HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
2024 has been a great year in cruising. Over the next two days, let’s look back at some of the year’s biggest or most exciting stories.
Let’s get started!
January is the month of new beginnings, meaning…
The world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas, arrived in PortMiami to an iconic welcome celebration on January 10, 2024.
Norwegian Cruise Line added two more mega-ships to US ports sailing Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas was officially christened in Miami on Tuesday, January 23, 2023.
February is full of hope as it eagerly awaits spring and new cruise ships…
Carnival Cruise Line officially welcomed Carnival Firenze from sister line Costa Cruises making her ship number 27 in the Carnival Cruise Line fleet.
Carnival Corporation entered into an agreement with German shipbuilder Meyer Werft for a fourth Excel-class cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line.
Royal Caribbean Group entered into an agreement with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique for a seventh Oasis-class ship to debut in 2028.
Carnival Corporation has announced plans for a $100 million pier expansion at Celebration Key, the cruise line’s private destination on Grand Bahama Island that is expected to open in the summer of 2025.
March reminds us that spring brings new growth and it is beautiful…
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure received the cruise line’s first ever signature song–“Live the Adventure”.”
Breaking yet another record, Nassau welcomed seven ships simultaneously in its harbor on March 12, 2024.
Royal Caribbean International announced a new beach club experience–the Royal Beach Club Cozumel in Mexico–opening in 2026.
Carnival Corporation announced two more newbuilds for Carnival Cruise Line—adding the fourth and fifth Excel-class ships.
April showers bring new YouTube channels and more cruise news…
Tony started a new venture, Loca Bricks. If you haven’t checked out his YouTube channel and Facebook page, do it now! Start from the beginning with My LEGO Journey Begins!
Royal Caribbean International announced a multi-year partnership to support Make-a-Wish through its “Wishes at Sea” program.
MSC Cruises announced its newest flagship, MSC World America, would feature 7 distinct districts.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd. in partnership with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, is planning 8 new ships across all three of its brands between 2026 and 2036.
Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line President, received the 2024 Cruise Lines International Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Star Princess was delayed forcing the cruise line to cancel her first nine sailings.
For the first time, guests aboard a Celebrity Cruises ship visited Perfect Day at CocoCay.
May is the gateway to summer and more cruising…
Cunard’s newest ship, Queen Anne, set sail from Southampton on her maiden voyage.
Carnival Cruise Line celebrated its 30th year of sailing from New Orleans.
Princess Cruises announced a new “Historic America Cruisetour” that will sail between August and October 2025 in celebration of the United States turning 250 on July 4, 2026.
MSC Cruises announced it will expand its fleet at Port Canaveral beginning December 2025.
Baltimore reopened after a large container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge causing it to collapse in March.
Royal Caribbean International announced its Ovation of the Seas will sail from Singapore between October 2025 and March 2026.
June brings summer and sunshine and good cruise vibes…
In an unprecedented industry first, Royal Caribbean Group announced a Loyalty Status Match program between its three cruise lines–Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea.
Disney Cruise Line’s new private destination, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, began welcoming guests.
Cunard Line’s Queen Anne was named by an untraditional godparent.
Carnival Corporation & plc announced that it will absorb P&O Cruises Australia into Carnival Cruise Line in 2025.
Princess Cruises partnered with Pitbull, Jason Aldean and Romero Britto to launch its new “Love Line Premium Liquors” collection.
PortMiami became the first major U.S. Eastern seaboard cruise port to offer shore power at five of its cruise berths.
Disney Cruise Line revealed the seven themed areas of what will be its largest ship when she debuts, Disney Adventure.
There you have it. The first half of the 2024 Cruise News Recap. It is also time to hop on over to La Lido Loca’s YouTube Channel. You won’t want to miss the most-watched video from the first half of 2024–A Carnival Cruise Food to Avoid. It was filmed while Tony B was aboard the Carnival Firenze. Be sure to subscribe with the notification bell on so you don’t miss out on anything!
That’s all for today! Come back tomorrow for the rest of the 2024 Cruise News Recap.
Until then we will see you on the Lido!