Carnival Cruise Line has notified guests booked aboard the Monday, August 5, 2024, departure of Carnival Elation out of Jacksonville in Florida, that their embarkation and departure will now take place one day early on Sunday, August 4. The current voyage, which departed the homeport on August 1, will now end a day early.
Guests preparing for their cruise on Monday now have to finish their preparations and arrive at the cruise terminal a full day early, as they received email alerts on Saturday, August 3, about the change in embarkation.
Carnival Cruise Line has attempted to ensure everyone is notified of the change as soon as possible with email and text alerts. The cruise line’s popular Brand Ambassador, John Heald, also sent a quick note to his more than 580,000 followers to look for the email or text alert.
“Monday’s embarkation has moved to Sunday to avoid the storm,”Heald confirmed.
Guests will not be charged any additional fare for the extra time onboard, as is typical in this sort of very unusual situation.
Of course, this also means that the current sailing – a 4-night (now 3-night) Bahamas cruise that departed Jacksonville on August 1 – will also end a day early.
Similarly, those guests will likely be offered a one-day prorated refund for their shortened sailing, as is standard practice for losing a cruise day. Other compensation may also be offered, but each situation is different and it is never guaranteed.
The August 5 (now August 4) departure was to have been a 5-night Bahamas cruise with port visits to Nassau and Princess Cays. The cruise will now be six nights long, though it is unlikely that the ports of call will be changed. Instead, the ship will enjoy an extra day at sea.
The 71,909-gross-ton, Fantasy-class Carnival Elation is the oldest ship in Carnival’s fleet. She can welcome 2,190 passengers and is also home to approximately 900 international crew members. Homeported from Jacksonville, Florida, Carnival Elation offers year-round Bahamas itineraries.
While many travelers will be scrambling to reach the ship before she sets sail on Sunday instead of Monday, it should also be noted that many cruisers who depart from Jacksonville drive to the port and will be able to adjust their plans slightly more easily. Flying in to a cruise homeport a day or two before sailing is also a wise precaution for travelers.
Tropical Storm Debby Track
The change to Carnival Elation‘s itinerary is due to Tropical Storm Debby, which was officially named on Saturday. As of Saturday evening, the storm’s center is 100 miles west-southwest of Key West, Florida and moving northwest at 15 miles per hour.
“The Fleet Operations Center in Miami is keeping a very close eye on what is happening in the tropics,”said Amy Sweezey, a weather contributor for Carnival Cruise Line.“The team at Carnival is working very hard behind the scenes to make sure that you are safe and of course can have fun.”
Tropical Storm Debby Track (Credit: NOAA)
The storm is expected to strengthen as it makes a northward turn west of the Florida peninsula, and an eastern turn in the Florida Big Bend area will bring the storm – likely as a Category 1 hurricane – to landfall on Monday, August 5.
Because the tropical storm wind field extends up to 100 miles east of the center, the Port of Jacksonville may be feeling the storm’s impact even as it makes landfall across the state.
The storm is expected to continue moving east after landfall, and will be strongly within the Jacksonville area by late Monday and through Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on how its movement changes as it moves back out into the Atlantic.
Any cruisers sailing from or around Florida for the next few days will want to stay in close communication with their cruise line for updates and notice of any changes.
Thanks to road work, passengers planning to embark on cruises onboard Carnival Panorama and Carnival Firenze may be delayed in their travels to the Port of Long Beach this weekend.
The northbound side of the Shoemaker Bridge, which is one of the main routes into the Carnival-exclusive cruise port, will be closed on both Saturday, August 3, and Sunday, August 4, 2024, with work taking place on the bridge from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. PST each day.
The purpose of the closure is to allow crews to assess the damage that was caused by a truck accident in January of 2024, allowing them to make preparations to complete necessary repairs in the near future.
“The work is scheduled from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. both days on the underside of the Shoemaker Bridge, which was damaged when cargo carried by a truck struck the span in January. Crews will assess and evaluate steel framing on the bridge to determine what will need to be replaced at a later date,” reads a press release from the Port of Long Beach.
Naturally, cutting out a key route to reach the port may mean alternative options and detours could be extra congested. As such, Carnival Cruise Line is warning this weekend’s guests to plan accordingly for potential delays.
