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Cruise Hive has you covered with another day full of cruise news, including Carnival Cruise Line warning once again about gaming, the Coast Guard makes an evacuation from the Carnival Sunshine, a dockworker dies after loading luggage, and a Norwegian Encore itinerary change.
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Legend of the Seas* officially touched water for the first time. The teams behind the construction celebrated the moment as the newest family vacation floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, where Legend will continue to take shape ahead of its August 2026 debut.
As part of the milestone, the ship’s dry dock was filled with water overnight in a process that took nearly 12 hours. Once the dock was filled, the legend in the making then floated over to the outfitting dock, marking an engineering feat that brings the ship one step closer to welcoming its first vacationers.
The third in the revolutionary Icon Class lineup is set to make waves and deliver the boldest experiences yet across eight neighborhoods. Between the adrenaline-pumping thrills at Category 6 waterpark and Crown’s Edge — part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride — to unrivaled ways to chill, unmatched ways to dine and drink, and more to be revealed soon, families of all ages can enjoy the family time of a lifetime together and in their own ways. Legend will deliver summer 2026 adventures in Europe on 7-night Western Mediterranean vacations before making a grand Caribbean debut in November 2026 with 6-night Western Caribbean and 8-night Southern Caribbean vacations, including visits to Royal Caribbean’s top-rated destination in The Bahamas at Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Legend will also be the vacation company’s fourth ship fueled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and feature industry-leading environmental programs. With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connection, Legend will help advance Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.
More details about Legend are coming soon, and fans can be the first to learn more on Royal Caribbean’s website.
Norwegian Cruise Line® (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced the Company’s newest, cutting-edge vessel, Norwegian Aqua™, has completed her first sailing to the island paradise of Bermuda from her new seasonal homeport of New York City.
Through October 2025, Norwegian Aqua will offer round-trip five and seven-day voyages to Bermuda’s West End at the Royal Naval Dockyard with the convenience of sailing from Manhattan. Guests aboard these fun-in-the-sun itineraries will have the freedom and flexibility to design the cruise vacation of their dreams with more variety of onboard and shoreside experiences.
“We’re thrilled to have had Norwegian Aqua kick off her voyages from New York City this past week,” said Harry Sommer, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “New York is an incredibly important market for us, so we’re excited to showcase our newest ship from here. We look forward to our guests enjoying all the onboard experiences Norwegian Aqua has to offer with their loved ones before relaxing on the pink sandy beaches and dipping into the clear blue waters of Bermuda.”
Aboard Norwegian Aqua’s sailings from New York, guests can spend a few days at sea exploring the ship’s standout features like the longest and fastest slides at sea; the Aqua Slidecoaster, a thrilling hybrid waterslide and roller coaster; the Glow Court, a digital sports complex with an interactive LED floor; and the Aqua Game Zone, a multi-generational gaming venue filled with retro arcade games and new-age virtual reality experiences. For those seeking a more relaxing onboard experience, Norwegian Aqua boasts an expanded pool deck and Vibe Beach Club, the adults-only outdoor sundeck equipped with loungers, cabanas, hot tubs and the venue’s own private bar. Additionally, guests can revel in a wide array of treatments at the Mandara Spa and Salon as well as the rejuvenating Thermal Suite, the forward-facing relaxation area featuring heated loungers, a variety of saunas and sensory experiences all with expansive views of the ocean.
With more time in port and overnight stays in Bermuda, guests can experience coastal adventures and activities by day, all before returning to the ship to dine at one of the 17 onboard culinary venues or for vibrant nightlife performances, like “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince,” an immersive theatrical concert experience created in-house to honor the multi-Grammy® Award-nominated and winner, or “Elements: The World Expanded,” an enhanced version of NCL’s top-rated show, inspired by the four elements – earth, wind, fire and water.
Following her New York City sailings and just in time to beat the winter blues, Norwegian Aqua will travel to Miami to sail four, five and seven-day Bahamas and Caribbean cruises from October 2025 through April 2026. Throughout these voyages, Norwegian Aqua will visit NCL’s quintessential private island in the Bahamas and one of the Company’s top guest-rated Caribbean destinations, Great Stirrup Cay, which features white sandy beaches with countless loungers for optimal sun bathing; a wide variety of oceanside cabanas for privacy including luxurious villas in Silver Cove, the island’s private retreat area; multiple bars for fresh mojitos and margaritas; and an array of activities for every type of beachgoer such as paddleboarding, ziplining, and kayaking. In late 2025, the island will debut a new multi-ship pier, a 28,000-square-foot heated pool, welcome center and kids’ splash pad as well as even more enhancements including a new waterpark coming in summer 2026. In 2026, Norwegian Aqua will return to New York City for an extended season of Bermuda sailings from April 2026 to October 2026 offering guests more opportunities to embark on their dream vacation.
For guests planning their next cruise vacation aboard Norwegian Aqua or any ship in NCL’s fleet, guests can take advantage of 50% off all cruises for a limited time plus More At Sea™ which provides travelers more value with unlimited open bar featuring premium beverage brands such as Casamigos Tequila, Woodford Reserve, Grey Goose Vodka and more; as well as specialty dining meals; high- speed Wi-Fi minutes; and $50 shore excursion credits at every port of call for the first guest. More At Sea™ delivers guests incredible value with savings of over $2,000. For more details on NCL’s new More At Sea offering, visit www.ncl.com/cruise-deals/more-at-sea.
