Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a coastal resiliency bill that effectively kills plans to construct a new cruise port facility near Tampa.
The bill includes a special amendment specifically restricting work in Manatee County where the proposed cruise terminal was planned.
The bill also forbids dredging activities in the Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve, south of Tampa, unless it is for specific environmental improvements.
DeSantis noted that the existing Port Tampa Bay is sufficient to serve cruise ship tourism in the region and that another terminal would be unnecessary.
“There’s not really a need to add another port in the middle of a conserved area and an aquatic preserve, especially given that Tampa Bay is already home to three deep-water ports,” the Governor said.
Some cruise industry advocates disagree. The proposed terminal site is south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which would have allowed mega cruise ships to call in the region for the first time.
Currently, the largest ships cannot visit Port Tampa Bay due to the bridge’s height clearance.
The cruise terminal proposal was put forward by SSA Marine, which operates a facility at Port Tampa Bay and at other U.S. ports.
Addressing the issue last month, SSA Marine said it is committed to environmental stewardship and to creating long-term economic opportunity for Manatee County and West Central Florida.
From the start, the project faced strong opposition from local residents. An online petition against it drew about 19,000 signatures, with concerns that dredging and construction could negatively impact water quality and damage the preserve’s ecosystem.
For passengers, the signed law means mega ships that cannot clear the Sunshine Skyway Bridge will remain unable to call at the Tampa area.
That limitation would have been lifted had the Manatee County terminal moved forward.
In what’s becoming something of a trend at Norwegian Cruise Line, they have yet again reversed a policy shortly after implementing it. This time, it has to do with the Free at Sea drink package. And while guests will no doubt like this change more than some recent developments, the line made another announcement while will prove annoying to some, even if only temporarily.
Some of Norwegian Cruise Line’s recent decisions have gone over like the proverbial lead ballon. There was the downright confusing issue regarding changes to the dress code which were immediately walked back. (The policy as it now stands is still somewhat confusing, reading in part “there’s no right look, just your look.”) But any disgruntlement over sandals and shorts was quickly drowned out by news that moving forward, their popular Free at Sea drink package would not be honored at their private island destination, Great Stirrup Cay.
In fact, word began leaking that the company would begin selling a separate Great Stirrup Cay drinks package. While that plan was slated to go into effect in March, it was temporarily postponed. Although no reason was given, it seemed clear that the company — already under heavy scrutiny thanks to harsh criticism from major shockholder Elliott Investment Management — was aware of the negative reaction amongst cruisers.
Now, it seems Norwegian Cruise Line has blinked, announcing that they have not so much shelved as nixed their previous plans. Moving forward, the Free at Sea drinks package will continue to be honored at Great Stirrup Cay.
In other Great Stirrup Cay news, Norwegian has announced plans to temporarily shut down the island’s recently-opened pier. Opened to much fanfare just before Christmas of 2025, it seemed clear from the start that this was a temporary move, especially as plans included a second pier which would allow for two vessels to visit the island at the same time.
We now know that in April, Norwegian will indeed stop using the pier for several months so that construction can be completed. While no official date has been announced, it is believed the project should be completed by early fall.
Until that time, however, ships visiting Great Stirrup Cay will once again be doing so by using tender boats to ferry guests back and forth. The timing is not particularly ideal, especially given that NCL is planning to open Great Tides Waterpark — the latest in a series of major island expansions — sometime this summer.
It’s worth noting that failing to fully monetize their initial investment in Great Stirrup Cay was one of the major issues raised by Elliott Investment Management. This issue was also addressed by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings during its most recent quarterly earnings call.
Read Next: Norwegian adds fee for new entertainment
South Pacific cruise itineraries from Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Norwegian Spirit, Carnival Splendor, and Princess Cruises are compared.
The post Luxury vs Adventure: Which South Pacific Cruise Will Blow Your Mind – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, or Norwegian? appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Silversea Silver Ray drops Funchal in Madeira from its transatlantic itinerary due to severe weather, replacing it with Leixoes as the ship heads to Lisbon.
The post Silversea Silver Ray Skips Funchal Port in Madeira as Atlantic Storm Threatens Safety: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Explora Journeys seeks a Sydney‑based ANZ Commercial Director as its ultra‑luxury fleet expands, targeting strong growth from Australia and New Zealand in 2026.
