Cruise news: Royal Caribbean new entertainment, Disney’s latest island & MSC new ship

Cruise news comes from a number of well-known brands – there’s Royal Caribbean with its new entertainment on its upcoming ship, P&O Cruises with its adults-only ship refresh, and Disney Cruise Line and its latest fun-packed holiday destination to name a few.

We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the latest updates from river and ocean cruise lines as March comes to a close.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has unveiled the new bars and nightlife options that will feature on new upcoming ship Icon of the Seas.

The newly revealed venues are among 40-plus ways to dine, drink and be entertained. Brand firsts include music joints Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues in Central Park and Dueling Pianos in Royal Promenade, drink spots Rye & Bean coffee bar in AquaDome, Bubbles champagne bar in Central Park, 1400 Lobby Bar (the first to open the Royal Promenade to the outdoors with an ocean-facing terrace).

Guests can also look forward to The Overlook and Overlook Pods – an elevated lounge in the AquaDome where wraparound windows bring the ocean centre stage during the day, and at night, the cruise line’s marquee aqua shows are just a few steps away. Lounge with a drink, play classic board games and kick back to live music here too.

P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises has announced it will be updating guest areas on its adults-only ships, Arcadia and Aurora.

The changes, which are due to be completed by May 2023, will include new balcony furniture, new chairs in cabins, as well as new furniture on the ship’s open deck areas. On Arcadia, the Neptune Pool will also see considerable investment with new lounge chairs, sofas, tables and armchairs.

Arcadia’s wider refit will take place in November 2024 and Aurora’s is scheduled for April 2025.

Celestyal Cruises

Celestyal has announced the arrival of newest ship Celestyal Journey [above, left]] which will set sail on September 2, 2023, sailing the popular seven-night “Idyllic Aegean” itinerary.

The 1,260-guest mid-sized vessel offers 630 staterooms, 149 of which feature balconies – three times that of the previously available balcony staterooms on Celestyal’s seven-night offering.

After undergoing an extensive, €20 million (approximately £17.6 million) refurbishment and technical maintenance overhaul, Celestyal Journey will offer guests a larger range of dining options.

There will be seven one-of-a-kind venues including speciality and themed restaurants plus a cooking demonstration area and an exclusive Chef’s Table venue.

Expansive sundecks boast two pools and two Jacuzzis and there’s a large, comprehensive spa and fitness and wellness area onboard.

Silversea Cruises

Silversea Cruises recently celebrated the keel laying of Silver Ray  [above, right]marking the start of a ship’s assembly.

The second ship in Silversea’s pioneering Nova class, the 728-guest Silver Ray is expected to enter service in summer 2024, joining her sister ship, Silver Nova, as one of the most sustainable ships in her class.

A first for Silversea, both Nova class ships will incorporate an innovative asymmetrical design and a horizontal layout, with public spaces and suites spanning the entire length of each ship.

In further Silversea news, the cruise line has launched two new Grand Voyages for 2024. The first is The Grand Voyage Mediterranean 2024 covering 34 destinations and 13 countries in 43 days sailing on Silver Spirit and the second is The Grand Indian Ocean Expedition 2024 visiting 45 destinations and 12 countries in 66 days onboard Silver Cloud.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line has announced the inaugural dates and select itineraries for its new island destination in The Bahamas for summer 2024.

Guests sailing aboard the Disney Magic from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from June next year will discover a vibrant beach retreat on the island of Eleuthera at Lighthouse Point [above, right].

The three-night preview cruise on June 6, 2024, on Disney Magic from Fort Lauderdale will offer a sneak peek of Lighthouse Point with limited access to some areas.

Two days later a seven-night inaugural sailing aboard the Disney Fantasy from Port Canaveral, Florida, on June 8 will allow holidaymakers to be among the first to make a splash in the crystal-clear waters of this new destination. The itinerary will feature two stops at Lighthouse Point and one day at Castaway Cay.

Following the inaugural voyage, Lighthouse Point will be a featured port of call on select three-, four- and five-night sailings to The Bahamas and Caribbean on the Disney Magic out of Fort Lauderdale.

These itineraries will vary stops between Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay, with five special departures including both Disney Cruise Line island destinations.

In further Disney news, Disney Cruise Line and Singapore Tourism Board have unveiled magical cruise vacations to Southeast Asia for the first time.

