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Leadership Revealed for Next Carnival Italian-Style Ship

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 16, 2024

Leadership Revealed for Next Carnival Italian-Style Ship

With just over two months to go until she sets sail for the first time under the Carnival name, Carnival Firenze now has her leadership team in place with fine officers and crew members who will collectively bring more than 75 years’ worth of Carnival experience to the ship.

The ship is currently being renovated and updated to reflect her new association, and this new team will be an amazing part of her transition to Carnival Cruise Line.

Senior Officers Announced for Carnival Firenze

Three amazing officers have been chosen to lead Carnival Firenze and ensure the ship remains in peak operation to deliver outstanding vacations to all who sail on her.

Leading the entire vessel will be Captain Crescenzo Palomba, a native of Italy who began working for Carnival Cruise Line in 1999. In total, he has worked on 20 vessels over the years, including Carnival Venezia, Carnival Dream, Carnival Valor, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Liberty, and Carnival Elation. All of that experience will add up to a sure hand guiding the 135,156-gross-ton, Vista-class ship.

Heading up the technical team onboard will be Chief Engineer Rosario Capilli, also from Italy. He began his career with Carnival Cruise Line as a second engineer in 1990, and advanced to chief engineer in 2002. In total, Capilli has worked on 13 other Carnival ships, including Vista-class vessels Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista.

To ensure all guests receive excellent service on every Carnival Firenze cruise, Renil Kuruvilla will serve as Hotel Director. From India, Kuruvilla has 30 years of hospitality management experience covering both land and cruise operations, and he joined Carnival in 2004. He has served as a hotel director aboard various vessels since 2011, and has worked on 14 other Fun Ships in the fleet.

“Our inaugural team members launching Carnival Firenze are fortunate to work alongside some of the most skilled and experienced leaders in the cruise industry,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “I’m certain this strong team is the perfect group to deliver [a] dynamic offering to our guests.”

Entertainment Leadership Team

While the leading officers are critical to how smoothly a vessel operates, the entertainment leadership is equally critical to ensure the very best guest experience. Carnival Firenze will have an amazing Fun Squad and entertainment team, led by two outstanding individuals.

Heading up the entertainment staff will be Gordon Travis as Entertainment Director, leading the ship’s dancers, musicians, and other entertainment technical and support staff. Travis is from Scotland and brings more than 25 years of entertainment experience to his role, including 10 years in the cruise industry.

He has been an entertainment director for Carnival since 2016, including aboard Carnival Venezia, and therefore is already knowledgeable about the unique “Carnival Fun Italian Style” vibe on the ships transferred from Costa Cruises.

The visible face of fun aboard Carnival Firenze will be Cruise Director Joey Boyes, originally from England but now a worldwide cruise favorite since he joined Carnival Cruise Line in 2017. Not only does he guide the Fun Squad, but his own unique stand up comedy incorporates dry British wit and charm to delight all audiences.

Boyes has also served as cruise director on Carnival Venezia, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Horizon, diverse experiences that will serve him well as Carnival Firenze joins the fleet.

Carnival Firenze Being Renovated

The former Costa Firenze entered dry dock in late January for her transformation into Carnival Firenze, an extensive update that will take weeks to complete. Part of the renovation will include adding Carnival-branded spaces to the ship and other touches to update her offerings, but while preserving her distinctive Italian style before she relocates to California to welcome guests.

“This ship is a special addition to our fleet as we expand our operations on the West Coast, where we already embark more guests than any other cruise line,” said Duffy. “We have a unique opportunity to bring our signature FUN to a beautiful vessel inspired by the iconic city of Florence, Italy to our popular homeport of Long Beach.”

While few details have yet been revealed about what Carnival Firenze will offer, one iconic element is known – the replica of the famous Michelangelo David sculpture is being installed on the ship. The art piece was formerly on Carnival Pride, but was removed when that ship was renovated in May 2023.

Carnival Firenze is scheduled to welcome her first guests on April 25, 2024, an earlier-than-originally-planned inaugural sailing. The ship will be homeported from Long Beach, California, offering 3-7 night Baja and Mexican Riviera itineraries.

