Norwegian Epic which is operated by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has crashed into the pier at the San Juan Puerto Rico port. This comes after the ship was diverted due to power and engine issues. This post has been updated.
Norwegian Epic Crashes into Pier
It isn’t a good time right now for Norwegian Epic after suffering power outages and then crashing into the pier at its diverted port of call of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
We received a statement from an NCL spokesperson:
“Today, as Norwegian Epic was maneuvering into Port of San Juan, Puerto Rico with a local pilot on board and the help of two tug boats, prevailing winds caused the ship to veer towards the pier, damaging two mooring points at Pier 3 East. No injuries have been reported and guests are currently disembarking the ship as previously scheduled. We are working closely with local authorities to assess the damage. This is all the information we have to share at this time.”
Video footage has been posted on social media that captures the large cruise ship hitting parts of the pier as it arrived on February 12 with the help of two tug boats. The ship hit two mooring point sections of the pier which were completely destroyed and sank into the water.
The ship almost hit a third section, but thankfully managed to slow just in time. Prevailing winds apparently caused this to happen. Cruise Hive readers can watch the footage below:
From watching the footage, it seems Norwegian Epic just had some scrapes along the hull, but the pier definitely came off in bad shape.
Suffering from Engine Issues
The large vessel is currently on a seven-night eastern Caribbean cruise, but that came to a halt yesterday when there was a major power failure due to the engines, according to the Cruise Law News blog. Many cruisers have been posting on social media and not happy about the situation.
In another tweet, one guest posted that two engines had failed and a Bravo code was announced during the cruise as well, which apparently involved crew member fighting but this is not confirmed.
As a result of the engine issues, the cruise line canceled the scheduled call in Tortola today and the call in St. Thomas tomorrow. There is a scheduled call to Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island of Great Stirrup Cay on Friday, though it’s not known if this will also be canceled.
Norwegian Epic joined the fleet in 2010 and, at the time, was the largest in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet. The ship is the only one in its class at 155,800 gross tons and a guest capacity of 4,200 at double occupancy.
The cruise line has stated that they are assessing the damage so we do expect further developments. Guests have been able to disembark the ship to enjoy their time in port. The cruise line has also offered compensation.
A devastating fire has destroyed much of the private resort of Princess Cays, which is owned by the Carnival Corporation and Princess Cruises.
UPDATE: Carnival Cruise Line has decided to cancel the scheduled call on Wednesday for Carnival Pride due to the fire at Princess Cays.
Princess Cays Destroyed by Fire
The popular private cruise destination of Princess Cays in the Bahamas has been devastated by a major fire that broke out sometime after 11:00 PM on Monday. The full scope of the damage is not yet known, but it seems to be widespread.
This is developing news and video footage of the fire last night has been posted online ,which Cruise Hive readers can watch below:
Palm trees, bushes, and buildings can be seen covered in flames as locals are shocked at how this could happen.
Fire trucks were deployed, and according to local reports, it may have started from the generator section and spread out from there.
At the moment, no injuries have been reported. The resort is located at the southern end of the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. It is a popular port of call not just for Princess-operated ships but also sister brands like Carnival Cruise Line.
The cruise line has been responding online to the developments at the resort. Princess Cruises did post “We’re thankful the firefighters on Eleuthera were able to put the fire out quickly, and that no one was hurt. We’re currently evaluating the damage and determining effect on upcoming itineraries.”
Carnival Pride which is operated by Carnival Cruise Line is scheduled to call at the port on Wednesday. Those currently on the January 27 voyage should check to see how this could impact the itinerary. The next ship will be Carnival Ecstasy on February 2 and then Carnival Conquest on February 3.
Photo By: Carnival Cruise Line
Princess Cays is a truly stunning location that offers white sandy beaches and tropical blue water. Ships have to tender passengers back and forward to the resort as there is no pier nearby. We just hope the damage is not too severe and that cruise ship guests can still continue to experience the port.
We’ll be updating this post as more facts come in.
Since we first posted about the TV channel line-up yesterday many Carnival cruisers had asked Carnival Cruise Line Ambassador John Heald what’s going on. He ended up posting further details about the channel changes.
The new line-up of TV channels should be effective by Friday, January 18 across all the ships based from North America. Read the full response below:
I’ve had a few guests comment on the TV programming changes we are making onboard. We’ve been updating our systems and the new package of channels should be effective by Friday across the North American fleet.
All guests sailing on Carnival ships operating in North America will enjoy a great new lineup of complimentary in-stateroom TV. The new lineup will include popular, top-rated network channels such as HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel and Discovery. For our younger guest we now offer Nickelodeon which is the number one entertainment channel for kids.
