Page 179 – Cruise Hive (2024)

• Carnival Cruise Line News

Jul 28, 2023

Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador John Heald recently commented on bringing magnets onboard, noting that not ALL magnetic items are necessarily permitted.

The concern has arisen following a photo posted from a Carnival stateroom showing a home theater projector setup, complete with a ceiling-mounted projector and a screen attached to the cabin wall.

Not All Magnets Welcome

Many cruise travelers bring different types of magnets onboard for storage and organization in their staterooms, but it turns out that not every type of magnet is permitted, as some Carnival Cruise Line guests learned recently.

In a picture circulating online, guests in an interior Carnival stateroom – identifiable by the wall trim and bedside lamps – have set up an impromptu movie theater, complete with a magnet-mounted projector attached to the ceiling, a white screen on the wall, and cords secured by additional magnetic hooks so they aren’t dangling.

Despite the obvious care and ingenuity taken with the setup, such installations are still not permitted. “We do allow magnets on board but ummmm, not for this,” John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line brand ambassador, commented.

While it may seem that such a setup would be no problem, there are safety concerns with such suspended equipment. “Ship moves, something falls on head of the guest or cabin attendant plus the fire safety issues,” Heald explained.

In the photo, the rear of the projector is just inches from the stateroom’s smoke detector, which could cause an accidental alert if the sensor detected heat or ventilation discharge from the projector.

Furthermore, if any of the magnets were to loosen, the equipment could fall on the guests or on the cabin attendant, causing serious injuries.

The positioning of the equipment might also interfere with the ship’s sprinkler operation, if there were an emergency that activated the sprinkler system.

Read Also: What Is a Pullman Bed On a Cruise Ship?

It should be noted that neither magnets nor home projector equipment are on Carnival Cruise Line’s prohibited items list at this time. Some similar items, such as “satellite disks, routers, and other internet-related equipment” as well as “boom boxes/large radios” are not permitted onboard.

The prohibited items policy also states that “Digital Cameras/Camcorders, DVDs/VCRs, USB sticks, iPods, Nintendo/X-Box Play Units cannot be used with the TV in thegueststateroom or suite as the connection ports are disabled.”

Guest Reaction

Experienced cruisers have had mixed reactions to the traveling movie theater. Many guests understand the desire for a larger viewing screen, or else to have access to more movies than may be available on the cruise line’s limited television stations or through sometimes inadequate Wi-Fi streaming services.

Such a setup could also be great for kids who may need a quiet space to chill with their favorite movies or cartoons, or just for a relaxing area to watch a movie, order room service, and enjoy a lazy day at sea.

Other travelers have expressed thoughts that such equipment would take up too much room in the luggage, take too long to set up properly, or simply be of limited use when there are so many other activities – including Seaside Theater dive-in movies – available onboard.

Many guests have expressed a desire for greater channel availability on in-stateroom televisions, or else for more movies to be on offer in cabins. This may not be possible, however, due to licensing agreements as well as satellite reception for different channels and networks.

Magnets on Cruise Ships

Small magnets, magnetic hooks, or magnetic clips can be a great travel accessory, even if cruisers aren’t so creative as to put together an in-stateroom theater. Depending on the magnet style, hook or clip size (if applicable), or strength, they can be used for:

• Adding fast hanging spots for hats, bags, belts, lanyards, necklaces, etc.
• Hanging larger pocket storage organizers to store small items.
• Keeping curtains closed to darken the room for better sleep.
• Holding back a flapping shower curtain for more bathroom space.
• Hanging celebration decorations or small party lights, including door decorations.
• Impromptu drying space for swimwear, wet socks, etc.
• Holding daily newsletters, shore excursion tickets, and other papers.

Have you brought magnets onboard a cruise? What do you use them for? Share your own ingenuity on the Cruise Hive boards!

• MSC Cruises News

Jul 28, 2023

MSC Cruises has reached out to guests booked aboard the June 1, 2024 sailing of MSC Virtuosa to inform them that the cruises has been cancelled.

