Carnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship, Mardi Gras, just spent two days at sea, giving guests the chance to explore every corner of the vessel fully. However, just after dinner last night, the vessel encountered something that drew the attention of the watch officer, Captain, Hotel Manager, and Carnival’s ambassador John Heald.
Mardi Gras Encounters Half-Sunken Ship and Activates Rescue Procedures
Just after 10 p.m. on Monday, August 2, Mardi Gras’ watch officer encountered a nearly entirely submerged ship with just the bow coming up from the ocean’s surface. As the ship was not a known wreck and not marked on any charts, Mardi Gras’ officers took immediate action.
With the powerful spotlights mounted on the ship, the Captain immediately changed course and scanned the vessel for any signs of life. Neither the half-sunken vessel nor the immediate surroundings showed any signs of human activity.
Mardi Gras Track (Photo Credit: John Heald)
As cruise director Chris was doing a show, it was up to Brand Ambassador John Heald to inform the guests of what was happening around the vessel. Unsurprisingly, with the ship making sudden course changes and the many spotlights searching the ocean for survivors, guests quickly caught up on what was happening.
“Now obviously the guests had seen this massive spectrum of light and the boat wreck and were lining the open decks and on their balconies so I switched myself over to soft spoken CD mode and let everyone know what was happening.”
“My announcement included the fact that we as a company were committed to aiding and helping those in peril on the sea. I explained that no distress fares had been sighted, that a full sweep of the area showed no signs of life and that the position of the wreck had been reported to the U.S. Coast Guard. Finishing with our hopes that those on the boat had been rescued I say goodnight.”
After the ship had performed a figure eight looking for any survivors, the vessel continued on its route to Puerto Rico.
Mardi Gras Arriving in San Juan (Photo Credit: Puerto Rico Tourism Company)
Rescues at Sea
As John Heald notes above, Carnival is committed to aiding those at sea. This has been shown multiple times, for example, in October of 2020 when Carnival Sensation came to the rescue of a small boat with 24 people on board. The boat was in distress in international waters 37 miles off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida.
A short while later, in November of 2020, Carnival Ecstasy came to the rescue of a crew member of a small yacht who had sustained multiple injuries around the Bahamas. The list of ship rescues is a long one and signifies that although cruising has become incredibly safe in the last 50 years, life at sea still has its dangers.
Carnival Ecstasy November 2020 Rescue
Life Onboard Mardi Gras
While the appearance of a mystery ship half sunk in the ocean was undoubtedly something guests will remember, life onboard Mardi Gras has been delightful for both the guests and the crew, it seems.
As John Heald reported: “Last night showed yet again how brilliantly designed this ship is. Everyone was out having fun, eating and drinking and enjoying the live entertainment and shows and the first round of Family Feud. Cucina del Capitano and ChiBang served wonderful food for no added charge with each restaurant serving 400 (Cuccina) and 600 (Chiang) people, all of whom enjoyed brilliant service and wonderful food.“
“The crew are still getting to know the galley and the service and the menus so things will only get better and it is easy to forget that this is the first cruise of a brand new class of ship and the first time these brilliant men and women have worked like this in 17 months.“
Mardi Gras is in Puerto Rico today on what is her first-ever port of call. After this call, Carnival’s newest mega-ship will sail to Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and, after a day at sea, Nassau in the Bahamas. She is expected to return to Port Canaveral on August 7.
The first of its kind, BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster is the most exciting, hotly anticipated feature to be introduced on a cruise ship in years – a rollercoaster! This thrilling attraction has debuted on Carnival Cruise Line’s new flagship, Mardi Gras, but what is a rollercoaster at sea really like? Cruise Hive brings you an exclusive, firsthand insight of what it’s really like to ride BOLT.
Since BOLT was first announced in 2018, the ride has generated much speculation about how a rollercoaster would be mounted and operated on a cruise ship. The project required multiple innovations and adaptations to ensure ride safety, ship integrity, and a truly outstanding experience, and BOLT delivers.
Designed and built by German manufacturer Maurer Rides, BOLT isn’t a rollercoaster in the classic sense in that it isn’t powered by gravity. Instead, it is an all-electric ride that gives the rider some control over the ride’s speed. Still, the look and feel of the ride is very much a rollercoaster, and an exciting, unique one at that.
Roller Coaster Going Around Mardi Gras Funnel (Photo Credit: MArc Mayntz)
BOLT is part of the Ultimate Playground on Mardi Gras, and is planned for Carnival Celebration debuting in 2022 as well. The track is 800 feet long and 187 feet above sea level, though it does not pass over the side of the ship and is never directly above open water.
The jazzy red and blue ride cars with their flashy lighting bolt accent can reach 35-40 miles per hour, depending on how much extra speed each rider chooses for their experience.
Where is BOLT Located?
BOLT is unmistakable to see as it circles the ship’s signature whale-tail funnel, but it can be a bit challenging to find once on the ship. The ride is located aft on Mardi Gras’ deck 19, though the entrance is on deck 18 and eager riders must climb stairs to reach the waiting and loading area for the coaster.
BOLT Roller Coaster Entrance (Photo Credit: Marc Mayntz)
The waiting area is covered with sun shades but there are no fans to circulate air, and on sunny days it can be a bit warm while waiting to board the ride. Guests are advised to reserve their ride on BOLT through Carnival’s Hub app, which should shorten wait times and help the experience go more smoothly.
Guests should note that the feature will not operate in adverse weather conditions, including high winds, and everyone should be patient as this new attraction is brought to full operation.
