New Viking Ocean Cruise Ship Floated Out, Godmother Named

Viking announced on Thursday that its newest ocean ship, the 930-passenger Viking Mars, was floated out of the shipyard today, marking the first time it has touched water. The cruise line also revealed the ceremonial godmother who will name the ship when she debuts. Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the eighth Countess of Carnarvon, will do the honors when Viking […]
Canada Set to Lift Cruise Ship Ban on November 1

After initially banning all large cruise ships from Canadian ports through February 28, 2022, the government of Canada has now announced that ships can visit again beginning November 1, 2021. “I know many of you have been wondering when we’ll see cruise ships here again,” said Transport Minister Omar Alghabra as he made the announcement today […]
Third Carnival Cruise Ship Returns to Service

The third Carnival Cruise Line ship in less than a month has returned to service. Carnival Breeze will depart Galveston, Texas later this afternoon for a four-night cruise. The ship will sail at around 70 percent capacity with 95 percent of guests vaccinated, leaving five percent open to children and adults who cannot receive the […]
Carnival Bans Smoking on Ships During Refueling

Acknowledging that it might make some people unhappy, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador announced a new smoking policy to be put into effect for “most of the ships” as they return to service. It will mean that upon boarding, guests will not be permitted to smoke anywhere on board until after the refueling process is […]
New Luxury Option As Seabourn Ovation To Base In Miami This Fall

Cruisers from Miami will have a new luxury option this fall, as the private yacht-style Seabourn Ovation will arrive on U.S. shores for the first time in November. PortMiami will be the ship’s home through April 2022, as it operates a series of itineraries in the Caribbean Sea, through the Panama Canal, and around Central […]
Venice Will Ban Large Cruise Ships on August 1

As of August 1, 2021, large cruise ships will no longer be able to pass through the Giudecca Canal near the historic St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy. This week, the Council of Ministers approved the decree that provides for the banning of ships. What does that mean? It means that the iconic and beautiful “Venice […]
Carnival Dream Next Ship To Receive New Paint Job [PHOTOS]

Carnival Cruise Line has been using the shutdown to spruce up its ships with new paint jobs. Following Carnival Magic and Glory, Dream is the latest vessel to receive a new paint job at a shipyard in Marseille, France. The new hull design pays homage to maritime tradition and patriotic colors, and its design is highlighted by a […]
Podcast: Aboard First Carnival Cruise Ship Sailing from Florida

We were on the very first Carnival Cruise Line sailing from Florida. The ship left from Miami, Florida, and went to Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, and private island Half Moon Cay. There were two sea days on this six-night cruise. In this episode, we discuss what it was like returning to Carnival Horizon, what protocols […]