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Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is Bringing Responsible Innovations

Royal Caribbean News

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Apr 26, 2023

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is Bringing Responsible Innovations

Royal Caribbean has released the latest episode of its documentary series “Making an Icon” this week on the construction of its game-changing cruise ship, the behemoth Icon of the Seas, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. And this time, the focus turned to environmental efforts.

Already promising epic amenities like the largest water park at sea, Icon of the Seas will feature multiple clean energy options designed to eliminate as much emissions and solid waste produced as possible.

New Icon of the Seas Episode

The eighth episode about the behind-the-scenes look at the vessel’s creation dives into the environmental advancements in honor of Earth Month 2023. You can watch the full episode below:

Icon of the Seas will be powered by six engines which will use liquefied natural gas to generate 67,500 KW of power. Backing up the engine units will be an extensive fuel cell, a “waste head capture” system capable of harnessing and repurposing the excess heat emitted by the engines, as well as systems capable of producing power from passengers’ garbage.

The ship’s hull will be coated in microscopic bubbles and will have an automated cleaner on hand for weekly scrubs in order to keep drag to a minimum. It will feature shore-power-ready capabilities.

Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas Water Challenges — Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

“We have a responsibility to our planet to continue to evolve and make our ships as sustainable as they possibly can be. For us, it’s not just about going out and delivering the best vacations in the world, we also need to make sure we’re doing that responsibly,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group.

Featuring Liberty, as well as other Royal Caribbean executives who are experts in environmental programs, decarbonization, and marine operations, this chapter of the saga makes clear the cruise line’s initiative to make Icon the most sustainable ship in the fleet, and steam towards a net-zero future.

Icon of the Seas Sets Sail Next Year

Dominating the seas by boasting a whopping 1,198 feet and 250,800 tons, the 20-deck vessel has room for over 5,600 guests (at double occupancy in 2,805 staterooms) and 2,350 crew members.

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas — Render Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

Along with the standard high-quality cruising experiences expected of Royal Caribbean, Icon’s innovative features are divided into eight “neighborhoods,” which include Thrill Island, which make up the largest waterpark at sea, Surfside, the jaw-dropping Aquadome and mesmerizing Royal Promenade, as well as the brand-new Chill Island, Suite Neighborhood, and The Hideaway. A plethora of restaurants, bars, and lounges also await guests, especially the Overlook Bar and Pods.

Icon of the Seas is expected to debut with a sold-out inaugural cruise to the Caribbean and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Coco Cay, out of Miami, Florida, in January 2024. It is scheduled to stay in Miami until at least April 2025.

Royal Caribbean to Implement Strict Plans for First Beach Club

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 26, 2023

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Royal Caribbean to Implement Strict Plans for First Beach Club

Royal Caribbean International has committed to vigorous environmental standards for its new Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island in Nassau, The Bahamas. The cruise line has outlined six cornerstones of its plan, each of which follows strong sustainability standards and meets the stringent environmental guidelines of The Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean Reveals Environmental Plans for Royal Beach Club

Great interest is growing in Royal Caribbean’s new Royal Beach Club, a 17-acre private resort scheduled to open on Paradise Island in 2025. Now, the cruise line has announced its environmental initiatives for the property, a series of six sustainability cornerstones.

Zero Waste-to-Landfill

First, the beach club will be free of all single-use plastics (straws, cups, utensils, stirrers, etc.) and will offer compostable items instead for all food and beverage venues. Furthermore, biodigesters will be used to reduce food and other organic waste to minimize refuse altogether.

Part of reducing food waste will be processing cooking oil into biodiesel for energy production, and other recyclables will be processed through local Bahamian companies focused on waste reduction.

100% Renewable Energy by 2030

In less than five years, Royal Caribbean has committed to have a net-zero carbon footprint for the Royal Beach Club. Innovations to reach this goal include utilizing natural shade as part of temperature regulation, installing low flow filters, and investing in other renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and hydro energy onsite and through partnerships with local companies.

