The Port of Montreal has officially begun its 2024 cruise season, marked by the arrival of Holland America’s Volendam on May 4, 2024. The season, running through October 28, is expected to bring in approximately 50,000 passengers through 41 planned operations, including nine calls and 32 boardings and disembarkations.
This year, nine cruise ships will make their maiden voyage to Montreal, including Volendam, the largest ship of the season with the capacity to accommodate 1,440 passengers and calling on the city nine times.
Yves Gilson (left), associate director of cruises for the Port of Montreal, and Laurentius Oscar van Eerten, the Captain of Volendam. (Photo Courtesy: CNW Group/Montreal Port Authority)
Additionally, Regent Seven Seas’ 750-passenger Grandeur, British cruise line Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ 1,320-passenger Borealis, and Oceania Cruises’ 750-passenger Nautica will also contribute greatly to the port’s passenger count.
Julie Gascon, president and CEO of the Port of Montreal, expressed enthusiasm about the new season, saying, “This new cruise season reflects Montreal’s appeal as a world-class tourist destination. We are so very proud to offer an outstanding reception area with the Grand Quay and the Port of Montreal Tower, which have become iconic symbols for our city’s tourism.”
Montreal Welcomes First-Time Visitors and Celebrates Milestones in the 2024 Cruise Season
Other notable first-timers visiting Montreal this season include Villa Vie Odyssey, a residential ship sailing the world’s first “perpetual” cruise; World Explorer, which focuses on adventure experiences; two French-owned Ponant ships, Champlain and Lyrial; and Azamara Cruises’ Azamara Journey, which is returning to Montreal after an eight-year hiatus.
The port is presenting plaques to each vessel making its first port of call. The plaques were designed by Manon Sioui, a member of the Huron-Wendat Nation who won a contest to redesign the traditional plaque earlier this year.
“All Aboard” is designed to resemble a sea turtle, representing America to Sioui’s tribe, with symbols illustrating the port and Montreal, the area’s nautical history, and Canada and its Indigenous People.
The season will also celebrate milestones that represent major cruise line loyalty to the Port of Montreal. Regent Seven Seas, for example, will bring its 25,000th passenger aboard Grandeur during its September 19 arrival.
Meanwhile, Viking Cruises will celebrate its 30,000th passenger to Montreal aboard Viking Neptune on September 27, and Oceania will bring its 40,000th passenger aboard Nautica on October 6.
Port of Montreal (Photo Credit: Denis Roger)
“Every spring, we can’t wait to see the first cruise ship of the season get here. It marks the start of an exciting time for tourism in Montreal,” added Yves Lalumiere, president and CEO, Tourisme Montreal. “As the gateway to the Americas, Montreal is a must-see destination on the St. Lawrence River. Tourism Montreal is proud to collaborate with this sector, creating significant economic benefits for the restaurant owners and merchants of Old Montreal.”
Following Volendam’s arrival to the charming French-speaking city in the Quebec province this month are Ocean Navigator and Europa 2. The season remains slow until September, when fall foliage tours begin in Canada. During that month, Viking Cruises’ Mars and Neptune, Seabourn’s Quest, the Conti Group’s Hamburg, Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride, Regent Seven Seas’ Grandeur, and Oceania Cruises’ Insignia will visit.
Fred Olsen and Azamara join in October, along with Oceania’s Nautica. Montreal’s season will conclude with Oceania’s Insignia and Nautica both departing on October 28.
Despite Port of Montreal’s strong 2024 season, this year’s numbers indicate the port will not break last year’s record-breaking season. In 2023, the port welcomed 50 ships and 51,000 passengers, marking a 33% increase in cruise activity.
Carnival Cruise Line’s popular Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has announced his next “FFS” cruise, a “For Fun Sake” sailing that will feature exclusive activities for registered guests. This will be the seventh of these wildly popular themed cruises and is always a fun time for participating travelers.
Heald generally offers just one such cruise annually, and while it is not a full-ship charter sailing, registration for the special events is limited to 700 guests.
“I am proud to announce the details for our cruise for FFS #7 in 2025,”Heald said on his popular Facebook page.“I hope to see you there.”
John Heald
The themed cruise will be the February 16, 2025 departure of Carnival Magic, a 6-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami, Florida. The itinerary includes visits to Carnival’s private destination in the Bahamas, Princess Cays, as well as Grand Turk and Amber Cove, both popular destinations for many Carnival cruise fans.
As an interesting note, the very first FFS cruise was also aboard Carnival Magic. Other sailings have been held aboard Carnival Freedom, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Breeze, and other ships in the Carnival fleet.
Heald explained that he had hoped to offer the FFS sailing from Galveston, New Orleans, or Long Beach. Because bookings for 2025 are so strong already, however, it wasn’t possible to secure an appropriate departure that has enough open cabins to permit the special event.
