Princess Cruises, a line dedicated to superb culinary experiences, is introducing carefully curated vegan menus across all 15 ships in its fleet.
A wide range of plant-based dishes are available, each crafted just as carefully as any menu item offered in Princess Cruises’ main dining rooms or specialty restaurants.
Princess Cruises Rolls Out Vegan Menus
Princess Cruises is introducing a new, creative vegan menu aboard all its ships, focusing not only on delicious plant-based meals, but also to showcase both culinary creativity and eco-consciousness.
The new menu is currently being rolled out fleetwide, though the exact dates of the menu to appear on individual ships has not been announced.
The new menu is in response to guests’ desire for additional healthy, plant-based dining options without sacrificing the gourmet quality Princess Cruises is renowned for.
Emerald Princess Open Decks (Photo Credit: EWY Media / Shutterstock)
“Our dedication to delivering unforgettable culinary experiences continues to evolve with current trends, including the desire for more vegan offerings,”said Sami Kohen, Princess Cruises Vice President of Food and Beverage.“Our new plant-based dinner menus offer our vegan guests an extraordinary culinary journey while providing reassurance and peace of mind with dishes they know meet their lifestyle preferences.”
The new menus help expand Princess Cruises’ culinary offerings to meet more guest needs and preferences. Travelers can request the vegan options pre-cruise via their travel agent, contacting Princess Cruises, or on the Cruise Personalizer as they manage their booking. Guests can also request vegan menu choices while onboard their sailing.
Delicious Plant-Based Options
There is no lack of variety in the new vegan menus, which feature starters, robust salads, soups, pastas, and entrees, all of which offer curated pairings of plant-based items.
Guests might start their meal with roasted pears dressed with dried apricots and pistachios, Baja-style cauliflower tacos, a “Green Goddess” salad with tofu, creamy white bean soup, or a hearty roasted eggplant and tomato soup. Black beans on toast topped with tomato and avocado and a fresh potato salad with Dijon mustard and herbs are other tantalizing appetizers.
Main dishes include rich stir-fried Portobellos with soy-maple sauce, a plant-based Shepherd’s pie, and “Walkaway Ratatouille” for a fun twist on a classic favorite.
All vegan dishes are carefully prepared without the use of any animal products, ensuring compliance with what can occasionally be strict dietary guidelines.
While Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line are both owned by parent company Carnival Corporation & plc, the two lines’ vegan menus are each distinct to the individual lines and not simply a sharing of dishes.
Carnival’s Hawaiian Salmon Poke
More and more cruise lines are adding vegan options to their menus as such items become increasingly popular and highly requested by cruise guests.
While vegetarian menu items have been available for many years, truly vegan dishes have been scarce not only because of the lack of high-quality, plant-based items for gourmet use, but also because of preparation challenges.
Now, cruise lines are meeting those challenges with excellent results, and diners are impressed by the superb variety of vegan dishes.
While many people who have never been on a cruise ship assume that the food options would be limited or that the ingredients would lack freshness and quality, the truth is that many modern cruise ships are floating havens for foodies, and there are many common things to eat on a ship.
Not only is cruise ship food better than you might expect, but in many cases, the delectable food and culinary options can be among the main highlights of the entire voyage. Today, we will dive into eight everyday food items that cruise ship passengers regularly enjoy.
We will cover some of the most common things you will be offered at sea and explain where you can enjoy these food items and dishes on board the ship. If you are ready to let your taste buds set sail, keep reading, and we will dive right in!
While you may assume that cruise lines would face difficulties keeping fruits and veggies fresh at sea, modern cruise ships have high-capacity refrigeration systems that keep produce at the ideal temperature to maintain freshness.
Fresh fruit is a common sight for cruise ships exploring tropical locations, such as the Caribbean. You may notice plenty of sliced fruit, vegetable platters, and pre-made salads at every buffet station and restaurant menu.
Fruit at the Ship Ship Buffet (Photo Credit: vadimmva)
Not only does this allow passengers to embrace the lifestyle of the tropics fully, the cruise ship can actually load up on local produce when it stops at various ports of call.
Most cruise lines also know that many people book cruise vacations for rest, relaxation, and recovery. Having healthy and nutritious options, like crisp salads and fresh fruit, helps health-conscious passengers maintain a balanced diet while they enjoy their vacation.
2. Delicious Pizza and Pasta
Who can honestly say that they don’t like pizza and pasta? Cruise lines have recognized that pizza and basic pasta dishes are seen by many as the ultimate comfort food, so they make sure that they are widely available to passengers while they enjoy their vacation.
