P&O Cruises, a UK cruise brand owned by Carnival Corporation, is expected to soon announce a new airline partner to provide charter services for its lucrative and popular Caribbean fly-cruise packages from UK airports. The cruise line is home-porting two ships in Barbados during the current winter 2024 season and the fall/winter 2024-25 season.
Charter Service Prompted Complaints From Cruisers
P&O Cruises appears poised to walk away from Maleth Aero, one of the air charter services it has used to transport cruisers from the UK to Bridgetown, Barbados, where it seasonally homeports two mega-ships, Arvia and Britannia.
The anticipated change follows complaints from travel agents and cruisers about Maleth Aero’s lack of premium seating and inflight entertainment on long-haul flights from the UK to Barbados.
Paul Ludlow, president of P&O Cruises and Carnival UK, referred to the problems in a video posted on X on February 20, 2024. Along with Maleth Aero, the cruise line has also been using TUI Airways for its charter services, and that arrangement appears steady.
“I know that we’ve had some flight issues this season and for anyone who has been impacted by those, we are so sorry. We are delighted to be partnering again with TUI next season and we are also confirming our airline partner and will update you as soon as possible,” Paul Ludlow, president of P&O Cruises and Carnival UK, said in the video.
We’re pleased to share some updates from Paul Ludlow, President of Carnival UK and P&O Cruises, from our community efforts with local organisations in Barbados to celebrating our second year as the proud headline sponsor of the BAFTA Television Awards with P&O Cruises… and more pic.twitter.com/59G4VYOZ5e
Ludlow did not indicate which airline might replace the charter flights serviced by Maleth Aero, which is described on its LinkedIn page as a Maltese wet lease company, part of the AELF group, based in Chicago. It fleet consists of six wide-body passenger and cargo aircraft.
Maleth Aero had been contracted to provide some charter flights from the UK’s Gatwick and Manchester airports to Barbados and Antigua. Arvia and Britannia are deployed to the Caribbean until late March 2024.
It is unclear whether Maleth Aero is continuing to operate the UK charters, however, TUI Airways is expected to keep operating its charter services for the cruise line.
Seasonal Homeports Beckon UK Cruisers
P&O Cruises’ 5,200-guest Arvia is an Excellence-class ship that entered service in March 2023, and was christened in Barbados, which became her seasonal homeport. The ship operates 7-day cruises between Bridgetown, Barbados, and St. John, Antigua. Port calls include St. Kitts, Martinique, and St. Lucia.
Photo Courtesy: Ministry of Tourism Saint Lucia
Britannia, with capacity for 3,647 guests, is an older ship, having debuted in 2015. Notably, she was christened by Queen Elizabeth II. The ship, based in Barbados, operates 14-night sailings that call at Curacao, Bonaire, St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Antigua, and St. Maarten.
Both ships will sail transatlantic voyages to Southampton in April 2024, and begin a series of summer cruises. Arvia will sail Mediterranean itineraries while Britannia will offer Northern Europe and Scandinavia cruises.
Arvia and Britannia will return to their Caribbean homeports in late October 2024 and remain there for the 2024-25 winter season.
In the world of modern cruise ships, size really matters! Some of the most iconic passenger vessels of all time continue to be remembered for how they broke records for size and redefined what a ship could be.
On this front, a new engineering marvel has emerged that promises to set a new standard for both luxury and physical proportions – Icon of the Seas. Royal Caribbean’s new colossal vessel stands out as the largest cruise ship ever made.
If you’re ready to discover everything you need to know about Icon of the Seas, it’s time to get started!
Icon of the Seas is a massive cruise ship and is 250,800 gross tons, making it the largest cruise ship in the world. The ship has a passenger capacity of 5,610 at double occupancy and is 1,196 feet long.
To appreciate the true scale of the Royal Caribbean’s giant cruise ship, you need to look at how each measurement dwarfs the Oasis-class ships that joined the fleet much earlier and one of the largest ships from the rival cruise line, Carnival.
Icon of the Seas Size Facts and Stats
Icon of the Seas Length
In terms of sheer numbers, Icon of the Seas measures a mind-boggling 1,198 feet in length, or 365 meters. This makes it roughly the same length as three-and-a-half full-sized NFL football fields. Even at a reasonable pace and without obstacles, this distance would take the average adult about 10 minutes to walk!
Icon of the Seas Width
In terms of the massive cruise ship’s width, its maximum beam–or the distance between the most outer sides of the hull–measures 225.5 feet across!
Icon of the Seas Height
With 20 decks, Icon of the Seas also sits an incredibly high 196 feet above the water line. That is roughly the same height as an 18-story apartment building; plus, a huge section of the ship sits below the water.
Icon of the Seas Weight
The gargantuan cruise ship tips the scales at 248,663 gross tons, making her the heaviest and largest cruise ship by gross tonnage that has ever been built. In fact, Icon of the Seas weighs roughly 5% more than the previous holder of the title of the biggest cruise ship in the world – Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.
How Does the Icon of the Seas Measure Up to Other Major Cruise Ships?