Ride Restrictions
BOLT is not suitable for everyone. Riders must be at least 52 inches (4 feet, 4 inches) tall to ride, and the maximum allowable height is 77 inches (6 feet, 5 inches). There is a weight limit as well, and each rider must be no more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms).
A test car is located near the ride’s entrance so guests can see how they feel in the seats and whether or not they will be comfortable riding BOLT.
Guests must be dressed appropriately to ride BOLT. No wet clothing or swimwear is permitted, and riders may not be wearing dresses or skirts. Close-toed shoes are also required, and riders may not go barefoot. High heels are also prohibited.
BOLT Roller Coaster Rules (Photo Credit: Marc Mayntz)
No loose articles are permitted, and riders must leave behind all cameras, phones, hats, wallets, keys, lanyards, and other items. Glasses and sunglasses may only be worn if they are firmly secured with a strap around the head. Individual cubbies are provided on the ride platform for guests to safely stow loose articles while riding.
Similarly, food, drinks, and gum are not permitted on BOLT.
Because of the nature of the ride’s motion and sudden acceleration, the roller coaster is not recommended for guests who may have heart, back, neck, or joint problems, or guests with structural body damage such as casts or amputations. Guests who may be pregnant or guests with health conditions such as epilepsy, high blood pressure, or fear of heights should also avoid riding BOLT.
The Ride Experience
Cruise Hive’s Managing Editor, also a rollercoaster enthusiast who has ridden more than 100 rollercoasters, had the pleasure and privilege of riding BOLT during Mardi Gras’ Sip and Sea day before the ship’s first sailing from Port Canaveral. How does the cruise ship thrill compare?
First, a warning – the ride has motorcycle-style seats that riders must straddle, rather than more traditional seating. Riders who may have joint or hip problems may find these firm seats, which are closer to ATV or jet ski size rather than motorcycles, uncomfortable or even painful during the ride.
Motorcycle for BOLT (Photo Credit: Marc Mayntz)
The handlebar grips, where the “driver” can control the ride’s extra speed, are comfortable to use and do not require excessive strength to activate. Single riders must ride in the front seat, and each car holds just two riders – a driver and a passenger. The seats are arranged so that even the passenger has outstanding views and can enjoy a great ride experience.
Before boarding, riders are instructed to leave behind all loose objects and empty their pockets into the cubbies provided in the loading/unloading area. Riders may also be weighed or measured to be sure they meet BOLT’s weight and height restrictions.
When you board, the ride operator will help secure the broad seat belt and ensure it is locked. The operator will also instruct the driver about how to control the ride’s extra speed. The rider in the back seat has no speed controls.
BOLT’s initial acceleration is a surprisingly intense thrill, yet not overwhelming. After a brief straightaway, the ride curves smoothly up and over the miniature golf course, banking slightly and completing a full 430-degree turn before turning yet again to run along the starboard side of the ship, above the jogging track.
Ride Track Over Lido (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Two “floater” hills along the ship’s starboard side provide brief weightless sensations, then the track curves to port around the iconic Carnival funnel. A bit of a dip after the track curves again brings BOLT back to the station, and riders disembark at the same location where they boarded.
The full ride lasts just about 25-30 seconds from first acceleration to returning to the station, depending on how much extra speed individual riders opt to use. At full operation, the ride can accommodate up to 190 passengers per hour.
Before riding, it may seem like it is little more than a kiddie coaster mounted on a cruise ship, but that impression is vastly misleading. The smooth acceleration and rider speed control, unique position far above the sea, and sheer thrill of riding a rollercoaster on a cruise ship make BOLT outstanding.
Photo Credit: Marc Mayntz
The zero-G sensation on the ride was also an unexpected and pleasant surprise, amping up the thrill factor and making BOLT a fine experience.
Riders seeking the maximum thrill and accustomed to the world’s most intense rollercoasters may find BOLT a bit mild and the ride experience short.
Considering the ride’s innovations, however, it truly is the ultimate thrill for Carnival’s Ultimate Playground, yet it’s not so strenuous that only the most daring riders can challenge it. Overall, BOLT is a fantastic addition to Carnival’s lineup of exciting attractions onboard Mardi Gras.
Tips for Riding BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster
As with any new attraction, whether it is at an amusement park or on a cruise ship, there will undoubtedly be glitches as BOLT is put to the test during Mardi Gras’ initial sailings. Guests should be patient and familiarize themselves with all requirements before riding. Reservations through the Carnival Hub App are highly recommended to avoid longer lines.
BOLT Sign (Photo Credit: Melissa Maytz)
While the ride itself is neither long nor extremely intense, riders subject to motion sickness may want to reconsider tackling the roller coaster. The broad seats can be painful on tender hips, and a couple of rough patches during the ride might aggravate existing pain. In general, however, the ride is smooth and exciting, perfectly appropriate for riders of different ages who enjoy a burst of thrill.
During the first few voyages of Mardi Gras, BOLT is priced at $15 per person per ride, though the cost may be adjusted as the ride’s operation is refined and passenger interest is determined.
Is BOLT a worthwhile ride? For the uniqueness of the experience, for the pride of conquering such an unusual thrill, and for being an overall part of Mardi Gras, absolutely. Let’s ride!
Planning your cruising activities shouldn’t be difficult, and cruise lines realize this. That’s why just about every cruise line now offers its own cruising app. For those taking a Carnival cruise in the near future, the Carnival Hub app is invaluable.
The features apply to just about every single aspect of your cruise and the app is useful not only during your cruise but also before and after.
