Tampa Welcomes First Cruise Since 2020
Port Tampa Bay has officially welcomed its first cruise ship for guest operations since the industry shutdown.
Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas set sail from the Florida city on Saturday — Tampa’s first cruise departure since March 14, 2020. The vessel is now on a five-night Bahamas cruise.
For the fall and winter season, Serenade will operate mostly four and five-night western Caribbean voyages.
STORY: Tampa Welcomes First Cruise Ship in 19 Months
Carnival Raises $295,000 For St. Jude
In the three months since Carnival resumed passenger cruises, the line and its guests have raised $295,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald announced the news in a Facebook post last week, saying “We want to say a huge thank you to all of you for the incredible generosity you show every time you cruise.”
On every Carnival cruise, the line hosts a “Groove For St. Jude” dance party to raise funds. As of 2019, Carnival had already raised over $18 million for the hospital.
STORY: Carnival Raises Nearly $300,000 in 3 Months For St. Jude
Holland America Names Rotterdam Godmother
Holland America has announced that the godmother for its new ship Rotterdam will be Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands. The line’s connection to the reigning house of the Netherlands goes back nearly a century, with a members of the royal family having named its ships for decades.
Rotterdam’s maiden voyage will be a 14-night transatlantic to Fort Lauderdale on October 20. She will then spend the rest of the fall and winter sailing in the Caribbean.
The date for the naming ceremony has not yet been announced.
STORY: Holland America Names Godmother of New Cruise Ship