New Bill Targeting Cruise Ships In New York Pushes Ahead

Port News

Catie Kovelman

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Feb 16, 2024

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New Bill Targeting Cruise Ships In New York Pushes Ahead

In mid-2023, two New York City council members proposed a bill that would limit cruise traffic and require cruise ships to only use shore power when docked in the city’s ports, rather than using diesel engines, which emit harsh fossil fuels.

Lately, there has been a new flurry of activity surrounding the bill, which takes a harsh stance against the cruise industry.

Bill Meant To Limit Cruises In New York Debated In City Council

Democratic city council members Alexa Avilés of Brooklyn and Erik Bottcher of Manhattan are tired of cruise ships adding to pollution in their home cities.

According to these lawmakers, each day cruise ships are docked in the ports in Red Hook, Brooklyn and the west side of Manhattan, nearly the same amount of carbon is released into the atmosphere as what would come from 34,000 idling tractor trailers – although it’s not clear where they sourced this number.

In an effort to combat the pollution, the council members introduced a bill in 2023 that would require cruise ships to only use shore power, a more environmentally friendly alternative to the diesel engines typically used by cruise ships, while docking in New York ports.

While the bill doesn’t ban cruise ships per say, it does include a proponent to mitigate cruise traffic and would create challenges for vessels that need to keep their engines running in port in order to provide electricity on board.

The bill, dubbed the “Our Air Our Water Act” was originally introduced by Avilés on May 25, 2023, and has been re-submitted as of February 8, 2024. On February 15, 2024, Avilés and other supporters advocated for the bill during a special hearing.

During the hearing, Avilés cited a goal set by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) for all cruise lines to be equipped to use shore power by 2035. However, she says that goal is too far away with the amount of pollution seeping into the air and water via cruise ships now.

Each day a cruise ship docks and remains unplugged, it releases emissions equal to 34,000 tractor trailers burning fuel

Cruise company disregard for environmental and traffic impacts for too long has clogged our lungs and streets

That’s where the #OurAirOurWaterAct comes in pic.twitter.com/GG2ZjRBiHa
— Alexa Avilés (@CMAlexaAviles) February 8, 2024

“As public servants we work for the residents of New York City, not for the cruise lines and their billions of dollars in revenues that we see no benefit from,” Avilés said. “Our climate goals, our streets, our air, and our water are on the line.”

At the time of publication, the bill’s status was listed as “laid over in committee.” It’s not clear when it will be officially discussed again or when it might be put up for a vote – although it wouldn’t be surprising if it’s up for debate again soon.

How Would The New York Bill Impact Cruise Lines?

Although the bill poses a big change for cruise lines hoping to sail to New York, this isn’t the first city to enforce shore power requirements. Just to name a few, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Miami already have shore power requirements in place.

Worth Reading: Congress Targets Cruise Ship Crime and Guest Rights in New Bill

Accordingly, many cruise lines have already made the modifications to be able to use shore power, such as Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and MSC Cruises, which began running cruises year-round from New York City in April of 2023.

The problem that arises because of the bill is largely targeted at ships that aren’t yet retrofitted for shore power and would still need to run their engines while docked, rendering them unable to adhere to the potential new requirements. There are also some cruise lines who have avoided using shore power thus far due to the cost.

Cruise Ship Docked in Manhattan, New York (Photo Credit: CK Foto / Shutterstock)

The Brooklyn Cruise Terminal, which currently serves Cunard Line and Princess Cruises, is already equipped to offer shore power to cruise ships, and actually was the first operational shore power-capable cruise terminal on the East Coast.

However, the bigger Manhattan Cruise Terminal, is not yet equipped to offer shore power – although city council documents suggest that it will be able to before the end of 2024.

If not outfitted to offer shore power by the time the bill took effect, it could pose a problem for the city of New York, especially because the Manhattan Cruise Terminal is significantly larger than the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.

It services more cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, and Oceania Cruises, among others.

According to the New York Economic Development Corporation, Manhattan served 1,154,987 cruise passengers with 207 ship calls in 2018, compared to 143,030 passengers with 28 ship calls in Brooklyn in the same year.

Tragic Overboard from MSC Cruise Ship While Docked

MSC Cruises News

Lissa Poirot

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Feb 15, 2024

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Tragic Overboard from MSC Cruise Ship While Docked

On February 14, 2024, a deeply unfortunate event occurred as an American passenger tragically lost his life after falling off MSC World Europa. The incident took place while the ship was docked in Valletta’s Grand Harbour in Malta.