But just like there’s a learning curve to most apps, there’s also a learning curve to the Carnival Hub app (no matter how easy it is to use!). If you’re planning an upcoming Carnival cruise and are interested in using the essential app to enhance your cruising experience, we have you covered.
We’re listing all the must-know things to understand about the app before you board the ship — no matter which of Carnival’s fun vessels you hop aboard for your next vacation.
From purchasing amenity packages to viewing menus, signing up for events to helping you stay connected to your fellow cruisers, the Carnival Hub app can do it all plus so much more. Keep reading for all the details.
The Carnival Hub app is relatively new, launching in 2015 aboard Carnival Breeze. The app helps you complete cruise-related tasks and make the most of your cruise both before and during your vacation.
The app is compatible with iOS and Apple devices that are equipped with iOS 11.0 and up (including iPods!) and is also compatible with Android and Google devices equipped with Nougat and later software updates.
You can use the app with your tablet, but just note that it may look a little funny. The app is meant to work on your cell phone only, so the sizing will be off when you open it on a tablet or non-cell phone device.
2. Which Ships Offer Carnival Ship App Services?
Every ship in Carnival’s fleet is equipped with the essential app! That means you can easily stay connected with friends and family and enjoy your cruise to the fullest no matter which Carnival cruise you choose.
3. Downloading the Carnival App
First things first, you need to download this app before you start your cruise. The app is available for both Android and IOS phones and tablets. If using an iPhone, it should be a version that is at least IOS 11.0 and above this includes iPods as well.
Apple Store
Prepare ahead and download the Carnival app before you board your ship. Free to download and use (save for a few special features), you can download the Carnival Hub app in a few places. You can look for the app by name in the Google Play orApple app store, or you can go straight to the Carnival Hub website to download the app. From there, the website will redirect you to either the app store or Google Play.
4. How Does it Work Before the Cruise?
You can do so much on your Carnival Hub app before you even set foot on ship! Before your cruise, the Carnival Hub app allows you to plan cruise activities, purchase gifts and services, schedule spa treatments, book shore excursions, purchase WiFi plans, make restaurant reservations, and check-in for your cruise.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
The app’s functions expand once you’re actually on your cruise, to include more capabilities, but, ahead of time, you have everything you need to start planning your dream cruise itinerary.
5. Accessing the App Once Onboard
Before you board your Carnival cruise, you’ll be able to log in to the app using your Carnival account and booking details. However, once you’re onboard the ship, you can access the app by first putting your phone into airplane mode and then accessing the ship’s WiFi, whether you’re using Carnival’s free WiFi or a paid WiFi plan. From there, log in to the app using your folio number and date of birth. Your folio number can be found on your Sail & Sign card.
6. Features
Once you’re onboard and logged into the Hub app via the free cruise ship WiFi, you’ll see access to all of the app’s features. At the top, you’ll see your cruising details, such as room number and muster station, as well as ship time. But beyond this, there are tons of features in the Hub app, which we’ll expand upon.
Photo Credit: Igor_Koptilin / Shutterstock.com
Take a look at the features you can find in the Hub app:
7. Contacts Section
This section allows you to add your fellow travelers to your contacts for use in the chat feature, if you decide to use it.
8. Chat Feature
The chat feature doesn’t come free with the Hub app, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the extra up-charge. For an additional $5, you can chat with the people in your contacts for the entirety of your cruise. It’s like being able to text, while at sea.
The chat feature is open to cruisers ages 13 and up; for younger cruisers to use the chat feature, parental consent is required. You can invite up to 50 different cruisers to a single group chat.
9. The What’s Happening Feature
The What’s Happening feature gives you full access to everything going on, on the ship, at any given time. You get day-by-day schedules for all of the activities (literally hundreds of activities during a single cruise) and you can view the cruise’s most popular activities, too (in case you want to avoid the most crowded ones, or check out the fan favorites).
Activities on Carnival Hub App (Image Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line)
There’s also a day-by-day schedule for all the kids activities, so you can keep tabs on what’s available for the youngest cruisers in your party, as well as receive notifications and reminders for children’s programming check-in and check-out times, so you can manage your child’s schedule just as easily as your own.
Each schedule includes activity times and locations. You can also set reminders for events you want to attend.
10. Open and Closing Times
Don’t make your way to your favorite cruise ship restaurant, only to find it closed when you arrive. Check all of the ship’s open and close times via the app.
11. Food and Drinks
Find all of your ship’s dining options in one place. Learn more about restaurants, foodie events and find menus for each option on board. On some ships, you can even make reservations via the Hub app, or check in for your reservations.
Food and drink options on the Hub app also allow you to order drinks and pizza, as well as other items. To place an order, just pick out your food and beverage options, mark your location on the ship’s map, take a selfie to identify yourself and wait. Options range from gourmet to classic pizzas, beer to soda to bottled water.
As of 2021, new food and drink capabilities on the Hub app allow you to scan QR code menus at all dining venues, in case you want to avoid physical menus.
12. Ship Map
Don’t get lost! The Carnival Hub app’s ship map keeps you on the right track, with detailed deck plans that show you where staterooms, venues, and more are all located.
Worried you might be spending a little too much cash during your cruise? Keep tabs on all of those drink costs and charges your kid is running up at the arcade, with an easy account balance feature that allows you to see what every guest in your party has been buying.
14. Pixel Photos
If you want to snag one of those photos that a crew member took of you and the family, just go to the Pixel Photos section of your Carnival Hub app and view the photos before purchasing.
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz
You can order either digital or physical copies of the photos; the former will be sent straight to your device while the latter will be delivered to your stateroom. Just note, this feature isn’t available on every cruise.