Pizza Being Made Onboard MSC Meraviglia (Photo Credit: Claire Lucia)
Not only do most people enjoy pizza, but it is also enjoyed by passengers of all ages and backgrounds, so it is a real crowd-pleaser. You may notice pre-sliced pizza at buffet stations and specialty pizzerias where you can customize toppings. Pasta is also common at buffets and most restaurants offering European and American dishes.
3. Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, and Other BBQ Favorites
While you can find plenty of upscale specialty restaurants specializing in gourmet dishes, most cruise ships also offer more casual options. This is particularly common around lunchtime. These simple yet tasty options are almost always available near poolside grills and other open-air areas of the ship.
Carnival Cruise Line Burger (Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)
If you want a hot dog, hamburger, grilled or fried chicken, and vegetarian alternatives, you should be able to find them while lounging on the ship’s top deck.
Most also come with a side of fries or a simple salad. Again, these simple food ideas are popular as they appeal to all ages, backgrounds, and culinary preferences.
4. Fresh Seafood Dishes Prepared in Numerous Ways
Most cruise lines lean into seafood when crafting menus and choosing restaurants for their ships. It only makes sense, considering you are surrounded by water during most of your voyage.
For those with simple tastes, fried seafood and buttery lobster tails are widely available. For those a little bit more adventurous and with a more sophisticated palate, the ship’s many chefs enjoy preparing seafood dishes that reflect local customs. This means you may have the opportunity to try a seafood dish you have never experienced before.
Holland America Fish
Like how the ship can stock up on fresh and flavorful produce when it stops in tropical destinations, it can also load up on freshly caught seafood while replenishing its stores in various ports.
There is nothing like looking out at an ocean view while waiting to enjoy a delicious seafood meal. In September 2023, Holland America Line announced that it would source locally fresh fish for all its ships.
5. Sweet and Decadent Desserts
While you can undoubtedly find healthy cruise ship food options, there is no shortage of decadent desserts and sweets. After all, a cruise is meant to be a vacation, so organizers want to ensure that passengers can indulge.
Most restaurants will have an eye-catching dessert menu with cheesecakes, crème brulee, decadent brownies, and more. You can also find numerous stands offering ice cream, cookies, and other simple treats you can enjoy while you explore the ship.
6. Sandwiches and Other Simple Finger Foods
Most cruise ships also ensure that passengers have constant access to sandwiches, pastries, and other basic finger foods. Once again, these convenience foods have a broad appeal and can help tide passengers over between breakfast and dinner.
Sandwiches on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: FOTOADICTA)
While you can undoubtedly find casual options for these types of food items, some ships also lean into the time-honored maritime tradition of enjoying afternoon tea. This experience allows you to enjoy triangular sandwiches, buttered scones, delicious macaroons, and a wide variety of teas. Why not add some sophistication to your travels and enjoy this old sailing tradition?
7. Traditional American Breakfast Foods
Most cruise ships offer passengers full American breakfasts: eggs, breakfast meats like bacon and sausages, hash browns, pancakes, waffles, toast, and plenty of coffee. This comfort food helps passengers feel at home while they are at sea. It also allows passengers to start the day off on the right foot.
Many of these breakfast dishes will also feature pastries, sliced fruit, and yogurt options, as this appeals to more health-conscious passengers.
English Breakfast (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock)
How these breakfast dishes are delivered depends on the particular cruise ship you are traveling on and your personal preferences. Most cruise lines will offer a complimentary breakfast buffet with all the food items mentioned above.
You can also have your breakfast delivered directly to your cabin through room service. For those who prefer a more upscale dining experience, many ships will also have breakfast restaurants where guests can order pre-built breakfasts from a menu.
Breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day, so rest assured that you can fuel up first thing in the morning while you enjoy your voyage.
8. Locally Themed Restaurants and Dining Rooms
While each cruise ship differs in its offerings, many modern cruise ships try to allow passengers to immerse themselves in the local flavors and cultures. Themed specialty restaurants that offer dishes made with local ingredients are becoming increasingly popular, allowing passengers to gain a cultural experience while enjoying their voyage.
Hot Pot Venue on Spectrum of the Seas
Naturally, what is offered at these restaurants will depend on where your cruise ship travels. For example, a Caribbean cruise may offer dishes inspired by nearby island nations. If your cruise stops in Jamaica or passes by the country, you may notice the ship offers Jamaican dishes, like jerk chicken and pepper pot soup.
Try these dishes and enjoy a bit of cultural immersion on the water by sampling new and exciting types of cuisine. Who knows, you may even discover a new favorite kind of dish!