Tragic Fall from MSC Cruises Ship

Moments before its scheduled departure on February 14, MSC World Europa witnessed a heartbreaking accident as a 72-year-old American man fell overboard while the ship was still docked at Valletta’s Grand Harbour.

Immediate efforts to rescue the man were launched, and a security VHF message was quickly issued, alerting the Armed Forces of Malta and the Civil Protection Department.

The man was swiftly recovered by a life raft from the liner, as reported by the Pilot Boat Foxtrot at 4:33 p.m. (1633 hours). However, the report noted the man appeared to be unconscious.

The Harbour Pilot’s report confirmed the victim’s transport to the hospital by 5:12 p.m. (1712 hours), highlighting the prompt and coordinated response to the emergency.

Despite rapid medical intervention and his urgent transportation to Mater Dei Hospital, the man was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival.

The diligent efforts of the ship’s crew, local pilots, and emergency services are evident in recorded videos of the incident circulating on social media.

The incident has led to an official inquiry by Magistrate Charmaine Galea, with police investigations currently underway to determine the details of the tragic event.

Ship’s Itinerary

MSC World Europa, a World-class ship that boasts a passenger capacity of over 6,000, is a 205,700-ton vessel with 21 decks.

The largest of MSC Cruises’ fleet, the vessel embarked on its “7-Night Western Mediterranean” cruise, from Barcelona, Spain, on February 9, making stops in Marseille, France; Genoa and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; and Palermo, Sicily, before its scheduled call in La Valletta, Malta on February 14.

MSC World Europa Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Solarisys)

The ship arrived in Malta at 9 a.m. (0900 hours) and was slated to depart back to Barcelona at 5 p.m. (1700 hours) when the incident took place.

Recent Incidents

The unfortunate event on MSC World Europa follows a string of overboard incidents on MSC Cruise ships.

In another distressing event, a passenger went overboard from MSC Preziosa in the early hours of December 30, 2023. At the time, the ship was heading to Angra dos Reis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Despite extensive search and rescue efforts, the male passenger was not located.

A similar case involved a crew member from MSC Seascape, who went missing on November 14, 2023, as the ship sailed toward the Dominican Republic from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Despite a large-scale search operation documented on social media and involving the US Coast Guard over 887 square nautical miles, the 30-year-old crew member of Indian nationality was not found.

MSC Seascape Overboard (Photo Credit: Adel Rahmoune)

Annually, the maritime industry sees an average of 20 overboard cases worldwide. Contrary to common belief, falling overboard does not invariably lead to death. The chance of survival is significantly influenced by the speed of the rescue operation, the conditions at the time of the incident, and environmental factors like sea temperatures and weather conditions.

Most recently, for example, a Turkish man deliberately jumped from MSC Bellissima while it docked in Noha, Japan, surviving the incident. The act, captured by onboard crew members on February 1, 2024, violated immigration laws for illegally entering Japan, leading to his arrest after he swam ashore.

In the event of an overboard situation, the ship’s crew, along with other ships and maritime authorities, are mobilized to conduct search and rescue operations, highlighting the inherent risks and critical importance of emergency preparedness and response in maritime operations.

San Juan Cruise Port Completes Major Milestone

Port News

Donna Tunney

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Feb 15, 2024

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San Juan Cruise Port Completes Major Milestone

After reaching an agreement in 2022 to manage the San Juan (Puerto Rico) cruise port, Global Ports Holding announced that debt financing for the project has been secured, and upgrades to the facility are set to begin.

The investment will upgrade the port’s infrastructure, boosting its operations in the competitive Caribbean market.

Upgrades to Cruise Piers, Terminals Are Planned

Global Ports Holding (GPH) has announced that its subsidiary, San Juan Cruise Port (SJCP), has closed on the debt financing deal that injects $187 million into several major infrastructure upgrades. The development means that the SJCP now officially manages the facility.

The issuance of longterm bonds coupled with equity capital from GPH will finance the first phase of improvements to the port. The financial pact is a public-private partnership that includes a 30-year concession agreement with the Puerto Rico Ports Authority. Under the arrangement, the cruise port will pay a $77 million concession fee to the authority.

