SILVERSEA® STRENGTHENS THE MOST DIVERSE ANTARCTICA OFFERING IN ULTRA-LUXURY CRUISING WITH ADDITIONAL FLY-CRUISE VOYAGES

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(Monaco -- June 28, 2022) In response to strong demand, ultra-luxury cruise innovator Silversea is enhancing its industry-leading all-inclusive polar offering by adding three new Antarctica Bridge voyages for the 2023-2024 season. The seamless fly-cruise programme provides the fastest, most direct route to Antarctica by enabling travelers to fly over the Drake Passage in business-class comfort. With three ice-class ships unlocking the White Continent for guests, a broad array of voyage lengths, and pioneering fly-cruise options, Silversea operates the most diverse Antarctica offering in ultra-luxury cruising.

"In response to exceptional demand, we have added three new fly-cruise voyages aboard Silver Cloud® for 2024, enhancing our industry-leading Antarctica offering and strengthening our destination leadership,” said Roberto Martinoli, Silversea’s President and CEO. "We offer guests the luxury of choice, with the most diverse offering in ultra-luxury Antarctica cruising. Our pioneering Antarctica Bridge option is tremendously popular with time-conscious travellers who prefer to experience the White Continent without crossing the Drake Passage."

THREE NEW VOYAGES ABOARD SILVER CLOUD

Adding to Silversea’s existing Antarctica Bridge offering for 2022 and 2023, guests seeking the fast track to the White Continent may select from two new five-day expedition voyages aboard Silver Cloud, departing February 2 and 7, 2024, as well as a 6-day sailing departing February 12, 2024.

After landing at Chile's Eduardo Frei Montalva air base on King George Island, Silver Cloud's guests will spend the same amount of time exploring Antarctica as on the cruise line’s conventional itineraries. They will journey deep into destinations such as Antarctic Sound, the Antarctic Peninsula, and the South Shetland Islands, before returning to King George Island. 

Silversea's highly experienced Expedition Team will guide Zodiac tours, kayaking adventures, and explorations ashore, as well as provide lectures on the region's fascinating geology, wildlife, and history to enrich the journey for guests. In addition to witnessing incredible ice formations and otherworldly landscapes, guests will visit large penguin rookeries, and may see several species of seals, whales, and other birds.

SEAMLESS JOURNEYS VIA PUERTO WILLIAMS

For sailings that cross the Drake Passage, Silversea recently enhanced guests’ journeys to Antarctica with the launch of round-trip voyages from Puerto Williams, Chile. From the 2022-2023 season, guests sailing aboard the line's three ice-class expedition ships – Silver Cloud, Silver Wind® and Silver Explorer® – will enjoy more convenient flight times, personalised service during a private charter flight, and quicker transfers to the ship, on exclusive itineraries departing from the new gateway of Puerto Williams. The close cooperation of the Chilean authorities and local stakeholders enabled the enhancement.

THE MOST INCLUSIVE POLAR OFFERING

Silversea’s guests enjoy the most inclusive polar offering in ultra-luxury expedition cruising. Guests travelling on the cruise line’s Antarctica Bridge voyages benefit from the following inclusions:

  • Private executive transfers 1

  • International roundtrip flights

  • One night pre-cruise hotel stay and one post-cruise hotel night stay in Santiago 2

  • In-country flights to Punta Arenas

  • One Pre-cruise hotel and one post-cruise hotel night in Punta Arenas

  • Private Business Class roundtrip flight between Punta Arenas and King George Island

  • Transfers and luggage handling

  • Limited complimentary Wi-Fi

  • Multiple restaurants serving diverse cuisine and in-suite 24-hour dining service, including caviar

  • Premium beverages in-suite and throughout the ship

  • Butler service and onboard gratuities

  • Highly-qualified Expedition Team, comprising of experts in their field

  • Enrichment lectures, guided Zodiac, land and sea tours, and shore-side activities

  • Complimentary expedition gear, including parka, backpack, and water bottle, as well as the use of boots, waterproof pants, and walking poles.

View Silversea's Antarctica Bridge voyages, and find applicable terms and conditions:

https://www.silversea.com/lp-antarctica-bridge.html

Watch a video on Antarctica Bridge: 

https://youtu.be/H6-14_eOCzQ

View and download related images:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ruskxmhp7sp1h1j/AABm_uL15tFqNTKeFDaotDHGa?dl=0

1Up to 50 miles per transfer.

