Radiance of the Seas, built in 2001 is a 90,00 ton ship and carries over 2400 passengers.

(InsiderCruiseNews) Royal Caribbean canceled or delayed three back-to-back Alaska voyages on the Radiance of the Seas cruise ship in September, throwing a wrench into the travel plans of hundreds of customers.

The 2,400-passenger ship was scheduled to depart from Seward, Alaska on September 1 and Vancouver, Canada on September 8 for seven-night cruises along the Alaskan coast. Both voyages were canceled due to a technical issue with the ship’s propulsion system, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said.

But once repairs were completed, the ship remained sitting idle in Seward’s harbor. Its next cruise, scheduled to depart on September 15, was delayed four days due to a storm forecasted to move through the Gulf of Alaska, a spokesperson for the cruise line told Insider.

Instead of spending seven days traveling to six ports of call (including Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, and Icy Strait Point), the cruise was shortened to four days — leaving only enough time to visit Ketchikan, Alaska on September 20.

NCL’s Pride of America returns to cruises to Maui after the devastating fires.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced its return to Kahului, Maui, with the guidance of the Maui community, Hawai‘i State Governor Josh Green and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

NCL’s Pride of America, which has an 18-year history of cruising the Hawaiian Islands year-round, will recommence its weekly overnight calls to Kahului beginning early September. Earlier this month, the cruise line paused its calls to Maui, to avoid stressing local resources due to the devastating wildfires in Lāhainā on the island’s west side.

“We have a strong connection with the people and islands of Hawai‘i and long history of bringing guests from all over the world year-round to this paradise in the Pacific,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “When we heard of the tragic wildfires, we were quick to mobilize our network to support local recovery efforts in Maui. We temporarily adjusted our itineraries to avoid stressing the destination further. We look forward to returning to this incredibly special destination with the guidance and support of the local community, Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and Governor Green.”

Hawai‘i State Governor Josh Green, M.D. said, “We appreciate the continued partnership with Norwegian Cruise Line, and the support it has recently provided to aid the recovery of the residents of Lāhainā. While travel to West Maui is restricted to returning residents and emergency responders, we are working with our tourism partners, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, and encouraging them to make a steady return to other areas of the island and throughout the rest of the state.”

“The damaging effects of the recent wildfires to the Lāhainā community has been heartbreaking,” said Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, chief brand officer of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “As recovery efforts are underway, the island of Maui is dependent now more than ever on the return of mindful, respectful visitation which keeps our residents employed and businesses open. We are encouraging travelers and visitor industry companies, such as Norwegian Cruise Line, to make a responsible return to the island, visiting the many areas that were not impacted by the fires and are welcoming travelers back.”

To learn about the latest Maui emergency management and recovery information, and to kōkua (help) the people of Maui, please visit mauistrong.hawaii.gov and Maui United Way. For information about the areas of Maui that remain open and are welcoming visitors, visit gohawaii.com/maui.

Celebrity, always known for excellent cuisine, ups its game on newest ship Ascent.

Celebrity Cruises, an award-winning premium cruise line, unveiled details of the culinary and beverage program planned for its highly-anticipated new ship, Celebrity Ascent. The fourth vessel in the line’s Edge Series, Ascent, will delight travelers with redesigned restaurants, a new immersive dinner experience, expanded food and cocktail menus, a new whiskey tasting experience, and a plant-based multi-course dinner.

“The memories we make with family and friends while sharing food and drink has long-been one of the most memorable parts of travel, and with Celebrity Ascent we sought every opportunity to make these experiences richer and exciting for our guests,” says Laura Hodges Bethge, Celebrity Cruises’ President. “Onboard Ascent there is something to delight every guest, whether it is the fine dining connoisseur with a palate for the world’s best wines or the wellness-minded traveler desiring more plant-based, healthy options.”

A New Le Voyage: Chef Daniel Boulud’s Exclusive Restaurants at Sea

World renowned chef, Daniel Boulud, Celebrity’s Global Culinary Ambassador, will bring his highly acclaimed restaurant concept at sea to Celebrity Ascent. The second installment of the highly rated fine dining venue, Le VoyageSM will feature an all-new design that creates a stunning scene and ambiance, featuring a new chandelier, captivating neutrals, plush banquet seating, and gold tones throughout. Guests will experience a global menu that offers dishes from his personal travels and favorite places around the world. For the ultimate culinary experience, groups can reserve the Chef’s Table – a private, 6-seat dining room that treats diners to a multi-course tasting dinner complete with exceptional wine pairings.

