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VIP Lounge Not Available on Royal Caribbean Ship

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 16, 2023

VIP Lounge Not Available on Royal Caribbean Ship

Royal Caribbean International has reached out to higher levels of loyal guests booked on Harmony of the Seas to inform them that the exclusive Diamond Lounge will not be used for events for several sailings, due to ongoing enhancements in adjacent areas.

The work being done is creating noise, dust, and other debris, making the Diamond Lounge temporarily less desirable for use.

Diamond Lounge Impacted by Construction

In an email sent to booked guests, Royal Caribbean has informed Crown and Anchor Society members that the Diamond Lounge will not be used for member events onboard Harmony of the Seas from February 26 through March 12, 2023.

“Starting February 26th, 2023 through March 12th, 2023, we will be making some enhancements on Deck 4. During this time, we kindly ask for you to please pardon our dust,” the email reads. “Due to the Diamond Lounge’s proximity to these efforts, we’ll be hosting our Diamond Lounge morning and evening hours in alternate locations.”

The Oasis-class ship is currently homeported from Fort Lauderdale, but will be repositioning to Miami during the affected time period.

Royal Caribbean Concierge Lounge — Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

A total of three cruises are impacted by the closure – The February 26 and March 4 departures from Fort Lauderdale, both of which are 6-night Western Caribbean sailings visiting Nassau, The Bahamas; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Labadee, Haiti.

The first sailing from Miami is also impacted, as it departs on March 11 and the lounge is scheduled to be unavailable through March 12.

That cruise is a 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise visiting St. Maarten and St. Thomas, as well as stopping at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas. The lounge may reopen during that sailing, however, but if the work does not finish as early as expected, it may remain closed for the planned events.

The email notes, “Diamond Lounge operations will continue as usual, but please know, we expect noise and dust in the surrounding area as our teams work.”

This seems to indicate that guests can still access the space, but to be aware that it may not be up to the peaceful standards normally found in the exclusive retreat. “We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by this and thank you for your understanding,” the email concludes.

Exclusive Events to Continue

The Diamond Lounge is used for a daily breakfast as well as evening cocktail hour exclusively for guests who have reached Diamond, Diamond Plus, or Pinnacle Club level in the cruise line’s loyalty program, with 80, 175, or 700 cruise points, respectively.

Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas Cruise Ship — Photo Credit: GERARD BOTTINO / Shutterstock

Instead of using the dedicated lounge space on Deck 4, the breakfast will take place in Jamie’s Italian restaurant on Deck 8 midship along Central Park and across from the Park Cafe. The cocktail hour will be in the ship’s Card Room on Deck 14, in the center of the ship just aft of the last elevator bank.

The times for each event will vary based on availability, and will be posted to the cruise line’s app for each sailing once the events are confirmed.

Why the Disruption?

The email does not outline the exact reason for the lounge’s closure, only that it is due to “enhancements” on Deck 4. Speculation is high that the cruise line may be expanding Casino Royale space in the “Jazz on 4” club, perhaps to add more non-smoking options for casino patrons.

It is also possible the entertainment venue is being completely reworked, perhaps adding new technological elements or other changes to create a brand new venue for guests to enjoy.

On different Oasis-class ships, the same space serves different functions. On the newest vessel in the class, Wonder of the Seas, the space is the “Golden Room” – a non-smoking casino space, which supports the speculation that the space may be transformed on Harmony of the Seas. For the upcoming Utopia of the Seas, due to debut as the last Oasis-class ship in spring 2024, the space is not yet confirmed.

On the rest of the ships, the space remains as “Jazz on 4” – for now.

Cruise Lines Move on Decarbonisation of the Cruise Industry

Costa Cruises News

Donna Tunney

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Feb 16, 2023

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Cruise Lines Move on Decarbonisation of the Cruise Industry

Costa Group, the unit of Carnival Corporation that operates Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises, signed an MOU with a Switzerland-based methanol producer that the two companies say will spur the use of methanol as a clean fuel for the cruise industry.

The move is in line with other major cruise companies that have committed to developing methanol fuel as a path toward becoming carbon neutral.

Carbon Neutral by 2050

The partnership between Costa Group and methane producer Proman, headquartered in Wollerau, Switzerland, will speed the energy transition and decarbonization of Costa Group’s fleet, the companies said in an announcement on February 16.

It said the pact will lead to the retrofitting of existing ships to enable them to run on the clean fuel and the construction of methanol-fueled new builds.