For 3-7 age category we have added Kids Central with age appropriate programming available at all times, day and night.
The news source will be a CBS National News channel that I’m told will broadcast programs providing original reporting, interviews and breaking news 24 hours a day. Some channels have been removed to allow for the transmission of these new channels. Your complimentary movie channel, our original Carnival content as well as the sports programming at our bars will remain unchanged at this time.
We also hope to add a second complimentary movie channel to in-stateroom TV sometime in the near future
PREVIOUSLY:
Carnival Cruise Line has started rolling out changes to the stateroom TV channels. A new line-up of offerings for guests to watch is being implemented on Carnival ships. This also includes the removal of the popular CNN channel.
New TV Line-Up on Carnival Stateroom TVs
Guests on some Carnival cruise ships have already received letters to their staterooms stating that during the voyage a change in the TV channels is being implemented. We already know that Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Conquest, and Carnival Pride are confirmed to have the stateroom channels changed.
Many guests have gone to social media and posted the letters from the cruise line which also includes a list on the back of the current channels and what they will be replaced with. We will provide the full list further down.
Carnival has stated the following in letters sent to guests onboard:
We are excited to announce a new network channel line-up coming to your stateroom television. We will begin migrating our content on the morning of January 17 and expect the change to be completed by noon on January 18. During this time, you may experience brief service interruptions as each channel changes over.
Our new line-up includes popular, top-rated channels such as Nickelodeon, HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel and Discovery. IN addition, A CBS national news channel will now broadcast critically acclaimed programs providing original reporting, interviews and breaking news 24 hours a day. Your complimentary movie channel, our original Carnival content channels and sports programming at our bars will not experience any interruptions during this process.
The roll our likely depends on the ship itinerary and will eventually hot the entire fleet. On the three Carnival ships which have been confirmed, there are to be brief service interruptions while the channels are changed over. This will be completed by noon, January 18.
Carnival Cruise Line is ditching CNN for CBS which will anger some cruisers but popular channels like the Food Network, Travel Channel and Discovery are being added. Take a look at the complete changes below:
Channel 11: Fun Finds (No Change)
Channel 13: Cruise Life (No Change)
Channel 14: Channel Guide (No Change)
Channel 15: Safety Information (No Change)
Channel 16: Fun Aboard/Cruise Life Television 2 (No Change)
Channel 17: Carnival Adventures (No Change)
Channel 18: Map Channel (No Change)
Channel 19: Forward Camera View (No Change)
Channel 20: Lido/Aft Camera (No Change)
Channel 21: Audible FunTimes (No Change)
Channel 22: CBS National News (Changed from CNN)
Channel 23: SPYDAR (Changed from CNN International)
Channel 24: Kids Central (Changed CNN Espanol)
Channel 25: Nickelodeon (Changed from HLN)
Channel 26: HGTV (Changed from Boomerang)
Channel 27: Food Network (Changed from Cartoon Network)
Channel 28: Travel Channel (Changed from TNT)
Channel 29: Discovery Channel (Changed from TBS)
Channel 30: TBD (Changed from TCM)
Channel 31: TBD (Changed from TruTV)
Channel 32: Complimentary Movie Channel (No Change)
Channel 33: Fun For All (No Change)
Channel 34: Ocean View (No Change)
Channel 35: Good to KNow (No Change)
Channel 36: Music Channel (No Change)
So as you can see from the list above there is a total of ten channel changes with two of them to be decided (TBD). It will depend on the cruise ships on when the new channels will be moved over so just keep an eye for a letter from Carnival in the stateroom on embarkation day.
The TV line-up change comes not long after the cruise line had huge backlash for ditching complementary room service, they eventually canceled the new menu to have a second look at it. Carnival has also increased prices for several packages in recent months, let’s hope this trend doesn’t continue.
For some, the most exciting part leading up to a cruise is planning what you are going to wear while you are on vacation. You know you are going to be having the time of your life and feeling great, so why not plan your wardrobe so you look fabulous as well.
As well as making sure you look on form when you are on your cruise, by following a list and planning ahead you are less likely to forget any items of clothing behind.
Here are some great ideas on clothing and outfits for you to pack for your vacation at sea:
Casual Clothing
For the Entire Family!
Sometimes you just have to get in that vacation spirit buy having matching outfits for the entire family. This set is very vibrant and can be worn not just around the cruise ship but in port too. Take a closer look here.