An alternative sailing has been offered – a shorter cruise aboard the same ship with a prorated refund – but little explanation has been given about why the longer original sailing is not moving forward.

MSC Virtuosa Cruise Cancelled

The June 1, 2024 departure of MSC Virtuosa, a 14-night sailing, has been cancelled. The cruise was to have been a roundtrip voyage from Southampton, visiting ports in Norway, Iceland, and Ireland.

Instead, guests have the option to sail on the ship for a shorter, 12-night itinerary, also aboard MSC Virtuosa, departing Southampton two days later on June 3, 2024.

This new cruise will visit destinations in the Canary Islands, Spain, and Portugal before returning to Southampton on June 15, the same end date as the original cruise.

Guests who opt for the alternate sailing will receive a prorated refund for the two missing nights of the sailing.

Because the two itineraries are dramatically different, many booked guests may be disappointed at the change and could seek to rebook on a different ship or cruise line to visit Norway and Iceland rather than take the southern voyage.

For the rest of the summer 2024 season, the 181,541-gross ton MSC Virtuosa will continue to offer Northern European and Spain itineraries of varying lengths, with ports of call in Norway, Denmark, Belgium, France, Portugal, and more.

Why the Cancellation?

No detailed explanation has been given for the shortened cruise with an alternate option on the very same ship. According to the email sent to booked guests, the decision was made “due to necessary operational reasons.”

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and any disruption to your vacation,” the email read.

Because MSC Virtuosa is sailing immediately prior to the now-shortened cruise, it is unlikely that a dry dock or other extensive time out of service is planned, unless further sailings are cancelled. At this time, there is no notice of additional cancellations for the vessel.

The Meraviglia Plus-class vessel entered service May 2021 and is one of the newer, younger vessels in MSC Cruises’ fleet. It is possible, however, that a short dry dock may be planned for general maintenance and upgrades.

Another option could be a short chartered sailing, but it is not common for existing cruises to be simply shortened to accommodate a charter voyage – instead, a full-ship charter would generally take the place of a regular sailing. Still, it is a possibility.

The cruise could also have been adjusted due to port restrictions or projected crowding at destination ports on the original itinerary, which would not provide a satisfactory experience for guests. In this case, the cruise line may be seeking a better, more enjoyable cruise.

Guests have also reported that the ship may be sailing a short, 2-night sailing on the dates removed from the original itinerary, but this does not yet show as available for booking.

No matter what the reason for the adjustment, cancelling the sailing, rather than swapping the itinerary, may be the easier course of action, especially since the departure date has changed. Many guests already booked may not be interested in a southern sailing, and would choose to cancel or alter their vacation plans due to this change.

By offering the incentive of a prorated refund to rebook on the new itinerary, MSC Cruises is trying to give guests as much vacation planning flexibility as possible.

Next Steps for Guests

Because the now-cancelled, shortened cruise is 10 months away, interested guests still have plenty of time to modify their vacation plans.

If travelers want to remain on the sailing, they may need to adjust their pre-cruise plans either to change airfare dates or to plan for more time in Europe prior to setting sail.

If guests have already made any independent shore tour plans, they will need to contact those tour operators for cancellation, since MSC Virtuosa will not be visiting any of the original ports of call.

Of course, the packing essentials for the cruise will also be dramatically different. The average temperature in Norway in early June, for example, is 10 Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit), while in the Canary Islands, the average temperature at the same time is 24 Celsius (74 degrees Fahrenheit). This will certainly necessitate a different wardrobe for the cruise!

• Royal Caribbean News

Jul 28, 2023

Royal Caribbean began notifying guests booked on cruises to the Bahamas that they can expect to see changes in their port charges, if their departure date is on or after January 1, 2024. New tax rates will take effect that day, after the Bahamian government approved the new policy in June.

Tax Increase Amounts Will Vary By Itinerary

Royal Caribbean issued a “Bahamas Tax Update” to booked guests, explaining that the Bahamas is implementing changes to its departure tax amounts for all cruise guests visiting the destination.