Costa Group Vice President of Decarbonisation Christoph Schladoer said, ”We are reducing the carbon footprint of our fleet while at port and at sea, investing in advanced environmental technologies and partnering with companies such as Proman who share a passion for sustainable energy transition.”

He added, “By enabling cruise ships to use methanol as a propulsion fuel, Costa follows the ambition to take the next big step towards GHG (greenhouse gas) neutral operations of our fleet by 2050.”

Costa Toscana Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Sanjay JS / Shutterstock)

Compared to conventional fuels, renewable methanol cuts carbon dioxide emissions by up to 95%, reduces nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 80%, and completely eliminates sulfur oxide and particulate matter emissions, according to the Methanol Institute, the trade organization for the methanol industry.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the benefits of methanol fuel include lower production costs compared to other alternative fuels, a lower risk of flammability versus gasoline, and increased energy security, because it can be manufactured from multiple sources such as biomass, coal, and natural gas.

Just one new-build cruise ship is being constructed with the ability to run on green methanol, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7. Due to launch in 2024, the ship will run on lower-emission marine diesel but be fitted for methanol fuel as well.

AIDAprima Cruise Ship — Photo Courtesy: AIDA Cruises

The 2,900-guest Mein Schiff 7 is being built at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. TUI Cruises is a joint venture between TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises.

While the Costa-Proman MOU announcement did not detail specific actions, it noted that methanol is gaining ground as an alternative fuel that can help to meet GHG reduction goals.

Proman’s Managing Director of Corporate Development Tim Cornelius said, ”The technology to retrofit a vessel to accept methanol as a fuel is available today. Our methanol products can facilitate the transition to low carbon intensity fuels. Methanol-powered vessels have a proven track record of reducing and eliminating major greenhouse gas emissions, delivering immediate air quality improvements around major ports and shipping lanes.”

Other Fuel Alternatives

Costa Group also noted that the company considers itself a sustainable innovator in the global cruise industry by pioneering advanced technologies on board its new and existing ships.

It was the first in the industry to introduce liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion for lowering emissions and has four ships sailing with LNG today.

They include two AIDA ships, the 5,252-guest AIDAnova, which launched in 2018, and the 6,654-guest AIDAcosma, which entered service in 2021, plus the 5,224-guest Costa Smeralda, which debuted in 2019, and the 6,600-guest Costa Toscana, which launched in 2022. Several other cruise lines also have LNG-powered ships operating today.

Another major player in the cruise industry, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, became a member of the Methanol Institute in June 2022.

The company said it was “assessing the feasibility of retrofitting existing engines to operate with dual fuels – diesel and methanol – with the goal to test the use of methanol by 2025.”

Carnival Cruise Line Gets Strict With New Message for Passengers

Carnival Cruise News

Robert McGillivray

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Feb 16, 2023

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Carnival Cruise Line Gets Strict With New Message for Passengers

Carnival Cruise Line shared a new video message from its President, Christine Duffy, addressing the issue of inappropriate behavior on board its ships, just in time before Spring Break and the Summer Holidays.

The video highlights the steps the cruise line takes to ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation for guests, including updated security procedures, additional crew training, and enhanced guest communications.

Enforcing Security Measures

Carnival Cruise Line will not accept any unruly behavior anymore. After the cruise line implemented several measures last year and reminded guests again earlier this month through email communication.

The company released a video on February 16 where President Christine Duffy clarifies that illegal and disturbing behavior will be met with swift and severe consequences.

You can watch the full video message in the video below:

Carnival Cruise Line has added more security personnel and introduced narcotics sniffing dogs at home ports to screen luggage on both a routine and random basis. Guests may even see dogs on board at home and destination ports to do random searches.

The use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, on cruise ships and in cruise terminals is prohibited. For guests using medical marijuana, it is advised to consult with a physician about an alternative therapy during the cruise.

Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line President: “Illegal drugs, including marijuana, on cruise ships and in the cruise terminals, is prohibited, and in case there’s any confusion, let me remind guests that while marijuana and cannabis products may be legal in some states, we are required to follow federal law irrespective of the law.”

Guests must acknowledge and commit to the code of conduct during the check-in process, which includes consequences for non-compliance, such as fines, confinement to cabins, or removal from the ship and being banned from future sailings.

In addition, Carnival has implemented a youth curfew to ensure the safety and security of all passengers.

