Week of August 26, 2024
did you know? The three most popular cruise ports in 2024 are PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and Port Cozumel. Port Everglades, Port Barcelona, and Port Galveston follow closely behind the top three.
Warm cruise
American Cruise Lines (ACL) has launched its third new coastal cruise ship. American Liberty It is a 100-passenger vessel with four decks and a unique catamaran bow.
A main restaurant, casual cafe, walking paths and a fitness center are some of the amenities on this comfortable ship.
Named in Newport, Rhode Island American Liberty The inaugural cruise is a round-trip cruise to the New England Islands, departing from Providence, R.I. All of ACL's coastal cruises, like river cruises, sail within sight of land.
Eager to enter the market
Seven months after my country's first domestically-built luxury cruise ship was put into operation, it has completed 54 voyages and received more than 220,000 passengers.
As a source of national pride, Adora Magic City With a capacity of 5,246 passengers, it is a joint venture between China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and US cruise operator Carnival Corporation.
According to China Daily, more than 95 percent of passengers were satisfied with the onboard dining, accommodation, shopping and entertainment.
Princess to visit Caribbean
Princess Cruises plans to sail to all of the Caribbean for the first time in 2026.
Royal Princess and Caribbean Princess The cruises will depart from Fort Lauderdale/Port Everglades and Port Canaveral.
Princess will offer more than 90 itineraries to various parts of the Caribbean, available for booking now. Passengers can also combine seven-day cruises to visit the East and Western Caribbean During the 14-day cruise.
Week of August 19, 2024
did you know? Is cruising a family trip? More than 30% of cruise families have at least two generations, and 28% have three to five generations.
Exchange POSH for FOSH
If you have the time and inclination, a Fly Out, Sail Out, and Home (FOSH) cruise may be the ideal way to cruise. With a FOSH cruise, you can avoid the hassles of luggage restrictions and airport lines on your way home.
One of the better aspects of these one-time events in the cruise lines' annual calendar is that they often stop in smaller communities, making them more of an adventure.
Most of these smaller ports Port of call Located very close to the town centre, the hotel is within walking distance of shops, museums and local attractions.
The downside to the FOSH system is that you really have to search to find them. Through a cruise agent and a good cruise guide, you can discover the options that make a cruise fun.
Cruise lines that offer FOSH cruises include:
Silver Sea Bank A nine-night all-inclusive cruise is available departing April 3, 2025, including door-to-door travel.
Viking A 14-night cruise departing January 3, 2026 is available.
Seaborn A 14-night all-inclusive cruise departing June 19, 2025 is available.
home Sweet Home
Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International have selected Panama City Terminal as their home port for Caribbean operations for the 2025-2026 cruise season.
The cruise line made this decision due to the hotel infrastructure and tourist attractions in the province of Colon and Panama.
Today, Panama City is a modern metropolis with skyscrapers and shopping malls. The canal, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Casco Viejo, and the beaches are all popular attractions for tourists.
Don't let your feathers ruffle
With everything going on in the world right now, it's hard to comprehend something that could be upsetting to a cruiser.
First of all, you're on a cruise! You'll be in an environment where you'll be served, entertained, and have plenty of time to relax.
But apparently, the little yellow rubber duck is enough to raise some people's blood pressure. Carnival Cruise Line passengers are particularly fond of hiding the adorable critters on the ship for others to find.
Passengers can choose to search for the ducks and find new hiding places for them, or ignore them entirely, as they would any annoying deck mate.
Playing the game has always been optional, but some passengers believe these little yellow sunbeams are an insurmountable nuisance and must be banned.
Follow our lead, hug the duck and avoid the irritable passengers!
Week of August 12, 2024
did you know? In 2023, there were about 30.7 million cruise passengers. In 2024, there are expected to be 35.7 million cruise passengers. Of those, children make up a very small percentage… unless you’re on a Disney cruise. In that case, it looks like your cruise is filled with all children.
Disney Fleet Expansion
Speaking of Disney, they are increasing their cruise fleet by four ships. Three of the new ships will be launched under the Disney Cruise Line brand, and one of the new ships will be operated by Oriental Land Company (OLC).
Disney has partnered with Oriental Land Company, which owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort, to offer year-round Disney Cruise Line vacations in Japan.
Meyer Werft Shipyard in Germany will build:
Disney TreasureDecember 2024, capacity 2,500 people
Disney destinyBy 2025, it will be able to accommodate 2,500 people
Disney adventureBy 2025, the capacity will reach 6,000
Unnamed, Oriental Real Estate Company, 2028, 2,500
Disney Treasure The 2013 German naval vessel has emerged from its construction bay at the shipyard. Workers are preparing to begin designing the interior of the hull as the ship docks on the banks of the Ems River.
Stay connected faster
Princess Cruises will launch a new, faster internet service across its fleet in 2025. MedallionNet Max will go into service on August 31, 2025, using SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet constellation.
The service will offer speeds of 50 to 150 Mbps and will be available to guests who purchase Princess Plus and Princess Premier plans.
The Princess Plus package costs approximately $60 per person per day and accommodates one device, while the Princess Premier package costs $80 per person per day and accommodates up to four devices.
So you need to decide whether it is worth it to spend that much money every day to stay in touch with the people who stay on shore. The price may be a good reason to tell them why you can't do it.
Trouble in Paradise
The Sunshine State is in trouble, and relations between Florida officials and Port Canaveral are not harmonious.
Port Canaveral plans to build a new cruise terminal at North Cargo Terminal Berth 8. Florida officials say the plans could jeopardize the development of the space program.
Florida Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue and Florida Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly sent a brief letter to Canaveral Port Authority commissioners making that stance clear.
Their exact statement is: “Recognizing the positive impact the aerospace industry has on Florida’s economy, the Florida Department of Transportation has invested more than $13 million in improvements to NCB8 to support cargo operations.
Now, Port Canaveral has decided to unilaterally repurpose these state-funded improvements for other purposes — an approach that is inconsistent with our state’s economic strategy and will drive high-tech, high-growth companies out of the Port and potentially out of the state.”
Perdue and Kelly warned that unless these plans were rescinded immediately, the Florida Department of Transportation would redirect the planned Port Canaveral investments to other ports and the Florida Department of Commerce would stop providing funding. These are pretty “unequivocal” statements.
A Port Canaveral spokesperson said they understand the concerns and will work to find a solution. Perdue and Kelly reminded the port that there are other options for cruise ship berthing, but not for space business. We will have to wait and see who wins in this battle for berths and outer space.
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About Jonathon Hyjek
Jonathon is a technical staff member at CruiseportAdvisor.com. When he's not in front of his computer, Jonathon enjoys traveling and cruising (even on a burning cruise ship – more on that later!)
