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Costa Cruises Announces New Sailings in India

Donna Tunney
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Costa Cruises Announces New Sailings in India

Costa Cruises revealed it will deploy Costa Serena to India in late 2023 for a series of domestic cruises geared to the local Indian market. The ship will become the largest ever to operate India-only itineraries.

Food, Fun Will Be Customized For Indian Guests

International-style cruising will soon be offered to the domestic market in India as Costa Cruises’ 3,780-guest Costa Serena will operate an eight-week series of sailings to popular Indian destinations.

Two-, three-, and five-day cruises will call at Mumbai, Cochin, and Goa, plus Lakshadweep, a tropical archipelago off the coast of Kerala, in the far southwest of the country. A total of 23 sailings in India will operate from November 4, 2023, to January 1, 2024.

While Costa Serena, a Concordia-class ship that launched in 2007, features Italian flair, the line said that food and entertainment will be customized to the tastes of Indian guests. The cruises will be operated in collaboration with Lotus Aero Enterprises, Costa’s general sales agent in India.

Costa Serena Cruise Ship
Costa Serena Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Igor Grochev / Shutterstock)

“We have a strong and lasting bond with this wonderful country, we have already sailed our ships in India in the past, and many of our onboard colleagues are from India. We select and recruit them through dedicated training schools based right in the country,” said Roberto Alberti, Costa Cruises’ senior vice president and chief commercial officer.

“We are strongly committed in offering our Indian guests a unique holiday experience onboard Costa Serena and we are truly looking forward to starting our operations in November. Costa Serena will be the largest cruise ship to operate domestic itineraries in India,” he added.

Costa Serena’s itineraries are designed to provide Indian guests the opportunity to discover some of their country’s most beautiful locations. Lakshadweep, for instance, in known for its coral reefs, while Goa is famous for its beaches, architecture, and spice plantations.

The announcement of the deployment was made in Mumbai on June 19 by Costa Cruises, one of Carnival Corporation’s brands.

Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, said, “India’s waterways are a treasure trove waiting to be explored by tourists; our country is filled with scenic locales and beautiful destinations.”

The 14-deck ship has 1,500 cabins, with about a third offering balconies, four pools, programs for children and teens, a spa, and multiple dining venues.

In India, Costa Serena’s sailings are intended to be a draw for families and couples, who can plan vacations around traditional Indian Diwali holiday celebrations that begin in mid-November. The cruises are also an option for wedding ceremonies and other special events.

Ship Now Operating Charters in Asia

Costa Serena is currently sailing in Asia, offering cruises that, like the India program, are targeted to local markets. Starting this month and continuing to September 2023, the ship is sailing charter cruises operated in cooperation with local Asian partners.

Six cruises in June are dedicated to the South Korean market, and from July to September, another 24 cruises are planned for the Taiwan market. Japanese ports figure prominently on these itineraries.

Costa Serena, South Korea
Costa Serena, South Korea

Costa Serena’s deployment to the destinations signaled the line’s return to Asia, which Costa Cruises announced early this year. Departures are from the ports of Busan, Sokcho, and Pohang in South Korea, and Keelung, Taiwan.

While no other international cruise line currently offers a domestic cruise program in India, the country is typically included on world cruises. Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa, which recently concluded her 2023 world cruise, called at Mumbai.

In 2024, Azamara’s 155-night world cruise aboard Azamara Onward will call at Mumbai, and Silversea Cruises’ Silver Dawn also will visit the Indian west coast city on her 136-day world cruise in 2025.

Icon of the Seas Returns to Shipyard After Acing First Sea Trials

Emrys Thakkar
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Icon of the Seas Returns to Shipyard After Acing First Sea Trials

Royal Caribbean’s latest mega-ship, Icon of the Seas, has successfully completed its first sea trials. The news was confirmed from Meyer Turku, the Finnish shipyard responsible for the vessel’s construction.

Upon completion, Icon of the Seas will claim the title of the largest cruise ship ever built. Royal Caribbean International’s vision aims to redefine family vacationing. The ship will have eight distinct neighborhoods, each designed to create an unmatched and unforgettable family vacation experience.

Icon Achieves A Key Milestone

Royal Caribbean International’s newest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, has achieved another major milestone. On June 22, the Icon-class cruise ship returned successfully from its first set of sea trials.

Sea trials are an indispensable part of the shipbuilding process. Originally scheduled to start on June 16, the trials were delayed due to challenging wind conditions. The ship departed for her trials a few days later on June 19, with engineers testing the ship’s systems.

The tests involved evaluating speed, maneuverability, safety systems, propulsion, seaworthiness, and navigational systems. Even noise and vibration levels were thoroughly checked.

