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!
MSC Cruises has made major changes to its drink packages. Cruisers can no longer purchase MSC Cruises’ Easy and Easy Plus Beverage Packages. The Premium Extra Package is now the only alcohol-included beverage package and it includes top-tier brands, high-end cocktails and all non-alcoholic drinks, as well as a 15-drink-per-day limit on alcoholic beverages–non-alcoholic drinks remain unlimited.
MSC Cruises has also revealed details of its 2027 World Cruise. The 121-night cruise will set sail aboard MSC Musica. She will call on 45 destinations in 25 countries, cross the International Date Line twice, include seven overnight stays and full-day stays in every port. Cruisers will be treated to the sights, sounds, flavors and traditions of various cultures across the globe.
We took a look back at the new cruise ship builds that arrived in 2024. Royal Caribbean International debuted the world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, in January and the world’s second largest cruise ship, Utopia of the Seas, in July. Other ships to make a debut were Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess, Cunard Line’s Queen Anne, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Ray, TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 7, Explora Journey’s Explora II, Viking Cruises Viking Vela, and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure, which just returned from her maiden voyage yesterday morning.
Explora Journeys released details of Explora III. Her debut is set for August 2026. Her inaugural season will sail through Northern Europe, Iceland and Greenland, North America’s East Coast and then on to the Caribbean for the winter season. She features 313 Ocean Suites, 109 Ocean Penthouse, 39 Ocean Residences and 2 Owner’s Residences–463 spacious suites in all.
Finally, the CDC awarded 30 cruise ships a perfect score on their Vessel Sanitation Program inspection. Of the 159 inspections conducted in 2024, 75% of ships scored 95 or greater, with 30 ships receiving a perfect score. Norwegian Cruise Line took the top spot, earning 8 perfect scores with Norwegian Breakaway being inspected twice and receiving a perfect score both times.
There you have it–this week’s Cruise News Digest. Over on the La Lido Loca YouTube Channel you will find other cruise news as well as vlogs from Tony and the lovely Jenny B’s cruise aboard the Sun Princess. While you are there be sure to subscribe with the notification bell on–you do not want to miss anything! You can also join the channel and get access to perks or if you would like extra exclusive live cruising content and more, become a patreon member of Loca Extra.
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