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Archives for 11/02/2025

Carnival Sunshine’s Year-Round Cruises from Virginia Commence

The Mermaid City just got a little more exciting for cruise goers! As of today, February 11th, 2025, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Sunshine is setting sail for its very first year-round weekly cruise out of Norfolk, Virginia. With the departure of Carnival Sunshine, Norfolk’s port now operates year-round for the first time, joining the expanding list of year-round cruise ports along the East … [Read more...]

Carnival Now Charging Fee for Previously Free Shuttle Service

Carnival Cruise Line has begun charging for what was previously a free shuttle service at the cruise port of La Paz in Mexico, a destination occasionally included on Mexican Riviera itineraries. Guests aboard Carnival Panorama have been surprised by the added fee, which was explained in a letter delivered during their sailing. The cruise departed on Saturday, February 8, 2025, and the letter … [Read more...]

Atlas Ocean Voyages Sets Record Charter Sales For 2025

Atlas Ocean Voyages continues to experience strong demand, with record-setting charter sales for 2025 and beyond. This ongoing interest underscores the strength of the brand’s luxury yacht expedition experience, solidifying its position as a leader in the industry. As part of its strategic growth plan, Atlas Ocean Voyages, in partnership with Mystic Cruises, has extended its successful … [Read more...]

Windstar will replace Cuadro 44 restaurant with Basil + Bamboo

Windstar Cruises ships are getting a new Mediterranean-Asian fusion restaurant across its fleet, starting with the Star Breeze in February. Basil + Bamboo will be a complimentary specialty restaurant, taking the place of Spanish restaurant Cuadro 44 across the line’s fleet this year, including on its newest ship, the Star Seeker, which is slated to debut in December. Windstar said the small venue … [Read more...]

I love cruise vacations but there are 7 reasons to avoid booking ships with a lot of ports

If you're going to book a cruise, you might be better off with a sailing that has less time visiting an island or city.Cruises are renowned for how convenient it is to visit multiple places in a single week. It almost feels magical how you can go to sleep and wake up in a different place.What I've found after so many years of cruising on all sorts of ships is Royal Caribbean is getting really good … [Read more...]

Port terminal operators SCH Secures Cruise Contract with Portsmouth International Port

SCH is delighted to announce the renewal of its Cruise Services contract with Portsmouth International Port, securing operations for up to the next 10 years. This continued partnership highlights SCH’s commitment to delivering professional stevedoring services and supporting Portsmouth’s growing cruise ambitions. With 94 cruise ship calls scheduled for 2025 – including 34 transit calls – … [Read more...]

Two Cruise Ships Visit The City Of Santa Marta, Colombia, Simultaneously

Santa Marta welcomes 11 cruise ships this season, bringing over 8,600 visitors. AIDALUNA and VOLENDAM Arrive on the Same Day, Marking a Milestone for the City. On January 30, 2025, AIDALUNA from AIDA Cruises docked at 6:30 a.m., followed closely by VOLENDAM from Holland America Line at 7:00 a.m., making its inaugural visit to Santa Marta. The two ships brought 2,858 eager cruise passengers and … [Read more...]

Norfolk welcomes year-round cruise service with $12 million terminal renovation, hotel deals

Norfolk’s skyline is about to look a lot different, with massive cruise ships once again towering over the waterfront. Tuesday, the 3,700-passenger Carnival Sunshine will embark on 2025’s first weekly cruise vacation offered from the city’s Half Moone cruise center. It’s the start of Norfolk’s first-ever year-round cruise offering. “We’re expecting close to 300,000 passengers (total),” said Rehn … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises opens new terminal in Miami

MSC Cruises opened what it calls the largest cruise terminal in the world on Feb. 8 in Port Miami. The MSC Miami Cruise Terminal’s first ship was the MSC Seascape. The terminal can accommodate three ships at once and process up to 36,000 guests each day, MSC said. MSC will sail four ships from the new Miami terminal this year, including the MSC World America, which will debut in April and sail … [Read more...]

Zaandam emerges from two-week refit and refurbishment with upgraded public areas

Holland America Line’s Zaandam has competed a two-week drydock in the Bahamas, during which her library and activity areas were expanded, and the spa, photo gallery, photo studio, and Neptune Lounge were upgraded. Zaandam departed Saturday, February 8th, 2025, on her 27-day Amazon Explorer Legendary Voyage , and will spend the next few months exploring the Amazon, sailing … [Read more...]

Princess Cruises Details New Alaska National Parks Cruisetours

Sarah Bretz, ContributorSarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015, and in that time has taken a dozen cruises and counting. Her favorite onboard activities include trying the casual dining options, spending time in the spa’s thermal suite, and attending the love & marriage show. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB.See all author posts Appeared first on: … [Read more...]

Minnie Mouse Heroic Bow Art Unveiled for Disney Destiny

It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s… Captain Minnie Mouse! As Disney Cruise Line’s new ship continues its construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, Minnie Mouse has taken her rightful place on the bow, as has been tradition across the cruise line’s fleet of six ships since the introduction of Disney Magic in 1998. This time, Minnie is draped in a flowing cape to look every … [Read more...]

Prescriptions on a Cruise: What to Know About Bringing Medicine on the Ship

Traveling with prescriptions can be a stressful thing. Sure, no one will look twice at that antibiotic that you take, but prescription medication can range from relatively benign to extremely dangerous or addictive if taken incorrectly. Many medicines also run the risk of being abused or may seem suspicious if bringing large quantities. With cruises going to international destinations, having to … [Read more...]