For more information about the Company’s award-winning fleet and worldwide itineraries, or to book a cruise, please contact a travel professional, call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784) or visit www.ncl.com.
Carnival Cruise Line’s exciting new Carnival Festivale, is open for booking and launches in 2027, and the line recently revealed further details of the ship’s features set to transform the cruise experience into a non-stop celebration of music and family fun. The ship’s newly available sailings can be found here.
Carnival Festivale will make its way home to Port Canaveral with a spectacular 15-day transatlantic voyage from Southampton, England on May 2, 2027. This maiden voyage features calls to some of Europe’s most captivating destinations including La Coruña and Vigo, Spain; Funchal on Madeira Island, Portugal, as well as Tenerife in the Canary Islands, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean, visiting Grand Turk and arriving to its Port Canaveral homeport on May 16, 2027.
On May 19, 2027, Carnival Festivale will begin cruising from Port Canaveral with its first sailing – a four-day Bahamas cruise featuring visits to Carnival’s exclusive private destinations, Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. The ship’s primary cruise schedule will offer a comprehensive selection of six- and eight-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises. Itineraries feature destinations such as Amber Cove; San Juan; St. Thomas; St. Maarten; as well as the award-winning RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. All Carnival Festivale sailings will offer a visit to Celebration Key, Carnival’s newest exclusive destination on Grand Bahama. Southern Caribbean sailings will also include the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao. A special seven-day New Year’s cruise departing December 27, 2027, is also among the more than 50 voyages opened for sale today aboard the new ship.
Continuing the Excel-class tradition of sharing its name with a classic Carnival ship, the all-new Carnival Festivale will further innovate on the popular Excel platform and represents a new chapter for the award-winning class.
“Music is the universal language that brings families and friends together, and Carnival Festivale will amplify that unique connection. The experiences we’ll deliver will appeal to every generation,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Everyone – no matter their age or interest – will find their rhythm on this ship.”
Duffy said the ship will deliver truly immersive environments, where the love of music inspires a variety of unique experiences across three transformative zones:
Just beyond the ship’s Grand Central atrium, which serves as the main hub, as well as a three-deck-high live entertainment venue, is Studio 724: a first-of-its-kind celebration of the creative music-making process. Through interactive experiences powered by technology, the vibrant zone reacts in real time to sound with synchronized lights and animations to capture the creative energy of mixing, recording, and listening to music, inviting guests to become part of the musical journey rather than simply observe it.
One of the zone’s highlights is The Spark on Deck 6, where guests will enjoy a vibrant setting designed to embody the art of songwriting, as well as cocktails inspired by iconic songs and nightly live music performances. The zone also features Carnival’s signature Alchemy Bar on Deck 6, famous fleetwide for its craft cocktails and molecular mixology. On Carnival Festivale, Alchemy Bar will offer an enhanced experience, with its own dedicated space adjacent to the atrium, and features an expanded lounge with a stage for live music performances. Already a celebration of music fleetwide, Carnival Festivale’s Piano Bar 88 will be right at home on Deck 6 as well.
At Mix Bar on Deck 7, guests can enjoy creatively named cocktails like the Synth and Hi-Fi, or craft their own unique drink by layering flavor “tracks” beneath a turntable-themed bar. Also on Deck 7 is Limelight Lounge, another venue where guests are brought together by music across the fleet. Carnival Festivale’s iteration of the lounge will bring a completely redesigned look and feel to match the music-inspired theme of Studio 724.
The Festival on Deck 8 captures the authentic social atmosphere and energy of outdoor music festivals in a cruise ship setting. An inviting, brightly colored promenade connects guests to several food and beverage venues through an atmosphere that transforms from day to night with evolving lights and sounds.
In this zone, guests will find Festival Grounds Coffee & Bar, which anchors the space with specialty coffee creations and festival-inspired cocktails. Dynamic lighting and music shift the venue from an energetic daytime vibe to a mellow nighttime ambiance. Pizza Palooza delivers fresh pizzas, which Carnival guests know and love fleetwide as a quick bite that’s perfect for sharing among friends. Rhythm & Rolls Deli rounds out the casual dining options with gourmet sandwiches. The pizza and deli venue designs are inspired by festival food trucks and complement the energetic atmosphere with specialty cocktails that capture the spirit of summer music festivals.
Spanning three decks 16-18, Sunsation Point represents the crown jewel of family fun and entertainment at sea. This area is anchored by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea – and biggest in Carnival history.
Deck 16 is the place to relax as well as a hub of family-friendly activities and dining options designed to cater to all ages. At Sunsation Sips, everything from craft cocktails to slushies will be served up to cater to all ages and cravings. The vibrant Vista Pool is also perfect for any age group and features a baby splash pad for the littlest cruisers in swim diapers. Guests can enjoy familiar favorites like Big Chicken and Swirls ice cream, signature offerings across the Excel class.