Summer Dress
This floral summer dress is everything you need to look the part on deck at sea. It is comfortable and lightweight, and the boho design is easy to wear for many different body types.
Casual Tops
Fashionable color blocking shirts are perfect when away. They are casual but still stylish enough to help you look great. They can be paired with jeans and sandals for a relaxed look. Check the details here.
High Waisted Harem Pants
Harem pants are all the rage at the moment and they are an ideal item to take along with you for your vacation at sea. They are incredibly comfortable to wear, but they create a relaxed yet elegant looking outfit. The bow tie front adds that extra bit of style to the pants.
Swing T-Shirt Dress
The comfortable and stretchy fabric make this dress ideal for spending time out on the deck. Paired with a necklace and some earrings and the dress can be taken from the deck to the bar easily. Have a look right here.
Sleeveless Cruise Outfit
A nice cruise inspired outfit which is a woman’s jumpsuit featuring a striped cotton design, Perfect for around the deck or even in port.
Hoody Dress
You never know when the rain might hit out at sea, but you always want to look your best as well. This hoody dress will give you that casual summer look, but it has the hood ready and waiting for those sudden downpours.
Men’s Belted Cargo Shorts
Cargo shorts are a must have. They will be comfortable for regular use on the cruise and the different pockets are essential for carrying around all your items such as cards, keys and cameras when out on the deck.
Baseball Shirt
Baseball shirts are a classic wardrobe item. They are casual and comfortable, and come in many different colors. Having a few of these on vacation with you will give you many different outfit options to choose from each day.
Loose-Fit Performance Shorts
Most cruise ships have gyms onboard. Be prepared to keep up with your work-out schedule with these loose-fit performance shorts. They are lightweight, quick drying and moisture-wicking.
Couple Matching Hawaiian Outfits
There’s nothing better than walking around the ship on a nice sunny sea day in matching outfits! A nice Hawaiian inspired style which is perfect for a Caribbean cruise. Take a look here.
Costumes and Beachwear Coverups
Strapless Bikini
You will need a bikini to show off your summer figure when sitting at the pool on a cruise. This strapless bikini is padded and has a lace up design at the back. The high-waisted pants are in fashion at the moment, giving your body a beautiful shape. More about this item can be found here.
Tie Knot Bikini
The tie knot bikini is a classic look. It is made with a soft and elastic 100% polyester material. It comes in a variety of colors, perfect to suit your style and wardrobe.
Padded Push-up Bikini
A little push-up bikini with a cute tropical print will be your favorite pool-side wear on your cruise. Nothing will get you into your cruise vacation mood more than a bit of a tropical print. The wrap around bikini top adds some extra flare to the piece as well.
Padded Monokini Push-up
If you prefer a more conservative look or want to cover up more of your skin from the sun, this monokini is a great choice. It comes in a variety of colors and gives great support to your figure with the push-up structure.
Kaftan Swimsuit Beach Cover Up
Throw on this light and airy kaftan cover up when you are done in the pool and want some extra protection from the sun. It keeps in tone with the holiday look and the tassels create a more styled look.
See-Through Bikini Cover Up
This cute little black number will be an ideal cover up next to the pool. It will transition fashionably from swims in the pool to cocktail hour at the bar on the deck. Check all the details here.
Lace Crochet Bikini Cover Up
This lace bodysuit is great to throw on once you are done splashing around the pool area. It covers up your swimwear, but still gives you that summer goddess look. It is light and airy which makes it perfect to wear in the summer heat.
Men’s Swim Trunks
A knee length pair of swimming trunks are a must in any man’s wardrobe. This pair offers a UPF 50+ protection, helping keep your skin safe from the sun. The triple stitched sides make them durable and sturdy for regular use.
Swimsuit Cover up
The sailing styled stripped design seems to be in fashion. Here is a nice cover up when you’re spending time at the beach during a port of call.
Short Swim Trunks
Every man needs a pair of brightly colored flamingo trunks. These blue and pink colored swimming pants will help you stick out among the crowd. They have that holiday feel that you will need to sit back and enjoy the sun.
Evening Wear
Off-The-Shoulder Dress
A little black dress is a must for every female. This off-the-shoulder dress has a zipper closure for easy wear and it the perfect mix of sophistication and fun for a fancy night out.
Spaghetti Step V-Neck Dress
If you are planning a fancy night out on the cruise, this little number will wow your date. Purple is such a fun color, and the design of the dress is whimsical and will make you feel like royalty. Click here for details.
Pashmina Silk Scarf
A pashmina scarf can fancy-up any dull outfit. It will be the perfect accessory for an elegant night out, and it will bring a pop of color to an ordinary outfit.
