Norwegian Jade has finally departed on her next cruise, which is now dramatically altered following a full day’s delay as the ship developed propulsion difficulties at the end of her last sailing.
The ship was originally scheduled to return to Port Canaveral on Saturday, July 20, but her reduced speed meant she did not arrive until Sunday, July 21.
This has subsequently had a knock-on effect on the next sailing, which has been significantly revised with cancelled ports but is now underway. The ship did remain in port until after 10 p.m. on Sunday as repairs were made, though she had originally been scheduled to leave at 5 p.m.
Furthermore, the next itinerary – now a 6-night cruise rather than the originally planned 7-night Eastern Caribbean sailing – has now been adjusted with only one port of all remaining the same.
Norwegian Jade was scheduled for visits the Puerto Plata, Tortola, and San Juan, as well as Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay. Because of the delayed departure and shortened sailing overall, the ship is unable to keep that schedule.
Instead, Norwegian Jade will visit Puerto Plata on Tuesday, July 23, instead of Monday, July 22. Fortunately, the time in port is being extended and the ship will be docked from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. instead of 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., giving guests more time to enjoy the vibrant destination.
The ship will then visit Nassau from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jul 25, followed by Great Stirrup Cay on Friday, July 26 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
While Nassau was not part of the original cruise schedule, Great Stirrup Cay was always planned for Friday. The ship will be arriving three hours earlier, however, for a longer day in port for guests to enjoy.
Guests onboard have been offered compensation for the shortened cruise and dramatic itinerary change.
“Thank you for your patience and understanding throughout the course of these updates as we know how disappointing itinerary changes can be,”the notification email acknowledged.
A $100 non-refundable credit is being given to every stateroom, and all guests are receiving a prorated refund for the shortened cruise.
The amount of the refund is based on the original fare paid, and will include any prepaid gratuities, beverage packages, and port taxes for the now-cancelled calls to Tortola and San Juan.
All guests are also receiving a 20% discount as a future cruise credit for another NCL sailing, for any published cruises through December 31, 2025.
Will the Next Cruise Be Impacted?
Norwegian Jade‘s return to Port Canaveral at the end of the cruise is still on schedule for early Saturday morning, July 27.
At this time, there is no indication that any additional itineraries may be impacted, but guests booked on upcoming sailings should stay in close contact with Norwegian Cruise Line in case of further updates or adjustments.
Photo Credit: David Fowler / Shutterstock
The exact technical nature of the problem has not been disclosed, but Norwegian Jade was traveling very slowly on her return to Port Canaveral at the end of her last sailing. Engineers worked on the ship while docked at her homeport, and now she is sailing at full speed en route to Puerto Plata.
At no time have any safety or navigation systems been impacted on the vessel, and likewise, the ship’s hotel and entertainment activities are fully operational.
The 93,558-gross-ton, Jewel-class Norwegian Jade can welcome 2,402 guests aboard at double occupancy, or up to 3,590 travelers when fully booked. Also onboard are approximately 1,000 international crew members.
As a matter of interest, the ship was originally Pride of Hawaii, but was renamed in 2008 when her service area was changed.
A proposed 88% increase in border processing fees targeted at cruise passengers may make cruising to New Zealand more expensive and more difficult for travelers later this year.
The new fee would take effect from December 1, 2024, and is drawing heavy criticism from tourism groups as well as Cruise Lines International Association Australasia and the New Zealand Cruise Association.
With the proposed fee increase set to be implemented in less than five months, cruise lines would be hard-pressed to sail profitably in the region. Because of environmental regulations, fees, and other factors, New Zealand is already one of the most expensive markets for cruise lines to operate in, with very thin profitability margins.
Cruise and Ferry in Auckland, New Zealand (Photo Credit: trabantos)
“Cruise lines meticulously plan and budget their operations two to three seasons ahead, leaving no room to pass unexpected cost increases to passengers who have already booked and paid for their trips,”explained Jacqui Lloyd, New Zealand Cruise Association CEO.
Lloyd estimates the increase in fees would amount to an additional $2 million (NZ – approximately $1.2 million USD) for the 2024-2025 cruise season.
“These financial burdens will fall squarely on the cruise lines, threatening to devastate an industry already operating on razor-thin margins,”she said.
Cruise lines typically estimate port fees and taxes which are added to passengers’ fares at the time of booking. When the cruise sets sail and those final fees are calculated at the time the ship actually visits a port of call, guests may receive a small refund to their onboard accounts for any overestimation of those fees.
If the fees have been underestimated, however, cruise lines cannot then add to guests’ charges after the cruise is fully paid and instead would simply cover the excess fees from their profits. Cruise lines have become very adept at estimating fees, but the significant increase New Zealand is seeking is far beyond the scope of any estimation error.
This can add up to $20,000 or more in extra fees for each cruise ship visit, depending on the number of passengers and crew members aboard.
The cruise industry is attempting to work with the New Zealand government to come to an agreement on fees, regulation, and restrictions as part of regular consultations, but it is unclear whether any changes may be possible before the new fees could be implemented.
Cruising Down in New Zealand
It should be noted that New Zealand cruise tourism has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels, unlike many areas that have already surpassed those numbers.