Royal Caribbean says the tax amount will change from $1 to $14, depending on the itinerary length. The update advises each guest that the line will be updating their reservation with the new amount.

It adds that adjusted taxes and fees will reflect on the booking before the final payment due date, and displays the adjusted tax amounts that the guest must pay.

“Bookings are being updated in phases based on the sailing date. There is nothing for you to do, we just wanted to keep you informed. We realize this is an unexpected charge and apologize for any inconvenience,” Royal Caribbean’s notice to guests says.

Earlier this week, Royal Caribbean sister line Celebrity Cruises sent out similar notices to its booked guests, advising them of the new tax rates. Other cruise lines with ships calling at the ports of Nassau, Freeport, and Bimini, and at the lines’ various private islands in the Bahamas, are likely to follow suit.

In Celebrity Cruises’ case, guests are reporting variations in the new fees being levied, with some seeing increases of just a few cents or dollars, while others are incurring higher costs.

The tax hikes vary widely due to several factors, including the number of ports a ship will visit in the Bahamas during one itinerary, whether a private island will be visited, and how long a ship will remain in port.

Port charges are always subject to change, since the cruise lines publish itineraries, fares, and fees months and sometimes years ahead of departure date.

How The New Tax Structure Works

The tax increases and the introduction of two new taxes were announced by the Bahamas in June and are contained in the country’s Passenger Tax Amendment Bill 2023.

Under the new structure, the current $18 per passenger departure tax will rise to $23 for guests whose ships leave from Nassau, Freeport, and Bimini. The increase rises to $25 per passenger for those whose ships depart the country from a private island without calling at another Bahamas port.

This tax change would affect many cruisers, since all of the major cruise lines operate private islands in the Bahamas, and itineraries sometimes bypass the main ports. On short cruises, a private island may be the only port call on an itinerary.

Besides the departure tax changes, the bill created a $5 tourism environment tax and a $2 tourism enhancement tax on all cruisers arriving or departing the destination. All of the tax hikes originally were to take effect on July 1, 2023, while the new environment and tourism enhancement taxes were to begin on January 1, 2024.

However, the Bahamian government, in late June, just days before the new levies were to begin, decided to postpone the departure tax increases to next year, meaning that all of the tax hikes and the two new taxes will be charged starting January 1, 2024.

With the new cruise tax structure in place, the Bahamian government projects $145 million in annual revenue, up from $50 million expected in the current fiscal year.

Bahamas One of Busiest Ports

The cruise industry delivers millions of travelers to the Bahamas each year, with the country’s biggest port located in its capital, Nassau. The port, which in May 2023 unveiled Phase 1 of its multi-year redevelopment plan, can accommodate six cruise ships simultaneously, including three Icon or Oasis-class ships.

Nassau set a cruise passenger record in February 2023, welcoming 28,554 guests in one day. Port officials expect that 4 million cruise guests will transit through Nassau this year.

• Royal Caribbean News

Jul 28, 2023

Royal Caribbean International has released another episode of its insider “Making an Icon” series, this time examining just how the distinctive Royal Promenade has been reimagined for Icon of the Seas. This includes a reveal of the purpose of The Pearl, a mysterious structure that has been baffling cruise fans for months.

Latest Icon of the Seas Insider Look

Royal Caribbean is taking cruise fans right to the heart of the upcoming Icon of the Seas with Episode 11 of “Making an Icon” – “Creating Royal Promenade.” The central space is the hub of the ship’s activity and offers something for guests of all ages to enjoy.

Deliberately designed as a central gathering place, the Royal Promenade is a horizontal atrium with dining, lounges, entertainment venues, and much more. You can watch a full video about the Royal Promenade below:

“The Royal Promenade is a classic with Royal Caribbean and has evolved significantly,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean. “It’s an amazing hub for the entire community on board the ship.”

The unique layout first debuted with the Voyager-class vessels in 1999, and has gotten larger, more elaborate, and more detailed with each successive class of ships. Now, Icon of the Seas introduces the next generation of the Royal Promenade.