Carnival Asks for Mutual Respect and Responsibility

In addition to new signage that has been placed in the terminals and on the ship, Shaquille O’Neal, the Chief Fun Officer, also appears in a series of video messages on stateroom TVs to remind guests of Carnival’s policies and guests’ collective responsibility to have fun and respect each other and the ocean.

Duffy emphasized the importance of mutual respect and responsibility in ensuring the guests’ vacation is safe, fun, and memorable. Carnival Cruise Line prides itself on providing a great cruise experience for its guests and has successfully maintained its reputation as a family-friendly cruise line.

“We know how to show our guests a great cruise experience, and our ships are full of fun-loving guests. That’s why we’re so successful and why guests keep coming back. So please help us make sure your carnival vacation is safe, fun, and memorable by respecting each other, our crew, and the ocean.”

Video Message Does Not Surprise

Today’s video message by Christine Duffy will come as no surprise to many guests. The cruise line has begun sending “Guest Advisory” guidelines to booked passengers ahead of their upcoming cruises, with detailed reminders about behavior guidelines and safety policies onboard every Fun Ship. This after multiple altercations onboard Carnival’s cruise ships last year.

The email explains and reminds guests of the code of conduct, including policies such as smoking, bringing alcohol or non-alcoholic beverages onboard, and general disruptive behavior.

The email clearly outlines the consequences of unruly or disruptive behavior, including fines of up to $500, additional expenses related to confining or disembarking guests, and even being banned from sailing with Carnival in the future.

The video message and email message serve as a reminder that inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated on board Carnival’s ships.

As the world slowly returns to normal, it is important to have a fun and memorable vacation without any incidents. Guests can relax and enjoy their vacation onboard Carnival Cruise Line’s ships by following the rules and regulations.

Royal Caribbean Expands Short Cruise Offerings

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 16, 2023

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Royal Caribbean Expands Short Cruise Offerings

Cruise lovers looking for a quick getaway will have more options than ever, with eight Royal Caribbean ships offering shorter itineraries in 2024 and 2025, with a variety of homeports, destinations, and departure days to choose from.

This gives travelers a broad range of experiences to enjoy and different ships to explore, with amplified venues and all the amazing adventure Royal Caribbean is known for.

More Short Cruises to Enjoy

More than ever, travelers want quick getaways to refresh and rejuvenate their spirits, and Royal Caribbean International is stepping up and setting sail with short Caribbean itineraries featuring both weekend and mid-week departures for schedule flexibility.

The just-announced lineup of 2024 and 2025 short sailings includes 3, 4, and 5-night cruises on eight different ships, from homeports in Florida, Texas, and California.

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas — Photo Credit: BA Arts / Shutterstock

Among the highlights of the new short sailings is Allure of the Seas, the first Oasis-class ship to sail shorter itineraries year-round. The ship is homeporting first from Port Canaveral and later repositioning to Miami with 3- and 4-night sailings to The Bahamas, including visits to CocoCay, where guests can choose from beachside relaxation, adrenaline-pumping thrills in the Thrill Waterpark and much more.

Depending on the sailing, homeport, and cruise date, guests can enjoy many different ports of call on these short cruises, including Mexican destinations such as Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Ensenada. Top Caribbean ports include Belize, Nassau, and the Dominican Republic.

Year-Round Short Cruises

No matter what time of year guests want to set sail, short cruises are available to meet their travel preferences. Four vessels are offering shorter sailings from four different homeports.

Allure of the Seas is sailing from Port Canaveral and Miami, with 3- and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas as well as all the amazing adventures one of the world’s largest cruise ships has to offer.

The Freedom-class Independence of the Seas will set sail from Miami, with 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries and 4-night Eastern Caribbean sailings. The western itineraries will visit CocoCay while the eastern cruises go to Labadee – both private island destinations that offer exclusive experiences for Royal Caribbean guests.

Are Royal Caribbean Cruises All Inclusive — Photo Copyright: Melissa Mayntz

Mariner of the Seas will be setting sail from Galveston for the first time, utilizing the new cruise terminal to offer 4- and 5-night escapes to Mexico.

The Voyager-class vessel has a wide range of onboard amenities and excitement for guests to enjoy, including The Perfect Storm three-story waterslides, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, and the cruise line’s first Polynesian-inspired tiki bar, The Bamboo Room.

Another Voyager-class vessel, Navigator of the Seas will be setting sail from Los Angeles for relaxing getaways on the West Coast, with 3-, 4-, and 7-night sailings.