While the nation is on track for continued recovery, the proposed fee increase could suppress cruise tourism in the region due to unsustainable costs. Some projections indicate up to a 22% decline in cruise ship visitors for the 2024-2025 season.
Many cruise travelers are nervous about visiting New Zealand, for while the area is gorgeous and has many fantastic features to attract tourists, the strict regulations make it difficult to ensure port visits.
Biosecurity measures for the country occasionally force ships to skip port visits or change itineraries in order to clean the hull or otherwise decontaminate a vessel before visiting. This could mean a dream cruise itinerary ends up not visiting the ports a traveler had hoped for, making the vacation less ideal.
New Zealand cruise itineraries may depart from homeports in New Zealand or Australia, and often include ports in both countries as well as other South Pacific destinations, depending on the cruise length. The typical cruise season stretches from October through April, the summer season in the region.
Top New Zealand ports include Wellington, Lyttleton (Christchurch), Napier Port, and Auckland. A variety of cruises lines offer itineraries to these destinations, including Princess Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, and more.
In 2024, Royal Caribbean introduced two big ships that have garnered a lot of media buzz — and as they should. Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas are some of the largest ships in the world, with some of the most impressive and ground-breaking features in the cruise industry.
So, how do you pick which one to sail on for your upcoming cruise? Here’s everything you need to know when deciding between Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.
Icon of the Seas was originally ordered in 2016, as the first ship of the Icon class, and construction began in 2021. Built at Meyer Turku in Turku, Finland, Icon of the Seas gained status as one of the most expensive ships to be built, ever. Just how expensive was it? Royal Caribbean paid about $2 billion!
Utopia of the Seas, meanwhile, was announced in 2019, and construction began at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, in 2022.
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas Under Construction
Originally, Royal Caribbean intended to debut the ship in late 2023. However, the ship was not delivered until 2024, resulting in its maiden voyage taking place on July 19, 2024. This ship cost quite a bit less to build, at around $1.35 billion.
Both ships can be powered via LNG (liquified natural gas), and Icon of the Seas was the first Royal Caribbean ship to feature this capability. Utopia of the Seas is currently the only Oasis-class ship to feature this capability.
Ship Sizes and Capacity
So how do Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas measure up, in terms of size? Here’s how the two compare.
However, if you’re looking at passenger capacity at double occupancy, you’ll notice that, despite its smaller size, Utopia of the Seas can actually hold more cruisers. This is because the vessel has more overall staterooms and suites than Icon of the Seas.
Ship Classes
Icon of the Seas kicked off Royal Caribbean’s new Icon class. The class includes the largest cruise ships ever constructed, and Icon of the Seas has not disappointed as far as size is concerned.
Three total Icon-class ships are planned, with Star of the Seas scheduled to launch in 2025 and an unnamed ship scheduled to launch in 2026. Steel cutting began for Star of the Seas in February 2023, while steel cutting began for the unnamed ship in January 2024.
Oasis-Class Cruise Ships
In contrast, Utopia of the Seas is part of a long-standing class in the Royal Caribbean family: the Oasis class. Utopia of the Seas is the sixth Oasis-class vessel, and a final, seventh Oasis-class vessel is expected to debut in 2028.
The Oasis class originally launched in 2009, with the namesake Oasis of the Seas. Other ships in the class include Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. Utopia of the Seas stands out from the pack as the largest Oasis-class ship to date.
Up until Icon of the Seas debuted, the Oasis class featured the largest cruise ships in the industry and brought numerous changes to the industry, including the neighborhood concept that’s become expected on Royal Caribbean ships overall.
Neighborhoods
Speaking of neighborhoods, which of these themed areas of the ship can you expect aboard Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas?
Icon of the Seas features eight neighborhoods, including:
AquaDome
Central Park
Chill Island
Royal Promenade
Surfside
Suite Neighborhood
Thrill Island
The Hideaway
Utopia of the Seas also features eight neighborhoods, but they differ slightly. They include:
Royal Promenade
Central Park
Boardwalk
Entertainment Zone
Pool & Sports Zone
Youth Zone
Vitality Spa & Fitness
Suite Neighborhood
The two share Royal Caribbean’s classic Central Park and Royal Promenade neighborhoods. If you’ve never sailed with Royal Caribbean before, the former is truly a park-like atmosphere, with plant walls and access to lots of entertainment and dining venues.
The Royal Promenade is also a center spot for lots of action, with venues, restaurants, and retail areas along a central walkway. Likewise, both ships have a Suite Neighborhood. However, things differ from here.
Aerial View of Utopia of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas’ other neighborhoods are pretty in line with what you can expect to see on other Oasis-class ships and all neighborhoods are named in such a way that they’re pretty self-explanatory.
For example, the boardwalk offers a family-friendly boardwalk-like atmosphere. The pool and sports zone houses the pool and sports zones. The youth zone is where you’ll find kids clubs. The entertainment zone is home to theaters, and the Vitality Spa area is where you’ll find wellness amenities, including the spa.
Aerial View of Icon of the Seas
Icon of the Seas’ five distinct neighborhoods, in contrast, are a little more uniquely named and a little more interesting. AquaDome is home to the AquaTheater and nightlife.
Chill Island offers four pools and a handful of bars. Thrill Island offers waterslides and Surfside likewise has a kiddy pool, as well as other kid-focused amenities, like the kids’ clubs. The Hideaway is a quiet spot with its own pool and a bar.