The post Explora Journeys Hunts For New ANZ Commercial Director As Ultra‑Luxury Growth Accelerates Down Under appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Unforgettable Croatia opens its full fleet for private charters, offering bespoke small-ship and yacht voyages along the Dalmatian coast for groups and travel trade.
The post Unforgettable Croatia Unveils 2027 Private Small-Ship Charters Along The Dalmatian Coast In Croatia: All You Need To Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
AmaWaterways’ City Escapes on the Seine, Rhine and Danube offer longer port stays, quieter-season sailing and cultural immersion in Europe’s great river cities.
The post AmaWaterways’ New City Escapes River Cruises Redefine Europe’s Quiet-Season Charms appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Disney Cruise Line unveils its fourth Wish-class ship, Disney Believe, set to launch in 2027, featuring characters from beloved Disney films.
The post Disney Cruise Line Announces New Ship: Disney Believe to Launch in 2027 appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Holland America’s new shorter cruises to Asia in 2026 offer flexible luxurious itineraries allowing travelers to visit iconic cities without long commitments.
The post Holland America Introduces Shorter Cruises to Asia in 2026: Discover the Best of Bangkok, Tokyo, and More appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Holland America introduces a new 8-day Southeast Asia itinerary from Singapore, featuring stops in Port Klang, George Town, Langkawi, and Phuket, perfect for short travellers.
The post Discover Southeast Asia with Holland America’s New 8-Day Itinerary from Singapore appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
The US Maritime Action Plan seeks to revitalize the country’s maritime ecosystem with a focus on innovation and workforce development.
The post US Maritime Action Plan Faces Skepticism at CMA Shipping 2026 as Focus Shifts to Maritime System Evolution appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
TUI Cruises cancels more sailings for Mein Schiff 4 and Mein Schiff 5 due to Middle East conflicts. Passengers and crew are being prioritized for safety.
The post TUI Cruises Cancels Additional Mein Schiff Sailings Over Middle East Conflict — Safety Measures in Focus appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
A norovirus outbreak aboard Star Princess sickens nearly 200 passengers and crew on a Caribbean cruise; CDC Vessel Sanitation Program and Princess Cruises.
The post Star Princess Hit by Norovirus Outbreak, 193 People Affected appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Carnival Cruise Line cancels 11 fall 2026 voyages on Carnival Firenze from Long Beach; guests can rebook with fare protection plus onboard credit.
The post Carnival Cancels 11 Fall 2026 Sailings on Carnival Firenze appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
TUI cancels additional sailings for its Middle East cruise ships, affecting travelers' vacation plans. Read on to learn about the disruptions and impact on tourism.
The post Travelers Face Setbacks as TUI Cancels More Sailings in the Middle East appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Caribbean cruises from Miami and Galveston face new illness outbreaks and fresh ship launches, reshaping US–Caribbean tourism.
The post Caribbean Cruises Face Sickness Outbreaks As New Ship Launches Reshape Tourism Demand appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Shanghai’s 2026 cruise season starts with a splash! Discover how new visa-free travel and two luxury port calls in one week are reviving China’s premier city.
The post Shanghai’s Gilded Port: A Week of Ultra-Luxury Travel as Global Cruisers Return appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Disney Cruise Line launches Disney Adventure in Singapore with a stunning Marina Bay drone and fireworks show, marking the start of nautical-themed festivities through April.
The post Singapore Marina Bay The Sky Suddenly Lit Up With Hundreds of Drones as Disney Cruise Line Unveiled Its New Disney Adventure in a Jaw-Dropping Spectacle! appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
China is accelerating Shanghai’s cruise tourism growth as the North Bund gains momentum as a major international gateway, supported by the arrival of consecutive luxury cruise ships and the widespread adoption of the country’s visa-free entry policy.
The post China Boosts Shanghai Cruise Tourism as North Bund Welcomes Luxury Ships, Visa Free Entry Policy Drives Strong International Passenger Arrivals and Launches 2026 Season appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Celestyal Cruises cancels additional sailings of the Celestyal Discovery in the Eastern Mediterranean due to the Middle East conflict, offering refunds or credits to affected guests.
The post Celestyal Discovery Mediterranean Itineraries Cancelled Amid Middle East Conflict appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
American Cruise Lines’ new riverboat American Encore completes sea trials and sails toward the Pacific Northwest for its inaugural Columbia and Snake River cruise season.
