Disney Cruise Line has revealed further details of its upcoming new ship, Disney Treasure. In a short video, Captain Minnie is seen following a treasure map to ultimately reveal one of the ship’s keel-laying coins, which morphs into the bow design featuring none other than the adventurer herself, Captain “Voyager” Minnie.
Disney Treasure to Feature Voyager Minnie
Disney Cruise Line has continued to tease details about the upcoming Disney Treasure, scheduled to debut in 2024. In a new “captain’s log” video shared on social media, Captain Minnie – wearing her new adventure gear previously revealed in another video – follows her treasure map and seeks out the famous “X” marking a very special spot.
First, she has to trek “across the savanna, through faraway lands, deep in the jungle, and surrounded by nature,” all hints at spectacular destinations guests can explore via Disney Cruise Line.
At that spot, “Voyager Minnie” discovers a treasure chest, and upon opening it, finds not only gold and silver coins, but a very special coin – the Voyager Minnie coin used as part of Disney Treasure’s keel laying ceremony on March 30, 2023.
The coin then morphs into the gold seal on the bow of the new ship, indicating that Voyager Minnie will be at the helm of Disney Treasure.
“Remember, adventures don’t always end with finding treasure,”Captain Minnie says.“Sometimes they’re just the beginning!” The video closes with a shot of the new ship with “New Adventures Await” printed beneath the ship’s name.
What Will the New Adventures Be?
While Disney Cruise Line has continued to hint about new adventures for the new ship, very little is yet known about where the vessel will be homeported or what itineraries she may sail.
It is likely that Disney Treasure may be based from Port Canaveral, Disney Cruise Line’s traditional homeport, or it is possible she may be based from another Florida cruise port, keeping the ship close to the most popular Disney theme parks for combined vacation options.
The ship could also be based from California to give the cruise line a stronger presence for the west coast cruise market, or Disney Treasure may be deployed in a completely different location, such as a permanent European homeport, or perhaps Down Under for year-round cruises in Australia and New Zealand.
What loyal cruise travelers do know, however, is that Disney Treasure – sister ship to Disney Wish – is sure to offer awesome adventures filled with Disney magic, excellent service, spectacular entertainment, and more, no matter where she may ultimately set sail.
Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for future updates, details, and reveals about Disney Treasure as the ship’s debut draws closer!
The Nassau Cruise Port in the Bahamas, which is undergoing a massive transformation, is nearing completion. Turkish builder ENKA has announced that it expects the port to be fully completed before the opening ceremony next month.
This completion of the new cruise port means good news for the Bahamas, as it will be able to welcome multiple Oasis and Icon class cruise ships simultaneously, significantly increasing the number of daily visitors. Cruise ship passengers will be welcomed to a huge area of new and improved facilities that cost the port more than $300 million to build.
A Costly Endeavor
Nassau’s long-awaited new cruise port and facilities are nearing completion. The project has entered the last few weeks of building, landscaping, and inspections. In May, builder ENKA will officially hand over the completed project to the Bahamian government and port operator Global Port Holdings.
First announced in 2019, the Nassau Cruise Port Project was awarded to ENKA in June 2020, with the builder executing the project in two stages, Stage 1, the Marine Works, and Stage 2, the Upland Works. ENKA made the two-stage approach to ensure the port remained fully operational throughout the entire build process.
Photo Credit: ENKA
Phase 1 focused on accommodating larger cruise vessels, such as the Oasis and Icon class ships, through dredging and extending the cruise pier. The port now also features a new berth for mega-yachts. Phase 1 also involved upgrading existing structures and creating East and West Marinas for additional docking capacity.
Phase 2 centered on constructing new facilities that enhance the overall experience for both visitors and locals. Although the project’s total cost is around $300 million, over budget by about $50 million, this approach enabled Nassau to set several record-breaking visitor days this year.
The grand opening of the port is scheduled for the last weekend in May, which is considerably later than initially planned, according to Mike Maura, Port Director for Nassau.