What Should You Do if You Have Dietary Restrictions?
If you are worried about a dietary restriction before you embark on a cruise vacation, rest assured that modern cruise lines are more equipped to handle allergies, preferences, and various diets than ever.
If you have a specific dietary restriction or preference, make sure that you do the following:
Inform the Cruise Line Before Boarding
While most cruise lines can accommodate most dietary restrictions with little notice, it is always a good practice to make sure that you inform them ahead of time. This allows them to stock any necessary alternative ingredients.
Inform Your Wait Staff Before Placing Your Order
Even if you have informed the cruise line well before boarding, you should always remind the wait staff of your dietary needs. They will be able to explain alternatives they can prepare and ensure that the cooking staff is aware of your allergy, preference, or diet.Â
Be Direct and Specific When Mentioning Your Dietary Restrictions
Do not hesitate to be direct when explaining your dietary restrictions, especially if they are linked to a severe allergy. A cruise ship kitchen will take your concerns very seriously, as the health and well-being of passengers is always their most important goal. That said, they can only help you if they are fully aware of your restrictions and their severity.
Waiter Takes Order on Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Bekker24)
If you have a particularly sensitive allergy, ensure the staff is fully aware. This will stress the importance of avoiding cross-contamination while preparing your meal.
Consider Packing a Few Snacks
While you can eat delicious meals if you do things correctly, it is always a good idea to bring snacks that abide by your dietary restrictions. At restaurants and the main dining room, it is much easier for the staff to work around your dietary restrictions; however, more casual spots, like poolside grills, may need help finding adequate alternatives. Having snacks you know you can eat is always a good idea.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you bring your own food on a cruise ship?
While rules will vary from one cruise line to the next, most do not allow passengers to bring their own food onto the ship. For the most part, this is done to protect the safety of other passengers, especially regarding food allergies.
That said, most cruise lines have exceptions. Baby food and formula are almost always permitted for those traveling with young children. Pre-packaged snacks are sometimes allowed, even if they are discouraged. Medically required food items, like sugary items for people with diabetes, are also allowed.
Basically, it is up to the discretion of the cruise line and the ship’s crew, but they are usually reasonable if you can make a compelling argument for why you are bringing food on board the ship. If you have concerns, consider contacting the cruise line you are traveling with ahead of time.
Can you get room service on a cruise ship?
Yes, almost every cruise ship will offer room service menus to its passengers. Typically, you can order these food items to your cabin at all hours, so there is plenty of flexibility. Just remember that some cruise lines charge you for everything you order to your cabin, which can get expensive.
Can I order specialty food items not on the menu for celebratory reasons?
Almost every cruise ship will accommodate special requests, especially for celebratory purposes. If, for example, you were celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, you should be able to request a birthday cake or bottle of champagne.
That said, checking policies and options beforehand is always a good idea. If you are planning a significant celebration, such as a marriage proposal, you should consult the cruise line beforehand so they can make the necessary preparations.
Final Words
While many people associate cruises with stunning views and luxury, they can also be an exciting culinary wonderland. Embrace the experience and try different foods while you are on board the ship. Let your taste buds have an adventure all of their own!
The annual Cruise Hive Awards are now open for votes – these are the awards chosen by cruisers to note the best ships, best features, and more for the year, and what they are most looking forward to for 2024. Voting will close on Friday, December 22, 2023, so be sure to get your votes in!
Voting opened on Monday, October 2, 2023. Each person can cast one vote in each of the eight categories, but each individual does not have to vote in every category for their choices to count.
Changes for 2023
Cruise Hive has run reader-driven annual awards since 2014 with the “Great Cruise Vote 2014.” In different years, new categories have come and gone as cruise lines have changed to meet cruisers’ changing preferences, but always the awards have been led by what readers – real cruise travelers – love most about cruising.
For 2023, the awards have been renamed from the Cruise Ship Awards to the Cruise Hive Awards to better represent all the voting categories, which include individual ship features, crew service, private islands, homeports, and more.
Cruise Hive Awards
Two new voting categories are debuting for 2023: “Best Cruise Line Booking Experience” and “Best Cruise Line for Service and Crew” as both those experiences are very critical for cruise travelers. How will you cast your votes for each category?
Best Overall Cruise Ship of 2023
This can be a brand new ship that debuted in 2023 or an old favorite from any cruise line. Which ship has all the features you love? Which vessel offers the best oceangoing vacation? This is a broad category and you can type in the name of any ship from any fleet.
