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!
Celestyal Cruises unveiled its shore excursions for its “Heavenly Adriatic” itinerary. The seven-night itinerary onboard Celestyal Journey debuts on March 2, 2024 embarking from Athens, Greece. There are 35 half- and full-day tours which include eight “Adriatic Encounters” that offer cultural experiences with the local people and more.
Carnival Cruise Line announced a new transpacific Carnival Journeys cruise aboard Carnival Luminosa from Seattle to Sydney. The 22-day voyage departs on September 18, 2025 and explores the local cultures and sights along the Pacific before arriving in Australia on October 11, 2025. This repositioning cruise to Australia is in addition to five other transpacific and nine transatlantic cruises currently open for booking.
Also returning to Australia is Princess Cruises Celebration Ambassador and original cast member of “The Love Boat” Jill Whealan. She will board the Royal Princess in order to spread the love with Princess Perfect Weddings. Whelan’s visit comes at a time when the cruise line is seeing a 127% increase in booked wedding ceremonies and an 83% increase in performed ceremonies from 2022 to 2023.
Norwegian Gem will homeport from the Port of Jacksonville beginning November 2025 to April every year through 2028. The JAXPORT Board of Directors unanimously approved a four-year agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line bringing the ship to Jacksonville. The agreement is expected to boost Jacksonville’s tourism revenue in large part to the more than 98 million people living within driving distance of the JAXPORT Cruise Terminal.
Carnival Cruise Line announced that three-time Grammy Award winner, Gwen Stefani will be the godmother of the cruise line’s latest flagship, Carnival Jubilee. She will christen the ship at her naming ceremony in Galveston, Texas on Saturday, February 24, 2024. The ceremony will be held onboard the ship and is exclusive to invited guests and family. Part of the ceremony will be broadcast live on Carnival’s Facebook page at 3:30 CST on February 24, 2024.
Holland America Line has partnered with award-winning bartender Ivy Mix to craft five new cocktails for its Ocean Bar on ships cruising to Mexico and Latin America this year. The pan-Latin drinks will celebrate the people, regions and ingredients that have inspired Mix throughout her career.
There you have it. This week’s Cruise News Digest. Did you catch the latest “cruise”day night live with Tony and the lovely Jenny B? Allison & Gordon welcomed Jenny and Tony to their live show on Friday night, and Derek Phillips from the Island Time YouTube channel was on the podcast with Tony this week!
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