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☆ The new features bringing new passengers to cruise ships
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-25 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

In 2029, the Oriental Land Company, which owns Tokyo Disney Resort, will launch a Disney cruise ship out of Japan. So to bring the brand over in terms of a cruise ship is again another brilliant move on their part. Occupancy is high on Disney ships, at 98% across the five existing ships in fiscal year 2024, according to a company fact sheet. Bigger players, such as Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line, have more ships in their fleet than Disney Cruise Line and have been in the business longer. Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas is currently the world's largest cruise ship, and it's loaded with family friendly attractions.

Persons: “ Coco, ” That’s, ”, Beci Mahnken, Kent Phillips, Mahnken, Kyle Valenta, Disney, ” Valenta, “, ” Mahnken, Thomas Mazloum, ” Mazloum, Joe Raedle, Valenta Organizations: CNN, “, MEI, Disney, Cruise Lines International Association, Cruise, Oceaneer Club, Disney Treasure, Disney Disney, Oriental Land Company, Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disney, Tokyo Disney …, Shanghai Disney, Disney Cruise, Geographic, Disney Vacation, Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, Royal Locations: Asia, Singapore, Tokyo, Japan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, It’s, Hawaii, Royal Caribbean

☆ Carnival cruise ship collides with iceberg
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The words “Titanic moment” are possibly the last thing you want to hear on a boat – but that was the phrase used by one passenger on board the Carnival Spirit cruise ship last week, after the vessel unexpectedly struck an iceberg. Videos of the incident circulated on social media in the aftermath, as multiple passengers filmed the moment the ship collided with the iceberg. The Carnival Spirit finished its seven-day Alaska cruise on Tuesday without interruption, returning to Seattle, Washington. Alaska’s waters are also known as some of the most challenging for cruise ships to navigate. “Today’s cruise ships are specifically built to sail a number of different waters,” Gray Faust told CNN Travel.

Persons: Cassandra Goskie, ”, Singhal, there’s, John Herring, “, Chris Gray Faust, ” Gray Faust Organizations: CNN, Cruise, Carnival, CNN Travel, Spirit, Sun Locations: Tracy Arm, , Alaska, Juneau, Alaska, Seattle , Washington

☆ Cruises are expensive but they're the best value. My family's cruise cost $3,500 less than a similar trip on land.
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-17 | by ( Amanda Adler | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewAlthough the cost of a cruise is going up, this form of travel is still the best value for a family vacation right now. The average price of a cruise is up more than 40% since 2019, according to Cruise Critic data reviewed by CNBC. Finer fare, similar to what's included on cruise ships, costs even more. Plus, hotel prices are also on the rise, up 40% to 50% compared to 2019. Meanwhile, a three-night sailing on the Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's newest cruise ship, can cost $533 a night.

Persons: —, David Bernstein, who's, I've, Amanda Adler, I'm Organizations: Service, CNBC, Business, Prima, Entertainment, Seas, Royal, New Zealand Locations: Norway, Iceland, Caribbean, Europe, New

☆ Brooke Shields says she's glad Tom Cruise publicly criticized her antidepressant use — he accidentally brought awareness to under-discussed mental health struggles
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-10 | by ( Julia Pugachevsky | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

In 2005, Tom Cruise criticized Brooke Shields' use of antidepressants for postpartum depression. At the 2024 PHM HealthFront, Brooke Shields said his comments "backfired." AdvertisementIn one of the most controversial moments of Tom Cruise's career, the actor criticized Brooke Shields for talking about her use of antidepressants to treat postpartum depression. Almost 20 years later, Shields says Cruise accidentally raised awareness around the issue and drove people to fight for better treatment. Desiree Navarro/Stringer/Getty ImagesCruise initially called Brooke Shields "irresponsible" for using antidepressants in a 2005 "Access Hollywood" interview.

Persons: Tom Cruise, Brooke Shields, HealthFront, —, Tom Cruise's, Shields, Cruise, Rowan, Desiree Navarro, Stringer, Matt Lauer, Cruise's, Rowan Francis Henchy, Grier Hammond Henchy, Dave Kotinsky, weren't, Mark Wilson, who's Organizations: Service, NBC, Getty, Scientology Locations: PHM

☆ Every Sky Miles member on a Delta flight got a free Virgin Voyages cruise, courtesy of Richard Branson himself
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Delta passengers received a free Virgin Voyages cruise from San Juan on a recent flight. The free Caribbean voyage was offered to all adult Sky Miles members aboard the flight. Branson and Virgin staff members surprise passengers at the gate. A Virgin Voyages cruise is worth the priceGetting a free Virgin Voyages sailing is truly like winning a golden ticket. A snapshot from the author's Virgin Voyages cruise.

