Welcome to the weekly Cruise News Digest with a little different twist this week.
Let’s dive in!
Mondays have become Cruise Ship Monday, but not this week. This week highlighted an excursion our family took while cruising aboard Carnival Paradise, the Stingray Sandbar, Hell & Turtle Center Experience.
Carnival Cruise Line revealed details about its two new builds at a media briefing on Sunday, Apri 6, 2025. Carnival Festivale and Carnival Tropicale will enter service in 2027 and 2028 making them the fourth and fifth ships in Carnival’s Excel-class. The vessels will feature updated designs with three brand new zones, more connecting rooms and enhanced youth programming.
Margaritaville at Sea announced a new offer for its “Heroes Sail Free” program. Created to express appreciation for active duty and former military, first responders, medical professionals, government workers and educators, the program has welcomed more than 100,000 Heroes aboard its ships since 2022.
Explora Journeys has launched a new loyalty program–Explora Club. The loyalty club has five tiers which are determined by nights sea multiplied by suite category. Additional points can be earned by purchasing Destination Experiences and eligible onboard spending.
On Wednesday, Drew Barrymore officially christened MSC Cruises’ newest flagship, MSC World America. Guests then departed on a 2-night celebratory cruise to the cruise line’s private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
We were not quite done island hopping, so we hopped on over to the adults-only Virgin Voyages’ Beach Club at Bimini this week. The Beach Club was designed by Virgin Voyages and is exclusive to its Sailors. However, if there is not a Virgin Voyages’ ship in port, other cruise lines can sell passes to the Beach Club. All four Virgin Voyages’ Ladies visit the Beach Club at Bimini–Brilliant Lady, Resilient Lady, Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady.
There you have it–this week’s Cruise News Digest.
Head on over to the La Lido Loca YouTube Channel for more cruise news. This week not only will you find more information about changes for Carnival and Royal Caribbean, but Tony and the lovely Jenny B were back with a Tuesday Night Live. Don’t forget to subscribe with the notification bell on so you don’t miss out on anything.
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