Be sure to use the ship’s complete name – if you just put “Magic” do you mean Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Magic or Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic? Would “Radiance” mean Carnival Radiance or Royal Caribbean International’s Radiance of the Seas? Wonder, Dream, Fantasy… These are all names that might refer to different ships, so be careful with the names!
Cruise Ships in Miami (Photo Credit: VIAVAL TOURS / Shutterstock)
One restriction – only ships currently sailing in 2023 are eligible for this vote; no upcoming new-for-2024-not-yet-sailing vessels or former cruise ships now retired or scrapped are eligible.
Best Cruise Line Booking Experience
Did you book a cruise this year? Whether or not you’ve already sailed, how was the booking experience? Was the website easy to use, were terms and conditions clear, could you easily find the ship, itinerary, and sailing dates you wanted? Have you been able to plan add-ons, and has the cruise line kept you updated as your cruise approaches?
Best Cruise Ship Feature
So many cruise lines have amazing and distinctive features on their individual ships, something that set the line apart from the competition. Whether high-flying thrills, a need for speed, transformative spaces, or incredible views, which feature do you find to be the very best? Carnival Cruise Line’s BOLT Roller Coaster won in 2022, but will it be displaced by another great feature on another cruise line?
Best Cruise Line for Service and Crew
A ship’s crew is the heart and soul of any cruise vacation, not only providing excellent service but often going above and beyond with extra details and memorable touches. Did a particular crew do something extraordinary to really make your vacation? Was there a unique situation that was dealt with in an amazing way? Did you find overall service to be more than you expected?
Best Cruise Line Private Island/Destination
Private islands are growing in popularity as they offer cruisers exclusive experiences and memorable moments. Which island or destination offers the features you enjoy the most, or has something every cruiser can enjoy? Which one would you happily visit over and over again on every cruise vacation? Perfect Cay at CocoCay won in 2022; will it dominate again this year?
Best US Cruise Homeport
Which US homeport is the tops to set sail from? Maybe it’s close to home and convenient, or a great experience no matter how far you have to travel to reach it. Where is the smoothest embarkation, the best features, the easiest parking, the best waiting area? Which homeport would you happily set sail from over and over? Port Canaveral has already won a three-peat; will it be the best homeport four years in a row?
Most Anticipated New Cruise Ship for 2024
Which upcoming ship are you most eager to see? It doesn’t have to be a ship you’re planning to set sail on or already booked for, just a vessel that gets you excited about cruising next year. Maybe you want to go big with Icon of the Seas, get the royal treatment on Sun Princess, feel classically nautical aboard Queen Anne, experience the richness of Disney Treasure, or vote for any of the other upcoming ships.
Best New Cruise Ship of 2023
So many amazing ships have debuted this year, this is your chance to vote for your favorite. Whether you’ve sailed on the vessel, are currently booked for a cruise, or are just a fan, cast your vote for the best new vessel that first welcomed guests in 2023! In 2022, Carnival Celebration won the vote; will Carnival Jubilee keep the streak alive or will a different ship take the title?
Voting in all categories will close on Friday, December 22, 2023, and the results will be revealed before the end of the year.
An Australian couple has enjoyed more than a year aboard a cruise ship for less than the cost of retirement home living, and has no plans to stop their oceangoing lifestyle with Princess Cruises for the next few months.
The couple is currently aboard Coral Princess for another few months, then will resume their cruise ship retirement aboard Crown Princess after a land-based break.
A Cruise Ship Retirement
Jess and Marty Ansen, formerly of Brisbane, Australia, are now full-time residents of Coral Princess, as they have been since June 2022.
The couple has 51 consecutive back-to-back cruises aboard the 91,627-gross-ton vessel, enjoying the seagoing lifestyle as the ship has sailed to a range of destinations in the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii.
The couple enjoyed 31 cruise vacations with Princess Cruises prior to the industry-wide pandemic shutdown, and after sailing resumed, they’ve taken full advantage of their retirement to enjoy it once again.
“Eventually I said to my agent, ‘Look, whatever comes, book it’ and that’s how it got to be such a long cruise,”Marty said.
In June 2022, Coral Princess was the first Princess Cruises ship to restart operations in Australia, second only behind P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Explorer that had begun sailing in late May 2022. Jess and Marty Ansen were onboard that first restart sailing as they began their lengthy retirement cruise living.
“Cruising offers the ultimate holiday experience. You go onboard, you only unpack once, and you have all this amazing entertainment, exceptional food, great company and you can see the world. And, the crew deliver incredible service – that’s why we cruise,” the couple explained.
With such a long tenure onboard, the Ansens have become like second family to many crew members who complete contracts, visit their homes for a few weeks, then return to the ship and the Ansens are there to greet them once again.