“You’re going to see a larger, wider, longer, higher Promenade that’s going to have a lot more experiences,” said Jason Liberty, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.

New Promenade Features on Icon of the Seas

Aboard Icon of the Seas, the 362-foot long, two-deck Royal Promenade will feature updated venues and new spaces. A total of 15 restaurants, bars, and lounges are connected to the Royal Promenade, including popular guest favorites such as Sorrento’s, the Schooner Bar, comedy club, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and Wine Bar, and more.

One exciting new addition to the Royal Promenade is the first-in-fleet Dueling Pianos bar, where high-energy performances with a musically competitive flair will delight guests of all ages.

Another new bar exclusive to Icon of the Seas is the 1400 Lobby Bar, which pays tribute to the workers who built the vessel. The number 1400 is the construction identifier of the ship’s hull, and will be remembered and celebrated at the new bar where guests can enjoy a varied menu, from tropical drinks to classic co*cktails.

Anchoring the aft of the Royal Promenade is Absolute Zero, largest ice arena at sea with more than 2,870 square feet of ice. Not only will the space host the cruise line’s mesmerizing ice shows, but it will also offer skating opportunities for all guests to enjoy and will convert to a laser tag arena for more high-energy fun.

The most notable feature of Icon of the Seas‘ Royal Promenade is a first for any ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet – floor-to-ceiling views that bring immense light and an even great sense of space into the interior of the ship. This was an intense engineering feat that required new changes to the ship’s superstructure, resulting in The Pearl.

Revealing The Pearl

Marine engineers, naval architects, and designers helped bring The Pearl to life. This three-deck high, midship superstructure spherical support stretches from Deck 5 up to the Central Park on Deck 8.

“When guests walk onboard they will see a massive structure that we call The Pearl,” said Jennifer Goswami, Director of Product Development for Royal Caribbean. “They may not know what it is, but the scale of it alone is enough to take your breath away.”

Speculation has been rampant about The Pearl for more than a year since the sphere-shaped structure was mounted onto Icon of the Seas, with wide-ranging ideas for what it may be, from an ice bar to a planetarium. At 46 feet (14 meters) tall, 50 feet (15.3 meters) in diameter, and 175 metric tons (385,809 pounds) in weight, The Sphere is a lot to speculate about.

“The Pearl is the most quintessential example of form meets function on Icon,” said Goswami. “We knew we wanted ocean views, and this large structure within the center line of the ship is what allowed us to do that. Once we figured that out, we started to have fun with it.”

More than just a structural support, The Pearl is a multi-sensory, immersive structure featuring 3,000 kinetic panels and integrated lighting to create a sense of water and light through movement and reflections.

“It’s beautiful, it’s artistic, it’s incredibly creative,” said Bayley. “There is nothing else like it on the planet.” Adjacent to The Pearl is The Pearl Cafe on Deck 6, offering specialty coffees, pastries, sandwiches, and gourmet desserts.

Now, finally, we know The Pearl is a key component of the ship’s structural support, sure to become a focal point of the revitalized and expanded Royal Promenade.

Set Sail With Icon of the Seas

Icon of the Seas remains under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland. Construction began with the ship’s steel-cutting in June 2021, and the hull was complete in January 2023 as the immense, 250,800-gross ton ship was floated out for the first time.

In June 2023, the ship aced its first set of sea trials, and finishing details continue to be put in place as the 20-deck vessel nears completion ahead of its January 2024 debut.

Icon of the Seas will be homeported from Miami, Florida, offering 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages and welcoming as many as 7,600 guests per sailing. An international crew of more than 2,300 team members will be onboard to ensure that all travelers enjoy a truly iconic vacation with all the new and impressive ship has to offer.

• Carnival Cruise Line News

Jul 27, 2023

Twenty students interested in various maritime-related careers got a special opportunity to tour Carnival Breeze in Galveston on Thursday, July 27, 2023.

Part of a unique summer camp for select students, the program introduces participants to career opportunities in the cruise industry from the fourth most popular cruise homeport in the US and the ninth busiest passenger cruise port in the world.

