Archives for March 2021

The last couple of weeks has seen a flurry of cruise news all about Royal Caribbean restarting cruises outside the United States, and I've got a breakdown of what was announced and what it all means.Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...You can subscribe to the Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast via iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher or RSS. Source: royalcaribbeanblog.com … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean took delivery of Odyssey of the Seas, the 25th cruise ship in their fleet.  Royal Caribbean has more ships in their fleet than any other cruise line in the world.The honored maritime tradition of taking delivery of a new vessel took place virtually and the new cruise ship will debut in Israel before moving to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in November. Odyssey of the Seas is Royal … [Read more...]

Odyssey of the Seas was delivered today to Royal Caribbean, and we have our first look at some areas around the ship.The 25th ship in the fleet, Odyssey was handed over today during a virtual ceremony.Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley, and Master of Odyssey of the Seas Captain Per Kristoffersen received … [Read more...]

There’s a golden rule about cruise fares: Prices are cheapest when school is in session. The reason is simple. When the kids are out of school — Spring Break, Christmas holidays, and summer — families have an easier time with being able to take time off to cruise. That leads to more demand for cabins. When school is in session, however, it’s hard for families to find the time to set sail. As a … [Read more...]

Another cruise line has made the decision to require a COVID-19 vaccine for passengers when they resume operation. Windstar Cruises made the decision based on the best health and wellness interests of its guests, crew, and the places their yachts visit.Christopher Prelog, Windstar’s President, called it the most responsible course of action for a return to operation. “Vaccination is … [Read more...]

Today, Wednesday the 31st of March, Swan Hellenic announced that interest in its cultural expedition cruises is translating into buoyant bookings across the board. Driven by renewed consumer confidence, this uptick is particularly strong for the iconic company’s cruises of New Zealand & the Pacific Islands, UK & Northern France, the Scottish Islands and Antarctica. Indeed, its Antarctic … [Read more...]

The owner of Japan's largest cruise ship, Asuka II, said Wednesday it will build an even bigger yet eco-friendly 51,950-ton ship with completion aimed for 2025, anticipating a post-pandemic recovery in travel demand. Passenger capacity will be reduced to about 740, or 85 percent of that of the 50,444-ton Asuka II, which was built in 1990, operator NYK Cruises Co. said. The firm is expected to … [Read more...]

Count Royal Caribbean in among the cruise lines that will offer cruises from the UK this summer.Royal Caribbean announced Anthem of the Seas will begin sailing from Southampton beginning July 7, 2021.Anthem will offer a combination of 4-night cruises to nowhere in early July and 5- to 8-night British Isles cruises, starting 15th July, that feature visits to destinations such as … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean has announced that a sixth cruise ship will return to service this summer and the cruise line is giving away 999 cruises on the first sailing.Royal Caribbean has added four, five, and eight night sailings on Anthem of the Seas out of Southampton.  The cruise ship will begin sailing on July 7, 2021 and these newly announced cruises open for bookings on April 7. Plus, in … [Read more...]

ROYAL CARIBBEAN THANKS EMERGENCY SERVICES, NHS AND ARMED FORCES WITH UK HOMECOMING, SET FOR THIS SUMMERAnthem of the Seas will be the Family Vacation of Choice to set Sail from Southampton, England Beginning in July999 Free Sailings to be Offered to Those Working in the Emergency Services, NHS, Social Care Sector and Armed ForcesLONDON, 31 March 2021 – Royal Caribbean International … [Read more...]

The Virgin Isles Cruise news / Seabourn Unveils New Ultra-Luxury Caribbean 2022/23 Programme with Direct Flights from UK Included … [Read more...]

The Italian government has announced a Venice cruise ship ban for when cruises to the iconic city resume, in an effort to protect the historic city centre from damage. The Venice cruise ship ban will see all cruise traffic diverted from the Venice city centre to Marghera, a mainland industrial port nearby. The government said the Venice cruise ship ban was necessary to “protect a … [Read more...]

Saga Cruises has announced four all-inclusive cruise itineraries from the UK aboard its new ship Spirit of Adventure and her sister ship Sprit of Discovery. The Saga Cruises 2021 summer UK season will feature visits to Scotland, the Orkney Islands, Norwegian Fjords and cruises around the British Isles. The cruise line has announced a ‘Scottish Highlands and Islands,’ ‘Great British Isles … [Read more...]

Porthole Cruise, in collaboration with Solution One Partners, launches the “Porthole Cruise Passenger Association”, a program dedicated to providing preferential pricing on travel and retail to cruise passengers, alongside a host of other member privileges. The membership program provides up to 65% savings at over 200,000 hotels and resorts worldwide, discounts on thousands of brand-name … [Read more...]

Until further notice, Windstar Cruises will require proof of a current COVID-19 vaccination for all guests sailing aboard Windstar’s yachts. The cruise line arrived at the decision in the best health and wellness interests of its guests, crew, and the places the yachts visit. Many Windstar destinations and some airlines have announced or are considering vaccine mandates, providing further support … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean has informed guests booked on the first sailing of Odyssey of the Seas from the United States that the inaugural sailing has been moved and shortened.An email going out to guests on Tuesday informed them that the first scheduled sailing of Odyssey of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 11 has changed.Royal Caribbean says the impetus for changing the sailing is a … [Read more...]

P&O Cruises Australia is extending its pause in guest operations until the end of July this year as it remains positive about a pathway for the cruise industry’s return to service. The current rolling pause will affect cruises scheduled from 18 June to 30 July, 2021 (inclusive). P&O Cruises is also cancelling voyages to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands for the remainder of the year … [Read more...]

Windstar Cruises, a cruise line with a fleet of six cruise ships, is the latest cruise line to announce that all passengers will be required to have a current Covid-19 vaccination in order to sail on one of their ships.The cruise line arrived at the decision in the best health and wellness interests of its guests, crew, and the places the yachts visit. Many Windstar destinations and some airlines … [Read more...]

Nassau is the capital of The Bahamas and home to Adventure of the Seas in summer 2021.With a lot of people about to visit Nassau to enjoy one of these new sailings, getting to know what Nassau is known for and offers is even more important.Whether you are doing a pre- or post-cruise stay in The Bahamas, or coming for a few hours, there is a lot to consider when visiting.While Nassau has the usual … [Read more...]

P&O Australia, which Carnival Corp owns, has extended its pause on operations down under until the end of July 2021. This comes as there are some positive signs on restarting operations with talks between the industry and the government. More Cancellations for P&O The cruise line has extended its pause on operations until the end of July as the industry remains closed in the country. So … [Read more...]