Blog Page 387

Nude Cruise to Set Sail from Miami in 2025

Lissa Poirot
-
0
Nude Cruise to Set Sail from Miami in 2025

In what promises to be a unique voyage for Norwegian Cruise Line, the “Big Nude Boat” is scheduled to set sail from Miami in February 2025. It will offer a distinctive travel experience for those who prefer to cruise sans attire.

The 11-day Caribbean cruise, a full charter from Bare Necessities, seeks to blend the liberating experience of a clothing-optional vacation with the amenities and services of a traditional cruise.

Departing on February 3, 2025, and returning on Valentine’s Day, the cruise aboard the nearly 2,400-passenger Norwegian Pearl will visit a series of picturesque destinations in the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, Dominica, Martinique, and St. Lucia.

Clothing optional
(Photo Credit: Mykola Komarovskyy)

Bare Necessities is a tour and travel company that specializes in clothing-optional vacations. Founded in 1990, it focuses on arranging cruises aboard chartered ships, with earlier nude cruises in the Caribbean and Europe, such as the “Big Nude Boat 2024,” which took place on Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Pride and the 2023 “Wonders of the Mediterranean” cruise, which was hosted by Star Clipper’s five-masted Royal Clipper.

Clothing-Optional Cruise Will Feature Exclusive Nude Days at Sea and Excursions

“The Big Nude Boat 2025’s” journey will begin and end with visits to Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, where passengers can snorkel, zipline, and relax in cabanas. Both visits to the private island are exclusive calls, which means passengers may be able to forgo clothing.

The cruise aboard the 93,530-gross-ton Norwegian Pearl will then proceed to San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Roseau, Dominica; Fort-de-France, Martinique, and Castries, St. Lucia. The sailing will also include two “Nude Days at Sea.”

Some additional shore excursions will also be clothing optional. Although not listed on Norwegian Cruise Line’s website, Bare Necessities is providing passengers with guaranteed options, which the travel company says sells out quickly.

Special events will also be planned but have not yet been released. On Carnival Pride, the clothing-optional fun included a pirate night costume party, a deck dance party where the only “attire” required was LED lights, and passenger talent shows.

Norwegian Pearl Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock

However, the “Big Nude Boat” is not devoid of regulations. In order to maintain a respectful atmosphere, Bare Necessities and the cruise line have established clear decorum guidelines for all passengers.

When the ship is at sea or anchored, nudity is generally allowed. However, when the ship is docked, all passengers must be fully clothed on all parts of the vessel, including private balconies, until an announcement is made that it is acceptable to be nude again.

Clothing is also required in all dining areas, not including bathrobes or lingerie, the latter of which is forbidden as general attire, along with fetish wear. Specific rules regarding appropriate conduct in public areas will also be enforced.

Read Also: Norwegian Announces Massive Fleet Expansion and New Private Island Pier

Additional precautions, such as mandatory towel use on shared seating and strict non-photo zones throughout the ship, will also ensure privacy and comfort for all passengers.

Inside cabins start at $2,000 per person, with the 3-bedroom Haven Garden Villa on Deck 14 priced at $33,155 per person.

A Greek Isles clothing-optional cruise by Bare Necessities is currently underway on Royal Clipper with a second launching on May 11. A second nude cruise for 2025 is currently accepting bookings. The October 26 cruise will travel from the Great Barrier Reef to Vanuatu aboard Scenic Cruises’ Scenic Eclipse II.

Carnival Issues Unusual Advisory for Popular Mexican Port

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
Carnival Issues Unusual Advisory for Popular Mexican Port

Cruise lines often alert guests to potentially dangerous situations at ports of call, such as advising travelers not to rent scooters or use unlicensed tour operators. Carnival Cruise Line has issued a more unusual advisory to guests aboard Carnival Radiance, however, regarding certain attractions operating in Ensenada, Mexico.

In a letter delivered to each stateroom, guests are advised not to participate in these unique wildlife encounters for a variety of reasons.

“As you get ready for our visit to Ensenada, we have an important advisory. You may encounter restaurants/attractions (not associated with the ship’s shore excursions program) in the port of Ensenada that allow you to touch or otherwise interact with tiger cubs,” the letter explained.