Another $100 million will be invested into infrastructure upgrades and repairs at the port’s Pier 4 and Pan American Piers, along with improvements to existing terminal buildings.

At the same time, Global Ports Holding will use its management strategies to modernize technology, equipment, and various systems in ways that will benefit cruise guests, cruise lines, and local vendors.

“We are delighted to welcome San Juan Cruise Port into the world’s largest cruise port network. As well as being a fantastic destination, San Juan is a strategically important port that is perfectly positioned to play a pivotal role in Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries for decades to come,” said Mehmet Kutman, chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holding.

Worth Reading: NCL Cruise Ship Strikes Pier in San Juan

The executive believes that San Juan has the potential to emerge as a leading cruise port in the region, delivering an economic boon to Puerto Rico and its residents once the improvements are completed.

“The successful closing of this transaction represents a milestone for our company and for Puerto Rico. Everyone at GPH is looking forward to us delivering on our plans to bring the iconic San Juan Cruise Port to its rightful, pre-eminent position in the Caribbean cruise industry for the benefit of all Puerto Ricans,” added Kutman.

A second round of investments is planned after the port meets certain criteria, including a recovery to pre-pandemic cruise arrival levels. When that happens, the SJPC will raise and invest an additional $250 million to build new cruise piers and a new terminal. The new docks — Piers 11 and 12 — will be able to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships.

Big Growth for the Port of San Juan

In pre-pandemic 2019, San Juan received 1.8 million cruise guests, a number that would have made it the third-largest port in the GPH network. Like other cruise destinations, arrivals plummeted during the pandemic pause and have not yet fully recovered. However, the winter 2024 season is poised for robust arrivals.

The 2024 winter season, which runs from November 2023 to April 2024, will see ships from 19 cruise lines calling at San Juan. These include Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Ritz-Carlton, and MSC Cruises. The port anticipates 264 ship calls in total, for the high season.

Global Ports Holding has experienced substantial growth in recent years, and has focused on expanding its footprint in North America and the Caribbean, where the management company has contracts with Nassau, Antigua, and St. Lucia.

Its management agreements typically include a wide range of improvements and redevelopments of existing port infrastructure.

In Nassau, a $300 million investment in berth facilities and cruise guest services was unveiled in May 2023. With the upgrades, the port can accommodate three Oasis-class ships at the same time and a total of six ships docking on the same day.

Its most recent agreement in the Caribbean came in 2023, with a 30-year concession contract for St. Lucia’s Pointe Seraphine Cruise Port. Global Ports Holding has a strong foothold in Europe as well, with contracts to manage major cruise ports such as Barcelona, Lisbon, and Venice.

Royal Caribbean to Order a Giant 7th Oasis Class Ship

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 15, 2024

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Royal Caribbean to Order a Giant 7th Oasis Class Ship

In a surprise move, Royal Caribbean Group has confirmed the further expansion of the wildly popular Oasis class of vessels for Royal Caribbean International.

On February 15, 2024, the company entered into an agreement with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard to build the seventh vessel in the class, for an anticipated delivery in 2028.

Seventh Oasis Class Ship Ordered

Fans of Royal Caribbean International’s innovative Oasis-class ships will have a new vessel to explore in just a few years, as the cruise line will be adding a seventh sister ship to the fleet, likely in 2028.

The announcement from parent corporation Royal Caribbean Group comes just five months before the debut of Utopia of the Seas, long-believed to be the sixth and final ship in the revolutionary class.

“While we eagerly anticipate the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas this summer, we’re already dreaming up her sister ship and the next installation in the brand’s extremely popular Oasis Class,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

The first-in-class Oasis of the Seas debuted in 2009, bringing with her innovations in layout, design, features, amenities, and most of all, size. She was followed by her sister ships, each of which has proven to be equally popular: Allure of the Seas (2010), Harmony of the Seas (2016), Symphony of the Seas (2018), and Wonder of the Seas (2022).

With the debut of the unprecedentedly popular Icon of the Seas less than a month ago, and two additional Icon-class vessels already under construction, it was believed the cruise line would focus on that new class without orders for new vessels for the Oasis class.

Yet cruise fans and those who adore the outstanding class of ships, which have become Royal Caribbean’s signature vessels, will soon have another option for phenomenal sailings.