Decks 17 and 18 take entertainment and adventure to the next level. Deck 17 is a place to rewind with nostalgic elements, including the Vault Retrocade, which combines retro charm with modern arcade games. The Scenic Overlook, a bar with breathtaking aft sunset views, TVs for sports, and outdoor games like pool and giant Jenga complements the adjacent new mini golf course that will be illuminated at night. This deck will also be home to the Treehouse, an all-new concept that features an adventure trail with netted bridges high above the deck filled with fun obstacles and a dry slide. Nearby, a toddler playground provides climbing fun for little ones.
Deck 18 is also home to Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, where families can enjoy thrilling slides, splash pads, and shaded play areas for all ages. This expansive aquatic playground features six thrilling water slides designed for different age groups and adventure levels, including two innovative family raft rides, SunSoaker and Turning Tides. Guests can also enjoy thrills and some friendly competition on the dueling Racing Currents slides. The Mini Racers double-slide and Mini Twister are perfect for kids.
Sunsation Point, as Carnival previously announced, will introduce the first nighttime WaterWorks operations. Activating the multi-deck zone with vibrant illumination and a live DJ, water park hours will be extended on special evenings for guests of all ages to enjoy more fun together.
Carnival Festivale will feature 1,000 interconnecting rooms, nearly 70 percent more than on the first three Excel-class vessels. The ship will also introduce a dedicated space for Carnival’s Turtles program which is for children six months to two years, and more experiences for its youngest cruisers on the open decks, in addition to the enhancement of all youth spaces to support additional programming.
Carnival Festivale will sail year-round from Port Canaveral, where it joins Excel-class sister ship Mardi Gras, adding more variety and more capacity to the popular homeport. Additional deployment plans for the 2027/28 cruise schedule will be announced for Port Canaveral soon.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line- Opens in new window and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com- Opens in new window, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
In keeping with maritime tradition, a keel laying ceremony took place recently at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany for Carnival Cruise Line’s newest Excel-class ship, Carnival Festivale, set for delivery in spring 2027.
Brett Vitols, associate vice president of new builds for Carnival Cruise Line and Petu Kummala, associate vice president of interior design and architecture, along with members of Carnival’s new build team, were joined by the Meyer Werft team, including Georg Schauen, project manager for Carnival Festivale, to celebrate the construction milestone by placing commemorative coins under a 598-ton keel block. The coins, inscribed with musical notes, signify good luck for the vessel.
“Carnival Festivale isn’t just joining our fleet, she’ll be setting the tone for how to have fun at sea by blending vibrant designs and guest experiences that you can’t find anywhere else. Music is a universal language that connects people from around the world, and this ship will bring that to life in true Carnival fashion. We’re grateful to work with the skilled team once again at Meyer Werft to bring Carnival Festivale into our fleet,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.
The keel laying took place just one day after Carnival announced new details about the music-themed ship and opened its inaugural season of sailings for sale. Once complete, the ship will sail from Port Canaveral, Fla. as Carnival’s fourth Excel-class flagship, as well its fourth vessel powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
Carnival Festivale will introduce immersive, music-inspired zones offering unique experiences for all ages. These zones celebrate the creative process of music-making, the energy of enjoying live music through interactive technology, dynamic lighting and design elements, as well as curated food, beverage and experiences. Sunsation Point, spanning Decks 16–18, is the ultimate family adventure zone anchored by Carnival WaterWorks Ultra, the most family-friendly water park at sea. And with 1,000 interconnecting rooms, expanded youth spaces and new programming for its youngest guests, Carnival Festivale will be the ultimate getaway for families of all ages and interests.
For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
Let’s look back to the countdown to opening night continues as Royal Caribbean brings weeks of preparation together for an electrifying full studio run of “Back to the Future: The Musical,” the headlining adventure coming to Star of the Seas.
Royal Caribbean and godmother Kellie Gerardi hosted a naming celebration written in the stars for the new Star of the Seas in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida.
The ultimate family vacation has experiences in store for every type of family and vacationer on 7-night adventures to the Caribbean and the vacation brand’s top-rated Perfect Day at CocoCay.
Take a tour of Royal Caribbean’s ultimate family vacation on Star of the Seas. Vacationers and families of all ages can make memories their way across eight neighborhoods on Star with the boldest entertainment at sea, next-level ways to dine and drink, adrenaline-pumping thrills and unrivaled ways to chill.
Today’s cruise and travel update covers several important topics that every traveler should know about:
🚢 Princess Promotion Packages Increase – The top-tier package has increased, and I’ll explain what you really get for that money.
✈️ Newark Airport Problems – Yet another ground stop this week. Why you may want to avoid Newark if possible—or at least allow lots of extra time.
🏝️ Caribbean Cruising Question – For those of you who’ve been to St. Thomas, what’s the best way to get to St. John for a full day? Excursion alternatives welcome!
👜 Pickpocket Warning – A shocking theft method in Argentina shows how quickly valuables can be taken—even with a phone lanyard. Tips to stay safe with your passport, phone, and cash while traveling.
This mix of updates is all about saving money, avoiding travel stress, and staying safe—so you can focus on enjoying your cruise.
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