Cruise Radio News Briefs | Week of November 24, 2019

Welcome to the Cruise Radio News Brief for the Week of November 24, 2019, where we bring you the latest cruise news, our weekly podcast, and recent YouTube videos.

From all of us at Cruise Radio, we hope you had a happy, healthy, and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

1. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Vista faced a tragedy when one passenger was killed in a bus accident during an excursion. While traveling on an independent excursion in Belize City, six Carnival Vista passengers and seven MSC Merviglia passengers were involved in a bus accident after leaving Jaguar Paw that killed one guest from each ship along with three Belizean locals and injured a number of others.

2. Norwegian Cruise Line showed us a first look at the expanded Great Stirrup Cay, the line’s private island. Recent updates include a zip line, a food truck, and a new exclusive area called Silver Cove that features luxurious, fully air-conditioned villas with one or two bathrooms. Silver Cove will also feature its own restaurant, champagne bar, private staff.

3. The cruise industry is not immune to Black Friday deals. Check out the deals from various cruise lines while they last; many are still available to take advantage of through part of December.

4. Royal Caribbean celebrated the completion of a $165 million renovation of Oasis of the Seas. Along with new food and dining venues, the mega ship received an enhanced pool deck, new multistory waterslides, new public spaces, and several new family activity areas such as a new teens lounge, children’s programs, glow-in-the-dark laser tag, and an escape room.

Featured Article: Photo Tour of Carnival Freedom

View the recent ship updates with a photo tour of Carnival Freedom. After a two-week dry dock earlier this year, the Conquest-class ship, originally launched in 2006, received enhancements like a Carnival WaterWorks waterpark, Bonsai Sushi Express, and new onboard shops.

This Week’s Podcast: Celebrity Summit Review

This week we hear a review of Celebrity Summit after her recent dry dock, which was part of Celebrity Cruises’ $500 million “Celebrity Revolution” investment program. This seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise left from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and visited St. Kitts, Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.

Featured Video: MS Westerdam Ship Tour

Take a tour of the MS Westerdam, one of four ships in Holland America Line’s Vista class. Westerdam debuted in 2003 at just over 81,000 gross tons with the ability to carry about 1,800 passengers and 800 crew.