Persons: Richard Branson, Sky Miles, —, they'd, Cruise, Willy Wonka, Branson, CHRIS, San Juan —, Joey Hadden Organizations: Sky, Service, Virgin, Delta, Jackson Atlanta International Airport, DELTA AIRLINES, Sky Miles, Virgin Staff, Virgin Voyages, BI Locations: San Juan, Atlanta, Caribbean, Hartsfield

☆ I compared every aspect of a Royal Caribbean and a Virgin Voyages cruise ship. One was worth the higher price.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I've sailed on both a Royal Caribbean and a Virgin Voyages cruise ship. The Virgin Voyages cruise cost $4,000 more, as it was a luxury, adults-only ship in a higher-tier cabin. The Virgin Voyages cruise was more worth the price, but the Royal Caribbean ship was great for families. Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages offer completely different experiences. The seven-night Caribbean cruise took me to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

Persons: I've, it's Organizations: Royal, Virgin, Royal Caribbean, Virgin Voyages, Cruise, Cruise Critic, Voyages, Marina Locations: Royal Caribbean, Roatán, Honduras, Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mexico, Bahamas, Ibiza, Barcelona, Italy, France, Toulon, Ajaccio

☆ Icon of the Seas: The world’s largest cruise ship sets sail on maiden voyage
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-27 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

CNN —There is nothing subtle about the world’s largest cruise ship. The commotion brought traffic to a halt along the causeway to Miami Beach that parallels the cruise ship channel. Icon of the Seas’ list of superlatives and firsts is longFinding time to fit in everything onboard Icon of the Seas promises to keep passengers busy. A Royal Caribbean spokesperson said Icon of the Seas is 24% more energy efficient than required for ships designed today. Royal Caribbean International is clearly pitching Icon of the Seas to a market that goes beyond cruising.

Persons: Lionel Messi, ”, Hurricane Hunter, Oz, Bryan Comer, Comer, Colleen McDaniel, McDaniels, ” McDaniels, Michael Verdure, Rob Clabbers, Q, ” Clabbers, Wagyu, Michael Bayley, ” Bayley, Jay Schneider, Royal, “, ‘, ’ ” Schneider, Terry Ward Organizations: CNN, Port, Hurricane, Storm, Royal, The International Council, Clean Transportation, Royal Caribbean International, Cruise, CNN Travel, Seas, Star, Royal Caribbean Locations: Port of Miami, Turku, Finland, Miami Beach, Argentine, Miami, Eastern Caribbean, Sedona , Arizona, Royal Caribbean, Florida’s Port Canaveral, Orlando, Chicago, Izumi, Caribbean, Vegas, Florida, Tampa

☆ Icon of the Seas: Why Americans Are Obsessed With Big Cruise Ships
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Henry Wismayer | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +17 min

Love them or loathe them, giant cruise ships are among the most remarkable success stories of the mass tourism age. Rechristened the Mardi Gras, the first Carnival cruise ship sailed out of Miami that March. Cruise ships like the Icon of the Seas will spend the majority of their trip at sea. Eight years later, cruise ships such as the Diamond Princess became early incubators for COVID-19. Cruise Market Watch forecasts there will be 360 cruise ships in service at the end of this year, comprising less than 1% of the global commercial fleet.

Persons: Ted Arison, Arison, Pieter De Boer, Costa, Diamond, Aaron Saunders, We've, Sue Bryant, Z, sass, Emma Le Teace, YouTuber, David Foster Wallace, Harper's, Sarah Knorr, Bryan Comer, Karla Hart, Hart, Saunders, it's, Henry Wismayer Organizations: Port, Passengers, Mardi Gras, Mardi, Gras, Cruise, Royal Caribbean, Costa Concordia, Cruise Lines International Association, Broadway, CivicScience, Royal, Virgin, Business, Transport & Environment, Getty, International Council, Global Cruise, Global Cruise Activist Network, Cruise Market, Royal Caribbean International, New York Times, National Geographic, Financial Times Locations: Port of Miami, Caribbean, Miami, The Port, Tuscany, Italy, Royal Caribbean, TikTok, Panama, Bahamas, Brussels, Netherlands, Douarnenez, Venice, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Amsterdam, Juneau , Alaska, Skagway , Alaska, CocoCay, London

☆ A passenger on the 9-month cruise lists things about cruises he finds bizarre, including a rubber duck scavenger hunt
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Maria Noyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Read previewOne of the most popular characters aboard Royal Caribbean's nine-month-long Ultimate World Cruise is about to disembark — but before doing so, he shared a list of things about cruise culture he finds bizarre. In the case of the Ultimate World Cruise, Sebastian said that title has been given to none other than Whoopi Goldberg. According to Cruising Ducks, the rubber duck scavenger hunt started in 2018 when a 10-year-old passenger on the Carnival Breeze cruise hid 50 ducks aboard the ship. The fad became so popular that there are now entire Facebook groups dedicated to sharing photos of rubber ducks discovered on cruises and their hiding places. "Let me tell you, they are not shy about sucking the whole pool down right into the ocean and then sucking up some new water," Sebastian added.