“Shoemaker Bridge (near the cruise terminal) will be closed for repairs this weekend, resulting in increased traffic and possible impact to your commute. To ensure a smooth embarkation experience, please allow ample travel time,”Carnival sent in a text message to guests.
“Remember you must be on board by the final boarding time printed on your boarding pass. Thank you and see you soon,”concluded the message.
While Carnival does enforce assigned arrival times, it’s typically a good idea for travelers to plan to arrive around an hour early – which leaves a buffer for any traffic jams and allows time to find parking.
Which Sailings Are Impacted By The Road Closure?
Carnival, which is the only mainstream cruise line to utilize the Port of Long Beach, has two ships scheduled to embark from the port this weekend.
Carnival Panorama will be setting sail on a Mexican Riviera voyage on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
The Vista-class vessel will operate a 7-night, round trip cruise to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Mazatlan, Mexico; and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
The following day, on Sunday, August 4, the new Carnival Firenzewill embark on a 4-night Baja Mexico sailing, calling on Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada, Mexico.
As long as these passengers leave some extra time to get to the cruise port, they should have a wonderful time on their sailings.
In addition to scheduling with traffic in mind – which can be bad in Los Angeles even without road closures – it is also a good idea to be aware of alternate routes to the port.
Shoemaker Bridge Closure Route, Long Beach (Credit: Port of Long Beach)
As part of the Shoemaker Bridge closure, drivers coming from downtown Long Beach will only be able to access the northbound 710 Freeway from Anaheim Street. The on-ramps on Ocean Boulevard, Third Street, and Seventh Street will be unusable for the duration of the weekend.
Additionally, Harbor Scenic Drive will be shut down at Harbor Plaza. Vehicles will be directed to use northbound Pico Avenue to access the port via the westbound Long Beach International Gateway bridge, which carries six lanes of Interstate 710 all the way from Long Beach to Terminal Island.
Shoemaker Bridge Detour, Long Beach (Credit: Port of Long Beach)
However, it’s important to note that the eastbound Long Beach International Gateway Bridge, which connects to the northbound 710 Freeway, will be narrowed to just one lane while the work is taking place.
Further closures include the Pico Avenue onramp to northbound Harbor Scenic Drive, as well as the northbound 710 onramp from Pico at Ninth and the Pier B streets.
A new tropical system has developed near Cuba and is likely to impact multiple Florida homeports over the weekend and into early next week.
While there are no cruises with confirmed storm-related itinerary changes at this time, any travelers departing from Florida over the next few days should stay alert for potential adjustments.
The storm, which is currently centered over Cuba but moving west-northwest at 16 miles per hour, only has maximum sustained windspeeds of 30 miles per hour.
The system is expected to strengthen however, and may become an official tropical storm overnight between Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4.
Tropical Cyclone (Credit: NOAA)
As the storm moves across the Straits of Florida, it is expected to turn northward and skirt alongside the peninsula, with landfall somewhere in the Big Bend area where the peninsula transitions into the panhandle.
While the Port of Miami and Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale are well outside the area expected to be impacted by the storm, other Florida homeports are keeping close watch on the system.
Port Tampa Bay on the state’s west coast is likely to see the strongest impact from the storm, which may be directly alongside Tampa Bay throughout the day on Sunday, August 4.
“Port Tampa Bay continues to monitor severe weather in the tropics. At time point in time, there are no impacts to our operations, including departures and arrivals of our cruise partners,”the port’s Friday afternoon weather update stated.
“We encourage individuals cruising from Port Tampa Bay to contact the cruise line they are sailing with, should they have questions or concerns about their cruise itinerary. Any changes to your cruise itinerary, including vessel weather avoidance plans and any portcall changes, will be communicated by the cruise line directly.”
While any impact to Port Tampa Bay is more than 36 hours away, the storm’s track could shift to the east for a more direct impact on the port area. Four different ships could potentially see changes when sailing from Tampa
Two Royal Caribbean International ships are scheduled to set sail from Tampa on Saturday, August 3. Grandeur of the Seas is beginning a 5-night Western Caribbean sailing, while Enchantment of the Seas is beginning a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary on the same day.
On Sunday, August 4, Margaritaville at Sea’s newest ship, Margaritaville Islander, is scheduled to depart Port Tampa Bay on a 5-night Key West and Cozumel sailing.