2Post-cruise hotel stay is available for UK and EU only. 

Our review of Silversea Silver Moon

GUY FIERI LAUNCHES NEW FUNDERSTRUCK BURGER ACROSS CARNIVAL FLEET

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Funderstruck Nacho Burger

Starting today, guests sailing on any Carnival Cruise Line ship can enjoy a new Funderstruck Nacho Burger created by chef, restaurateur and Carnival partner Guy Fieri.

Available only at Guy’s Burger Joints across the Carnival fleet for a limited time, the Funderstruck Nacho Burger is comprised of a toasted brioche bun, the chef’s famed 80/20 burger patty, donkey sauce and super melty cheese, and stacked with nacho seasoning, borracho beans, crispy corn tortilla strips, fried jalapenos and fresh pico de gallo. To watch Fieri put together the special burger, click here.

Fieri also introduced Fully Loaded Fundertots, which are now available for a limited time at Guy's Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse Brewhouse aboard Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama and Mardi Gras. A video of Fieri putting the Fundertots together can be viewed here.

Other popular menu items at Guy’s Burger Joint include The Plain Jane, The Straight Up, The Pig Patty, The Ringer, and The Chilius Maximus. And at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, guests can enjoy a full-blown smokehouse experience, from music and beers brewed on board to the most real-deal barbequed brisket, pulled pork and more, all smoked on board.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.

Booking a Vacation Just Got Easier with Princess Cruises $1 Deposit Offer

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We will be reviewing Discovery Princess in September!

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We will be reviewing Discovery Princess in September! 〰️

Book by July 5 for Savings Up to 40% on 2022 Cruises and 25% on 2023 Sailings 

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (June 27, 2022) – Having a cruise vacation to plan and look forward to just got easier. On top of the summer savings Princess Cruises is currently offering on 2022 and 2023 voyages, guests can take advantage of a new $1 deposit offer, running June 30 - July 5, 2022. This means cruisers who reserve their sailings to worldwide destinations by July 5, don’t have to pay the remaining balance until 90 days before their trip, when deposits typically range between $100 - $800 at the time of booking. Plus, cruisers can take advantage of the current summer savings offer of up to 40% on 2022 voyages and 25% on 2023 sailings.

Sample cruise fares per person, based on double occupancy include:

  • 7-Day Canada & New England on Enchanted Princess (October 22, 2022), starting at $799

  • 7-Day Western Caribbean with Mexico on Ruby Princess (January 8, 2023), starting at $499

  • 7-Day Classic California Coast on Royal Princess (October 23, 2022), starting at $449

  • 7-Day Baja Peninsula & Sea of Cortez on Diamond Princess (October 16, 2022), starting at $419

  • 7-Day Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers on Grand Princess (May 6, 2023), starting at $499

  • 7-Day Mediterranean with France & Italy on Enchanted Princess (April 15, 2023), starting at $849

Additional information and general terms about limited time offers can be found at www.princess.com.

This offer applies to cruises up to 55 days, and those in which final payment is required are not eligible. All cruise prices are per person, based on double occupancy. The $1 deposit sale runs June 30, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. PT through July 5, 2022, and is available to residents 21 years of age and older of the United States & D.C., Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Bermuda. 

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com/.

My review of Celebrity Apex

MSC CRUISES RELAUNCHES POPULAR GALA NIGHT, COMPLEMENTING RICH ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMING ACROSS THE FLEET

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credit @mifamiliawanderlust

  • The return of Gala Night is set to be the highlight of the cruise, inviting guests to put on their elegant outfits and enjoy a variety of highly anticipated activities

  • This summer sees the return of MSC Cruises’ full entertainment program with numerous activities and events for guests to enjoy throughout the cruise from morning to night

Geneva, Switzerland – June 23, 2022 – Just weeks after returning its entire fleet to sea, MSC Cruises announced the relaunch of its popular Gala Night today, giving guests the perfect excuse to find their favorite elegant outfit and join officers and crew for stylish events and exciting activities taking place throughout the ship. Guests of all ages will find joy in the return of the most extravagant night of the cruise, which features special dining experiences, unique performances, photo opportunities and parties.