15. Shore Excursions
If you’ve yet to book your shore excursions, you can do so straight from the app. Browse all your options and pick the best shore excursions for you and your family. Just don’t wait too long — the excursions book up pretty quickly!
16. Internet Options
If you didn’t purchase a WiFi package for your cruise ahead of time, you can do so on the Carnival Hub app during your cruise at any time.
If you find that you’re just not enjoying the ship’s free WiFi (which doesn’t allow access to most of your data-heavy websites, like streaming services and social media channels), you can purchase a package that’s more tailored to your needs.
17. Good to Know Section
A FAQ section of the Hub app helps you better navigate your cruise. If you have a question, the Carnival team has answers.
18. Feedback Section
Having problems with the app or wish it could be improved in a certain way? Give your feedback in the app’s feedback section.
19. Virtual Queuing
Who has time on a cruise to wait around in line or wait around for a seat? All that waiting is gone, thanks to the app’s virtual reservations and queuing capabilities. Now, you can reserve your seats virtually from the app, and check in to virtual queues as well.
As more travelers value health and safety precautions taken by their travel providers, Carnival delivers with features that allow you to submit health info and take health questionnaires before you board the ship. Then, during your cruise, you’ll receive safety- and health-related notifications as necessary.
What are You Waiting For?
There’s a reason that the Carnival Hub app has been downloaded more than 8 million times. It’s extremely handy and well-loved by Carnival travelers, whether you’re a frequent cruiser or a first-time cruiser. So, what are you waiting for? Download the Carnival Hub app now and be prepared for your next cruise.
Yes! The Carnival Hub app is free to download and use on your cruise ship’s free WiFi. You’ll only pay for extra, in-app purchases, such as food delivery, photo orders or group chat usage. The app’s group chat functionality is $5 for the duration of your cruise and allows you to chat with up to 50 different fellow cruisers at once.
How to download the Carnival Hub App?
You can download the Carnival Hub app in a few places. You can look for the app by name in the Google Play or Apple app store, or you can go straight to the Carnival Hub website to download the app. From there, the website will redirect you to either the app store or Google Play.
The app is compatible with iOS and Apple devices that are equipped with iOS 11.0 and up (including iPods!) and is also compatible with Android and Google devices equipped with Nougat and later software updates.
What ships does the Carnival Hub App work on?
The Carnival Hub app works on all Carnival ships. Select app features are not available on all ships, such as the Pixel Photos feature that allows you to order cruise photos straight to your device or to be delivered to your stateroom.
Construction has officially started on the first next-generation Princess cruise ship by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. The new vessel will be powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the first of two 175,000 gross-ton cruise ships.
First Sphere-Class for Princess Cruises
Even though Princess Cruises and parent company Carnival Corporation has been heavily hit by the suspension of operations, the cruise line continues to move forward with new ships. It’s a major milestone on September 3 as the first steel cutting took place at the San Giorgio di Nogaro (Udine) facility at Centro Servizi Navali. It’s not the shipyard as this is the company specializing in sheet metal production for Fincantieri.
It does now mean that physical construction has now started rather than just the design and planning stage. The ship will be the first Sphere-class for Princess Cruises and take the cruise line into a new era of ship design powered by LNG, the marine industry’s most environmentally friendly fuel technology, and the world’s cleanest fossil fuel.
Other Carnival cruise brands, including AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line, already operate new LNG-powered cruise ships, a new trend across the industry as new ships are constructed.
Steel Cutting for Sphere-Class princess Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Fincantieri)
So the yet-to-be-named Sphere-class vessel will be 175,000 gross tons and will have a guest capacity of 4,300. The cruise line has yet revealed no other details. The new ship is currently scheduled to be completed in November 2023. A second identical vessel will also be completed in 2025.
Princess Cruises operates 14 cruise ships currently, including the newest ship in the fleet, Enchanted Princess, which joined the fleet in 2020. Five Royal-class ships are currently the newest class in the fleet, but they are not powered by LNG and have a gross tonnage of around 145,000 depending on the ship.
The cruise line was forced to sell two of its older vessels due to the global pandemic that hit the cruise industry hard. Sun Princess and Sea Princess were both sold in 2020 and are not operated under new owners.
Cruise Hive will keep readers updated as Princess Cruises reveals more details about its first new Sphere-class cruise ship, including first renders, itineraries, and ship features.
Embarking on a cruise can have you feeling as though you are entering a strange foreign land with a whole new language to learn and decode. English is the onboard language used most often but the cruise ship terminology and lingo used can leave you unable to decipher what is being spoken about.
Thankfully, there is an easy way to get your head around this foreign tongue. This quick guide with on cruise lingo such as Bow vs. Stern and Aft vs. Forward will help you to find your way around these foreign terms and have you familiar with the lingo before you step aboard. Read on to navigate the language of the seven seas with confidence.
Aft and Forward: The aft of a ship is the rear, while the front of the ship is referred to as forward.
Atrium: This is a multi-deck area of a cruise ship that is located in the central part of the ship, near to shops, cafes and elevators. The atrium can be of any length and varies from two to even ten decks in height.
Bow vs. Stern: The very front of the ship is referred to as the bow. The bow has been designed for it to easily glide through water. The shape that a bow takes is determined by the type of boat or ship, the speed of the vessel and the type of water it needs to navigate.
The stern is at the rear of the ship or boat and is located at the opposite end from the bow, the front of the vessel. It refers to the area that is constructed around the sternpost, the principal upright post at the rear end of a ship.
Bridge: The bridge is the area from which the captain steers and navigates the ship and from which the ship is commanded.