Central Park on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas
While both ships are home to Central Park neighborhoods, there are slight differences when you look at these spaces on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas — and the Central Park neighborhood on Icon of the Seas has been hailed as overall better in comparison.
Central Park Neighborhood on Icon of the Seas
On Utopia of the Seas, the Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 is also home to retail shops, Izumi, Izumi in the Park, Park Café, the Trellis Bar, Rising Tide Bar, 150 Central Park and Chops Grille.
At each end of the neighborhood, there are elevator banks, and suites and staterooms along the perimeter of the ship, surrounding the neighborhood.
On Icon of the Seas, the Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 likewise features Chops Grille, Izumi, Izumi in the Par, the Trellis Bar, Park Café and retail space, but it also includes Lou’s Jazz ‘N Blues and The Pearl, a unique art feature. One end of this deck, beyond Central Park, also houses the Empire Supper Club.
The Royal Promenade
Similarly, there are slight differences between the Royal Promenade on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.
On the former, the Royal Promenade is on Deck 5, and you’ll find lots of retail here, as well as Boleros, Sorrentos, Café Promenade, Starbucks, a few bars, and guest services.
Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas
On the latter, the Royal Promenade stretches across Deck 5 and 6 and includes all of the above, plus Point & Feather, the Crown & Anchor Society, 1400 Lobby Bar, Pearl Café and Schooner Bar. You can also see The Pearl art installation throughout the Promenade (yes, it’s really that big!).
Do note that, on both of these ships, at the ends of the Royal Promenade, you’ll find further venues, such as the ships’ theaters and main dining rooms (even though these aren’t technically directly on the promenade itself.
Staterooms and Suites
You’ll have no shortage of stateroom and suite options while you’re aboard either of these ships. However, there are a few differences in what they offer. As the lead ship in a new class,Icon of the Seas introduced a few new stateroom options.
Icon of the Seas
Inside Plus staterooms
Panoramic Ocean View staterooms
Family Infinity Balcony staterooms
Surfside Family View interior cabins
Infinite Ocean View balcony cabins
Infinite Central Park View balcony cabins
An Inside Plus stateroom is basically a better, more luxurious interior stateroom. Panoramic Ocean View staterooms offer panoramic ocean views, of course, but only within the AquaDome neighborhood.
Standard Ocean View Cabin
Infinite Ocean View balcony cabins are the first of their kind for the cruise line. A glass wall separates the cabin’s balcony from the rest of the cabin, but then that glass wall can be moved out of the way entirely.
Family Infinity balcony rooms are the family version of this, but you get more space and, if you’re in the Surfside neighborhood, you’ll be right in all of the family-friendly action, close to kid-favorite amenities.
Panoramic Ocean View Cabin
Beyond the new options aboard Icon of the Seas, other staterooms on this ship include:
Standard interior cabins
Spacious interior cabins
Central Park View interior cabins
Ocean view cabins
Ocean view balcony cabins
Ocean view large balcony cabins
Central Park balcony cabins
Then, though, there are also the suites. Suite options aboard Icon of the Seas include:
The Ultimate Family Townhouse
Surfside Family suites
Junior suites
Sunset Junior suites
Sky Junior suites
Sunset suites
Panoramic suites
Infinite Grand suites
Owner’s suites
Grand suites
The Royal Loft
Icon Loft Suites
Some of these are brand-new additions to the Royal Caribbean lineup.
For example, the Surfside Family suites are located in the Surfside neighborhood and are outfitted with everything a traveling family could need. The Ultimate Family Townhouse is also new, and a new take on Royal Caribbean’s current Ultimate Family suite.
The Ultimate Family Townhouse
Icon Loft suites are two-floor suites with lots of luxury, and Infinite Grand suites feature the aforementioned infinite balcony. Panoramic suites are likewise new, and only available in the AquaDome.
Utopia of the Seas
When comparing staterooms and suites on Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas, you’ll find there’s quite a lot of overlap. However, do remember that, even though Utopia of the Seas is smaller than Icon of the Seas, it does have more staterooms.
Here are the options for staterooms on Utopia of the Seas:
Studio single cabins
Virtual balcony interior cabins
Spacious interior family cabins
Promenade view interior cabins
Boardwalk and Central Park-view interior cabins
Boardwalk and Central Park balcony cabins
Oceanview cabins
Family oceanview cabins
Spacious balcony cabins
Ultra-spacious family balcony cabins
luxe Royal Loft
And here are the options for suites on Utopia of the Seas:
Junior suites
Grand suites
AquaTheater suites
Owners suites
Crown loft suites
Royal loft suites
Solarium suites
The Ultimate Family suite
As you can see, Utopia of the Seas really offers a lot of those same Oasis-class stateroom and suite options you can find on all of its sister ships.
So, if you really want a stateroom or suite that offers something fresh, new and exciting, consider booking Icon of the Seas for your cruise, and book one of its brand-new options, like the Inside Plus staterooms or one of the several new family-focused staterooms or suites.
Dining Venues
There are some cruise ship dining venues that are just classics, and that you’ll find on every single Royal Caribbean ship. However, many have unique-to-them restaurants, especially if you’re comparing two ships from different classes, as is the case when looking at Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas.