The post United States Pacific Northwest New Luxury Riverboat American Encore Begins Epic Journey From Maryland to the Columbia River Ahead of Its Highly Anticipated Inaugural Cruise Season! appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Carnival Cruise Line cancels 11 sailings of Carnival Firenze from Long Beach in fall 2026, offering rebooking or refunds. Thousands impacted.
The post Long Beach, California: Carnival Firenze 2026 Cruises Canceled – Get Your Refund or Rebook appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Cruise Industry Crisis now facing massive cancellations surge and huge fuel prices explode as global nautical tourism chaos reshapes travel forever, revealing what it means for travellers right now.
The post Cruise Industry Crisis Now Facing: Massive Cancellations Surge, Huge Fuel Prices Explode, Global Nautical Tourism Chaos Reshapes Travel Forever: What It Means for Travellers Right Now appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Ambassador Cruise Line unveils its 2028‑29 season with new itineraries, Christmas Party events and exclusive offers, boosting cruise tourism growth.
The post Ambassador Cruise Line Launches 2028‑29 Season, Expanding their Cruise Tourism in the UK, Mediterranean and Beyond With New Itineraries and Exclusive Offers appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Explore the Indian Ocean with Hapag-Lloyd’s new 2027/28 expeditions. Discover Madagascar and the Seychelles on a luxury travel journey beyond the ordinary.
The post Beyond the Ice: Hapag-Lloyd Reimagines Luxury Expedition Travel in the Indian Ocean appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Rising oil prices from Middle East tensions threaten Caribbean and Alaska tourism via higher cruise costs, hitting unhedged Carnival hardest and risking tourism.
The post Caribbean and Alaska Tourism Faces Headwinds as Oil Rally Hits US Cruise Operators Like Carnival: What You Need to Know appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
Forget who won the Oscar for Best Picture or which actors were left out of the annual In Memoriam section. The thing which unexpectedly had people talking all across social media was a Disney Cruise Line commercial.
Nobody plucks at the heartstrings better than Disney. But while we’re used to that where their movies and even in-park experiences are concerned, nobody expected for a simple ad to have that impact on the viewing audience at large. Yet the moment it began, people felt themselves bracing for what was to come.
Why? The instantly-recognizable “Married Life” theme from the soundtrack of the Disney animated feature Up. For those not in the know, that beloved film opened with a sequence in which we saw a couple meet as children, fall in love, experience everything life has to offer — both the good and the bad — before the wife passed away.
To call it heart-wrenching would be a massive understatement. So to hear the music which accompanied that gorgeous sequence play immediately clued viewers in to the fact that something special was about to unfold.
The ad starts with a beautiful shot of a Disney ship cutting through the waters late at night. A dad whose baby isn’t able to sleep takes the child for a late-night stroll around the slumbering cruise ship. Simple enough, right? Cute, but not overly emotional.
But we then follow this father and son over the course of several years, each time on the ship, each time taking a late night stroll. “Dad,” asks the boy late one night, “can we do the walk?” Even when his offspring hits the sullen teenage years — opting to chill in the room instead of hang with the family by the pool — he still joins pop for a late night sojourn.
But it’s the final shots which really get us in the feels. As a now much older dad is laying in bed late at night, there’s a knock at the door. It’s his fully-grown son, now a dad himself, saying he and his child can’t sleep. The toddler reaches out, uttering one simple word — “Grandpa” — before we see the trio walking hand-in-hand on a moonlit night.
Cue the tears.
Don’t believe us? Check out the ad for yourself above. But don’t say we didn’t warn you.
More than 150 cruise ship guests and crew have fallen ill during a Caribbean cruise this week.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was informed of the outbreak on March 11 and confirmed norovirus as the cause.
The CDC reports 104 guests and 49 crew members experienced diarrhea and vomiting. According to CDC data, this is the first cruise ship norovirus outbreak confirmed this year. A previous outbreak in January was caused by E. coli.
Guests reported enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures onboard, and ill guests and crew were isolated. More than 4,300 guests are currently sailing on Star Princess, which concludes its Caribbean voyage Saturday at Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades.
The week-long Western Caribbean sailing departed Florida on March 7 and called at Roatán, Honduras; Belize; and Cozumel, Mexico.
“We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitizing throughout the voyage,” Princess Cruises said. “We also separated anyone feeling unwell so they could rest comfortably in private as an added precaution.”
Princess Cruises says it will conduct an intense deep cleaning when the ship docks Saturday. Guests booked on the next departure have been notified by email that embarkation is delayed.
