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!
Carnival Cruise Line has a new mascot! Or do they? Ducky the Duck was sailing and posing for pictures aboard Carnival Jubilee. While he’s not an official mascot, you can expect to see him on the lido of each Carnival ship in the future.
According to a recent SEC filing, Royal Caribbean Group has entered into an agreement to acquire the Port of Costa Maya as well as additional land in Mahahual, Quintana Roo. Royal Caribbean plans to build Perfect Day Mexico at the port. The cruise line has said, “Perfect Day Mexico will be a hallmark of Royal Caribbean vacations that introduces new adventures in the western Caribbean.” Royal Caribbean is banking on its land experiences to continue to bring passengers and revenue to the cruise line.
The Port of Galveston is making plans to celebrate its bicentennial anniversary in 2025. The port is planning a full year of activities beginning on National Maritime Day, May 22, 2025. In October, they are planning a golf tournament, a Party on the Pier, a bicentennial gala, and the release of a port history book.
In other port news, Bar Harbor chose not to repeal the 2022 law that capped the number of cruise passengers to disembark daily at 1,000. However, Port Everglades reported a new record for guests in the 2024 fiscal year. The port in Fort Lauderdale, Florida welcomed 4,010,919 passengers which is an increase of 3.3% from its previous record. Not to be outdone, the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami, also reported a record-breaking 2024. PortMiami reported 8,233,056 passengers for the 2024 fiscal year–a 13% increase from 2023.
MSC Cruises has made enhancements to its MSC Voyagers Club and added a brand new loyalty tier–MSC Voyagers Club Blue Diamond. The Blue Diamond tier is attainable by guests who sail with MSC Cruises and not any other alternative method. This shift rewards the cruise line’s most loyal guests.
There you have it–this week’s Cruise News Digest. Be sure you are subscribed to the La Lido Loca YouTube Channel with the notification bell on so you do not miss out on any cruise news or vlogs. Here is one from Tony and company’s walk around Nassau on their latest cruise. If you would like extra exclusive live cruising content and more, become a patreon member of Loca Extra.
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