Photo Credit: Ceri Breeze / Shutterstock.com
Crossing: A crossing refers to the voyage a ship takes across water to get to a particular destination.
Deck Plan: The deck plan refers to the plans that show what type of staterooms are located on every deck on a cruise ship, as well as the other facilities and rooms on deck including elevators, shops, restaurants and theaters.
Departure Port: This is the port or point from which your cruise begins and ends.
Galley: The galley is the location of the ship’s kitchen. Cruise ships usually have many galleys because of the large number of meals they need to prepare daily.
Gangway: The ramp that you’ll utilize to enter the ship as well as to disembark.
Gratuities: These monetary amounts are an expression of thanks from passengers for the service they received throughout a cruise. Gratuities for groups are usually included along with the passenger’s final payment.
Hull: The hull is the ship’s exterior.
Keel: This is the middle and central part of a ship that extends from the bow to the stern.
Lido Deck: “Lido” refers to beach in Italian and the lido deck on a ship encompasses the deck that has swimming pools and bars. Much programming based on swimming pool activities happens on this deck and it is one of the upper-most ship’s decks.
Open Seating: This refers to being able to sit anywhere where there are unoccupied tales in the ship’s dining areas. It is an alternative seating arrangement to fixed dining table arrangements.
Port: This is the ship’s left side when viewed from the perspective of it facing forward. The left-hand side and the port side of the ship both mean the same thing.
Port of call: A port of call refers to one of the destinations on a cruise where you will most likely be able to disembark and experience shore excursions.
Port Expenses: Every port of call that you arrive at on your cruise will levy a charge that is based on local taxes and fees. These charges usually come as an additional cruise expense, as cruise companies don’t usually charge for port expenses and other taxes.
Portholes: These are the circular windows in ship’s cabins.
All Photos By: Melissa Mayntz
Promenade: The promenade is the open area that extends over the entire length on either side of a cruise ship. Some ships have decks that completely encircle the ship.
Repositioning Cruise: A repositioning cruise occurs when a cruise liner has to move from one part of the world to another. These cruises often occur with a change in seasons and are also frequently economically priced.
Single Supplement: This is an additional amount that is charged because cruise fares are based on double occupancy. Some cruise ships can charge double the rate for a single fare while others have a few single cabins available that will cost single travelers the same as double occupancy rates.
Starboard: Starboard refers to the right side of the ship when viewed from the position of the ship facing forward.
Thruster: This is a propulsion device that is fitted either on the bow or the stern of a ship. They are smaller than the ship’s propellers and allow for greater maneuverability at lower speeds, making docking easier. Large ships can have a number of bow and stern thrusters.
Cruise Casual: This is the term referred to for the dress code at dinner on most nights onboard a cruise ship. Men can wear casual wear such as slacks, jeans, dress shorts and sports shirts. Women are able to wear casual dresses, pants, capri pants as well as dressy jeans.
Cruise Elegant: On these nights it’s advised that passengers wear more formal wear such as dress pants, dress shirts, and sport coats for men. Women should wear cocktail dresses, skirts and more formal pantsuits.
Formal Night: On longer cruises, there will be at least two formal dressing nights. These involve wearing formal suits or tuxedos for men and evening gowns for women. This dress code is not an absolute requirement although it is appreciated.
With the cruise industry making a comeback, so are Cruise Hive’s annual Cruise Ship Awards. Voting has opened, and readers can now choose their favorite. This is now the seventh consecutive awards, but voting remains open for a limited time, with the results announced towards the end of the year.
Cruise Ship Awards 2021 Now Open
Cruisers don’t just have the return of cruise ships to look forward to, but also the 2021 Cruise Ship Awards. The annual Cruise Hive awards are fully open, where readers can vote once in each of the seven categories. Voting will remain open until towards the end of December, with the results announced before the year’s end.
It follows a tough time for the industry after most cruise lines remained suspended for most of 2020 and at least half of 2021.
However, with many cruise lines now having multiple cruise ships back sailing, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, and MSC Cruises, it’s now a great time to get voting and begin getting excited about all the stunning destinations and cruise ships.
Cruise Ship Awards 2021
For the 2021 awards, there are seven categories, including Best Cruise Line, Most Anticipated New Cruise Ship for 2022, Best New Cruise Ship of 2021, Best Cruise Ship Feature, and Best Cruise Homeport in the U.S.
There’s also a new category where voters can enter their favorite cruise ship so we can find out which cruise ship is ultimately the best in the industry. With cruise line private islands becoming an important part of cruise itineraries, the new Best Cruise Line Private Island & Destination category is also added.
The 2021 Cruise Ship Awards also has the option for voters to add their own choice if it’s not already on the list. This opens the door to cover the entire industry. And if there are any suspicious votes, they will be removed.
For some more insights into the awards, you can also backtrack back to 2014, the year we first started with the awards, which was named The Great Cruise Vote. Over the years, categories have been adjusted to cater to an ever-changing industry, and in the years to come, there are already plans to expand with more categories.
Big news from Norwegian Cruise Line with the announcement that Norwegian Prima will homeport in Galveston, Texas in 2023 and 2024 following the ship’s inaugural season.
The company also announced a massive amount of entertainment options that will feature onboard, including the first-ever three-level 1,378 feet long racetrack with the Prima Speedway and its first-ever freefall drop dry slides.
Norwegian Prima to Homeport in Galveston for 2023 & 2024
Norwegian Cruise Line becomes the next cruise line to homeport one of its newest ships in Galveston, Texas. The cruise port is becoming more and more popular, and from 2023 Norwegian Prima will be visiting the port to embark new guests every week.