No Dredging and No Overwater Cabanas

Ocean conservation is of high importance to all cruise lines, and Royal Caribbean is ensuring the ocean is preserved at the Royal Beach Club property by avoiding all dredging in and around Paradise Island, as well as not building any overwater cabanas. This will ensure protection of coral beds and marine life, and preserve the environment for all to enjoy for amazing snorkeling, diving, and other fun.

Royal Caribbean's Bahamas Beach Club — Render Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

Furthermore, any temporary structures during the construction period, such as a floating pier, will be closely monitored and adjusted as necessary to ensure minimal impact.

Best Wastewater Treatment

A best-in-class wastewater treatment plant will service the Royal Beach Club property, processing 100% of wastewater generated onsite so there is no hazardous transportation to be concerned about. More than 95% of the treated water will be reused for appropriate purposes, and remaining byproducts after treatment will be composted for landscaping use right on the property.

Habitat Protection

The Bahamas has a unique and delicate ecosystem, and Royal Caribbean has pledged to help restore and protect it as part of the Royal Beach Club project. The western end of Paradise Island has several former residential properties neglected or abandoned, and these will be demolished and the native vegetation restored as invasive or non-native plant species are removed.

As the cruise line builds new structures for the resort, buildings will only be raised on previously altered property or areas with significant invasive or non-native species of plants.

Abandoned Home on Paradise Island (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)

Not only plants, but wildlife will also be monitored and protected during construction and the eventual operation of the property, which can help preserve the amazing biodiversity of the unique nation.

Local Monitoring

To avoid any hint of impropriety with how each environmental commitment is implemented, Royal Caribbean will use a Bahamian company to oversee all environmental monitoring and publicly report their findings. This will ensure that all interested parties remain informed and are able to stay abreast of new developments as the project proceeds.

Local Connections

With so many Bahamian connections from the very inception of the new development, Royal Caribbean International is clearly demonstrating its desire to work with local agencies and keep the best interests of The Bahamas in mind.

The public-private partnership between the cruise line and the island nation can be a productive one for both sides, while creating an amazing new property which will showcase not only the best type of beach vacation, but also the vibrant culture and and spirit of The Bahamas.

Planned to open in 2025 (an exact date has not yet been announced), the new resort is sure to be as popular and enjoyable as CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s complete private island in The Bahamas, located just 75 sailing miles (120 kilometers) from where Royal Beach Club will take shape.

Carnival Cruise Line Brings Back a Raffle for Select Passengers

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 26, 2023

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Carnival Cruise Line Brings Back a Raffle for Select Passengers

Carnival Cruise Line is bringing back a giveaway for military veterans that sail aboard any Carnival cruise ship – the chance to win a free cruise.

Veterans who set sail and attend the veterans gathering held during every Carnival cruise will be able to enter a raffle drawing for a free cruise to be given away once per month.

Free Monthly Cruise Raffle for Veterans

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has announced that the cruise line is bringing back the free cruise raffle for veterans. Eligible guests will be able to enter the giveaway during the Military Appreciation Gathering held on each and every sailing, and of all collected entries each month, one winner will be drawn for a free cruise.

“This is just another way to say thank you to those whose courage and bravery allow all of us the freedom to cruise and to have fun,” Heald said.

The exact terms and conditions of the monthly giveaways are yet to be announced, but Heald did indicate that the giveaway was also held pre-pandemic.

It is likely the entry requirements and restrictions will remain the same as previous giveaways, though some terms may be adapted to new cruising guidelines in the post-pandemic travel industry.

Carnival Cruise Line Deck — Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive

Interested guests should note that all raffle entries from all 25 ships in the Carnival fleet are pooled together for each month’s giveaway, and only one free cruise will be awarded per month.

As new ships join the fleet – Carnival Venezia will debut in May 2023, Carnival Jubilee in December 2023, and Carnival Firenze in May 2024 – more veterans gatherings will be held, and more entries will be accepted for each month’s giveaway.

Actual odds of winning a free cruise drawing will depend on the total number of entries received each month.