“Revenue management gave me two choices. One was a cruise to Alaska in April and the other, well, was this one,”Heald explained.“As much as I would loved Alaska I know that it would have meant many would not want to join me.”
The special FFS events onboard will only be available to passengers who register, which will be limited to 700 guests. The 130,000-gross-ton, Dream-class Carnival Magic can welcome 3,690 guests at double occupancy, or up to 4,724 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled.
Exclusive activities for those registered include two complimentary cocktail parties during the cruise, private tea times, special morning breakfasts and meet-and-greets, as well as other exclusive events. A welcome aboard lanyard and a unique FFS gift will also be given to each registered guest.
Carnival Magic Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: NAN728)
On previous FFS cruises, activities have included autograph sessions with John Heald, charity auctions, karaoke contests, question-and-answer sessions, and more.
Of course, all guests will also have access to all the fun aboard Carnival Magic, including comedy shows, production performances, fabulous food, and all the ship’s amazing amenities.
Registering for the FFS Cruise
Registration for the FFS event is just $30 per person, which covers the costs of the exclusive parties, gifts, and gratuities for the crew members who will make each activity fun and memorable. Guests must first have a fully paid deposit for the sailing, or have paid for the cruise in full, in order to register.
Registration information is typically found as an add-on shore excursion on Carnival’s website. For the 2025 sailing, guests will need to log in to their booking and look for the registration link as a shore excursion for Princess Cays. While the “excursion” is listed as a one hour event, the registration covers all FFS activities for the sailing.
Interested guests will want to register as quickly as possible, as these special opportunities sell out very quickly.
In fact, for the FFS #6 cruise in February 2024 – which opened for registration on July 31, 2023 – a technical glitch caused initial difficulties and the 650 available spaces sold out in just five minutes. That cruise was aboard Carnival Horizon on an 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary.
Princess Cruises has unveiled additional 2025-2026 cruise season offerings, aiming to attract travelers to the landscapes of South America and Antarctica. The cruise line’s latest itinerary includes diverse routes with remote landscapes and urban settings.
“Our upcoming 2025-26 cruise season to South America and Antarctica promises remarkable journeys with incredible opportunities to glide through glacial waters of Antarctica to enjoy views of Elephant Island, Antarctic Sounds, and Gerlache Straight – all unforgettable sites to behold,”said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer, Princess Cruises.
He added, “Plus our thoughtfully planned itineraries offer guests more time in robust South American cities to fully immerse themselves in the culture to get a taste of how the locals live.“
The announcement comes on the heels of a record-breaking season for Antarctic tourism, indicating a rising trend in travel to the region. The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) recorded 105,331 people visited Antarctica last season.
Princess Cruises Itinerary in South America
For the 2025-26 season, Princess Cruises plans to cover 20 destinations across 11 countries with seven distinct departures between November 2025 and January 2026.
The itineraries include visits to 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Pampas, which date back to 500 BCE and 500 CE, from San Martin, Peru; the Historic Centre of Lima, Peru; and the Peninsula Valdes Patagonian Nature Reserve from Puerto Madryn, Chile.
Photo Credit: ODEGOVA / Shutterstock
Sapphire Princess will conduct the Antarctica sailings, opening the season with a 53-day roundtrip repositioning voyage from Los Angeles, California, to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 16, 2025. The ship will call on ports in Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, and Uruguay.
The 115,875-gross-ton ship will then host a series of cruises, ranging from Andes adventures to sailing around Cape Horn, and its more scenic explorations in Antarctica. The last cruise for Sapphire Princess’ season will be a 17-night roundtrip Antarctica cruise on January 25, 2026.
For more extensive land exploration, Princess Cruises is providing two additional tour options: Iguazu Falls Adventure and the Machu Piccu Explorer, each combining cruises with visits to significant historical sites.
Additional excursions will delve into the local communities with options like gaucho life in Argentina and Argentinean wine region discovery. Onboard, the cruise line will offer special cultural performances, educational sessions by South American historians, and themed entertainment. The cruises will also feature Princess Cruises’ Discovery at SEA program, which includes speakers offering insights into places visited.
The family program continues with Camp Discovery Youth Centers and Teen Lounges, Discovery and Animal Planet shore excursions, and live animal experiences in the Piazza.
Princess Cruises in Chile (Photo Credit: Claudine Van Massenhove)
Passengers will also enjoy five specialty restaurants, casual eats, freshwater swimming pools, sports courts, the Lotus Spa, and entertainment like Movies Under the Stars, guest entertainers, and original musical productions.
This is not Sapphire Princess’ first season in South America and Antarctica, the 2,670-passenger ship sails more itineraries in Antarctica than any other cruise ship, according to IAATO. It resumes its itineraries in the 2024-25 season, when it transitions from the Caribbean to Buenos Aires in November 2024.
