Cruise News Update
Cruise Hive keeps you in the loop so you don’t miss any of the week’s most important cruise news. We have some important developments on Disney Cruise Line’s new ship, which is hitting a construction milestone, the increased tipping off Carnival cruises, longer Caribbean cruises for Holland America Line, NCL quietly adding another item to its banned list, bookings open for the future MSC World America Miami cruise ship and new Royal Caribbean venues revealed Icon of the seas.
Disney sweetheart construction milestone
Disney Treasures Fuselage assembly has begun on March 30th. The first component for the keel laying ceremony was placed in the impressive 500 meter long covered building dock.
This important first step in the shipbuilding process will be the ship’s bow block, which will weigh a whopping 719 tons, be 30.9 meters (101.3 ft) wide, 23.3 meters (76.4 ft) long and 12.6 meters (41, 3 meters) high is feet) in height.
The coin was placed just before the shipyard gave the signal to lower the massive bow block onto the brace and the coin, which was said to bring good luck – according to the lucky coin custom – as well as safe voyage for the ship and all its future passengers.
This highly anticipated new Disney cruise ship is said to have 1,240 cabins and a remarkable size of 144,000 gross tons. Upon completion in spring 2024, Disney will become Treasure will be the newest addition to Disney Cruise Line’s fleet.
Carnival Cruise Line increased fares begin
It’s no April Fool’s joke that Carnival Cruise Line is boarding from April 1st The tipping rates have now been increased.
For all embarkations on or after Saturday, April 1, the automatic gratuity rate for standard staterooms — inside, ocean view, and balconies — increased from $14.50 to $16 per guest per day, an increase of approximately 10% per day . The price for suite guests was $18 per person per day instead of $16.50.
Before the increase, automatic tips for the same family would have been $406 ($504 in suites). However, it should be noted that guests under the age of 2 are not automatically counted as tips.
While an increase in service fees is never welcome, the tipping rates, which Carnival begins April 1, are comparable to other cruise lines and their own increases over the past year.
Holland America opens longer Caribbean cruises
six ships, Eurodam, New Amsterdam, New Statendam, Rotterdam, VolendamAnd south embankment, will travel to the Caribbean for 2024-2025 Holland America Line Caribbean season. Most itineraries will be round-trips from Fort Lauderdale, and two new itineraries will depart from Boston.
Holland America Line’s Caribbean cruises will offer five- to 21-day itineraries covering Eastern, Western and Southern regions and will include Panama Canal cruises, continuing the brand’s efforts to create longer, more immersive voyages. Guests can also combine multiple cruises to create a unique Collectors’ Voyage.
New for this season is a unique 21-day Perfect Caribbean Escape round-trip cruise from Boston south embankment. Following that south embankment will be sailing a new 14-day “Southern Caribbean” itinerary from Boston to Fort Lauderdale beginning November 9th.
Another new 21-day Caribbean exploration cruise sails aboard from Fort Lauderdale VolendamDeparting January 4, 2025. Guests who wish to opt for a shorter cruise have a choice of several cruises in the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean Seas.
Guests booking the newly opened 2024-2025 Caribbean cruises with the premium Have It All package receive the standard amenities of shore excursions, specialty dining, a signature beverage package and surf WiFi. However, you also get free pre-paid Crew Appreciation, free upgrades to the Elite beverage package, and premium Wi-Fi.
Norwegian Cruise Line is adding a prohibited item
Norwegian Cruise Line’s list Forbidden Items now includes 31 different items. They are listed in the order each item was added to the list and the most recent addition is number 31 – “All types of fans including portable, battery powered, electric, etc.”
This will concern many cruise guests, who bring onboard fans of various sizes to help airflow in their cabins, white noise for better sleep, for drying wet swimwear or clothes, or just for personal comfort.
Many cruise lines ban electrical devices to ensure the ship’s electrical system is not affected by non-compliant items, but personal fans are generally an exception and are permitted on board.
With Norwegian Cruise Line’s banned list stating that all types of fans are not allowed, it appears that none of the cruise line’s current 18 ships will be allowed to have fans at all.
However, it is possible that the policy will be adjusted in the future to allow smaller fans or those that only use certain types of power sources to ensure they are safe onboard and compatible with the ship’s power system.
For example, fans that may use large batteries could still be banned regardless of their size, as large batteries are listed separately on Norwegian’s Prohibited List (number 20).
Cruises open for new MSC cruise ship from Miami
MSC Cruises, the Italy-based cruise line that has been gaining a foothold in the North American market in recent years, has begun Accept bookings for MSC World Americaa ship specially designed for the market, with new restaurants, bars and public areas.
The ship, with a gross tonnage of 205,700, will accommodate 5,240 guests and 2,138 crew members and will be commissioned in April 2025.
Once docked in Miami, the ship will operate 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. Eastern Caribbean routes lead to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in the Bahamas. The Western Caribbean cruises visit Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and the MSC Marine Reserve.
MSC Cruises also revealed some early booking incentives. Members of the line’s Voyager’s Club who book more than 12 months in advance of sailing date will receive a discount, a $50 onboard credit and double membership points for the selected cruise experience. Members who book even earlier, by April 12, 2023, will receive an additional $50 onboard credit.
MSC World America offers 2,626 staterooms and 420,000 square feet of public spaces. In PortMiami, the new ship will offer embarkation and disembarkation at MSC Cruises’ new Terminal AA/AAA, which is under construction.
New Icon of the seas Venues revealed
Royal Caribbean has conducted extensive market research to provide guests with exactly what they enjoy most during their vacation, and that research is reflected in new onboard bar offerings Icon of the seas.
The ship will feature more than 15 bars and lounges, ranging from new concepts to favorites from returning cruise lines. The cruise line revealed the new venues earlier in the week.
Certainly an instant hit, Dueling Pianos will make its debut Icon of the seas‘ Royal Promenade with energetic sing-along live music. Lou’s Jazz and Blues, a live jazz club, brings a new and distinctive vibe to Central Park.
Rye & Bean is an innovative all day bar with an evolving menu for different moods at different times and will be part of the AquaDome district on Deck 15. At the heart of the ship on Deck 5 will be the 1400 Lobby Bar, inspired by Icon of the seas‘ unique ship building number.
Another new venue will be Bubbles, a walk-in champagne bar for glasses, bottles and a signature cocktail to-go in Central Park on Deck 8.
The Overlook, an elevated lounge with amazing corners for breathtaking views, is sure to become another hotspot in the AquaDome district, just steps away from the popular Aquashows.
Next to the new bars and lounges Icon of the seas will also host popular venues popular across the fleet. These include the Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, Boleros, Schooner Bar, Music Hall, Spotlight Karaoke and more.
All these fantastic options will be available to guests when Icon of the seas debuting in PortMiami in January 2024, offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises to some of the most popular ports of call in the Caribbean.
More cruise headlines
It’s been just another busy week across the cruise industry and we have all the Cruise Hive coverage including a peek at Icon of the seas Accommodationsfuture new class Disney cruise ship to homeport in Singapore, big engine plans for Celebrity Cruises’ next Edge-class ship, new Carnival VIFP gifts begin, new ship register for Carnival Venice, Carnival Corporation business update, speed issues for Royal Caribbean Anthem of the Seas and so much more you can browse here.
Source: News Network
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