Plant-Based Flavors and Options Pop

One of the most captivating venues onboard Edge Series ships, Eden, is a window to the world, featuring three levels of experiences completely wrapped in floor-to-ceiling windows. The multi-use venue offers a casual lunch café, a cocktail bar, an entertainment space, an outdoor terrace and a signature restaurant – all of which come alive at night with a fusion of music, libations, and performances. One of the highlights of Eden is its signature restaurant, offering a culinary journey rooted in untouched, fresh and seasonal ingredients. With the arrival of Ascent, travelers will have the opportunity to experience global cuisine in its most pristine and untouched form through a new seven-course plant-based tasting menu. Each dish features ingredients that have been sourced from their original place of origin and presented in the most natural state. Menu highlights include dishes like the Golden Beet-Tomato Ceviche, Ajoblanco Panna Cotta, Roasted and Glazed Celeriac Steak, and Dry Rose Petals Masala Curry. Enjoyed as a tasting menu, or a la carte, diners can also opt for organic and vegan wine pairings.

Expanded Offerings at Main Dining Rooms and Redesigned Cosmopolitan Restaurant

With the Edge Series ships, Celebrity presented a new dining room concept, expanding offerings from one main dining room to four main dining restaurants –each offering a different style of cuisine and signature dishes. Onboard Ascent, travelers will continue to enjoy the option for New American cuisine at Cosmopolitan restaurant; Mediterranean at Cyprus; French contemporary at Normandie; and Italian at Tuscan. Combined, the four main dining restaurants offer travelers more than 84 different dishes to choose from. Guests of Cosmopolitan will be delighted by its new design inspired by the culture of champagne, featuring a new layout and seating throughout.

Carnival’s Jubilee is a departure from other ships with it’s blue bow. The 184,000 ton ship will carry over 5000 passengers.

Carnival Cruise Line’s next new ship, Carnival Jubilee, marked a key construction milestone as it floated out of the covered building dock at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. The ship features a Texas star proudly displayed on the bow. Currently in its last stages of construction the ship is set to debut in December.

“The Texas star on Carnival Jubilee’s bow is a symbol of our commitment to the Port of Galveston. As the first cruise line to sail year-round from Galveston, we have a long history with the community,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Hundreds of spectators gathered at the shipyard to get a look at the ship. Jubilee moves into its next phase of construction alongside the shipyard’s outfitting pier. Sea trials are scheduled for November.

Carnival’s newest ship is part of its groundbreaking Excel-class, the largest ships in its fleet, and is the third and final vessel in this class. It will offer features already aboard her sisters Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration, including the next iteration of the first roller coaster at sea, BOLT: The Ultimate Seacoaster.

Originally ordered for AIDA Cruises, the Jubilee was set to be built as a sister to the AIDAnova and the AIDAcosma before being transferred to Carnival Cruise Line in 2021.

The ship will sail year-round on Western Caribbean itineraries beginning in late December – though she will not be the first Carnival Jubilee to sail from Galveston. Like her sisters, the ship shares a name with a classic Carnival ship, and the first Carnival Jubilee sailed from Galveston in 2002. The new Carnival Jubilee is four times larger than her predecessor and will bring four times the fun for Carnival guests to enjoy. For more information visit Carnival.com

HAL’s Zaandam is set for 51 day cruises in 2024 from San Diego.

Three Holland America Line ships are set to explore the lush landscapes and natural wonders of Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in 2024-2025. From unspoiled islands to cosmopolitan cities, Westerdam will spend the season Down Under, while Koningsdam and Zaandam each offer a longer Legendary Voyage to the South Pacific and Hawaii.

In October 2024 Westerdam sails a westwardly South Pacific crossing, followed by the iconic Australia Circumnavigation. From December 2024 through March 2025, the ship offers a series of 14-day departures roundtrip from Sydney, Australia, or between Auckland, New Zealand, and Sydney. Zaandam’s “Tales of the South Pacific” in September 2024 is from Vancouver, Canada, to San Diego, California, or roundtrip San Diego, while Koningsdam’s “Hawaii, Tahiti and Marquesas” in February 2025 is roundtrip from San Diego.

“Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific are iconically beautiful locations, but they have so much more to offer which is why they remain high on the bucket list of travelers who are looking to see the world with the ease of a cruise,” said Beth Bodensteiner, Holland America Line’s chief commercial officer. “The Australia Circumnavigation itinerary is the most in-depth immersion a cruiser can have of the continent, and many of our Legendary Voyages make it possible to visit distant destinations from a North American homeport. These cruises are among some of the most notable we offer.”