About the Military Appreciation Gathering

Every Carnival cruise ship hosts a Military Appreciation Gathering on every cruise. This free event is open for all service members, active, reserve, and retired, from all military branches. The meet-and-greet includes light refreshments and is a great opportunity for veterans to meet and exchange stories and camaraderie.

The time and location of the Military Appreciation Gathering will vary based on individual ships’ itineraries and activity schedules, but every attempt is made to ensure it is at a time and place where all interested veterans will be able to attend.

On newer Carnival ships the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge is a popular venue for the event, but other lounges may also be used depending on the expected number of attendees and how different lounges and gathering spaces are used for other onboard activities.

The Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge is available on Carnival Celebration, Mardi Gras, Carnival Panorama, and Carnival Radiance, and will also be a fixture aboard all three upcoming Carnival ships – Carnival Venezia, Carnival Jubilee, and Carnival Firenze.

No announcement has been made about whether other, older Carnival ships may covert existing venues into new Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounges, though that may be a consideration as ships go into significant refurbishments in the coming years.

Other Ways Carnival Honors Veterans

Carnival Cruise Line has a long history of honoring veterans, and in fact offers special “Military Cruise Deals” with exclusive reduced rates for active and retired U.S Military and Canadian National Defense members. Veterans applying for these discount rates much provide proof of eligibility via appropriate military documentation, such as retirement papers, leave and earning statements, or proof of honorable discharge.

The cruise line also supports Operation Homefront, an organization that provides military families with rent-free housing and helps wounded veterans adjust to their new lives, as well as organizes events for military families, such as holiday toy drives, back-to-school supply drives, and more.

Military members and service families are also often recognized at welcome aboard shows, and on certain sailings – such as over Veteran’s Day in November or the Fourth of July – additional special appreciation events may be held.

Overboard Situation Reported From Royal Caribbean Ship

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 26, 2023

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Overboard Situation Reported From Royal Caribbean Ship

Guests currently onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas have reported a man overboard alert, and tracking data shows the ship had paused for search operations in the past few hours.

This story is developing and more details will be added when confirmed.

Overboard Reported From Quantum of the Seas

UPDATE: Local news reports confirm that it is a male Australian passenger who has gone overboard from Quantum of the Seas. For privacy, the passenger’s name has not been revealed. The US Coast Guard has dispatched a Hercules helicopter to assist in search efforts, and a call has also gone out to the US Navy for further assistance.

The “oscar oscar oscar” alert was called aboard Quantum of the Seas shortly before midnight, late in the night of Tuesday, April 25, 2023 (local time). This alert signifies a person has gone overboard the ship, and emergency procedures are activated for search and rescue.

The cruise ship slowed and returned to the area of the alert before lowering several boats to the water to search for the person. Tracking data shows Quantum of the Seas diverting from her planned route approximately 870 miles (1,400 kilometers) south of Hawaii.

Guests onboard have reported that several announcements were made for a passenger to call Guest Services, which is one of the first steps to attempt to locate a missing person suspected to have gone overboard.

Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas Cruise Ship — Photo Credit: Mohd Syis Zulkipli / Shutterstock

There is no confirmation at this time, however, whether the individual involved is a passenger or a crew member, nor are there any details of the individual’s gender, age, or the circumstances of the possible overboard.

The ship has now resumed course for Kona, Hawaii at a speed of 19 knots (22 miles per hour / 35 kilometers per hour).

The Current Sailing

Quantum of the Seas is currently sailing a 16-night, one-way cruise from Brisbane to Honolulu. The ship left Australia on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 with two port visits in French Polynesia before enjoying six days at sea on the way to Kona, Hawaii, where she is expected to arrive on April 27. The ship will conclude the cruise in Honolulu on Friday, April 28.

The overboard alert occurred during the fifth day at sea between French Polynesia and Hawaii. Because of the isolation of the area, search efforts will undoubtedly be challenging, but the proper authorities will be alerted to the situation.

At this time, there is no expected delay to Quantum of the Seas‘ itinerary or her arrival in Hawaii, as it is easy for cruise ships to make up time during days at sea.