The ship is still under construction in Italy but is expected to cost the cruise line $850 million when completed. The 142,500 gross ton vessel will have space for 3,215 guests at double occupancy.
Norwegian Prima will sail on her maiden voyage on August 17, 2022, on an itinerary from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Reykjavik, Iceland, with stops in Zeebrugge, Bergen, and Geiranger in Norway, and Akureyri and Isafjordur in Iceland.
On further cruises, the ship will be calling in a wide variety of ports in the UK, Belgium, and France before heading to Bermuda, New York, and Miami. She will then sail to her new homeport of Galveston.
From Galveston, the ship will be the only vessel offering Western Caribbean cruises to Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Harvest Caye, in Belize, which is exclusive to guests of NCL; and Roatan Island, Honduras. As guests expect from Norwegian Cruise Line, all visits will include between eight and nine hours in port.
New Entertainment and Acitvites on Offer
NCL doesn’t seem to be taking it easy on its newest ship by revealing some impressive expanded and new features onboard.
First Three-Level Racetrack at Sea (Rendering Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line)
NCL already features a racetrack onboard Norwegian Encore but is taking it one step further onboard Norwegian Prima. The new track will be 1378 feet long (420 meters) and cover three levels. The Prima speedway will go around and through the vessel’s funnel, feature 14 turns for 15 drivers in go-karts that will reach 30mph.
“We’re not just elevating the guest experience, we’re giving it an adrenaline rush and multisensory overload,” said Harry Sommer, president, and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. “When we launched Norwegian Prima, we aimed at going beyond expectations, providing our guests with more wide-open spaces, elevated service, thoughtful design and a variety of unforgettable experiences, and this latest unveiling of our entertainment and onboard activities lineup is going to have the wow-factor they’ve yearned for in a much-anticipated cruise vacation.”
The Drop slide on Norwegian Prima (Rendering Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line)
The racing doesn’t stop there though; the ship will have the world’s first freefall dry slide called The Drop, where users will experience a 10-story plunge reaching the highest G-forces of any cruise line and two more dry slides called The Rush where passengers can race each other down the slides.
Norwegian Prima Open Deck with Water Slides (Rendering Courtesy: Norwegian Cruise Line)
Making its splashing first appearance on Norwegian Prima as part of the ship’s Aqua Park and Main Pool area, will be the Brand’s first Tidal Wave waterslide featuring gushing surfs where guests can ride an innertube to catch the perfect wave. Guests looking to relax can do so in either one of two infinity hot tubs or under the area’s cascading water feature.
Onboard entertainment comes in the form of “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical.”, brought by the production team that introduced “Jersey Boys” to Norwegian Bliss guests. The Musical will feature a score of more than 20 of Summer’s mega-hits and will last for 75 minutes.
Norwegian Prima Multi-Purpose Venue (Photo by andrewmacrobert.com)
There will be a state-of-the-art multi-purpose venue which will be a theater and a nightclub. The three-level venue will be groundbreaking with seamlessly converting spaces with a customized layout and moving LED screens. Norwegian Prima will also feature interactive real-life game shows including “The Price Is Right,” “Supermarket Sweep,” and much more. One thing is for sure; guests will not be bored onboard!
The new-class vessel is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera. The ship is already in the final outfitting phase after floating out of its dry dock in August.
The cruise industry is already above 80% of what 2020’s numbers were. While continuing to lag behind the number of people who traveled in 2019, this is a promising sight to see in an industry that many of us thought might not prevail.
Now that we can reschedule those cruises once more, where are some popular destinations?
Mexico has always been a hot spot for tourists. Costa Maya, Mexico is a beautiful port that gets swept under the rug by Cancun and other, more popular areas including the cruise destination of Cozumel, just 130 miles away. However, it sports all the beauty and wonders Mexico has to offer.
Where is Costa Maya exactly? It sits just south of Cancun about 80 miles and has seen a spark in the tourist industry since the mid-2000s. Before then, Costa Maya was just a sleepy Mexican fishing village.
Now it boasts a healthy influx of tropical cruises and tourists, all vying for a glimpse of hidden tropical beauty.
Costa Maya encompasses dense jungles, Mayan ruins, and world-renowned diving. We won’t find sky-rise buildings like downtown Cancun hidden in the reprieve of Costa Maya.
In fact, the Mexican port prides itself on a small-town Mexican village atmosphere with pristine waters and authentic villages. Sitting just north of Costa Maya lies the UNESCO Heritage Site of Sian Ka’an Reserve.
Costa Maya, Mexico (Photo Credit: NAPA / Shutterstock)
Making the drive or tour excursion there is well worth our time. The over 1 million acre refuge is full of rainforests, monkeys, and lagoons. Many tour operators schedule day trips to the region.
While this is a great opportunity to see the wonders of the nature of Mexico, Costa Maya is also surrounded by local Mayan villages.
We remember the famous Chichen Itza, right? It is a wonderful site to see the extent of the architectural capabilities of Mayans if visiting the northern portion of the Yucatan.
However, Chichen Itza isn’t the only lasting Mayan influence. Many Mayans still live in Mexico and scheduling tours through local villages near Costa Maya gives the local people a chance to profit off of tourism (an income for them) and we get a chance to see local cultures.
Puerto Costa Maya
The Puerto Costa Maya port started construction around the 1990s, although as noted earlier, tourists didn’t start arriving until the early to mid-2000s. Hotels started to dot the beachside property, although it still took a while for tourism to really kick up and make it all worth it.
Roads and electricity were a bit further to lag behind, surprisingly. Initially, the closest shops to the beach were running on diesel or gas generators.
