Welcome to the weekly Cruise News Digest. Here you can catch up on the past week’s cruise news and all things La Lido Loca.
Let’s dive in!
Princess Cruises and shipbuilder Fincantieri announced that Star Princess will be delayed. The ship’s delivery date has changed from July 29, 2025 to September 26, 2025 forcing the cruise line to cancel her first nine sailings.
MSC Group, MSC Foundation and Mercy Ships International are partnering to construct a brand new hospital ship. The ship, which will accommodate 600 crew members and guests, will provide free surgical services of all types as well as offer training to thousands of people in Africa annually. The hospital will span two decks, feature six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory, and state-of-the-art training spaces.
For the first time, guests aboard a Celebrity Cruises ship visited Perfect Day at CocoCay. Perfect Day at CocoCay is Royal Caribbean Group’s private destination in the Caribbean which has only been open to Royal Caribbean ships. The decision was made in July 2023 to open the island to two Celebrity Cruises ships which visited the destination for the first time last week. Celebrity Reflection docked on April 22, 2024 and Celebrity Beyond docked on April 23, 2024 as part of their new short Caribbean itineraries.
Here is Tony’s latest Loca Bricks update. Might as well subscribe and follow along with his LEGO obsession while you are there.
On April 22, 2024, after a 20-day delay and two canceled cruises, Princess Cruises Sun Princess was christened by her award-winning actress godmother, Hannah Waddingham at the Port of Barcelona. A star-studded cast was on hand for the maritime tradition that took place onboard the Sun Princess in the Princess Arena–the most technologically advanced theater at sea. Before releasing the celebratory bottle of champagne to smash against the ship and with Captain Craig Street at her side, Waddingham pronounced, “I name this ship Sun Princess. May God bless her and all who sail on her.”
Also christened this week was Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship Carnival Firenze. She was christened at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal in California after a month-long repositioning voyage that began after her 49-day dry dock in Cadiz, Spain. Her dry dock integrated the Carnival Fun Italian Style concepts and experiences that guests found on her sister ship, Carnival Venezia. Carnival Firenze joins Carnival Panorama and Carnival Radiance in sailing year-round from the Port of Long Beach.
Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages are hosting the second annual “Virgin Celebration Voyage.” The annual event is honoring Virgin Group’s more than 50 year history. The celebration voyages are available on all three ships–Valiant Lady, Scarlet Lady and Resilient Lady. Each sailing will include a Sail Away party with Virgin Voyages CEO Nirmal, intimate onboard settings with Sir Richard Branson, and an epic dance party with Boy George. Each sailing will also allow Sailors to take part in immersive experiences, Hosted Shore Things, fitness classes, interactive workshops, fireside chats and daily happy hours.
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