Steve Leatham, Global Head of Entertainment, MSC Cruises, said, “Gala Night has always been one of the most anticipated events of the MSC Cruises experience, and we are excited to bring it back alongside our full entertainment program. With a variety of celebratory events taking place throughout the evening, Gala Night is the ideal setting for guests from all around the world to come together, feel special and celebrate – something that we have all dearly missed over the last two of years.”

The relaunch of Gala Night will feature a program of celebratory events including elevated dining experiences, special spa offerings, and photo opportunities that surprise and delight. Highlights include:

  • Pampering Services and Special Shopping Events -- Special spa services will be available on Gala Night for guests to spoil themselves and prepare for the elegant events of the evening. The shops and boutiques on board will host a Sparkle with Swarovski Glamour event showcasing unique jewelry pieces available for guests to purchase so they can commemorate the most extraordinary night onboard. There will be plenty of photo opportunities throughout the ship, including the chance to get a professional photo as a memento of the evening – either with the Captain or on the glamourous Swarovski stairs.

  • Upscale Dining Experiences -- A Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and presentation will kick off the evening, honoring the crew and kicking off a night of celebratory events. After the Welcome Cocktail, a special Gala Dinner menu will be served in the main restaurant. The dinner will include live entertainment, a special dessert offering and a special thanks from the Captain to the dining staff.

  • Theatre Show and Entertainment -- The best production show of the cruise will take place on Gala Night, offering an awe-inspiring event for guests. Live music will be available in various venues, and activities will be scheduled throughout the ship to complement the evening. In addition to the return of Gala Night, MSC Cruises’ world class daily entertainment options are back in full force, rounding out the cruising experience for all ages.

Full and enriching entertainment options across the fleet this summer

The return of a wide range of entertainment programming will create an exciting experience onboard as guests return to cruising. MSC Cruises’ most iconic themed evenings are back in all their glory, including White Party, Sunshine Party, Retro Party, and more. Guests will have endless options for amusement with 16 hours of entertainment each day and over 200 activities to choose from during a cruise.

The Kids’ Clubs have extended their hours, allowing young guests to enjoy lunch with the Youth and Kids Teams and parents to leave children in the clubs while exploring ashore.

Celebrations and dancing are in full swing with the re-opening of the night club and extensive live music offerings. Guests can also enjoy fun in the sun with increased capacity at the water parks, plus pool games and sports tournaments.

To find out more about MSC Cruises’ entertainment offering, click here.

VIKING MARKS FLOAT OUT OF NEWEST OCEAN SHIP

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Viking Mars

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Coming in August

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Viking Mars 〰️ Coming in August 〰️

Viking Saturn

Set to Debut in Early 2023, the Viking Saturn Meets Water for First Time

Los Angeles (June 23, 2022) – Viking® (www.viking.com) today announced its newest ocean ship—the 930-guest Viking Saturn®—was “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ship has touched water. Scheduled to debut in April 2023, the Viking Saturn will spend her maiden season sailing itineraries in the Mediterranean and in Northern Europe.

“It is always a proud day when a new Viking ship meets water for the first time and moves one step closer to joining her sister ships in our fleet,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Together with Fincantieri, we have built the world’s most elegant ocean vessels—and we look forward to welcoming our first guests on board the Viking Saturn when she is delivered next spring.”  

The traditional float out ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard and is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. The float out of the Viking Saturn began at approximately 11:00 a.m. local time when the Viking team cut a cord that signalled water to flow into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set the Viking Saturn afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

Viking Saturn

              Viking’s ocean vessels have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. The Viking Saturn will join the award-winning fleet of identical sister ships, which includes Viking Star®,Viking Sea®, Viking Sky®, Viking Orion®, Viking Jupiter® ,Viking Venus® and Viking Mars® . The Viking Neptune® will be delivered in late 2022.

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE TO BRING COSTA VENEZIA TO THE U.S. IN 2023, COSTA FIRENZE IN 2024, TO SAIL AS PART OF THE CARNIVAL FLEET

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Costa Firenze

MIAMI, June  22, 2022 – Carnival Cruise Line – proudly known as America’s cruise line – is teaming up with Costa Cruises – Italy’s favorite cruise line – creating a new concept for Carnival’s North American guests when COSTA® by CARNIVAL® debuts in the spring of 2023 and Costa Venezia TM   joins the Carnival fleet sailing from New York. Costa Venezia will be followed by Costa Firenze TM arriving in the spring of 2024 to sail from Long Beach.