“We had expected to be finished long before the last weekend of May 2023, but the pandemic has had its fun with us. Once completed, we will be able to handle comfortably three Oasis ships at the same time and three other vessels for a total of six,” said Maura.
Facilities and Improvements
New amenities at the port include a modern terminal building, a Junkanoo Museum showcasing Bahamian cultural heritage, and a theater for live performances and events. Visitors can also enjoy various international and local restaurants, shops, and entertainment facilities.
Altogether, these upgrades aim to increase the number of daily passengers arriving in Nassau by cruise ship by more than 50%. In other words, capacity has increased from 20,000 to an incredible 33,000 passengers daily.
Photo Credit: ENKA
The numbers are expected to grow significantly to four million cruise visitors in 2023 during 1,260 cruise ship calls and 4.5 million visitors in 2024 during 1,300 cruise ship calls.
One area that Nassau has often been criticized about was the look of the port area in general. ENKA has placed extensive importance on extensive hardscaping and landscaping work to enhance the port’s look and accessibility further.
The upgraded port will also integrate with Bay Street and downtown Nassau. Hopefully, the new enhancements will improve the general level of service and the sense of security that cruise passengers can expect in Nassau.
CEO Mike Maura stated earlier this year that the port has failed to provide experiences, services, and value to cruise guests. Despite being the fifth busiest passenger cruise port globally, Maura claims that the port’s operational capacity and local attractions did not meet the demands of cruise passengers.
Princess Cruises has announced that its largest ship ever, the Sun Princess, will make its U.S. debut in October 2024. The ship will allow guests to visit their favorite Caribbean destinations on seven- and 14-day itineraries departing from Florida.
As the first ship in the cruise line’s new Sphere class, Sun Princess will be stationed at Port Everglades during the winter 2024 cruise season after completing a season of Mediterranean and Europe cruises from February to September 2024.
Sun Princess Sails from Ft. Lauderdale October 2024
Princess Cruises has revealed that its newest cruise ship, Sun Princess, will be homeporting in Port Everglades, Ft. Lauderdale, starting from October 9, 2024. The cruise line’s first LNG-powered cruise ship will be sailing a series of five-day and seven-day Caribbean cruises that will visit the Bahamas, the eastern Caribbean, and the Western Caribbean.
“We are thrilled about the expansion of the Princess fleet and know that homeporting Sun Princess in Ft. Lauderdale offers a convenient option for guests to explore the most elevated experience ever from the Love Boat,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president.
Cruises include a five-day Caribbean Getaway, with visits to Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk. There will be two different eastern Caribbean cruises on offer which either visit Puerto Rico and Princess Cays or Amber Cove, Grand Turk, and Princess Cays.
The western Caribbean cruises will be sailing to Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; and Roatan, Honduras.
“The warmth, pristine beauty, and crystal-clear waters found throughout the Caribbean form an idyllic backdrop for our iconic new ship and create the perfect setting for Princess guests to enjoy the stunning views and playful adventure that are magnified on this beautiful, iconic new ship,” Padgett continued.
Guests can combine the 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries for an ultimate 14-day Caribbean East/West Adventurer experience.
Delivery Scheduled for Early 2024
Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the 175,500-ton, 4,300-guest Sun Princess will offer an array of exciting new dining, entertainment, and activity offerings, as well as luxurious staterooms and suites across a broad spectrum of categories.
The steel-cutting for Sun Princess took place in September 2021 at Centro Servizi Navali, a sheet metal production specialist near Trieste, Italy.
Photo Courtesy: Fincantieri
The ship was floated out from its dry dock facility at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone on March 8, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the construction of the ship as it progresses toward the completion of interior design work.
The Sun Princess is the first of two sister ships in Princess Cruises’ new Sphere class, which is filled with exciting new designs and spaces. Before heading to the US, she will sail for a season in Europe.
Sun Princess Cruises
Sun Princess’ European cruises begin with the 10 Night Inaugural Grand Mediterranean cruise. This cruise will start on February 8, 2024, in Barcelona, Spain. Guests will visit destinations such as Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Messina, Italy; Piraeus, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Santorini, Greece; Naples, Italy; and Civitavecchia, Italy.
