Guests aboard the Carnival Magic walk in the WaterWorks aqua park, while another shoots through one of two tube slides. WaterWorks features a 312-foot-long Twister water slide, a DrainPipe slide attraction and a huge bucket that periodically dumps 300 gallons of water. The Twister slide is the longest side in Carnival's fleet. Photo by Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Line recently announced that it is cancelling the remaining cruises for the six total ships operating from PortMiami and Port Canaveral for November 2020.
It has also cancelled five cruises scheduled to operate from Sydney, Australia from Jan. 16 – Feb. 8, 2021.
Carnival continues to work on protocols and procedures that would allow for the resumption of cruise operations, with a gradual, phased-in approach, designating Miami and Port Canaveral as the first two homeports for embarkations. Cruises currently scheduled for December from those two homeports remain in place for the time being while Carnival evaluates options. However, guests booked on cruises in December out of Miami and Port Canaveral still have the ability to voluntarily cancel their reservation and receive the same offer that all other impacted guests are receiving, which includes a combination future cruise credit (FCC) and onboard credit (OBC), or a full refund.
During the socially responsible ceremony, Dutch coins minted in 1872 to honor Holland America Line’s first Rotterdam were welded to the outside deck of the ship to bring good fortune, followed by a blessing by the shipyard chaplain. In attendance were Antonio Quintano, director of the Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard; Cyril Tatar, Holland America Group’s vice president of newbuilding services; and Nico Bleichrodt, vice president, international sales, for Holland America Line.
“We are pleased to honor the coin ceremony tradition and celebrate this milestone that signals less than a year until Rotterdam‘s delivery,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “With a name like Rotterdam, there is no other person more ideal than Mai Elmar to serve as the ship’s madrina. Mai’s name is synonymous with the cruise industry in the port city of Rotterdam and she has been a tremendous champion of our brand for decades. We’re thrilled to have her take on this special role.”
On Oct 7 Rotterdam‘s drydock will be filled with water and the ship will be floated out to begin the next stage of construction at an outfitting pier. Rotterdam is scheduled to be delivered July 30, 2021.
Madrina Mai Elmar
For many years, Elmar has dedicated much of her time to the city and port of Rotterdam. Since 2000, she has grown Cruise Port Rotterdam from zero to 102 cruise ships that have visited yearly. She was the first chief marketing officer of Rotterdam city and now serves as executive director of Cruise Port Rotterdam. Elmar was instrumental in designing the brand policy and strategy of the city. From 2011 to 2013, she was director of the ss Rotterdam, the famed hotel ship and former flagship of Holland America Line.
In 2005 Elmar was named Mrs. “Harbor Man of the Year” and received the Wolfert van Borselen medal from the mayor for her efforts for the city of Rotterdam. In 2016 she was made a Knight of the Order of Oranje Nassau, which is awarded for longstanding meritorious service to society, the State or the Royal House.
Rotterdam VII
The third in the Pinnacle Class series, Rotterdam will carry 2,668 guests, measure 99,800 gross tons and feature highly successful amenities and innovations introduced with her sister ships, including the 270-degree surround screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer and Grand Dutch Café. Delivering the best of everything, Rotterdam celebrates live music with an exclusive collection of world-class performances each night — from Lincoln Center Stage and B.B. King’s Blues Club to Rolling Stone Rock Room and Billboard Onboard.
Throughout the ship, Rotterdam will showcase Holland America Line hallmarks that drive one of the highest guest repeat rates in the industry: exquisite cuisine guided by eight of the world’s leading chefs; gracious, award-winning service; and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, including family and single accommodations.
Rotterdam is the seventh ship to bear the name for Holland America Line and the 17th ship constructed for the brand by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, which most recently built Nieuw Statendam.
Following Rotterdam‘s Premiere Voyage departing Aug. 1, 2021, the ship will spend its inaugural summer season in northern Europe. Naming details have not been finalized and will be announced at a later date.
For more information about Holland America Line, contact a travel professional or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) decision to extend its no-sail order for cruise operations, Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests and travel agents that it has cancelled cruises from all U.S. homeports except Miami and Port Canaveral for November and December 2020. While operations from Miami and Port Canaveral in November and December are still not certain, Carnival is focusing its initial return to service from those two homeports, whenever that might occur.
