed by Ensenada, Mexico on October 18. After a day at sea, Carnival Radiance returned to Long Beach on Friday, October 20.
You can watch the footage of the flooding below:
The poster claims to have been woken up at 2 a.m. with water gushing into their stateroom, while the video clearly shows hallways and floors so soaked that the water is pooling on top of the carpet. The poster also indicates that they lost power at one point in the midst of the flooding, though the hallway clearly has power.
Both videos also clearly show water pouring from the ceiling in one section of the hallway, as if it were raining indoors on the ship.
Nearly a dozen crew members are busy in the hallway with cleanup efforts in the longer video, using specialized vacuums and squeegees to contain the deluge. A makeshift plastic curtain has also put in place to help block the area from additional water spray.
Guests on the sailing have indicated that the incident happened on Deck 7 (Empress Deck) of the ship, but praised crew members for very quickly cleaning up the area, even in the middle of the night.
Some comments state that passengers in the affected area were moved to different staterooms, the deck smelled like sewage, and that clothes were sent to the laundry, but these reports are not confirmed.
Where Did the Water Come From?
At this time, there is no indication of what happened to create the internal flooding. As Deck 8 is also a staterooms-only deck and the incident appears confined to Deck 7, it is possible a water pipe burst, causing the immediate flooding.
It should be noted that Deck 7 is well above the waterline and there is no indication at all that there was any structural breach on the ship at any time. This appears to have been an internal issue only and has already been resolved.
Carnival Cruise Ship Flood (Credit: @dawn7877)
No information is available about whether or not impacted guests are being compensated for any damage to their possessions or if any other compensation for the unusual circumstances has been offered.
The Sunshine-class Carnival Radiance was formerly Carnival Victory before a tremendous $200 million (USD) transformation in 2021. The 101,509-gross-ton ship can welcome 2,984 guests at double occupancy, or up to 3,873 guests when fully booked when all berths filled (not flooded).
Floods on Cruise Ships
This is not the first time a cruise ship has been inundated with unexpected water. On the maiden voyage of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas in March 2022, a sprinkler malfunction caused swift flooding on the Royal Promenade.
Video Footage: @eloy4k
In another bizarre incident, a sudden turn caused a pool to overflow on Harmony of the Seas in January 2023, creating a six-deck waterfall in the ship’s center space.
Cruise ships occasionally have open spaces flood from less severe pool overflows, or when a vessel may be caught in a sudden, intense squall, such as happened aboard Carnival Sunshine in May 2023, which caused significant flooding, particularly in crew areas.
Water pipes can burst, drains clog, sprinklers malfunction, and other incidents happen that cause such unexpected waterlogging.
Fortunately, crews are well-trained to mitigate such incidents and quickly repair and clean up areas to restore them to dryness with a minimum of disruption. Carpeting can be swiftly replaced, huge fans are used to circulate air and speed drying, and other restoration methods are used to quickly dry ships out and ensure a fantastic, non-flooded time for guests.
Carnival Cruise Line has responded to guest concerns about the need to hand in passports for select sailings with reassurances that this is indeed normal procedure.
While it may be new to some guests who may be sailing these types of itineraries for the first time, passports are always safely stored onboard.
Cruise Travelers Must Hand Over Passports
Guests aboard Carnival Freedom as the ship returns from dry dock in Spain have been startled to learn that they must surrender their passports for immigration processing in Spain. This can be disconcerting for travelers who have been warned of passport theft and scams, but Carnival Cruise Line is seeking to reassure guests about the requirement.
Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has been inundated with questions and concerns about this issue – some not so polite – and has explained the process.
“So [passports] will be collected today, embarkation day and stored in a safe on board. The immigration officials will come on the ship in Valencia or Malaga or both and check passports,”Heald said.“The good news is that the immigration authorities will not need to see the guests themselves otherwise there would be a huge line for that as you can imagine.”
Carnival Freedom at Port Canaveral (Photo Credit: Peter Titmuss / Shutterstock)
Carnival Freedom departed Barcelona, Spain on Monday, October 23, 2023, after finishing her dry dock upgrades in Cadiz, which included getting a new whale tail funnel. The ship is scheduled to call on Valencia, Malaga, and Las Palmas in the Canary Islands before heading out to the open ocean on her way to Bermuda and then Port Canaveral.
The cruise line will not hold on to passports any longer than necessary to comply with immigration requirements.