Onboard, the couple enjoys table tennis every morning, as well as evening shows, dancing, fine dining, and all the other amenities Coral Princess offers, not to mention the global traveling.
51 Cruises Costs Less Than Retirement Living
The Ansens claim that their full-time cruising lifestyle is less expensive than a similar lifestyle would be in a retirement community on land. This may well be accurate, though both cruise costs as well as retirement community costs vary widely.
Onboard expenses would vary considerably depending on the type of cabin booked, dining preferences – such as alcoholic purchases or specialty restaurants, for example – shore excursions, internet packages, and other add-ons.
Coral Princess
The Ansens do enjoy a variety of benefits from Princess Cruises’ loyalty program, the Captain’s Circle, based on their long tenure. The “Elite” level of loyalty, the highest offered by the cruise line, requires 15 cruises or 150 cruise days – which the couple has far more than achieved.
Benefits exclusive to that level include a complimentary mini bar, complimentary laundry services, and discounts in the onboard shops and on shore excursions, all of which add up to savings over land-based retirement communities.
A Year on Another Ship
In a few months, the Ansens will be leaving Coral Princess to spend a few months getting their land legs back, before boarding Crown Princess, a newer, 113,561-gross-ton modified Grand-class vessel, for another year of back-to-back cruising.
Crown Princess will be arriving in Australia and New Zealand in fall 2024, after spending the summer sailing in Alaska. While Down Under, the ship will offer a variety of itineraries that include Tasmania, New Zealand, Fiji, circumnavigating Australia, and trips to Vanuatu and New Caledonia. In May 2025, the ship will begin a 60-night World Cruise from Auckland to Dover, with the Ansens likely onboard all the way.
The Port of Dover has ended its season with Carnival Pride after the ship made 10 total sailings from the UK homeport, offering a range of European sailings through the summer months.
Thousands of passengers have sailed on the ship this season, creating amazing experiences with the cruise line’s distinctive FUN voyages to a variety of remarkable ports of call.
Dover Bids Farewell to Carnival Ship
Carnival Pride sailed away from Dover, UK for the last time on September 10, 2023, and the port has now been able to verify that the ship’s 10 sailings from the homeport have been a brilliant success. In fact, 2023 has been the port’s most successful season ever with Carnival Cruise Line.
“It’s been an amazing season with Carnival Pride. We have loved seeing her take pride of place in front of the White Cliffs week after week and her guests’ embarking on their holiday of a lifetime,”said Sonia Limbrick, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover.
The 88,500-gross-ton, Spirit-class Carnival Pride visited diverse European ports of call during her season from Dover, including destinations in Ireland, Iceland, Scotland, Spain, Portugal, and more.
Cruise Ships in Dover (Photo Credit: Port of Dover)
This year’s sailings of Carnival Pride continue the long-standing partnership between the Port of Dover and Carnival Cruise Line, a collaboration that both parties are eager to continue.
“15 years since our first visit from Carnival Splendor, I’m proud to see our brilliant relationship with Carnival reach a new level of success. We eagerly await their return in June 2024 and are already preparing more world class travel experiences for their passengers,”said Limbrick.
Carnival Pride is now spending a short autumn season offering sailings from Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, covering top eastern Mediterranean ports in Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Montenegro, and Italy. On October 28, the ship will depart Europe on a 15-night transatlantic sailing that will bring her to Tampa, Florida to spend the winter offering Caribbean sailings before she moves to Baltimore, Maryland in April 2024.
Carnival Legend in 2024
Up next for Dover will be Carnival Legend, sister ship to Carnival Pride, scheduled to begin sailing from the UK homeport in June 2024 with a short series of longer European sailings through August.
“Carnival Pride’s sailings this season have given thousands of guests great memories to look back on, and now we are planning to create more special experiences for Carnival Legend’s deployment during our next European season in 2024,”said Sarah Beth Reno, Senior Vice President of Guest Operations at Carnival Cruise Line.
Carnival Legend Cruise Ship
Carnival Legend will offer four 9-night sailings from Dover in 2024, all of which will be roundtrip voyages except the August 18 departure that will be a one-way trip to Rome. Three longer, 12-night cruises are also on offer, two of which will go to Iceland and the third, departing Dover on July 28, 2024, which will visit Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Scotland.
As both Spirit-class ships, Carnival Pride and Carnival Legend can each welcome 2,124 guests per cruise at double occupancy, and onboard are approximately 900 international crew members to provide the cruise line’s distinctive service.