The shipyard said the following:  “Icon of the Seas has returned to the shipyard from her successful sea trials on Thursday 22.6. Work on Icon continues, and the next major event on Icon’s road to delivery will be her second sea trials later this year. Icon’s maiden voyage is scheduled to be in January 2024, when Icon will set sail from Miami for a week-long cruise in the Caribbean.

The return of Icon of the Seas to the shipyard after a four-day sea trial period suggests a successful testing phase. A prompt return often indicates that all systems performed as expected, meeting or exceeding the specifications. This is a positive sign for Royal Caribbean International, signaling that the ship is on track for delivery later this year.

Outfitting of Icon of the Seas

Now Icon of the Seas has completed the first set of sea trials; she is back at Meyer Turku’s shipyard for final adjustments and completing outfitting that started after the ship floated out on January 23. 

The focus will be on the interior of the ship. All interior spaces must be completed and furnished, including guest cabins, public areas, and service spaces. This includes the installation of all interior walls, floors, ceilings, electrical fixtures, plumbing, and HVAC systems.

Icon of the Seas at Meyer Turku
Icon of the Seas at Meyer Turku (Photo Credit: Meyer Turku)

All interior guest amenities, such as dining rooms, entertainment venues, bars, spas, and gyms, are constructed and outfitted during this stage.

The last steps include completing any outdoor amenities such as pools, outdoor dining areas, and recreational facilities. Preparation for subsequent sea trials is ongoing and expected to occur later this year.

A Game-Changer in the Cruise Industry

Icon of the Seas has raised the bar for cruise ships, claiming the title of the largest vessel ever constructed at an impressive 250,800 gross tons. The ship boasts a state-of-the-art Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) propulsion system and fuel-cell technology, aligning with Royal Caribbean’s commitment to cleaner and more sustainable cruising.

Icon of the Seas Sea Trials
Icon of the Seas Sea Trials (Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean)

An unparalleled experience awaits on the ship’s 20 decks able to accommodate up to 7,600 guests. With eight distinct neighborhoods, the biggest waterpark ever constructed on a cruise ship, the biggest pool ever, and a huge amount of bars and restaurants, guests will be spoilt for choice during their cruise.

“Icon of the Seas includes many features that guarantee an unforgettable vacation experience, such as the largest waterpark at sea with six record-breaking waterslides, an all-new family-focused neighborhood, six pools, and much more!” said Meyer Turku.

Maiden Voyage in January 2024

Icon of the Seas‘ maiden voyage has been confirmed for January 2024, departing from PortMiami. Guests will embark on a week-long cruise in the Caribbean, including popular destinations such as Basseterre, St. Kitts, and St. Thomas, and a day at Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Following her inaugural voyage, Icon of the Seas will sail on a series of seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

More From Cruise Hive

Western Caribbean itineraries will stop at Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico and, in some cases, Roatan, Honduras. On Eastern Caribbean cruises, the ship will dock at Philipsburg in St. Maarten or Basseterre, St. Kitts, and St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands. All cruises stop at PerfectDay at CocoCay for a day of fun in the sun.

Carnival Issues Clarification Over Guest Embarkation Confusion

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Issues Clarification Over Guest Embarkation Confusion

Due to confusion at cruise homeports that has led to some embarkation snafus, Carnival Cruise Line has clarified just how the loyalty perk of priority embarkation is meant to work.

This follows some miscommunication reported by guests in recent days, but the cruise line assures guests that priority embarkation is still available for guests who qualify, regardless of the homeport or arrival appointment window time.

Priority Boarding Still Valid

Rumors have swirled online recently that Carnival Cruise Line was removing the priority boarding benefit from VIFP guests as well as the Faster to the Fun benefits package.

The concern apparently began with confusion while embarking at Galveston – where Carnival Breeze, Carnival Dream, and Carnival Vista are currently homeported – with some priority guests reporting being sent to the back of the embarkation line when they arrived at the terminal, despite having “PRIORITY” printed on their boarding passes.

Port of Galveston Cruise Passengers
Photo Credit: JSvideos / Shutterstock

Instead, guests have reported being told they must adhere to the arrival time window they selected while checking in prior to their cruise, even if they had the priority designation. The rumor expanded with more reports that this was to be the case at all Carnival homeports.

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald, who addresses hundreds of questions and requests from Carnival guests each day, discussed the matter with Carnival executives, and has clarified the procedure.

“There seemed to be some confusion on the wording we had online about this,” Heald said. “The practice is to allow Priority guests to join the Priority queue whenever they arrive and this will be reworded in our online information and reiterated to the home port embarkation teams.”