If the storm system slows somewhat, the Monday, August 5 departure of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Paradise may also be affected. That Fantasy-class ship is scheduled to set sail on a 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary that day.
In addition to Port Tampa Bay, Port Canaveral on the central-eastern coast of Florida may also have some storm impact if the system shifts further to the east or turns more sharply than anticipated. Any adjustments to sailings from Port Canaveral are likely to be for cruises leaving Sunday or Monday.
“Port Canaveral is closely monitoring the track and possible effects of Potential Tropical Cyclone Four,”the central Florida homeport posted on social media on Friday, August 2.“At this time, there is no impact to Port operations. We recommend our Port community continue to monitor weather updates and be prepared for changes in the storm’s progress.”
On Sunday, August 4, five ships from four different cruise lines are scheduled for Port Canaveral: Royal Caribbean International’s Wonder of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista, MSC Cruises’ MSC Seashore, and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Fantasy.
If the storm slows, Port Canaveral’s Monday ships – Utopia of the Seas, Disney Wish, and Carnival Glory – might also be impacted.
It should be noted that there are no changes at this time for sailings from either Port Tampa Bay or Port Canaveral, but cruise lines are keeping a close eye on the storm and will make any adjustments as necessary to ensure safe sailing.
Two Other Florida Ports May Also Be Impacted
Depending on the strength of the storm and the exact track it follows near the Florida peninsula, the Port of Jacksonville may also see disruptions. While only Carnival Elation is sailing from the northeast Florida homeport, the ship is scheduled for Monday, August 5 to begin a 5-night Bahamas itinerary.
Norwegian Sun Cruise Ship in Jacksonville (Photo Credit: NEFLO PHOTO)
The latest predictions for the tropical system show the greatest impact on northeast Florida throughout Monday, but this may change as the speed and intensity of the storm adjusts over the weekend.
Finally, before the storm even begins impacting Florida’s homeports, one of the Sunshine State’s most popular ports of call could be disrupted. Key West is likely to see a strong impact from the storm on Saturday, August 3, though the forecast only has the system as a tropical depression at that time.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Sky is scheduled to visit Key West on Saturday as part of a 3-night Bahamas itinerary that also includes Great Stirrup Cay. While the weather may be less than ideal, the slow strengthening of the system may mean it is still possible for the ship to visit Key West with minimal impact.
Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for further updates on this storm if necessary.
A slot tournament can be a fun way to spend time in the casino even for travelers who have little or no gambling experience, but are private slot pull tournaments permitted on Carnival Cruise Line? Brand Ambassador John Heald has offered some clarification about what is and is not permitted onboard.
Heald’s announcement comes after a recent guest reached out to the Brand Ambassador noting that her cruise was “ruined” when she wasn’t permitted to hold a private slot tournament.
While the ship name and date of her sailing were not revealed, the issue is not that she wanted to organize such a tournament, but the manner in which she went about trying to do so.
“The main problem with what happened was that the guest had been standing inside the casino, holding a sign that said ‘Slot Pull Sign Up’ and was selling tickets to join,”Heald explained.“Now I understand that the guest may not have known the rules. But obviously this is not allowed as not only taking money from other guests for anything is not permitted, doing so inside the casino is, well, you know.”
The same restriction applies to any unauthorized activity that involves exchanging money, as Carnival Cruise Line must adhere to local business and gambling laws based on where the ship is sailing.
It is possible to set up private slot tournaments, but it must be done through the casino while onboard the ship. Neither Heald nor his assistant is able to set up such a private event for guests prior to sailing, as the ultimate decision is up to each ship’s casino host.
“If you wish to have a private slot tournament please speak to the casino host once on board,”Heald suggested.“He or she will help you with this, help find a time, and go through the various rules.”
Whether or not a slot tournament can be arranged will depend on the overall popularity of the casino, available space, and any other operational concerns for an individual sailing.
Staffing, previously organized tournaments, or slot machine maintenance could all impact whether or not a private tournament can be set up.
What Is a Private Slot Tournament?
Private slot pulls or tournaments are often set up through social media groups, inviting guests booked on the same cruise to join in. All entrants typically pay a small fee to be part of the activity.
Once in the ship’s casino, designated slot machines are used – perhaps a favorite game of the group or a game that was voted on prior to the cruise.
A set number of “pulls” are then used, with each player having a turn. Individual scores may be tallied, and after everyone has played, the earned winnings are divvied up among players.