“For public health, safety, and environmental reasons, Carnival recommends that you do not partake in such attractions, including, but not limited to, the tiger cub attractions.”

Cruise Ship in Ensenada, Mexico
Photo Credit: schlyx / Shutterstock

The letter is signed by the ship’s master, Captain Eduardo Ferrone. There is no date on individual letters, as they are likely being distributed on every sailing that visits the Mexican destination.

The 101,509-gross-ton, Sunshine-class Carnival Radiance is homeported year-round from Long Beach, California, offering a variety of Mexican Riviera and Baja Mexico itineraries, as well as longer Carnival Journeys cruises to Hawaii.

Many travelers are eager for exotic, one-of-a-kind experiences, and cruises offer plenty of opportunities for those bucket-list moments at every destination.

Interactions with wildlife and animals are often tremendously popular, with passengers booking experiences such as dolphin swims, stingray feedings, swimming with pigs, horseback rides, aviary visits, and other options at different ports of call.

While the letter regarding tiger cubs does not go into details about why these interactions are not advised, it should be noted that tigers are not native to Mexico. The animals involved in these opportunities may have questionable backgrounds or could have been acquired by less-than-ethical means.

For example, training, vaccinations, proper handling, humane treatment, and other critical details cannot be verified, and such interactions could easily be unsafe should any animals react poorly during a visit. Furthermore, organizers offering these encounters may not have proper insurance or licensure to safeguard visitors.

A tiger cub can weigh 75-150 pounds or more before it is mature, and is easily capable of inflicting serious injuries via teeth or claws if frightened, startled, or mishandled.

Carnival Radiance Cruise Ship
Photo Copyright: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock / Cruise Hive

In addition to tiger cubs, other animals advertised as available for “interactions” in Ensenada – Cruise Hive will not share the name of the organization offering this activity – including monkeys, falcons, and farm animals.

It must also be noted that these activities are undoubtedly questionable by US standards, but they are legal in Mexico, and often have affiliations with local or regional conservation organizations.

Great Wildlife Encounters to Enjoy

Cruise travelers who want to experience local wildlife have plenty of safe, exciting options to try depending on where they visit.

In Costa Maya, for example, a treetop aviary right at the cruise port offers up-close visits with a variety of tropical birds. In Nassau, guests can easily visit Ardastra Gardens to see the famous flamingos and enjoy an interactive tortoise feeding experience.

Flamingos in Costa Maya, Mexico
Flamingos in Costa Maya, Mexico (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)

Numerous Caribbean destinations offer snorkeling and dolphin, sea lion, or stingray encounter experiences, or guests can visit the Grand Cayman Turtle Farm to witness the conservation of sea turtles.

Meanwhile, in Alaska, whale-watching tours are always popular options, and some tours offer the opportunity to spot black bears. Glass-bottom boat tours also offer great ways to see tropical fish without getting wet.

Nature hikes in Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean also offer opportunities to see local wildlife and numerous birds, and cruise guests can even spot pelicans, frigatebirds, dolphins, and flying fish right from the open decks if they keep a sharp lookout.

Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady to Sail North America in 2025

Lissa Poirot
-
0
Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady to Sail North America in 2025

In a video announcement that debuted on the Virgin Voyages’ website at noon on May 1, Virgin Voyages teased a number of highlights for its newest ship, Brilliant Lady. Debuting in September 2025, the new cruise ship will explore the four corners of North America, with journeys ranging from 5 to 14 nights.

Launching from four homeports – New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle – Virgin Voyages revealed two new destination highlights. As part of its new itineraries, Brilliant Lady will be Virgin Voyage’s first ship to sail through the Panama Canal and the first to adventure in Alaska.

“We’re taking you on a true North American tour the way only Virgin Voyages can,” said Natasha Salzedo, director, itineraries & destinations. “It’s like the ultimate road trip, only by sea.”

Brilliant Lady Cruise Ship
Brilliant Lady Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: UrAvgPhoto)

Added Sir Richard Branson, Virgin’s founder, “This ship is going to be brilliant in every possible way, and that includes the incredible new places we can travel to. Alaska, L.A., New York – here we come!”

