Latest news with #CruiseLine
Travel Weekly
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel Weekly
Three Royal Caribbean ships will get upgrades in 2026
Changes are in store for Royal Caribbean's Ovation of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas next year, including new accommodations, entertainment and dining. Royal Caribbean will refresh the pool decks on all three ships, with the Ovation and Liberty getting new private casitas. Ovation will also get a new whirlpool while Harmony and Liberty will get a new bar, The Lime and Coconut. Harmony's solarium will also get a refresh. Entertainment changes on Ovation include a new venue for dancing, Sound Cellar, and an expansion of the Casino Royale. Harmony's Casino Royale will be expanded and become the largest in the Royal Caribbean fleet. The cruise line is also adding an escape room on the Liberty of the Seas. Harmony and Ovation are both getting new accommodations options, one of which will be the Ultimate Family Suite, a two-story space with a slide and other family-focused amenities which is currently only offered on Symphony of the Seas, Spectrum of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas. Panoramic suites with floor-to-ceiling windows will be added to the Ovation. For dining, the cruise line is introducing food and bar options found on newer ships to these three vessels. The tiki bar Pesky Parrot and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen are coming to Ovation of the Seas. Harmony of the Seas will gain the Playmakers Sports Bar and Arcade, Mexican restaurant El Loco Fresh and Samba Grill Brazilian Steakhouse. Izumi Teppanyaki as well as El Loco Fresh will be added to Liberty of the Seas. Royal Caribbean did not provide details on when the ships will undergo renovations.
USA Today
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
A floating Disney bubble: What families can expect on Disney cruises
A floating Disney bubble: What families can expect on Disney cruises Show Caption Hide Caption Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom tour on the new Disney Treasure USA TODAY took a ride on the brand new Disney Treasure cruise ship. Here's what to know about the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom. "Family travel' is a six-part series showcasing the best experiences and destinations for young families looking for an escape. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form. I've been visiting Disney parks my entire life. I thought I knew what the Disney bubble was. Disney Cruise Line blew my definition out of (or into) the water. Everything Disney fans look for in a Disney vacation is – as Disney likes to say – plussed up on their ships. Here's what I experienced on my first Disney cruise and what your family can expect on yours. What is special about a Disney cruise? Disney cruises are made for Disney fans. 'We know that when guests get on one of our ships, 40, 50% of them are saying the only reason I'm cruising today is because Disney is here,' Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro told USA TODAY last August, ahead of the cruise line's expansion announcements at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event. 'These cruise ships are ways that we can tell all of the amazing stories that we have. We bring them to life in dining; we bring them to life theatrically. We bring them to life through technology and our cast members.' Many ship venues are inspired by Disney stories. Guests who want to learn how they can take an Art of the Theme Show Tour during their sailing. Disney characters roam about regularly and unlike in the parks, never have long waits to meet them. The entertainment on board is truly Broadway quality, not only because Disney is at heart an entertainment company, but it's also produced numerous shows on Broadway. My favorite show on our Disney Treasure sailing was "Disney the Tale of Moana," which Disney developed with Broadway veterans and Polynesian cultural advisors and cast. The youth clubs, particularly for younger children, feel like stepping into Disney movies. Many kids happily spend hours there, and adults wish they could, too. The closest grown-up guests get is during open houses. Guests rotate through a variety of themed restaurants for dinner each night of their sailing, and servers rotate with you so they can get to know you and your preferences, as well as any dietary needs. The level of customer service is exactly what you'd expect from Disney. Ships are designed with families in mind. Most staterooms have split bathrooms, so multiple people can get ready at the same time, and most feature bathtubs, which are clutch with young children. You're traveling with fellow Disney families and fans, who share your enthusiasm. Non-Disney fans can still enjoy sailings, but for those who love Disney, it's the ultimate floating Disney bubble. Disney parks take to the seas: How the new Disney Treasure makes magic Is a Disney cruise all-inclusive? Disney cruises include lodging, most dining, entertainment, recreation, youth club access, and more in their standard fare. There is an additional fee for childcare for infants and toddlers under age 3 at 'it's a small world nursery.' Extra experiences like adult-exclusive dining, makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Sea, the Royal Court Royal Tea Party