While the sheer numbers can be impressive, they can also lack context when they are not compared to other cruise ships on the water today. The world’s third largest cruise ship, the Wonder of the Seas, is still an enormous vessel, but it only measures 1,187 feet to the 1,198 feet of the Icon of the Seas.
Icon of the Seas Size Comparison
Stats
Icon of the Seas
Wonder of the Seas
Carnival Jubilee
Gross Tonnage
248,663
236,857
183,521
Length
1,198
1,188
1,130
Passenger Decks
18
16
18
Total Decks
20
18
20
Maximum Guest Capacity
7,600
6,988
5,374
Total Cabins
2,805
2,874
2,541
Crew Capacity
2,350
2,300
1,735
The fact that Icon of the Seas is noticeably bigger and heavier than the previous title holders for the world’s largest cruise ship is truly incredible, but it still makes it difficult to understand just how large it really is.
To have a more informed understanding, you need to compare the Icon of the Seas to the average cruise ship, which tends to come in at roughly 900 to 1,000 feet in length.
Is Icon of the Seas Really That Much Bigger Than Other Cruise Ships?
Given that Icon of the Seas is a full 10 feet longer than the next biggest cruise ship, it truly is a larger-than-life vessel. While 10 feet may not sound like too much if you are unfamiliar with ship dimensions, you also have to remember that Icon of the Seas also offers an extra two decks over the next largest ship.
Icon of the Seas Docked in US Virgin Islands (Photo Credit: Virgin Islands Port Authority)
With two extra decks and an enormous length, the Icon of the Seas has the extra room required to outfit her with hundreds of additional cabins and observation decks, plus a much wider range of amenities. It is no wonder that industry experts have been referring to her ambitious design as being bolder than anything ever built.
Icon of the Seas Capacity – Passengers and Crew
With a maximum passenger capacity of 7,600 guests, Icon of the Seas is almost a floating city. When you consider that the crew capacity of 2,350 takes the total number of people up to a maximum of 9,950, you truly begin to realize just how massive the ship truly is.
While it may not sound like an overly glamorous record, Icon of the Seas also takes the record for the cruise ship with the highest number of crew members. As you would expect, more crew members are needed to service a larger ship, but the giant cruise ship goes beyond what is purely necessary.
Icon of the Seas Delivery (Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean)
This is because it was intended to be the most luxurious and enjoyable cruise ship on the planet, not just the largest. This immense number of crew and staff ensures that passengers are always attended to and that everything about the voyage goes smoothly.
What About Accommodations on the Icon of the Seas?
The ship’s numerous cabins are designed to offer comfortable accommodations for families and groups of all sizes. With family-specific staterooms and cabins that can accommodate families of three, four, five, and even six people, Icon of the Seas offers options for just about anyone hoping to enjoy a vacation with their whole family.
This is no surprise when you consider that Royal Caribbean has advertised travel on the massive vessel as the best family vacation in the world.
Not only do guests have plenty of options for choosing how many people their cabin can comfortably accommodate, but there are plenty of options for layout and interior design. In fact, the Icon of the Seas features 28 unique categories of room options, which is only possible thanks to the cruise ship’s immense size!
As mentioned, Royal Caribbean had families in mind when they came up with the cabin design for the Icon of the Seas. In doing so, they introduced eight new suite categories specifically designed for groups larger than two passengers.
Icon of the Seas Ocean View Balcony
With over 82% of the rooms onboard Icon of the Seas being able to accommodate three or more guests at a time, passengers have more options than ever when it comes to group travel.
Not only are the cabins larger and more capable of handling multiple guests than the accommodations on a typical Royal Caribbean ship, but over 70% of the rooms will feature balconies.
Breakdown of the Accommodations on the Icon of the Seas
Of the mind-blowing 2,805 passenger cabins and suites on the Icon of the Seas, 179 are classed as luxury suites, 1,815 are listed as staterooms with balconies, 276 are ocean-facing staterooms without balconies, and the remaining 535 are interior-facing staterooms.
Even within those cabin and suites categories, there is a wide range of sub-categories, so passengers can truly pick the exact type of room they would like to enjoy during their voyage. With so many options, it is easy for passengers to find their own home away from home. This is just one of the many ways Icon of the Seas brings luxury and customization to cruise travel.
The Ultimate Family Townhouse
While having so many options may seem somewhat overwhelming to first-time cruise vacationers, it is hugely beneficial when it comes to choosing an experience that matches your preferences as well as your personal budget.
The choice is all yours, whether you are looking for a budget-friendly inside cabin, which will measure the standard 156 square feet, or you want the luxury and spacious interior of a full-sized suite, like the 1,772 square foot Ultimate Family Townhouse suite. This suite features everything from multiple rooms and floors to in-cabin entertainment, like karaoke machines and movie theater-style projectors.
How Is the Interior of the Ship Divided?
Given the immense scale of Icon of the Seas, Royal Caribbean divided it into eight unique “neighborhoods.” Essentially, these are themed sections of the ship, which feature different types of attractions and dining options, as well as themed stores, décor, and cabin types.