“All the passports will be returned after the last Spanish port which is Las Palmas,”Heald clarified.“You will all receive a letter on board on how this will be done.”
Heald said that the cruise line was only informed of the requirement for Carnival Freedom‘s transatlantic crossing in the last few days, which explains why guests were not alerted to this requirement long before embarkation.
Not a New Procedure
It must be noted that this is not an unusual procedure and is quite common on both Asian and European cruises as part of immigration processing and clearances.
Collecting passports is not the cruise line’s decision, but is dictated by the regulations of the country the ship is visiting, with different countries having different regulations. Carnival Cruise Line has no recourse nor input that will affect the requirement, and if it is not done, Carnival Freedom would not be permitted to visit the planned Spanish ports of call.
US Passports (Photo Credit: Chiara Sakuwa / Shutterstock)
Carnival Cruise Line’s travel documentation webpage only states that “US citizens are required to carry a passport, valid for six months beyond the return date of their voyage” for Europe and transatlantic cruises. No specific details about surrendering passports are mentioned.
Different factors may influence whether each country’s immigration officials may require passports to be surrendered. The number of ports a ship will visit, the total number of hours in ports of call, previous destinations the ship will have visited, or the overall capacity of the ship could all be factors in whether or not passports must be turned in.
Guests are always advised to travel with a valid passport, even if not explicitly required, such as for closed-loop cruises from US homeports.
Without a passport, guests could find themselves having much greater challenges if they must remain in a port of call due to an injury or other circumstances, must leave the cruise early for an emergency back home, or if something drastic happens and the entire cruise is cancelled and guests must be returned home from a foreign port, such as due to ship damage.
P&O Cruises’ Iona has joined search and rescue efforts after two cargo ships collided in the North Sea, crippling one vessel that has now sunk. Crew members from the sunken vessel are still reported missing and multiple vessels are engaged in the search in the hopes of successful rescues.
Iona was not involved in the initial incident but is providing support for the search and is available to offer medical treatment to survivors if needed.
Cruise Ship Called to Sunken Cargo Vessel Scene
Guests aboard P&O Cruises’ Iona were woken at approximately 5:30 a.m. by emergency announcements, which included crew members being called to muster stations to respond to the situation. Searchlights were already engaged and active, which led to some tense moments for guests until they understood the situation.
According to local reports, the initial incident occurred at approximately 3 a.m. when the cargo vessel Verity collided with another cargo ship, Polesie, roughly 14 miles (23 kilometers) southwest of the German Heligoland archipelago in the North Sea, approximately 50 miles (80 km) northwest of Bremerhaven, Germany.
Strong winds, fog, and vigorous waves were reported in the region at the time, but it is unknown if weather conditions contributed to the collision.
The 300-foot Verity is reported to have sunk, and four of the ship’s seven crew members remain missing and may be aboard an intact portion of the vessel. Divers are investigating for signs of life, according to a spokesperson from Germany’s Central Command for Maritime Emergencies. One crew member is confirmed dead, and two others have been successfully rescued.
Polesie had 22 individuals aboard at the time of the incident, but all are accounted for and no injuries are reported.
Undoubtedly a thorough investigation will be conducted as to the cause of the collision, what contributing factors may have been in play, and whether any potential negligence was involved from either cargo vessel.
Impact on Iona
Iona was called to assist with the search operations and immediately responded to the summons. The 184,089-gross-ton ship is currently sailing a 7-night “Northern European City Escape” cruise, having departed from Southampton on Saturday, October 21 and called on Hamburg, Germany on Monday. Tuesday is scheduled as a day at sea.
A spokesperson for P&O Cruises has confirmed that there should be no impact on the ship’s remaining itinerary, which includes calling on Rotterdam, Holland on Wednesday and Zeebrugge, Belgium on Friday before returning to Southampton on Saturday, October 28.
Guests onboard Iona report a somber atmosphere with great hope that the rescue operation will be successful. Multiple ships of different sizes and classifications, including an emergency tug, pilot boat, and police patrol boat have been involved in the search efforts, along with helicopter support.
Tracking data shows that Iona had resumed course by late afternoon on Tuesday, released from her assistance. This may have been done as the ship’s support is no longer needed with the arrival of additional rescue vessels with specialized search equipment.
Cruise Ships Offer Assistance
Cruise ships are often called to render assistance to vessels in distress, though not always under such grave circumstances. Different types of rescues may involve disabled fishing or pleasure craft, unseaworthy migrant boats, vessels that may have run aground, or other unusual circumstances.