Casino on the Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship
This can be a way for multiple players to spend a longer time on a single machine, potentially building to a much larger jackpot than they may earn individually with just a few dollars’ for the entry fee.
For example, just playing $5 may not earn a single player much, but if they are part of a group of 20 players, the $100 total from everyone’s entry fee could add up to much more substantial winnings.
While some cruise travelers enjoy these activities, others consider them unfair as it is usually the organizer’s casino card that will be used for the entire tournament. This gives that individual a great way to build up extra loyalty points in the casino without investing their own money.
Official slot tournaments organized by the cruise line do not use just one person’s card, and may be organized differently. For example, all players may play at once as quickly as possible for a set amount of time, with the winner determined by overall individual scores. Furthermore, a set prize amount is usually provided, rather than prizes determined by the machine’s total.
Have you ever joined in a slot tournament? Did you enjoy it? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
The Alaska Railroad’s Board of Directors greenlit the Seward Company’s purchase agreement for a new cruise facility in Seward, Alaska. Valued at $137 million, the agreement marks the start of construction for the largest turn port facility in the Alaska cruise industry.
The new facility, called the Port of Tomorrow, will include a 68,000-square-foot terminal building and a 750-foot, two-berth floating dock designed to accommodate modern cruise ships.
Upon completion, the Alaska Railroad will purchase the renewed cruise port with a 30-year pier usage agreement with Royal Caribbean Group, which owns Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises.
The company will be able to accommodate its 4,100-passenger Quantum-class ships at the new port following the expansion.
Rendering, Quantum of the Seas at the Port of Tomorrow, Seward Port (Rendering Courtesy: Seward Company)
The agreement grants Royal Caribbean Group preferential berthing rights while allowing the Alaska Railroad to operate the facility as an open dock welcoming multiple cruise lines.
“Large developments are never easy. Today’s greenlit approval was two years in the making,”said Mickey Richardson, CEO of the Port of Tomorrow, representing the Seward Company. “The agreement guarantees cruise ships will continue to serve Seward for the next 30 years and beyond.”
The construction of the state-of-the-art port will begin after the conclusion of the 2024 Alaska cruise season in September. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel will be the final ship arriving at and departing from the port on September 23, 2023.
Foundational work will be completed before winter with pier construction set to commence in fall 2025, ensuring no disruption to the summer 2025 cruise season, which will commence in May when Silversea Cruises’ Silver Moon arrives on the 15th.
The port is expected to be compete in the of spring 2026.
Expansive Growth Amidst Growing Concerns
The new terminal in Seward will be the largest community space in the area with a terminal capable of welcoming travelers and handling provisions for cruise ships.
The 750-foot floating dock will be the largest of its kind and includes features such as freshwater provisioning, fuel supply from a local vendor, and shore power support.
A 150-foot transfer span will connect disembarking travelers directly to an Alaska Railroad train or other ground transportation. The port will also add a parking lot to accommodate 48 cars and 32 bus stalls.
New Seward Cruise Port
Jason Davis, president of Turnagain, the design and build firm for the Seward port, emphasized the significance of the project, saying, “Alaska’s infrastructure growth, and for that matter, the growth of the tourism industry, depends heavily on projects supported by the cruise industry, global travel partners, and Alaskans.”
According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, the visitor industry is the second-largest private-sector employer in the state, accounting for one in every 10 Alaska jobs and generating an economic impact of over $5.6 billion.
As Seward looks to expand its cruise offerings, other ports across the state are facing growing concerns of overtourism from residents. Juneau, the ninth busiest port in the U.S., recently agreed to restrict cruise guests per day to 16,000, except for Saturdays, which is set to 12,000.
The Port of Tomorrow, Seward Port (Rendering Courtesy Seward Company)
The agreement also limits the number of ships calling per day to five, with residents pushing to have a cruise-ship-free Saturday.
Sitka, Alaska, which welcomes 600,000 cruise passengers annually, is currently seeing residents push to cap its numbers at 300,000.
Currently, the 2,376-passenger Norwegian Jewel and the 696-passenger Silver Muse and Silversea’s 728-passenger Silver Nova homeport in Seward this season on voyages between it and Vancouver.