Carnival Cruise Line Ship
Photo Credit: 4kclips / Shutterstock

Carnival’s website states “Guests will only be allowed to check-in during their pre-selected arrival appointment,” but also clarifies that “Priority guests may board anytime between the earliest opening hour and at the latest, an hour before departure.”

A designated priority entrance or embarkation line is found in every homeport terminal but signage and location can vary, which may make the line more difficult to locate if travelers are arriving at a very busy time. Carnival is working to inform homeport teams about the procedure to ensure everyone receives the priority benefit if they are eligible.

Who Gets Priority Boarding?

Priority embarkation and debarkation is one of the most popular benefits given to Carnival’s most loyal “Very Important Fun Person” (VIFP) guests, those who have reached Platinum and Diamond status.

Read Also: Carnival Cruise Line Hints at Loyalty Program Overhaul

To reach the Platinum level of loyalty, cruisers must have at least 75 loyalty points with the cruise line. To reach Diamond, the minimum is 200 points. Guests receive one point for every day they sail with Carnival – 3 points for a 3-night cruise, 7 points for a 7-night cruise, etc.

Carnival Cruise Line Embarkation
Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock

Travelers who purchase the “Faster to the Fun” package also receive the priority embarkation benefit. Faster to the Fun is available on a limited basis on Carnival cruises, with prices varying depending on the sailing date, cruise length, and number of guests in the cabin. The package only needs to be purchased once per stateroom for all guests in that cabin to receive the benefits.

At times, the benefit may not be available, such as when there are so many Diamond and Platinum guests booked on a particular sailing that it is impractical to offer priority boarding. This was recently the case on Carnival Venezia‘s maiden voyage. The benefit is also occasionally canceled on longer Carnival Journeys cruises that typically host many seasoned travelers.

To facilitate social distancing and prevent crowds as cruising resumed after the pandemic shutdown, priority boarding was also not initially available when cruising restarted, but was reinstated in November 2022, several months after Carnival ships began sailing again.

Royal Caribbean Age Limits – What You Need to Know

Haiyan Ma
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Royal Caribbean Age Limits – What You Need to Know

Royal Caribbean is considered one of the most family-friendly cruise lines around. However, just like any other cruise line, Royal Caribbean imposes strict age limits for certain activities and areas of the ship. Knowing those age limits before you embark is essential to ensure you plan correctly.

In this article, you’ll learn the Royal Caribbean age limits to know what you can and can’t do on your next cruise.

In This Article…

What Are Royal Caribbean Age Limits?

Knowing the age restriction for activities on your cruise will ensure that you’re prepared and not met with unwelcome surprises. To help you out, here is a list of Royal Caribbean’s age limits for various purposes to ensure that everyone enjoys the cruise equally. 

Minimum Age to Sail Unaccompanied

Royal Caribbean’s minimum age to sail unaccompanied varies depending on where the ship departs.

For sailings departing from North America, the minimum age requirement for unaccompanied sailing is 21. In contrast, Royal Caribbean’s minimum age to sail unaccompanied on sailings departing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand is 18.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships
Photo Credit: Captain Wang / Shutterstock

There are further rules when it comes to the assignment of staterooms. For voyages originating in North America, a guest younger than 21 can only be assigned to a stateroom if accompanied in the same stateroom by an adult over 21. However, this minimum age requirement is waived in a few circumstances, including:

  • For underage married couples
  • For children traveling with their parents or guardians and who have connecting staterooms
  • For active duty members of the United States or Canadian military

Proof of marriage or military status is required to take advantage of these exemptions. Guests in the above category must still abide by the other Royal Caribbean age limits.

Read Also: Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive?

A guest’s age is considered the age they will be on the first day of the sailing and not their age when you make the booking. Royal Caribbean International retains the right to raise the minimum age limit to sail unaccompanied when local laws permit or require this change. However, this would be a very rare occurrence. 

Minimum Age for Infants to Sail

Babies are always welcome on a cruise, but only over a certain age. Infants sailing on a Royal Caribbean cruise must be at least six months old as of the first day of the cruise.

That said, there are few Royal Caribbean cruises where you can bring a six-month-old onboard. The age limit is higher for some cruises offered by Royal Caribbean. For transpacific, transatlantic, Hawaii, select South American, and other selected cruises, an infant must be at least 12 months old as of the first day of the cruise.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock

Generally, any cruise with three or more consecutive days at sea requires infants to be a year old on the first day of the cruise, so it’s essential to check the cruise’s itinerary carefully to ensure that your little one can come along.

Moreover, guests traveling with an infant not meeting the age limits will not be allowed to board. If this is the case, no refunds or other compensation will be provided.