Departing from Fort Lauderdale on November 13, 2024, the ship will spend 18 nights with calls in Brazil and Uruguay en route to Argentina and will remain in the southern hemisphere through March 2025.
Cruise travelers are always looking for new and unique destinations to visit on their favorite cruise lines, and Carnival Cruise Line has hinted that some very enticing options may soon be available for future cruises. These new itineraries are only being considered in the very early planning stages, but are exiting prospects for future Carnival sailings.
Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald recently asked followers of his popular Facebook page about the new destinations and itinerary options. He said that many of the ideas have come from guest suggestions and requests.
“The Beards are working on some exciting voyages to compliment our bread and butter 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 day Caribbean and Mexican Riviera cruises,”Heald noted.
The first option being considered is a more extensive collection of Carnival Journeys sailings ranging from 12-30 days. These longer cruises typically visit more unique ports of call, and because of that, are often on smaller ships that can more easily maneuver into such ports.
Photo Credit: litttree / Shutterstock
Repositioning cruises, such as Carnival Luminosa moving between Australia and Alaska, are one type of Carnival Journeys sailing, while trips to Hawaii from Long Beach are another. Possible options for future longer sailings might be more detailed Caribbean itineraries, South America destinations, European explorations, Greenland cruises, and more.
Heald also offered 3- and 4-day cruises on one of the cruise line’s Excel class ships – Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee – as another potential new itinerary option. While no destinations were mentioned, such short cruises would typically be to the Bahamas, Cozumel, or Ensenada, depending on the ship’s homeport.
Mardi Gras is currently offering 6-, 7-, and 8-night Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, while Carnival Celebration is homeported in Miami with similar 6-, 7-, and 8-night Caribbean sailings.
Next, Heald suggested the possibility of a “special voyage to Antarctica” but with no other details. Such a once-in-a-lifetime cruise might be a longer sailing that could depart from a US homeport, or might depart from a South American port for a shorter option.
One of the most exciting options (my personal favorite) that Heald hinted at would be a New York to Southampton transatlantic cruise, roundtrip, with two days docked in London for more exploration. While Carnival already offers one-way transatlantic sailings, a roundtrip option would be very attractive to guests who prefer not to arrange international airfare.
The last suggestion was the possibility of a larger Carnival ship – Dream, Vista, or Excel class – in Europe during the summer season. Larger ships typically have more features and amenities, and of course have greater passenger capacities to welcome more guests aboard.
For 2024, Carnival Legend is offering European itineraries with departures from Barcelona, Dover, and Civitavecchia (Rome). In 2025, Carnival Miracle will be offering similar European options. Both ships are 85,942-gross-ton, Spirit-class vessels that can welcome just 2,124 guests per sailing.
The only other time Carnival cruise guests can visit European ports of call on a Carnival cruise ship are when the vessels are on their way to dry dock at a European shipyard or just restarting service after such refurbishment. These updates only happen every few years for each individual ship.
These suggestions of potential new itineraries come just a couple of weeks after Heald hinted at a possible world cruise, which would be a first for the popular cruise line.
2025 Itineraries Selling Fast
While none of these new itineraries are yet confirmed for future seasons, Heald has noted that 2025 bookings are filling up fast and travelers are interested in booking cruises further out.
“With 2025 bookings so strong and many cruises almost sold out it is no surprise I am asked a lot about when we will announce 2026 cruises and itineraries,”Heald said.“We should start announcing them sometime in the autumn of this year.”
New seasons are typically announced in batches, such as Alaska cruises announced at once, Europe sailings opened at another time, and so forth. Booking early has many advantages for travelers, including a wider selection of departure dates, itinerary options, and stateroom choices.
Which of the new itinerary possibilities are you most interested in, and how early would you be willing to book such a cruise? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!
When you think of cruising, you probably think of the main destinations that appear in all the cruising ads and that most of the big cruise lines travel to.
Think the Bahamas and other island destinations in the Caribbean. If you’re on the West Coast, you probably think of Mexico or Alaska. If you’re thinking of cruises around Europe, you’re going to think of the Mediterranean or Fjords cruises through Scandinavia. And, If you’re traveling a little further afield, you might think of a cruise to Hawaii or around Australia.
However, there are so many other amazing destinations that you can visit via cruise ship — often destinations that are remote and might not be accessible otherwise. Here are a few of our favorites, that you need to add to your bucket list, stat.
A Quick Note on Unique Cruise Destinations and How to Get There
It’s worth noting that, for many unique cruise destinations, you can’t get there on your average, budget-friendly mega-ship. (You know the ones we’re talking about.)
You’re going to need to cruise on a smaller ship, as many of these destinations don’t even have the facilities necessary to welcome a mega-ship, and likely with a smaller cruise line. In some cases, these destinations can only be reached via a river cruise ship.