Pearl Cafe on the Royal Promenade
This is not unique to the cruise ship, as Royal Caribbean has a reputation for dividing their larger cruise ships into neighborhoods; however, the sheer number and size of the neighborhoods make you realize just how large the ship is.
Three of the “neighborhood” themes featured on Icon of the Seas are borrowed from her sister ships, while five are completely new and exclusive to the ship.
Icon of the Seas Neighborhood Breakdown
Here is a breakdown of the ship’s eight different neighborhoods to help you grasp the scale and layout of the world’s largest cruise ship. To make things easier to visualize, we are starting from the bottom deck and working upwards:
1. The Royal Promenade
The Royal Promenade has already been featured on numerous Royal Caribbean cruise ships, and it is a staple neighborhood on all of their Oasis-class vessels. Just like this section of the other ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet, the Royal Promenade will feature a variety of bars, restaurants, food stalls, and a massive staircase; however, this version is much larger in scale.
Royal Promenade on Icon of the Seas
Walking through the Royal Promenade, you will find a double-piano bar where guests can make requests or watch rehearsed performances. You will also find an outdoor/indoor running track, bars with full-sized dance floors, a spa, a music hall for concerts, a comedy club, a fully-equipped fitness center, an escape room, an ice rink, and more.
Considering this is just the first neighborhood, you can really see how it would be nearly impossible to feel bored on the Icon of the Seas!
2. Surfside Neighborhood
Above the Royal Promenade and towards the back of the ship, you will find the Surfside Neighborhood, dedicated to families with young children.
Surfside Neighborhood
Guests can take giant slides down from one level to the next. There is also an arcade, daycare for under 7-year-olds, a candy store, and numerous child-friendly themed restaurants.
You will also find many cabins and suites designed for young families in the neighborhood, a splash area, several pools, and a carousel.
3. Central Park
Like the famous NYC park it is named after, the ship’s Central Park neighborhood is massive in scale. It stretches upwards several floors and has an open-air design in its center. Live trees and other plants help bring the outdoors inside the ship. Guests can wander down the winding paths or take a seat at one of the many restaurant and café patios.
Central Park neighborhood
This neighborhood also has numerous themed restaurants, including an upscale restaurant with a retro NYC theme, several bars, and two coffee shops. Jazz clubs, cocktail bars, and upscale shops also help give the neighborhood a real New York City feel.
One of this neighborhood’s unique features is that it is where you will find many of the ship’s inward-facing cabins, so even those not looking out onto the water feel like they are outdoors.
4. The AquaDome Neighborhood
The AquaDome is located at the front of the ship, and it takes its name from one of the ship’s central entertainment features, the massive dome that sits above the AquaTheater. This massive dry and wet theater stage will host a variety of shows. From acrobatic shows to pool diving demonstrations, this unique theater will entertain guests of all ages.
AquaDome Neighborhood
The stage of the AquaTheater is also bordered by computerized water fountains, while the ceiling above the stage features an enormous 363-ton glass and steel dome equipped with sprinklers and ceiling-mounted fountains.
Beyond the theater, the AquaDome Neighborhood also houses a variety of themed restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that will provide views of the ocean and help drive the ‘aqua’ theme home.
5. Chill Island
Behind the AquaDome towards the aft of the ship, you can find Chill Island, home to four of the ship’s seven major pools. You will also find popular features, like a swim-up bar, an adults-only pool, numerous hot tubs, and plenty of poolside snack bars.
Chill Island
For those just hoping to catch some rays, there are several open-air decks that are dotted with free loungers and paid cabanas. Unsparingly, you will also find several restaurants serving ice creams, frozen cocktails, and other treats that will help you cool off. Chill Island also features a huge buffet restaurant for those who work up an appetite for swimming.
6. The Hideaway Neighborhood
Right at the back of the ship, you will find the Hideaway, designed to replicate a beach resort. With a major infinity pool that looks out onto the horizon, you will forget you are even at sea.
Hideaway Neighborhood
As you would expect, you will also find plenty of lounge space and cocktail and champagne bars. This section of the ship is meant to cater more to adult passengers than those traveling with children.
7. Thrill Island
As the name suggests, you will find some of the ship’s most exciting amenities in this neighborhood. From rock climbing walls and a FlowRider surf simulator to miniature golf courses and multi-purpose sports courts, it is the perfect area for those looking to get a thrill while they are at sea. Plus, there are plenty of walk-up drink and snack bars for when you work up an appetite.
Thrill Island
Thrill Island is also where you will find the ship’s most visually striking feature – the largest waterpark at sea, named Category 6. With a record-breaking six full-sized water slides weaving in and out of each other, you will completely forget that you’re on a cruise ship instead of inside a water park on land.
8. The Suite Neighborhood
The final neighborhood covers decks 16, 17, 18, and 19. These are also the top decks open to passengers, with impressive views. As the name implies, this is where most of the ship’s suites and some of the lower-cost passenger cabins can be found.
The Grove
In addition to passenger accommodations, there are open-air lounge areas, some smaller pools and hot tubs, and several restaurants and bars that are only accessible to those passengers who have booked suite-style rooms.