The ship will launch in September 2025 in New York City, where it will embark on five cruises either to the pink sand beaches of Bermuda and charming Charleston, South Carolina, or prime leaf peeping journeys in New England and Canada with calls in Boston, Maine, Halifax, New Brunswick, and Quebec City. Brilliant Lady’s inaugural sail is slated for September 5, 2025.

Brilliant Lady will then sail to Miami to winter in the Caribbean, sailing 17 7- to 12-night voyages to passenger favorites like Turks & Caicos, Antigua, and Grand Cayman. New to the cruise line will be a call in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

The ship will then transition from Miami to Los Angeles on an epic 16-night voyage through the Panama Canal. Departing on March 21, 2026, Brilliant Lady will visit Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Los Cabos, Mexico, before spending April and May in Southern California. Four voyages will take passengers to Baja California and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as well as San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Catalina Island.

Finally, Brilliant Lady will head to Seattle in May 2026 for a summer season in Alaska, the first for Virgin Voyages. The ship is scheduled to remain in the Pacific Northwest through September 2026, although full itineraries are still in development.

Brilliant Lady to Debut Enhanced Features as Virgin Voyages’ Final Lady Ship

The final vessel in the Virgin Voyage fleet of Lady ships, Brilliant Lady will accommodate up to 2,762 passengers and weigh 110,000 gross tons. Frank Weber, senior vice president, fleet operations, Virgin Voyages, said first fleet-to-design elements will be revealed in coming months, but did announce a new category of Sea Terrace cabins will debut on Brilliant Lady.

“She has been adapted in certain parts to allow her to specifically sail through the world’s most famous short cut, the Panama Canal,” he said, revealing the adaptation required more “snug” Sea Terraces cabins. 

Brilliant Lady Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Virgin Voyages

“To make it a little ‘extra,’ we have added a second hammock to the balconies,” Weber touted.

The executive team continued to tease additional upgrades and changes to Brilliant Lady, such as new tastes to follow Virgin Voyages Eat and Drink Festival, indicating the festival will serve as an introduction to treats to come.

Also vaguely revealed will be more live music, more comedy, and more shows, all to be announced “slowly” in the coming months.

Read Also: I Spent 7 Days on My First Adults-Only Virgin Voyages Cruise

Bookings will open for the Alaskan sailings this summer, with Virgin Voyages opening an “Alaska Front(ier) of the Line Pass” that allows Sailors to secure a place in line ahead of the openings. Placeholders, available on May 8, 2024, will start at $500 for Sea Terraces.

A new “Brilliant 4 You Pass” will soon be available to access all four of Brilliant Lady’s “MerMaiden” voyages. Sailors previously slated to sail on Brilliant Lady will be given priority access to book a MerMaiden voyage.

All Princess Cruises to Alaska Will Show the Northern Lights

Donna Tunney
-
0
All Princess Cruises to Alaska Will Show the Northern Lights

Cruise guests sailing to Alaska generally stand a good chance of seeing the famous Aurora Borealis, aka Northern Lights, but those onboard a Princess Cruises’ ship in summer 2024 are guaranteed to experience the striking, night sky phenomenon. As part of its North to Alaska enrichment program, the cruise line announced it will present a new planetarium show featuring the spectacle inside each ship’s Princess Theater.

The presentation, called “Northern Lights,” is part of a broad series of special events, performances, culinary highlights, and cultural tours and excursions that makes Princess Cruises one of the top lines in the Alaska market. In fact, the cruise line in 2024 marks its 55th year sailing in the Great Land.

Princess Cruises Northern Lights
Princess Cruises Northern Lights

“Each season in Alaska we strive to deliver enriching experiences for our guests to feel immersed in the beauty and local culture of this spectacular destination,” said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer of Princess Cruises.

“After receiving our highest guest satisfaction ranking ever last season, we knew we wanted to design elevated programming to further connect our guests to all of the wonders of the 49th state for our 55th anniversary season,” Thornton added.

In planning its 2024 Alaska itineraries, Princess Cruises predicted early in the year that the upcoming season will break records, with seven ships deployed to the destination. The ships will sail 14 itineraries to 17 ports or scenic cruising grounds, offering a total 158 departures.