with Disney princess, and spa and salon services also have fees. Is all the food on a Disney cruise free? Meals at rotational dining restaurants, on-board buffets, and various food stands are included in the cruise fare, as is most room service. Guests may choose to pay extra for adult-exclusive dining like Remy or Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement. Treats at smoothie and sweets shops and snacks at concession stands near onboard movie theaters have à la carte fees. Specialty coffee drinks and alcohol are also extra. Do Disney cruises have good food? Yes. There are various options at each rotational restaurant. Guests are also welcome to ask for other offerings off menu, but what stuck out to me were everyday dishes like comforting congee at breakfast and a mountain of succulent crab legs during lunch at the Treasure's Marceline Market buffet. Mickey Churro Waffles and Disney Cruise Line chicken tenders are other fan favorites. So are Mickey ice cream bars, which you can order for free through room service. Italian-inspired Palo and other adult-exclusive restaurants, which cost extra, are so popular that reservations book up well ahead of sailings. Guests who miss out in advance can try to book in person upon embarkation. Is there unlimited alcohol on Disney cruises? No. There are no unlimited alcoholic beverage packages on Disney cruises. You can buy individual drinks and bottles of wine on board or pre-order bundles of hard seltzer, beer or wine. There are also deals like Drinks of the Day and the Beer Mug Savings package, which, for a one-time $15.25 fee, gets you 21-ounce beer refills for the price of 16 ounces. Upon initial embarkation and at each port, guests of legal drinking age may also carry on up to two unopened bottles of wine or champagne or six unopened beers no larger than 12 ounces. These must be brought in carry-on luggage, not checked, and may not be consumed in lounges or public spaces, aside from restaurants, where there is a corkage fee. Is there a casino on the Disney cruise? No. There are no casinos on Disney cruise ships. The closest thing to gambling is BINGO, which is extremely popular. Is there free Wi-Fi on Disney cruises? Yes. Guests can use free DCL Guest Wi-Fi to access the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App and message fellow guests. You can also message folks back home using third-party tools like Apple Messages and WhatsApp. However, you'll need paid internet service for anything more substantive like making calls, accessing social media, browsing the internet, posting or streaming video, and more. How much does a Disney cruise cost per person? Prices vary widely by sailing (ship, dates, itinerary, cruise duration and more), stateroom category, how many guests share the same stateroom and guest age. Kids under age 3, ages 3-12, and 13-17 are charged at different rates than adults, according to Plan Disney. Limited-time promotions also impact pricing. For instance, Disney Cruise Line is currently offering up to 30% off select summer 2025 sailings from the U.S. Prospective guests can find the latest special offers on the cruise line's website. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line passengers can lock in 10% off a future cruise when they purchase a refundable placeholder reservation while onboard a ship. At last check, the lowest priced sailing for a family of four departing the U.S. with two adults and two kids between the ages of 3-12 was priced at $2,620. That works out to $655 per person in an interior cabin on the Disney Wish for a 3-night Bahamas cruise leaving Port Canaveral on Aug. 22, 2025. Three-night cruises on the new Disney Adventure, launching in Singapore this December, start even lower. Does Disney Cruise Line go to Europe? Yes. Disney sails from three European ports: Barcelona, Spain Citavecchia, Italy (outside Rome) Southampton, England Transatlantic sailings are also offered several times a year. Do adults with no kids go on Disney cruises? Yes. Even though the cruises are designed with families in mind, lots of Disney adults sail kid-free. Many enjoy getting to feel like kids again themselves. Each ship and both of Disney's private island destinations have adult-exclusive areas and experiences. What are Disney's two private islands? Disney's has two private island destinations in the Bahamas: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Is it cheaper to go to Disney or Disney cruise? That depends on how long you plan to sail versus visit parks, as well as choice of accommodations, dining and time of year. It can go either way. What is the cheapest way to book a Disney cruise? Guests will generally find the best prices the day itineraries are released. This happens a few times a year, about 15 to 18 months in advance of sailings, according to Plan Disney. Travelers can work with travel agents to keep tabs on when the next batch will be released or sign up for Disney Cruise Line email updates and follow the cruise line on social media. Are Disney cruises worth it? They are for many fans. 'They rate us very, very highly, and they tend to want to come back,' D'Amaro said. But just like any vacation, the cruises may not be worth it for everyone. The reporter on this story received access to the ship from Disney Cruise Line. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of reviews.