Depending on the sailing date, the ship will visit Catalina Island, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, and Mazatlan. Onboard, guests will enjoy plenty of amazing features, including the longest aqua coaster at sea and the three-level poolside bar, The Lime & Coconut.

Seasonal Short Cruises

Whether winter or summer, various ships will be offering even more short sailings from additional homeports throughout the year.

The oldest and most intimate ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, the Vision-class Grandeur of the Seas will continue sailing from Tampa, Florida with 4- and 5-night sailings to The Bahamas and Cozumel, Mexico, and will later reposition to Fort Lauderdale with 5-night sailings to Labadee and Puerto Plata.

Grandeur of the Seas Cruise Ship — Photo Credit: NAN728 / Shutterstock

Another Vision-class vessel, Enchantment of the Seas will also sail from Tampa, with 4- and 5-night cruises through the winter season, just when travelers most need a tropical getaway to colorful and vibrant destinations like Cozumel and Costa Maya. In the summer, the ship will also offer 7-night sailings for those who desire a slightly longer break from the daily routine.

Namesake of the popular Voyager class, Voyager of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral with amped-up experiences onboard as well as exciting 4- and 5-night winter itineraries.

Depending on the sailing date, both Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean sailings are available, with varied ports of call for new adventures.

The Freedom-class Liberty of the Seas will also sail shorter winter cruises in 2024 and 2025, homeporting from Fort Lauderdale with 3- and 4-night sailings to The Bahamas. Every cruise will include Perfect Day at CocoCay, giving guests exclusive access to the most highly rated private island in the Caribbean.

No matter where guests sail from or where they want to sail from, Royal Caribbean has them covered with fantastic sailings on fantastic ships, short cruises that are sure to offer all the excitement, refreshment, and relaxation any cruise traveler could wish for.

Do Cruise Ships Have Irons and Ironing Boards?

First Time Cruisers

Emrys Thakkar

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Feb 16, 2023

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Do Cruise Ships Have Irons and Ironing Boards?

You want to pack as lightly as possible when packing for a cruise. Although cruise ships have shops where you can purchase the small things you may forget, you may still feel uneasy if you forget something when you’re out at sea.

That’s why it’s crucial to be prepared and know what your cruise ship does and doesn’t provide and what you are and aren’t allowed to bring onboard. Many people preparing for a cruise ask themselves: do cruise ships have irons?

If you’re packing for your upcoming cruise and you have this question in mind, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn whether or not cruise ships have irons or whether you should add one to your packing list. Moreover, you’ll also learn what other miscellaneous items you should pack for your cruise.

In This Article…

Do Cruise Ships Have Irons?
- Ship Laundry Rooms
- Housekeeping Steward
How to Keep Your Clothes From Wrinkling on a Cruise Ship
Recap: Irons and Ironing Boards on Cruise Ships

Do Cruise Ships Have Irons?

It may surprise you, but unlike a hotel room, cruise ships do not have irons in guest cabins for passenger use. This is because clothing irons are considered a fire hazard, and many items considered a high fire hazard are not supplied on cruise ships. For this reason, there usually aren’t ironing boards either.

Not only do cruise ships not supply irons, but you aren’t even allowed to bring your own travel iron onboard, no matter how small and portable it is. The same goes for clothes steamers and dryers as far as most cruise lines are concerned.

However, this doesn’t mean that there’s zero chance of you being able to de-wrinkle your clothes during your stay, nor does this mean that there aren’t any irons onboard cruise ships at all.

Do cruise ships have irons? Yes. While passengers aren’t allowed to bring and possess irons in their cabin onboard during a cruise, you may still be able to find an iron onboard.

Ship Laundry Rooms

Some ships have self-service laundry rooms onboard passenger decks for guests’ use. These laundromats have everything you need to clean and treat your clothes – washers, dryers, detergents, and sometimes even irons.

Cruise Ship Laundry Room — Photo Copyright: Cruise Hive

Some of these cruises offer complimentary laundry facilities. In others, you might be subject to a small fee. Cruise lines that offer self-service laundry facilities and irons include:

Carnival Cruise Line
Cunard
Princess Cruises
Viking Cruises

Housekeeping Steward

If your cruise ship doesn’t have laundry facilities, or if those laundry facilities don’t have irons, all is not lost. Usually, room stewards have access to irons for their housekeeping duties—for example, Norwegian Cruise Line loans guests irons upon request for a limited amount of time. Guests can use these irons in their stateroom or suite.

