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Disney reveals new ship name & Cunard celebrates milestone – latest cruise news

Cruise news has seen some exciting developments this week when it comes to new sailings and new cruise ships for lines from Cunard to Disney.

Cruise lines have celebrated some important steps over the past week with regard to the construction of ships, the naming of vessels and the release of new itineraries.

We’ve rounded up some of the key cruise news to keep up you to date.

Carnival Cruise Line

First time

Carnival unveiled the news that newest ship Carnival Luminosa has officially joined the fleet. The vessel – which has transitioned from sister Line Costa – will debut from Brisbane, Australia on November 6, 2022.

Carnival Luminosa will sail a variety of seasonal itineraries from Brisbane through April 13, 2023, before repositioning for seasonal service from Seattle to Alaska next May, including some exotic, first-time-for-Carnival destinations.

The ship will accommodate up to 2,826 guests and 1,050 Carnival crew members. It will feature guest favourites from entertainment, youth, and spa, to a casino, bars and dining.

Offerings will include Playlist Productions, The Punchliner Comedy Club, Limelight Lounge, Piano Bar 88, Alchemy Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Chef’s Table, Bonsai Sushi Express, Seaday Brunch, Serenity Adult-Only Retreat, and Cloud 9 Spa, among others.

Disney Cruise Line

There be gold

Disney revealed a raft of thrilling updates over the weekend. Firstly, the brand announced that the new Disney cruise ship will be called Disney Treasures.

“At the heart of every adventure, there’s a treasure, and we can’t wait for you to create memories aboard this spectacular ship,” Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro said.

“The Grand Hall will radiate the irresistible allure of adventure, inviting guests to seek all the treasures on board from the moment they embark. Inspired by the grandeur and mystery of a gilded palace, it draws on real-world influences from Asia and Africa and pays homage to the far-off land of Agrabah from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ classic tale, “Aladdin.”

The signature atrium character statue — a Disney Cruise Line tradition — will be a shining, shimmering, splendid representation of Aladdin, Jasmine and Magic Carpet soaring together toward a whole new world of adventure.

The Disney Treasure is scheduled for delivery in 2024. Following the Disney Wish, which set sail in July, it’s the second of three new ships planned through 2025. The Wish class ships are powered by liquefied natural gas and feature 1,254 guest staterooms.

Disney Cruise Line also revealed that work has begun on Disney’s second island destination in the Bahamas, located on the island of Eleuthera at a place called Lighthouse Point.

Cunard

Big step

Cunard celebrated a milestone in the building of newest ship Queen Anne – the laying of the keel.

The event saw Captain Inger Klein Thorhauge weld the ceremonial coin into the keel at the Fincantieri shipyard in Venice. A crane then moved the centrepiece, laying it in place alongside the superstructure of the new ship.

This keel laying marks the first step in the building of a ship and is very important indeed.

Queen Anne is set to be completed at the end of 2023 and will enter service in 2024.

Azamara

Globetrotting

Azamara has unveiled 84 Europe itineraries for 2024. Fifty-three of these are country-intensive voyages with late-night or overnight stays at more than 50 percent of port calls.

The cruise line’s four ships will sail itineraries featuring stops in such ports as Taranto, Italy (a first for Azamara), Hamburg, Trollfjord, Norway and Edinburgh.

There will also be 15-plus golf voyages in 204, with sailings to South Africa, New Zealand & Australia and South America.

Published 09.15.22