Kona Hawaii — Kona, Hawaii (Photo Credit: Yefimova Olena / Shutterstock)

Cruise ships have a number of procedures to activate in case of an overboard alarm, including reviewing security footage onboard and passenger headcounts to attempt to verify whether or not someone is missing.

Quantum of the Seas is repositioning to Seattle for the Alaska sailing season. While the current cruise only takes the ship to Hawaii, the next sailing is a 10-night voyage from Honolulu to Vancouver, and from there the ship will sail a 7-night one-way trip to Seattle, visiting Alaska ports before settling in at her summer homeport.

From Seattle, the 168,666-gross ton cruise ship will offer 7-night roundtrip “Alaska Adventure” sailings through September, with each cruise calling on popular ports in the Last Frontier such as Sitka, Skagway, and Juneau. In early October, the ship will again reposition back to Brisbane for South Pacific and Australia sailings through the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Quantum of the Seas is the first of the Quantum-class of ships and joined Royal Caribbean in 2014. The ship can welcome 4,180 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 4,905 passengers when fully booked with all berths filled. Onboard, 1,500 international crew members provide excellent service.

Cruise Hive wishes all guests and crew aboard the ship well and hopes the overboard alert may be a false alarm or that the individual is found safely.

Cruise Ship Passenger Left Behind During World Voyage

P&O Cruises News

Emrys Thakkar

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Apr 25, 2023

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Cruise Ship Passenger Left Behind During World Voyage

UK man’s round-the-world voyage came to a sudden end when his P&O Cruise ship left him stranded in The Philippines.

Christopher Chapel is a 72-year-old pensioner from Swindon, Wiltshire, England, who thought that he was going on the adventure of a lifetime: a 100+ day voyage around the world with P&O Cruises. But miscommunication turned the adventure into every cruiser’s worst nightmare.

P&O Cruise Ship Leaves 72-Year-Old Behind

For many, the chance to embark on a multi-month expedition destined for all corners of the world never becomes more than the stuff of dreams. And this septuagenarian made it possible, reportedly spending over £17,000 to do so.

However, about halfway through the trip, Chapel experienced nausea and lightheadedness. He says he was instructed by the ship’s doctor to seek medical attention at a hospital when the ship docked at the island of Palawan in the Philippines on March 4.

The hospital staff ran a series of tests just to confirm that Chapel was suffering from light heatstroke. It is unclear how long he was kept there, but by the time he returned to the port, he discovered his ship had left without him.

P&O Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Karis48 / Shutterstock)

He says that he was never fully checked out by cruise medical staff, and the island nurses would not let him leave until all tests were completed.

While most cruisers’ minds would immediately race to crucial items left in their staterooms, like passports or money, Chapel, a diabetic, had to come to terms with the fact his insulin was sailing away from him.

With his blood sugar running low, he was able to return to the hospital before falling into hypoglycaemic shock and then a brief diabetic coma. He recovered the next morning, waking up to the nightmare once again.

Stranded 7,000 Miles Away from Home with a Fear of Flying

What made Chapel’s situation even more difficult was his fear of flying. Standing nearly on the exact opposite side of the world meant that his ship was the preferred method to get home.

He spent several days in Palawan in order to receive necessary medical care, and he said he was able to enjoy his time there, especially the people.

P&O Cruises Ship — Photo Credit: Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock

He was later transferred to the capital city, Manila, and then back to England. After he was cleared to fly, doctors sedated him and escorted him on the long-haul flight. He arrived home on Good Friday. Four weeks after being left behind.

More From Cruise Hive

Chapel says he enjoyed the first half of his lifetime adventure and intends to continue cruising in the future. But, he and his family are still furious at P&O Cruises for failing in their duties.

It is unclear if he retrieved all his stuff from his ship and how things will be settled with the cruise line. P&O Cruises is UK-based cruise which is owned by the Carnival Corporation. The cruise line operates a fleet of seven ships and they all offer different type of voyages, including world cruises, mainly based out of Southampton, UK.