Most cruise lines also offer a valet service for a fee. This means guests can leave a small bag of dirty clothes that will be sent off to the laundry facilities at the bottom of the ship. The crew will make sure the clothing is returned cleaned and pressed.

Cruise Ship Pressing — *NCL Laundry Pressing (Photo Credit: James R. Martin / Shutterstock)*

Now that you know the answer to whether cruise ships have irons, you may reconsider whether wearing wrinkled clothing on vacation is all that bad. Luckily, you don’t have to resort to wrinkled clothing.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of tracking down an iron while you’re trying to enjoy your cruise, there are a few alternatives that you may want to consider to ensure that you do nothing but relax during your vacation. Let’s take a look.

How to Keep Your Clothes From Wrinkling on a Cruise Ship

Wrinkled clothes on vacation are the worst, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. There are various ways to prevent wrinkled clothes on a cruise ship that don’t require you to have an iron at all. With these simple tips, you’ll be able to keep your clothes wrinkle-free throughout your trip.

Pack Your Clothes Wisely

The easiest way to avoid wrinkled clothes on your cruise is to avoid bringing clothes that wrinkle easily. Wrinkle-resistant clothing is hassle-free and worry-free.

Various companies offer travel clothing for this purpose, such as REI Co-op and Anatomie. However, you don’t need to choose travel clothing specifically. Instead, focus on the types of fabric you select and lean towards comfortable materials that don’t wrinkle as easily. These fabrics may include:

Polyester
Nylon
Acrylic
Cotton or linen blends

Pre-prepare Your Clothes

Another way to prevent your clothes from wrinkling on your cruise is to iron or steam them at home beforehand. Make sure your clothes are completely dry before packing if you choose to steam them. You also want to ensure they’re packed correctly so they won’t shift around in your suitcase.

Cruise Packing (Photo Credit: sebra / Shutterstock)

Wrinkle Release Spray

It would be worth packing some wrinkle release spray, which you can use onboard to spray on your clothes. The spray will not just remove the creases, but also have them smelling fresh.

Hang Clothes in the Shower

Another easy way to ensure your clothes are not wrinkled is to hang them in the cabin bathroom while you shower. You can pack some magnetic hooks that will easily stick to the wall.

Consider Your Voyage

When packing your clothes for your cruise, make sure you keep in mind your entire journey. If your cruise’s departing destination is your town of residence, there’s less of a chance that your clothes will wrinkle before your cruise starts.

However, people often must take a flight to their cruise’s departing destination. If this is the case for you, you must keep this in mind when packing. Planes are unforgiving when it comes to luggage, so pack wisely.

Carnival Cruise Terminal — Photo Credit: JHVEPhoto / Shutterstock

Choose a hard-shell suitcase to protect your clothes and other belongings. Another thing to remember is not to overpack and risk wrinkling your clothes. Instead, pack your extra clothes in a carry-on if you need one.

If you can pack all of your clothes in a carry-on, you gain much more control over the state of your clothes and can more effectively prevent them from wrinkling before beginning your cruise.

Read Also: Do Cruise Ships Provide Towels?

Finally, once you make it on board, you should first unpack and hang your clothes in your cabin! You don’t want to ruin all of your hard work by having your clothes wrinkle throughout your cruise.

Recap: Irons and Ironing Boards on Cruise Ships

To recap, while cruise ships may have clothing irons and ironing boards, you won’t find them in your cabin, as irons are a fire hazard. However, you may be able to borrow one from a housekeeper or locate one in your cruise ship’s laundry facility. You can also take advantage of the laundry service offered on the ship.

So, while you should consider your iron one of the things to leave at home before embarking on your cruise, that doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck with wrinkled clothing!

Former Carnival-Owned Vessels to Become Residential Ships

Holland America Line News

Donna Tunney

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Feb 15, 2023

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Former Carnival-Owned Vessels to Become Residential Ships

Victoria Cruises Line, a Cyprus-based company, revealed details about its new concept for cruising – a long-term residential experience where guests rent staterooms for a minimum of six months aboard its two ships operating world cruises.

The line bills the trips as affordable lifestyles at sea while the ships, which formerly sailed for a Carnival Corporation brand, cruise the globe for about 27 months, visiting 200-plus destinations.

Former Holland America Vessels

Victoria Cruises Line announced that its two ships, operating under the names Victoria Majestic and Victoria Amazing, are due to depart on world cruises on May 1 from Fort Lauderdale and April 1 from Livorno, Italy, respectively.