Legendary Voyages Linger Longer
Holland America Line’s extended Legendary Voyages range from 25 to 59 days and combine the ceremony of a Grand Voyage with itineraries that feature a comprehensive collection of ports that enrich the experience in each destination. Most of Holland America Line’s Legendary Voyages sail roundtrip or to/from a North American homeport, allowing travelers to see the world from their doorstep with a convenient domestic flight and easy embarkation.

NCL’s Epic comes in for minor refit in 2025.

Norwegian Cruise Line has canceled multiple sailings on its Norwegian Epic ship, the latest in a string of scrapped voyages for the cruise line.

The line canceled three 2025 cruises so the ship can undergo “a revitalization,” Norwegian said in a letter to guests and travel partners last week, which it shared with USA TODAY.

“In order to complete these enhancements, Norwegian Epic’s sailings on April 15, 2025, April 26, 2025, and May 5, 2025, have been canceled,” Norwegian said. “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.”

The line gave impacted passengers full refunds and a 10% discount on another cruise in the form of a future cruise credit. “This credit may be used by and applied towards any of our published sailings through December 31, 2025,” Norwegian said in the letter.

Carnival Venezia carries over 4200 passengers and was first launched in 2018 as a Costa ship.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that new facial recognition technology will be active at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal in New York City this summer. This will permit cruise guests to debark their vessels much more efficiently without sacrificing security and customs precautions.

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald made the announcement on facial recognition technology with respect to the new Carnival Venezia, which will be arriving for the first time in New York City on Thursday, June 15, 2023.

The new technology, however, will not be fully in place for debarkation of that maiden transatlantic crossing, but will be used beginning with debarkation of the next sailing, a 4-night roundtrip cruise to Bermuda.

“I’m excited to confirm that United States Customs and Border Protection has approved for us to roll out Facial Recognition in New York commencing with the debarkation on June 19th, 2023,” Heald said.

This technology allows passengers to debark a cruise much more quickly, as each individual guest or family group doesn’t need to stop and speak with a customs official. Instead, cameras quickly capture and match up each individual’s face with digital records to confirm their identity.

Facial recognition technology has been in place at different cruise ports for years, including homeports in Florida, California, and Texas. The wireless process is smooth and fast, permitting ever-busier cruise ports to more quickly and securely process guests to get travelers on their way.

Much of the technology was implemented as cruising resumed in the summer of 2021 after the industry-wide pandemic shutdown. Facial recognition is wireless processing that helps minimize in-person contact and eases crowding in cruise terminals.

Carnival Venezia, the latest addition to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, sailed into its New York City homeport for the first time June 13th. The ship’s guests just completed a 15-day transatlantic sailing that began in Barcelona, Spain. The ship was launched in 2018 as Costa Venezia.

Carnival will host a welcome ceremony on board the ship Wednesday evening and acclaimed comedian and television host Jay Leno will become the first godfather named to a Carnival ship. On Thursday, Carnival Venezia will mark its first departure from the Manhattan Cruise Terminal, with guests set to embark on a four-day cruise visiting Bermuda.

Carnival Venezia is debuting “Carnival Fun Italian Style” and introducing several new concepts, from restaurants and bars to entertainment programming. The new venues and experiences enhance the ship’s theming, as its design is inspired by the city of Venice, Italy.

The 250,000 ton Icon of the Seas is due to launch in January 2024.

Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas reached its next major construction milestone at the Meyer Turku shipyard Finland, when it was floated out of the dry dock and into its outfitting dock for its anticipated debut in January 2024. This is the first Icon Class ship of RCI where it has been under construction for more than eight months.

As part of the float out, the ship’s dry dock was filled with water overnight. Once the dock was filled, Icon was then moved to an outfitting dock, which will be its home for the next year until construction is complete. The mega ship displaces 250,000 tons and carries over 5600 passengers. The ship is unique both in size and appearance and will be of great interest for agents booking families with young children. There are many attractions for kids on several levels from  especial in the mid aft section of the upper decks with 6 waterslides and seven pools.

What’s in store on Icon is the first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation. From the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure, the revolutionary ship delivers every kind of family and adventurer their version of the ultimate family vacation.