Final Words
Icon of the Seas has redefined what a cruise ship can be, but it is important to remember that it is not the first ship to do so. The cruise industry constantly evolves and pushes the boundaries of how large, sophisticated, and luxurious its passenger vessels can be.
While the Icon of the Seas might astonish the general public with its record-breaking dimensions and a seemingly endless number of amenities, we won’t be surprised when the cruise industry announces something even bigger and better.
With that said, a week-long cruise on the Icon of the Seas would be an amazing experience. With week-long cruises throughout the Caribbean, the Icon of the Seas offers families a vacation unlike any other.
Celebrity Cruises has begun reaching out to guests booked aboard various sailings on Celebrity Apex about itinerary changes for upcoming voyages. Multiple cruises are impacted with changes such as adjusted port times, altered sailing routes, and changed ports of call.
While the majority of the adjusted cruises are in northern Europe, some Caribbean itineraries are also being altered and all guests booked on Celebrity Apex should be prepared for possible changes.
Itinerary Changes for Celebrity Apex
Guests booked on a variety of sailings for Celebrity Apex have been informed of itinerary changes for their upcoming cruises. The nature of the changes varies for different departure dates, but includes such alterations as adjusted times in port and alternative ports of call that result in different sailing routes.
For example, the ship’s July 8, 2024 departure – a 12-night “Norwegian Fjord Arctic Circle” sailing – has three port time changes, as well as a change in departure from Southampton, UK. Now, the ship will leave Southampton at 5 p.m. instead of at 4 p.m. as originally planned.
Three Norwegian ports on the itinerary have been adjusted with different times. Now, the call to Flam will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (originally 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.); Tromso will be from 1-8 p.m. (originally 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.); and Honningsvag from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (originally 12-9 p.m.).
In total, these changes amount to a loss of seven hours in ports of call. The other port visits – Stavanger, Olden, and Kristiansand – are not affected, and the cruise will still be sailing above the Arctic Circle as planned.
Celebrity Apex Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: The Hungarian Sailor)
Pre-booked shore excursions arranged through Celebrity Cruises are being automatically adjusted to the new port times as needed. Travelers who have made independent arrangements will need to contact their tour operators for cancellation or rescheduling as appropriate.
Why So Many Changes?
While the impacted sailings are several months away, Celebrity Cruises is not offering details about the need for the changes.
“Due to sailing speed restrictions, we’ve adjusted some of our arrival and departure times,”the notification email read.
The nature of the “sailing speed restrictions” has not been explained, but it is possible that new regulations in Norway are causing the adjustments. Many areas, particularly where delicate marine environments can be put at risk with increased cruise travel, are imposing such restrictions to safeguard local habitats and wildlife.
Booked guests are also noting similar changes to sailings departing in both May and June, with some sailings swapping port visits as well as adjusting overall port times.
What is more concerning, however, is that some travelers have also noted similar changes for Caribbean itineraries once Celebrity Apex repositions to Fort Lauderdale in November.
Speed restrictions to protect environments are less common in the Caribbean, though they are not unheard of. It is also possible there may be some technical issue with Celebrity Apex that requires slower sailing for maximum efficiency, though this has not been confirmed.
The 130,818-gross-ton, Edge-class Celebrity Apex is currently homeported from Fort Lauderdale, offering a variety of 7-night Caribbean itineraries. In early May, the ship will depart on a transatlantic cruise to move to Southampton for a season sailing Scandinavia, Norway, and northern Europe cruises, before returning to Fort Lauderdale in November.
Celebrity Apex is scheduled for dry dock in March 2025, and it is likely that any technical updates will be made at that time. Hopefully, if there is an issue with the ship, the small adjustments being made now will be sufficient so she does not need to be removed from service for emergency repairs.
While some travelers are sure to be disappointed in these minor port changes, a last-minute full cruise cancellation would be much more of a disappointment!
One of Disney Cruise Line’s most popular specialty dining options, Palo and Palo Steakhouse, is known for its strict dress code that requires guests to look their best.
But now, cruisers have one more wardrobe choice if they’re planning to have brunch at the Italian venue on their next cruise, which should make sticking to the dress code a little easier.
Disney Cruise Line Changes Dress Code For Brunch At Palo
Palo and Palo Steakhouse, is available on all five ships in Disney’s fleet. Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the first ships operated by DCL, both feature the original Palo, as do Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.
The newest ships, Disney Wish, which set sail in 2022, and Disney Treasure, which will debut in December of 2024, offer Palo Steakhouse, which is modeled after Palo and combines Italian fare with steakhouse cuisine.
As part of preserving the fine dining atmosphere at the venue, only adults can dine in the restaurant and are required to dress up. Disney Cruise Line recommends formal or semi-formal attire consisting of items like dress pants, nice blouses, collared shirts, jeans in good condition with no rips or holes, and lifestyle shoes.
But as of February 22, 2024, the cruise line has expanded the Palo dress code to include dress shorts for brunch reservations, which will add flexibility and certainly be nice for warmer sailings.