Also, keep in mind that, for some of the more remote unique cruise destinations, where the focus is on wildlife and nature excursions, visiting cruises are often referred to as “expedition cruises.” For expedition cruises, the itinerary is all about exploration and adventure. In other words, if you’re looking for a cruise where you’ll sit in the luxury spa all day, drink by the pool, and then pop out to look at some unique wildlife, these might not be the cruises for you.
You’ll also likely need to pay a little bit more than you might for a quick, three-day trip between Florida and the Bahamas. However, the extra cost is going to be worth it.
1. Antarctica
Interest in Antarctica cruises is booming! In fact, according to oneNPR article, in 2023, it was expected that more than 100,000 travelers would visit Antarctica via cruise ship! That’s a 40% increase over past seasons.
There are many reasons why this is the case. Some say that, after the COVID-19 pandemic’s travel restrictions, more travelers than ever were inspired to live life to the fullest, and they wanted to finally cross this destination off their bucket list. Plus, the fact that more cruise lines are offering cruises to Antarctica makes getting there even easier!
Photo Credit: Robert Mcgillivray / Shutterstock
So, if you want to go to Antarctica, see the penguins, whales and other wildlife, and otherwise step foot on a continent that likely none of your friends will ever visit, you’ve got options. Celebrity Cruises offers itineraries to Antarctica that depart from Argentina.
Silversea actually offers a variety of Antarctica cruises, on various ships and with a range of itinerary options. Some cruise lines, like Viking, offer longer cruises that include stops in Antarctica, as you explore the rest of South America.
2. The Galápagos Islands
Located off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapágos Islands is another destination that’s gaining quick interest and, now, about 170,000 tourists visit the islands per year, according to CNN.
Pinnacle Rock, Bartolome Island, Galapagos (Photo Credit: Emma Jones)
Because the Galapágos are known for their biodiversity, you can expect most cruises here to focus on the wildlife and responsible, sustainable tourism that allows you to experience this unique habitat to its fullest, while also remaining respectful. A mix of small cruise providers and large cruise lines offer routes to the Galapágos, including Silversea, Celebrity Cruises and G Adventures.
3. Greenland
Situated about half-way between Canada and Iceland, Greenland is a severely underrated travel destination. Like Antarctica, it offers vast, dramatic arctic landscapes with glaciers and similar, but like Iceland, it also offers quaint villages and, during the right season, hiking, kayaking among the fjords, culture, cuisine and more.
Cruise Ship Visiting Greenland
Plus, Greenland is so close to the U.S. and Canadian mainlands that getting there from a cruise ship that departs from the East Coast doesn’t take that long at all. Similarly, some cruise lines offer quick Greenland cruises that depart from European ports, such as Amsterdam or Southampton.
Cruise lines that offer Greenland cruises include Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silversea, Carnival and MSC Cruises.
4. The Nile River
We mentioned river cruises, though, and what river cruise could be more interesting and unique than a cruise along the Nile River in Egypt?
Many Nile River cruises specialize in the luxurious, and small ships are necessary. As such, you won’t find all the big-name cruise lines operating here. Provider options include Abercrombie & Kent, National Geographic Expeditions, Viking and Uniworld.
Nile River Cruise
During a Nile River cruise, you’ll float past the pyramids and disembark to explore ancient ruins, temples and world-class museums. Many itineraries depart from, and return to, Cairo.
5. The Seychelles
You could say that the Seychelles are the new Maldives. Everyone was keen to go to the Maldives a decade ago, but now everyone knows about the Maldives. That’s not yet the case with the Seychelles.
These Indian Ocean islands sit off the coast of Africa, near Madagascar, and, as you island hop your way around the archipelago, you’ll find opportunities for beach-bumming, scuba diving, hiking in rainforests, exploring the local culture and checking out the local wildlife (like the giant tortoises!).
Le Jacques-Cartier Cruise Ship in the Seychelles (Photo Credit: Nancy Pauwels)
Several cruise lines travel to the Seychelles, but many bundle a visit to the Seychelles with a broader tour of the region.
Holland America Line and Oceania both visit the Seychelles as part of broader cruises, such as Oceania’s month-long Indian Ocean exploration cruise, and Holland America’s cruises between Australia and South Africa. However, Ponant does offer shorter tours that focus on the Seychelles, with itineraries that travel between the Seychelles and Zanzibar.
6. South Africa
When you think of luxurious adventure trips to Africa, you probably think of a safari trip. However, you can bundle your love of cruising with a safari adventure, and with a pretty expansive number of cruise lines.
South Africa Cruise (Photo Credit: LouieLea)
Norwegian Cruise Line offers African cruises that take you to destinations such South Africa, Namibia, Senegal, Angola, Madagascar and Mauritius. Oceania similarly visits ports in Senegal, Tanzania, Madagascar and Gambia. Azamara does as well, with regional cruises that focus on Western or South Africa.