Guests can rent cabins for the full 27-month sailings or for as many months as they wish, as long as they meet the six-month minimum.

Zaandam Cruise Ship — Photo Courtesy: Holland America Line

The ships are the former Holland America Line ships, with one of them confirmed as the previously named Veendam. The buyer of Veendam was SeaJets, which renamed the ships Aegean Majesty. Veendam left the Holland America fleet in August 2020 and was later sold by SeaJets to Victoria Cruises Line.

In the same fleet reduction, Carnival also sold the Amsterdam and the Rotterdam to an unnamed buyer, which was confirmed to be the British line Fred Olsen Cruises. The ships were renamed Bolette and Borealis. Maasdam was also offloaded to SeaJets and eventually was sold on to French-based Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC).

Long Stays In Port

According to the line, the ships will spend up to seven days in each port, enabling guests to immerse themselves in the destinations and local cultures.

Victoria Cruises Line CEO Olavs Zvinelis said, ”Victoria Cruises Line offers our customers a unique lifestyle that is completely new to the shipping industry. We provide rental cabins at affordable prices to clients who want to live on a boat and travel the world without any strings attached. It’s our mission to deliver a unique houseboat experience for our residents, who will live on board like a little family.”

According to the company, guests booking lowest-cost inside cabins can rent the space for $7,999 per month for two guests. Ocean-view cabins cost $10,999 per month for two people, and a suite with a veranda costs $34,999 per month for two guests.

In the line’s February 15 announcement, Zvinelis said that 50% of the staterooms and suites are booked and the majority of cruisers have chosen the unlimited, undefined rental period.

Zvinelis added, ”We have no competitors. Our value for money is by far the best, even compared to classic cruise ships. Rather than the ownership option, which is too costly for many, Victoria Cruises Line is proposing an intermediate solution: chartering. This will give people a much more affordable way to travel and live on a houseboat. In summary, a houseboat lifestyle can offer much more than a classic cruise.”

He said that if the line’s first two ships are a success, the company will expand.

Victoria Majestic Open For Bookings

The Victoria Cruises Line is accepting bookings for the 57,092 gross ton, 1,350-guest Victoria Majestic, but not for the 55,575 gross ton Victoria Amazing, a search on the site found.

The 10-deck Victoria Majestic has four restaurants, two pools, spa and fitness centers, a theater, a library and casino, and sports courts. Inside and oceanview staterooms are offered, as well as suites.

The sailings will call at destinations in the Caribbean, North and South America, Asia, Netherlands Indies, Australia, Africa, Arabian countries, Europe and Greenland, the route map on its website shows.

Stateroom rentals on the ships include all dining, beer and wine, internet access, self-laundry, weekly housekeeping, all onboard facilities and medical support.

First Steel Cut for Next Royal Caribbean Icon-Class Ship

Royal Caribbean News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 15, 2023

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Royal Caribbean International is striding quickly toward the next generation of cruise ships, and construction is now underway for the second Icon-class vessel, due to set sail in 2025.

The first steel was cut for the new ship on February 14, 2023, at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, in a traditional ceremony to mark the beginning of the vessel’s physical construction.

Steel Cutting for Next Icon-Class Ship

Little is known about the second Icon-class ship, but excitement is already high as the vessel’s construction has now officially begun. The traditional steel-cutting ceremony was attended by officials from Royal Caribbean International as well as Meyer Turku to celebrate the beginning of the venture that will further position Royal Caribbean as a world leader in oceangoing family getaways.

The ship has been in the planning stages for years, and the physical construction will last many months as blocks for the ship are built and assembled, key systems are put in place, and outfitting is completed.

Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

No debut date other than 2025 has yet been announced, nor have any details about the ship’s deployment, itineraries, or special features yet been revealed.

As a sister ship to the much-anticipated Icon of the Seas, the ship will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), and is sure to have a range of amazing neighborhoods and high-energy amenities, venues, and activities for everyone to enjoy.

Statistics for the ship are not yet finalized, but its weight is estimated to be approximately 250,800 gross tons, with a passenger capacity of roughly 5,600 guests at double occupancy, similar to sister ship Icon of the Seas.

Name Yet to Be Announced

No name has been announced for the second Icon-class ship, which is currently known only as “Project NB-1401” though the name should be revealed soon.

Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean

Traditionally, Royal Caribbean ships have somewhat related names, with the first vessel in each class bearing the class name. Therefore, Icon of the Seas is the first Icon-class ship.