Norwegian Cruise Ship Suffers Technical Difficulties and Delays

Norwegian Cruise Line News

Robert McGillivray

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Apr 25, 2023

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Norwegian Cruise Ship Suffers Technical Difficulties and Delays

Norwegian Sun, currently sailing on a 20-night Panama Canal cruise, has experienced technical issues since April 24 during its stop in Cartagena, Colombia.

The problems have led to power outages and the air conditioning system going offline. Although technical teams have worked diligently to resolve the situation, the ship remains docked in Cartagena on Tuesday.

At the very least, the scheduled transit of the Panama Canal will not happen today, while the impact on the remaining port calls on the Pacific coast remains unclear.

Extended Stay in Cartagena Due to Electrical Difficulties

Just days after departing from Miami on April 21, guests onboard Norwegian Sun have been quite literally left in the dark, as the 78,309 gross tons Sky-class cruise ship has been experiencing technical difficulties since arriving in Cartagena, Colombia, on April 24.

Norwegian Sun’s Captain Maksym Kyselov sent a letter to guests on April 24, stating that the stay in Cartagena would be extended due to technical problems. However, the issues appear more severe than initially anticipated as the cruise ship remains docked in Cartagena today, April 25.

Norwegian Sun Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Ian Dewar Photography / Shutterstock)

Captain Maksym Kyselov: “We are committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences at sea, however, at times, unexpected circumstances may arise. Earlier today, we experienced electrical difficulties, which resulted in some amenities going offline. Since then, services have begun to return. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused”

Consequently, the Panama Canal transit scheduled for April 25 has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for later this week. In the letter, Captain Kyselov expressed his regret for the inconvenience and informed guests that the all-aboard time for the day was extended to midnight to allow for more exploration of the city:

One guest contacted Cruise Hive and shared their experience: “Power has been out on Norwegian Sun most of the day. Ship staying overnight in Port of Cartagena, Colombia, while the crew works to fix electrical problems. Tuesday’s Panama Canal transit won’t happen. No further updates expected until the morning.”

Tension Grows Onboard

While many will understand the situation onboard, the delay is unfortunate for the guests who boarded the Norwegian Sun on April 21 for the 20 Night Panama Canal cruise. In a follow-up message from a passenger currently onboard Norwegian Sun, the tension onboard seems to grow with little communication from Norwegian Cruise Line.

“Frustrating to be 12:07 p.m. here in Colombia and no information regarding the situation. No Freestyle Daily newsletter has been distributed for today, nor any other communications except for a vague announcement by the captain at about 8:20 this morning that they are working on a new itinerary.”

That the situation is indeed quite serious shows as Norwegian Cruise Line was forced to close the dining rooms on April 24, and guests were offered a buffet only for dinner.

“The dining rooms were closed for dinner last night. Only a lackluster buffet was offered. Although this is certainly annoying, we do appreciate NCL’s desire not to set sail without full power. And we’re lucky this problem happened while we were in port and not at sea.”

Impact on Cruise Itinerary

Norwegian Sun‘s itinerary covers multiple ports from April 21 to May 11. The cruise began in Miami, Florida, on April 21, followed by the now-extended stop in Cartagena, Colombia, on April 24.

From Cartagena, the cruise was scheduled to visit Puntarenas, Costa Rica, on April 27 and San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, on April 28. Subsequent stops include Acajutla, El Salvador, on April 29 and Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, on April 30. The call in Nicaragua has been cancelled as the port is not currently allowing cruise ships to dock.

The ship would then sail to Mexico, making port calls at Huatulco, Acapulco, Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas; Victoria, British Columbia in Canada, and arriving in Seattle on May 11.

It remains unclear how the delay in Cartagena and the rescheduling of the Panama Canal transit will affect the remaining itinerary of the Norwegian Sun cruise. Guests eagerly await updates on any possible changes to the schedule and how the cruise line plans to accommodate them.

Following the repositioning cruise to Seattle, Norwegian Sun will sail in Alaska this summer with 9, 10, and 11-day cruises with ports of call such as Sitka, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and more.

