Top Cruise Travel Stories From January
Top Cruise Travel Stories From January
Wave season is upon us and pent-up demand is causing travelers to book cruise vacations at a blistering pace.
With several studies indicating the industry is poised for another stellar year in 2023 and cruise lines improving the passenger experience to entice people back to the seas, it’s a great time to plan a dream vacation.
The cruise industry made major waves over the last month, and here are the top cruise stories from January.
Wave Season Deals
Cruise lines are celebrating Wave Season—which runs between January and March—by offering huge discounts and unique offers on luxury expeditions, scenic river cruises and voyages through the always popular Caribbean.
TravelPulse’s Lacey Pfalz highlighted 2023’s best Wave Season cruise deals for travelers looking to save some cash on their next dream vacation.
Cruise Planners Releases 2023 Travel Trends Outlook
Cruise Planners unveiled the top travel trends for the upcoming year and what advisors are focusing on during wave season. After reporting purchases were up 15 percent in 2022, officials said luxury travel is expected to grow 11 percent over the next four years from the $945.6 billion it was valued in 2019.
The luxury cruise segment is driving an influx of growth, with the top destinations being European River itineraries, the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea, Antarctica and Africa-Middle East-India.
Why the Cruise Industry Is Poised for a Banner Year
According to a AAA Travel survey, 52 percent of adults in the United States are just as likely or more likely to consider taking a cruise vacation than before COVID-19-related restrictions were implemented. The number increased from the 45 percent who said the same in last year’s AAA cruise report.
US Cruise Lines Fined $440 Million For ‘Trafficking’ in Cuba
A federal court judge has ordered four Florida-based cruise lines that sailed to Cuba between 2015 and 2019 to pay over $400 million in damages to Havana Docks Corporation. The company retains a concession dating to 1934 to pier operations in Havana’s harbor, which Fidel Castro criminally expropriated in 1960. The decision becomes the first ruling of its kind under legislation that penalizes “trafficking in stolen property” within Cuba.
Carnival Expands SpaceX’s Starlink Wi-Fi Service
Carnival Corporation & plc reached an agreement with SpaceX to allow for the Starlink Wi-Fi service to be implemented across its global fleet, leading to more reliable Internet service anywhere in the world, including at sea.
The corporation began implementing Starlink in December with Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises, but has plans to expand the service onboard Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises, Costa Cruises and Cunard.
Celebrity Cruises Floats Out of New Celebrity Ascent Ship
Celebrity Cruises announced the fourth ship in its Edge Series, Celebrity Ascent, officially touched water for the first time when she was floated out from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.
With the completion of Celebrity Ascent’s hull and exterior superstructure, the ship can now progress to the next phase of construction. The vessel is scheduled to debut in December 2023 and will be the “twin sister” ship in every way to Celebrity Beyond.
Holland America Line to Expand Casino Space on Five Ships
Holland America Line is expanding the casino space aboard its Pinnacle and Signature Class ships to include more than 140 new slot and video poker machines. Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Koningsdam, Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam will get more traditional slots, progressive jackpots and video poker. The casinos also will feature new on-demand slot tournaments.
Cunard Announces New Rocky Mountaineer Experiences on Alaska Sailings
Travelers booking luxury cruise adventures with Cunard can now add a Rocky Mountaineer train ride when they sail on select itineraries through Alaska on Queen Elizabeth this summer. Passengers can extend their vacation with either a four-night pre-voyage train experience or a three-night post-voyage package, depending on the sailing date.
Norwegian Cruise Line Reportedly Cutting Back
Norwegian Cruise Line is reportedly taking more cost-cutting measures this winter by eliminating some onboard entertainment options and reducing cleaning services across its entire fleet of ships in 2023.
A letter from the cruise line to its onboard employees revealed plans to provide guests in Studio, Inside, Oceanview, Balcony and Club Balcony Suite rooms with once-daily turn-down service. Norwegian also removed its “Kinky Boots” production from the Norwegian Encore.
Viking Releases Details of New 2024-25 World Cruises
Viking released its roster of World Cruise itineraries for 2024 and 2025, featuring a series of iconic destinations spanning five separate continents. Guests can sail across vast oceans, seas and inland waterways as they discover storied regions of Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.
Silversea Reveals Silver Nova’s Dining, Drinking & Lounging Venues
Silversea Cruises is readying the launch of its next new ship, the Silver Nova, for August 2023, by unveiling its eighteen dining and drinking venues onboard the 728-guest, sustainably built vessel.
The ship’s restaurants are enhanced with more space and a fresh design, including six indoor restaurants La Terrazza, Atlantide, S.A.L.T. Kitchen, La Dame, Silver Note, and Kaiseki and two outdoor dining options, Spaccanapoli and the Grill. Another multi-purpose dining venue is the Arts Cafe.