Minimum Age for Alcohol

Here are the guidelines for the minimum drinking age for Royal Caribbean cruises:

  • On a Royal Caribbean ship departing from North America or the Caribbean, the drinking age is 21.
  • On any Royal Caribbean ship departing from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, the legal drinking age is 18.
  • The minimum age to consume alcohol at all private destinations is 21, regardless of where the sailing departed. 

Once again, Royal Caribbean retains the right to raise the minimum drinking age when local laws permit or require it, but this only happens on rare occasions. If a guest under 21 is caught with alcohol, they will not have it returned to them.

Cruise Drink

In accordance with Royal Caribbean’s Guest Conduct Policy, guests who violate any alcohol policies may either be asked to disembark from the ship or not be allowed to board. This includes providing alcohol to passengers under the age of 21. 

Minimum Age for Gambling

Royal Caribbean’s gambling age requirements are pretty easy to remember. The casino is open for guests 18 and older to play, except for Alaska cruises, where guests must be at least 21 or older to play.

Does Royal Caribbean Ask for Proof of Age?

Don’t think you can get away with asking for a drink at the bar by simply asking for one. Royal Caribbean always reserves the right to ask for proof of age throughout the ship – whether at the bars or the casinos. 

Royal Caribbean Age Limits FAQ

How old do you have to be to go on a cruise without a parent?

To go on a Royal Caribbean cruise without a parent or guardian, you must be at least 21.

Are kids allowed in bars on Royal Caribbean?

Kids are allowed throughout the Royal Caribbean cruise ship, except at kid or teen-specific spaces with age limits, the casino, and the Solarium (16+). This means that, for the most part, your kids can join you at the bars and pubs, although they’re still subject to the drinking age requirement. 

Can you take a child that is not yours on a cruise?

Yes, taking a child that is not yours on a cruise is possible, but you must take a few precautions first. Adults traveling with a minor must present an original, notarized letter signed by the child’s parents when their parent is absent. This letter must show the adult is permitted to take and supervise the child on the specific cruise and allow emergency medical treatment if necessary.

What happens if you turn 21 during a Royal Caribbean cruise?

According to Royal Caribbean, if a guest turns 21 years old during the cruise, the guest may ask the Guest Services Manager to update the ship’s records to let them drink alcohol during the rest of the cruise. The guest must come with a parent or guardian and show ID for proof of age and birth date.

Summary: Royal Caribbean Family Fun

In summary, Royal Caribbean cruises provide entertainment for the whole family, no matter what your age is. To access all of the amenities that your Royal Caribbean ship offers, you must be aware of the potential age limits your family may be subject to.

The good news is that even if you can’t enjoy a drink at the bar with your 20-year-old child, there are still several activities that you can do as a family.

Carnival Cruise Line Slicing Into Pizza Trademark With Lawsuit

Melissa Mayntz
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Carnival Cruise Line Slicing Into Pizza Trademark With Lawsuit

Carnival Cruise Line is being sued by a popular pizza restaurant in Miami and is subsequently countersuing to invalidate the restaurant’s claim.

The lawsuit is all over the naming rights for “Miami Slice” and how it applies to the restaurant versus Carnival Celebration and the pizzeria in the 820 Biscayne neighborhood, also named “Miami Slice.”

Pizza Worth Suing For

Carnival Cruise Line unveiled its 820 Biscayne neighborhood aboard Carnival Celebration in March 2022, months before the new ship debuted. The Miami-themed zone, located on Deck 8, includes the ship’s pizzeria, named “Miami Slice” to keep with the theme and offering the typical Carnival pizza offerings.

“Miami has been our home for 50 years, and in bringing a brand new ship to its port, we wanted to show some extra love to the city that helped us become who we are today,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, when the new neighborhood was announced.

Carnival Celebration Themed Zone
Rendering Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

Part of that real-life neighborhood, however, doesn’t quite love Carnival Cruise Line in return. The artisanal pizzeria Miami Slice, located just 2.5 miles from the cruise terminals of PortMiami, has sued Carnival for trademark infringement, claiming the cruise line has intentionally trampled the restaurant’s hard-won reputation by usurping the name.

“Not only did Carnival intentionally and unlawfully name the Carnival Celebration’s fast casual pizza restaurant ‘Miami Slice,’ Carnival added insult to injury by adopting a confusingly similar market presentation including astonishingly similar all capital lettering and featuring a similar limited menu of five styles of pizza in a quick service format,” the initial lawsuit reads.

Worth Reading: Court Rules in Favor of Cruise Guest After Urinating in Glass

The suit was filed in April 2023, and also claims that the similarity in naming, presentation, lettering, and menu offerings will be damaging to the restaurant by becoming “confusingly associated with cruise line food.”