“Adult-exclusive restaurants aboard Disney Cruise Line ships are elegant dining experiences. Guests are requested to dress in a manner consistent with the restaurant’s sophistication,” Disney Cruise Line states.
“Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended. Also permitted is dress-casual attire with a polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops and lifestyle shoes. For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are acceptable.”
Disney Cruise Line Palo
The change only applies to brunch at the Palo, not dinner, and does not impact the other specialty restaurants found on the ships: Remy and Enchanté. Clothing such as casual T-shirts, swimwear, and sports or gym attire are still not allowed.
When I was a kid accompanying my parents on Disney cruises, I was always so jealous of the fancy adults who got to dine at Palo. When I finally got my turn to try the specialty dining experience with my fiancé while onboard Disney Dream, it was every bit as luxurious and delicious as I imagined – but it wasn’t smooth sailing for everyone.
While waiting to be seated, we watched as another couple was asked to change before they could enter the dining room – as the casual T-shirts and sandals this couple was wearing weren’t up to snuff.
This couple had to make the walk of shame back to their stateroom to change into something nicer – and we saw a host guide them to their table in fresh outfits about 15 minutes later.
Disney Cruise Line Palo
Every Disney Cruise includes dinner across three main dining rooms as part of a rotational dining system, where servers follow their guests to their assigned dining room each night to cultivate a personal and customized experience for passengers.
But for guests looking for something extra special or who simply want more variety, they can make a reservation at one of the specialty dining restaurants onboard for an additional fee. Palo, which costs $45 for brunch and $50 for dinnerat the time of this writing, is one of the most popular specialty options available.
Dress Codes On Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line gives many opportunities to dress up, both formally and for fun, or to dress as casually as guests would like. Aside from the specialty dining restaurants, the dining venues onboard are “cruise casual.” This means that relaxed attire like shorts and T-shirts are permitted, with the exception of swimwear and tank tops.
Disney Cruise Ship Funnel (Photo Credit: Theodore P. Webb)
That said, almost every Disney cruise features a themed night, where costumes are encouraged, and a formal night. For example, 3-night sailings have a “cruise casual” dress code for the first night, a pirate-themed dinner and deck party on the second night, and an optional “dress-up night” on the third.
On 4-night sailings, Disney Cruise Line includes two “cruise casual” nights, one pirate night, and one formal night.
For longer sailings, such as a week or longer, DCL mixes up the dress code a bit more. The first night is casual, with the second night designated as pirate night or given another fun theme, complete with a deck party.
There is also at least one formal night and one semi-formal night on longer sailings, which are always optional. If guests do not want to dress up, there are always other dining options available onboard, including room service, the buffet, snack and juice bars, and grab-and-go meals.
With Captain Inger Thorhauge at the helm, Cunard Line’s Queen Anne has concluded her final sea trials and is poised to embark on her inaugural 2024 summer season, launching in May.
Triumphant Final Sea Trials
Queen Anne, Cunard Line’s newest ship, has completed her final sea trials this month. Over the course of 16 days in February, the ship underwent a series of rigorous tests, including full-speed maneuvers and intricate navigational challenges, to ensure every system operates at peak performance.
After setting sail from Fincantieri Marghera shipyard in Venice, Queen Anne was subjected to an extensive program designed to scrutinize, test, assess, and calibrate all her major systems.
The trials encompassed everything from the propulsion pods, which are crucial for powering the vessel, to the bow thrusters that enhance maneuverability, and the stabilizers that ensure a smooth journey. In addition, all complex electronic systems controlling the hardware were thoroughly tested.
Cunard’s first female captain, Captain Inger Thorhauge, shared her excitement and satisfaction with the outcomes of the trials, saying, “I am thrilled to report, [Queen Anne] passed with flying colors!”
The primary focus of the sea trials was to examine how Queen Anne handles a variety of situations, from full speed ahead to full speed astern, including tight turns, fast turns, slow turns, and emergency stops.
Part of the sea trials also involved taking the ship into dry dock at Palermo, Italy, for hull painting to prepare the new Queen for her official debut. Queen Anne now moves into the critical final phase of preparations for her delivery in April.
From Vision to Voyage
The journey of Queen Anne from concept to her successful completion of sea trials began when the first plans were drawn up by the renowned shipbuilders at Fincantieri and the visionary team at Carnival Corporation, which owns Cunard Line.
Construction of Queen Anne officially commenced in 2019, but was delayed by two years due to the global pandemic.
As the 249th ship to bear the Cunard standard and fourth ship in its current passenger fleet, Queen Anne stands out as a Pinnacle-class vessel. This designation makes her larger than her Vista-class sisters, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth, at 113,000 gross tons.
Queen Anne Ship Sea Trials (Credit: Cunard Line)
Although not as big as the flagship Queen Mary 2, which tips the scales at 149,500 gross tons, Queen Anne is designed to carry more passengers. When she embarks on her maiden sail to Lisbon, Portugal, on May 3, 2024, she will have the capacity to hold 3,000 passengers.
Queen Anne’s float-out ceremony took exactly one year before her maiden cruise is set to depart, followed by an official naming ceremony that will take place in Liverpool on June 3, 2024, during the British Isles Festival Voyage.