“As an extra precaution, the ship will undergo additional disinfection in Fort Lauderdale,” the cruise line said. Check-in will begin at 12:30 p.m., with staterooms available in the afternoon. All guests must be onboard by 4:00 p.m., and the ship will depart shortly after.
Guests are advised not to arrive before 12:30 p.m. Those with Princess hotel or transfer packages will receive updated pickup times at the hotel or airport.
This is the second ship to report a gastro outbreak in 2026, following 23 reported cases in 2025.
A new investigation into a 2023 cruise ship incident has criticized the medical response after an elderly passenger suffered a fatal injury during a storm at sea.
The report from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch examined the incident aboard the Spirit of Discovery operated by Saga Cruises.
Investigators say an 85-year-old passenger, Trevor Gilks, suffered a severe spinal injury after falling as the ship rolled violently in a storm off northern Spain.
The vessel had lost propulsion and was being battered by winds of about 70 miles per hour with 30-foot seas, leaving more than 100 passengers injured.
The report found delays in recognizing the seriousness of the spinal injury and said the passenger received suboptimal treatment on board.
According to investigators, a key diagnostic X-ray was not performed, and the patient was not placed on a spinal board. Over the next two days, he became paralyzed.
A doctor later recommended a medical evacuation, but the captain declined due to weather conditions. The ship eventually docked in Portsmouth, England.
Saga Cruises said it disagrees with several findings in the report but has since taken steps to strengthen safety procedures.
Plans for a new cruise port near Tampa are in doubt after Florida lawmakers passed a new coastal protection bill. The House passed the coastal resiliency bill, following unanimous backing in the Senate last month.
It is now headed to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk for signature. DeSantis hasn’t publicly indicated whether he will sign or veto it. If it is signed, it would become effective July 1.
The bill sets out a framework to protect coastlines and their habitats. Sen. Jim Boyd of Bradenton, FL added an amendment seeking enhanced protections specifically for Manatee County’s Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve.
This would likely prohibit the dredging work required for the proposed new Tampa cruise port in the Knott-Cowen Tract. This would have been a game changer for cruise tourism in West Florida, as the cruise port site is south of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, enabling the largest cruise ships to call.
The height clearance of the bridge limits the size of the ship that can call at the existing Port Tampa Bay. The new port development is a joint venture project between SSA Marine and Slip Knott LLC.
SSA Marine said last month: “We are committed to environmental stewardship and to creating long-term economic opportunity for Manatee County and West Central Florida. We look forward to engaging with residents, officials, and community leaders in meaningful dialogue.”
SSA Marine hasn’t shared many details about the work required at the site ahead of port construction. The bill allows for dredging and drilling only under special circumstances, such as for environmental improvements.
Strong Local Opposition to the Project
The project has been controversial, with strong local opposition citing concerns about water quality and the health of the preserve’s ecosystem. An online petition against it has garnered nearly 20,000 signatures
If you’re planning to set sail on a Princess Cruises ship, be prepared to shell out a bit more money than you might originally have budgeted. Why? Because the line has increased the daily gratuities which are paid, they say, directly to the crew. How much was the increase and what other fees were bumped up? Read on for details.
The increase made to the daily gratuities — which Princess calls a “Crew Appreciation” charge — amounts to $1 per person, per day, regardless of stateroom category. That means those in a standard cabin will now pay $18 per person per day. Those opting to stay in a Mini-Suite, Cabana or Reserve Collection stateroom will be paying $19 per person, per day. Finally, those booked in Suites will be charged $20 per person per day.
No doubt aware that this type of change is never received well by the cruising public, Princess opted not to make a formal announcement or send a press release. Rather, word began spreading amongst cruisers after they noticed an update to the line’s website outlining the changes.
Another change that went unannounced regards the service charge added to things such as specialty dining, drinks and other purchases. Princess has now increased that charge from 18% to 20% across the board. The change went into effect on March 7, with some guests reporting they were informed via a letter left in their stateroom.
The letter reads in part that the increased service charge “will apply to applicable dining and beverage purchases made onboard, excluding any prepaid packages. This includes experiential, specialty, and casual dining cover charges, a la carte food items, and a la carte beverage purchases excluded from a package.”
More: Princess Adds Premiere Dining Option
Meanwhile, the updated website reads as follows: “A non-refundable service charge of 20% of purchase will be automatically added to optional purchases of drinks, dining room and specialty dining, private group funtions and other elected products, services or amenities provided to guests that are no included in the cruise fare.”