Students Tour Carnival Breeze

Carnival Cruise Line invited 20 students in the Maritime Careers Summer Camp program, sponsored by Texas A&M University and the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce, to tour Carnival Breeze as part of their exploration of maritime careers. The free, week-long camp is offered to select rising 8th to 10th grade students, and has served more than 100 Galveston County students since 2015.

“We are so proud to have been operating in Galveston for the last 23 years and are honored to do our part to support local youth with efforts like this special ship tour,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

During the tour, students not only got up close and personal experience with the 130,000-gross ton Dream-class cruise ship, but also enjoyed a presentation on careers in the cruise industry from those living the careers, including the ship’s master, Carnival Breeze Captain Gaspare Marzullo.

President and CEO of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce Gina Spagnola and Galveston Wharves Port Director and CEO Rodger Rees also made presentations to the students. Also, part of the day’s events was a trivia game with giveaways as well as lunch.

The Port of Galveston is a tremendous economic force in the region, and the opportunity to introduce students to the diversity of career opportunities associated with the port helps strengthen community connections.

“The Port of Galveston is an economic engine and a generator of jobs for our community,” said Rees. “These students have the fourth most popular cruise home port and a top U.S. cargo port right in their own backyards. It was a pleasure to educate them on the many job opportunities available to them in the maritime industry.”

Giving students a firsthand look at Carnival Breeze provides a very intimate, up close experience with just what a career in the industry from their very own homeport could be.

“With this summer camp, the Chamber aims to inspire the next generation of Galveston maritime professionals,” said Spagnola. “We are so appreciative of Carnival for taking part in this year’s camp and know that this tour will go a long way in making an impact on our local students.”

Carnival’s Growth in Galveston

Carnival’s participation in the summer camp is yet another way the cruise line is demonstrating its connection to Galveston and the Lone Star State, just as Carnival Jubilee demonstrated when it floated out on July 21, 2023, revealing the iconic Texas star on her bow.

“We are deeply committed to the Galveston community and that commitment will only strengthen as we expand our operations and launch our newest ship, Carnival Jubilee, later this year,” said Duffy.

Carnival was the first cruise line to commit to year-round cruising from the Texas port, and in 2023, more than 650,000 guests are expected to set sail from Galveston aboard the Fun Ship fleet. At the moment, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream are both homeported from Galveston, and Carnival Jubilee will debut from Texas in December.

In October 2024, Carnival Cruise Line is bringing a fourth ship to the homeport when Carnival Miracle begins offering longer Eastern, Western, and Southern sailings, with occasional Panama Canal voyages as well.

In addition to Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line also offer sailings from Galveston.

• Cruise News

Jul 27, 2023

We are almost at the end of the week and thank you for joining us for all the latest cruise news. We have four new stories, including from Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, and Holland America.

Royal Caribbean Business Update

It’s good news all around, financially speaking, for the Royal Caribbean Group, as itannounced its second-quarter results for 2023, which came in much higher than the company’s prior expectations thanks to robust pricing in response to increased onboard revenue through passenger spending.

The company earned almost $460 million during its second quarter, which is a significant improvement, as thefirst quarter in 2023 came in at a loss. For its third quarter, net yields are projected to surge by 13.5% to 14.0%.

Another figure worth noting is that, as of June 30th, Royal Caribbean Group’s customer deposit balance reached an all-time high of $5.7 billion. Royal Caribbean Group can expect more positive financial news for the rest of 2023 as well, offsetting some of the losses experienced during 2022.

Princess Cruises Adds to Plus and Premier Packages

Now we all love a perk or two, as Princess Cruises is adding a series of valuable new perks for guests booking its Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, and without raising the price of either upgrade program.

Cruisers who book either plan will enjoy complimentary room service delivery, enhanced cuisine choices, and Ocean Now delivery service of food and drinks.

It means that no matter where a guest is on the ship, the cruiser can enjoy delivery of menu items whenever they wish. Ease of boarding is also a priority under the new inclusions for Plus and Premier guests.With the newly added perks and cost-savings, the plan can save cruisers more than 70% off retail value.