Halter V-Neck Dress
If you want to go all out with your evening wear, this is the dress for you. It is a showstopper in white and you will both look and feel like a celebrity the moment you step into the dining hall.
Glitter Shawl
A shawl is a timeless piece that can be worn with any evening wear dress or ensemble. It is perfect to use when spending time outdoors in a cool breeze, and is a stylish alternative to a jacket or sweater. Have look here.
Slim Fit Dress Shirt
A slim fit dress shirt always completes a formal outfit perfectly. It shapes the body to perfection and is sophisticated and elegant on a night out.
Skinny Tie
A good tie can turn an outfit from drab to dapper in an instant. The right color skinny fit tie will complete your outfit and make you look as elegant as can be.
Button Down Short Sleeve Shirt
If you want to avoid looking too formal on your night out, this button down palm tree shirt is a great alternative. It is casual enough to make you feel comfortable, but still gives off a bit of a formal look. The palm trees are a fun added extra to match your holiday feel.
Crew Sweatshirt
This sweatshirt will keep you looking smart and polished when out at a formal dinner on the cruise. It will keep you warm if there is a bit of a breeze, but it will in no way look too casual.
Polo Shirt
Polo shirts are a classic item that can transition from day time wear to smart night wear easily. They are smart enough to be worn to a fancy dinner, but can still be worn casually during the daytime. Check this one out.
Warmer Clothing
Lightweight Water-Resistant Vest
The zip down puffer vest is vital for when the weather cools down. It can be worn over normal clothing and adds that extra bit of warmth you need.
Loose Pullover Cardigan
Not only will a slouchy knit cardigan keep you warm, but it looks really pretty as well. Paired with skinny jeans and boots, you will have the perfect outfit.
Velvet Legging Pants
These velvet lined leggings will be your best friend when cold weather hits. Pair them with a jersey or long sleeve shirt and you will be set to go.
Leg Warmers
Leg warmers are a great option to be worn with shorts, a dress or a skirt when there is a chill in the air. They come in plain colors or you can choose a funky design to make your outfit pop.
Oversized Cable Knit Beanie
Keep your head and ears warm with a cute oversize cable knit beanie. It is a great winter accessory to any outfit.
Thermal Socks
When you can’t keep the chills out, these thermal socks will be the answer. They lock in the heat and fit inside any ordinary boot or shoe.
Beanie Skull Cap
This slouchy beanie wool hat will keep you warm and help keep the chills away when outdoors in a cool breeze.
Hooded Work Jacket
A good quality cargo work jacket will last you a lifetime. It is an essential item to keep and can be worn in any occasion. The can be dressed up or down to suit your needs.
Active Winter Pants
Keep up your workout routine, even when the weather turns sour with these active winter pants. They provide warmth but are also breathable with an elasticated waistband.
Cargo Pants
These sport cargo pants can be dressed up for day time or night time, all while keeping you warm and looking fit for the part.
Sleepwear
Cruise Control Pajama Set
Add a bit of extra fun to your holiday with this Cruise Control cotton pajama set. Your vacation finally gives you a reason to pack and show off your cruise addiction!
Camisole Pajama Set
A lightweight and soft sleepwear set will be your best option for those warm summer nights during the cruise. The racerback top and matching shorts are comfortable for sleep.
Fleece Winter Pajama Set
Always have a warm pajama set on hand in case the weather turns south. This fleece set will keep you warm while still being cosy for a good night’s sleep.
Oversized Sleep Shirt
An oversized sleep shirt is easy to throw on after a long day on vacation. Comfortable with no fuss.
One-Strap Slippers
The faux fur slipper will add that bit of cuteness to your pajama outfit, and they are comfortable enough to give your feet a break after a long day vacationing.
Mens Thermal Pajama Set
Even men need to be prepared for the colder weather that could hit during vacation. The thermal Henley top and fleece pants will keep you as warm as can be, letting you get a solid night’s sleep.
Soft Cotton Short Sleeve Sleepwear
A soft cotton summer pajama set will be perfect for your cruise vacation. It will keep you cool during the summer nights and the material is breathable and lightweight.
Memory Foam Slippers
Your feet also deserve a bit of comfort. They will be sore and tired from all the activities on the cruise all day, so give them a break at night with these super comfy memory foam slippers with anti-slip soles.
Sleep Mask
Make sure you get the best night sleep that you can. The sleep mask will cut out all light, letting you quickly slip into sweet slumber, resting up for the next busy day.