First Look at Disney Cruise Line Anniversary Treats for Passengers

Disney Cruise Line News

Donna Tunney

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Apr 25, 2023

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First Look at Disney Cruise Line Anniversary Treats for Passengers

Disney Cruise Line is marking its 25th anniversary this year with a sugary collection of new desserts sure to tempt cruisers with a sweet tooth, along with a special adult beverage and a few other anniversary-inspired novelties.

The cruise line, which launched operations in 1998, has five ships sailing and two more on the way.

Sweet Treats to be Offered May to September

Cruisers sailing aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship from May to September will likely be hard-pressed to keep from indulging in one of several bakery concoctions designed with a celebratory flair in honor of the line’s 25th anniversary year.

To mark the cruise line’s Silver Anniversary at Sea festivities, Disney Cruise Line’s pastry chefs and mixologists have come up with a slew of flavorful goodies including a hallmark 25th Disney Cruise Line Cupcake. It’s a vanilla sponge cake with vanilla frosting topped with sprinkles and a 25th chocolate decoration.

Disney Cruise Line 25th Anniversary Treats (Photo Courtesy: Disney Parks Blog)

Chocolate lovers will surely be drawn to the Mickey Chocolate Sphere, which also will sport the 25th decor emblem and be filled with candy. Captain Minnie gets in on the dessert action, too.

She’ll be featured on the Vanilla Crisped Rice Treat offered at the ships’ Cove Café locations. This treat shows Minnie at the ship’s helm with special décor for both her and the anniversary, since the cruise line announced earlier this month that Disney Treasure, set to debut in 2024, will feature a likeness of Minnie on the ship’s bow.

Cruisers also can enjoy the Disney Cruise Line Anniversary Chocolate Marquise, a rich chocolate truffle crème topped with the 25th chocolate décor.

Some other delights, found in the Concierge Lounge, include the Chocolate Cream Cookie, which is a chocolate cookie with dulce de leche filling and decorated with sprinkles and the Silver Anniversary at Sea logo, and the Celebration Cupcake, featuring a red velvet sponge cake with vanilla frosting, shimmering sprinkles, of course, and 25th chocolate décor.

Many desserts already on the Disney Cruise Line menu will get anniversary upgrades. For instance, the 3 Layer Carrot Cake with lemon frosting will be spruced up with 25th chocolate décor, as will the line’s classic Chocolate Soufflé, which tempts diners with double chocolate sauce, vanilla crèmeanglaise, and vanilla bean gelato.

Adult Cruisers Can Try a New Signature Cocktail

A special drink is on the horizon, too. For adults 21 and older, the line has dreamed up its signature Jubilee by the Sea cocktail, which combines 818 Blanco Tequila, Luxardo Maraschino, and fresh lemon juice with a silver dusting and a blue sugar rim. Cruisers can take home a bookmark with the drink’s recipe on it.

Cruisers who order any drink are likely to have it served with 25th anniversary coasters and napkins, adding to the festive atmosphere. Additionally, at various beverage locations onboard the ships, guests will be able to purchase special Coca-Cola bottles adorned with the Silver Anniversary at Sea logo.

Other novelty items will be featured for purchase as well, such as the Silver Anniversary at Sea Popcorn Bucket, showcasing each of the Disney Cruise Line ships, plus coffee and beer mugs with the celebratory logo.

Disney Cruise Line’s fleet includes the 2,713-guest Disney Magic, the 2,400-guest Disney Wonder, the 4,000-guest Disney Dream, the 2,500-guest Disney Fantasy, and the 5,555-guest Disney Wish. When she debuts next year Disney Treasure will accommodate 4,000 guests.

A seventh ship, scheduled to enter service sometime after Disney Treasure, is the former Global Dream, which Disney Cruise Line bought in 2022 after its owner, Genting Hong Kong, was forced into liquidation. The ship was only partially built when Disney Cruise Line bought it. The ship is currently scheduled to eventually be deployed in Singapore.

New Zones Revealed for Upcoming Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 25, 2023

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New Zones Revealed for Upcoming Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship

Carnival Cruise Line has revealed new themes for two zones aboard the upcoming Excel-class Carnival Jubilee, setting sail in December 2023.