A brand-new Disney cruise ship [above, left] will homeport exclusively in Singapore for at least five years beginning in 2025. More details about the maiden voyage, itineraries and onboard experiences will be announced at a later date.

Norwegian Cruise Line

NCL has revealed exciting details about the entertainment onboard the line’s newest ship. Norwegian Viva, will feature “Beetlejuice” The Musical as its headline production, along with a full lineup of onboard entertainment offerings debuting in August 2023.

This 90-minute Broadway adaptation of Tim Burton’s iconic 1988 film – which tells the story of the Deetz family’s attempts to remodel a haunted house – will be shown in NCL’s three-story multi-purpose Viva Theatre & Club, with its immersive special effects, cutting-edge lighting, and audio.

This marks the first time the Tony Award-nominated musical will be performed at sea.

Norwegian Viva will also offer a live game show experience with the cruise industry’s first “Press Your Luck LIVE” at-sea. The immersive experience invites the audience to be part of the classic show and win incredible grand prizes.

The new ship will also feature returning guest favourites, including “Improv @ Sea” Comedy Club; “Syd Norman’s Pour House,” which features rock-and-roll tributes to Fleetwood Mac, The Rolling Stones, and other legendary artists of the Classic Rock genre, and more.

Debuting in August 2023, Norwegian Viva will sail a selection of bucket-list-worthy Greek Isles and Mediterranean voyages through November, before homeporting in San Juan, Puerto Rico in December for a season of Caribbean itineraries.

Explora Journeys

Explora Journeys has announced their destination experiences for the US and Canada, East Coast.

The line’s debut Inaugural Journeys Collection for North America will showcase an eclectic mix of urban experiences in cities including New York, Boston, Halifax or Quebec City and the discovery of local customs and history, as well as the opportunity to escape to the jaw-dropping beauty of snow-covered peaks, dramatic coasts, evergreen forests and preserved landscapes in Canada and the East Coast of the United States including New England.

Experiences will be tailored to small, intimate groups, from two to 25 guests; always with an emphasis on exclusive, off-the-beaten-path encounters and focused on a slower pace of travel.

In further news, Explora Journeys also revealed that first new ship EXPLORA I will offer a truly distinctive retail experience called The Journey [above]. The new line has collaborated with 30 of the finest artisanal brands to redefine the shopping experience at sea.

Guests can look forward to a carefully selected collection of sensorial fragrances and skincare, beautifully designed ready-to-wear and timeless accessories, homeware and gifts, and the finest food and drink.

Saga

Saga has officially launched its full range of 2024 ocean cruises with 48 all-inclusive itineraries now available.

Highlights for Spirit of Discovery will include: Exploring Spain and Western France cruise departing April 28, 2024, from Portsmouth, an 18-night all-inclusive Greenland and Iceland Wilderness Explorer cruise departing on July 10, 2024, from Dover, and Christmas in the Canary Islands departing December 19, 2024, from Portsmouth.

Highlights for Spirit of Adventure include: a 22-night Athens and the Greek Islands cruise departing on April 17, 2024, from Portsmouth, a 12-night Scandinavian Gems cruise departing Dover on May 30, 2024, and a 30-night The Festive Celebrations in the Caribbean cruise departing December 6, 2024, from Portsmouth.

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises has announced the sales opening of sailing onboard new ship MSC World America departing from April 2025.

The LNG-powered ship will be the second in the cruise line’s innovative World Class when she launches in April 2025, offering sustainable cruising with new, immersive and unique experiences at sea.

MSC World America will sail from MSC Cruises’ brand new, state-of-the-art terminal at PortMiami, which is set to be the largest cruise terminal in North America once completed.

She will exclusively sail seven-night Caribbean itineraries during her inaugural season, all designed to maximise time available for guests to fully discover the various ports of call.

All sailings will include visits to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve —MSC Cruises’ stunning private destination in The Bahamas.

In news more relevant to this side of the Atlantic, MSC Cruises has also announced new details of the new live entertainment offering on board its latest ship, MSC Euribia.

This fifth ship in the Meraviglia Class – set to begin sailing this June- will offer a host of activities and spaces to discover.

Guests can enjoy the ship’s seven theatrical productions in the Delphi Theatre or head to the Carousel Lounge [above] for a wide range of engaging games and activities.