Itineraries include five glacier-viewing options and 91 calls to the pristine Glacier Bay National Park. 

Three ships will operate 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruises between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Anchorage, including the 3,560-guest Royal Princess; the 2,670-guest Sapphire Princess, and the 2,600-guest Grand Princess.

Seven-day Inside Passage voyages will operate roundtrip from Seattle aboard the 3,660-guest Discovery Princess, and the 3,560-guest Majestic Princess.

From San Francisco, Princess will offer 11-day Inside Passage cruises aboard the 3,080-guest Crown Princess, while the 3,080-guest Ruby Princess operates 7-day Inside Passage voyages from Vancouver.

Summer 2024 Season Introduces New Tours, Activities

Princess Cruises has several new experiences waiting for cruisers who book a sailing aboard one of its seven ships exploring Alaska in summer 2024.

New shore excursions include Juneau Highlights: Glacier Gardens & Whale Park; Crab Feast at George Inlet Lodge, in Ketchikan; Port Chilkoot Distillery Tour & Tastings, in Haines; and Marine Expedition & Wildlife Quest, in Sitka, for example.

Princess Cruises in Alaska
Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock

Cruisers who book a cruisetour that features accommodations at one of Princess Cruises’ five Princess Wilderness Lodges across Alaska can try the line’s new Alaska Adventure Quest: Geocaching Expedition. This exciting experience involves guests using their cellphones as GPS devices — or they can use a paper map —to find hidden goodies on the lodge properties.

In all, 20 cruisetours are offered in 2024, including two new ones. A 15-night cruisetour features visits to five parks, Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell-St. Elias, Kenai Fjords National Parks, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park. The trip combines a 7-day cruise with 8 nights on land, with accommodations at four Princess lodges.

Read Also: Your Guide to the Best Alaska Cruise Ports

A shorter option added to the 2024 cruisetour list is a 9-day exploration that features a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruise and two days in Anchorage, where the main event is a visit to Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, famous for its bear-watching experience. The land component is offered pre- or post-cruise.

Cuisine is a major focus onboard Princess Cruises ships sailing in Alaska, with several local culinary events on tap. Among them are Crabshack, a four-course seafood extravaganza offered as a pop-up dining venue in the ships’ World Fresh Marketplace, and a salmon cooking demonstration on the final sea day of each itinerary.

Holland America Introduces Glacier Guarantee for Alaska Cruises

Lissa Poirot
-
0
Holland America Introduces Glacier Guarantee for Alaska Cruises

In a move to bolster traveler confidence, Holland America Line announced on May 1 the introduction of a Glacier Guarantee for its Alaska cruises and cruisetours, effective through September 2025. The guarantee is a response to passenger expectations of witnessing the dramatic glaciers, which are often a primary reason for selecting an Alaska cruise. 

The initiative commits to providing passengers with guaranteed glacier sightings. Should the cruise fail to make any glacier stops, affected guests will receive a Future Credit Credit valued at 15% of their paid fare.

“Our guests, particularly first-timers, have high expectations of seeing Alaska’s glaciers, which are central to the experience of cruising in this region,” said Kacy Cole, chief marketing officer at Holland America Line.“With the Glacier Guarantee, we are ensuring that our guests’ experiences match their expectations, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and trust in our Alaska itineraries.”

Cruise Ship in Glacier Bay, Alaska
Photo Credit: fon thachakul / Shutterstock

Passengers are guaranteed one glacier sighting on all scheduled Alaska cruises and cruisetours between May and September. If a port or cruisetour featuring a glacier is cancelled by Holland America, passengers will automatically receive the promotional credit.

Certain Yukon cruisetours that include a shorter, three-day cruise segment are excluded from the guarantee.

In order to receive the promotional credit, guests 21 and older must complete a claim form within 30 days of the cruise, and Holland America will issue the credit within 30 days of verifying the claim. Only one claim can be made during a season, and travelers have 12 months to use the credit.

Holland American Line Enhances Alaska Cruises

Holland America Line, which has been sailing in Alaska since 1947, has structured its Alaska cruises to include visits to major glacier attractions and holds more permits for Glacier Bay National Park & Reserve than any other cruise operator.