P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Explorer responded to a distress call from a record-seeking mariner south of Vanuatu in early October, and other rescues happen all over the globe.
Every cruise ship captain – as well as the vessel’s crew – is dedicated to preserving life at sea and obligated to respond to such calls whenever possible.
Just in time for Halloween, Disney Cruise Line has revealed a new and spooky lounge experience that will debut on Disney Treasure when she enters service in December 2024.
The bar’s concept is based on an existing ghostly attraction found at Disneyland, in California, and at Magic Kingdom in Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort.
‘Haunted Mansion’ Bar to Feature Spirited Cocktails
Disney Cruise Line’sDisney Treasure, now under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, will introduce a new experience called the Haunted Mansion Parlor, a bar that will feature spirit-inspired cocktails in a spooky setting.
The new destination is another example of how the cruise line is bringing popular attractions from the company’s famous parks onto its newest cruise ship as well as characters and places from Disney movies.
Take a look at this teaser from Disney about the new Haunted Mansion Parlor venue:
The cruise line announced in September 2023, for instance, that Disney Treasure will offer the Periscope Pub, a former attraction at Walt Disney World, inspired by the 1954 Disney film “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.”
Onboard the 144,000-gross ton Disney Treasure, which reached a construction milestone in spring 2023 with its keel-laying ceremony, guests who visit the Haunted Mansion Parlor can look forward to scary encounters as they partake in specially curated cocktails.
Bartenders will be serving classic margaritas with a ghostly twist, served with flavored smoke and containing a secret message, for example. Another drink, Ghoulish Delight, will sport the flavor of ube, the sweet-tasting purple yam native to Southeast Asia, and presented with a gummy eyeball, and glitter.
The parlor setting will look like an elegant drawing room one might have seen during the golden age of cruise ships, with wood finishes and a fireplace. A portrait gallery showing Disney Treasure’s own “ghosts” will be another feature meant to entertain.
Disney Treasure Haunted Mansion Parlor
The 4,000-guest ship will also offer Haunted Mansion Parlor merchandise and houseware souvenirs, including the Haunted Mansion Parlor Sculpted Mug decorated with sea life images and a special barnacle shaped like, you guessed it, Mickey Mouse.
Another item for sale will be the Haunted Mansion Parlor Mirror, featuring ghosts who will make themselves known. But don’t be scared: the cruise line is infusing plenty of humorous storytelling in its Haunted Mansion themes.
Disney Treasure Is Line’s Second LNG-Powered Ship
Disney Treasure, offering 1,240 staterooms, is an LNG (liquid nitrogen gas) powered ship that will join the line’s existing four-ship fleet, consisting of Disney Wish, which debuted in 2022, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Magic. Disney Wish is also powered by LNG, a fuel that substantially reduces carbon emissions.
Disney Treasure’s opulent Grand Hall will highlight three iconic Disney characters – Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, and the animated Magic Carpet from the Disney classic “Aladdin.”
Disney Treasure Cruise Ship
Other features guests will enjoy aboard Disney Treasure include a 760-foot AquaMouse water coaster, a rafting adventure called Mysterious Temple of the Golden Egg, and stage productions such as “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Disney Seas the Adventure.” The cruise line’s popular Pirate’s Rockin’ deck party will be featured as well, along with fireworks displays.
Following her delivery from the shipyard, Disney Treasure will enter service home-ported at Port Canaveral, Florida, sailing Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
Lighthouse Point will become the cruise line’s second destination in the Bahamas, where it already operates Castaway Cay. The 700-acre Lighthouse Point represents a major investment by Disney Cruise Line, estimated to cost upward of $400 million.
Celebrity Cruises has revealed the entertainment line-up onboard its latest addition, Celebrity Ascent, set to make its maiden voyage in December 2023.
From theater shows to Pub games and nightlife activities, Celebrity Cruises has gone all out to ensure the ship offers an entirely new experience for guests.
A Blend of Tradition and Innovation Onboard Celebrity Ascent
The entertainment offerings that Celebrity Cruises announced today, October 24, for Celebrity Ascent are both a nod to the familiar and new additions.
Celebrity Ascent aims to maintain the high standard set by sistership Celebrity Beyond. The fourth Edge-class cruise ship offers guests six new live shows, immersive gaming experiences, and captivating performances across various onboard venues.