The iconic venue now has a brand-new layout, offering ever-more varied options to entertain. The aft lounge will now extend outdoors, offering guests even more spectacular panoramic sea views in an incredible ambience.

MSC Cruises’ newest entertainment concept here is Big Band at Sea, set to be one of the largest bands at sea, with a spectacular nineteen-piece in-house group of internationally acclaimed musicians and singers.

Windstar Cruises

Windstar Cruises has added a new Formula 1 experience for its guests at the final race of the 2023 season at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November as part of Windstar’s first-ever sailings in the Middle East on board the all-suite, 312-passenger Star Legend.

During an overnight in Abu Dhabi as part of the inaugural 10-day Sparkling Sands & Cities of the Persian Gulf voyage departing Dubai on November 23, guests will have the option to experience the climactic race of the F1 season on November 25 and 26 with premium grandstand seats for the time trials and the race, transfers to and from Yas Marina Circuit, English-speaking coordinators and onboard perks such as an exclusive cocktail party.

Guests will also be joined by F1 Sports Broadcaster Bob Varsha, who will provide insights and expert analysis of the race and drivers.

The new racing excursion is in addition to Windstar’s long-standing themed F1 cruise to the Monaco Grand Prix, with this year’s Rome & Prix du Monde of Monaco slated for May 21-28 aboard Windstar’s flagship, the 342-passenger sailing yacht Wind Surf.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Cruises shared that the next ship in its revolutionary Edge Series will be at the forefront of alternative fuel use.

The ship continues the innovation that debuted with the Edge Series but will also be equipped with a new engine model, along with storage and delivery systems, that will give unmatched fuel flexibility, with the ability to use three types of fuel, including methanol.

Parent group Royal Caribbean is striving for Destinations Net Zero, its vision for net zero emissions by 2050.

Avalon Waterways

Avalon Waterways has been chosen as the “Best River Cruise Line” for the second year in a row in the USA Today 10Best awards.

The company’s Suite Ship, Avalon Envision – christened in 2019 by best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert – was also named the “Best River Cruise Ship” for the second, consecutive year by voters.

What’s more, four of the company’s Suite Ships were voted into the top eight.

APT

APT is expanding its small ship expedition programme with a brand-new, one-date-only luxury Antarctic cruise, now open for bookings.

Offering a 200-guest capacity, APT’s exclusive 15-day Antarctic Voyage will depart on February 3, 2024, and combines a stay in Buenos Aires with a 10-night cruise to Antarctica aboard a privately chartered ship, the luxury expedition vessel, Le Boreal.

The Antarctic cruise includes daily naturalist guide-led Zodiac expeditions to visit penguin rookeries, seal colonies and look out for orca, humpback and minke whales that frequent these waters while the ship boasts two elegant lounges, multiple restaurants, a theatre, heated pool, fitness centre and spa.

The cruise costs from £14,570 per person and includes all internal flights within South America, including a private return APT charter flight from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia; luxury dining with 34 included meals; all beverages on the cruise; and the services of an APT Tour Director and 12-strong Expedition Team.

VIVA Cruises

VIVA Cruises has christened its new flagship, VIVA TWO, at its home port of Düsseldorf.

The ship is VIVA Cruise’s second new ship within the year and celebrations began with TV presenter Marco Schreyl and godmother Shiri Gordon ceremoniously breaking a champagne bottle on the bow.

VIVA TWO features 95 stylish and comfortable cabins for up to 190 passengers and comes with a variety of new architecture, including an open lounge area and new dining options.

There are three restaurants on board: VIVA’s Bistro, offering a casual atmosphere and a wide selection of snacks and smaller dishes available from early morning until late at night – as well as a privileged view from the back of the ship; Riverside, the main restaurant featuring a wide selection of breakfast, lunch and dinner menus; and MOMENTS, the place to go for top-class speciality food, accompanied with light entertainment.

VIVA TWO will mainly sail on the Danube – on five-day short trips or seven-night river cruises from Passau or Vienna, the ship will take its guests to the most impressive places along the Danube.

All VIVA Cruises itineraries include VIVA Cruises’ signature VIVA All-Inclusive product, which includes snacks, full board, high-quality alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, a minibar, beauty products from luxury cosmetic brand, Rituals, Wi-Fi and all tips and gratuities.