“These are exciting times for Royal Caribbean, and we have an incredible partner in Chantiers de l’Atlantique to bring to life the lucky seventh Oasis Class vessel of what is a remarkable class of ships,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.

What We Know About the Seventh Oasis Class Ship

Little is known about the newly announced ship, not even her name. It is likely, however, she will measure up to her sister ships at roughly 236,860 gross tons, with the ability to welcome 5,600-5,700 passengers at double occupancy.

As sister ship to Utopia of the Seas, the first Oasis-class ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), the new ship will also likely be able to use that new generation fuel source.

She will undoubtedly offer all the fantastic features so popular aboard the other ships in the class, including the split superstructure design, the Ultimate Abyss slide, the neighborhood concept theming, and the four production show venues encompassing air, ice, water, and traditional stage productions.

It is possible the new ship may also incorporate some features from the new Icon class, depending on how the ship’s overall design may be tweaked for her unique personality.

“This order signals Royal Caribbean Group’s continued confidence in our partnership that has delivered some of the most innovative ships at sea,” said Laurent Castaing, general manager of Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “We look forward to building upon this relationship as we help bring this ship to life.”

While the agreement has been reached for the ship’s construction, she is not physically underway as yet. The order is contingent on appropriate financing, which is standard in the shipbuilding industry. Financial arrangements are expected to be completed and confirmed later this year.

When the ship gets underway, she will continue to grow the fleets of the Royal Caribbean Group, which has recently added Silver Nova (Silversea), Celebrity Ascent (Celebrity Cruises), and Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean International) to the waves, giving travelers more cruise vacation options than ever.

Royal Caribbean Opens New Northeast and Caribbean Itineraries

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 14, 2024

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Royal Caribbean Opens New Northeast and Caribbean Itineraries

Royal Caribbean International has opened a wide range of amazing itineraries to destinations in the northeast and Caribbean for both the summer and winter sailing seasons from 2025-2026.

Seven different ships will sail from seven different homeports, offering voyages ranging from 5-12 nights on a variety of ship sizes for every traveler’s preferences.

New Itineraries From Royal Caribbean

More 2025-2026 oceangoing adventures have been released by Royal Caribbean, with great destinations on great ships for everyone to enjoy. The new sailings are now available for the cruise line’s most loyal passengers – members of the Crown & Anchor Society – to book from Wednesday, February 14, while all guests will be able to make reservations from Thursday, February 15.

Stunning Sailings From New Jersey

Three different ships will offer diverse itineraries from Bayonne, New Jersey: Odyssey of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Liberty of the Seas.

The Quantum-Ultra-class Odyssey of the Seas will set sail for her second consecutive winter sailing from Bayonne, offering convenient cruises from the New York area. The 167,704-gross-ton ship will offer 7-night itineraries to The Bahamas, the perfect tropical getaway from the wintery northeast, with calls to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Odyssey of the Seas at CocoCay — Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz

Sailing from the northeast, these cruises will also offer plentiful days at sea for guests to enjoy all the amazing ship has to offer, including the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, the classic FlowRider surf simulator, the North Star observation capsule, and tones of onboard entertainment, delicious dining, and more.

Symphony of the Seas will turn her bow toward Port Canaveral and Perfect Day at CocoCay during the summer of 2025, giving northeastern cruisers the unique opportunity to cruise both to Florida and to The Bahamas.

Onboard, guests will enjoy all the brilliant features of the Oasis-class ship, including the 10-story Ultimate Abyss dry slide, the trio of waterslides that make up the Perfect Storm, and four unique theaters for production shows in different dimensions – air, ice, water, and classic stages.

Meanwhile, Liberty of the Seas will offer a variety of 4-, 5-, and 9-night voyages to different destinations – Halifax and Sydney in Canada, Bermuda, Labadee, San Juan, and St. Maarten, depending on the cruise length and itinerary choice.

The smallest of Royal Caribbean’s ships to homeport from New Jersey, the 155,889-gross-ton, Freedom-class Liberty of the Seas still offers a larger-than-life experience for all travelers, including dual-racing waterslides, the FlowRider, multiple restaurants, movies under the stars, and more.

Northeastern Departures From Boston and Baltimore

Guests in the northeast also have their choice of Boston and Baltimore as homeports, with Royal Caribbean basing a different ship at each city for outstanding cruise opportunities.