Here are the restaurants you can expect to find on each ship.
Restaurant/Dining Option
Icon of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas
150 Central Park
No
Yes
AquaDome Market
Yes
No
Basecamp
Yes
No
Café Promenade
No
Yes
Celebration Table
Yes
No
Chef’s Table
No
Yes
Chops Grille
Yes
Yes
Coastal Kitchen
Yes
Yes
Dog House
No
Yes
El Loco Fresh
Yes
Yes
Empire Supper Club
Yes
No
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar
Yes
Yes
Hooked Seafood
Yes
Yes
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi
Yes
Yes
Izumi in the Park
Yes
Yes
Johnny Rockets
No
Yes
Main Dining Rooms
Yes
Yes
Park Café
Yes
Yes
Pearl Café
Yes
No
Pier 7
Yes
No
Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade
Yes
Yes
Solarium Bistro
No
Yes
Sorrento’s Pizza
Yes
Yes
The Spare Tire
No
Yes
Starbucks
Yes
Yes
Sugar Beach
Yes
Yes
Surfside Bites
Yes
No
Surfside Eatery
Yes
No
The Grove
Yes
No
The Mason Jar
No
Yes
Windjammer Café
Yes
Yes
As you can see, you definitely won’t be left wanting for options on either ship. However, as you check out those Royal Caribbean classics like Windjammer Café and Sorrento’s, don’t forget to also be sure to try the newest offerings on either ship.
Utopia of the Seas Royal Railway
The Spare Tire is a brand-new option on Utopia of the Seas, offering quick bites via a food truck by the pool. Another newcomer just on this ship is Royal Railway: Utopia Station. This specialty dining option brings luxury rail travel to the cruise industry, as diners take their seats in a train dining car and watch a digital landscape roll past the windows.
One of Icon of the Seas’ standout new restaurants is the Empire Supper Club, for a high-end dining experience in an Art Deco-style setting. Icon of the Seas also boasts a secondary buffet, Surfside Eatery.
Bars and Lounges
You’ll likewise have no shortage of places to grab a drink on either of these ships. Here’s how the options break down.
Bar/Lounge Option
Icon of the Seas
Utopia of the Seas
Bell & Barley
No
Yes
Boleros
Yes
Yes
Cantina Fresca
Yes
Yes
Diamond Club
Yes
No
English Pub
Yes
No
Playmakers Bar & Arcade
Yes
Yes
Pool Bar
Yes
No
Rising Tide Bar
No
Yes
Schooner Bar
Yes
Yes
Solarium Bar
No
Yes
Swim & Tonic Pool Bar
Yes
No
The Attic
Yes
Yes
The Hideaway Bar
Yes
No
The Lime & Coconut
Yes
Yes
Trellis Bar
Yes
Yes
Wipeout Bar
No
Yes
Vue Bar
No
Yes
1400 Lobby Bar
Yes
No
Basecamp Bar
Yes
No
Bubbles
Yes
No
Casino Bar
Yes
Yes
Dueling Pianos
Yes
No
Giovanni’s Wine Bar
Yes
Yes
Lou’s Jazz n’ Blues
Yes
No
Rye & Bean
Yes
No
The Grove Bar
Yes
No
The Lemon Post
Yes
No
The Overlook
Yes
No
Music Hall
Yes
No
The Pesky Parrot
No
Yes
Icon of the Seas’ standout new bar is Lou’s Jazz n’ Blues, a lounge where you can enjoy live jazz along with your libations. The Pesky Parrot, meanwhile, is the standout new watering hole on Utopia of the Seas, and is a tiki bar with modern flair.
Pools and WaterSlides
If you’re all about the water fun during a cruise, you may want to set your sights on Icon of the Seas. Icon of the Seas has six waterslides, while Utopia of the Seas only has three (plus five pools).
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas Docked in Miami (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
In fact, Icon of the Seas can claim the largest waterpark at sea, with not just those six waterslides, but also seven pools and nine hot tubs. Plus, for the adults, there’s the world’s longest swim-up bar at sea, in the adults-only area.
The waterslides are record-breakers, too, and include Pressure Drop, the first open free-fall slide at sea; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop waterslide at sea; Storm Chasers, the first mat-racing slide at sea; and Storm Surge & Hurricane Hunter, the first family-friendly raft ride at sea. However, despite having all these unique waterslides, there is something missing on Icon of the Seas.
Entertainment and Activities
Beyond pools and waterslides, both Utopia of the Seas and Icon of the Seas offer amazing entertainment and activity options for every kind of cruiser. On both ships, you’ll find:
Casinos
Carousels
Miniature golf courses
Sports courts
Rock-climbing walls
Comedy clubs
Escape rooms
Laser tag
Ice skating
Utopia of the Seas Music Hall
Icon of the Seas also has a ropes course. Meanwhile, Utopia of the Seas offers a zip line. Also found on Utopia of the Seas is the popular Ultimate Abyss dry slide feature, located on the ship aft and 10 stories high. This feature is well known across the Oasis-class, but it is not featured on Icon of the Seas.
Utopia of the Seas vs Icon of the Seas: Which is Best?
When comparing two huge, stellar ships like this, you have a lot to consider. As you compare and contrast staterooms and suites, restaurants and waterslides, though, don’t forget to also consider these ships’ itineraries.
