Welcome to the Cruise Radio News Brief for the Week of October 11, 2020, where we bring you the latest cruise news, our weekly podcast, and recent YouTube videos.
1. Costa Cruises’ Costa Smeralda is now the third ship in the Carnival Corporation fleet to return to service. The ship is scheduled to sail five week-long voyages during its inaugural return-to-cruise stint.
2. Carnival Corporation welcomed a new ship to its P&O Cruises line. Named Iona, the ship is 185,000 gross tons, making it the largest cruise ship ever built for the UK market. It is also the first British cruise ship to be powered by liquid natural gas. Iona’s launch was called “a very positive signal for the future of cruising” by P&O President Paul Ludlow.
3. Celebrity Cruises also welcomed its newest ship Celebrity Apex to the Bahamas. The ship arrived after a transatlantic voyage from the French shipyard where it was built, and it was greeted by sister ship Celebrity Edge as well as five other Celebrity ships, who all welcomed Apex with a water cannon salute.
4. Disney Cruise Line announced new 10-night Hawaiian itineraries for 2022, among many other new Caribbean sailings. Disney Wonder will cruise two special 10-night cruises: a one-way from Vancouver to Honolulu on April 26, and a return sailing to Vancouver on May 6.
5. MSC Cruises is holding a Trip & Treat promotion through October 31, offering discounts of 50 percent or more on your cruise fare plus free fare for kids 17 and under on most sailings. All four ships that are part of the promotion with call at MSC Cruises’ new private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.
Featured Article: Three Longtime Cruise Traditions That Will Soon Be Ending
There’s no doubt that the COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the cruising industry. As a result, there are a few longtime traditions that are likely to end amid new health and safety protocols that will likely be in place.
This Week’s Podcast: Disney Magic Review
This week we hear a review of Disney Magic. This was a five-night Bahamas that sailed roundtrip from Miami and visited Key West and Nassau. The cruise was special because it was a Marvel-themed sailing.
Featured Video: Norwegian Bliss Ship Tour
Originally purpose-built for the Alaskan market, Norwegian Bliss features stunning observation areas, including an observation lounge on deck 15 forward. The ship debuted in 2018 in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Breakaway-Plus class of vessels.