Following the inaugural cruise, the Sun Princess will continue sailing on 10 Night Grand Mediterranean cruises. The Sun Princess‘s European cruise season will conclude with the 16-night transatlantic cruise, sailing on September 23, 2024.
From Southampton, England, the itinerary includes a visit to Portland, England, before sailing south to Vigo, Spain. From there, the ship will continue to Madeira, Tenerife, and arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on October 9, 2024.
If you’re a cruise or maritime enthusiast, you may get excited about learning the different terminology and processes that go into the operation of a cruise ship.
You may have already heard of the term “port side,” but do you know what it means? Are you wondering about the significance of the colors on the ship? If so, keep reading to learn what color is port and other port facts.
Put simply, the port side is the ship’s left side when you’re looking forward or toward the front part of the ship. In contrast, the right side is referred to as starboard.
For the captain and crew, port side is used in navigation and making sure there is no confusion with the starboard side. While this makes the name self-explanatory, referring to this side as port side is mainly to differentiate it from the other side of the ship, and ensure that everyone onboard understands what this universal term means.
What Color Is the Port Side?
In addition to having different names for the left and right side of the ship, there are also different color navigation lights associated with each side.
Red Port Side Light on Ship (Photo Credit: Richard Nantais / Shutterstock)
The port side of the ship is red. The starboard side is green. Ships often emit a red light to allow other vessels at sea to clearly see them coming and letting them know in what direction they are traveling.
What Does the Port Color Mean?
As mentioned, the port color of a ship is red. The main reason for this is for others to see the ship at night or in low visibility.
Since these color conventions are universal, a ship that spots the colors of another ship will have an idea of whether the ship is coming towards them or going the opposite way based on the position of the color.
These nautical terms and the overall system are set by the International Maritime Organization. This system makes it easier for captains to navigate the water, and minimizes the risk of accidents at sea.
Port Color FAQs
Is the port color universal for all cruise lines?
The port color is universal not only for all cruise ships, but for every maritime vessel across the globe. This ensures that safety standards are clear across the waters to prevent accidents from happening.
How do I know if a port is arriving or departing a port of call?
You’ll be able to tell whether a ship is arriving or departing a port of call based on how it moves. Either way, from the dock, you’ll always see the red. Following the color will help you see whether the ship is coming or going.
Summary: Know the Colors of Your Ship
To recap, the color of a cruise ship’s port side (or left-hand side) is red to let other ships on the water know which direction the ship is coming from.
Understanding the port side may not be crucial to enjoying your cruise, but it’s great to know if you’re curious and interested in ships in general. Knowing the color of the port side is a great piece of trivia to tell your friends and family on your next cruise!
There are a multitude of different job options on a cruise ship. While jobs in entertainment and guest services are common and popular, there are other very important jobs onboard, such as security.
Every cruise ship has a security team that works the ship. This is one of the most critical jobs on the ship, as the security team is responsible for the overall safety of the passengers on the cruise ship. In fact, cruise ships even have jails. However, cruise ship security jobs aren’t for everyone.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about working security on a cruise ship to determine if it’s the right job for you.
Working security on a cruise ship requires a lot of responsibility and discipline. After all, you’re in charge of the safety of everyone on the ship! Depending on the cruise line, there are several possible positions within a cruise ship’s security team. Some examples include:
Security guards: Responsible for the control and entry of the passengers onto the ship and also screening of passengers.
Security officer: In charge of daily security operations.
Supervisors: Overlooks all other security personnel to ensure the ship’s safety.
The job description of each of these positions differs between cruise ships. However, being part of a cruise ship’s security team involves a mix of each of these jobs. Here’s what to expect from a cruise ship security job.
Duties and Responsibilities
Cruise ship security personnel are first and foremost responsible for keeping passengers and crew safe. There are several ways that security does this.
Cruise ship security guards continuously monitor and secure areas of the ship as needed. This includes ensuring that people follow the rules in areas such as the pool and that the casinos and nightclubs are safe.