Carnival continues to work on protocols and procedures that would allow for the resumption of cruise operations, with a gradual, phased-in approach, designating Miami and Port Canaveral as the first two homeports for embarkations. Cruises currently scheduled for November and December from those two homeports will remain in place for the time being while Carnival evaluates options. However, the cruise line is providing guests booked on cruises in November and December out of Miami and Port Canaveral the ability to voluntarily cancel their reservation and receive the same offer that all other impacted guests are receiving, which includes a combination future cruise credit and onboard credit, or a full refund.
“As we have said throughout this pause, our return to operations will be gradual and phased in. And while we are not making any presumptions, once cruising is allowed, we will center our initial start-up from the homeports of Miami and Port Canaveral,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “The health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we serve remain the cornerstone of our plans and decisions. The patience and support of our guests and travel agent partners have been a huge motivation to our team as we have worked through this unprecedented situation and we are dedicated to getting back to operations when the time is right.”
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
Captain Nick Nash, a 31-year veteran of Princess Cruises, has been promoted to the rank of commodore of the cruise line’s global fleet, the seventh in the cruise line’s history. The title of commodore is an honor that is bestowed upon the most senior captain of a fleet of ships, and the position represents the highest rank attainable to a Princess Cruises mariner.
Commodore Nick Nash
Commodore Nash becomes the senior master of the fleet, representing the interests of all ships and its captains. He also was recently recognized at the delivery of Enchanted Princess as captain of the newest vessel and has the great privilege of navigating the ship out of the Fincantieri shipyard for the very first time.
“It’s an honor and a testament to his dedication as a master seafarer to name Captain Nick Nash the next commodore of our global fleet,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “With his successful tenure and utmost focus on the high priority of the safety and security of all guests and crew, we know he will continue to deliver the cruise experience our guests cherish when we return to service.”
Commodore Nash first joined the company in 1989 and was promoted to staff captain in 1997. In 2002, he became captain and has been at the helm of many Princess vessels, most recently Royal Princess. In fact, Commodore Nash’s daughter, Victoria, served as the madrina of Royal Princess during the ship’s float out ceremony in 2012. She has a special connection to the cruise line’s first Royal Princess – as a baby, she was christened onboard.
Most recently, Commodore Nash served as President of the Nautical Institute and after two years now serves on the council. He was awarded the United Kingdom’s Merchant Navy Medal for meritorious service in 2018. He is a Chartered Master Mariner, a Fellow of The Nautical Institute, The Royal Institute of Navigation, The Royal Geographical Society and a Younger Brother of Trinity House.
“As a young man, I ran away to sea at the age of 17 to start working on cargo ships and now here I am today, extremely proud to take on this new role as commodore of the Princess fleet,” said Commodore Nash. “It’s been the highlight of my career to recently take Enchanted Princess out of the shipyard for the very first time to now overseeing all ships of the cruise line that has allowed me to always continue to learn and grow professionally and personally.”
Viking.TV Celebrates Six Months of Award-Winning Programming
Viking.TV went live in mid-March in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and was conceived as a way to build community, stay connected and share positive experiences while people are staying home, rather than traveling. Now six months later, Viking.TV has broadcast more than 160 sessions featuring original cultural content and virtual Privileged Access to interesting people and places around the world. The digital platform, where all content is free to watch, has resonated well with people during this unusual year. Livestreams and archived content on Viking.TV have been enjoyed by more than two million viewers, which include past Viking travelers and Viking crew, as well as those who have not traveled with Viking. Additionally, Viking.TV was recently honored with the “Breakthrough Award for Product Innovation” in the 2020 Silver Travel Award.
“There is no doubt that we are living in an unusual time that has disrupted all of our lives. It is well known that having a daily routine is important during times of stress and isolation, so we launched Viking.TV to livestream at a set hour each day, when our guests, crew and other curious people can continue to explore the world and have a daily session of positivity and learning,” said Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President of Viking. “After just six months, we are honored to have welcomed so many esteemed viewers on Viking.TV and to have received such positive feedback. We look forward to once again traveling together, but in the meantime, we are pleased to continue fostering the Viking.TV community—with daily livestream sessions and conversations with some of the world’s most fascinating people.”