Persons: —, Royal, TikToker Marc Sebastian, Sebastian, Simon & Schuster, Whoopi Goldberg's, TikToker, gasped, Nadine Bower, Audrey Hepburn, Martha Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Whoopi, Goldberg, he's, David Bond, Marc Sebastian Organizations: Service, Business, TikTok, Simon &, Titanic, Cruise, Royal, Cruising Ducks, Royal Caribbean Group

☆ First Cruise: Preparations for a Smooth Sailing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Ceylan Yeginsu | More About Ceylan Yeginsu | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

You’ve picked a ship, booked an itinerary and chosen your cabin, but even with the hardest part done, figuring out the ship’s layout and how to get a spot on a popular outing can be daunting. Here’s how to prepare for a smooth first sailing. Familiarize yourself with the ship, even before you boardOcean cruise liners are big, and each ship is unique, so get familiar with deck layouts and features before you board. Most cruise companies have detailed plans and videos on their websites and there are virtual ship tours by cruise enthusiasts on YouTube and social media. “Be sure to pack a carry-on with all of the essentials you might need during that window of time,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief of the cruise news site Cruise Critic, who suggested including “medication, sunscreen, a bathing suit, a phone charger and other essentials that you’ll need as soon as you board.”

Persons: You’ve, you’ve, ”, Mandy Holden, “, it’s, Colleen McDaniel Organizations: YouTube, Cruise Locations: Florida

☆ The era of cheap cruises is over. Here's how to find the best deal now.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In 2024 cruise fares will continue to increase past 2019 levels. Carnival Corp, for example, says it is "well positioned to drive 2024 pricing higher." AdvertisementAdvertisementSay goodbye to cheap cruises and get ready to dig deeper into your wallets for a 2024 cruise — demand is now driving future cruise fares to pre-COVID-19-pandemic levels. For 2024, pricing across the industry will be up about 8% compared to this year and 20% compared to 2019. AdvertisementAdvertisementThere's still one big culprit: pent-up demandCarnival Corp's CFO David Bernstein says the company is "well positioned to drive 2024 pricing higher."

Persons: —, itineraries, Tynan Smith, Patrick Scholes, David Bernstein, DANIEL SLIM, Josh Weinstein, Scholes, Smith, Brittany Chang Organizations: Carnival Corp, Service, Cruise, Truist Securities, Carnival, Getty Images, Royal Locations: Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, AFP, Royal Caribbean

☆ Cruise prices are way up as operators meet surging travel demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Laya Neelakandan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

As vacationers emerge into a post-pandemic travel world, cruises have made a spectacular comeback — and ticket prices are surging. Cruise operators such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean Cruises are setting some ticket prices higher than pre-pandemic levels and are indicating they may raise them further, even as they post pre-Covid profits. Compared to 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic decimated the cruising industry, December ticket prices are up 43%. The company's booking volumes likewise hit an all-time high, pushing cruise occupancy and revenue beyond 2019 levels, he said. Royal Caribbean CEO Jason Liberty echoed the sentiment, saying on that company's post-earnings call in July that his company is also considering increasing prices to meet the surge in demand.

Persons: Josh Weinstein, Jason Liberty Organizations: Royal Caribbean Cruises, Cruise, Tripadvisor, Wall, Carnival, CNBC, Royal Locations: Caribbean, Royal Caribbean

☆ Chair hogs, dining divas and boorish boozers: Is cruising etiquette lost at sea?
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

When it comes to uncouth, uncultured and downright unacceptable behavior on ships, experts in travel etiquette and cruising have seen it all. Chair squattingNow this is a true prize on a cruise ship — empty lounge chairs! Jeff R Clow/Moment RF/Getty ImagesIt’s a quintessential cruising experience – hanging out on the deck enjoying the sun and sea. Ramunas Bruzas/Alamy Stock PhotoVertical travel within a cruise ship is another place where things can go sideways. In the end, Leighton said basic good manners applicable to living in general will serve you on a cruise ship.