Travel Weekly
05-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Holland America Line pitches a relaxing Caribbean experience in new campaign
A new Holland America Line advertising campaign aims to differentiate its Caribbean cruises from competitors that sail mega-ships with amusement-park qualities. The campaign, "Refreshingly Free," tells cruisers what they won't find on Holland America sailings. "Refreshingly free of bland buffets," one ad reads. "Refreshingly free of amusement parks on board," another says. Holland America Line has found strength in its Alaska and Europe sailings and is now looking to bolster interest in the Caribbean, said chief marketing officer Kacy Cole. "I think we're not top of mind when you think about Caribbean," she said. "You don't think about Holland America or, candidly, the typical type of cruising that we do. And I think for us, it's really about how do we differentiate within each region?" The line crafted the campaign after surveying guests about what is most important to them on a Caribbean cruise. Exceptional service came in as the highest-ranked factor. During that same research process, some customers shared distaste for the experience aboard the largest cruise ships, recalling long lines and staff that could not keep up with demand due to the number of guests onboard, Cole said. "They are looking for service and relaxation and cultural enrichment," she said. The launch of the campaign accompanies the launch of fare discounts of up to 40% for certain sailings this fall and next spring. Those promotions, dubbed "Travel By Sea," run through the end of July.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Carnival Cruise Line shares weather warning with passengers
Carnival Cruise Line shares weather warning with passengers originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Although a disaster like the sinking of the Titanic is highly unlikely to happen today thanks to significant advancements in technology, ship construction, and other factors, it's a tragic event that the world will likely never forget. Naturally, anytime ice is mentioned in relation to a ship, some minds undoubtedly gravitate to the where many Carnival cruisers' minds went recently when they learned that one of the cruise line's ships was about to face treacherous icy waters on an adventurous voyage to the world's biggest island (and one of the iciest). Carnival Pride left Baltimore on May 25 to sail a 14-day Greenland and Canada cruise — one of the cruise line's specialty Carnival Journeys sailings — but shortly before passengers set off on their bucket-list adventure, they received a worrisome notification.'Captain Vito Giacalone and the entire Carnival Pride team are looking forward to welcoming you aboard for a voyage that will take you to the majestic landscapes of Greenland and Canada,' the cruise line began in an email to Carnival Pride passengers. Carnival wanted to notify passengers of precautionary measures being taken due to extra icy sea conditions present along their intended route. 'Ahead of embarkation Sunday, May 25, we are sharing the steps that are being taken to ensure your comfort and safety throughout the voyage. At present, in areas along our intended route, there is a significant presence of sea ice which could impact the itinerary,' the cruise line cruise line assured passengers that their experienced captain is aware of the conditions and well equipped to handle them. 'With support and guidance from our Fleet Operations center, Captain Giacalone has been closely monitoring real time sea conditions and weather forecasts for the region,' Carnival continued. 'He has much practice sailing the waters in the area, but he will also have experienced local pilots from Greenland on board.' Carnival also wanted passengers to know that the captain may need to alter their cruise itinerary as a result of the sea ice. 'Should any changes be necessary, Captain Giacalone will communicate them promptly. We appreciate your understanding and flexibility as we navigate this remarkable part of the world."Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald also addressed the icy situation on his popular Facebook page where he responds to hundreds of cruiser questions and concerns each day. 'Obviously we will see how the situation unfolds, but for now, the brilliant Captain Vito will do his very best to make sure guests get to Greenland where the locals are ready to welcome them,' Heald wrote. 'There is no better Captain to do this than my friend Captain Vito, but he will never ever put the ship's safety in jeopardy.' A few cruisers who made this awe-inspiring journey to Greenland with Captain Vito in the past also commented on the post to help reassure and encourage Carnival Pride passengers. More Carnival cruise news:'We were on this cruise last year, and Captain Vito and his ice pilots could not get us to land, but we were able to navigate a magnificent fjord in Greenland. We also were fog-bound in St. Anthony and were unable to shuttle to shore. But our stops in Corner Brook and Sydney were lovely, and Captain Vito (who may be the funniest man in Carnival's employ!) kept us safe and informed,' Jim Lee wrote. 