Viking.TV Highlights
Since its launch, Viking.TV has featured exclusive interviews and live Q&A with remarkable explorers, museum curators, musicians, astronauts, actors, artists, performers, photographers, filmmakers and more. Highlights include:
Museum Mondays – Museum directors, curators and experts have hosted virtual Privileged Access to cultural institutions around the world, including Oslo’s Munch Museum and The Viking Ship Museum, The British Museum in London, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg and the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Iowa.
Tuesdays – Viking Resident Historians, who typically provide a destination-specific curriculum on every ocean cruise itinerary, have shared Iconic Lectures about world history, including “Greek Civilization,” “The History of France,” “The Italian Renaissance,” and “The Vikings.” Additionally, Viking Resident Photographer Alastair Miller has hosted conversations with notable individuals such as filmmaker Ric Burns, wildlife filmmakers Amos Nachoum and Gavin Thurston and artists Magne Furuholmen and Alexander Talbot-Rice.
(Explorer & Music) Wednesdays – In the spirit of exploration, Viking has hosted sessions with explorers from around the world including, Thor Heyerdahl, Jr., whose father famously crossed the Pacific Ocean on the Kon-Tiki raft; anthropologist Benedicte Ingstad, who has written biographies about her parents, famed Norwegian explorer Helge Ingstad and archaeologist Anne Stine Ingstad; and Paralympic skier Cato Zahl Pedersen. Other Wednesday sessions have been dedicated to arts and music and have included interviews with Los Angeles Opera Maestro James Conlon; Royal Academy of Arts curator Ann Dumas; and composer and conductor Debbie Wiseman, OBE.
Guest Speaker Thursdays – Every week since the launch of Viking.TV, iconic British broadcast journalist Anne Diamond has interviewed significant figures, including Xander Parish, principal ballet dancer at the Mariinsky Theatre; the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon; the Duke of Devonshire; explorer Robin Hanbury-Tenison, OBE; former PBS MASTERPIECE Executive Producer Rebecca Eaton; Downton Abbey’s “Mrs. Patmore,”actress Lesley Nicol; polar explorers Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft; and classical musicians Alma and Helen Deutscher.
At Home Fridays – The Countess of Carnarvon has led more than a dozen virtual Privileged Access tours and glimpses of life at her home, Highclere Castle, widely recognized as the filming location of Downton Abbey. Additional “At Home” sessions hosted by members of the Viking family have provided insight into their local life in Basel, Reykjavik, Amsterdam, Sydney, Prague, Budapest, Russia, the Orkney Islands and more.
Wellness Weekends – Yoga instructor Mona Therese has led Mind & Body yoga sessions every week since the launch of Viking.TV.
Sissel Sundays – Sissel Kyrkjebø, a Norwegian National Treasure and one of the world’s most beautiful voices—and Viking Jupiter® godmother—will by Christmas have performed 52 songs for Viking.TV viewers.
Livestream sessions on Viking.TV start every day at 2 p.m. Eastern Time / 11 a.m. Pacific Time, and all content is archived and available on-demand for anyone who cannot view at the original time of the broadcast. Also on Viking.TV there are more than 200 original short-form Destination Insight documentaries and 60 additional pieces of content in from Viking Cultural Partners, with programming from TED, BBC’s Wonderstruck, Libera and more.
This Week—Space Week on Viking.TV
As Viking.TV continues to plan new content, each month will feature one week dedicated to a single theme. This week is dedicated to taking viewers out of this world with space-themed content. Beginning today, “Space Week” features Viking Resident Astronomer Ray Arvidson speaking about the exploration of Mars; a conversation with photographer Benedict Redgrove, creator of the book NASA: Past and Present Dreams of the Future; and Anne Diamond will interview retired NASA veteran Charles Armstrong, who worked on a variety of projects including the Space Shuttle. The week will be capped by a special At Home Friday—”When Space is Home”—with broadcast journalist Lynn Sherr hosting a conversation between Dr. Anna Fisher, godmother of Viking Orion®, and three additional astronauts: Colonel Jack Fischer, Richard Linnehan and Barbara Morgan.
Viking.TV Viewer Feedback
Many travelers continue to write Viking with comments of appreciation for this new opportunity to explore the world in comfort…from home. Examples of viewer feedback include:
“We can’t thank you enough for the wonderful 24 weeks of programs-one more interesting than the last!…We have loved every day of programs and have learned so much while whetting our appetites to once again begin cruising with Viking.” – Bob and Maryann O.