Lisa Lehr, Celebrity’s Vice President, Entertainment: “We embraced the opportunity with Celebrity Ascent to elevate our entertainment offerings. Handpicking the industry’s best creative minds, we’ve established a program that underscores Celebrity’s renowned onboard entertainment.”
Celebrity Cruises new entertainment lineup on Celebrity Ascent
One feature that is sure to wow guests is the new deck party Ascent After Dark: Shine the Night. By night, the ship’s Resort Deck is transformed with live performances, a light show, and a DJ-led dance floor. Guests are encouraged to don metallic attire and join the party.
“We are so excited to show guests how our new entertainment offering can level up their vacation in ways they’ve never experienced before. With elements our guests love plus some new surprises, Ascent offers something for everyone and adds to the memories they will have for a lifetime,” Lisa Lehr continues.
Inside, the Theatre on Celebrity Ascent showcases the cutting-edge technology for which the Edge-class is known. Among the newly announced shows is “Awaken,” a digital spectacle leading guests on an extraordinary journey through surreal dreams.
Awaken, the new theater show onboard Celebrity Ascent
Other theater shows include Residency, which pays tribute to legendary Las Vegas artist residencies from Elvis to Lady Gaga, while Bridges explores human connections against the backdrop of iconic bridges in Venice, London, Sydney and New York.
Celebrity Cruises is also bringing back the popular Edge Series onboard programming, offering activities that have proven to be extremely popular on previous Edge-class ships such as Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Beyond.
Beyond the Main Stage
Moving beyond the theater, the entertainment continues in various areas of the ship. Eden, a three-story architectural wonder, will host several performances, including Allure, a search for artistic inspiration, Shimmerbox with pulsating beats, and Dreams, a fusion of live acts, interactive games, and unforgettable character engagements.
The Club on Celebrity Ascent offers Smoke & Ivories, a journey to a bygone era of Hollywood, combining dance, song, and projection technology.
Guests can also expect a broad spectrum of musical experiences. From jazz performances at The Club to concerts celebrating the evolution of funk in Funkified and a disco-era tribute in Discoteque.
Celebrity Ascent Sea Trials
For guests who wish to participate, Celebrity Ascent doesn’t disappoint. Nightlife experiences include an 80s Flashback at The Club, a Silent Disco, Live Band Karaoke, Latin parties, and an ABBA sing-along party.
Besides cruise ship classics such as Bingo, Pub Games Nights transform The Club into an active pub setting with games including street curling, darts, golf putting, tabletop shuffleboard, and even augmented reality multiplayer games.
Camp at Sea, which offers more than 500 activities for kids, ensures the younger cruisers always have new activities to keep them entertained.
Celebrity Ascent Maiden Sailing November 2023
Celebrity Ascent, the latest addition to Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class series, has completed its sea trials in October 2023, a critical phase in any ship’s development.
Constructed at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, the 140,600 gross tons cruise ship vessel underwent testing to evaluate its performance, including speed, maneuverability, and seaworthiness.
The ship first touched water in January 2023 and, following further interior work, is now gearing up for two preview cruises before the maiden voyage. The first, a 4-night Western Caribbean cruise, sails on November 22, 2023, and the second, a 3-night Bahamas getaway, sets sail on November 26, 2023.
The maiden voyage will sail from Port Everglades on December 3, 2023. Celebrity Ascent will visit destinations such as Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, USVI; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic.
Later, in April 2024, the ship will reposition to the Mediterranean for the summer season, with cruises including ports in France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. Celebrity Ascent is expected to return to the Caribbean in November 2024.
Even to the present day, the Titanic continues to make headlines and fascinate individuals from all over the world. Not only was the ship an engineering marvel in its day, but the Titanic’s tragic sinking remains one of the most iconic events in maritime history.
Despite being labeled an “unsinkable ship” by its builders and the press, the R.M.S. Titanic sank on April 15, 1912, just four days into its doomed maiden voyage. While the tragic sinking is an event most people are familiar with, where exactly it sank remains somewhat shrouded in mystery to the casual observer.
Today, we will look at the Titanic’s final resting place. We will also explore the discovery of this location and what the water conditions would have been like for those unfortunate passengers and crew members who were forced to evacuate the ship.
If you are ready to expand your understanding of the Titanic and its sinking, let’s get started!