Ready for Summer
Queen Anne is poised to make her grand arrival in her home port of Southampton, England, by the end of April 2024. The vessel is gearing up for a much-anticipated 7-night maiden voyage, charting a course to La Coruña, Spain, and Lisbon.
After her inaugural journey, Queen Anne will navigate towards the Canary Islands in May, and then again in November and December. These trips will explore the lunar-like terrains of Lanzarote, the white sands of Fuerteventura, and the historical depths of Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Queen Anne Cruise Ship (Image Courtesy: Cunard Line)
As the season unfolds, Queen Anne will transition from the sun-drenched Canaries to embrace the beauty of the Norwegian fjords. The 7-night voyage in June will call on Bergen, Ålesund, Geiranger, and Flåm for breathtaking explorations. Additional voyages in the region later in 2024 will introduce guests to more Norwegian ports, including Stavanger, Tromsø, Trondheim, Haugesund, Narvik, and the Lofoten Islands.
From the rugged coasts of Norway, Queen Anne will begin a Mediterranean leg and whisk passengers to the shores of Italy, Spain, and Portugal, along with the charming island of Mallorca. Highlights include calls in Barcelona, Cadiz, and Palma de Mallorca.
From there, Queen Anne will pivot towards the British Isles with voyages designed to reveal the diverse landscapes and rich histories of Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland.
Rounding out the summer itinerary, Queen Anne will explore Northern Europe, including calls in Hamburg, Germany; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Tallinn, Estonia.
When Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise took over social media, part of the allure was that 274 nights – or nine months at sea – seems like an incredibly long time. But that’s nothing for the Kesteloos, who have spent a combined 45 years living and working at sea.
The Pros Of Living On A Cruise Ship
Christine Kesteloo and her husband, Pete, consider themselves to be lucky. Christine is allowed to sail for free with her spouse, who is a staff chief engineer on one of Holland America Line’s 11 ships, while he works at sea for six months of the year. This is an unusual set up, as typically crew members are separated from their loved ones for the duration of their contracts, which usually range from two to nine months.
Once a cruise director herself, Christine has a lot of experience with life at sea and has been documenting her travels on her TikTok channel for more than two years now – long before Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruiseturned cruising into a social media sensation.
At the time of this publication, Christine’s TikTok (@dutchworld_americangirl) has 887.5K followers, and her most popular video, which details the pros and cons of living on a cruise ship for months at a time, has over 14 million views – and ultimately, the pros outweigh the cons for this sailor.
As “wife on board,” Christine experiences many perks, essentially living a hybrid life where she qualifies as both a guest and a crew member and can enjoy both guest areas and behind-the-scenes areas that are usually restricted to employees.
Some of Christine’s favorite parts is that she gets to wake up in a new place every day (and has already visited more than 100 countries and most recently took her followers with her to St. Lucia), doesn’t have rent or home bills to pay, and every meal of the day is free in the ship’s main dining rooms.
The Cons Of Spending Months At Sea
Most of the downsides that come with being a “cruise wife” are things that Christine can easily live with, especially as someone who is able to see the rules from the perspective of a former crew member. While Christine mostly gets free reign onboard, she isn’t allowed to gamble, deals with spotty internet service (which she does get a discount on), and has to prioritize guest experience above her own – meaning she can’t disembark in ports before paying guests are done.
In a video that’s been liked more than 15,000 times and has over 400,000 views, Christine also jokes that being surrounded by so much free food is a test of her will power to preserve her waist line.
“One of the hardest things about living on a cruise ship is that I know right now, if I just leave my cabin, I can go and have cookies, pizza, a shake, I could have anything I wanted, and I want it, I absolutely want it,” she said in the TikTok.
But the hardest aspect of spending so much time away from home is being far away from friends and family. Luckily for the Kesteloos, Christine’s parents were able to join the cruise for two months to spend time together. That said, their cruise hasn’t all been smooth sailing – as her dad suffered a medical emergency onboard.
“He didn’t eat properly and the sun here is strong, so dad fell unconscious while eating Cheetos here in this bed and we had to call medical. It was a scary incident for all of us,”Christine shared on TikTok.
While cruise ships are equipped with medical centers on board, the Kesteloo family wasn’t planning to visit it. Thankfully, the emergency ended up being a false alarm caused by low blood sugar from too much sun and not enough nutrition.
This does bring up another interesting point of Christine’s tenure at sea, which is that cruise ship medical centers do not always take the health insurance policies that are used on land. Indeed, Christine has to pay for her own special traveler’s insurance – which is something that may also apply to more typical cruisers on shorter vacations, too.
But while life at sea may have its hiccups, it’s ultimately like living in a constant vacation – and that does come with a lot of perks. A lot of older solo travelers and couples choose to retire on cruise ships because food and entertainment is included in the cost, guests never have to cook or clean, and they get to see the world.
Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia / Shutterstock
If you aren’t sailing for free like Christine, you have a few options to become a long term cruiser. First, some ships offer permanent residences onboard, which is good for cruisers who don’t want to be tied down to a mortgage, property taxes, and home maintenance bills on land. The cost of a permanent residence at sea ranges from $352,000 to $36 million.