“As a lifelong learner, I look forward to being able to access and view more from your library of weekly programs.” – Henriette and Klaus
“Since I cannot be with you on board one of your fabulous ships, the next best thing is attending an enrichment…I only wish that I was sitting in the Star Theater or having success cake and tea or a glass of Prosecco in the Explorer’s Lounge.” – Brenda G.
“I have learned and seen so many new things. My world during this lockdown has been opened.” – Valerie
“I just wanted to say thank you again for offering your weekly yoga sessions through Viking tv. I have been following them since day 1 and enjoy the gentle spirit and guidance that Mona provides. I have done yoga before but I feel that this series is perfect for the challenging times we are experiencing because they are instructive, relaxing and geared to different levels and abilities. Please pass on my heartfelt thanks and Namaste!” – Jennifer A.
“This has been such an enjoyable way to ‘travel’ and educate ourselves during the pandemic crisis – – – truly one of the “silver linings” in the clouds of our difficult and uncertain days…This is armchair traveling at its finest!” – Patti F.
The Healthy Sail Panel, a group of globally recognized experts assembled by Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., has concluded cruising can be safer in the current health environment with a robust set of science-backed protocols. Through research and their relevant experience in various disciplines including public health, infectious diseases, biosecurity, hospitality and marine operations, the panelists have outlined more than 70 recommendations. Take a look at the five focus areas the group has identified in collaboration with co-chairs Governor Mike Leavitt, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration.
Royal Caribbean International has provided an update to its 2021 summer cruises, announcing upcoming changes in itineraries and homeports. Tapping market research and valuable feedback from guests and travel partners, the cruise line has adjusted its schedule with the goal of providing guests with greater variety for their 2021 adventures.
Highlights of the updated summer cruises for 2021 include new 4- and 5-night Mediterranean getaways from Barcelona, and more island time in the Caribbean with ships sailing from additional, popular U.S. cruise ports next summer including Tampa, Fla. and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The new itineraries combined with Royal Caribbean ships and crew will deliver the signature vacation experience that guests know and love. Most importantly, the global cruise line is applying the best available public health, science and engineering insights to deliver a safer and healthier cruise vacation.
Guests with confirmed bookings between April and November 2021 and whose cruises are affected by these changes are being notified directly. These existing bookings are covered by Royal Caribbean’s Cruise with Confidence program.
New Itineraries and Homeports
Europe
Adventure of the Seas, which was previously scheduled to sail from Copenhagen and Stockholm, will head for Barcelona to sail a mix of new 4- and 5-night Mediterranean itineraries to historic destinations like La Spezia and Rome, Italy; Ajaccio, Nice and Marseille, France; and Palma and Ibiza, Spain.
Jewel of the Seas, originally planned to homeport in Amsterdam and Barcelona, will now sail from Copenhagen and Stockholm on 7-night cruises calling on Northern Europe’s picturesque ports of Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; and Visby, Sweden.
The Caribbean
Independence of the Seas, originally sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. offering 3- and 4-night cruises, will now make the neighboring city of Miami her home for the summer season and offer a combination of 6- and 8-night cruises to the Southern and Western Caribbean, visiting far-flung islands including Aruba and Curacao.
Vision of the Seas¸ previously planned to sail from Barcelona, will sail from San Juan, offering a new summer program from the island of enchantment. She will offer 7-night Southern Caribbean itineraries to exotic destinations like Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; St. John’s, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; and Bridgetown, Barbados.
Brilliance of the Seaswill stay in Tampa for the summer offering a new drive to port for guests. She will sail 4-, 5- and 7-night cruises to the Caribbean, elevating Caribbean summer sailings from Florida’s west coast.
Royal Caribbean’s other summer 2021 cruises will sail on as planned in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Visiting more than 200 destinations in over 50 countries with 27 ships in 2021-22, the cruise line’s summer 2021 highlights span the globe.
Azamara, is excited to announce the remainder of itineraries for 2022 as well as 2023 (Q1), featuring over 80 new itineraries, and more than 170 overnights and 300 late night stays. As the brand furthers its commitment to more in-depth exploration by connecting guests to a country’s local life and culture, Azamara will offer more Country-Intensive Voyages between 2022 and 2023 than ever before, allowing guests to experience iconic destinations as well as hidden gems, all within a single country.