In essence, this means that any purchase made on board — outside of the various shops — will see a 20% charge added to the base price. Those purchasing Princess Plus or Princess Premium packages will not be impacted.
Finally, Princess revealed that they are now charging $20 for those wishing to have their Princess Medallions shipped to them in advance of the cruise. Previously, shipping was available for half that price at $10. Guests may still pick up the Medallion at their port of departure at no charge.
Read Next: Carnival Rolls Out New Dining Option
When it comes to dining in the main dining room, there are two types of cruisers: those who like to linger and those who want to get in-and-out as quickly as possible. This week, Carnival Cruise Line is rolling out a new program that will definitely appeal to those looking to eat and run!
If you’re hoping to catch a show or want to get back to that hot machine in the casino, Carnival’s new express dining could be your new favorite thing. Why? Because the program is designed to give guests a full-blown dining experience in one hour or less.
“Our guests continue to tell us they value greater flexibility in how they spend their time on board,” says Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Express Dining was designed with that in mind.”
As is often the case, the line did some quiet testing where the concept is concerned. Obviously, it went well! “Our pilot program generated positive feedback from our guests,” reports Duffy. As a result, the program is currently available on 15 ships across the fleet, with the rest getting on board — pun intended — by the end of May.
There is one restriction where the new offering is concerned: It is not available to parties larger than six. But for those who do take part, Duffy says Express Dining will provide guests “the same high-quality dishes and attentive service our dining rooms are known for, while giving [them] the ability to use more of their time to enjoy all the other onboard fun.”
The menu offered to those opting for Express Dining will not be exactly same as that provided to other guests. Rather, Carnival says it will be “a thoughtfully curated menu, mirroring the main dining room offerings, with a slightly abbreviated selection.” That said, special dietary requests will, as always, be accommodated. And yes, the famous Melting Lava Cake is available!
More: How To Make Carnival’s Lava Cake At Home!
Guests who are using the Your Time Dining option can book Express Dining directly through the Carnival Hub App.
Express Dining comes on the heels of another recently-introduced program, the Family Express option at the Lido. This limited buffet offering features kids favorites such as mini burgers and corn dogs, as well as several salad and entrees, all designed to cut down time spent in line.
Read Next: How to make the most of your sea day!
If you’re a cruise enthusiast who spends any time at all “doomscrolling” Instagram, you’ve no doubt come across the video. You know, the one showing a simulation of “what happens if you fall off a cruise ship.” But let’s talk about what that video gets wrong… and what it doesn’t tell you.
Created and shared by an Instagram account called AxiomPixels, the video starts by showing a person standing at a ridiculously low railing and going overboard. “What happens if you fall from a cruise ship and no one sees you?” the voiceover and accompanying graphic ask.
The reel — which has been viewed over 5 million times and can be found here — goes on to describe this truly terrifying scenario and what would likely happen next. It talks about the force with which your body would hit the water and that “within 10 minutes, the glowing ship is just a speck of light on the horizon.”
The short clip goes on to ask how long the viewer thinks they’d be able to tread water in the dark, especially as the freezing water “instantly saps your body heat.” While no potential survival tips are included, the video does end by dubbing the situation “a terrifying reality” adding, “In fact: Over 30 people go overboard on cruise ships every single year, and most are never found.”
Perhaps they should preface that last number by “almost fact” given that the true number of annual man overboards is more in the 20-25 range. According to an industry report, there were 19 “man overboard” incidents.
READ MORE: All of 2024’s Man Overboard Incidents
According to a report from CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association), 218 passengers and crew were reported as having gone overboard. Of those, 48 percent were successfully recovered.
What’s important to note — and not mentioned in the fear-inspiring video — is that approximately 37 million people from all around the world cruised in 2025. It’s projected that in 2026, a record-breaking 21 million Americans will board ships.
If 30 people out of 37 million were to falloverboard, that words out to somewhere in the vicinity of 0.000086%. Call us crazy, but those are pretty good odds.
The other thing not mentioned in the viral video is that, simply put, people do not “fall off” cruise ships, at least not without a bit of effort. The fast majority of those who do are either taking a purposeful action or doing something that that goes against both the rules and common sense. Alcohol also plays a role in many incidents, with people who’ve had too much to drink making foolish decisions or taking deliberate actions.
Ultimately, like so many videos which go viral, there’s more to the story than meets the eye, let alone can be explained in so short a format.
Read Next: What happens when someone goes overboard?
Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship is still a few weeks away from debuting but already the honeymoon is over where some passengers are concerned. Why? Because of a price tag being attached to one of the entertainment options offered on board Norwegian Luna.
Described as a “bold, cheeky good time” available only for guests 21 years of age and older, LunaTique will require reservations and run guests $44.95 each. This covers not only the show but four cocktails and a souvenir glass.
As for the show, it is described as an “immersive evening” featuring “high energy vocals, outrageous antics and laughs.” The show is said to combine “vintage circus glamour” and “pop-decadence.” (It sounds similar to Up With a Twist, the show rolled out upon the launch of Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady. Perhaps the biggest difference is LunaTique’s cover charge includes cocktails but not the meal which accommodated Twist.)
In discussing the offering, many consumers took issue with Norwegian charging for the show. “They can’t really say it’s supposed to cover the cost of the drinks,” pointed out one member of a Facebook group devoted to the ship. “Most people get a drink package as part of their booking. That’s the whole point of their Free at Sea program.”
Added another, “Why am I paying twice for drinks?”
It’s worth noting this is not the first time Norwegian has charged for entertainment. When Norwegian Bliss launched in 2019, the entertainment lineup included Happy Hour: Prohibition Edition (reviewed here). Like LunaTique, it was a show specifically aimed at an adult audience. It, too, featured a selection of cocktails served during the show. And like LunaTique, it was a ticketed event, costing $19.95 per person.
Over the years, several ships within the Norwegian fleet have had similar for-fee shows, including some which included both meals and drinks. This is also not something which is restricted to new vessels. On the 2013-built Norwegian Breakaway, they recently introduced the Silver Screen Bistro where, for $50 per person, guests can enjoy a pre-set meal before viewing a relatively-recent movie.
Industry observers have seen Norwegian go through several changes in recent years where their entertainment offerings are concerned. For several years, the line focused on shortened versions of popular Broadway hits such as Kinky Boots and Six. More recently, however, these productions — and the high licensing fees associated with them — have been ditched in favor of jukebox musicals.
In talking to the executive editor of Travel Weekly at an event, then president of Norwegian Cruise Line Harry Sommer addressed the topic. “Guests on a Norwegian ship don’t want to spend two hours in a theater,” he explained. “They want to spend 30 to 40 minutes in a theater, then they want to enjoy… the other entertainment we have onboard.”
Only time will tell if they also want to pay to enjoy Norwegian Luna‘s new show.
Celebrity Cruises relaunched the revitalized Celebrity Solstice from Singapore this week, unveiling eight new experiences as part of a revitalization of the cruise line’s Solstice-class vessels.
The renovated ship adds four new spaces to Celebrity Cruises: Trattoria Rossa, Sunset Park, The Parlor, and Boulevard Lounge, along with updated staterooms, new entertainment productions, and expanded accommodations.
The ship now carries 1,479 cabins, adding 54 staterooms and four new cabin categories to the previous count.
Two new restaurants join Celebrity Solstice’s dining lineup.
Trattoria Rossa is new to the Celebrity Cruises fleet, serving Roman and Southern Italian cuisine with house-made pastas and tableside preparations including Chicken Parmesan and Caesar Salad.
Fine Cut Steakhouse, a Forbes Travel Guide-rated restaurant previously found on the line’s Edge Series ships, also joins the ship, offering 30-day dry-aged steaks and fresh seafood.
Sunset Park is a new top-deck outdoor area featuring yoga, lawn games, live music, and private cabanas. A Sunset Park Cafe serves breakfast and lunch, while an expanded Sunset Bar offers cocktails throughout the day.
Two new production shows debut in the ship’s theater. Smoke and Ivories focuses on 1950s music with acrobatics and live vocals, while Rockumentary recreates landmark rock performances.
Two new venues, Boulevard Lounge and The Parlor, offer piano bar sing-alongs, karaoke, billiards, darts, and craft cocktails.
All existing staterooms have been refreshed. AquaClass accommodations now include massaging showerheads, aromatherapy diffusers, in-room yoga mats, and a pillow menu.
The Retreat suite complex received a new sundeck with an oversized hot tub and a redesigned private lounge.
Celebrity Solstice will sail Asia and Australia before moving to Alaska cruises for summer 2026.
On September 13, the ship begins a 110-night Grand Voyage covering more than 55 ports across Alaska, the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia, concluding with a New Year’s Eve arrival in Hong Kong.
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