Royal Caribbean International’s 2,466-passenger Radiance of the Seas, Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer, Crystal Cruises’ 740-passenger Crystal Serenity, Viking Oceans’ 930-passenger Viking Orion, and Celebrity Cruises’ 2,158-passenger Celebrity Summit are also homeporting in Seward.
The Caribbean-vibe cruise line Margaritaville at Sea announced it is expanding its Heroes Sail Free program to include cruises onboard the line’s second ship, Margaritaville at Sea Islander, which began sailing for the brand from her Tampa homeport in June 2024.
The program mirrors one already in place onboard sister ship Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, the cruise line’s first vessel that launched the brand in 2022. The sail-free offer provides a limited number of free fares in double occupancy cabins for guests who meet the Heroes criteria, and a traveling companion.
The Heroes Pass, which the line unveiled in November 2023, is offered to active duty and veteran U.S. military service members, police, firefighters, EMS personnel, nurses, and educators. Those who qualify do not pay a cruise fare but do pay taxes, fees, and port expenses.
Margaritaville at Sea also has upgraded the program to enable qualifying heroes to participate in the free fare offer as many times as they wish each year, on 3- to 7-night voyages to the Bahamas, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Previously, program rules allowed heroes to sail free just one time each year and only on 2-night Bahamas cruises aboard Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, which is based in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Additionally, when free fare cabins are fully booked, or if a qualifying hero wishes to book a different stateroom category, the cruise line will provide a 20% fare discount off any cruise sale offer found online.
“Our newest ship, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander, has received rave reviews from recent guests, and we want to do everything we can to make sure our Heroes receive an incredibly well-deserved vacation, especially as we expand into the Tampa market, home to several military groups and families,” said Christopher Ivy, CEO of Margaritaville at Sea.
“By expanding the program to all ships and all destinations, including the all-new Islander, we are reaffirming our commitment to the tens of thousands of Heroes who have sailed with Margaritaville at Sea by giving them even more options to sail with us more frequently,” added Ivy.
Onboard the ship, heroes will be recognized with a Salute to Heroes ceremony once during each sailing, hosted by Cruise Director Zoltina-Jay (Zee-Jay) Medwik-Dailey.
The 2,114-guest Margaritaville at Sea Islander more than doubled the passenger capacity of the cruise line, which launched operations with the 1,300-guest Margaritaville at Sea Paradise.
Newest Ship Launched Following Major Renovations
Margaritaville at Sea Islander entered service in 2000 as Costa Atlantica for Costa Cruises and was sold in 2019 to Adora Cruises before being acquired by the Margaritaville at Sea brand.
The planned expansion of the fleet was announced in December 2023, shortly before the ship entered dry dock for a major renovation before relaunching as Margaritaville at Sea Islander.
Margaritaville at Sea Islander Cruise Ship
Upgrades the ship received at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland, included adding the tropical Margaritaville theme to public spaces, repainting the hull with colorful trees and parrots, and updating various technical aspects.
The ship sailed her maiden voyage from the Port of Tampa on June 14, 2024, and currently operates 4- to 7-night cruises to Western Caribbean ports.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise was built in 1991 for Costa Cruises and operated as Costa Classica until 2018, when she was sold to Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. The ship was renamed when Bahamas Paradise partnered with Margaritaville Resorts & Hotels to launch the branded cruise line that exists today.
Margaritaville at Sea Paradise sails 2- and 3-day Bahamas cruises from West Palm Beach.
Lately, most of the news coming from Disney Cruise Line has been all about Disney Treasure, the “adventure” themed ship that is due to enter service in December of 2024.
But now it’s time for the second Wish-class vessel to step aside to make way for the third-Wish class ship: Disney Destiny – both of which follow in the wake of the flag-ship of the Wish-class, Disney Wish.
The 4,000-passenger new-build, which is currently under construction at Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard, will be approximately 144,000-gross tons when she’s completed and ready to begin her career at sea at the end of 2025 – entering service almost exactly one year after the soon-to-be finished Disney Treasure.
The three-day “heroes and villains” themed reveal, which lasted from July 30, 2024, through August 1, 2024, on the Disney Parks Blog, provided the first look at entertainment, dining, accommodations, and decor onboard, as well as details about the new family-friendly ship’s inaugural itineraries.
Here is everything we know so far.
