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!
This week Carnival Cruise Line met its 2024 goal to raise $33 million for St. Jude Children’s Hospital and set a new goal of $50 million by 2030. In honor of Carnival Jubilee’s godmother, Gwen Stefani, and to kick off the fundraising, Duffy presented a $50,000 donation to Richard C. Shadyac, Jr, President and CEO of ALSAC. ALSAC is the fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude.
Holland America opened new sailing options for 2025-2026. Bucket list options like transiting the Panama Canal or sailing to Hawaii. For the first time Koningsdam will join Eurodam and Zuiderdam in offering Panama Canal sailings. Additionally, Nieuw Amsterdam will be sailing her first season in Hawaii.
Royal Caribbean International announced its upcoming Utopia of the Seas will enter service earlier than originally expected. The cruise line will offer a new 3-night inaugural sailing before its original 4-night inaugural sailing. Guests on the original sailing have been given the option to switch to the earlier cruise. However, the cruise line has assured booked guests that the first sailings of Utopia of the Seas will include maiden voyage special events, souvenir gifts, and all the experiences an inaugural sailing offers.
If your dream job includes rating casinos on cruise ships, read on. Casino.org has announced they are giving away an all-expenses paid trip onboard Princess Cruises’ newest ship, Sun Princess, all the winner has to do in return is rate the ship’s casino. The winner will also receive $1000 to spend in the casino and onboard.
Virgin Voyages has announced a “Work From Helm” option aboard its Scarlet Lady. The Scarlet Summer Season Pass is offering guests the opportunity to spend a month sailing the Mediterranean Sea and never miss a day of work. Booking four back-to-back voyages offers a savings of up to 30% in a Central Sea Terrace cabin.
The Seward Company is overseeing a $137 million project to build a new cruise terminal and pier at the Port of Seward in Alaska by the spring of 2026. The Seward Company along with Royal Caribbean Group and Turnagain Marine intend to replace the current Alaska Railroad cruise port facility with a port that can welcome the largest cruise in the region.
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