While both ships sail from Florida, Icon of the Seas is sailing its inaugural season out of Miami, while Utopia of the Seas’ inaugural season sails from Orlando. Royal Caribbean has branded Utopia of the Seas as a weekend getaway ship, with shorter sailings, while Icon of the Seas is offering longer sailings all across the Caribbean, from the Eastern Caribbean and on over to Mexico.
Icon of the Seas in Miami, Florida (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
Icon of the Seas has also definitely been designed as a family-friendly ship, and it shows. Families will love the family-centric Surfside neighborhood, as well as the wealth of family-friendly fun, plus so many family-friendly stateroom and suite options. In contrast, Utopia of the Seas puts less of a focus on families and gives you more of a classic, Oasis-class experience.
All of the above considered, which ship is best for you will depend on what kind of traveler you are, who you’re traveling with and how long you want to travel.
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas
If you only have a few days to get away, Utopia of the Seas is a no-brainer. If you’re traveling with kiddos and want them to have a stellar time, Icon of the Seas is an easy choice. If you’re traveling as a couple and want fewer family crowds and a classic Royal Caribbean experience, Utopia of the Seas delivers.
At the end of the day, though, neither ship is a poor choice. Both are big, outfitted with all the latest and greatest amenities and ready to offer you a memorable vacation.
The SS United States Conservancy is in a frantic race to protect and preserve the historic ocean liner following months of legal battles and ultimately, an eviction from Pier 82 in Philadelphia.
While the organization is committed to obeying the ruling, they have now filed a motion with the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania asking for their eviction deadline to be extended.
The original deadline requires that the 53,329-gross-ton SS United States be moved by September 12, 2024.
SS United States Docked in Philadelphia (Photo Credit: Felix Mizioznikov)
While the Conservancy is aggressively seeking a new potential berth for the vessel, they have asked for that deadline to be extended to December 5, 2024 to permit more time to ensure the ship’s safety and integrity for the move, as well as to find the right pier for the relocation of “America’s Flagship.”
“While we are doing everything possible to meet the court’s deadline, some factors are beyond the Conservancy’s control. We respect the court’s attempt to come to an equitable decision, and we appreciate how challenging it is to determine the fate of one of the nation’s most historic and iconic symbols,”said Conservancy President Susan Gibbs.
“However, factors including this year’s intense Atlantic hurricane season forecast and the extensive technical preparations associated with the ship’s tow require some additional time to safely implement.”
The Conservancy is not challenging the ruling or arguing against moving the 990-foot-long vessel, only noting that there are unique considerations for the relocation.
“There are numerous regulatory, environmental, logistical, and engineering challenges that must be overcome to safely (and legally) move a vessel as large as the SS United States that has not operated under her own power in decades,”the Conservancy said.
“We are simply asking for a reasonable extension to ensure the Conservancy can investigate all suitable and available locations and prepare the ship for a move, before being compelled to reef or scrap the historic vessel,”clarified Warren Jones, one of the Conservancy’s board members who was also once a passenger aboard the ship.
The request for an extension follows the Conservancy’s urgent campaign to raise $500,000 to cover not only current expenses, but the costs of the relocation as well. That campaign began just last month but has already raised more than $100,000.
The organization is also appealing to state and federal officials, as well as maritime authorities and the US Navy for assistance in finding a suitable berth for the ship.
Ultimately, the hope is that the ship may be properly preserved to share her history with new generations, including not only the vessel itself, but also an extensive collection of artifacts the Conservancy owns.
“The SS United States is a unique historic achievement, and she continues to serve as a unifying and inspiring force at a time of political division and uncertainty. We remain deeply grateful for our global community of supporters who are helping us meet this monumental challenge of securing a safe harbor for America’s Flagship,”said Gibbs.
Cruising in Philadelphia
While Philadelphia has been the nominal homeport for the SS United States since 1996, the vessel has not been open to the public due to her condition and the need for renovations. A limited number of privately-arranged tours have been available, and are still available with sufficient fundraising contributions.
Ironically, the eviction of the ship from Pier 82 is scheduled even as the City of Brotherly Love has announced a new partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line to return cruising to Philadelphia in April 2026.
A new cruise terminal is being developed just down the Delaware River from where the SS United States remains docked until her new home can be found or other arrangements must be made.
Previously, the free beverage was simply called an “appreciation drink” for Gold cruisers and a “complimentary beverage” for Platinum and Diamond cruisers.
Now, to better describe the benefit and remove confusion, the drink is called the “Welcome Aboard – Welcome Home” beverage. This reflects the end of restrictions that specified exactly where and when the drink could be redeemed, and instead makes it the very first drink loyal guests will enjoy onboard their Carnival cruise.
Carnival Sensation Atrium Bar (Photo Credit: Rob Bixby)
This free drink will be processed automatically for the first drink a guest orders onboard, and will not be charged to their Sail and Sign accounts.
“If you are Gold, Platinum, or Diamond the bartenders and bar waiters will see from your Sail and Sign card (or boarding pass if you haven’t collected [your card] yet from outside your cabin) that you are entitled to your complimentary beverage and so will not charge you anything at all,”confirmed John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador.