Persons: CNN —, You’re, looter, Nick Leighton, Angel Wilson, Scotsman, ’, ”, Wilson, Andrew Matthews, Maryanne Parker, Manners, Patience, ” Parker, Jeff R, “, Leighton, ” Leighton, …, ” Wilson, Ramunas, gripes Wilson, Costa, Frans Lemmens, Parker, Don’t, Anthony Devlin, there’s, they’re, l'amour, it’s, Puff Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, MSC, Getty, Cruise, Alamy, Royal Caribbean, Disney Locations: Port, Southampton, England, “, NAPA, overindulging, Opunohu, Moorea, French Polynesia, Royal Caribbean, Caribbean, Japan

☆ Smart ways to save money in Europe this crazy, crowded summer
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Terry Ward | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“Last-minute flight prices, especially international ones, are expensive,” says Katy Nastro of Going.com (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights) about airfares from North American to Europe. “Their best value comes when cash prices are high, and there’s no time more expensive than last-minute summer travel,” Nastro says. CNN Travel talked to travel agents, experts and expert travelers, too, for their tips on saving money on European travels this unprecedented summer. “Most travelers going to Europe have a few destinations in mind, “ says Henley Vazquez, co-founder of luxury travel advisor group Fora. These places he calls “the Chicagos of Europe” include Marseille in France, Hamburg in Germany and Liverpool in England.

Persons: CNN —, “, Katy Nastro, you’ll, Nastro, you’ve, ” Nastro, Hevelyn Villar Silva, Hevelyn Villar, ”, Colleen McDaniel, Henley Vazquez, Fora, ” Eurail, Eurail, Ethan Williams, Austria’s, Georgia Bird, Rome Ciampino, Rome Fiumicino, snagging, Ignacio Eguren, ” Eguren, Eguren, Booking.com, aren’t, Rick Steves, ” Steves, Steves, … Organizations: CNN, Cruise, Magnifica, MSC Cruises, MSC Magnifica, Caribbean’s Symphony, Palma de Mallorca, Milan Central Station, Getty, Czech Railways, Saint, Alamy, “, Smart, Library, Rembrandt, Best, Premier Faubourg, CNN Travel, Liverpool, Scala, Scala Santa Holy, Scotsman Locations: Europe, North American, ”, Tampa , Florida, Genoa, Valencia, Spain, Pisa, Portofino, Italy, France, Palma de, Athens, Svalbard, Bergen, Norway, “, Germany, Czech, Czech Republic, Rome, Saint Martin, Paris, mauritius, Checkin Cantabria, Cantabria, Paris ’, Copenhagen, you’ll, Oslo, Marseille, Hamburg, England, Scala Santa

While travel demand is roaring back, many hotels, airlines, cruise operators and airports are still racing to hire and train workers. That means the level of customer service will likely take a hit, industry experts say. One potential bright spot can be found at sea: During the summer, several cruise lines had to cancel voyages due to staffing shortages, but major disruptions have been largely resolved. “It’s highly unlikely your holiday cruise will be canceled due to lack of staffing,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief of Cruise Critic, a Tripadvisor-run travel site. “This year, I moved my annual holiday travel to earlier in December,” said Abby Rhinehart, an educational researcher in Tucson, Arizona.

☆ I've been on more than 15 cruises. Here are my best tips for planning a cost-effective and seamless trip to sea.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

One of the biggest things I would recommend for people who haven't cruised before is finding a travel agent or advisor who specializes in cruisesEven with me being in the industry for as long as I have, having a travel agent is helpful. I decided to use a travel agent because I didn't want all the guests calling me, but this travel agent was with a bigger agency and the experience was awful. Travel agents don't cost money — they make their commissions from the ships and travel insurance agencies or tour companies. Travel insurance is also great because it covers anything from medical issues to trip interruption or even theftI'd never had travel insurance until my travel agent educated me on it, but it's been helpful already. I had my phone stolen in Paris last year and my travel insurance covered it.

☆ Some cruise lines struggling to fill up are offering fall deals for as low as $26 a day
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-05 | by ( Britney Nguyen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

One four-night Carnival cruise from Orlando to the Bahamas is going for $26 a day. One November 28 to December 2 Carnival cruise to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral in Orlando, Florida, averages $104 per person for a two-person room, or $26 a day. Wall Street travel-industry analysts noted that cruise prices this year are not keeping up with inflation rates like hotel prices, ThePointsGuy reported. "We're seeing phenomenal deals right now from these drive-to ports," Gray Faust said. "Once people get onboard, they are spending — on drink packages, extra-fee dining, spa treatments, casino and shore-excursion revenue," Gray Faust said.

☆ I've been on more than 15 cruises and even got married on one. Here's how to have the best possible experience while traveling at sea.
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-14 | by ( Jamie Killin | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

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