As you may know, the Titanic sank during its maiden voyage, which was scheduled to be a transatlantic trip from Southampton, England, to New York City, United States. Four days into its first voyage, the Titanic made fatal contact with an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean.
The ship sank roughly 370 miles, or 600 kilometers, southeast of Newfoundland, Canada. Given how remote this location is, it only added to the tragedy, as the distance from land hampered rescue attempts.
Titanic Wreck Location and Itinerary (Image Credit: Ziko van Dijk)
While modern historians and maritime experts believe these coordinates are accurate, it is somewhat tricky to pinpoint an exact location, as the ship would not have dropped directly downwards during its sinking. Ocean currents would have influenced the location of the wreckage during its descent and following its sinking.
What Would Water Conditions Be Like Where the Titanic Sank?
Given that the Titanic sank in April, it was a time when the water in the North Atlantic Ocean would have been particularly cold. Water temperatures at the surface would have been just above freezing, meaning roughly 28 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. These frigid conditions would have contributed to the risks faced by those forced to jump into the water.
Titanic Lifeboat
On top of dangerously cold water temperatures, passengers and crew members had to contend with foggy conditions that would have severely limited visibility. This is because the warmer air and ice-cold water in the North Atlantic form a particularly dense fog at this time of year. It is also believed that the water would have been rough at this time of year, which may have contributed to the sinking in the first place.
What Is the Underwater Geography Where the Titanic Sank?
The ocean surface where the Titanic sank is known as the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Experts describe it as a sort of underwater mountain range. As you will learn, locating the wreckage was much more difficult.
Titanic Wreck
On top of the rocky conditions at the surface, where the Titanic sank, the wreckage would have dropped at least 12,500 feet before first contacting the seabed. Add sediment, corrosion, and over a century of decay into the mix, and it only makes sense that locating the Titanic was a challenging task.
When Did the Titanic Sink?
As mentioned, the Titanic sank after colliding with an iceberg on April 15, 1912. According to records that survived the sinking, the collision occurred at 11:40 p.m. local time on April 14, but the actual sinking occurred in the early hours of the following day.
From the initial collision to the final submerging of the vessel, a total time of roughly two hours and forty minutes had elapsed. Given where it sank and the time of its sinking, the Titanic had covered approximately 1,450 nautical miles of the total 2,224 nautical mile journey.
When Was the Titanic Wreckage Found?
Part of the reason there is so much mystery surrounding the location of the Titanic is the immense amount of time that its wreckage remained a complete mystery. Not untilSeptember of 1985 did researchers find the Titanic, which completely baffled salvage crews and research experts for many decades.
Attempts to locate the sunken Titanic began just days after the Titanic sank, but these efforts proved unsuccessful. Anything that could be found was floating, so it would have drifted in ocean currents significantly from the initial sinking location.
The 1985 discovery was part of a joint French and American effort to find the famous ocean liner. The expedition’s success was largely due to using an uncrewed submersible vehicle named Jason Junior. Using this new technology, the researchers could locate the Titanic 12,500 feet below the water’s surface. This discovery captured global attention and was considered one of the century’s significant discoveries.
Following the discovery of the Titanic’s location, debate was reignited about how the Titanic sank, who owned the rights to the wreckage and valuables items remaining inside, and what should be done in terms of salvage efforts.
The discovery also led to the U.S. Congress passing the R.M.S. Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986. This act was designed to encourage American and international explorers to study and explore the shipwreck with respect. It was intended to prevent the wreckage site from turning into a treasure hunt where privately backed explorers would visit the Titanic to salvage valuables and other artifacts that could be sold to private collectors.
What About Expeditions Following the Discovery of the Titanic’s Location?
Following the groundbreaking discovery of the Titanic’s location in 1985, a follow-up expedition was launched in 1986. The expedition was carried out on behalf of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The expedition’s purpose was to examine the Titanic’s current condition and gain valuable insight into the events that caused its tragic sinking.
The main takeaway and success from the 1986 expedition were the first close-up images of the Titanic’s wreckage. These images proved incredibly valuable for those researching how and why the sinking occurred.
Following these first two monumental expeditions, many other crews have traveled down to the wreckage location to obtain high-resolution images and even retrieve priceless artifacts from the interior of the Titanic. Many of these objects are now displayed in museums worldwide, allowing those fascinated with the Titanic and its story to view items first-hand.