The new ship features an all-encompassing lineup of firsts and next-level favorites across eight neighborhoods, making it the perfect getaway for adults and parents, kids and grandparents alike. Between the adrenaline-pumping thrills at the new Thrill Island and unrivaled ways to chill at neighborhoods like the new Chill Island and the luxurious four-level Suite Neighborhood.

Icon will sail year-round, 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami. Every cruise will visit Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas, and a mix of destinations like Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Basseterre, St. Kitts. More details about Icon are available at www.RoyalCaribbean.com/Icon.

Holland America’s Koningsdam arriving in Vancouver.

In an early sign of a successful Wave season, Holland America Line bookings in the third week of January were the highest on record for any January week for the premium cruise line. The week ending January 20 also exceeded bookings during the same week in 2019 by more than 20%.

The rise was especially notable for summer cruises and Cruisetours to Alaska, where Holland America Line offers more cruises to Glacier Bay than any other line and is the only cruise line with owned land operations in both Denali and Yukon. For the week ending Jan. 20, Alaska bookings were 25% higher than in the strongest week in January 2019.

On Jan. 17 alone, Holland America Line reached its highest single-day bookings for any January day on record. Guests are also booking cruises further into the future. More than 25% of the bookings for the high-volume day on Jan. 17 were for voyages embarking in 2024.

“Seeing this level of booking is a great sign for Holland America Line and for the industry,” said Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line. “Travelers are clearly excited to get back to cruising and they appreciate the service and experiences unique to Holland America Line including our Alaska Up Close onboard programming. It’s especially encouraging that so many guests are already looking ahead to 2024 and planning their next vacation.”

Holland America Line’s “Time of Your Life” Wave offer runs through Feb. 28, 2023, with limited-time kickers such as $1 deposits added throughout. “Time of Your Life” is available on select summer 2023 to spring 2024 cruises and includes a free stateroom upgrade, fare discounts, free fares for kids and reduced deposits — plus tours, beverages, specialty dining and Wi-Fi with the “Have It All” premium package.

Norwegian Jade, 94,000 tons, carries over 2400 passengers.

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) celebrates a new milestone having successfully concluded its inaugural season sailing from Cape Town, South Africa.

In December, Norwegian Jade became the first vessel in the line’s 18-ship fleet to homeport from the South African port, offering international and local guests 12-day Extraordinary Journeys along the coast of South Africa and Namibia with an overnight stay in Cape Town, South Africa and visits to Mossel Bay, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and Richard’s Bay, South Africa; and Luderitz and Walvis Bay, Namibia.

The international cruise line is building on its successful inaugural season in South Africa and has recently announced the deployment of Norwegian Dawn to the region in winter 2024. Homeporting from Cape Town, South Africa and Port Louis, Mauritius, the 2,340-passenger ship will offer a series of Extraordinary Journey voyages between January and March 2024.

Harry Sommer, Brand President and CEO at NCL, said, “As part of our Guest First philosophy we are focused on enhancing our destination offerings. Our new Africa voyages combine locations such as Cape Town and Mauritius with hidden gems like Pomene and Maputo in Mozambique or Fort Dauphin in Madagascar. With an average of almost 12 hours in each port the new voyages are amongst our fastest selling cruises for 2024 and are attracting guests from almost 60 countries worldwide.”

Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger, comments: “Cruise tourism generates R300 million in economic impact for the Western Cape and supports thousands of jobs in the province. Positioning Cape Town as a homeport for international cruising and a gateway to Africa is a key growth opportunity for our region, and we welcome NCL’s commitment to sailing from Cape Town.”

Norwegian Dawn will embark on her 17-day repositioning cruise in January 2024 to the region, sailing for the first time in the Company’s 56-year history from Doha, Qatar to Mauritius. The itinerary provides for a unique combination of calls to the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania and Madagascar.

On Jan. 20, 2024, she will then cruise a 12-day itinerary from Port Louis, Mauritius, calling to Pointe des Galets, Réunion; Fort Dauphin (Toalagnaro), Madagascar; Pomene and Maputo, Mozambique; Richard’s Bay, Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), Mossel Bay and Cape Town, South Africa.

In February and March, Norwegian Dawn will complete 12-day roundtrip voyages through South Africa and Namibia with calls to Mossel Bay and Durban in South Africa, and Luderitz and Walvis Bay in Namibia, before embarking on her most extensive itinerary March 20, sailing from Cape Town, South Africa to Barcelona, Spain. The 21-day voyage along Africa’s west coast will visit ports in Namibia, Angola, Sao Tome and Principe, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Senegal, Cape Verde, Canary Islands and Morocco.