Synonyms that could make possible names for the second ship include idol, epitome, essence, emblem, paradigm, luminary, and magnate. Of course, the name could be completely different as well.

About the Icon Class

The goal of Royal Caribbean’s new class of ships is to create a new era of vacations combining the best of all vacation types on land – resort getaways, beachside retreats, theme park adventures, and more.

To do so, the cruise line is creating innovative “neighborhoods” throughout the ship, integrating food and beverage services, onboard activities, gathering spaces, and more so that no one needs to compromise on what they prefer for their vacation.

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

While there is no guarantee that the new ship will be identical to Icon of the Seas, many of the features – such as the family-oriented Surfside neighborhood – are likely to be similar.

Further details about Icon of the Seas are being revealed in additional episodes of the cruise line’s “Making an Icon” video series, details that are sure to be similar to the second ship as well. Already, Icon of the Seas is the most anticipated cruise ship under construction, and when bookings opened, the vessel shattered single-day booking records for the cruise line.

Anticipation and excitement for the second Icon-class ship, as well as the third in the class, scheduled to debut in 2026, is sure to be high as well. Stay tuned to Cruise Hive for further updates on all of these outstanding ships!

Carnival Cruise Line Refines Upcoming Itineraries for Four Ships

Carnival Cruise News

Melissa Mayntz

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Feb 14, 2023

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Carnival Cruise Line Refines Upcoming Itineraries for Four Ships

Carnival Cruise Line is continuing to refine upcoming itineraries for four more vessels, with a total of eight sailings making relatively minor changes.

The first of the cruises to be changed is not setting sail until November 2023, however, giving booked guests plenty of time to make plans for the altered sailing or change their own travel plans if they prefer.

Four Carnival Cruise Ships Impacted

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on several upcoming sailings of four different ships with minor itinerary changes. The impacted ships are all in different classes, sailing from different homeports on the affected departure dates, with sailings ranging from November 2023 to March 2025.

Many of these changes are similar to nine other itinerary changes Carnival announced recently, impacting other ships but with similar slight alterations.

Carnival Spirit

The first cruise impacted is the December 23, 2023 sailing of Carnival Spirit, an 8-night roundtrip itinerary to The Bahamas from Mobile, Alabama. The ship was to have visited Princess Cays, Nassau, and Freeport, but will now replace Princess Cays with Bimini, instead. The order of the ports has also been reversed.

Carnival Freedom

Five itineraries have been adjusted on Carnival Freedom, all sailing from Port Canaveral. Three different types of changes impact these cruises, as follows (listed by departure date):

November 20, 2023 – Port order reversed and port times slightly modified.
December 4, 2023 – Port order reversed and port times slightly modified.
January 2, 2024 – Visiting Bimini instead of Princess Cays with a slight port time change.
March 30, 2024 – Port order reversed and port times slightly modified.
June 8, 2024 – Visiting Half Moon Cay instead of Princess Cays with slight changes to the port time.

Guests on the June 8 sailing should note that both Half Moon Cay and Princess Cays are private island destinations operated by Carnival Corporation, and will therefore offer similar experiences to enjoy.

Carnival Vista

Only one cruise is changed for Carnival Vista, a 6-night Eastern Caribbean sailing from Port Canaveral departing on March 3, 2024. For this one voyage, the ship will now be visiting Princess Cays rather than Half Moon Cay as originally planned. The remaining ports on the itinerary – Grand Turk and Amber Cove – remain unchanged.

Mardi Gras

Even the Excel-class Mardi Gras is not exempt from itinerary changes, as guests on the March 29, 2025 sailing are being notified (yes, more than two years in advance).

The change for the 7-night Exotic Eastern Caribbean sailing is minimal, however, simply reversing the order of ports of call from the originally planned route. The ship will still be visiting Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and Nassau, however. In addition to the reversed order, port times have also been slightly modified.

Cruise Contract Covers Changes

While guests may be frustrated or disappointed to learn that the cruises they have originally booked are being modified, Carnival Cruise Line is clear in its cruise ticket contract that the cruise line has the complete authority to make such changes.

In section 8(d), the contract clearly states, “Carnival may change the duration and/or itinerary of the cruise at any time,” which includes the ability “to omit or change any or all port calls, arrival or departure times, with or without notice, for any reason whatsoever.”

While all cruise lines do attempt to keep to their originally published itineraries, it is not uncommon to make slight adjustments as port schedules are refined, berthing space is adjusted for dock maintenance, or ship deployments are shifted, especially far in advance of sailings.