Present-Day Expeditions to the Titanic Wreckage Site
Numerous scientific expeditions continue to explore the site today. These efforts have resulted in detailed 3D maps of the wreckage and the surrounding terrain. Scientific exploration also continues with the purpose of plotting long-term preservation initiatives.
Sophisticated technology and uncrewed remote control submarines give researchers ways of studying the wreckage without having to disturb it. This is important as it helps preserve the Titanic’s resting place as an important historical and archaeological site.
Titan Submarine for Titanic Tour (Photo Credit: OceanGate)
As fans of the 1997 blockbuster hit Titanic will have seen at the movie’s beginning, these expedition efforts are complex and incredibly stressful. While this particular scene relied upon a mixture of real footage and CGI effects, it accurately portrayed the complex operation of visiting the site.
While many of the expeditions to the wreckage site today are scientific in nature and carried out by experts, a market has even opened up for hobbyists and adventure seekers to visit the site. With that said, these submersible exploration vacations are costly, and, as the recent OceanGate Titan expedition showed us, they can also be incredibly dangerous.
What Has Been Recovered from the Titanic Wreckage Site?
Salvage expeditions in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2004 have collected thousands of artifacts and remnants of the ship. These items have included everything from personal items from passengers, like jewelry and top hats, to fine china plates and silverware from the dining rooms. Even one of the decorative cherubs from the Titanic’s grand staircase has been recovered from the site.
In 2018, these items were appraised to have a value of roughly $200 million. This gives insight into why so many are willing to visit the site despite the cost and dangers associated with the expeditions.
Shoe From Titanic Wreckage (Photo Credit: EML)
Since then, the United States and the United Kingdom have signed a treaty specifically designed to protect the wreckage site and the artifacts within the ship. The joint legislation was signed in 2020 and granted the American and British governments the power to grant or deny entry into the wreck and remove items from the location. While the wreckage site resides outside American and British waters, the wreckage is believed to belong to both nations due to the ship’s history and ownership.
What Lessons Have Been Learned from the Sinking?
In the immediate aftermath of the sinking, new standards for safety were established. In 1914, just two years after the Titanic’s sinking, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) was established. It revised a wide range of regulations relating to passenger safety, including the number of lifeboats required and how safety drills should be carried out.
This maritime treaty has undergone many revisions and continues to influence safety standards for all passenger ships. The mandatory passenger muster drills you will have experienced on board a cruise ship have their historical roots in the aftermath of the Titanic’s tragic sinking.
Titanic (Photo Credit: Everett Collection)
The sinking of the Titanic also resulted in numerous changes to ship design for ocean liners and other passenger vessels. Reinforced hulls and stronger build materials have now become standard.
Where the Titanic sank due to colliding with an iceberg, modern ships can withstand these types of impacts. Ships also feature better compartmentalization in the lower decks, so if a breach does occur, it can be contained without sinking the entire vessel.
Ships also undergo safety inspections and maintenance fares more frequently than ships of the past. This is required according to laws designed to protect the safety of all passengers and crew aboard the ship. Since 1,517 individuals lost their lives due to the sinking of the Titanic, many of these laws and regulations are designed to prevent the scale of this tragedy from ever occurring again.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.s)
Are there any plans to recover the entire Titanic?
No, there are no plans to bring the wreckage to the surface. Not only would this be incredibly difficult, but there is a good chance that the remains of the Titanic would not survive a large-scale salvage attempt without collapsing. This is mainly due to the effects of corrosion and the impact of marine life buildup on the ship’s surface.
Many also consider the site a functioning grave for those lost during the ship’s sinking. Salvaging the vessel would result in ethical debates. With that said, there are ongoing efforts to recover valuable historical and cultural artifacts from the ship, especially items that are deemed educational.
What condition is the Titanic wreck in?
While the Titanic is relatively well-preserved, given the time it has been submerged, it has deteriorated quite a bit since it was discovered in 1985. Corrosion is taking its toll, and parts of the hull are beginning to collapse. While the metallic portions of the ship are beginning to deteriorate, some areas of the Titanic’s interior are surprisingly well preserved.
Final Words
Where the Titanic sank only contributed to the tragedy of the event. The ice-cold water and foggy conditions would have hampered rescue attempts and made survival less likely for those unable to board a lifeboat.
The exact location of the wreckage continues to be a lasting memorial to the victims, as well as a site of interest and exploration. Fortunately, modern-day cruise ships and ocean liners have taken lessons from the tragic event, and they are now built stronger.