Bringing Disney and Marvel Lore to Life
While all Disney cruise shipshave a similar, classic look, they also each find their own unique identities by taking inspiration from Disney characters and films.
In the case of Disney Destiny, the classic heroes and villains from Disney films and the Marvel cinematic universe – which will help guests unleash the hero within – have inspired the theming for the latest ship.
Marvel on Disney Destiny Cruise Ship
“Onboard, guests will be inspired, encouraged and empowered by heroes and villains alike, universally beloved for their strength of character and distinctive personalities. The ship will be a celebration of the bold, charismatic and driven characters at the heart of the many myths and legends, fairy tales and fantasies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Disney Parks,”read a statement from the cruise line.
For the first time in Disney Cruise Line history, a Marvel character will adorn the ship’s stern. Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots will have the honor of decorating the ship’s filigree.
The Grand Hall, which is the first area guests see when coming onboard and will a hub for interacting with fan-favorite heroes and villains in the flesh, will also feature a statue inspired by the “Black Panther” movies.
Marvel on Disney Destiny Cruise Ship
For big Marvel fans, this will be an appreciated tribute to Chadwick Boseman, the actor who portrayed T’Challa / Black Panther, who died from cancer in 2020.
More heroic and villainous influences will also be found throughout the ship – from custom artwork in all staterooms to special-themed dining opportunities and family-friendly entertainment.
Entertainment For All Onboard Disney Destiny
Disney cruise ships are often described as theme parks at sea, and Disney Destiny will set sail with plenty of new and improved opportunities for fun.
Just to name one example, guests will be invited to write their own vacation legends at Saga – a central hub for family-friendly activities by day and an adult-exclusive hang-out by night. The two-story venue will be inspired by Wakanda (from “Black Panther”) and be home to activities like interactive game shows.
Disney Destiny AquaMouse
In terms of family-friendly entertainment, the pool decks will feature the latest rendition of the AquaMouse water ride, which first debuted on Disney Wish and will now feature a unique story on all Wish-class vessels.
The 760-foot-long attraction, which is essentially a theme park ride at sea, will feature a new story titled “Sing a Silly Song.”
“The new show will exemplify the signature silliness of Mickey Mouse animated shorts as Mickey and Minnie lead guests on a seemingly ominous trek to the peak of Villain Mountain. When faced with some of the most fearsome villains of Disney Animation lore, the duo will employ a silly song — and a bit of pixie dust — to transform each chilling encounter into a wacky surprise,” read a preview from Disney Cruise Line.
The Walt Disney Theatre, which is home to Broadway-Caliber entertainment fleet-wide, is also bringing back two fan-favorite shows: “Frozen, A Musical Spectacular” and “Disney Seas the Adventure.”
At De Vil’s piano lounge
Additionally, every cruise will feature a Pirate’s Rockin’ Parlay Party (an updated version of the current pirate night at sea), the Hero Zone (home to free-play sports and family-friendly competitions), and Disney Uncharted Adventure (an interactive quest that uses guests’ mobile devices to complete missions around the ship).
And for couples traveling solo or parents who need a break from their kids, there will be plenty of adult-only spaces onboard, such as De Vil’s piano lounge, the pirates-themed Cask and Cannon pub, The Dr. Strange-themed Sanctum, and the Haunted Mansion Parlor, which will first debut onboard Disney Treasure later this year.
New Dining Options to Tantalize Taste Buds
Additional reveals highlighted several new dining experiences that will only be found onboard Disney Destiny, which includes Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King, Worlds of Marvel, 1923, and Edna Á La Mode Sweets.
Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King will be a one-of-a-kind, immersive dining experience, during which guests will enjoy their meals as they listen to the classic songs performed by live musicians and watch performers tell the story on a special stage.
Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King on Disney Destiny
Worlds of Marvel will, of course, be a Marvel-themed dining experience. As families enjoy gourmet dishes, a story will unfold on screens around them starring Rocket and Groot from the cast of “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
1923 is extra special, as it is named for the year that The Walt Disney Company was founded by Walt Disney. The company’s more than 100-year legacy will be celebrated with more than 1,000 drawings, props and other tools of classic Disney animation on display.
Last but not least, the all new Edna Á La Mode Sweets, which is inspired by Edna from “The Incredibles,” will be a can’t miss dessert spot. A selection of handmade gelato, ice cream, cookies, candies, and specialty treats will all be on the menu.