At a higher level, the security team is trained to respond to emergencies and security incidents. This ranges from controlling unruly guests to preventing and responding to piracy or terrorism threats.
Here are some skills that are expected from most cruise ship security jobs:
Ability to act fast
Work well under pressure
Interpersonal skills
Critical thinking
Attention to detail
While it isn’t usually a requirement, many security persons on cruise ships have experience in law enforcement or the military. This means they are physically fit and have developed an ability to handle stress, a major job requirement.
What’s more, to succeed as part of cruise ship security, you need to be able to collaborate with the other security personnel, as you’ll need to be coordinated and work as a team to cover the most ground on the cruise ship.
Carnival Cruise Line Security
Finally, you should have basic knowledge of security protocols and procedures. If you’ve never worked on a cruise ship before, you may need to attend a maritime training program, undergo firearms and safety training, and obtain any other certifications your desired cruise line may require.
Now let’s check out the pros and cons of a cruise ship security job.
Pros of Working in Cruise Ship Security
There are several benefits to working a cruise ship security job. Here are some of the top advantages.
Good Pay and Benefits
Working cruise ship security pays relatively well. According to Indeed, the average security officer makes about $57,000 annually. While the rate would differ depending on the cruise line and position, you can potentially make more.
In addition, working on a cruise ship provides additional benefits you wouldn’t get working security on land, including free room and board, insurance, and travel.
Travel and Adventure
Speaking of travel, this is one of the biggest perks of working any position on a cruise ship. Working on a cruise ship lets you visit new and exciting destinations almost daily. You’ll also get to experience different cultures and meet new people. Plus, you get paid to do it!
Challenging and Dynamic Work Environment
What’s great about working on a cruise ship is that you never know what to expect. Guests and destinations are always changing, making working security on a cruise ship a great way to stay on your toes.
Security Crew Members on Carnival Cruise Ship
With such an ever-changing environment, there are many opportunities to learn and grow as a security professional. You’ll learn to act quickly, think fast, and respond to any situation.
Opportunities for Advancement
One of the best parts about cruise ship security jobs is that there are always opportunities for advancement. If you enjoy working security, you can move up the ladder within the security department to obtain a management role.
Better yet, if you feel like you need a bigger change, it’s possible to transfer your skills to a different ship or even find a whole new position that isn’t in security. Cruise ship security jobs open many doors for your career!
Cons of Working in Cruise Ship Security
While there are several advantages to working cruise ship security, there are also several drawbacks that you must consider.
Cruise Security Camera (Photo Credit: Aleksandrkozak / Shutterstock)
Long Working Hours and Limited Time Off
Cruise ship crew work long hours and often don’t get time off for weeks or months. This is especially true for security, a job that needs coverage 24/7.
You can expect to work in shifts around the clock as a security guard. These shifts may even be as long as 12 hours. You need to remain alert during this time to respond to anything that may happen.
Being Away From Home and Family for Extended Periods
One of the downsides for anyone working on a cruise ship is how long they have to be away from home. You may be at sea for weeks or months without seeing your family and friends. This can be challenging for some, so you must ensure you’re ready for this possibility.
Plus, with different time zones and limited time off, staying connected and finding time to contact your loved ones could be difficult.
Physical Demands of the Job
Cruise ship jobs are physically demanding, and this is especially true for cruise ship security jobs. At the very least, security guards must be used to standing for long periods. At most, they must be fit to respond to physically demanding situations, such as assisting passengers or displacing large items.
Security is always dangerous work, whether dealing with dangerous people, handling dangerous situations, or working in dangerous weather conditions. Security on cruise ships may also have to handle hazardous materials if ever found on the ship, which can also be dangerous.
Conclusion: Is a Cruise Ship Security Job Right for You?
Cruise ship security jobs are extremely important for the maintenance of a cruise. Both passengers and crew alike depend on security to keep them safe.
That said, working cruise ship security can be rewarding and even enjoyable. It’s essential to fully understand the job to know what it entails to decide whether it’s right for you.