Heald also noted that the Welcome Aboard – Welcome Home drink can be redeemed on the first day of the cruise when sailing from both Galveston and New York.
From those homeports, local restrictions are placed on beverage packages and the cruise line’s Cheer’s packages do not start until the second day of the sailing. This does not, however, affect the Welcome Aboard – Welcome Home drink.
Furthermore, the drink does not have to be alcoholic in nature and guests can also choose from other onboard beverages to toast their next sail away.
“The complimentary drink can be used at the Java Blue so if your first drink is a specialty coffee or milk shake then that’s all covered for you,”Heald said.“So please, make that first drink something special and raise a glass to the start of the Fun you deserve so much.”
The revamped benefit begins on all sailings departing from July 20, 2024 and beyond, on all ships in the Carnival fleet. For Gold level VIFP members, the benefit only applies to cruises that are at least 5 nights long. For Platinum and Diamond level members, the drink is available on every cruise.
It should be noted that this change in the drink benefit is only for the complimentary beverage. At this time, there are no changes to the complimentary 1.5-liter bottles of water available for all Red, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond cruisers. Those bottles of water can be redeemed at any bar, restaurant, or from one’s stateroom.
More Changes Sure to Come
Heald has been hinting for many months that changes are coming to Carnival Cruise Line’s VIFP loyalty program. The current program was put in place in late 2012 and fully implemented in 2013, and has not substantially changed since that time.
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz
In recent weeks, however, small changes have been noticed. The $25 of free play in the casino was quietly removed in early June. That benefit had been in place since the industry restart following the pandemic, and was always intended as just a temporary measure because casino tournaments were not able to be held. No casino benefit has yet replaced the free play, however.
Carnival Cruise Line has also discontinued the one-time donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for VIFP members when they reach the Diamond tier of the program.
No further details have yet been confirmed about changes to the VIFP program, or indeed if the entire program will be retired in favor of a completely new loyalty arrangement. Further announcements about the new program are expected later this year.
Princess Cruises has announced that key adventurous features aboard their newest ship, Sun Princess, will not be able to open. This follows months of closures for these features as the ship has been sailing since her debut on February 28, 2024 without the features open for guests.
The never-to-open features are the RollGlider, Coastal Climb, and Ropes Course attractions within the ship’s Park19 space. These highly anticipated options were to have offered fun and adventurous diversions for guests eager for unique, oceangoing thrills.
“We regret to announce that Princess is unable to accept delivery of the RollGlider, Coastal Climb, and Ropes Course features within Park19 aboard Sun Princess and those experiences will not be opening,”the cruise line confirmed in a statement.
Sun Princess Park19
The RollGlider was to have been a first of its kind glider-style zipline experience that would move riders at speeds up to 11 miles per hour while they were suspended from an overhead track. The feature was planned to be ADA-accessible, ensuring that all family members could take in marvelous views.
Coastal Climb was the ship’s ropes course, with a variety of bridges, nets, planks, and other challenging features that offered higher and higher views for the most adventurous travelers.
Ascending from deck 19 to 20, the climb was topped with an outstanding, 360-degree view from The Lookout, an open-air observation deck and the highest point available to guests on the ship.
Now, these key features will not be opening to guests after all. No details about why the features cannot be opened have been confirmed, though the permanent closure could be related to safety considerations, construction flaws, regulations in different destinations, or many other factors. At this time, no new features have been announced for the space occupied by these attractions.
“We are actively evaluating these areas for future recreational opportunities to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all our guests,”the statement from Princess Cruises said.
Many cruise ships are home to unique rides, features, and challenges, from roller coasters to surf simulators to go-kart tracks. Undoubtedly, Princess Cruises will continue to receive guest feedback and consider new options to install aboard Sun Princess to offer everyone great experiences and fun memory-making activities.
Sun Princess Infinite Horizon
The 175,500-gross-ton Sun Princess, first in the line’s Sphere class of vessels, is currently offering diverse Mediterranean itineraries. She will make her first transatlantic crossing in late September, moving to Fort Lauderdale to spend the winter season in the Caribbean. The ship can welcome 4,300 guests aboard, and is also home to roughly 1,500 international crew members.
Sun Princess‘s sister ship, the upcoming Star Princess, was likely to have had similar adventurous features onboard.
No announcements have yet been made about whether or not the features will debut on the second Sphere-class ship or if they will be replaced with different options. Star Princess is currently under construction with Fincantieri and scheduled to debut in October 2025.
What Can Guests Still Do?
The Park19 space on Sun Princess still offers both adventurous and relaxing options for travelers. For thrill-seekers, the best views are had at Infinite Horizon, which features cantilevered walls extending out over the sides of the ship for adrenaline-inducing views.
Cruisers of all ages will enjoy the Splash Zone with its colorful water sculpture and fun pop jets as a space to chill out, while guests who want to relax while staying dry will head for the Hammock Area for laid-back vibes.
Sun Princess also offers a classic Recreational Court as a multifunctional sports space for cornhole, shuffleboard, ping pong, and more. For travelers looking to stay fit and take in ocean breezes, the Jogging Track is not to be missed and offers elevated views to enjoy with a morning, afternoon, or evening stroll, jog, or run.
Royal Caribbean’s newest ship and the sixth vessel in the innovative Oasis class has officially begun her maiden voyage with a spectacular sendoff from Port Canaveral on Friday, July 19, 2024.