A newly introduced feature, “Glacier Day,” will enhance the glacial experience on board this summer sailing season. This event provides specific times for glacier and open bow viewing, complete with commentary and presentations by Glacier Bay National Park Service Rangers.

The programming is part of the cruise line’s “Alaska Up Close” offerings, providing a 360-degree experience and immersion. Presentations focus on Alaska’s history, culture, wilderness, and wildlife onboard and on land.

Read Also: Your Guide to the Best Alaska Cruise Ports

Wildlife observation is also a key aspect of Alaska Up Close. Each ship has onboard wildlife experts who assist passengers in spotting and identifying Alaska’s native animals, such as whales, bears, and eagles.

Alaska passengers also dine on sustainable, wild-caught, and responsibly farmed seafood through Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish Program. The cruise line recently became the first international line to receive certification from the Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

Holland America Cruise Ship at Glacier Bay
Holland America Cruise Ship at Glacier Bay (Photo Credit: Ken Schulze / Shutterstock)

Holland American Line operates six ships on various Alaska itineraries. The ships offer trips ranging from a standard 7-day tour to an extended 28-day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice adventure.

The first of Holland America Line’s ships to arrive in the 2024 season was Koningsdam on April 29. The roundtrip voyage departed from Vancouver, British Colombia, on April 27, visiting Tracy Arm/Endicott Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Ketchikan.

Nieuw Amsterdam followed on April 30, with Noordam arriving on May 2, Zaandam on May 3, Eurodam on May 6, and finally Westerdam on May 14. Koningsdam will conclude the 2024 season with its 7-night Inside Passage voyage sailing September 28 through October 5.

New Cunard Queen Arrives at Homeport Ahead of Maiden Voyage

Melissa Mayntz
-
0
New Cunard Queen Arrives at Homeport Ahead of Maiden Voyage

There is new royalty in Southampton with the arrival of Cunard Line’s newest vessel, Queen Anne, as the ship reached her homeport on April 30, 2024, just days ahead of welcoming guests for her maiden voyage. The stunning ship arrived with traditional fanfare as befits her royal status and the first new ship for Cunard Line since Queen Elizabeth joined the fleet in 2010.

Queen Anne sailed gracefully up Southampton Water, accompanied by a fireboat water salute, with ship fans lining the shore waving flags and otherwise welcoming the new vessel.

“Our new Queen has arrived! Welcome to the world, Queen Anne. Last night Queen Anne made her grand entrance into her home port of Southampton,” Cunard Line posted on social media. “We are so proud to welcome Queen Anne to the Cunard fleet.”

The 113,000-gross-ton, Pinnacle-class ship is now nearly ready to welcome up to 3,000 passengers aboard, with 1,225 international crew members available to ensure spectacular service for all who sail on the new ship.

Queen Anne's Arrival in Southampton
Queen Anne’s Arrival in Southampton

Over the next two days, before Queen Anne begins her maiden voyage, the remaining crew members will be arriving to the vessel and supplies will be taken onboard. Preparations will undoubtedly be made for special events for the ship’s initial sailings, which are always momentous occasions for any new vessel.

The ship also hosted an overnight preview event on May 1, welcoming media, travel advisors, and VIPs aboard with expert panel discussions, ship tours, and introductions to the highlights of the new ship, including her exclusive menu offerings. An evening drinks reception in The Pavilion brought both Captain Inger Thorhauge and Cunard President Katie McAlister together to welcome everyone.

“It was a privilege to showcase so many exciting and elevated new concepts to our VIP guests,” said McAlister. “Queen Anne boasts the widest selection of dining venues, bar, entertainment, and  wellness so far seen on a Cunard ship and we are all so proud of the experience and incredible service that our guests will enjoy on board.”

The maiden voyage is a 7-night voyage to Lisbon and is sure to have a number of VIPs onboard to commemorate the sailing. The ship will visit La Coruna, Spain, on the sailing as she officially begins service.

The arrival of Queen Anne – just days after the ship was officially handed over to Cunard Line on April 19 from the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy – marks the first time the cruise line has had four ships in service in 25 years.

“We are so excited to welcome Queen Anne to our fleet as she completes a remarkable quartet alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria – marking the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service,” said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. 