“As the leader in Destination Immersion®, we are always enthusiastic about sharing our new deployment, this year it’s even more special as we have the opportunity to announce an extension of our Country-Intensive Voyages,” says Chief Operating Officer, Carol Cabezas. “When we were working on our itineraries for 2022/2023, our goal was to invite new and returning guests to explore places they have never visited before, or better yet, connect our guests to a country they have traveled to before, but adding in ports that are considered hidden gems to allow for a new experience, which our Country-Intensives are designed to offer.”
With over 275 ports of call in more than 70 countries, 26 of the ports will be offered in Greece, with two maiden ports: Syros, and Tinos. Azamara will also add on returning guest favorites including, Greece Country-Intensives, voyages to the Black Sea and Egypt-Israel intensive voyages. Further south, Azamara will continue another guest favorite, South Africa Intensive voyages.
Highlights of some maiden ports include:
Off the beaten path, Syros, Greece: Far less hedonistic than its neighbors, Mykonos and Santorini. Instead, it offers an authentic look at what Greek life is truly like on the Cyclades. Home to fantastic food and beautiful beaches, Syros is a hidden gem that doesn’t necessarily want to be discovered — only further adding to its unmistakable charm.
Poignant Landmarks, Pink Lakes, and Free-Roaming Wildlife in Dakar, Senegal: Enigmatic, electric, and endlessly explorable, Dakar dazzles on the West African coast. Jutting out on the Cape Verde Peninsula, the city is the westernmost point of the African continent, and was an important trading point for European colonial powers.
A wonderland of urban delights and pastoral pursuits in Aberdeen, Scotland: Remote and northerly, Scotland’s third largest city is a surprising gem with distinctive architecture and a cosmopolitan feel. Admire the granite architecture that varies from highly ornamented Victorian to robust, rough-hewn Scottish façade in the heart of quaint Old Aberdeen
For more information on Azamara’s 2022 & 2023 deployment, please visit this link here.
A first for the cruise industry, Atlas Ocean Voyages has announced that the luxury-expedition cruise brand will include emergency evacuation and return-to-home insurance for all guests, in keeping with its All Inclusive All the Way experience. Seasoned, fun-seeking and like-spirited travelers can travel with greater peace of mind on future luxury adventures aboard World Navigator, Atlas’ new, safe and small expedition ship, launching in July 2021. The insurance covers emergency medical transportation from the ship to a local treatment center, as well as return transportation to home or a medical facility close to home, as required.
Safety – A Top Priority
“Because safety and the health of our guests is our top priority, we are proud to be the first cruise brand to include emergency medical evacuation and return-to-home insurance as part of every booking,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “With this first-ever included insurance coverage, our guests can enjoy peace of mind when sailing our captivating destinations and know that we take care of every detail, as part of our All Inclusive All the Way experience.”
Atlas Ocean Voyages is an all-inclusive, luxury cruise brand defined by simple and refined elegance and will deliver authentic, once-in-a-lifetime adventures in the world’s most extraordinary and remote destinations aboard World Navigator, a newly constructed, safe, clean and green, small expedition ship. World Navigator will embark on her inaugural 2021 year, sailing seven- to 24-night itineraries in the Holy Land, Black and Mediterranean Seas in the summer, followed by nine- to 13-night itineraries in the Caribbean, South America and Antarctica in winter 2021/22.
World Navigator Deluxe Veranda
All-inclusive Luxury Expedition
Experienced, fun-seeking and like-spirited discerning travelers will find community aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages’ all-inclusive luxury expedition ships and revel in its welcoming and lively venues to share their day’s exploits. All Atlas Ocean Voyages journeys include emergency medical evacuation insurance; complimentary round-trip air travel from major U.S. and Canada gateways; prepaid gratuities; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; Wi-Fi; L’Occitane bath amenities; free shore excursions in select ports; international gourmet dining; and onboard binoculars, coffee and tea service, and butler service in suites.
Safety is at the core of Atlas Ocean Voyages’ Polar Category-C and Ice Class-1B, expedition ships, and all of the most-modern hygiene and cleanliness measures are being incorporated into their design. World Navigator’s construction in Portugal is on schedule and the line’s first ship will launch in mid-2021, with sister-ships World Traveller, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer to follow before the end 2023.