Carnival will operate the ships, which will marry the great service, food and entertainment that Carnival’s guests enjoy with Costa’s Italian design features. “Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze will bring Carnival’s guests the ambiance and beauty of Italy,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “We’re going to invite our guests to Choose Fun with Carnival, Italian Style!”

“This is an exciting opportunity for us to operate two additional beautiful Vista class ships in the U.S. and bring a unique experience to those who love the culture, food and vibe of Italy,” said Duffy.  “There are lots of ways we plan to create an immersive fun experience for our guests who choose to sail on these ships, which have beautiful Italian-design elements, dining and retail that will deliver Carnival fun leveraging the spirit of Italy from our sister line Costa Cruises.”

Mario Zanetti, president of Costa Cruises, said, “We are excited to see these iconic ships make their debut in the U.S. under the leadership and operation of our sister brand.  Costa providing the beautiful ship with its’ Italian design and Carnival delivering FUN, Italian Style!”  Zanetti said that Costa will be informing clients impacted by this news.

Duffy said that the ships will continue operating their regular Costa itineraries until they are assigned to Carnival for dry dock work and deployment.  Deployment and itinerary plans are being finalized, with the Venezia announcement coming soon given the spring 2023 launch date. Costa Venezia and Costa Firenze are sister ships to Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Panorama, weighing 135,500 gross tons and accommodating up to 5,260 guests. 

Princess Cruises Only Line to Offer Authentic Gelato Experience at Sea

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Italian Chamber of Commerce Certifies Gelato Experience On Board Princess Ships as First to Offer the Authentic Confection Outside Italy

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (June 23, 2022) – With the start of summer, scooping up one of Italy’s most famous desserts from Gelato onboard Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess just got a little sweeter. The Princess Cruises gelato shops have been designated as Ospitalità Italiana, and are the first and only locations to offer an authentic Italian gelato experience outside of Italy. 

The prestigious Ospitalità Italiana designation is issued by the Italian Chamber of Commerce committee, an organization of the Italian government, and confirms that every step of the gelato-making process meets or exceeds a strict set of standards as approved by official Italian auditors and experts, who review the process on a yearly basis. Only gelato shops that attain outstanding quality status are awarded the official Ospitalità Italiana

certification. 

Princess Cruises handcrafts its fresh gelato with Italian-certified ingredients and equipment each day in the pastry kitchens onboard the cruise line’s three newest ships – Discovery Princess, Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess. Corporate pastry chef Eric Le Rouzic trained with the best Italian chefs at the Gelato Carpigiani University in Bologna and the Gelato Comprital Atheneum in Milano to master the art of making this heaven in a bowl. Princess uses top-of-line gelato machines by renowned manufacturer Carpigiani and the Gelato display cases were produced in Italy by expert craftsmen.

“The ‘Ospitalità Italiana’ is a tremendous extension of our Italian heritage and gives us the opportunity to immerse our guests into the unique Italian culture found throughout Italy in our very own piazza,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “The designation also recognizes the incredible dedication of our pastry chefs and their passion to offer truly authentic experiences and the very best ingredients to our guests.

Fun Fact - Gelato Isn’t Ice Cream

According to legend, the recipe for Gelato was popularized when architect Bernardo Buontalenti was asked to create a special confection for a member of the Medici noble family in the 16th century. Buontalenti mixed milk, eggs, sugar and extracts in a special machine surrounded by ice and salt, and egg cream-based gelato was born. 

While it’s creamy, gelato has less butter fat and fewer calories. The authentic Italian ingredients are combined with Princess’ freshly sourced fruit and is made each day with milk, not requiring the extra fat from cream that is needed in ice cream for a longer shelf life. As a result, a scoop of gelato is 80-100 calories and the sorbet or “fruit gelato” has no fat and is only 50-60 calories, with no dairy. 