Queen Anne is the 249th vessel to ever sail under the Cunard flag, and she continues more than 180 years of maritime history with the cruise line.

She is the first vessel to be named for Queen Anne (reign 1702-1714) and completes the fleet that now honors every Queen Regnant over the last millennium – Queen Mary (reign 1910-1936), Queen Victoria (reign 1837-1901), and Queen Elizabeth (reign 1936-1952), save Queen Elizabeth II (reign 1952-2022).

The ship’s official christening is scheduled for June 3, 2024 in Liverpool, during the ship’s 14-night “British Isles Festival Cruise” that will depart Southampton on May 24, with visits throughout Scotland and Ireland before arriving in Liverpool for the naming ceremony.

Monumental Firsts Ahead

As Queen Anne begins service, guests sailing on her various itineraries throughout her maiden season are sure to experience a variety of special moments above and beyond the distinctive, classic service of a Cunard cruise.

Queen Anne's Arrival in Southampton
Queen Anne’s Arrival in Southampton

When the ship visits any port for the first time, it’s a special occasion often featuring welcome events or receptions, VIP greetings, and a plaque exchange between the ship’s captain and local dignitaries to commemorate the first visit. Those plaques are displayed onboard to showcase the history of a vessel’s travels.

More From Cruise Hive

Queen Anne will be visiting more than 60 unique ports of call in 16 countries over the next few months, including destinations in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, and the Canary Islands, before setting sail on her 108-night Maiden World Voyage on January 9, 2025. That remarkable journey will take her even further to North America, Australia, and Asia.

Philippines Goes All-In on Cruises to Welcome Record Passenger Numbers

Robert McGillivray
-
0
Philippines Goes All-In on Cruises to Welcome Record Passenger Numbers

Perhaps one of the most underrated cruise destinations in Asia, the Philippines is preparing for a busy cruise year, with an expected 300,000 cruise passengers scheduled to visit the country in 2024, and 44,000 cruise passengers having already visited the country in the first three months of the year. 

Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago, the Philippines expects a 275-percent increase in cruise passengers compared to 2023, when 80,000 cruise passengers arrived in the country.

“For the year we are expecting 300,000 cruise tourist arrivals, for the first three months of 2024 we have achieved 44,000 cruise tourist arrivals already,” Santiago said.

The surge in cruise tourism comes as the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) is steadily investing in new and modern cruise terminals to welcome the increasing number of cruise ships that sail to one of the country’s 7641 islands.

The Philippines has long been left on the sidelines during cruise itineraries, with only the capital of Manila, Boracay, and Puerto Princesa seeing regular ship visits.

However, with the addition of a new cruise terminal in Siargao, the country’s surfing capital, which is scheduled to open around the third quarter of 2024, and a dedicated cruise terminal in Coron, Palawan, the Philippines is significantly increasing its capacity to welcome more cruise passengers.

“Other than the ports we are improving, we have now co-constructed dedicated cruise terminals, those we have identified and ongoing cruise dedicated terminals, like in Siargao which hopefully by the third quarter our Siargao cruise terminal will be operational. 

Coron, Palawan also has a cruise terminal, there’s the one in Currimao Ilocos Norte, there’s the Salomague ports in Ilocos Sur and we’ve also constructed our dedicated cruise terminal in Buruanga, Aklan and we have many more locations to start for cruise destinations add to that the one in Camiguin that is lined up,” added GM Santiago.

On top of that, cruise ships now also regularly call to islands such as Bohol, El Nido, and Subic Bay

Why A Cruise To The Philippines Is A Great Idea

Besides the tens of thousands of Filipino crew members who would relish a chance to show their home country to guests onboard, the country is a match made in heaven for those who love the combination of culture, great food, island hopping, and stunning natural beauty.

The Philippines is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, from rainforests and jungles to stunning coral reefs and the stunning rice terraces of the Luzon mountains. Of course, the Philippines’ greatest trait, its people, are incredibly hospitable people, as many who have encountered Filipino crew members onboard can confirm.