In addition to Carnival Cruise Line, other lines that feature Dover as a port visit or homeport include TUI Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, and more. The port is also a leading operator for cargo and ferry traffic, handling one-third of the UK’s cargo trade with the European Union and more than 11 million passengers annually.
Royal Caribbean International has reached out to loyal guests in the Crown & Anchor Society to let them know of an upcoming name change.
The cruise line’s signature “Diamond Lounge” will be renamed to “Crown Lounge” in homage of the cruise line’s logo and decades of history.
Signature Lounge to Be Renamed
The Diamond Lounge on Royal Caribbean International ships will soon be known as the Crown Lounge, a subtle but meaningful name change for the loyalty venue. The announcement was made via newsletter to Crown & Anchor Society members, past cruisers who have earned loyalty status with Royal Caribbean.
“I’m thrilled to announce that over the next few weeks, the Diamond Lounge – beloved by our Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members – is being specially renamed as the Crown Lounge across our fleet,”said Courtney Brant, the cruise line’s Crown & Anchor Society Director.
Royal Caribbean Diamond Lounge (Photo Credit: Joni Hanebutt / Shutterstock)
The exact timing of the name change has not been announced, but will likely vary on different ships as signage can be changed and appropriate supplies are made available onboard.
Who Can Access the Crown Lounge and What They Get
The new name is a tribute to the cruise line’s history and heritage, as well as an honor for the most loyal guests who have achieved the crowning glory of the top tiers of Royal Caribbean International’s loyalty program.
The exclusive lounge is only available to guests at the Diamond, Diamond Plus, and Pinnacle Club levels of loyalty, which require 80, 175, and 700 cruise points, respectively.
Guests earn cruise points for each night sailed with the cruise line, with extra points for booking suites. Extra points can also occasionally be earned through promotional offers, though terms and conditions vary.
Brant does explain that the access requirements are not going to change for the renamed Crown Lounge, nor will the services offered.
Royal Caribbean Diamond Lounge
“All members who have enjoyed the Diamond Lounge will continue to enjoy the exclusivity and comfort of your private space with delicious treats and top-notch service,”she explained.
Guests visiting the Crown Lounge will still receive benefits such as the complimentary continental breakfast, specialty coffees, evening appetizers, dedicated concierge service, and more in the exclusive space.
It should be noted, however, that the lounge is not available for China or Singapore sailings.
Not the Viking Crown Lounge
It is curious that the new name of the Diamond Lounge is strikingly similar to the Viking Crown Lounge, a signature venue that first appeared aboard Song of Norway, the first purpose-built ship for Royal Caribbean that debuted in 1970. That ship served the cruise line loyally until 1997, and afterward was sold to different cruise lines before being scrapped in 2014.
The Viking Crown Lounge, however, while a staple aboard most Royal Caribbean ships, is not an exclusive venue and is open to all passengers, regardless of loyalty status.
Royal Caribbean Diamond Lounge
The Viking Crown Lounge offers floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views, and often features late-night music and dancing.
On some ships, the Diamond Lounge (soon to be the Crown Lounge) is a separate space inside the Viking Crown Lounge, while on other vessels it is its own dedicated venue.
It should also be noted that the Crown Lounge and Viking Crown Lounge are both separate from other exclusive lounges dedicated to suite guests, spaces which vary from ship to ship.
Carnival Cruise Line has confirmed that Wi-Fi pricing will be increasing for Australia cruises beginning on Monday, October 16, 2023.
Guests who are currently booked or book before mid-October can still lock in the current pricing for their sailing no matter what the departure date, but after October 16 the package prices are set to increase.
Carnival Australia Wi-Fi Prices Increasing
Guests booked on upcoming Australian sailings with Carnival Cruise Line have noticed encouragement to lock in lower rates on Wi-Fi packages before October 16, 2023, when package prices will be increased.
“You should know that we are adjusting Wi-Fi pricing,”the notification through the cruise line’s app reads.“Make sure to add your Wi-Fi package early to lock in the current package price for your upcoming cruise.”
The current pricing for packages depends on the service selected. Carnival offers three plans – social, value, and premium – that are priced at AUD $15.30, $17.85, and $21.25 per person, per day ($9.83, $11.47, and $13.65 in USD, respectively).
While the new prices have not been revealed, a further note on the lock-in notification notes that the current savings are “up to 15% (and up to 34% vs new onboard pricing” when packages are booked before sailing.
Carnival Luminosa (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock)
This would indicate a price increase of approximately 19%, which could make the purchase rates approximately AUD $18.20, $21.24, and $25.29 after the price hike.