Time to Get Packing Then!
Be fully prepared and looking great when on your vacation out at sea. Use this list to help you pack for your trip, and make sure not to leave anything behind! Feel free to check our dedicated section for more packing tips.
Carnival Cruise Line dominated our fifth annual Cruise Ship Awards for 2018, which we recently announced the winners for.
Carnival Cruise Line Wins Six Categories
The Miami-based cruise line has had an eventful 2019 so far, and it hasn’t all been so good, but let’s forget about that and look at the categories Carnival won.
We opened the 2018 Cruise Ship Awards at the beginning of September 2018 with a total of nine categories. The awards that have run for the past five years are heavily focused on the actual cruise ships, but from time to time, we add in a different category to mix it up.
We only just announced the winners at the end of December and Carnival won more categories than any other cruise line. Royal Caribbean came out on top in two categories and Norwegian Cruise Line won one. Let’s take a look at the categories which Carnival Cruise Line came out on top:
Best Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line received more votes than the nine other cruise lines for the best cruise line category. It has been the first time we’ve done this category and makes sense to see which one Cruise Hive readers prefer to cruise with.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
It was a busy 2018 for Carnival with the debut of Carnival Horizon in the Spring and some major cruise deployment changes.
Carnival Panorama has been voted as the most anticipated new cruise ship for 2019. This will be the third Vista-class vessel, and again, Carnival will be introducing something new to the fleet, which is the first Sky Zone trampoline park at sea.
Rendering By: Carnival Cruise Line
The ship, which is arriving in December 2019, will be based on the U.S. West Coast out of the renovated Long Beach terminal. The ship was against seven others, including Norwegian Encore, which came in second, and Spectrum of the Seas in third.
And the most anticipated future cruise ship went to the Mardi Gras! Not the original ship in 1972 but the fully powered LNG one which is coming in 2020. It will the largest ever built for the cruise line and is going to take Carnival into a new era of cruising.
Rendering By: Carnival Cruise Line
It comes as no surprise that Mardi Gras received more votes than five other ships. The ship will be huge at 180,000 gross tons and feature the world’s first roller coaster at sea. In second place came Scarlet Lady, which will enter service as the first Virgin Voyages cruise ship in 2020, and in third came the unnamed Leonardo-class ship from NCL.
The best new cruise ship for 2018 went to Carnival Horizon which is the second Vista-class ship. Many cruisers had been excited to see the new dedicated Guy Fieri BBQ venue and the first Teppanyaki restaurant in the fleet.
Photo By: Russell Otway (Copyright Cruise Hive)
With the ship being based out of New York and Miami in 2018 it sure has had a lot of attention! The ship came out on top over six other ships including Symphony of the Seas in second and Celebrity Edge in third.
The best cruise ship dining venue went to Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse|Brewhouse, which was featured on Carnival Horizon. This is the first dedicated venue in the fleet, which features a full bar and seating locations. It’s all backed with exclusively brewed beer from onboard.
Rendering By: Carnival Cruise Line
The venue was up against six other dining spaces from five different cruise lines. In second place came Cagney’s Steakhouse, featured on Norwegian Cruise Line, and in third was Giovanni’s Table on Royal Caribbean. The category was mainly for dining venues which aren’t included in the cruise fare.
The first category result we announced in December was the best cruise ship feature. The SkyRide, which is featured on the Vista class vessel won for the third year in a row! Those Cruise Hive readers who have cruised on Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon are really liking SkyRide which was first introduced in 2016.
Carnival Horizon SkyRide (By Russell Otway)
The feature is located on the top deck and raised above. Guests can peddle against each other around the SkyRide or simply go at any speed. It is 800 feet long and offers stunning ocean views. It is also included in the cruise fare with no added cost.
SkyRide was up against three other features from different cruise lines. In second the hugely popular Race Track at Sea which is so far on two Breakway-plus class ships from Norwegian Cruise Line. In third came the 10-story high Ultimate Abyss slide found on Symphony of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas.
It has been a great Cruise Ship Awards which received thousands of votes from Cruise Hive readers. The categories opened up in September and readers have only been able to vote once in each category.
2018 has been great for new cruise ships and innovations, let’s hope it continues in the years to come. Congratulations to Carnival Cruise Line for receiving more votes than any other in six different categories. We’ll be opening up the 2019 awards later in the year so do keep an eye out for that.
It’s going to be a busy year for Carnival Cruise Line with seven ship dry docks including a major transformation of Carnival Triumph into the Carnival Sunrise.