Depending on your chosen cruise, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to disembark and explore, whether you want that classic safari experience, or you’d rather explore the cultural and historic spots in cities like Cape Town.
7. Sir Bani Yas Island
Been to Africa before and done the whole safari thing? If you did really enjoy it, but just want something a unique destination to explore, consider Sir Bani Yas, a wildlife reserve, bird sanctuary and all-around outdoor adventure hub where you can enjoy not just safaris, but also biking, kayaking and exploring ancient ruins.
MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship at Sir Bani Yas Island (Photo Credit: Sergey_Bogomyako)
Visiting Sir Bani Yas, which is located a very short distance off the United Arab Emirates coast, in the Persian Gulf, is typically bundled into a broader cruise throughout the Middle East or to at least the UAE. For example, MSC Cruises visits the island during cruises that also visit Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar.
8. The Kamchatka Peninsula
This very remote Russian peninsula, which juts off Russia’s east coast and into the Bering Sea, is an incredibly unique destination and not for the faint of heart. The destination is home to more than 150 volcanoes (some active) and boasts the highest density of brown bears on the planet.
Cruise Ship in Kamchatka (Photo Credit: Alexander Piragis)
Reaching it often requires crossing the Bering Sea from Alaska, and not a whole lot of cruise lines and their passengers are going to go here. Currently, you’ll have to travel with National Geographic Expeditions to get there, or private tour providers like Adventure Life (though, in the past, other, more mainstream cruise lines have visited, so keep your eyes peeled for new options).
If you’re an intrepid adventure and do manage to make to this peninsula, you’ll be rewarded with ample wildlife watching opportunities and opportunities to delve into the unique cultures of remote Russian villages.
9. Papua New Guinea
For a tropical oasis cruise and plenty of opportunities for hiking, diving and exploring traditional tribal villages — and all in a bucket list-worthy destination that not many of your friends have visited before — Papua New Guinea, located just north of Queensland, Australia, is the place to go.
Papua New Guinea Cruise (Photo Credit: Annalucia)
Despite Papua New Guinea being a relatively uncommon travel destination for many (especially if you live in the western hemisphere), you can find a nice selection of cruise lines that travel there. You can take a Carnival cruise or P&O Cruises cruise from Australia to Papua New Guinea.
Oceania Cruises stops by Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, during a range of itineraries, including those that go from Asia to Australia or New Zealand, and those that cross the Pacific Ocean.
10. The Amazon River
Another great river cruise, beyond the Nile? How about an Amazon River cruise? Dive deep into the jungle and see what awaits in this pristine natural habitat that still holds its fair share of secrets. It’s even easier to do, when you consider that some cruise lines actually offer Amazon cruises that depart from Florida, so you don’t even need to hop a plane to South America!
Amazon River Cruise (Photo Credit: Nestor Morales Moreno)
That said, those cruise lines aren’t going to actually take you down the Amazon, for a truly immersive experience. For that, you will need to head on down to the Southern Hemisphere and board a small river ship, with small ship cruise providers like AdventureSmith Explorations, National Geographic Expeditions or Avalon Waterways.
11. The Faroe Islands
If your idea of an island getaway includes more rainy days, cozy sweaters, cottages and roaming sheep than palm trees, sunshine and sand, you’ll want to go on a Faroe Islands cruise. These Scandinavian islands sit between Norway and Iceland, and offer all the Scandinavian charm you’d expect. Think small villages, puffins and European history for days.
Faroe Islands Cruise (Photo Credit: Chris Christophersen)
Often, trips to the Faroe Islands are bundled into larger regional trips. For example, Oceania Cruises visits the islands during cruises between the European mainland and Iceland, as do Viking and Norwegian Cruise Line.
12. The Mekong River
Another river cruise option, the Mekong River, is the 12th-longest river in the world and stretches through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and China. Many Mekong River cruises focus on Vietnam and Cambodia, and allow you to explore the cities, small villages, cultural attractions and outdoor wonders along the way.
Mekong River Cruise (Photo Credit: Madee)
You can find Mekong River cruises offered by Viking, Uniworld and Avalon Waterways, among others.
13. Easter Island
Like the Galapágos, another unique cruise destination is Easter Island situated off the South American coast, in the Pacific, but further South, off Chile. The main reason anyone goes to Easter Island is to, of course, see all of the ancient moai, but there’s plenty else to do beyond seeing the archaeological sites, including trekking tours, cycling tours and even snorkeling.
Cruise Ship at Easter Island (Photo Credit: Peto Laszlo)
Many cruise lines bundle a trip to Easter Island into larger, extensive ocean voyages, as is the case for Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas and MSC Cruises. However, you can also find Polynesian cruises that visit Easter Island, such as itineraries from both National Geographic Expeditions and Ponant that travel from Tahiti to Easter Island.