The 183,521-gross ton Carnival Celebration debuted in November 2022 and is homeported from PortMiami, sailing 6-, 7-, and 8-night Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean itineraries.

Carnival Countersues

Carnival Cruise Line has now filed a counterclaim, alleging that “Miami” is a style of pizza and as such, the generic term makes the restaurant’s name trademark registration invalid.

According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Carnival claims that Miami-style pizza features a Cuban flavor profile with thicker crust, thin sauce, and both mozzarella and gouda cheese.

Carnival Celebration Cruise Ship
Photo Credit: sallystap / Shutterstock

In fact, the Miami-based The Big Cheese restaurant does serve a “Miami Slice” pizza with ham, ricotta, and pineapple topped with cinnamon (really), and Carnival also provided several other advertisements from different restaurants promoting “Miami-style” pizzas.

Furthermore, the name “Miami Slice” has been used by other companies, including a 6-part Bravo documentary about Miami plastic surgeons and a “Cozy Mysteries” book series.

Comparing the Restaurants

While copyright infringement lawsuits rarely target vastly different businesses that could not possibly be confused for one another, the fact that both the Miami restaurant and the Carnival Celebration eatery are pizza restaurants could lead to some misconceptions about whether or not they are, in fact, affiliated.

Miami Slice, which was founded in 2019, offers New York style slices with artisanal flair. The restaurant only offers five types of pizza: Margherita de la Casa, Pepperoni Proper, La Salsera with vodka sauce and pesto, Leeks on Bacon with garlic confit cream, and Mushroom Truffle.

Carnival Celebration‘s pizza menu offers Margherita, Pepperoni, Quattro Formaggi (four cheese), La Habana with ham and chorizo, and Picadillo with ground beef.

The Miami restaurant is an open-kitchen, bar-style service setting, while the cruise ship’s pizza is a grab-and-go counter with nearby seating.

While it is true that both restaurants have similarities, the same could be said about many other pizza restaurants, as the casual service setting and popular flavors of margherita and pepperoni are common for pizza restaurants worldwide.

Do you think the two restaurants could be confused? Have you enjoyed any slices aboard Carnival Celebration? Share your thoughts on the Cruise Hive boards!

Chaotic Scenes on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship After Freak Storm

Robert McGillivray
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Chaotic Scenes on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship After Freak Storm

Port Canaveral, Florida, experienced a dramatic start to the weekend on Friday when a sudden summer storm disrupted the departure of Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas. The summer storm caught passengers off guard while boarding the ship, creating a chaotic scene reminiscent of a movie set.

While the sail-away party would have been a bit wet, tropical rains and afternoon storms are a regular occurrence in Florida during the summer and usually do not significantly affect cruise schedules. 

Storm Ushers in Chaos Aboard Independence of the Seas

On Friday, June 16, guests onboard Independence of the Seas experienced a brief period of chaos as high winds suddenly impacted the vessel, resulting in deck chairs flying and forcing passengers to run for cover. The chaotic incident occurred while the Royal Caribbean cruise ship was docked at its homeport.

In a statement to Fox News, Royal Caribbean confirmed the encounter with the unexpected weather event:

“On Friday, June 16, while departing from Port Canaveral, Independence of the Seas encountered a sudden gust of high winds. This lasted for a brief period, and there were no serious injuries to our guests or crew. Independence of the Seas continued its regularly scheduled 3-night itinerary, arriving at Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas on Saturday morning, as scheduled.”

Independence of the Seas, weighing in at 154,407 gross tons and with space for 3,858 guests, was just preparing to depart Port Canaveral when the summer storm swept in. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries, but guests were undoubtedly surprised at the sudden weather event. Many posted to social media, with videos of the carnage that occurred on the open deck.

After the brunt of the storm subsided, a matter of mere minutes, the ship’s open decks bore more resemblance to a disaster-stricken vessel than a cruise ship poised to embark on a joyous journey to The Bahamas. The strong winds displaced deck chairs and other light outdoor furnishings.

A Regular Phenomenon

The summer storm’s sudden onset is not entirely surprising considering Florida’s weather patterns. The state frequently experiences afternoon thunderstorms during the summer, characterized by gusty winds and heavy rainfall.

For example, The National Weather Service verified an EF-1 tornado touchdown in the South Patrick Park neighborhood in Brevard County, just 20 miles from Port Canaveral, earlier this month. The tornado, boasting peak wind speeds of 90-100 mph, damaged approximately 40-50 homes and led to a power outage for around 126 FPL customers.