Brilliance of the Seas will be offering brilliant vacations indeed from Boston, with the Radiance-class ship setting sail from Beantown for the first time in a decade.

Her 7-night sailings to Canada are a great getaway, and along the way guests will be able to relax in the adults-only Solarium, be pampered in the Vitality Spa, rise to new heights on the rock climbing wall, and otherwise make the most of their vacation.

Royal Caribbean's Brilliance of the Seas — Royal Caribbean’s Brilliance of the Seas (Photo Credit: Gerry H)

Vision of the Seas will continue to be homeported year-round from Baltimore, featuring a diverse assortment of cruise lengths and destinations. Itineraries range from 5-12 nights, with shorter cruises in the summer to Bermuda, The Bahamas, and Canada, depending on the sailing date. In winter, longer cruises to The Bahamas and the Southern Caribbean are on offer.

Texas-Sized Sailings From Galveston

Allure of the Seas will add even more meaning to the saying “Everything is Bigger in Texas” as the 225,282-gross-ton, Oasis-class ship returns to Galveston to offer 7-night Western Caribbean sailings visiting Roatan, Honduras as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico.

The stunning ship was the first ship to ever sail from Royal Caribbean’s new cruise terminal at Port of Galveston, and is sure to be welcomed home with great Texas fanfare.

Classic Florida Departures

Florida is easily the cruise capital of the world, and Royal Caribbean will be offering sailings from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale in 2025 and 2026.

Symphony of the Seas will return to Miami in October 2025, with 7-night Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean sailings. Depending on the sailing date, the ship will visit top tropical ports such as Labadee, Jamaica, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and of course, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Odyssey of the Seas in Fort Lauderdale — Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

From Fort Lauderdale, Allure of the Seas will offer winter sailings of both 6- and 8-nights in length, with Eastern and Western Caribbean options. Charlotte Amalie, San Juan, Nassau, and Royal Caribbean’s private island are all part of these classically popular cruises.

San Juan Sailings

Two ships will offer homeport departures from San Juan, expanding Royal Caribbean’s presence from Puerto Rico.

Brilliance of the Seas will offer winter departures from the port for the first time since 2013, visiting outstanding Southern Caribbean destinations like Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Tortola, and for the first time ever, Trinidad and Tobago.

Meanwhile, Jewel of the Seas – one of the older Royal Caribbean ships but a jewel of a vessel indeed – will offer relaxed 7-night sailings to St. Croix, Dominica, Barbados, and other top tropical ports that are highly desirable winter destinations, perfect for escaping snowy weather.

With so many outstanding options on offer, Royal Caribbean is sure to have a cruise for every type of traveler, every cruising family, and every adventurous voyager looking for an amazing oceangoing getaway.

Carnival Cruise Director Announces a Major Change

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 14, 2024

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Carnival Cruise Director Announces a Major Change

Carnival Cruise Line has promoted another of the fleet’s cruise directors to the leadership position of Fleet Cruise Director, bringing more experience and perspectives to this unique role.

Popular cruise director Erin Weigand is taking on the new role in just a few weeks and is the first female cruise director to be tapped for this promotion.

Another Fleet Cruise Director Chosen

Just two years ago, Carnival Cruise Line introduced the brand new leadership role of “Fleet Cruise Director” and to date, three notable cruise directors have been promoted to the new position. Now, a fourth popular cruise director will step into that bigger role as Erin Weigand has announced her promotion.

“It’s a-boat time I shared some news,” Weigand said on her popular Facebook page. “I am beyond thrilled to begin the next step of my Carnival career as Fleet Cruise Director!”

Her current contract as cruise director of Carnival Freedom was set to extend through June 17, 2024, but now Todd Evans will be returning to the ship on March 30 to take over as Weigand moves on to her new role. Cruise director schedules regularly shift as crew member contracts change and career plans evolve.

Weigand’s Career With Carnival

Erin Weigand began her career with Carnival Cruise Line in April 2015 as part of the entertainment staff, eventually moving up to a cruise director in November 2018. She has been part of the fun aboard Carnival Spirit, Carnival Sunrise, the now-defunct Carnival Sensation, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Dream, and other vessels.

Erin Weigand, Carnival Fleet Cruise Director

Weigand is a dedicated and enthusiastic leader, eager to help all her fellow crew members bring their very best to Carnival Cruise Line.