The port known also as Puerto Costa Maya was born out of the idea of establishing this port for tourism and that is exactly where the name came from.
Cruise Ship Docked at Costa Maya (Photo Credit: Nazar Skladanyi / Shutterstock.com)
Tourism has largely kicked up in the port and trickled out to the surrounding areas. The emphasis has always been on “eco-tourism” meaning we won’t find any of those high-rise hotels. Most places still have an architecture that hints at simpler times.
Nowadays, taxis and buses are parked at the port to take tourists on various tours. We also favor renting four-wheel-drive vehicles if visitors are craving the need for a little bit of added adventure.
With the roads now paved, it is easier to navigate to the highways and there shouldn’t be any problems finding major sites, such as the Mayan ruins.
The top two main goals of developing Costa Maya’s port are to improve the golf industry and dive or water businesses. By sitting right on top of the world’s second-largest barrier reef, Costa Maya should not have any problem in boosting their diving tourist industry.
Hurricane Dean
In 2007, a massive hurricane wreaked havoc through the Yucatan region. It devastated Costa Maya for a while, with many cruise ships having to cancel their stops at the once pristine port.
At the time, it was the second busiest port in Mexico. Mahahual experienced the most damage from Hurricane Dean which topped out as a Category 5 hurricane.
They lost hundreds of buildings from damage and the Costa Maya port lost another 50% of its infrastructure. Part of this included three ship berths. The initial estimate was that the port would be closed for at least half a year to rebuild.
Building in Mahahual (Photo Credit: VIDEOLIFT / Shutterstock)
Unfortunately, that was a much too positive estimate and it took Costa Maya longer to rebuild its port and city. When the first cruise ships started to come back, the economy was being devastated by the housing market crash and tourism dropped.
Combined with an increasing gang and drug violence, it took a few more years for Costa Maya to get back on its feet. After crashing into the spotlight in the early 2000s, Costa Maya was knocked back down in 2007.
However, as time would tell—the port and region ended up recovering and it is still a booming cruise ship destination today.
Diving or Snorkeling
It would be a shame to mention all of the wonders of Costa Maya without highlighting one of its best features.
As we roll into port in Costa Maya it is hard not to be awe-struck by the beautiful waters. What causes such pristine waters?
The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System encompasses over 1,000 kilometers and provides divers an experience of a lifetime. The famous diving spots of Belize are part of these waters.
Snorkel Bay at Costa Maya (Photo Credit: CathyRL / Shutterstock.com)
What we have not yet heard about is the secret diving spots of Costa Maya. With similar beauty to its neighboring countries and dive spots, Costa Maya is every diver’s dream. If scuba diving is of interest, check out the dive shops in Mahahual and Xcalak.
Mahahual is a great place for us as we travel on Mexican cruises. It is also the closest beach area. It is only about two miles away and you can get there on a shuttle or taxi.
Diving is a must for seeing clear blue waters, abundant marine life, and shipwrecks.
Many of us are not equipped with proper certifications or training to handle the deeper dives. Not to worry—Costa Maya boasts a plentiful amount of snorkeling spots for the more relaxed tourist.
Mayan Ruins
If we aren’t feeling like diving in the deep blue, heading into the dense jungles for Mayan ruins sounds like an appealing alternative. Many cruises to Mexico highlight Mayan ruins and we don’t have to look far.
The Temples of Chacchoben is a fairly new restoration project that dates back to as early as 200 B.C. Although it was discovered in the mid 20th century, it wasn’t fully renovated until 1994. Additionally, it wasn’t available to the public until cruises started to dock at the Costa Maya, Mexico port in 2002.
Chacchoben Mayan Site (Photo Credit: Nenad Basic / Shutterstock)
We have the option at Chacchoben to hire a guided tour or wander around ourselves. However, sometimes it is difficult to understand quite what is going on because of limited signs and information.
The ruins include three temples and are sure to leave us wanting to see more of the incredible Mayan architectural sites. A smaller village lies off of Highway 307. Limones is a much smaller site but also has a pyramid that is easily spotted.
Bacalar
On our adventure, we can travel outside of Costa Maya to visit the lakeside town of Bacalar. This mystical village sits right on the beautiful Laguna de Bacalar lake. We can choose to wander the streets in search of local boutiques and restaurants or head over to one of the most famous cenotes in Mexico.
Bacalar Lake and Cenotes (Photo Credit: Rubi Rodriguez Martinez / SHutterstock)
A cenote is a sinkhole that often holds aqua blue waters and is very common in the Yucatan Peninsula. Bacalar hosts one of the deepest cenotes in Mexico, called the Cenote Azul.
The nice thing is we don’t have to be scuba certified and if diving freaks us out (it does for a lot of us) then relaxing in a cenote is a great replacement. One thing is for certain, at just a short drive from the Costa Maya port, Bacalar is teeming with potential for a boost in tourism.
Mahahual
Mahahual is Costa Maya’s largest town—although large is relative in this instance. At a population estimate of less than a thousand, Mahahual is relatively unknown in Mexico.
What once was a small fishing village has now extended industry to include tourists from Mexican cruises.
Aerial view Malecon de Mahahual Costa Maya (Photo Credit: XAMAN / Shutterstock)
Mahahual is a great place to explore. It has anywhere from pristine beaches to world-class scuba diving. It also houses some great authentic Mexican food, and let’s be honest—who doesn’t love that?
When heading to Mahahual, be sure to check out some paddle boarding or kayaking over some of the most amazing azure blue waters we have seen.