Despite the storm at Port Canaveral, Independence of the Seas began its sailing as planned. 

Independence of the Seas offers two cruises out of Port Canaveral, Florida. The first is a 3-night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise, which includes stops at Coco Cay and Nassau in the Bahamas.

The second itinerary is a slightly longer 4-night Bahamas & Perfect Day Cruise. This voyage includes a day at sea to enjoy the ship’s amenities, followed by stops in Nassau and Perfect Day at Coco Cay before returning to Port Canaveral.

How to Respond During Intense Storms

Sudden and intense storms can be unsettling for guests onboard a cruise ship. However, with the right approach and by following safety protocols, passengers can ensure their well-being during such events.

Firstly, maintaining calm is crucial. Modern cruise ships are robust and designed to weather even the most severe marine conditions. Panic can lead to accidents, so staying calm will keep you safe.

Independence of the Seas Cruise Ship
Independence of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock)

Listening to and following instructions from the ship’s crew is paramount. The crew members are trained to handle these situations, and they have the best knowledge of the ship and its safety procedures.

If a storm hits while guests are on the open deck, move indoors as quickly and safely as possible. In high winds, loose objects can become airborne, as seen in the video onboard Royal Caribbean International‘s Independence of the Seas, creating a hazardous environment. Being inside the ship can protect guests from such potential dangers.

Crew members will clean up and reopen outside areas as soon as possible after a storm passes, and guests will be able to resume their cruise vacation with ease.

New Carnival Cruise Line Menus Offer Delicious Dishes

Melissa Mayntz
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New Carnival Cruise Line Menus Offer Delicious Dishes

Carnival Cruise Line announced last week that new menus were being tested aboard Carnival Dream, with the changes to be rolled out to the entire Fun Ship fleet later this year. The new menus offer a great variety of updated and carefully curated dishes, with options to satisfy all tastes and dietary preferences.

New Menus Debut on Carnival Dream

Carnival Cruise Line is redesigning its fleetwide main dining room menu, with changes already debuting in a test phase aboard Carnival Dream. Nearly 60 new entrees are premiering with the changes, bringing fresh tastes and new options for delicious dining.

“We’ve been looking at every aspect of the main dining room offerings,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “I think our guests are gonna be very excited as we plan to bring more variety with nearly 60 new entree presentations that will rotate through.”

Included on the new menu are special selections designed by the cruise line’s chief culinary officer, Emeril Lagasse, as well as entrees from different specialty restaurants to give guests even more opportunity to sample the wide variety of dining available aboard Carnival ships.

What’s on the Menu?

The new menus are divided into Appetizers, Entrees, and Desserts. The daily “Featured Salad” as well as “Emeril Selects” appetizer and entrée choices are carefully highlighted, and the “Everyday” options, as well as “Steakhouse Selections” are also noted.

Appetizers

A wide range of appetizers are available, including daily salad, soup, and small bite options.

Notably, each day’s appetizers includes a smaller portion of the entrée pasta, such as pappardelle with braised lamb in a tomato cream sauce, linguini alfredo with grilled chicken, and spaghetti carbonara.

Simple salads are classic appetizers, including Caesar salad with house made dressing, Greek salad, and seasonal mixed lettuce.

More exotic tastes are also part of each appetizer menu, with choices such as roasted duck rolls, BBQ beef spring rolls, Hawaiian shrimp poke, and the Emeril Selects options that include Girod street salad, crab and shrimp cake with charred corn and apple slaw, and crawfish strudel.

Entrees

It is the entrees that are most refreshed on the new menus, with appealing vegetarian choices, “Everyday” classics, and more tantalizing options as the “Emeril Selects” choices.

Vegetarians or those who prefer a somewhat lighter option will favor the grilled tofu steak with a spinach and mushroom medley, the vegetable wellington, or the herb crusted stuffed Portobello mushroom.

Carnival Cruise Line Menu Change
Carnival Cruise Line Menu Change

The entrée salads may seem to be an additional option for vegetarians as well, but each one features a meat protein, and it is unclear whether they can be ordered without the meat. Southwestern quinoa baby shrimp salad, the ultimate cobb salad with chicken and bacon, and the beef steak salad, while all sounding delicious, are not vegetarian-friendly.

Guests interested in the most exciting tastes will certainly want to sample the Emeril Selects choices such as cast iron bronzed fish with Charleston-style grits, firecracker snapper with horseradish cream sauce, and chicken roulade with prosciutto and sage.

Comfort-food everyday options remain a staple of the new menus, allowing guests to choose grilled chicken breast or broiled striploin steak every night.