Hundreds of well-wishers lined the shore and sent Utopia of the Seas on her first sailing in style at “The World’s Biggest Wave Out” party hosted by Port Canaveral.
The event included a festive, family-fun afternoon with local vendors, a DJ spinning sailaway party hits, a bubble machine, fun giveaways, and more. Nearly 800 people lined the shoreline at Jetty Park adjacent to Port Canaveral to big the ship bon voyage, complete with homemade signs and plenty of good cheer.
Utopia of the Seas Sets Sail from Port Canaveral (Credit: Port Canaveral)
“Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas is one of the most anticipated new cruise ships in the industry,”said Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.“We’re proud to be Royal Caribbean’s partner for this industry first experience and excited to support the strong market demand for short itineraries. Our team is ready and committed to providing high-quality experiences to help all cruise guests launch their memorable journeys from our Port.”
As Utopia of the Seas sailed out of the port with revenue guests for the very first time, she was led by the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, Canaveral Fire Rescue City/Port Fireboat 2 with a water cannon display, and two local tug boats.
The 236,473-gross-ton ship joined an evening parade of departing ships from one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. Also departing and wishing Utopia of the Seas well on her first sailing were Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Glory, and Utopia of the Seas’ fleetmate, Royal Caribbean International’s Adventure of the Seas.
Port Canaveral is now home to two of the three largest cruise ships in the world, with both Utopia of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas offering sailings from the Space Coast.
While Wonder of the Seas offers exclusively 7-night voyages, Utopia of the Seas has been carefully designed to offer shorter sailings, giving travelers more flexibility to enjoy the massive ship for the ultimate weekend getaway.
Utopia of the Seas‘ maiden voyage is a 3-night Bahamas itinerary with visits to Royal Caribbean International’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, as well as Nassau.
The 4-night itineraries will visit the same ports and will also include a day at sea for guests to enjoy the massive ship. The ship can welcome 5,668 travelers at double occupancy, and is also home to nearly 2,300 international crew members.
Utopia of the Seas Sets Sail from Port Canaveral (Credit: Port Canaveral)
Is the Port Ready?
With so many large ships now sailing from Port Canaveral, concerns about traffic congestion and parking availability have been raised. The port is well-prepared for the increase in cruise travel, however, and prepared for Utopia of the Seas‘ arrival by adding nearly 1,000 additional parking spaces at Cruise Terminal 1.
The port has also recently announced further expansion with a new cruise terminal in development on the north side of the port. The new terminal will also include a new parking garage and a flyover ramp for easy traffic flow, with additional room for even more future expansion.
More and more ships are planning to homeport at Port Canaveral, taking advantage of the port’s fine, state-of-the-art facilities as well as its convenient location for travelers and diverse itineraries.
In November, Princess Cruises will bring Caribbean Princess to the port for the line’s first-ever homeport operations, while Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Equinox will likewise homeport from Port Canaveral at that time, another cruise line first.
In December, Disney Cruise Line’s new Disney Treasure and sister ship to Disney Wish will also debut from Port Canaveral as her new homeport, while in August 2025, Royal Caribbean International will bring the second Icon-class ship, Star of the Seas, to the port.
With so many amazing ships soon to call Port Canaveral home, there are sure to be more amazing welcome and wave out events in the months ahead to celebrate the port’s growth and great opportunities for cruise travelers.
Guests aboard Norwegian Jade are getting a longer cruise than originally planned as a technical issue with the ship’s engines has slowed her propulsion and will make her a full day late returning to Port Canaveral.
This changes the disembarkation date from Saturday, July 20 to Sunday, July 21 and subsequently also impacts the next upcoming voyage.
Guests onboard the ship have received notification of the change as well as further details about onward travel arrangements.
“Unfortunately, due to a technical issue, which has impacted the speed of our beautiful ship, but will not impact your safety or that of our crew, we are unable to make the speed needed to get to Port Canaveral on time for disembarkation,”a letter sent to guests’ cabins read.
“Consequently, we will not be arriving into Port Canaveral, Florida, on July 20, 2024, as scheduled. Norwegian Jade’s arrival into Port Canaveral is now anticipated for Sunday, July 21, 2024, at 6:00 a.m.”
This puts the ship a full 24 hours behind her original schedule, and means that any onboard guests with further travel plans to return home may need to make severe adjustments. Norwegian Cruise Line has opened the phone lines and internet access aboard Norwegian Jade so guests can make such adjustments more easily.
If travelers have booked transfers and flights through Norwegian Cruise Line, the reservations team is working to make those adjustments, but some travelers may not be able to return home until Monday, July 22. Any guests impacted in that way will be provided with a 1-night complimentary hotel stay as they wait for their rearranged flight.
Any guests who booked flight arrangements independently will need to contact their airline for rescheduling, as well as travel insurance if they have it for any reimbursement possibilities. The cruise line is also offering up to a $300 (USD) reimbursement per person for any airline change or cancellation fees not covered through travel insurance.
Finally, all guests onboard are being offered a 10% discount as a future cruise credit in acknowledgement of the inconvenience this delay has caused. The credit will be available for use beginning August 7, 2024, and must be used no later than December 31, 2025.
What About the Next Cruise?