Princess Cruises is Expanding its Cruisetours in Alaska

Seeing the pristine Alaskan coast by cruise ship is a bucket-list trip, but for those eager to experience the Last Frontier State’s massive national parks, Princess Cruises offers a series of expanded cruisetours that combine a voyage with a land component. With departures in 2025 and 2026, the cruise line’s schedule enables guests to visit up to five national parks in combination with its … [Read more...]

Protected: MSC World America: Inaugural Sailing

Grant Balfour Reporter, mystic, musician, and beekeeper, Grant Balfour has published work in outlets as diverse as Kung Fu Magazine, Biscayne Times, the Australian poetry journal Cordite, and the Weekly World News. His second-favorite beaches include Richard’s Bay, South Africa; Sanur, Bali; Los Mochis, Mexico; the northern bank of the Elbe in Hamburg; and the one five minutes … [Read more...]

Magellan Explorer Joins Traveller Made’s Serandipians Afloat Collection

Antarctica21 is thrilled to share that Magellan Explorer has been welcomed into the prestigious Serandipians Afloat Collection by Traveller Made, a membership reserved for the world’s most exceptional yachts and small expedition ships offering unique travel experiences. Magellan Explorer: A New Standard in Boutique Antarctic TravelMagellan Explorer, designed exclusively for Antarctica21’s fly and … [Read more...]

Princess Cruises Expands Alaska National Parks Cruisetours Adventures in 2025 and 2026

Exploring the pristine natural beauty of America’s national parks remains a top travel trend, and as the leading cruise line in Alaska, Princess Cruises is expanding its renowned cruisetours catalog. The new itineraries give guests more opportunities to discover awe-inspiring national parks, including Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, and Katmai. Following the successful … [Read more...]

Delfin Amazon Cruises Announces Return of Delfin I in April 2025

Delfin Amazon Cruises, the “world’s first Relais & Châteaux cruise company” and a leader in luxury river expeditions in the Upper Peruvian Amazon, has announced the return of the Delfin I in April 2025, following a full-scale, three-month renovation. As Peru’s only family-owned and operated high-end river cruise company, Delfin Amazon Cruises is committed to fostering local prosperity and … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line Eases Concerns Over Laundry for Passengers

Laundry – all cruisers have it, but do you bring it home, do it onboard yourself, or send it out for laundry service onboard before the voyage ends? A lot of travelers don’t enjoy putting dirty clothing back into the luggage. Not all cruise ships are equipped with self-service laundry areas, however, and some guests just don’t want to spend time on their vacation tending to laundry – whether … [Read more...]

I always choose this time to have my cruise room cleaned. It's not perfect but I think it's the most convenient

Royal Caribbean gives passengers in standard the cabin of what time of day to have their room cleaned, and I always pick the evening option.You used to get twice a day cabin attendant service up until a few years ago, and then it was cut to just once per day.I thought I'd hate the change more than I actually did, but I made my peace with it and I've adjusted to it.  While I might have liked … [Read more...]

Zaandam Unveils Enhancements on ‘Amazon Explorer’ Voyage

After completing a two-week dry dock in the Bahamas, Holland America Line’s Zaandam set sail on Saturday, February 8, 2025, for its 27-day “Amazon Explorer” Voyage, featuring several upgrades to public areas. Notable enhancements include expanded library and activity areas, upgrades to the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, Photo Gallery, Photo Studio, and renovations to the Neptune Lounge. RELATED: … [Read more...]

Country Music Cruise in 2026 Sold Out in 4 days, Now Waitlist Only

The Country Music Cruise that will set sail in 2026 on a Holland America Line cruise ship sold out in just four days. Even though this seven-day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean on Holland America’s Eurodam is sold out, you can join a waitlist just incase any cabins open up for sale. The cruise will depart from Ft. Lauderdale on January 25, 2026 and will feature some of classic country’s biggest … [Read more...]

Hurtigruten launches Buy One, Get One Free Flash Sale on Norwegian Cruises

Hurtigruten has launched a Buy One, Get One Free flash sale, valid now through February 21, 2025, on select departures on the six-day Original Coastal Express from Kirkenes to Bergen April through September 2025. Hurtigruten has operated this southbound itinerary since 1893, where guests get to see and experience the very best of the Norwegian coastline, as well as taste the local delicacies … [Read more...]

Disney Destiny Ship’s Log Update – Hero Minnie Mouse Bow Artwork Painted

Disney just gave us an update on the Disney Destiny. As of February 11, 2025, the ship is still in Hall 6 at the Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany and work is focused on installing the unique exterior features that will distinguish the ship. In today’s ship log update on the Disney Parks Blog, we are seeing the bow which depicts Hero Minnie Mouse striking a valiant pose in her new heroic … [Read more...]

I used to always book a cabin on a high deck on a cruise ship, but now I prefer a low deck room instead

I started booking rooms on lower decks instead (less dependence on elevators, convenient to walk to dining rooms and promenade, a little cheaper)Unlike hotels on land, you can pick if room is on a higher or lower level of the cruise ship.The more I've cruised, the less I've cared about which deck my cabin is on, but I definitely stopped paying extra to be on a higher deck.I cruise on a monthly … [Read more...]

Seattle Has It ALL – Discover It Before You Sail!

Get ready to set sail for the ultimate Alaska cruise adventure! Join Porthole Cruise & Travel’s Bill Panoff as he sits down with Port of Seattle experts Linda Springmann, Director of Cruise and Maritime Marketing, and Chantelle Lusebrink, Manager of Tourism Development, to discuss the latest developments in Alaska cruise travel. In this exciting conversation, they’ll dive into the innovative … [Read more...]