At the moment, pricing for the Wi-Fi packages for US sailings is $12.75 for the social plan, $17 for the value plan, and $18.70 for the premium plan. Even after the price increase, the Australian package prices will still likely be below the rates charged on US sailings.
The “Social” plan offers guests access to popular social media websites and apps, such as Facebook, Instagram, X, SnapChat, and others, but does not permit access to general websites or apps.
The “Value” plan offers social media as well as email, news, sports, weather, and banking access, but does not support streaming services.
The “Premium” plan is the most extensive, covering everything in the Social and Value plans as well as video calling, Skype, Zoom, and other options at speeds up to three times faster than the Value plan.
Photo Credit: Jon Ingall / Shutterstock
All Wi-Fi packages must be purchased for the full length of the cruise, and are not available to purchase for a single day or prorated partial cruise.
Carnival Cruise Line has been rolling out StarLink Maritime access across its fleet, bringing more reliable connectivity and faster speeds to guests no matter where they may be sailing. As of July 2023, eleven ships in the Carnival fleet have been StarLink equipped, with more ships being outfitted each month.
“For many of our guests, it has become more and more important to maintain the type of connectivity at sea that they’ve become accustomed to at home, and of course, to share the unforgettable experiences of their cruise with friends and family,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation.
While Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Splendor – the two ships currently offering Australian cruises – are not yet equipped with StarLink, that upgrade is likely coming in the near future.
Will US Wi-Fi Package Prices Change?
There is some speculation that upping the Wi-Fi package fees for Australian cruises indicates a price change is also coming to Carnival Cruise Line’s Wi-Fi packages for US cruises, though this is not likely.
The price increase has been brought to the attention of the cruise line’s brand ambassador, John Heald, who confirmed the increase and where it applies. “This is for Australian cruises only,”Heald said.
Of course, pricing on any cruise vacation add-ons – whether it is Wi-Fi, a drinks package, shore excursions, gratuities, etc. – are also subject to change at any time. Booking packages early ensures guests the best prices and availability no matter where or when they set sail.
Carnival Corporation has reported unprecedented earnings for the third quarter of 2023 in a remarkable show of resilience. The results beat all prior predictions and set the cruise company on a solid path for future growth.
With few new ships on the program except Carnival Jubilee, two Princess cruise ships, and one Cunard ship, Queen Anne, Carnival Corporation has time and money at its hand to bring down the massive mountain of debt it has accumulated over the last three years—something it is doing with considerable success.
Strong Third Quarter Performance
Carnival Corporation, which owns and operates nine different cruise brands, has released its financial results for the third quarter of 2023.
The company has reported a total revenue of just over 6 billion, a net income of $1.07 billion, and an adjusted net income of $1.18 billion for Q3. This far exceeds the guidance the company released in the second quarter outlook in June.
The adjusted EBITDA has also surpassed expectations, clocking in at a remarkable $2.22 billion. These figures underscore a trend of increased earnings we have seen from the cruise company over the last year, and which marks a promising phase for Carnival.
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock
Carnival Corporation’s CEO, Josh Weinstein, said: “We delivered over $1 billion to the bottom line with revenue reaching an all-time high. Both revenue and earnings significantly exceeded expectations this quarter enabling us to take up expectations for the year.”
Bookings Surge for All Carnival Brands
Bookings surged during the third quarter of 2023, marking a period of robust growth that exceeded previous records. According to Weinstein, the booking volumes were running nearly 20% above the record-breaking year 2019.
While the US Market has been performing strongly since the start of operations post-pandemic, the increased level of guests booking cruises wasn’t confined to just one market; both North American brands such as Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Carnival Cruise Line and European brands such as AIDA and Costa saw significant demand, reverting to pre-pause levels in Europe.
Carnival-Owned Cruise Ships (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock)
“We are maintaining strong momentum and continuing to build demand through our improved commercial execution. Booking volumes during the quarter were running nearly 20 percent above 2019 levels and multiples of our capacity growth, which has continued into September.
“This has helped us extend the booking curve even further, with our North American brands exceeding historical highs and our European brands essentially achieving pre-pause levels,” said Weinstein.
The data also revealed that the booked position for 2024 exceeds historical ranges at higher prices.
Weinstein highlighted that this trend aligns well with the company’s strategy:“Our booked position for 2024 is further out than we have ever seen and at strong prices. With less remaining inventory to sell, despite a five percent increase in capacity, we are well positioned to drive pricing higher and deliver strong yield improvement in 2024.”
Looking Ahead to 2023
For 2023, Carnival expects adjusted EBITDA to come in just shy of $4.2 billion. The company also projects net per diems to increase approximately 7.0% compared to 2019. And with booking levels where they are now, ships are expected to sail at 100% occupancy rates or higher for the year.