Carnival Ship 2019 Upgrades
There are seven ships scheduled to undergo dry docks in 2019 including three Fantasy-class vessels, one Spirit-class ship, one Conquest-class ship, the Carnival Splendor and the biggest upgrade in years which will be the Carnival Triumph transformation.
Carnival Fantasy Dry Dock
Carnival Fantasy is the oldest ship in the fleet at the moment and she will also be the first to get an upgrade in 2019. The dry dock will take place from January 7 and be completed on January 20.
Photo: Copyright Cruise Hive
Nothing major is expected during the upgrade. Most of the attention will be done on maintenance and technical aspects. However, we could likely see modern fixtures in staterooms and adjustments to some public venues. The last dry dock for Carnival Fantasy was in 2016 and many of the FUN 2.0 features were already added. An Alchemy Bar wasn’t among the upgrades so that could be added in 2019.
Carnival Pride Dry Dock
Carnival Pride will be the only Spirit class ship getting some attention in 2019. The dry dock will take place from February 3 to February 16.
Photo By: Carnival Cruise Line
All the FUN 2.0 features were already added in the 2014 upgrade so for the upcoming one just expect lots of maintenance and a modern touch to public spaces.
Carnival Freedom Dry Dock
Carnival Freedom will be the second biggest ship to receive a refurbishment in 2019. The dry dock will take place from February 13 to March 3.
Photo By: Russell Otway (For Cruise Hive Only)
Carnival has not yet revealed what will be done during the dry dock but as usual, maintenance will be done, new carpeting, tiles, decor, and updates to the staterooms.
Carnival Triumph Transformation
This will be the biggest dry dock transformation since Carnival Destiny transformed to Carnival Sunshine in 2013. The ship will be known as Carnival Sunrise after a huge multi-million dollar makeover. The dry dock will be from March 1 to April 28 which is almost two months and take place in Cadiz, Spain.
Rendering By: Carnival Cruise Line
There will be plenty of new features added onboard which have already become popular on more modern ships in the fleet. One of the highlights is a new Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse casual eating venue and the ever popular RefFrog Pub.
Carnival Sunrise will begin sailing 5-day to 7-day cruises out of Norfolk, Virginia starting on April 29, 2019.
Carnival Ecstasy Dry Dock
Carnival Ecstasy will be the second Fantasy-class vessel of the year to be upgraded. It’s too early to know what will be done during the dry dock but expect a new shiny coat of paint, carpeting, modern touches to staterooms and a lot more.
Photo By: Carnival Cruise Line
The refurbishment will begin on October 5 and end on October 16. The older class ships are much smaller than the newer ships you see from Carnival Cruise Line. Space needs to be used wisely making sure a great vacation experience can be offered and still be able to provide the latest features.
The last dry dock was in 2017 which added the Alchemy Bar, Guy’s Burger Joint, and other popular FUN 2.0 features.
Carnival Imagination Dry Dock
Carnival Imagination will be the third Fantasy-class ship to be upgraded in 2019. It is still too early to know what will be done but as usual, there will be maintenance and enhancements to public areas. Staterooms usually get refreshed too. The dry dock will take place from October 20 and be completed on November 2.
Photo By: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Splendor Dry Dock
Carnival Splendor will be the largest Carnival ship of the year to receive an upgrade. She is in a class of her own and will be redeployed to Australia starting in December 2019. Before her new service from Sydney, the 113,300 gross ton vessel will under a major dry dock starting on October 30 and ending on November 24, 2019.
Photo By: Russell Otway (For Cruise Hive Only)
We’re expecting some major new features to be added so she is already for the Australian market. A thrilling new waterpark will be added along with the latest FUN 2.0 features such as Guy’s Burger Joint, RedFrog Pub and more. The cruise line will be announcing more details about the specifics in the coming months.
It will be busy indeed with the cruise line also welcoming Carnival Panorama at the end of the year. Do keep checking Cruise Hive for more specific details on ship refurbishments as the cruise line doesn’t always reveal everything until during or after the dry dock. Most of the upgrades will take place at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas.
Carnival Cruise Line has won this year’s best cruise line as voted by Cruise Hive readers. Carnival received more votes than nine other major cruise lines.
Best Cruise Line of 2018 Announced
The world’s largest and most popular cruise line has been voted the best of 2018 by Cruise Hive readers. The Miami-based cruise line was up against nine other operators in this year’s Cruise Ship Awards. In second came Royal Caribbean and in Third place came Norwegian Cruise Line.