Atlas Ocean Voyages is also committed to preserving the breathtaking locales and waters that its ships visit for future generations to enjoy, and is among the first to employ the latest conservation and sustainability technologies, including a hybrid power management and propulsion system that maximizes fuel efficiency and consumes as low as one-fifth the fuel compared to conventional cruise ship systems. Additionally, World Navigator and her sister ships utilize underwater, forward-looking sonar to confidently navigate coastal, harbor and icy polar waters, and feature an alternate hydrojet propulsion system, which helps the ship quietly cruise up to five knots without disturbing marine wildlife for incomparable up-close encounters.
Carnival Cruise Line Reveals Mardi Gras' Massive Grand Central Atrium
Carnival Cruise Line is breaking the mold with Grand Central, a transformational three-deck-high atrium that is one of six themed zones on Mardi Gras, set to debut in February.
A unique twist on the traditional atrium, Grand Central spans Decks 6, 7 and 8 with massive 3,000-square-foot glass panels built into the starboard side of the ship providing guests with impressive views of the ocean and ports of call as they relax in comfortable seating or stroll throughout the space.
Mardi Gras’ Grand Central Atrium spans Decks 6, 7 and 8 with massive 3,000-square-foot glass panels built into the starboard side of the ship
According to Glenn Aprile, Carnival’s director of new build product development and part of the design team that developed the groundbreaking venue, the idea was to create a space that was as functional as it was eye-catching, while providing guests with that “take your breath away” moment when they first board the vessel.
“Building an atrium into the side of a cruise ship is no easy task and it was a total team effort between our new build management team, engineers, designers, and hotel and entertainment teams to create a space that is as beautiful as it is functional,” Aprile said.
During the day, Grand Central serves as a relaxing spot for guests to enjoy a coffee, drink or light fare, people watch, listen to live music, or partake in trivia contests and other leisurely pursuits. At night, Grand Central transforms into an intimate and immersive venue with a rotation of spectacular, soon-to-be-revealed experiences created just for Mardi Gras. Talented performers will interact with 16 individually controlled six- by 14-foot LED screens displaying video and special effects, as well as lasers and aerial feats to create a truly unforgettable entertainment experience.
Mardi Gras’ Grand Central Atrium
Aprile noted that “with a ship as innovative as Mardi Gras we wanted to create a multi-functional dining and entertainment space that guests can enjoy day and night, while at the same time providing an intuitive way to get around the ship and creating a dramatic centerpiece that is worthy of our most innovative ship. Grand Central provides all that and more. We are extremely pleased with the results thus far.”
Overlooking Grand Central is the multi-level Grand View Bar which like its name implies offers guests a chance to enjoy floor-to-ceiling sea views as they sip custom-cocktails and other libations, amidst awe-inspiring design touches like a virtual waterfall on translucent panels. There’s also the Center Stage Bar on the main level. Both venues will feature specialty cocktails inspired by the theme of that evening’s entertainment.
Mardi Gras’ Grand Central Atrium
Steps away is Java Blue, which in addition to serving coffees, cappuccinos and lattes like other Carnival ships, offers a menu of fresh bakery items, wraps, salads and other light fare throughout the day. The Cherry on Top sweets shop is also nearby for those who want to enjoy a decadent treat, as are the retail shops and casino, providing a variety of fun options for guests to enjoy.
Connecting all of these spaces are a series of spacious and airy promenades and bridges that serve as convenient thoroughfares to other areas of the ship while allowing guests to see all the other happenings on board, adding to the excitement.
Mardi Gras’ Grand Central Atrium construction photo (September 2020).” width=”1024″ height=”768″ /> Mardi Gras’ Grand Central Atrium construction photo (September 2020).
Noted Aprile, “We put the engineers and designers to the test here and our teams have taken everything we’ve learned about shipbuilding and interior design to create a stunning, comfortable and functional environment that truly sets Grand Central apart from other shipboard venues. With its transformation from daytime relaxation to nighttime entertainment, Grand Central is unlike anything that’s ever been done on a cruise ship before and our guests are going to love it.”
Carnival Cruise Lines’ Mardi Gras Set to Debut from Port Canaveral in February 2021
The first North American cruise ship powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Mardi Gras is set to debut from Port Canaveral, Fla., Feb. 6, 2021, operating week-long itineraries from the Space Coast.
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
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