Family-Friendly Accommodations on a Heroic Scale
As Disney is one of the top family-friendly cruise lines, it only makes sense that the staterooms have been designed to cater to the needs of families, all of which will be decorated with custom artwork depicting the epic journeys of beloved Disney heroes.
“Disney Destiny will offer spacious, comfortable and functional staterooms that uniquely meet the needs of families. Most staterooms will feature Disney Cruise Line’s signature split-bath concept, and many will offer the option of a connecting door that adjoins staterooms to accommodate larger groups,”said DCL.
Disney Destiny Verandah Stateroom (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line)
For guests looking to splurge on their future sailings, the ship will offer concierge suites, which will include access to a private lounge and sun deck for suite-guests only. These accommodations will be inspired by “Fantasia” and “The Incredibles.”
There will also be eight extra luxurious “Hero Suites” – four of which will be inspired by “Hercules” and four of which will be inspired by “The Incredibles.”
Disney Destiny Tower Suite
Last but not least, the biggest and most exciting suite onboard – called the Destiny Tower Suite – is inspired by Iron Man.
The Marvel-themed penthouse, which will be located within one of the ship’s iconic funnels, will be nearly 2,000 square-feet, and will feature amenities like a full kitchen, and a private elevator.
While the details of her maiden voyage that will officially begin her career haven’t been released yet, DCL announced that it is anticipated to take place in November of 2025.
Her inaugural season will then include a mix of 4 to 5-night sailings to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean, including calls on Castaway Cay, Disney’s original private island, and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney’s new private destination that just opened in summer of 2024.
Initial bookings will open to Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club Members – which is the name of the DCL loyalty program – on September 6, 2024. Bookings will open to the general public on September 12, 2024.
Despite frequent and numerous requests, Carnival Cruise Line will not be raising the total number of alcoholic beverages included under its popular Cheers! drink package.
The confirmation comes from the cruise line’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, following comments and criticisms of the total drinks allowed with the package.
Cheers! is Carnival Cruise Line’s drink package that permits guests to enjoy up to 15 alcoholic beverages per 24-hour period for a flat daily rate. Heald frequently gets requests and even demands that the total be raised for cruisers to have even more drinks during one day.
“The 15 drinks a day maximum on your drink package is for amateurs,”one person recently commented.“I’m a professional so can we please get an upgrade.”
While that particular post may be made in jest or with a healthy shot of sarcasm, there are many commenters to Heald’s popular Facebook page who are less-than-polite about the drink package and the limits it imposes. Heald, however, is firm about the cruise line’s policy.
“We are not changing anything despite the barrage of requests I have every week,”he said. “We will stay at 15 drinks in a 24 hour period (unlimited non-alcoholic drinks) and despite requests like this I wanted to save you the trouble of writing to me and say again we will not be changing anything.”
Many commenters agree – or at least are not bothered by – the limit, noting that it can be difficult to reach such a total of alcoholic beverages, depending on what drinks one is choosing.
“I’ve TRIED to hit my 15, closest I got was 12, and I was pretty well done.”
“I can reach the 15 from time to time but I only drink hard liquor. When I do it’s barely. I do have many friends who are beer drinkers that could have 15 beers and barely be tipsy. … There is a very large difference between bourbon and beer as far as the amount of alcohol is concerned.”
“In all of my cruises, I have only hit the 15 mark a few times. And that was mostly because I abandoned (lost) my drink a few times throughout the day.”
Other commenters do note that not only is there a difference between types of alcoholic drinks, but also in how different individuals handle their own alcohol intake.
Many people are aware of their own limits and behave accordingly, but some may go too far and could engage in poor or unwelcome behavior because of the influence of too many drinks.
The Cheers! package includes spirits and cocktails, beer, and wine and champagne by the glass, all of which with a $20 (USD) or lower price. Also included are all non-alcoholic beverages (except freshly squeezed juice, which is an extra charge), milkshakes, energy drinks, and bottled water.
The non-alcoholic beverages are not limited, nor are they tallied in the 15-drink limit of the Cheers! package.
The cost of the Cheers! package is $70.74 per person, per day when purchased prior to sailing for cruises 6 nights or longer, or $82.54 per person, per day for shorter sailings. If purchased after embarkation, the cost is $76.64 for longer cruises, or $88.45 for shorter cruises.