Carnival Cruise Line, which was founded by Ted Arison in 1972, was started with just one ship named the Mardi Gras. The cruise line now has 26 ships in the fleet, with even more on the way in the coming years. The original Mardi Gras name will even be making a come back in 2020 with Carnival’s largest-ever cruise ship.
Photo By: Russell Otway (For Cruise Hive Only)
Carnival has never lost the “fun” image of cruising by targeting families to not just to relax on a Carnival ship but also to get involved in all the activities and features on offer. Carnival is the dominant line out of the United States and offers a huge range of cruises especially to the Caribbean which is why they’ve become “America’s Cruise Line.”
Carnival currently has eight Fantasy-class vessels, four Spirit-class ships, three Sunshine-class ships, five Conquest-class ships, three Dream-class vessels, two Vista-class ships, and one Splendor-class cruise ship. In 2019 the company will welcome the newly transformed Carnival Sunrise and the third Vista-class ship Carnival Panorama.
The oldest ship in the fleet right now is Carnival Fantasy which entered service in 1990. You can read all about those iconic former Carnival cruise ships right here. The newest ship now is Carnival Horizon which arrived in Spring 2018.
Royal Caribbean Comes in Second
Royal Caribbean has received the second most amount of votes which really isn’t a surprise as it is the second largest and most popular cruise line. The company was founded in 1968.
The cruise line has 25 ships in the fleet at the moment with Empress of the Seas being the oldest which arrived in 1990 and Symphony of the Seas as the newest which arrived in Spring 2018. Spectrum of the Seas which is an evolution to the Quantum-class vessel will arrive in 2019.
NCL Comes in Third Place
Norwegian Cruise Line came in third place for “Best Cruise Line of 2018” and it is well deserved with all the epic new features being introduced on the newer ships. The cruise line also continues to upgrade older vessels to make sure they are the best they can be. The company was founded in 1966 by Knut Kloster and Ted Arison.
The oldest ship in the fleet right now is Norwegian Sky and the newest is the third Breakway-plus class ship named Norwegian Bliss which actually features a race track at sea!
Full Results
It’s been the first time we’ve ever done this best cruise ship category and complements our focus on the cruise ships only for the fifth annual Cruise Ship Awards. We’ve received thousands of votes since the awards opened up at the beginning of September. Cruise Hive readers have only bee able to vote once in each category and the results have been checked for any repeats.
Check the final order of results for the best cruise line of 2018:
Carnival Cruise Line
Royal Caribbean International
Norwegian Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
MSC Cruises
P&O Cruises
Holland America Line
Aida Cruises
Princess Cruises
Costa Cruises
This is the final category to announce in the 2018 awards and Carnival Cruise Line has won more categories than any other cruise line, take a look at everything we’ve announced:
Carnival Panorama has been voted as the most anticipated new cruise ship for 2019 in the fifth annual Cruise Hive Cruise Ship Awards. The Vista-class ship received more votes than any other vessel in the category.
Carnival Panorama Receives Most Votes
The Carnival cruise ship has won the 2018 Cruise Ship Awards for the “Most Anticipated New Cruise Ship for 2019” category. Carnival Panorama won by a huge difference and was up against seven other cruise ships from five different cruise lines. In second place came Norwegian Encore from Norwegian Cruise Line and in third place came Spectrom of the Seas from Royal Caribbean.
Rendering By: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Panorama is the third Vista-class cruise ship from Carnival Cruise Line and is currently under construction at the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Italy. She will be almost identical to her sister ships Carnival Vista and Carnival Horizon but with some slightly different features.
One of the major highlights of the upcoming ship is the first ever Sky Zone tram[oline park at sea. The new space will span two decks and include a 12-lane trampoline court. You can read all the details about it right here.
The vessel will join the fleet in December 2019 and will be based on the U.S. west coast. The ship will debut from the newly renovated Long Beach terminal in California with a 3-night inaugural sailing to the Mexican Riviera on December 11, 2019. From December 14, 2019, the new ship will begin sailing week-long Mexican Riviera cruises from the Los Angeles port.
Carnival Panorama will be 133,500 gross tons once completed and have a guest capacity of over 3,900 at double occupancy.
Norwegian Encore Comes in Second
Norwegian Encore will be the fourth Breakaway-plus class ship from Norwegian Cruise Line and will continue to bring groundbreaking features and venues to the market. The ship is under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and will join the fleet in November 2019.
Rendering By: Norwegian Cruise Line
Cruises will begin from Miami, Florida on November 17, 2019, through April 12, 2020. She will sail week-long cruises to the eastern Caribbean. The U.S. is in for a treat with the new largest race track at sea and virtual reality complex.