“I am so honored to be a part of such a unique and talented group of people, all of us bringing something different and special to the role,” Weigand has said of her experience as a cruise director. “What we do as CD’s is not always easy. But I can tell you this… Every one of us does it because we absolutely LOVE it.”

Weigand will undoubtedly bring her love of cruising and enthusiasm for the guest experience to her new leadership role, helping train, motivate, and collaborate with other cruise directors for new activities and events across the Fun Ship fleet.

Other Carnival Fleet Cruise Directors

Three other cruise directors have been promoted to the leadership position of Fleet Cruise Director in the past two years. Mike Pack was first in early 2022, followed by Chris “Donkey” Salazar in March 2023. The most recent promotion was given to Chris “The Flying Scotsman” Williams in November 2023.

Erin Weigand is the first female Fleet Cruise Director, and will undoubtedly bring her own unique perspectives and ideas to the role, helping further expand training options and expertise that can be shared with all Carnival cruise directors.

Chris "The Flying Scotsman" Williams, Carnival Cruise Director — Chris “The Flying Scotsman” Williams, Carnival Cruise Director

Typical duties of Fleet Cruise Directors include onboard trainings, serving as mentors to new cruise directors, developing new activities and programming, conducting staff assessments and evaluations, and more.

The position is a shoreside role, and Fleet Cruise Directors are not assigned to a specific vessel. Instead, they may travel to different ships at different times, and may even fill in if necessary to cover vacations or other cruise directors’ reassignments.

They are also part of events on land helping promote Carnival Cruise Line – such as when Weigand was part of the New Year’s Eve festivities in Times Square to welcome 2024.

The promotion of more popular cruise directors into these leadership roles shows how useful the position is for Carnival Cruise Line, though there is no confirmation of how many Fleet Cruise Directors the cruise line intends to have on staff at any given time.

Carnival Cruise Guests Take Part in Largest-Ever Vow Renewal at Sea

Carnival Cruise News

Lissa Poirot

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Feb 14, 2024

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Carnival Cruise Guests Take Part in Largest-Ever Vow Renewal at Sea

This Valentine’s Day, Carnival Cruise Line is making waves with its largest-ever vow renewal event, inviting couples to celebrate their love aboard its fleet. With Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal at the helm, love is in the air.

A Valentine’s Day to Remember Across the Carnival Fleet

Carnival Cruise Line has taken Valentine’s Day celebrations to new heights with its fleetwide vow renewal ceremony. On this day of love, couples aboard all Carnival ships, from Carnival Elation to its newest ship Carnival Jubilee, had the unique opportunity to reaffirm their love for each other in a special ceremony.

Virtually officiated via a big screen on deck by none other than Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal, the February 14, 2024, event was marked by joy and romance.

This year’s celebration, notably grander thanks to the addition of two new ships to the Carnival fleet, Carnival Venezia and Carnival Jubilee, allowed even more couples to participate in the festivities

Carnival Cruise Line Fleetwide Vow Renewal

“People meet, get engaged, and get married on Carnival cruise ships and our Valentnine’s Day vow renewals are an extension of how couples love to cruise with Carnival,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re delighted to offer this ceremony to more guests than ever before.”

Tradition and Expansion

Carnival Cruise Line’s Valentine’s Day vow renewals have become an anticipated annual tradition, drawing couples to celebrate their love in a unique and memorable way.

Each ceremony is followed by an onboard reception that includes a DJ, champagne toast, and even an onboard kiss-cam.

Throughout the day, each ship offers a variety of Valentine’s Day-themed activities, from special trivia contests and romantic Dive-In movies perfect for date night to the always entertaining “Love & Marriage” show.

Couples on board also enjoy making specialty dining reservations, indulging in decadent desserts, and sharing sunset kisses on deck. Last year, more than 1,220 weddings and vow renewals took place under the Carnival banner.

A Year-Round Celebration of Love

Carnival’s dedication to celebrating love extends beyond Valentine’s Day, offering couples the chance to renew their vows all year round.

With a variety of personalized packages and itineraries, starting at $825 for a basic package and $1,450 for a deluxe package, Carnival can accommodate engagements, weddings, honeymoons, or vow renewals.

These ceremonies are performed by the ship’s captain in a special location and include a keepsake certificate signed by the captain, photography services, and room for guests.