The new ship will have a distinctive ocean theme “Currents” and “Shores” in two neighborhoods, with immersive décor and artwork emphasizing the nautical nature of the new ship.

New Zone Themes Revealed for Carnival Jubilee

Carnival Cruise Line has announced a fun and appropriately oceangoing theme for two of Carnival Jubilee‘s “zone” neighborhoods: Currents and Shores. You can take a look at all the new spaces reveled in the video below:

Currents

Currents will be the theme on Decks 6 and 7, a transformative space that brings guests below the waves and into fun underwater worlds with huge LED windows, a wave-shaped LED ceiling, theatrical show lighting, and captivating sound design for a truly immersive experience just aft of Grand Central.

Brand-new venues will carry the theme, including Dr. Inks, Ph.D (drinks, get it?) which is a fun bar inspired by a quirky sea creature – an octopus with a philosophical bent. Specialty ocean-themed drinks will include color-changing cocktails, jellyfish shots, and selections with boba pearls and unique garnishes that evoke undersea life.

The Golden Mermaid is another lounge in Currents, with secret cocktail recipes inspired by a mermaid’s explorations. Edible glitter, unique glassware, and specialty tastes will all be featured in the bar, while a live band provides an energetic atmosphere for guests to enjoy.

Emeril’s Bistro 717 is also located in Currents, with creole cuisine and an expansive seafood selection and raw bar. Serving delicious options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the menu includes delicious dishes such as shrimp and grits, fresh oysters, and Emeril’s signature jambalaya.

Also in the Currents zone will be guest favorites Alchemy Bar and Carnival Kitchen, as well as the entrances to the Atlantic Restaurant main dining room and the Limelight Lounge.

Shores

The Shores zone is located on Deck 8, and is a water-meets-waves theme inspired by how people enjoy the seaside including piers, boardwalks, and beaches.

Colorful designs in the space include a Ferris wheel-inspired ceiling, wood plank-styled floors, and tropical and festive hues throughout.

Coastal Slice will offer fresh, hot pizza, and Beach Buns is a deli-style venue for hot dogs and sandwiches. The Marina Bar includes more of the nautical theme with fish-scale wall patterns and a wooden ore beam ceiling. Seating is available both inside and outside for guests to connect with the water.

Also in Shores are popular and familiar venues such as Rudi’s Seagrill and Cucina del Capitano, along with the entrance to the Pixels gallery.

Connecting both Currents and Shores is a stunning sculpture of a school of fish, swirling three decks tall between Decks 6, 7, and 8 and surrounded by a glass staircase to bring guests between the themed zones.

Additional Zones

The four remaining zones aboard Carnival Jubilee are the same familiar themes already outrageously popular aboard Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.

Grand Central is the heart of each ship, offering a transformative space with live entertainment enriched with innovative technology. Shopping, dining, and entertainment venues all branch off Grand Central, making it a meetup hub for all guests onboard.

The Ultimate Playground is the ship’s sports and thrill zone, with BOLT, the Ultimate Sea Coaster, along with the WaterWorks aqua park and SportSquare for every guest’s adventurous desires.

Carnival Jubilee Cruise Ship — Rendering Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

Summer Landing on Deck 8 aft is a relaxed, casual zone home to Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse as well as the Heroes Tribute Lounge and The Patio with a pool, whirlpools, and The Watering Hole poolside bar.

Finally, the ever-popular Lido on Decks 16 and 17 is the poolside zone and home to the Carnival Seaside Theater for blockbuster movies, as well as some of the cruise line’s most popular venues – RedFrog Tiki Bar, BlueIguana Cantina, Guy’s Burger Joint, and Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant.

Setting Sail on Carnival Jubilee

Carnival Jubilee will be the third Excel-class for Carnival Cruise Line, sister ship to Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.

Weighing in at 183,521 gross tons, the ship can welcome 5,374 guests at double occupancy, or up to 6,631 passengers when fully booked. Onboard, more than 1,700 international crew members will help ensure fun for all guests.