Princess guests can choose from a variety of flavors – favorites like fior di latte (vanilla) and cioccolato (chocolate), to tiramisu, Nutella and caramello salato (salted carmel). The menu even offers dairy-free, fat-free sorbets and sugar-free gelato. Guests can enjoy them by themselves, with toppings or in such tasty combinations as “affogato” (with liqueur) or “coppe,” including indulgent creations like nutellone (Nutella gelato, Nutella and whipped cream) or amaretto and peaches (amaretto gelato, fresh sliced peaches and meringue drops). 

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com/.

My review of Celebrity Apex

MSC AND CHANTIERS DE L’ATLANTIQUE CELEBRATE MILESTONES FOR TWO LNG-POWERED NEWBUILDS

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MSC WORLD EUROPA COMPLETES FIRST SET OF SEA TRIALS - CREDIT BERNARD BIGER - CHANTIERS DE L'ATLANTIQUE

  • MSC Cruises’ first LNG-powered vessel, MSC World Europa, successfully completes first set of sea trials

  • Line’s second LNG ship, MSC Euribia, floats out

Saint-Nazaire, France, June 21, 2022 – The Cruise Division of MSC Group and Chantiers de l’Atlantique celebrated two important milestones over the weekend for MSC Cruises’ first two liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels, both under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France.

MSC World Europa successfully completed her first set of sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean. The tests included measuring the performance of the ship’s engines, along with assessing its maneuverability, fuel consumption, safety systems, speed and stopping distances. MSC World Europa will be the first LNG vessel to join the cruise line’s fleet in November 2022 and is set to become the largest LNG-powered cruise ship in the world.

Meanwhile, MSC Euribia was floated out and moved to a wet dock for work to continue on the ship before she joins MSC Cruises’ fleet in June 2023.

MSC EURIBIA HAS NOW BEEN MOVED TO A WET DOCK FOR WORK - CREDIT BERNARD BIGER - CHANTIERS DE L'ATLANTIQUE

MSC has invested more than $3.14 billion in three LNG-powered cruise ships. The construction of the third ship – ‘World Class II’ – will begin at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique yard early next year.

Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, Cruise Division of MSC Group, said: “We made an important pledge lastyear to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, leading the cruise industry on the path to decarbonization. MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia will play a fundamental role in this journey.

“LNG is the cleanest marine fuel currently available at scale that reduces emissions significantly and offers compatibility with future alternative fuel solutions. We are actively investing in research and development regarding LNG, including a pilot LNG-powered solid oxide fuel cell onboard MSC World Europa. If bio or synthetic LNG was available at scale today, both our newbuilds could operate with net zero emissions from the very first day.”

MSC World Europa – next-generation cruise experience

MSC World Europa is the first in the trailblazing MSC World Class – a brand new class of ships that will introduce a completely new cruising platform and accommodate up to 6,762 passengers.

MSC World Europa will incorporate future-proof marine and onboard hospitality technologies, redefining the cruise experience with a variety of new concepts and creative areas unlike anything at sea today. The ground-breaking design features a Y-shaped aft that leads to the impressive 341-foot long, open-air Europa Promenade with breathtaking ocean views. Brand new balcony cabins overlook the stunning space, which features a striking architectural centerpiece in the form of The Venom Drop @ The Spiral, an 11-deck-high dry slide set to be the longest at sea.

MSC World Europa will debut in the Arabian Sea for winter 2022/23. MSC Cruises is deploying more capacity in the Middle East than ever, aiming to strengthen its position as the region’s market leader for vacations at sea. The ship will offer 7-night voyages between December 2022 and April 2023 from Dubai to Abu Dhabi and Sir Bani Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates, Dammam in Saudi Arabia, and Doha in Qatar before returning to Dubai.

In March 2023, the ship will head to the Mediterranean Sea and sail 7-night cruises calling at the Italian ports of Genoa, Naples and Messina; Valletta in Malta; Barcelona in Spain; and Marseille in France.

For details on MSC World Europa’s itineraries, click here.

MSC Euribia – symbol of MSC Cruises’ respect for the oceans

MSC Euribia will become one of the most environmentally advanced ships in MSC Cruises’ fleet and is named after the ancient goddess Eurybia, who harnessed the winds, weather and constellations to master the seas. The ship will have a noticeably different look than others in MSC Cruises’ fleet thanks to exclusive artwork that transforms her hull into a giant, floating canvas to communicate the importance of sustainability and the Company’s commitment to the sea.