Not too terribly far away, you can find the Juan Fernández archipelago, also off the coast of Chile. Here, the islands make up a national park and include Robinson Crusoe Island, a notable island where a Scottish sailor was marooned in the early 1700s, inspiring the fictional tale of Robinson Crusoe. Today, you can explore the very mountainous and beautiful terrain, with all its endemic species that attract nature lovers of all types.
Juan Fernández, Chile (Photo Credit: Sarah Spiess)
It won’t be easy getting there, but you can find some cruises that put a stop at Robinson Crusoe Island on itineraries that also explore Oceania and the Chilean coast, such as itineraries from Seabourn.
Disney Cruise Line has announced some of the exciting, exclusive entertainment options that away guests at its new private destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Bahamian culture and classic Disney fun will infuse all the entertainment options, ensuring that cruisers of all ages have a memorable, enjoyable visit.
The signature entertainment event at Lookout Cay will be Rush! A Junkanoo Celebration – an authentic Junkanoo parade with dancing, drumming, and music. The traditional call of a conch shell will signal the start of the festivities, and performers will lead guests to the Goombay Cultural Center where they can explore even more about this exuberant type of dance and music.
Of course, Mickey and Minnie Mouse – in their new tropical Lookout Cay attire – will join in the festivities that symbolize and bring to live the cultural heartbeat of the Bahamas.
Disney’s Lookout Cay Entertainment
A second highlight event at Lookout Cay will be the Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash, a lively and interactive beach party at the Play-Play Pavilion, with all sorts of Disney friends joining in the various activities.
Guests of all ages (and flexibility levels) will be able to show how low they can go with Goofy’s Good Day Limbo, or show off their hand-eye coordination with Pluto’s Pineapple Ring Toss. For the hottest summer days, joining in Chip-n-Dale’s Water Brigade will be a must for keeping cool.
Throughout the party, all-new renditions of favorite Disney tunes will feature distinctive Bahamian sounds, further incorporating local culture into the distinctly Disney vibe.
Touches of local Bahamian culture, art, and influence will be easy to see throughout Looking Cay, creating a unique experience for all guests and helping them feel a fun and memorable connection to the Bahamas.
In addition to these amazing entertainment options, guests to Lookout Cay will also be able to enjoy crystal clear waters, white sand beaches, nature trails, bike rides, snorkeling, hair braiding, private cabanas, youth activities, and so much more.
Of course, if parents and grandparents want some quiet time, they can visit Serenity Bay – the destination’s dedicated adults-only space, for some magical time alone while the youngsters enjoy youth activities and other amazing fun.
Visiting Lookout Cay
Now just weeks from opening, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point is slated to welcome its first guests on Disney Fantasy‘s June 8, 2024 departure from Port Canaveral. That 7-night sailing will feature two stops at the new destination at the south end of Eleuthera Island, ensuring that guests have plenty of time to enjoy all the new hotspot has to offer.
Throughout the summer, Disney Magic and Disney Fantasy will both be offering itineraries that include calls to Lookout Cay, while Disney Dream will also feature the destination when she begins homeporting from Port Everglades in early November.
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Disney Cruise Line also operates Castaway Cay in the Bahamas, 130 miles (210 kilometers) northwest of Lookout Cay. While the larger Disney ships – Disney Wish and soon-to-debut Disney Treasure – will not be visiting Lookout Cay, both have itineraries offering great visits to Castaway Cay.
Other vessels are visiting both private destinations, given Disney guests amazing exclusive experiences to enjoy while they cruise throughout the Bahamas. It should be noted that both destinations are distinct, offering completely different experiences and activities for visitors.
Only Disney Wonder will not be visiting either destination for at least the next year, as she is currently homeported from San Diego for Mexico cruises, and will soon move to Vancouver for the Alaska season. This fall, Disney Wonder will sail from Australia and New Zealand, and she will return to San Diego in March 2025.
In an historic moment that befits her royal status, Cunard Line’s new Queen Anne departed Southampton just after 9 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024 to begin her maiden voyage. Thousands of spectators lined the shore to watch her departure, and a spectacular fireworks show heralded the beginning of what will hopefully be a long, smooth, and memorable service life.
Onboard the ship, a sailaway party celebrated the passage along Southampton Water as the ship began her 7-night voyage. A “Maiden Gala Evening” was underway, set to include special performances from English tenor Russell Watson, noted for his operatic as well as pop songs.
The ship will make her initial port visits to La Coruna, Spain on May 5 and Lisbon, Portugal on May 7, before returning to Southampton on May 10.