Though delayed from her initial debut date, Carnival Jubilee will now welcome guests aboard her inaugural sailing on December 23, 2023.

Homeported in Galveston, Texas, the ship will operate 7-night Western Caribbean sailings visiting Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico as well as Roatan, Honduras, with three days at sea for guests to thoroughly enjoy all the features the ship has to offer.

Carnival Cruise Line Begins Charging for Dining Venue

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Apr 25, 2023

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Carnival Cruise Line Begins Charging for Dining Venue

Carnival Cruise Line has begun testing extra charges for ChiBang, a specialty restaurant aboard the line’s two Excel-class ships, Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration.

At the moment, the extra charges apply only on Mardi Gras, and all guests are still able to enjoy some free meals at the venue. Additional meals, however, will now incur a nominal $8 per person charge.

New Dining Charge at ChiBang

Carnival Cruise Line has recently begun adding a surcharge to some meals at ChiBang onboard Mardi Gras. While all guests can still enjoy one complimentary dinner at the restaurant per sailing, as well as unlimited lunch visits with no charge, the second, third, and more dinner visits now have an $8 per guest surcharge.

The cruise line is testing out this new charge at the moment, only on Mardi Gras though the restaurant is also present on Carnival Celebration and will be part of the dining lineup on the upcoming Carnival Jubilee as well.

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald has addressed the change, noting that it is a limited charge and only a test at the moment.

ChiBang on Mardi Gras (Photo Copyright: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)

“To give everyone an opportunity to dine in this unique venue, we are implementing a pilot project on Mardi Gras only, not on Carnival Celebration,” Heald explained. “All guests are welcome to enjoy a complimentary dinner during their voyage. A nominal charge of $8, per guest, will be assessed for additional visits.”

The note that the charge is “to give everyone an opportunity to dine in this unique venue” indicates the test is, at least in part, a way to manage crowds on a ship that can welcome 5,282 guests at double occupancy, or up to 6,465 guests when fully booked.

The $8 (USD) charge is certainly minimal, and only applies after a guest’s first dinner at ChiBang. “Lunch remains complimentary for everyone irrespective of the number of visits,” Heald confirmed.

The new charge only applies on Mardi Gras, not Carnival Celebration, and thus far, is not expected onboard Carnival Jubilee when she debuts from Galveston in December. This plan could change, however, depending on the success of the test period and guest feedback.

About ChiBang on Carnival Cruise Line

ChiBang is a unique dual-menu dining venue, featuring both Chinese and Mexican dishes, but not a fusion-style menu. Instead, guests can select from both menus for their appetizers and entrees, enjoying either Chinese or Mexican tastes, or both. Specialty desserts are also included.

“Mardi Gras is truly a game-changing ship and that, of course, includes her amazing dining options which offer our guests a broad spectrum of cuisines from around the world,” said Cyrus Marfatia, Carnival’s vice president of culinary and dining.

Mardi Gras Chibang! — Image Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line

Guest feedback drove the decision to create ChiBang and offer both Chinese and Mexican dishes, menus that were not previously available at other specialty venues in the Carnival fleet.

ChiBang’s delicious menu options include egg drop soup, shrimp pot stickers, lettuce wraps, Kung Pao chicken, mandarin honey crunch salad, and hakka noodles for Chinese flavors, with sopas, queso fundido, carnitas, steak ranchero, camarones diablo, and frijoles providing Mexican tastes.

For dessert, guests can enjoy coconut tea tres leches cake, crema catalana, or the specialty chocolate “C-Bang” chocolate and salted fudge ganache with ginger and caramel ice cream.

Free Onboard Dining Venues

Mardi Gras features more than 15 dedicated dining venues, many of which remain included in the cruise fare. In addition to the main dining rooms, guests can enjoy Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, or Shaq’s Big Chicken for casual fare, with Lido Marketplace providing the all-you-can-eat buffet.

Street Eats is another unique option for a rotating menu of unique tastes, or guests can indulge in amazing barbecue at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que. Unlimited ice cream and frozen yogurt is available at Swirls, while Pizzeria del Capitano has a selection of delicious pizzas.