Starting in June 2023, MSC Euribia will spend her inaugural season in Northern Europe sailing from the German port of Kiel. Her 7-night itineraries to the Norwegian fjords include calls at Copenhagen, Denmark; Hellesylt, Norway for the Geirangerfjord; Alesund and Flam, also in Norway; and other destinations.

For details on MSC Euribia’s itineraries, click here.

MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia – environmentally advanced

Both MSC World Europa and MSC Euribia will be powered by LNG fuel, which eliminates emissions like sulphur oxides and reduces nitrogen oxides by up to 85 percent. LNG also plays a key role in climate change mitigation, as it reduces CO2 emissions by 25 percent and is paving the way for the uptake of sustainable non-fossil fuels like green hydrogen.

The two vessels will both feature selective catalytic reduction systems, shore-to-ship power connectivity, advanced wastewater treatment systems to comply with the Baltic standard – the strictest global standard for wastewater disposal to sea, underwater radiated noise management systems to reduce potential noise and vibration impact on marine mammals, and a wide range of energy efficient equipment and systems to optimize engine use.

ANTIQUE ROLLS ROYCE ON CARNIVAL ECSTASY GETS A NEW HOME ON CARNIVAL CELEBRATION

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For three decades, an antique Rolls Royce has been sailing the high seas – on board Carnival Ecstasy. Now, the well-known fixture will continue its travels on Carnival Cruise Line’s next new ship, Carnival Celebration.

The vintage car, a 1934 Rolls Royce Saloon, was carefully offloaded from Carnival Ecstasy while the ship was docked in Mobile, Ala. last Thursday (click here to see video). It is being carefully shipped to the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland where Carnival Celebration is under construction.

The car thousands of Carnival guests have admired and taken pictures of over the years will soon find a new home adjacent to The Gateway, a two-deck zone aboard Carnival Celebration which celebrates travel and the excitement of exploring new destinations.

The Gateway zone includes The Golden Jubilee, a bar venue highlighting Carnival’s evolution of ships over the last 50 years. The bar will feature memorabilia and original pieces from several of Carnival’s earlier vessels and so the Rolls Royce will add to the nostalgia. 

Carnival Ecstasy’s designer searched all over the United Kingdom to find the perfect car to fit the space outside the ship’s Rolls Royce Café. It was acquired from a small antique car dealer in the hills of Northern Wales. Carnival Ecstasy is finishing its final sailing season and will be retired in October.

Carnival Celebration, the second of Carnival Cruise Line’s new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered ships will begin service in early November with a 14-day transatlantic voyage from London (Southampton) to its homeport of PortMiami. Her arrival will continue the celebration of Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday.

Ground-breaking A-ROSA SENA on maiden voyage

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Hybrid E-Motion Ship departs Cologne for the first time with guests on board

On Saturday 18 June, A-ROSA's ground-breaking new river cruise ship, A-ROSA SENA, departed from Cologne on her maiden voyage. To the delight of the guests and crew on board, the ship sailed out of the city silently and emission free due to the ships innovative hybrid propulsion 'E-Motion' system, which enables the vessel to switch to battery power when arriving and departing ports.

Guests and crew were excited about the sustainable new ship: "A-ROSA SENA's design is truly unique on the river. Together with the spacious interior layout, she offers a completely new travel experience", comments hotel manager Dennis Brenner. Captain Ulli Schwalbe adds: "Thanks to the hybrid propulsion system and the exhaust gas purification filter, you don't notice any emissions on board and can just enjoy the pure cruising experience." The E-Motion Ship recently received the "German Award for Sustainability Projects 2022" for its environmentally friendly technologies.

A-ROSA SENA will now sail a seven-night (round trip) itinerary from Cologne, calling at Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Antwerp. It is the first river cruise ship on the Rhine to feature four decks of
spacious interior public areas, plus a large sundeck. She also boasts various dining options and a large spa complete with a Finnish sauna, jacuzzi, treatment rooms, gym, relaxation room and even an ice grotto. Alongside this, many of her family and multigenerational features such as the dedicated kids club room, family cabins sleeping up to five and the separate children's pool on the sundeck have never been seen before on a river cruise ship.

My review of Viking Ocean Cruises’ Viking Orion