Carnival Cruise Line revealed the senior officers and top entertainment staff who will lead operations aboard the line’s new addition to the fleet, Carnival Venezia, formerly the Costa Venezia.
The ship, which was built for Costa Cruises and transferred to the Carnival brand, is undergoing a dry dock refit at the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz, Spain, and is due to arrive in New York in June.
Veteran Carnival Captain at the Helm of Carnival Venezia
The 4,208-guest Carnival Venezia is in the process of a major refurbishment that will signal the launch of Carnival Cruise Line’s “Carnival Fun Italian Style” concept.
The ship promises to bring a distinctly Italian vibe to the New York cruise scene. Her atrium is modeled on the Piazza San Marco in Venice, the Lido deck has influences from the Italian Riviera and the Gondola Lounge is inspired by Venetian canals.
So it seems fitting that Captain Claudio Cupisti, who hails from Viareggio, Italy, will be at the helm of the 135,225 gross-ton ship. Captain Cupisti has 34 years of experience at Carnival, having worked on 20 Carnival ships, including Carnival Breeze, Carnival Elation, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Valor and others.
Carnival also appointed Cesare Boldrini as chief engineer of Carnival Venezia. He’s from La Spezia, Italy, and joined the cruise line in 1996 as an engine cadet. Boldrini has worked as chief engineer since 2011.
Karl Hallberg, from Sweden, will be the ship’s hotel director. Hallberg has previously served in the hotel director role on 10 Carnival ships since he joined the company six years ago.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Milena Krivokapic was tapped as entertainment director. Hailing from Montenegro, she has been with Carnival since 2015 in a variety of entertainment-related positions.
Perhaps no staff member has as much influence on a cruiser’s experience as the cruise director. For the new ship, Carnival has named Marques “MarQ” Matthias to the position. He joined Carnival in 2015 and was part of the launch team on Carnival Vista. Matthias was named a cruise director just one year later.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy said,“As we continue to grow our operations, it’s key for us to build strong teams who can ensure the success of our new ships and their crew members. We’re fortunate to have some of the most experienced mariners in the cruise industry coming together to make Carnival Venezia feel right at home, for our guests, as part of the Carnival fleet.”
Ship Will Soon Depart Barcelona For New York
The ship will depart on her transatlantic crossing from Barcelona on May 29, en route to her new homeport of New York.
Duffy and Carnival brand’s chief culinary officer, Emeril Lagasse, will be onboard for part of the 15-night crossing and participate in several special events during the cruise. Planned activities include a Sail Away Party, a Captain’s Venetian Toast, and cooking demonstrations.
Carnival Venezia is due to arrive in New York on June 13. A four-day Bermuda cruise departs June 15, followed by year-round sailings to destinations including the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Canada, and New England.
Another ship, the 4,072-guest Carnival Firenze, also a former Costa Cruises’ vessel, will become the second Carnival Cruise Line “Carnival Fun Italian Style” ship in 2024.
In all, three Costa ships were transferred to the Carnival brand. The third, the 2,260-guest Carnival Luminosa, is not part of the Italian-style project. Carnival Cruise Line and Costa Cruises are both Carnival Corporation brands.
Royal Caribbean is exploring the possibility of expanding its presence in the Bahamas by considering Rum Cay as a potential new location. Michael Bayley, the company’s president and chief executive, advised not to draw conclusions but acknowledged that the cruise line constantly seeks opportunities to expand.
Royal Caribbean currently operates the popular ‘Perfect Day’ destination on Coco Cay in the Bahamas, is underway with the development of its new Royal Beach Club in Nassau, and is also working on expanding its activities in Freeport in the Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean Eyes Rum Cay for New Destination Opportunity
Rum Cay is a small island in the southern region of the Bahamas. It is about 345 miles southeast of Nassau and is known for its beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, and pristine natural beauty. It has now come to the attention of cruise giant Royal Caribbean Group as a potential new private island cruise destination.