Desserts

For travelers looking for a sweet finish to every meal, decadent dessert options include cheesecake, pie, ice cream, and sorbet, as well as the classic tropical fruit salad and the ever-popular melting chocolate cake and bitter ‘n blanc.

Guests have noticed, however, that the cheese plate is no longer offered as a dessert option for those who prefer a more savory, lighter conclusion to their meal.

Carnival Cruise Line's Chocolate Melting Cake
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

So many guests have expressed dismay at this deletion that Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald is taking notice and discussing the change with company executives.

It is likely that the new menus will continue to be tweaked in the coming weeks, and guests aboard Carnival Dream are sure to be asked what their favorites are or what they enjoyed most from their selections. Dining room staff is also likely to be taking note of what items are ordered most or least in order to provide data-driven feedback on the new menus.

New Options to Roll Out Across the Fleet

It is the goal for the new, updated menus to be rolled out across the entire Carnival fleet later this year, though no exact date for when these new menus will appear on different ships has yet been announced.

Guests will also still have a variety of specialty dining restaurants to choose from on most Carnival ships, as well as the casual Lido buffet and grab-and-go options from Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, the Carnival Deli, Pizza Pirate, and other tasty options. No changes are planned at the moment for these other dining venues.

Time is Running Out to Find Missing Titanic Exploration Submersible

Donna Tunney
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Time is Running Out to Find Missing Titanic Exploration Submersible

The world’s most famous cruise liner, the Titanic, continues to be in the headlines this week, more than a century after it sank, and this time the story could end in a similarly tragic way.

With the world focused on the extremely challenging rescue of passengers and crew aboard Titan, the submersible that went missing while on an expedition to view the wreck of the Titanic, the Canadian and American Coast Guards and other agencies are trying to hone in on the vessel’s last-known location.

A Tour to Titanic Wreck Goes Awry

The 21-foot-long submersible Titan, owned and operated by OceanGate Expeditions, was detached from its guide boat, the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince, early on June 18 as it began its descent toward the Titanic wreck.

Less than two hours later, it lost contact with Polar Prince, prompting the two-country rescue operation to be launched.

The wreck of the liner is located in the North Atlantic, roughly 900 miles east of Cape Cod, where it lays on the sea bed in some 12,000 feet of water.

Titan Submarine for Titanic Tour
Titan Submarine for Titanic Tour (Photo Credit: OceanGate)

OceanGate Expeditions operates tours of the wreck, using Titan to bring guests close to the rusting hull of the iconic ship that hit an iceberg and sank in 1912. More than 1,200 passengers and crew were lost in the icy waters.

Five people were aboard the Titan submersible, including British billionaire Hamish Harding, Pakistani entrepreneur Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman Dawood, Stockton Rush, founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, and French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet.

Inside the Titan Submersible
Inside the Titan Submersible (Photo Credit: OceanGate)

“We are exploring and mobilizing all options to bring the crew back safely. Our entire focus is on the crewmembers in the submersible and their families. We are deeply thankful for the extensive assistance we have received from several government agencies and deep sea companies in our efforts to reestablish contact with the submersible,” OceanGate Expeditions said in a statement.

Published reports indicate that Titan carries enough oxygen to sustain crew and passengers for between 70 and 96 hours.

Multiple Agencies Work to Locate Titan

While details remain sketchy as the search continues over a wide swath of ocean, US Coast Guard Station Boston leads the probe by air and sea with Canadian counterparts and the US Navy. Help has also been offered from multiple country agencies and private assets.

Coast Guard Cruise
Coast Guard Cruise (Photo Credit: Matt Ragen / Shutterstock)

The Boston station tweeted on June 20: “The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue their search Tuesday for five people after the Canadian research vessel Polar Prince lost contact with their submersible during a dive, approximately 900 miles east of Cape Cod, Sunday morning.”

“Rescue Coordination Center Halifax is assisting with a P8 Poseidon aircraft in the search. The P8 has underwater detection capabilities,” a tweet from the US Coast Guard said. Coast Guard officials are providing updates on a regular basis, as people across the globe wait to learn the fate of those onboard.

Scientific Aspects of Titanic Expeditions

OceanGate Expeditions’ website states that successful expeditions to the Titanic wreck were held in 2021 and 2022. The current expedition was the first to be attempted this year.

Its goal, besides being an underwater adventure, is to supplement research completed on previous scientific expeditions and to document the condition of the wreck with photos and video.

Read Also: Titanic vs. Modern Cruise Ship: How Do They Compare?

The company said that its tours of the wreck are conducted in accordance with National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

The Titanic is undoubtedly the most famous shipwreck in history. The ship did not carry a sufficient number of lifeboats to accommodate all guests and crew, and its sinking changed maritime law, which now requires all cruise ships to have enough lifeboat spaces for every person onboard.