Holland America Line and Pub Choir

A 14-day Holland America Line cruise aboard the 1,900 guestNoordampromises to wow cruisers with an interactive musical extra-vaganza that invites every guest to sing along on special cruise sailing from New Zealand to Australia in January.

During the voyage, guests will sing to their heart’s content in a music program led by Pub Choir, a live show that’s designed to be a fun and easy music lesson. The line’s announcement of the Pub Choir cruise was the second big headline from Holland America this week.

Carnival Cruise Line Itinerary Changes

Carnival Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked on three upcoming sailings, each for a different vessel, about itinerary changes. Alterations include port reversal orders, a port cancellation, and adjusted times in a popular Mexican destination.

The three sailings impacted operate on the US West Coast as Carnival Radiance,will sail a reversed itinerary for its November 25th, 2024 departure. Carnival Panorama, will not be sailing the originally planned itinerary for her November 30th, 2024 departure.

And the upcoming Carnival Firenze, having the itinerary adjusted for the ship’s November 29th, 2024 departure. There has been no explanation given for the itinerary changes for these three ships, all on the same week.

Watch the Latest Cruise News

That’s it for today! Make sure you watch the full video of the latest news update in the embedded video or head over to our YouTube channel to watch there.

• Holland America Line News

Jul 27, 2023

Holland America Line is taking entertainment to a new level onboard a Noordam cruise in early 2024, when cruisers will have a chance to become crooners, singing along with the popular musical sensation known as Pub Choir. The special cruise sails from New Zealand to Australia in January.

Interactive Singalong Planned on 14-Day Cruise

A 14-day Holland America Line cruise aboard the 1,916-guest Noordam promises to wow cruisers with an interactive musical extravaganza that invites every guest to sing along.

During three performances by Pub Choir during the voyage, guests will assemble in Noordam’sRolling Stone Lounge and sing to their heart’s content in a music program led by Pub Choir director Astrid Jorgensen.

Pub Choir, founded in Brisbane, Australia, is known for arranging a popular song, teaching it to a large audience in three-part harmony, and then having everyone join in and sing the tune, making a kind of giant choir out of the group.

Jorgensen, a former music teacher, divides the crowd into three groups to harmonize a song, and no music background or experience is needed to participate. The event is designed to be a fun and easy music lesson.

“Pub Choir is a massive hit inAustraliaand gaining fans around the globe. Guests who are new to Pub Choir will quickly see why this dynamic show is popular Down Under and a highlight for Holland America Line’s award-wining live music performances on Noordam,” saidKacy Cole, vice president of marketing for Holland America Line.

Read also: Holland America Adds Astronomy Experts to Eclipse Cruises

For her creative efforts, Jorgensen recently received the Medal of the Order from Australia. She founded Pub Choir in 2017, and in 2020 transformed it, temporarily, into Couch Choir, helping to connect people online during the pandemic. The group has since returned to in-person events and is touring the US and UK through September 2023.

“I can’t wait to hit the high seas with some ‘High Cs’ on Holland America Line. It’s ok if your singing voice is rusty, just bring your mouth to the show and I’ll help with the rest,”Jorgensen said.

In addition to three Pub Choir performances, the Noordam cruise, departing Auckland, New Zealand, on January 27, 2024, will feature Step One Dance Company on World Stage, talented piano players at Billboard Onboard, and live rock and popular dance music in the Rolling Stone Lounge.

Cruise Features Seven Ports And Fiordland National Park

The voyage will call at theNew Zealand ports of Tauranga, Christchurch,Napier, Timaru, and Dunedin, andprovide scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park. The ship then sails to Tasmania’s capital, Hobart, and Melbourne before concluding in Sydney.

Holland America Line’s Have It All promotional fares are available on the sailing, and include a Signature Beverage package, Shore Excursion Credit, Specialty Dining and a Wi-Fi Surf Package.

The line’s announcement of the Pub Choir cruise was the second big headline from Holland America this week. On July 25, it introduced a new itinerary to its Legendary Voyage roster.