In response to questions about Royal Caribbean’s interest in Rum Cay, Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean International’s President and CEO, confirmed that the company was approached about a potential opportunity and sent a team to investigate.
Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay, in the Bahamas (Photo Credit: Darryl Brooks / Shutterstock)
He mentioned:“It’s true. Our perspective is that you can never have enough great product. We are constantly looking for any opportunity where we can create a customer experience that we think the customers will love. We were approached about a potential opportunity and sent a team to look at that opportunity.
Bayley did not provide any information on whether the cruise line plans to pursue the Rum Cay opportunity further or if negotiations have begun to secure the necessary land. Nevertheless, visiting the southern Bahamian island signifies that the company may want to expand beyond Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay, and Freeport.
Potential Rum Cay Site
The Bahamas newspaper Tribune Business reports sources informed them that Royal Caribbean’s interest in Rum Cay is focused on a 375-450 acre parcel in the island’s northwest corner.
This site is part of a larger 1,000-acre area previously involved in multiple land disputes. However, all title issues and legal battles are believed to have been resolved.
Rum Cay, Bahamas (Photo Credit: netsign33 / Shutterstock)
One source even mentioned that negotiations over the land might be in the final stages, suggesting Royal Caribbean could have already accepted a contract. However, this would seem unlikely, given the timeframe.
The northwest area of Rum Cay is considered ideal for accommodating cruise ships due to the deep water close to the shore, allowing for the construction of a pier for passengers to disembark easily.
Royal Caribbean’s Bahamas Investments
While it would seem unlikely that Royal Caribbean would be looking at another private island destination in the Bahamas, the idea is not entirely without merit. Royal Caribbean has long been looking at redeveloping the Grand Lucayan Resort in Freeport, but that project fell through in 2021.
Render Courtesy: Royal Caribbean
In Freeport, Royal Caribbean is working on a joint venture with ITM Group to redevelop and expand the Freeport Harbor cruise port. The project aims to bring more capacity to the port, improve its facilities, and attract more visitors by adding more cruise ship berths and developing a water-based adventure theme park for passengers close to the harbor.
Bayley stated,“I would say we are increasingly optimistic about the timing of that. In the coming months, hopefully, we will be in a position to make some positive announcements on Freeport.”
There is also Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club which will soon be developed in Nassau, and there is the hugely successful Perfect Day at CocoCay. That last one, in particular, is so successful and popular that it’s not unlikely Royal Caribbean Group would be looking at developing more sites like this, possibly at Rum Cay.
Royal Caribbean International has reached out to booked guests aboard one January 2024 sailing of Anthem of the Seas with notification of multiple itinerary changes. One port of call is being dropped completely, and times in port are being changed for every other port on the 11-night voyage.
Itinerary Changes for Anthem of the Seas
The January 29, 2024, departure of Anthem of the Seas is being altered, with every port of call being changed in some way. The cruise line has contacted booked guests to explain the changes as follows:
“To maintain a safe and comfortable speed along our journey, we’ll now have a sea day instead of Puerto Plata,”the email began.“Additionally, we’ve adjusted our arrival and departure times for a few of our ports.”
In actuality, every port of call for the sailing has been adjusted. The cruise was initially planned to have five ports of call, but the time in each one has been altered.
Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators / Shutterstock
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic – Cancelled
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas – 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. instead of 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (+2 hours)
Philipsburg, St. Maarten – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. instead of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (-1 hour)
Castries, St. Lucia – 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. instead of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (-1.5 hours)
Bassetere, St. Kitts & Nevis – 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. instead of 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (-1.5 hours)
In total, while extra hours have been added to Charlotte Amalie to give guests more time to enjoy that beautiful port of call, a total of 2 hours have been lost from the overall time in ports for the entire itinerary.
While this may not seem like a significant change, adjusting every port of call can impact multiple shore excursions and cuts down on the time guests may have to shop locally, enjoy the beaches, visit local restaurants, or otherwise truly immerse themselves in these amazing destinations.