Moreover, Carnival Cruise Line recently announced its upcoming Celebration Key private island in the Bahamas and is adding an exclusive events pavilion dedicated to hosting weddings and vow renewals.

The new island destination, scheduled to open in July 2025, is already a highly anticipated addition to Carnival’s itinerary and will offer something for everyone, from couples enjoying the adult-only areas that will feature a premium private club, to family-friendly offerings like splash pads, waterslides and a zipline course.

Celebrity Chefs to Join Epic MSC World Cruise

MSC Cruises News

Donna Tunney

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Feb 14, 2024

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Celebrity Chefs to Join Epic MSC World Cruise

MSC Cruises will shine a spotlight on exotic cuisines during the second leg of MSC Poesia’s 2024 World Cruise, which is now sailing around Africa. Guests will be treated to the delicious creations of three celebrity chefs, who will join the exciting world voyage.

Top Chefs Will Create Multi-Course Menus for Guests

Three celebrity chefs will soon delight the guests sailing aboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Poesia, a ship that is roughly one-third of the way through her 2024 World Cruise. The ship left Rome on January 4, 2024.

The chefs will join the cruise at different times, each creating a three- to four-course menu that highlights their special cuisines. The concept is part of MSC Cruises’ enriched culinary program.

South African chef and restaurateur Reuben Riffel will offer guests the flavors of his homeland, such as authentic cape spiced pickled fish, peppered Karoo lamb, and malva pudding. Riffel is best known for founding Reuben’s Restaurant, writing three cookbooks, and serving as a judge on the TV show “MasterChef South Africa.”

Brazilian chef and restauranteur Allan Vila Espejo will dish up a menu of Brazilian specialties such as Manioc soup, Bahia-style fish stew, and traditional chocolate coconut cake.

The Michelin-starred Swedish chef, TV personality, and restauranteur Niklas Ekstedt, a champion of Nordic cuisine, will create dishes such as poached lobster and confit salmon. The renowned chef owns one of the top restaurants in Stockholm, called Ekstedt.

MSC Poesia Pool Deck — Photo Credit: MSC Cruises

The special menus will be served in the ship’s main restaurants, and guests onboard MSC Poesia will have opportunities to meet the chefs in person.

MSC Poesia’s 115-day World Cruise, which visits 52 destinations in 31 countries, was altered in mid-January due to unsafe conditions in the Suez Canal and Red Sea areas. The 2,550-guest ship was to call at ports in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, but was rerouted to circumnavigate Africa.

In March, the Musica-class ship will cross the Atlantic Ocean, bound for calls in Brazil and in the Caribbean before reaching Miami. From there, the ship will head north to New York, and continue to ports in Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, and England, before concluding in Southampton on April 28, 2024.

Other ships operated by MSC Cruises have been impacted by the unrest in the Middle East. The line has cancelled three “Grand Voyages” set to depart in April. Instead, the cruise line is transferring MSC Spendida, MSC Opera, and MSC Virtuosa back to Europe without any passengers, sailing around Africa’s horn to avoid the war-torn region.

A few other cruise lines, including Cunard and Princess Cruises, also have rerouted sailings as a result of the dangers in the Middle East waters.

New Itinerary For MSC’s 2025 World Cruise

Segments of MSC Poesia’s 2024 World Cruise are still available for booking. The ship, which entered service in 2008, features two main dining rooms, Il Palladio and Le Fontane, and the Villa Pompeiana buffet. Specialty venues include Kaito, which serves sushi. Several bars and lounges are offered, along with the MSC Aurea Spa, three pools, and a poolside movie screen. Guests can choose from eight stateroom categories.

Read Also: MSC Yacht Club: Is It Really Worth It?

Those who wish to plan further ahead can book MSC Magnifica’s 2025 World Cruise, a 116-night roundtrip voyage from Barcelona.

MSC Magnifica, also a Musica-class ship with a capacity for 2,550 guests, will depart on her 2025 world journey on January 7, 2025. The cruise line has designed a new itinerary for the ship, which will visit 50 destinations in 21 countries.

Her 116-day itinerary is to feature calls in the Mediterranean, Africa, South America, Australia/New Zealand, and Middle East destinations in Jordan and Egypt. The cruise and its various segments are open for booking.