Queen Anne Arrival in Southampton
“Queen Anne’s maiden voyage signals the dawning of a new era in luxury ocean travel and her historic sail away from Southampton was a very special moment for everyone connected with Cunard,”said Katie McAlister, President of Cunard.
Queen Anne is the 249th ship to sail under the Cunard Line flag, continuing a distinguished maritime history that began in 1840 when the British and North American Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, which would eventually become Cunard Line, was founded.
Cunard Line has not had four ships in simultaneous operation since 1999, and Queen Anne now joins her fleetmates Queen Mary 2 (2003), Queen Victoria (2007), and Queen Elizabeth (2010).
“Here in the UK and across the globe, Cunard is famous for our beautiful iconic Queens. With Queen Anne joining our fleet, she marks not just a new icon but the completion of a perfect quartet alongside Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria,”said McAlister.
A Diverse Maiden Season
As befits a new ship already steeped with nautical history and a reputation for elegance and luxury, the 113,300-gross-ton, Pinnacle-class Queen Anne has a diverse season ahead of her.
After this first special sailing, the new vessel will make her first 14-night cruise to the Canary Islands. Her second 14-night voyage is around the British Isles and will include her naming ceremony in Liverpool on June 3.
Throughout the next few months, Queen Anne will offer departure options from Southampton, Civitavecchia, Hamburg, and Kiel, while she visits diverse ports of call in the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, northern Europe, the British Isles, the Canary Islands, and the Baltic Sea.
Queen Anne Arrival in Southampton
In January 2025, she will begin her Maiden World Voyage, setting sail on January 9 for a route that will take her to North America, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. The outstanding itinerary includes transits through the Panama Canal and the Suez Canal – provided the tensions in the Red Sea subside to permit that passage safely.
Her fleetmate, Queen Mary 2, recently adjusted a month of her 2024 world cruise to bypass the troubled region, but it is far too early to determine if such changes will be necessary for the new ship’s first world cruise.
Queen Anne is now Cunard Line’s second largest vessel, and can welcome 3,000 guests aboard. Queen Mary 2, the last true ocean liner left sailing in the world, is the largest in the fleet at 149,215 gross tons, but can only welcome approximately 2,700 travelers.
One Royal Caribbean passenger didn’t find the sympathy she was looking for when she posted a video complaining about her stateroom while sailing on Icon of the Seas earlier this year.
A Tiktoker named Abby, who goes by (@abbiesnormal)on the social media platform, complained that her cabin’s balcony had an “obstructed view” of the ocean.
According to Abbie, who was sailing on the world’s largest ship with her husband, there is a railing at the bottom of the balcony that spans the length of the cruise ship and blocks the bottom of her view when she’s sitting on her balcony, especially at night.
The railing in question is likely there as a safety measure or a support for Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, with most modern cruise ships likely set up similarly.
The saga began when Abbie posted a 15 second video of her view at night on February 26, 2024. Over the video, white text asked “should this rail be considered an obstruction on my balcony.” The video was viewed 49.2K times, and commented on over 100 times, with most responding that the balcony wasn’t obstructed or that it was too dark to see anything.
Determined to make her point, Abbie posted a follow up video the next day on February 27 showing her view in the daylight. Despite only having a little over 5,000 followers on TikTok, the video went viral and has been viewed more than 1.5 million times at the time of publication.
“I look over, there’s this rail. It goes all the way down, all the way down… So, when you sit on the balcony, with an unobstructed view, you should be able to just see right down at the ocean. But you can’t,” Abbie said in the video.
“It’s obstructed by about a foot or so and that messes up the way the ocean looks at night,” the TikToker continued.
While Abbie was likely looking for validation that her cabin should be classified as an “obstructed view,” the TikTok community did not hold back on telling Abbie how wrong they thought she was, with some asking if the video was posted as a joke.
“‘Should this be considered an obstructed view?’…shows the most unobstructed view I could possibly conjure up,”commented one user.
“I can’t imagine being on such an amazing vacation and complaining about an imaginary obstruction in your perfect view,”wrote another.
Still determined to prove her point, Abbie posted a third video on March 10, which has been viewed 36.2K times. In the latest installment, Abbie shows a balcony from Ovation of the Seas that she says is unobstructed, to illustrate how her balcony onboard Icon of the Seas was different.
Replying to @Brittany Ovation of the seas. Nitice how tgeres no foot wide white block holding a rail outside the bottom of my balcony. I could post others🤷♀️
Ultimately, the TikTok community still wasn’t buying it, with some commenting on other unrelated videos from Abbie’s cruise to jokingly ask if the view was obstructed there, too. Even so, it does seem like Abbie found the rest of her time aboard the massive 7,600-guest ship to be more satisfactory from her other content.
While it’s not clear what sailing Abbie took part in, the new ship has been alternating between Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises based out of Miami, Florida, since her maiden voyage, which embarked just a few months ago on January 27, 2024.