Because the 93,558-gross-ton, Jewel-class Norwegian Jade will be late returning to her Florida homeport, guests departing on the next sailing are also impacted. These travelers are being provided a prorated refund as well as help adjusting travel plans if they were booked through Norwegian Cruise Line.
“Guests on this cruise will receive a prorated refund based on the reduced sailing length for the original voyage fare paid, prepaid service charges, Free at Sea package fees and port taxes,” a Norwegian Cruise Line spokesperson confirmed in a statement to Cruise Hive. “We are adjusting travel arrangements for guests who purchased their air or pre-cruise hotel stay through us, as needed, to accommodate the new embarkation date of July 21, 2024.”
There is no mention, however, of any help with securing hotel reservations for Saturday, July 20, when guests would have been expecting to set sail aboard their cruise ship.
Furthermore, the nature of the “technical issue” impacting Norwegian Jade has not been detailed, though the cruise line does acknowledge that repairs are needed.
“The ship is scheduled for maintenance prior to its departure from Port Canaveral, Fla. on July 21, 2024 to mitigate any further impacts to the guest experience,”the statement read.
Norwegian Jade is completing a 7-night Caribbean sailing that visited Great Stirrup Cay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. The next cruise, which was to have departed on Saturday, July 20, was originally an Eastern Caribbean sailing with visits to the Dominican Republic, Tortola, San Juan, and Great Stirrup Cay.
At this time, there is no confirmation of whether or not any itinerary adjustments will be necessary. The next cruise does include two days at sea, which may give the ship ample time to adjust speed to preserve the ports of call, provided repairs can be successfully completed.
Norwegian Jade can welcome 2,402 guests at double occupancy or up to 3,590 travelers when fully booked. Also onboard are approximately 1,000 international crew members who will work hard to ensure all guests have a fun cruise, no matter what technical problems might arise.
Holland America Line has announced a new promotion, “Save on Sunshine,” to encourage travelers to book winter cruises. Launching July 19, 2024, the offer includes up to 40 percent off fares, free prepaid crew appreciation, and 50 percent reduced deposits.
The promotion applies to select departures from September 2024 through April 2025 and must be booked by August 20, 2024.
“Soon enough winter weather will have us all dreaming about cruising to warmer destinations, and with the Save on Sunshine offer, travelers can plan a tropical vacation now and take advantage of extra savings and amenities,”said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line.
Photo Courtesy: Holland America Line
The promotion, available on nearly 300 cruises, covers a range of destinations, including the Caribbean, Mexico, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Tahiti, the Pacific Coast, South America, Hawaii, and the Panama Canal.
It also features cruises to Antarctica, several cruises over the winter holidays, and back-to-back Collectors’ Voyages. Sailings range from 4 to 58 days and excludes Grand Voyages and cruises of three days or less.
Save on Sunshine is combinable with the cruise line’s “Have It All” premium fare, which includes four high-value amenities like shore excursions, Signature Beverage Packages, specialty dining, and the Wi-Fi Surf Package.
Winter and Holiday Destinations
Holland America Line operates a fleet of 11 ships, with five sailing in the Caribbean this winter.
Guests can travel from Fort Lauderdale aboard the 2,104-passenger ms Eurodam, the 2,106-guests ms Nieuw Amsterdam, 2,666-passenger ms Nieuw Statendam, the 2,668-passenger ms Rotterdam. The 2,272-passenger ms Zuiderdam will offer Caribbean routes from Miami.
The 1,331-passenger ms Koningsdam will take guests through the Panama Canal on a special November repositioning from San Diego, California, to Fort Lauderdale for a winter in the Caribbean. Prior, the ship is spending late October and early November in San Diego for short cruises to Santa Barbara and Catalina Island, California, and Ensenada, Mexico.
Special holiday voyages in the Caribbean are available on ms Koningsdam, ms Nieuw Statendam and ms Zuiderdam. Both ms Koningsdam and ms Zuiderdam will spend Christmas at sea and New Year’s Eve visiting St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands as ms Nieuw Statendam enjoys Christmas Day in Cozumel, Mexico, and New Year’s Eve in Puerto Plata/Amber Cove, Dominican Republic.
Holland America Westerdam (Photo Courtesy: Holland America Line)
ms Zaandam, accommodating 1,432 passengers, will stay on the Pacific Coast in November and December, before departing on a Grand Voyage in January 2025. Homeporting in San Diego, the ship will travel to various calls in Mexico, including Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.
Meanwhile, south of the Equator, 1,964-guest ms Oosterdam and 1,432-passenger ms Volendam will explore South America, including voyages to Antarctica. A 22-night departure on ms Oosterdam from Buenos Aires, Argentina, will bring passengers to the southernmost continent during the holidays before ending in San Antonio, Chile, on January 9, 2025.
Down Under, the 1,972-passenger ms Noordam will provide roundtrip voyages from Sydney, Australia, to destinations in Australia and New Zealand, including a holiday sailing that spends Christmas and New Year’s at sea.
Guests can enjoy Asian itineraries aboard the 1,964-guest ms Westerdam, homeporting in Hong Kong and Singapore with journeys to the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. A holiday voyage will find the ship in Bali for Christmas, Semarang on New Year’s Eve, and Jakarta on New Year’s Day.