The nostalgic sailing, set to depart on November 9, 2024 aboard the 1,432-guest Volendam, will mimic a voyage that set sail in February 1925, visiting many of the same ports of call and offering guests the chance to visit nine countries in the Mediterranean.

The 42-night “Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” cruise is roundtrip fromPort Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. The ship will call at 16 ports and sail both eastbound and westboundtransatlantic crossings.

Noordam, a Vista-class ship, entered service in 2006. Holland America Line, celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023, is one of Carnival Corporation’s nine cruise brands.

• Princess Cruises News

Jul 27, 2023

Princess Cruises is adding a series of valuable new perks for guests booking its Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages, and without raising the price of either upgrade program. The new services expand cuisine choices, eliminate room service fees, and make embarkation hassle-free.

Enhanced Plans Offer More Inclusive Services

Princess Cruises is giving guests several more reasons to book the line’s Princess Plus and Princess Premier upgrade plans. Starting with embarkations fleet-wide on August 12, 2023, cruisers who book either plan will enjoy complimentary room service delivery, express “Green Lane” boarding, enhanced cuisine choices, and OceanNow delivery service of food and drinks.

Cruisers sailing aboard Princess Cruises’ ships as Princess Plus or Princess Premier guests are being offered complimentary use of OceanNow, the line’s on-demand, location-based delivery service of food and drinks.

It means that no matter where a guest is on the ship, such as poolside or in a lounge area, for instance, the cruiser can enjoy delivery of menu items whenever they wish. The service normally has an activation fee of $14.99 per guest, per voyage, but that fee is being waived for Plus and Premier guests.

Another important fee being waived for these guests is the room service delivery fee of $5 per delivery.

“We take great pride in pampering our guests with friendly service and exceeding their expectations. By offering the OceanNow Service and Room Service without any additional fees to Princess Plus and Princess Premier guests, we aim to elevate their journey to an unparalleled level of comfort, indulgence and value,” said Sami Kohen, Princess Cruises’ vice president of food and beverage.

Also Read: New Spaces Unveiled For Princess Cruises’ New LNG Mega-Ship

Ease of boarding also is a priority under the new inclusions for Plus and Premier guests. The cruise line’s Princess App was upgraded to include an enhanced OceanReady process, and guests can reach “Green Lane Status” when they provide fully completed travel documents prior to boarding.

Also, Plus and Premier guests now can have the Princess Medallion delivered to their homes before embarkation at no cost, enabling them to immediately board their ship without waiting in any lines.

Home delivery of the Princess Medallion usually costs standard fare cruisers $10, however, Plus and Premier guests will now pay no fee for having the device shipped to them prior to embarkation.

The device is used for many onboard services, such as making dining and theater reservations, spa appointments, and other tasks.

How the Plus And Premier Plans Work

Princess Plus costs $60 per person, per day, and covers a beverage package, crew gratuities, Unlimited MedallionNet 2.0 with Starlink and 5G for a single device, two fitness classes per cruise, and special desserts and juices.

With the newly added perks and cost-savings, the plan can save cruisers more than 70% off retail value if all of the components were purchased separately. The line said it amounts to a savings up to $668 on a 7-day cruise.

Princess Premier costs $80 per person, per day, and includes all of the Plus amenities in addition to two nights of specialty dining, higher savings in the beverage package, reserved seating in the Princess Theater, Unlimited MedallionNet 2.0 with Starlink and 5G for up to four devices, and an Unlimited Digital Photo Package.

Princess Cruises, one of nine Carnival Corporation brands, added several enhancements to Plus and Premier bookings earlier this year. Effective with cruises departing on or after February 20, guests booking either package were offered complimentary fitness and wellness classes as part of the cruise line’s exclusive partnership with Xponential Fitness, which provides Pure Barre, Yoga Six, and Stretch Lab classes.

Also, at that time, Plus and Premier guests were invited to indulge in new and elaborate confections and desserts, such as gelato and pastry served in the Gelateria, Swirls, and Coffee and Cones eateries.