If we want to relax, then how about a hammock over the ocean? The local beach clubs will usually let visitors camp out on the beach all afternoon if they purchase drinks or food. For us, that is well worth the bargain.
The local shops are something fun for the whole family to explore and adding on a bike rental can make the experience even more memorable. By wandering the streets and local vendors, there is plenty of hand-crafted Mexican souvenirs that can be purchased.
Not only does buying from locals help their economy and livelihood but then there will be something memorable to remember the area by. Mahahual may no longer be just a small, quaint fishing village in the future—be sure to check it out before the rest of the world finds out.
Costa Maya Port Activities
The namesake of Costa Maya comes from this Mexican port where multiple cruise ships are often found docking.
Surprisingly, many people opt to not get off of cruise ships when they port or they simply don’t want to wander too far. While much of Costa Maya’s beauty is in the surrounding area of the port, there is still a lot to do close to the cruise ship.
Costa Maya Port Area (Joe Pace / Shutterstock.com)
We love to hang out by the water and drink in the beautiful sights—which always should include a pina colada.
The aviary is also close by and lets tourists take a closer look at some exotic birds while seeing the sights of the Costa Maya Port from higher up. Additionally, there are dolphins right in the port area for an up-close encounter. And let us be honest, who doesn’t love dolphins?
This is also a great opportunity for kids to have something fun to do while close to the cruise ship.
Lastly, the Mayan Healing Rituals lets tourists be a part of the authenticity of the Mayan culture without needing to venture all the way to Chaccoben.
FAQ
Can I currently book a cruise to Costa Maya
Yes. Cruise lines have resumed operations to Costa May, Mexico including Carnival Cruise Line which offers more itineraries to the port than most others.
Is Costa Maya kid-friendly?
Definitely! There are plenty of things close to the port such as shops, dolphin encounters, and beaches. You don’t have to venture far to find something for everyone.
Will my excursion cover the cost of transportation?
If you don’t want to tax places, then look towards excursions for all-inclusive packages. They typically include transportation, entry cost, and sometimes food or drinks.
Cruises to Mexico
Costa Maya is a great place for the whole family to have something to do. Better yet, it is still relatively unknown to the rest of the world. In a world where social media is bound to expose some neat wonder, take advantage of the opportunity to go somewhere absolutely pristine.
In this hectic world we live in, we want our travel plans to be made easy. Having one place that is up to date on cruise ships will make trip planning and the experiences worth it.
Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea, will build a new cruise terminal in Ravenna, Italy. The city is located in the northeast of Italy on the Adriatic coast. It is an excellent base of operations for the eastern Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, and the Western Mediterranean.
The company was awarded the tender to construct and operate the innovative new 10,000-square-meter, 27 million euro, cruise terminal in Porto Corsini, a short drive from the center of Ravenna.
Royal Caribbean Partnership with Ravenna Port Authority
The tender to build a new terminal building in Ravenna is the first step for Royal Caribbean, private investment company VSL Club SpA and the port authority in Ravenna to operate and revitalize the port area in the city.
The partnership seeks to transform the port area into a new terminal building, a Park of Dunes green space project, 12 hectares of landscaping, entertainment areas for visitors and residents, and a focus on making the entire area sustainable. The new terminal building will also have the capability for shore-power, enabling ships to turn off their engines in port.
Photo Credit: Joe Hendrickson / Shutterstock.com
With the negative impact of large cruise ships in Venice and the negative public perception that has given to cruising, the industry has been searching for new initiatives in the area. Ravenna will be ideally suited to act as a homeport for cruise ships when it is completed in 2024.
Located just 140 km from Venice, the historic city can still be part of a cruise visit, either as a pre-or post-cruise experience or as a port of call. Other important ports such as Split and Dubrovnik in Croatia, Kotor in Montenegro, and the Greek Islands and other Italian ports are all within easy reach of the new terminal building.
The amount of passengers passing through the terminal is expected to increase to 300.000 per year, making it not just an exciting investment opportunity for the Royal Caribbean Group. The terminal will be able to offer significant employment opportunities for locals; estimates are between 100-200 people who will find employment during homeporting operations.
Royal Caribbean Expects Strong Tourism Rebound
The Royal Caribbean group is well known for investing and developing areas that they believe can play a significant role in the rebound of cruising this year and the following years. Although a majority of cruise ships are operational right now, the industry is expected to take some time to return to pre-pandemic numbers. Yet significant growth will be possible with investments such as in Ravenna, Royal Caribbean believes:
“We are so honored to partner with the Ravenna Port Authority on this exciting cutting-edge project which will return growth to Ravenna and bring a new era of cruising to the region. Royal Caribbean has assembled a world-class team that is committed to a high-quality experience through sustainable development while embracing the extraordinary natural beauty and warm hospitality this region has become so well known for.” said Joshua Carroll, vice president, Destination Development at Royal Caribbean Group.
Photo Credit: Port Ravenna
At a press conference in Ravenna this week, Daniele Rossi, president of the Ravenna Port Authority, said:
“The fact that an international cruise operator of such worldwide importance as Royal Caribbean Group has decided to invest in our port is an important signal for the entire Ravenna area. I’d particularly like to underline in this regard that the professionalism and reliability of Royal Caribbean Group are, among other things, demonstrated by the fact that the proposal presented takes into the greatest consideration the issue of environmental sustainability and is based on a very thorough analysis of the territorial context in which it will have to be inserted.
Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia and engineering consultants at RINA Consulting will design the new terminal building. When the terminal is not facilitating cruise ships, the terminal and walkways will be accessible to the public. It will also function as a multifunctional building housing sports competitions, artistic and literary presentations, and much more.