Boracay island, Philippines
Boracay island, Philippines (Photo Credit: Pelikh Alexey)

The plans from the Philippine Ports Authority make visiting the islands a lot easier and make islands, many of which are hidden gems that are not on the radar of mass tourism yet, much more accessible.

However, while the country expects to welcome 300,000 cruise passengers in 2024, in 2025, the country will be seeing the busiest year to date. Manila will have 25 cruise calls in 2025, compared to just six more in 2024. Puerto Princesa will welcome five more ships in 2024, compared to a total of 16 ships scheduled already in 2025.

Amongst the companies that have ships sailing to the Philippines are Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Seabourn, Holland America Line, Azamara, and Hapag Lloyd.

The numerous other cruise ports around the country will also see a large increase between 2024 and 2025, signaling an increased interest from the cruise industry to explore a country that has been dubbed the best cruise destination in Asia.

New-Build Holds ‘Lucky Coin’ Ceremony as Launch Nears

Donna Tunney
-
0
New-Build Holds ‘Lucky Coin’ Ceremony as Launch Nears

The placement of lucky coins, a time-honored maritime tradition for new sea-going vessels, was held aboard TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7, a 2,900-guest ship nearing the end of construction at a Finnish shipyard.

Ship Captain Omar Caruana joined members of the crew and shipyard employees for the Lucky Coin Ceremony at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on April 30, 2024. According to tradition, 10 lucky coins are placed in a box, which is then welded to the ship’s deck 15. It means there is a “nest egg” on the ship and she is ready to sail.

Captain Caruana has been working at the shipyard in Turku, Finland, since February, as finishing touches and final preparations are made to the 111,500-gross ton vessel. 

“I will remember this moment for the rest of my life,” Captain Omar Caruana said during the coin ceremony.

Mein Schiff 7, the seventh in the TUI Cruises’ fleet, was floated out of her construction bay in December 2023, and work on the interior design of the ship began. TUI Cruises is a joint venture of the TUI Group and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

Mein Schiff 7 Lucky Coin Ceremony
Mein Schiff 7 Lucky Coin Ceremony

The ship is due to enter service in June 2024, and will soon begin a series of sea trials, when major operational systems such as propulsion, navigation, and safety will be evaluated. Meanwhile, start-up crew members will soon move into their cabins as construction comes to a close.

The ship was built with several environment-friendly systems. It is designed to use lower-emission marine diesel with a sulfur content of just 0.1%. Built with catalytic converters, the vessel was constructed to achieve nitrogen oxide emissions roughly 75% lower than traditional fuels. 

In addition, Mein Schiff 7 can run on methanol, prospectively green methanol, which is considered a climate-friendly fuel when it is produced from renewable energies. The use of green methanol would make the ship’s propulsion almost CO2-neutral. 

In light of the ship’s environmental sustainability systems, the cruise line chose the Mein Schiff fleet’s environmental officer, Fenia Kalachani, to serve as godmother of the new vessel.

Ship to Be Christened in At-Sea Ceremony

TUI Cruises earlier revealed that June 22, 2024, will be the christening date for Mein Schiff 7. The ceremony will be held at sea as part of a 2-day christening cruise, with Kalachani christening and naming the ship. 

The cruise will depart Kiel, Germany, on June 21, 2024, and sail in the Danish South Sea, also known as the South Sea Islands, an archipelago off southeast Denmark. Following the onboard naming ceremony, the ship will return to Kiel on June 23, 2024, the capital city of Germany’s Schleswig-Holstein state, where the annual Kiel Week festival will be underway.

TUI Cruises' Mein Schiff 7
TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7 (Photo Credit: TUI Cruises)

Read Also: New Futuristic 2100 Cruise Ship Concept Revealed

Kiel Week is a major sailing regatta, with competitions, live music, food, and other entertainment. Guests will be able to enjoy the event after debarking the ship.

Mein Schiff 7‘s inaugural season will feature voyages in the Baltic region, and the Norwegian Fjords and Arctic Circle, calling at ports such as Stavanger, Eidfjord, Molde, North Cape, and Longyearbyen on Spitzbergen. A special 5-day themed cruise is set for departure on September 22, 2024, focused on German hip-hop music and sailing from Warnemünde to Hamburg.