However, the best piece of news is the fact that Carnival has started chipping away at the vast mountain of debt it has accumulated over the last couple of years.
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock
David Bernstein, Carnival Corporation & plc Chief Financial Officer:“We are accelerating our debt repayment efforts and aggressively managing down our interest expense. In just the last six months, we have reduced our debt balance by over 10 percent or nearly $4 billion. With improving performance, growing operating cash flows and $5.7 billion of liquidity, we are on a path to end the year with less than $31 billion of debt.”
With just four news ships on the horizon; Carnival Jubilee, Cunard Line’s Queen Anne, Princess Cruises’Sun Princess(all three due in 2024), and Star Princess (expected 2025), Carnival Corporation has set itself up for a period of consolidating its financial growth without introducing additional risk factors.
While there has been a negative vibe around Carnival Corporation’s financial position since the pandemic, it seems that Josh Weinstein has found the magic formula to bring the world’s largest cruise company back on top.
However, as we’ve seen in 2020, it takes one major event to bring havoc to the cruise industry, and it would be interesting to see how Weinstein plans to protect his company from potential events in the future.
Cruise travelers visiting Amsterdam will start paying more in tourist taxes in 2024 as the city has voted to raise tourist taxes on both hotel stays as well as cruise passengers.
This will add significantly to the fees cruisers pay whether Amsterdam is a homeport for their sailing or just a port of call on a European cruise vacation.
Tourist Taxes Increasing in Amsterdam
The city of Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands and a popular cruise port stop as well as homeport, will be increasing tourist taxes in 2024, including fees assessed specifically to cruise guests.
The increase is part of the city’s 2024 budget, and includes a 12.5% fee increase on overnight guests. This will impact not only visitors arriving in the city for land-based vacations, but also cruise travelers setting sail from or ending their cruise in Amsterdam if they choose to spend extra time in the city pre- or post-cruise, as is common for many cruisers who fly to meet their ships.
The overnight tax will vary based on hotel costs, as the fee is calculated as a percentage of hotel rate a guest pays.
In addition, an extra €3 (approximately $3.17 USD) fee will be levied against all cruise ship passengers. This increases the current fee from €8 to €11 ($8.46 to $11.64) per guest for port of call visits.
The city estimates that the total amount raised from tourist taxes in 2024, including the new fee, will be approximately €65 million ($68.7 million).
Holland America Ship in Amsterdam (Photo Credit: Mystic Stock Photography / Shutterstock)
It should be noted that unlike fees charged in some locations where the monies raised are designated for port improvements, the fees in Amsterdam are intended for local resources and quality of life improvements such as poverty initiatives, healthcare, and other uses.
“The tourist tax will increase: visitors will thus contribute to the city’s major tasks,” said Hester van Buren, Deputy Mayor and Alderman for Finance for Amsterdam.“This allows us to tackle the consequences of overtourism and make extra efforts to keep the streets clean and solve acute problems in neighbourhoods and neighbourhoods.”
These fee increases give Amsterdam the highest tourist taxes in the European Union, which includes 27 member countries.
Cities in many of those countries charge similar fees, which often vary based on how long a guest remains in the city – longer hotel stays may have lower fees or be exempt, for example – or whether the visit occurs during a peak season or less busy time of year.
Cruise ship crew members are exempt from the tourist fees in Amsterdam, which will be a great relief to crew members who regularly visit the city either as a homeport or port of call when such fees could add up substantially.
Cruising to Amsterdam
The capital of the Netherlands sees cruise visitors year-round, with ships from many different lines making calls on the city. Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Holland America Line, Costa Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean International are just some of the ocean-going cruise lines that visit the city.
Itineraries that include Amsterdam often tour different capital cities of northern Europe, or may be making voyages to the Norwegian Fjords and stop in Amsterdam along the way. North Sea itineraries often feature Amsterdam as well.
In addition to ocean cruises, the city is a popular stop for river cruises, with many local and regional lines include visits to the canal-oriented city.
Visits may not always be guaranteed, however. Because the city relies heavily on locks and canals, water levels can vary and may impact scheduling that could cause missed ports of call for cruise ships. Such schedule changes were impacting Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Dawn in the summer of 2022, and can always arise again.
At the moment, cruise visits to Amsterdam in 2024 will go ahead as planned, albeit with a fee increase on cruise guests. This will not stop ships from visiting the beautiful and historic city, however, but the funds raised will hopefully keep the city beautiful for visitors to enjoy for many years to come.