The ship will be 169,000 gross tons and have a guest capacity of around 4,000 making her the largest NCL ship ever.
Spectrum of the Seas Comes in Third
Spectrum of the Seas which came in third place in the 2018 Cruise Ship Awards is being purpose-built for the Chinese market and will be an evolution to the popular Quantum-class ships. She’s being constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard which is the same yard as Norwegian Encore we mentioned above.
Rendering By: Royal Caribbean
She will begin cruises from Shanghai, China in June 2019 after an epic 51-night Global Odyssey voyage which starts from Barcelona, Spain. She will be 168,800 gross tons and have a passenger capacity of 4,246.
Full Results
We received thousands of votes from Cruise Hive readers and it has been a great way for everyone to vote and have their view registered in the 2018 Cruise Ship Awards which are now in their fifth year. Here is the full result for most anticipated new cruise ship for 2019 in order:
Carnival Panorama (Carnival Cruise Line)
Norwegian Encore (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Spectrum of the Seas (Royal Caribbean)
Sky Princess (Princess Cruises)
MSC Bellissima (MSC Cruises)
Costa Venezia (Costa Cruises)
Costa Smeralda (Costa Cruises)
MSC Grandiosa (MSC Cruises)
In 2017 sister ship Carnival Horizon won the category and she has become a popular ship for the cruise line. We must say a huge thank you for Cruise Hive readers who voted in this year’s awards which have been the biggest ever and opened up at the beginning of September 2018.
Just in case you’ve missed everything we’ve already announced then take a look below at the results for this year. Right now we only have one more category to announce so keeping checking Cruise Hive for that.
Norwegian Bliss has come out on top as having the best cruise ship hull artwork in the 2018 annual Cruise Ship Awards. The newest NCL vessel was up against five other ships, including sister ship Norwegian Joy.
Best Cruise Ship Hull Artwork of 2018 Announced
The third Breakaway-plus class cruise ship operated by Norwegian Cruise Line has received more votes than any other for “Best Cruise Ship Hull Artwork” in this year’s cruise ship awards. Norwegian Bliss was up against sister ship Norwegian Joy which came in second and Princess Cruises Majestic Princess which came in third.
Photo By: Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Bliss is an outstanding ship offering the very best from NCL, and she features an inspiring hull artwork that has been brought to reality by one of the world’s premier marine life artists, Wyland.
The design is named “Cruising with the Whales” which features a mother humpback whale and her calf. The artwork is very prominent at the bow and flows all the way towards the aft. The artwork is to showcase how important whales and marine life are to our world which Wyland has been very dedicated to highlighting in his iconic whale murals, marine life paintings, and sculptures.
Norwegian Bliss joined the cruise line in the Spring of 2018 and has been based out of Seattle, Washington, sailing Alaskan cruises before beginning a new Winter season from Miami, Florida.
The new Norwegian Cruise Ship is one of the largest in the world at 167,800 gross tons and a guest capacity of 4,000. She features a two-level electric powered race track at sea, an open laser tag course, expansive water slides and a wide range of bars and restaurants.
Norwegian Joy in Second
The second Breakaway-plus class vessel which has been purpose-built for the Chinese market received the second highest amount of votes from Cruise Hive readers in the Cruise Ship Awards.
Norwegian Joy won last year’s hull artwork category which you can read all about here.
The hull artwork for the currently based Shanghai cruise ship was designed by renowned Chinese artist Tan Ping. The design named “Phoenix” features a mythical bird which is believed to reign supreme over other birds around the world, popular within Chinese culture.
Photo By: Meyer Werft
Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced that the ship will leave China and be redeployed to the U.S. West Coast starting in April 2019. The vessel will offer cruises from Seattle sailing to Alaska and Los Angeles sailing to the Mexican Riviera. The ship is 167,725 gross tons with a guest capacity of over 3,800 at double occupancy.
Full Results
The annual Cruise Ship Awards are mainly focused on the cruise ships and it’s now the fifth year we’ve done it. Cruise Hive readers have been voting since the beginning of September 2018 and they have only been able to vote once per category. Here are the full results for Best Cruise Ship Hull Artwork in order:
Norwegian Bliss (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Norwegian Joy (Norwegian Cruise Line)
Majestic Princess (Princess Cruises)
Aidaperla (Aida Cruises)
World Dream (Dream Cruises)
Genting Dream (Dream Cruises)
So far we’ve already announced the results for six different categories and Carnival Cruise Line is leading the way by winning four and then Royal Caribbean in second winning two.
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