Cruise Cabins Onboard Icon of the Seas
As the world’s largest cruise ship, at 250,800-gross tons, Icon of the Seas has nearly 30 different types of staterooms and suites for all different kinds of guests, from those traveling solo to couples and big families.
All cabins have a smart design, featuring extra storage, USB ports and outlets, app-controlled lighting and temperature that can be controlled via guests’ phones, and a modern design.
In total, Icon of the Seas has 535 interior staterooms, 276 ocean view staterooms, and 1,815 balcony staterooms – and that’s just counting normal staterooms, not suites. There are then many different types of cabins within these three categories to choose from.
Icon of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze)
For example, there are standard interior cabins, interior plus rooms, spacious interior cabins, and more – all of which have no view or look into a different part of the ship, such as the Central Park area.
Then, there are ocean view cabins, which also vary in size and quality, ranging from port holes to big windows for panoramic viewing and traditional private balconies.
For those looking to sail in the utmost luxury, there are also 179 suites onboard to choose from. Options begin with smaller junior suites and family suites and range to loft suites and family townhouses as big as 1,772 square feet. The ship even has its own “suite neighborhood,” which spans across four decks.
Of course, there are some cabins where views are obstructed onboard. According to Royal Caribbean, an obstruction is “something that blocks a proportion of the direct outward view from a stateroom,” usually something like a lifeboat or the “outer structure of the ship” – none of which applied to Abbie’s stateroom.
Additionally, passengers would be able to see that they were booking a cabin with an obstructed view before locking in their choice, or would be made aware that they could potentially be placed in an obstructed room if allowing the cruise line to assign their stateroom, depending on the category they selected while booking. An obstructed stateroom shouldn’t ever be a surprise.
On Tuesday, April 30, 2024, a man was caught climbing down a rope from MSC Bellissima in what appears to be an attempt to enter Japan illegally during the ship’s current 7-night roundtrip sailing.
The strange part of the situation is that the vessel is sailing roundtrip from Yokohama, Japan, and therefore, the man must already possess proper documentation to have legally entered the country to board the ship.
According to Japan Today, the incident happened at roughly 10 p.m. on Tuesday night, while the ship was docked in Kobe. A witness at first contacted authorities with an alert about a passenger falling from the ship into the sea, and rescue personnel were dispatched.
Ship Deck Crew (Photo Credit: yanchi1984)
The man, reported as roughly 50 years old and appearing to be French, was quickly located and it was discovered that he had not fallen, but had rather been attempting to climb down from the ship purposefully.
The situation is confusing because as the ship was still docked, the man could have left via the gangway. It is unknown whether he was planning to climb all the way off the ship and slipped, falling into the water, or if he had planned to fall into the water intentionally.
The man was not seriously injured, other than some scrapes on his hands. It is unknown why he attempted such stunt-like behavior, or whether or not alcohol may have been a factor impacting his actions. He is currently in the custody of local Japanese immigration authorities, who are conducting a full investigation.
MSC Bellissima is offering several Asian itineraries from Yokohama, Japan; Shanghai, China; and Tokyo, Japan, depending on sailing date. On her current sailing, the ship departed Yokohama on Monday, April 29, and has visits to Kobe (April 30), Kochi City (May 1), Jeju Island, Korea (May 3), and Kagoshima (May 4) before arriving back in Yokohama on Monday, May 6.
The fact that the ship is visiting several ports in Japan makes the man’s behavior even more bizarre, as he would have had multiple opportunities to depart the ship and “miss” returning on time throughout the cruise. While doing so might have caused a missing person alert, it would likely not have led to more serious charges as could be levied now.
Another Incident From the Same Ship
This incident is eerily similar to another situation that occurred from MSC Bellissima just over a month ago. That situation also involved a foreign national jumping overboard while the ship was docked, attempting to enter the country illegally.
That earlier incident occurred on Thursday, February 1, while the ship was docked in Noha, Japan. The man who jumped overboard into the water was identified as a Turkish national. The man swam ashore but was quickly arrested for immigration violations.
Neither the earlier cruise nor MSC Bellissima‘s current sailing were impacted with any itinerary changes or other delays due to these unusual incidents.
The 171,598-gross-ton, Meraviglia-class ship can welcome 4,500 guests aboard for each sailing at double occupancy, and up to 5,655 travelers when fully booked with all berths filled. She is also home to roughly 1,600 international crew members.
MSC Bellissima offers diverse Asian itineraries from various homeports. She is notable as the first international cruise line to begin homeport operations from mainland China after the pandemic, having set sail from Shanghai for the first time just six weeks ago.
The ship will be offering sailings from the Chinese homeports of Shanghai, Keelung, and Shenzhen throughout the summer months of 2024, before returning to other Asian homeports later in the year.
