Archives for June 2021

Following Freedom of the Seas’ first test cruise, the ship has now received its Conditional Sailing Certificate from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The cruise line can move forward to operate sailing with guests on board. Freedom of the Seas Set for Cruising So far, it’s all been smooth for the Royal Caribbean cruise ship by receiving its Conditional Sailing Certificate from … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line has added a new two-in-one dining concept on their newest and largest cruise ship, Mardi Gras. In addition, Carnival is temporarily waving the dining fee at a couple of the specialty venues onboard. Mardi Gras will offer more than 24 different culinary venues when the cruise ship debuts from Port Canaveral later this summer. Carnival Cruise Line has added Chibang!, a new … [Read more...]

After more than a year and a half spent at home, US travelers can finally begin planning their long-awaited European vacations—and make the most of their time abroad by booking longer trips. For those looking to cover a lot of ground on their extended holiday without a lot of work, Star Clippers’ Grand Voyages range from 11 to 19 days and carry guests to exotic ports in multiple countries in the … [Read more...]

The original Oasis Class cruise ship has gotten approval to start test cruises.Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley confirmed on Tuesday Oasis of the Seas has received permission from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to start test cruises.Other ships that have gotten approval to conduct test cruises include Freedom of the Seas, Allure of the … [Read more...]

American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce that their 2021 Alaska season is underway and their small ship cruises will continue to explore throughout Southeast Alaska all summer long. On June 12th, American Constellation was the first cruise ship to dock in Haines in 622 days (since September 29, 2019). To celebrate the town’s 1st docking in almost 2 years, American’s guests were warmly … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean is just days away from restarting cruises from England, and the ship to kick things off has arrived to start up operations.Anthem of the Seas arrived in Southampton, where she will begin offering cruises on 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 … [Read more...]

Not only will unvaccinated cruisers have limited access to certain areas of the ship, there are going to be extra costs involved as well. Royal Caribbean International announced this morning that those on board their ships leaving from Florida without a COVID-19 vaccine will need to provide proof of insurance which covers medical and travel-related expenses in the event of infection. The news … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean has made another change to its policies for guests onboard its ships. The company has now announced it will require unvaccinated guests to purchase additional insurance policies for sailing from Florida starting August 1. The measure comes after Royal Caribbean announced several measures that affect guests that have not been vaccinated. Last week the cruise line said it would … [Read more...]

Viking celebrated today (June 28, 2021) the latest milestone in its return to service as guests were welcomed on board in Iceland. Over the weekend, guests boarded the award-winning Viking Sky® in Reykjavík, where the ship will homeport this summer along with sister ship Viking Jupiter®. Both ships will sail the new Iceland’s Natural Beauty itinerary through early September 2021. Offered as … [Read more...]

Saint Nazaire, France and Geneva, Switzerland (June 28, 2021)– Today, MSC Cruises marked the official start of construction and revealed the name of MSC Cruises’ most environmentally-advanced ship to-date, MSC Euribia, when the first steel was cut at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France. Set to come into service in June 2023, MSC Euribia will become the … [Read more...]

The Port of Seattle is expecting its first cruise ship arrival June 29th, with Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas docking at Pier 91 to ready the ship for the season. Pending U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) authorization of cruise lines’ applications for a Conditional Sailing Certificate, passenger cruises are expected to start July 19th with Royal Caribbean … [Read more...]

The changes from Carnival Cruise Line continue, but this time, it’s not related to new protocols. The cruise line’s Ambassador has announced that the Fun Times will no longer be delivered to the cabins due to the amount of paper waste. No More Paper Fun Times Carnival Cruise Line will no longer deliver the paper Fun Times to the cabins once cruise operations resume in July. It actually a change … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas will be the song of the summer when it sets sail to the Mediterranean in May 2022 on a mix of new immersive and varied itineraries departing from Greece, Italy, Spain and Israel. Joining the cruise line’s previously announced European lineup, including guest favorite Anthem of the Seas and the brand-new Odyssey of the Seas, Rhapsody expands on … [Read more...]

Today, Anthem of the Seas arrived in Southampton before taking UK holidaymakers to new heights on staycation cruises this summer. The first of Royal Caribbean International’s global fleet to once again welcome guests in Europe, Anthem comes complete with the world’s tallest observation capsule at sea, the North Star – an awe-inspiring, 360-degree observation capsule that extends 91 meters (300 … [Read more...]

(11:45 a.m. BST) -- Ship spotters have been having a field day these past few days as multiple ships restart cruising and arrive for imminent restarts from English ports.Marella kicked off the busiest period in English cruising since May, when Iona was christened and MSC Cruises and Viking restarted, with Marella Explorer leaving Southampton last Friday.P&O Cruises' Britannia set sail on … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean International's first cruises back in the United States are officially a go.Freedom of the Seas received a Conditional Sailing Certificate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to offer revenue cruises with paying passengers.Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley shared the good news, just days before Freedom is scheduled … [Read more...]

As Carnival Cruise Line guests return to cruising this summer, they will find expanded functionality of the award-winning HUB App, which will include enhanced food and beverage features, spa and shore excursion booking capabilities, virtual queuing for onboard venues, and updated health and safety information. The most popular app in cruising with more than 8 million total downloads and 4.6+ … [Read more...]

Credit: Shutterstock/Channel 5 Sponsored by ROL Cruise Cruising With Jane McDonald has long been a firm favourite among many Britons thanks to Jane's cheeky personality and the stunning destinations she visits. Jane McDonald has cruised on a whole host of cruise ships to multiple destinations throughout the seven series-strong show. From Alaska and Norway to Australia and Portugal, the … [Read more...]

Fincantieri’s subsidiary Vard, one of the major global designers and shipbuilders of specialized vessels, delivered “HANSEATIC spirit”, third ship in a new series of luxury expedition cruise vessels for Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With her close to 16,000 gross tons and 138 meters long, “HANSEATIC spirit” follows sister ships “HANSEATIC nature” and “HANSEATIC inspiration”, both delivered in … [Read more...]

Western civilization found its footing in Athens, Greece, and it is in that trailblazing spirit that Philadelphia was originally nicknamed the Athens of America as it set the standard for art, culture, architecture, and politics following America’s birth. (Though Philly’s City of Brotherly Love nickname may be better known now, even that comes directly from the Greek words William Penn fused when … [Read more...]