Changes More Guests Want
While guest opinions are divided on whether or not the 15-drink limit should be raised on the Cheers! package, there are other changes many Carnival cruise fans would like to see.
The most common request is for the package to be available to just one traveler in a stateroom. At the moment, all guests 21 years or older are required to purchase their own Cheers! package if cruising in the same stateroom as a preventative against sharing.
Carnival Cruise Line Atrium Bar (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
Many guests do not have the same alcoholic preferences (or tolerances!) as their traveling companion and would prefer not to purchase the package.
There is also great interest in a more limited program that may have a lower cap on the number of drinks, but still offering the convenience and savings of pre-paying for drinks at a flat rate. A package with either 5 or 10 alcoholic drinks total per day, with a correspondingly lower price, would be welcomed by many travelers.
Guests are also interested in a true non-alcoholic, all-inclusive drink package that would include milkshakes, specialty coffees, juices, and soda.
In addition to Cheers! Carnival Cruise Line only offers the Bottomless Bubbles program, which covers soda and juice, but no other non-alcoholic beverages (milkshakes, coffee, tea, etc.) are included.
The famous characters from Disney’s Marvel Universe will play big roles onboard Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Destiny, set to debut in 2025.
The announcement came as part of the cruise line’s three-day reveal event that began on July 30, 2024, and confirms that Marvel’s heroes and villains will inspire new venues and entertainment onboard the 4,000-guest ship, the third in the line’s Wish-class.
The ship, under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, will sport a “Heroes and Villains” theme and be based at Florida’s Port Everglades.
Marvel on Disney Destiny Cruise Ship
Marvel characters will be front and center in various ways onboard the vessel, including in the design of the Grand Hall, which will be inspired by Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” movies.
Described as a living theater, the Grand Hall is where heroes and villains will interact with guests during performances featuring unique lighting and stage effects.
An entertainment parlor called The Sanctum will present the sorcerers and mystical elements from “Doctor Strange,” as characters attempt to protect the world. Features from Doctor Strange’s New York Sanctum will include a circular mirror modeled on the building’s famous window.
Another new space, Saga, will be a two-deck area serving as a hub for family activities during the day and for adult-focused entertainment at night. Its architecture is inspired by Wakanda, from the Marvel Universe.
Marvel on Disney Destiny Cruise Ship
Marvel characters will not only be visible inside the new ship. For the first time, Disney Cruise Line will make a Marvel Super Hero the stern character on a ship. The stern design typically reflects the theme of a ship and in this case, the character will be Spider-Man and his Spider-Bots.
“The heroes and villains theme of the Disney Destiny provides the perfect platform for us to collaborate with Disney Cruise Line on all-new, Marvel-inspired experiences guests won’t find anywhere else on land or at sea across the multiverse,” said Brian Crosby, executive of Marvel Experiences Development.
Disney Cruise Line’s final reveal involves the Destiny Tower Suite, a Marvel-inspired penthouse accommodation based on Iron Man. Its design will feature armor-style elements offset by soft finishes.
Disney Destiny Tower Suite
The suite, which is not offered on any other Disney ship, will offer 2,000-square feet of space that includes views of the ship’s top deck, a large, two-story window, sleeping accommodations for eight people, a kitchen, and a private elevator.
Guests booking the suite will enjoy premium amenities and services, such as access to the Concierge Lounge and a private sun deck.
All Disney Destiny Cabins to Feature Custom Artwork
Disney Cruise Line’s earlier announcements from the three-day reveal event detailed other stateroom offerings. Every stateroom and suite on Disney Destiny will showcase custom artwork depicting the adventures of famous Disney legends.
The exclusive Concierge Lounge will showcase artwork inspired by Disney Animation’s “Fantasia,” using watercolor-style illustrations to capture the film’s color palette.
Seven VIP ocean-view rooms will be located above the bridge and decorated with iconography from Pixar’s “The Incredibles.” Also, four royal suites will celebrate the heroes depicted in “The Incredibles” as well as Disney Animation’s “Hercules.”
Other just-announced onboard features include a unique dining venue inspired by the Disney classic “The Lion King.” The experience, dubbed The Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, will have 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.
Dessert lovers can check out a new confectionary venue called Edna Á La Mode Sweets, inspired by Disney’s “Auntie Edna” short film. 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.