The new vessel will offer mostly ocean-view cabins, 12 restaurants and 17 lounges, a gym, sports courts and a climbing wall, a full spa, and an outdoor pool.

TUI Cruises has two more ships under construction. The 160,000-gross ton Mein Schiff Relax and Mein Schiff 9 are being built at a Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. Both are powered by LNG (liquified natural gas), and the ships are slated to launch in 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Scottish Port Gears Up for Promising Cruise Season

Donna Tunney
-
0
Scottish Port Gears Up for Promising Cruise Season

The 2024 cruise season has officially opened at Scotland’s Greenock Ocean Terminal, with Princess Cruises’ 3,560-guest Regal Princess becoming the first ship to call at the facility in Inverclyde, the port for Glasgow.

The Greenock Ocean Terminal, which recently launched a new visitor center, welcomed 91 cruise ships in 2023, breaking the port’s 2022 record by a substantial 25%. Port officials expect 79 ships to call in 2024, bringing an estimated 115,000 cruise guests to the region. 

Early bookings for 2025 indicate the port will break its 2023 arrivals record. Meanwhile, the 2024 season will be the first full cruise season for the £20 million ($25 million USD) visitor center, which opened in August 2023, about midway through last year’s season.

The center features an arrivals and departures hall, a museum/art gallery, and a restaurant, and has already created 70-plus local jobs and added some £26 million ($32.5 million USD) to the Scottish economy.

“We’re looking forward to another busy cruise season at Greenock Ocean Terminal, the first since our new visitor centre was launched,” said Jim McSporran, Port Director at Peel Ports Clydeport.

“The impressive centre is not only a superb facility for cruise passengers, but it also enhances our ability to attract these fantastic vessels to Inverclyde from all over the world, which has a positive impact on local businesses and Scotland’s broader economy,” added McSporran.

Regal Princess at Greenock Port
Regal Princess at Greenock Port (Photo Courtesy: Peel Ports)

Along with the new visitor center, recent upgrades to Inverclyde include a new floating pontoon cruise ship berth that enables the port to accommodate ships up to 1,115 feet long. The maximum length enables most mega-ships to call, and is just shy of the 1,186-foot-length of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships.

The improvement project, which was led by Inverclyde Council, was part of a £1 billion ($1.2 billion USD) Glasgow City Region City Deal funded by the Scottish and UK governments, Peel Ports, the operator of Greenock Ocean Terminal, and some private contributions.

Inverclyde is comprised of three towns: Port Glasgow, Greenock, and Gourock, as well as a few small villages. The area has a shipbuilding and seafaring history and offers visitors a wealth of outdoor activities plus a vibrant arts and culture scene.

Queen Anne Visit a Highlight for the Port in 2024

One of the major highlights of the 2024 season is the upcoming visit by Cunard’s new ship, Queen Anne, which will call at Greenock during her 14-night maiden British Isles Festival Voyage. The ship was officially delivered to the line in mid-April.

Queen Anne Ship Sea Trials
Queen Anne Ship Sea Trials (Credit: Cunard Line)

The 3,000-guest Queen Anne will depart from Southampton on May 24, 2024 and call at Edinburgh, Invergordon, Greenock, Belfast, and finally Liverpool, where her naming ceremony will be held on June 3, 2024. Following her christening, Queen Anne will call at Cobh, Ireland, before returning to Southampton.

Other cruise ships scheduled to call at Greenock include Disney Cruise Line’s 4,000-guest Disney Dream; Celebrity Cruises’ 3,400-guest Celebrity Apex; Silversea Cruises’ 600-guest Silver Spirit; Royal Caribbean’s 2,700-guest Jewel of the Seas; Azamara’s 670-guest Azamara Onward; Carnival Cruise Line’s 2,124-guest Carnival Legend; and Norwegian Cruise Line’s 2,340-guest Norwegian Dawn, among others.

“Inverclyde’s cruise tourism sector has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and we’re delighted it’s going to be another busy year at Greenock Ocean Terminal with some really impressive liners arriving,” said Stephen McCabe, Inverclyde Council representative.

Cruise guests arriving to Greenock can travel to Glasgow by train in about 20 minutes and enjoy many area tours and excursions.

1...386387388...606Page 387 of 606