'Qaqortoq was amazing. A Journey cruise is like sailing on an adventure to the New World but with all of the comforts of home and more. Sailing in style that explorers could only dream of,' Chris Idenouye added. 'Go with the flow, savor every moment, accept the unexpected with grace and dignity. You are experiencing something that millions can only dream of.' Passengers making this year's voyage seem to be well prepared to embrace the adventure — and its challenges. 'We have been told from the beginning that there is a chance we might not make a port or two. We understand safety comes first. I'm sure it will be a wonderful 14 days, no matter what,' Lilly N Dave's Adventures noted. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on May 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Forget Nassau, Royal Caribbean, Carnival find new island homes
As a long-time cruiser and Florida resident, I've visited my fair share of Bahamas cruise ports — from multiple private cruise line destinations to the busy Nassau cruise hub. Although I'm very familiar with The Bahamas and what its beautiful islands offer to visitors, one Bahamian cruise destination really took me by surprise when I visited for the first time last Nassau, this cruise port has gotten a bad rap – mostly because it's not the kind of Bahamian port where you can walk off the ship and right onto a beach. The island is home to a number of stunning beaches, however. You just need transportation to get to them from the port. To improve your overall cruise port experience in this Bahamian destination, booking a shore excursion is a good call — whether you're looking for a relaxing resort-style beach day or an adventure to explore the wonders of the island's impressive national park. But with a burst of new development projects aimed at attracting more cruise passengers to this underrated Bahamian island, experiencing the charms of the destination is about to get much Cruise Line was the first to recognize Grand Bahama's potential as a cruise destination, signing an agreement with the island's government back in 2017 to build its flagship cruise destination there. It took quite a while for the cruise line's vision for the destination to come to life, however. The highly anticipated new $600 million cruise destination, Celebration Key, finally opens this July. Although it's intended to feel like a cruise line private island, Celebration Key is located in a secluded part of Grand Bahama, about 20 miles from the island's existing Freeport cruise port. Royal Caribbean has long been interested in Grand Bahama, too, but past plans to develop a resort-style cruise destination on the island fell finally this April, Royal Caribbean Group moved forward with a new plan to acquire a 40-acre Grand Bahama resort property with intentions to develop it into a private destination for Celebrity Cruises, according to local Tribune Business media reports. Also in the plans for Grand Bahama is a project that will build a new cruise port and water park at the Freeport Harbour, developed as a partnership between Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises. First announced in 2020, that port project once included plans for Royal Caribbean to purchase a Bahamian government-owned resort property, but the deal later fell through due to government concerns about the timeline and years later, the Bahamian government finally reached a deal to sell that Grand Bahama resort property to be developed into a cruise destination, just not by Royal Caribbean. On May 15, Concord Wilshire Capital signed a deal with the Bahamian government to acquire Grand Bahama's Grand Lucayan Resort, a 56-acre beachfront resort and 160-acre Reef Golf Course, for $120 million. The Miami-based developer will invest a total of $827 million to transform the property into a 36-acre cruise ship destination resort with a capacity of 10,000 passengers per to be completed in 2028, the new cruise destination will be open to all cruise lines, resort guests, and local residents. It will feature much of what cruise passengers can find at an exclusive cruise line destination like a water park, adult lagoon, private club with premium amenities, dining options, beach access, water activities, entertainment venues, and more. The new Grand Lucayan Resort will also include a free-standing, indoor and poolside casino, a branded hotel and residential resort, a new Greg Norman Championship Signature Golf Course, and a mega-yacht marina. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