Given that the first of these altered itineraries is more than nine months away, guests have plenty of time to adjust their plans as needed or preferred.

MSC Cruises Increasing Presence in Spain, With 500 Calls

MSC Cruises News

Donna Tunney

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Feb 14, 2023

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MSC Cruises Increasing Presence in Spain, With 500 Calls

Spanish ports will figure prominently in MSC Cruises’ itineraries in 2023, when its ships will make more than 500 calls at popular destinations such as Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, Malaga, Cádiz and Tarragona.

The cruise line’s focus on Spain follows double-digit growth in the Spanish market last year and includes the home-porting of the mega-ship MSC World Europa in Barcelona this summer.

500 MSC Cruise Calls to Spanish Ports

MSC Cruises’ port call schedule this year reflects a 23% increase in visits to Spain compared to 2022, and will deliver 2 million-plus cruisers to Spanish ports, MSC said in a virtual press briefing on February 14.

20 MSC cruise ships will make 384 this summer out of more than 500 port of calls in Spain by the cruise line in 2023. During the summer, MSC will cruise to 140 destinations in 40 countries.

General Director of MSC Cruises in Spain Fernando Pacheco said, “Last summer we saw a growth of 20% in the Spanish market – compared to 2019 – and, with this excellent figure in mind, for this year we set ourselves the objective of expanding the number of departures from Spain.”

He said MSC is the only shipping company with seven embarkation ports in Spain, a distinction that reflects its commitment to bring Spanish ports closer to national cruise passengers.

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Pacheco added, “To achieve this, collaboration with port and local authorities has been essential. We have also developed an air connection plan to bring other destinations closer to our passengers.”

MSC World Europa to Sail From Barcelona

MSC World Europa was inaugurated in Doha, Qatar, on November 13, 2022. The cruise line’s first LNG-powered ship, built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, is operating 7-day winter cruises between Doha and Dubai, and longer voyages from Doha to Mediterranean ports.

The 6,850-guest ship will reposition to Barcelona for the summer series. Port calls from Barcelona will include Marseille, France; Genoa, Naples and Messina, Italy; and Valletta, Malta.

Port of Barcelona President Lluís Salvadó said, “We highly value the commitment that MSC makes both in terms of environmental sustainability and to increase the number of cruise passengers from the base port in Barcelona. Undoubtedly, this commitment will be reinforced shortly, since the company is expected to have its new terminal in Barcelona operational by 2024.”

MSC Euribia to Debut in June

In other updates at the briefing, MSC Cruises noted that its newest ship is set to debut in June 2023. The MSC Euribia, also powered by liquefied natural gas, will debut in Copenhagen and spend her maiden season in Northern Europe, sailing 7-night Norwegian fjords cruises.

Port calls will include the German port of Kiel, plus Hellesylt, Alesund and Flam, all in Norway, and other destinations. The 6,327-passenger ship will be the line’s third Meraviglia-Plus class ship and a sister ship to MSC Grandiosa, and MSC Virtuosa.

MSC Euribia Cruise Ship — Render Courtesy: MSC Cruises

According to Pacheco, “Together with MSC World Europa, MSC Euribia will play a key role in achieving our commitment to reach zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It is a unique ship, the second in our fleet powered by LNG, and will use a system advanced wastewater treatment system, as well as an underwater radiated noise management system to minimize the effects of vibrations on marine life.”

With its 2023 ship deployments, MSC Cruises said it will contribute the most capacity growth to the industry worldwide, representing a total capacity of 32.7%. With many of its ships calling at different Spanish ports, the company noted it will contribute to the local economies of the destinations.

Line Expands Air Services

MSC Cruises offers air service bookings to its embarkation ports, and this summer it will add direct flights from Valencia and Malaga for cruises in Northern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, expanding its existing air offers from the Madrid and Barcelona airports.

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An MSC statement said, “The included flights service allows cruise passengers to choose itineraries that start far from their location with a more affordable price and favoring a more comfortable and flexible way of traveling for the passenger, since transfers from the airport to the port are included. These advantages will make it even easier for Spanish travelers to book a worry-free holiday at sea.”

The cruise line said that it expects to transport some 60,000 Spaniards via its air booking service. Also, MSC Cruises’ “Stay & Cruise” pre-sailing package will continue to provide up to three nights of hotel accommodation in 4-star properties in Madrid and Barcelona.