Princess Cruises operates 15 ships and will soon welcome its newest, Sun Princess, a 4,000-guest ship set to debut in early 2024. The 175,500-gross-ton ship will sail her 10-day Inaugural Grand Mediterranean cruise on February 8, 2024, from Barcelona to Rome.

• Royal Caribbean News

Jul 27, 2023

Royal Caribbean Group has released its Q2 2023 earnings report, surpassing forecasted profit expectations for its second quarter thanks to strong bookings from multiple cruise regions and increased onboard revenue through passenger spending. This bodes very well for continued performance through the remainder of the fiscal year.

Royal Caribbean Group’s Impressive Q2 2023 Earnings

On July 27, 2023,Royal Caribbean Groupannounced its second-quarter results for 2023, which came in much higher than the company’s prior expectations thanks to robust pricing in response to increased demand and increased onboard revenue.

For Q2 2023, the company boasted $1.70 in earnings per share and $1.82 for adjusted earnings.

Due to growth in demand for Royal Caribbean Group’s holiday offerings, the multinational corporation is now raising its 2023 adjusted EPS by 33%, with the new range falling between $6.00 to $6.20.

Comparing Results: 2022 to 2023

It’s been a good year, financially speaking, for the Royal Caribbean Group. During Q2 2023, the company earned $458.8 million or $1.70 per share, which is a significant improvement over the prior year’s loss of $(0.5) billion or ($2.05) per share. While thefirst quarter in 2023 came in at a loss, the rest of the year’s financials look bright for the company.

*Numbers shown in parentheses are typically used to represent losses or decreases in financial metrics, whereas positive values are normally presented without parentheses.

Additionally, adjusted net income for the same period was $491.7 million or $1.82 per share, contrasting with an adjusted net loss of $(0.5) billion or ($2.08) per share for the same period in 2022.

“Our brands continue to fire on all cylinders, resulting in record yields and second quarter earnings significantly exceeding our expectations,”company CEO Jason Liberty touted regarding the positive Q2 2023 results.

“Demand for cruising and our brands is exceptionally strong and we have seen another step change in booking volumes and pricing, leading us to now expect double-digit net yield growth for the full year.”

During the second quarter of 2023, the company’s revenue significantly outperformed expectations, fueled by elevated pricing and augmented shipboard revenue on important cruise ship routes in the Caribbean and Europe.

Notably, the load factor for the quarter hit an impressive 105%. Furthermore, Royal Caribbean Group anticipates a historic high in adjusted EBITDA per APCD (available passenger cruise day) and return on invested capital for the current year.

Strong Financial Performance Expectations for Q3 and Fiscal Year 2023

It seems Royal Caribbean Group can expect more positive financial news for the rest of 2023 as well, offsetting some of the losses experienced during 2022.

For Q3 2023, net yields are projected to surge by 13.5% to 14.0% when compared to the third quarter of 2019. Additionally, adjusted EPS for the same period are estimated to fall within the $3.38 to $3.48 per share range.

Looking at the full-year 2023 outlook, net yields are estimated to experience a similar upswing of 13.5% to 14.0% in constant currency. Moreover, adjusted EPS for the entire year should land somewhere in the $6.00 to $6.20 per share range.

An Uptick in 2023 Bookings

Booking volumes during the second quarter of 2023 continued to soar, surpassing the figures from the same period in 2019.

North American consumer demand has been impressively robust all year long. A notable surge in booking volumes from European consumers for European cruises during summer 2023 has helped the company out as well.

Royal Caribbean Group also reported that onboard spending and pre-cruise purchases have surpassed 2019 levels thanks to increased engagement and a willingness to invest in higher-priced offerings on the part of cruise travelers.

Another figure worth noting is that, as of June 30, 2023, Royal Caribbean Group’s customer deposit balance reached an all-time high of $5.7 billion.

Potential investors should note that Royal Caribbean Group is a publicly-traded international cruise company, which also happens to be one of the largest cruise operators on the planet. The company operates a fleet of cruise ships under several well-known brands, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises, among others.