For cruisers who want an extended vacation but might not be ready to sell their homes or give up their leases, Snowbird cruises are a good option. These last from 58 to 116 days and cost anywhere from $16,000 per guest to $250,000 – and includes an airfare stipend, beverages, up to 42 free shore excursions, and up to $4,200 in ship credit.
Lastly, cruise lovers can opt to book back-to-back cruises on the same ship. This is ideal for guests who may be elite members of loyalty programs, and may reap more cost savings by taking a DIY approach to their cruise planning.
Carnival Cruise Line’s new private destination in The Bahamas, Celebration Key, is already planning for expansion and the ability to conveniently welcome more ships simultaneously.
A new pier extension has been announced, which will allow up to four ships to dock at once, including the largest vessels in the fleet, the Excel class.
New Pier Expansion for Celebration Key
More than a year before the destination is scheduled to welcome its first guests, expansion is already being planned for Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s upcoming private destination on Grand Bahama Island.
Carnival Corporation & plc, the parent company to Carnival Cruise Line, has announced a planned extension to the pier at Celebration Key, which will be able to host two more ships visiting the destination. The $100 million (USD) project will be completed by 2026, one year after Celebration Key opens to guests.
The initial plans for the destination already include a pier, and this new project will further expand the destination’s capacity. All four berth spaces will be large enough to support Excel ships, including Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, as well as the recently announced fourth ship in the class, due for delivery in 2027.
“As is fitting for our plans for Grand Bahama island, our vision for Celebration Key is quite grand, and we’re already thinking about the next phase of expansion and development,”said Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line President.
The pier extension demonstrates Carnival’s commitment to the new destination and The Bahamas, fostering growth for Grand Bahama’s cruise tourism and offering great itinerary options for Carnival guests.
“Building the second pier now allows us to implement growth plans and build itineraries with certainty, and signals to the local community just how important this development is to Carnival Cruise Line and the future of the island,”Duffy said.
Celebration Key Expansion
Celebration Key is being deliberately designed not only as a fun destination, but also to showcase authentic Bahamian culture with dedicated retail spaces, artwork, music, and more.
The initial plans for Celebration Key have already been revealed, which include five “portals” with dedicated purposes, similar to the themed zones onboard the Excel class ships. At the center of the destination will be the Welcome Portal with an immense sand castle to immerse guests in the celebratory atmosphere.
A mile-long white sand beach, the largest freshwater lagoons in the Caribbean, and various different activities and amenities will all be part of what is sure to be a popular destination for Carnival guests. Initial itineraries have already been released for Celebration Key, with 12 ships from eight different homeports visiting the port in 2025 and 2026, on cruises from 3-14 nights.
Local Enthusiasm for Expansion
The pier expansion project as well as the overall growth of Celebration Key has the support of local leaders as well, who are eager for the partnership with Carnival Cruise Line and how the destination will highlight Bahamian culture.
“This is a momentous day for Grand Bahama and bodes extremely well for its future,”said The Honorable I. Chester Cooper, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation in The Bahamas.
“The incredible level of new investment on the pier extension highlights the partnership between The Bahamas and Carnival Corporation and demonstrates the popularity of The Bahamas as a destination. Celebration Key will play a vital role in supporting the future prosperity of Grand Bahama and the country at large.”
Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration Key
“Carnival Corporation’s dedication to our island’s growth is both commendable and inspiring – we applaud their expanded investment in Celebration Key in Grand Bahama and welcome the imminent exponential boost to the Grand Bahama economy,”added Minister for Grand Bahama, The Honorable Ginger Moxey M.P.
In total, the development of Celebration Key – the initial phase of the project, as well as the pier extension and phase two on land – is projected to cost $600 million, the largest development ever undertaken by Carnival Corporation.
When complete, more than 700 permanent jobs are expected to support Celebration Key, with more than 2,500 jobs generated through the development and construction of the destination. In total, the project may bring as much as $9.7 billion worth of economic impact to The Bahamas.
When complete, 2.2 million guests are expected to visit Celebration Key annually beginning in 2025, with that number rising to as many as 4 million by 2028 when both piers are welcoming ships frequently.
In a move to enhance its winter season offerings, MSC Cruises announced a brand-new itinerary for MSC Opera, focusing on the picturesque Canary Islands and Madeira, Spain.
A New MSC Cruises Winter Adventure
MSC Cruises has announced its plans to position MSC Opera in the Canary Islands for the winter 2024-25 season, opening sales for a 7-night itinerary that connects travelers with the Spanish islands nestled off the coast of the coast of Africa.
Running from November 3, 2024, until March 16, 2025, the cruise will navigate between six iconic ports of call, starting and concluding in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife.
“As the Canary Islands and Madeira are a popular warm-weather destination in the winter months, the new programme is easily accessible with regular international flights to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Madeira, and Lanzorote,” MSC Cruises detailed on its website.
The new itinerary comes as a strategic replacement for MSC Opera’s previously planned Red Sea winter 2024-25 sailings, which were cancelled due to the geopolitical turmoil currently taking place in the region.
