Carnival Elation Resumes Cruises After Dry Dock

Carnival Elation has returned to service after a two week dry dock.

The ship received a fresh coat of paint with a new red, white, and blue livery. Elation also received some general maintenance and interior refresh.

During the previous dry dock in 2020, Elation received Bonsai Sushi Express, JavaBlue Café, and Alchemy Bar. Elation sails four and five-night cruises from Jacksonville, Florida.

STORY: Carnival Cruise Ship Resumes Service Following Dry Dock

The Philippines Welcomes First International Cruise Ship in 3 Years

For the first time in three years, an international cruise ship has docked in the Philippines.

Seabourn Encore was the first ship to arrive on Thursday, docking at Puerto Princesa in Palawan with about 500 guests on board. The ship’s current 28-day Southeast Asia cruise out of Singapore includes three additional Philippine ports, plus calls in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.

Other ships scheduled to call in the Philippines this year include Regent’s Seven Seas Mariner, Silverseas’ Silver Shadow and Silver Spirit, P&O’s Arcadia, and Oceania’s Nautica.

STORY: Philippines Welcomes First International Cruise Ship in Three Years

Increased Wait Times For Passports

Don’t wait to apply for your passport. U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin Tweeted on Friday that there’s currently an increase in processing times for passport applications.

The current estimated time for a regular passport is eight to eleven weeks. Expedited applications are taking around five to seven weeks.

Those who need to renew may have an easier time, as there’s a new digital system for renewal and it should arrive quicker than it would for a new applicant.

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