Royal Caribbean Reveals Utopia of the Seas, Debuting in 2024

Robert McGillivray
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Royal Caribbean Reveals Utopia of the Seas, Debuting in 2024

Cruise enthusiasts have a new reason to mark their calendars. Royal Caribbean International has unveiled plans for what the cruise line claims will be its next major innovation in cruise experiences.

Utopia of the Seas, the cruise line’s newest Oasis-class cruise ship, has been designed entirely to offer guests 3-night weekend and 4-night weekday getaways.

Utopia of the Seas is currently under construction, with the expected launch date in July 2024. Besides short getaways, the ship will introduce guests to several new experiences and dining options never seen before on the Royal Caribbean ships. 

Utopia of the Seas Sails July 2024

From July 2024, vacationers can embark on short yet immersive cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida, onboard Utopia of the Seas. Royal Caribbean International laid out its plans for the sixth and final Oasis-class cruise ship today, June 20.

Utopia of the Seas Cruise Ship
Utopia of the Seas Cruise Ship

According to the cruise line, the new Oasis Class ship will introduce unmatched energy and a variety of experiences that extend beyond the ship to Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay.

“Vacationers are looking to make every moment count by celebrating and recharging with their friends and family, and Utopia of the Seas makes all that possible in more ways than one,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. 

“With the variety of dining, bars, pools, entertainment, and thrills that make Oasis Class ships revolutionary and the experiences to match on our private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, we’ve combined the best of the best to create the world’s biggest weekend for everyone.”

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

In short, Utopia of the Seas is a cruise ship that caters to friends, families, and groups looking for a customized yet brief vacation experience from Port Canaveral to Perfect Day at CocoCay and back.

The cruise line will open bookings for the giant new vessel on June 23. Those who are Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members will have the chance to book earlier on June 22.

An Array of Features Awaiting Discovery

With its many pools, immersive dining experiences, and thrills, Utopia of the Seas will be a distinct alternative in the cruise industry.

While many cruise lines do offer shorter getaways, these are typically on older ships from smaller homeports, while Utopia of the Seas will exclusively sail to Perfect Day at CocoCay, creating a Royal Caribbean vacation experience from start to finish.

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas will offer a variety of experiences for all ages, from the adrenaline-inducing Ultimate Abyss slide, standing at 259 feet long, to a zip line and the FlowRider surf simulator.

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

The ship will feature a total of five swimming pools and eight hot tubs for guests to enjoy. Alongside these, there will be three water slides, the Perfect Storm trio called Cyclone, Typhoon, and Supercell.

Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas
Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas

When it comes to dining and refreshments, the ship doesn’t fall short, boasting a vast array of 21 different dining venues and 23 bars. This includes the new Pesky Parrot bar, which will replace the Bionic Bar, and the Mason Jar, which will return on Utopia of the Seas after being hugely successful on Wonder of the Seas.

Pesky Parrot on Utopia of the Seas
Pesky Parrot on Utopia of the Seas

There are some more new aspects to Utopia of the Seas as well. Royal Caribbean will introduce two new Solarium Suites to the vessel, creating an adult-only area that guarantees guests some quiet time away. The solarium will have its own pool and whirlpools, complete with a bar, daybeds, panoramic ocean views, and the Solarium Bistro.

In total, there will be 20 new room types introduced onboard Utopia of the Seas, which also includes the new Royal Loft Suite. Here, up to six friends or family members can ‘find their me-time,’ in a vast room with a bathroom with spa tub, an expansive living area, a private balcony with a whirlpool, TV and sweeping ocean views, and more.

Loft Suite Utopia of the Seas
Loft Suite Utopia of the Seas

There will also be a new specialty restaurant onboard; this immersive dining experience will take guests on a train journey while they eat, and the cruise line is introducing a new poolside food truck.

Additionally, Utopia of the Seas will have two casinos for guests interested in trying their luck. 

A Look at Utopia of the Seas

Utopia of the Seas is the final vessel in the Oasis Class series. The construction of this LNG-powered ship started with a steel-cutting ceremony in April 2022 at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, with the keel laid in July of the same year.

Utopia of the Seas Facts
Utopia of the Seas Facts

Utopia of the Seas will be 236,860 gross tons, making it the biggest Oasis Class cruise ship by three tons over Wonder of the Seas, but smaller than the upcoming Icon Class cruise ships. The new vessel can accommodate 5,668 guests at double occupancy, with the numbers going well over 6,000 when all berths are filled.

More details about Utopia will be revealed leading up to its highly anticipated debut next summer.

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