Unveiling New Experiences
MSC Opera, a Lirica-class vessel weighing just over 59,000 gross tons and capable of hosting nearly 2,700 passengers, will depart from Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the vibrant capital of Tenerife and one of the archipelago’s two capitals, on its new winter route through the Canary Islands.
Here, passengers can explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of La Laguna, a 15th-century town with a well-preserved grid pattern of streets that influenced the layout of cities like Old Havana, and ascend Spain’s highest mountain, Teide Peak, in Teide National Park.
MSC Opera Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: CeltStudio)
MSC Cruises will also take passengers to other notable destinations, including Las Palmas, the capital of Gran Canaria. The city offers a chance to explore the golden sands of Las Canteras beach, delve into history at Casa de Colón museum, and wander the charming streets of the Vegueta historical quarter.
Next, the cruise will sail to Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, showcasing its artistic streets, lively harbor, and pristine beaches, before making its way to Santa Cruz de la Palma, the capital of La Palma. Passengers here can visit the El Salvador Church and venture into the Caldera de Taburiente National Park.
An additional highlight includes a call to Arrecife, Lanzarote’s vibrant capital known for its volcanic landscapes and cultural heritage.
The itinerary is further enhanced by a stop in Madeira, Spain, where passengers can explore botanical gardens, take a cable car to the hilltop town of Monte, and descend back to the port via the Monte Toboggans.
While MSC Cruises is now taking bookings, the full schedule and online booking system are not yet published on MSC Cruises’ website as of press time.
A New Direction
The unveiling of MSC Cruises’ new itinerary to the Canary Islands represents a redirection necessitated by the unforeseen cancellation of MSC Opera’s voyages through the Red Sea. This crucial maritime corridor, bridging the Mediterranean Sea to the Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal, has recently been at the epicenter of escalating geopolitical tensions.
The region has witnessed a significant uptick in hostiles, largely attributed to activities by Houthi rebels employing armed drones and sea mines to disrupt maritime traffic. Although primarily targeting oil tankers and cargo ships, these disruptions have raised safety concerns for passenger cruises, forcing MSC Cruises and other cruise lines to seek safer waters.
By rerouting MSC Opera to the Canary Islands, MSC Cruises ensures a secure travel experience for passengers.
American Queen Voyages, an operator of river and expedition ships based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, shut down on February 20, 2024, after it was unable to overcome the financial challenges of the pandemic era. The company said that guests who have paid deposits for future sailings will receive full refunds.
Cruise Line Unable to Recover From Pandemic’s Impact
American Queen Voyages, a cruise brand with seven ships that include a mix of authentic paddlewheel riverboats, and boutique and expedition vessels, is no longer operating as of February 20, 2024. The company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and all cruises have been cancelled.
“We are saddened to share that American Queen Voyages (AQV) has made the difficult decision to shut down. The overnight cruise industry was especially affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and related changes in travel preferences. Despite great efforts by our team, crew and partners, demand has not recovered, and AQV has become financially unsustainable,” the company said in an announcement.
American Queen Voyages owns American Queen, a 417-guest ship built in 1995; American Countess, a 245-guest ship that launched in 1996; American Duchess, with a capacity for 166 guests and built in 1996; and American Empress, a 217-guest ship that entered service in 2003.
Additionally, it owns the expedition ship Ocean Victory, which carries 186 guests and was the company’s newest ship, having debuted in 2021. The company’s river ships operated on the Lower and Upper Mississippi, Cumberland, Tennessee, Columbia, and Snake rivers. Ocean Victory typically sailed Central America itineraries in winter and Alaska cruises in summer.
Photo Courtesy: American Queen Voyages
The company was in the process of decommissioning and preparing to sell two more expedition ships, Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager. Ocean Navigator was in the news in October of 2023, when an explosion onboard the vessel as it was docked in Portland, Maine, caused all guests and crew to be evacuated. One crew member was injured.
However, in recent weeks, several major travel agencies have suspended sales of American Queen Voyages cruises due to slow payment of commissions and service problems, according to trade reports. The agencies included AAA Travel, Pleasant Holidays, Virtuoso, and Signature Travel Network.
Guest Refunds to Come Through Insurance Agency
The American Queen Voyages website provides instructions to booked guests, who will now have to apply for refunds of deposits already paid for future cruises. The cruise line’s deposits are insured by Argo Surety, and all applications for refunds must be made to that outfit.
Guests can print a claim form, or fill it out online, and must provide supporting documentation, including proof of payment. Guests will receive a denial notice from American Queen Voyages, and can then file a refund claim with Argo Surety.
According to the cruise line, guests cannot submit a request for a refund directly to Argo Surety unless American Queen Voyages first denies their claim or 180 days have passed since they submitted a claim to the cruise line.
American Queen Voyages was founded as the Great American Steamboat Co., when John Waggoner bought the 436-guest riverboat American Queen from the United States Maritime Administration in 2011.
In September 2021, the company was rebranded American Queen Voyages. Its parent company is Hornblower Group, based in San Francisco.