“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this,”the email continues.“Nevertheless, we’re excited to sail away with you!” The whole cruise is an 11-night sailing, roundtrip from New York. The ship’s New York times – departing on January 29 and returning on February 9 – are unaffected.
Explaining so Many Changes
Royal Caribbean has offered no further explanation for the adjustments other than to “maintain a safe and comfortable speed” for the sailing.
This seems to indicate that the ship may be having technical issues, but it would be unusual for a cruise itinerary to be altered more than nine months prior to sailing, as that is ample time for such issues to be repaired before this particular voyage.
Similarly, in 2017, the ship was forced to alter an in-progress itinerary due to propulsion issues that required sailing at a reduced speed. During that incident, engineers fixed the problem before the end of the cruise and the following sailing was unaffected.
At this time, there is no confirmation of further upcoming itineraries being altered, but guests booked aboard Anthem of the Seas in the coming months should stay alert for the possibility of changes to their sailings.
Anthem of the Seas debuted in 2015 as the second ship in the Quantum class. Weighing in at 168,888 gross tons, the ship can welcome 4,180 guests at double occupancy, or as many as 4,905 passengers when fully booked.
The ship is homeported in New York for the winter season of Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, but moves to Southampton for the summer, offering a variety of European, Mediterranean, and Norwegian fjords sailings.
Carnival Cruise Line is kicking off the summer season with the deployment shift of three ships, two of which will sail across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, while a third will embark on a Carnival Journeys cruise in the coming days.
The voyages mark the beginning of summer deployments for Carnival’s ships, which will sail to Alaska and Europe.
Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Spirit To Sail in Alaska
Carnival Cruise Line has begun preparations for the summer season with three cruise ships setting sail to their summer homeports today, April 13, and this weekend.
Carnival Luminosa departed Brisbane, Australia, on a 23-day transpacific sailing to Seattle, where she will arrive on May 4. Her arrival next month marks the first time that Carnival Luminosa is sailing in U.S. waters since joining the fleet in November 2022. From her Washington base, the former Costa Cruises ship will sail a season in Alaska.
Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Pride is leaving Tampa today for a transatlantic cruise to Europe. Carnival Spirit is set to sail from Miami to Seattle this weekend.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “Guests on board Carnival Luminosa have thoroughly enjoyed all the extraordinary experiences of sailing from Australia, visiting pristine beaches, and taking in the local culture. Now, our fantastic shipboard crew members have a great opportunity to share this beautiful ship with even more guests for a new series of unforgettable cruises across Alaska.”
Carnival Spirit will depart Miami for a 16-day cruise to Seattle on Sunday, arriving just ahead of Carnival Luminosa on May 2, 2023, to begin operating in Alaska.
Guests will stop in destinations such as Santa Marta and Cartagena, Colombia; Costa Rica; Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; and cruise through the Panama Canal.
Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Spirit will each sail a four-month Alaska season, along with their sister ship, Carnival Miracle, which homeports in San Francisco. The ships will sail 49 Alaskan cruises, with itineraries ranging from six to fourteen days and visiting ports such as Juneau, Sitka, Skagway, and scenic cruising of Tracy Arm Fjord or Endicott Arm Fjord.
Carnival Pride Cruises to Europe
While Carnival Luminosa leaves Australia, another Carnival ship is making its way to Europe. Carnival Pride is sailing a 13-day transatlantic cruise from Tampa Bay to Barcelona, Spain. The ship will stop in Ponta Delgada in the Azores, Malaga, and Valencia, Spain.
Before guests can set foot onboard in Dover, UK; Barcelona, Spain; and Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, Carnival Pride will go into dry dock.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Amongst the works scheduled for the Spirit-class cruise ship is the addition of the new Carnival livery, a red, white, and blue hull design. Carnival Pride is one of the very few Carnival cruise ships which hasn’t yet received the iconic livery.
There will also be the addition of a Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, and the steakhouse will be rebranded as Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and span two decks.
Carnival Pride will sail 15 European cruises from May 28, 2023, through October 28, 2023. The ship will conclude its European season with a 15-day transatlantic voyage back to Tampa, Florida, on October 28, 2023.
