Carnival Luminosa bound for Brisbane

• After waving a temporary farewell to the Sunshine State 155 days ago, Carnival Luminosa has embarked on the return journey to her Australian home port of Brisbane. The ship departed Seattle today on a 31-day transpacific Journeys cruise with sights set on Queensland, where she will be welcomed back for a second Australian season.
• Following 19 successful cruises during the North American summer season, Carnival Luminosa will sail into the sunny shores of Brisbane on 15 October, where she will once again be homeported until April 2024.
• While homeported in Brisbane for the summer cruise season, Carnival Luminosa will embark on 31 sailings between October 2023 and April 2024 visiting a range of picturesque destinations. Itineraries include local favourites such as Airlie Beach and the Great Barrier Reef as well as tropical South Pacific destinations including New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea.
• Carnival Luminosa’s first cruise of the season is a 7-night Great Barrier Reef sailing departing from Brisbane on 15 October 2023.

50^th Anniversary of Bahamas independence

• Carnival Cruise Line and the Government of The Bahamas celebrated the country’s 50th anniversary of independence with a Junkanoo experience aboard Mardi Gras that was docked in Nassau.
•  A cornerstone of the nation’s culture and a signature element of its tourism sector, Junkanoo is the national cultural festival for The Bahamas featuring spectacular parades of Bahamians in vibrant costumes performing dance routines. The celebration featured an overview of the history of Junkanoo and special live performances from a local Bahamian Junkanoo troupe and the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band.
• Approximately 150 government, community and business leaders from The Bahamas joined Carnival officials for the event and luncheon.

Jam Packed Melbourne Cup Festival

• Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled the star-studded lineup for its 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival Cruise appealing to fashion and sport lovers alike, including their Fashions on the Splendor parade and up-close-and-personal experiences with racing legends.
• TV personality and confidence coach Shelly Horton will be onboard to host Fashions on the Splendor, appear on the judging panel of the guest fashion parade and present her How to Find your Inner Beyoncé Confidence Workshop.
• The inclusive Fashions on the Splendor parade will feature appearances from a diverse range of models, creators, and body positivity influencers including Kiri Cooper, Caitlin Robertson, Justina Hurrell, Britt Munt, and Elise Grey. The parade will feature racewear fashions from Australian brands including much-loved women’s wardrobe experts birdsnest and long established menswear specialists Mainstreet Clothing.
• Guests will also have the opportunity to experience a Style Masterclass at Sea hosted by personal stylist Naomi Bell. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Naomi will help guests create their dream wardrobe by defining their personal style and learning how to dress best for their body shape.
• Racing fans can saddle up for a host of exciting activities, including exclusive Q&A sessions and photo opportunities with two-time Melbourne Cup winner and Hall of Famer Jim “Pumper” Cassidy and former champion jockey Gary Willetts, touting 1493 winning rides.
• Former “Voice of Victorian Racing” and renowned Melbourne Cup race caller Greg Miles OAM will host the Q&A sessions with these racing legends, share his betting tips at the Betting Masterclass and make hearts gallop as he runs a Phantom Race Call featuring the legends of the last 24 Melbourne Cups.
  • Departs and returns: Sydney to Sydney
  • Date: Sunday 5 November 2023 – Saturday 11 November 2023
  • Destination: Melbourne
  • Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, Tuesday 7 Nov (general admission ticket and transport included)
  • Kennedy Oaks Day, Thursday 9 Nov (general admission ticket and transport included)
  • Ship: Carnival Splendor

Carnival Expands Family Feud

• Carnival Cruise Line will be welcoming more guests to join the fun of playing “Family Feud Live,” which is already a guest favourite on its newest ships Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, by bringing the game show aboard a dozen more ships by fall 2024. Carnival Vista is the next ship to offer Family Feud Live on the Sept. 16 cruise. Carnival Legend will debut the game show on its Sept. 30 voyage.
• Guests sailing Carnival Pride will square off when the ship debuts the game show on her Nov. 19 voyage. Carnival Miracle will follow on Dec. 14 and Carnival Jubilee will introduce the experience on her Dec. 23 inaugural sailing from Galveston, Texas
• In 2024, Carnival Panorama will debut the unique onboard game show during the March 2 sailing, with Carnival Horizon following on its March 30 cruise. Family Feud Live will expand to Carnival Liberty May 26 with Carnival Luminosa introducing the game on June 20. The final three ships to feature Family Feud Live will be Carnival Spirit on July 23, Carnival Magic on Aug. 18 and Carnival Dream on Oct. 5.

MSC Learnings from Net Zero Voyage

• The world’s first net zero greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions cruise ship voyage, achieved by MSC Euribia, marks a paradigm shift for cruising. It proves that net-zero emissions cruising is possible already today, significantly ahead of the 2050 target for the industry. MSC Euribia achieved this milestone by utilising bio-LNG as fuel by applying mass balance.
• Following MSC Euribia’s landmark net-zero GHG emission maiden voyage from Saint Nazaire, France to Copenhagen, Denmark, between 3 and 8 June 2023 – including one day in Amsterdam –, MSC Cruises is now able to share the key data and insights gathered from the journey. During the four-day voyage, MSC Euribia performed 11% better than her digital twin – a virtual ship reproducing the optimum energy flow and utilisation on board – achieving an overall saving of 43 tonnes of fuel. Optimal speed profiles, routing, trim and engine configuration, and strict optimisation of the hotel`s energy consumption, including HVAC, galleys, and lightings, ensured that MSC Euribia never had to use more than two of its four engines available during the voyage. In addition, all the required heat for galleys, heating systems and hot water on board was recovered from MSC Euribia’s engines, meaning there was no need to utilise the boilers for the entire voyage.
• Achieving net-zero performance was made possible by using bio-LNG as a fuel. MSC Euribia utilised bio-LNG using a mass-balance system, the most cost-effective and environmentally efficient method of delivering the benefits of renewable LNG, fully recognised by the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). Each batch of bio-LNG produced was certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC).
• The successful completion of this voyage sends a clear signal that net zero GHG emissions marine operations are possible today if alternative fuels are available. The data harvested and information gathered during the trip will then be used to optimise the existing ships in the fleet, further driving down emissions intensity across the MSC Cruises’ fleet.

Windstar Cruises Announces Deployment through Winter 2025/26

• Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises has released its sailing schedule through winter of 2025/26, with several deployment moves for its fleet of six ships. Most notable are new season-long sailings in the Canary Islands, first-ever Cruise Tours in the Middle East, two new Cruise Tours in Tahiti, and the return of one epic voyage throughout the entire Caribbean.
• Canary Islands in Winter
• Windstar previously announced several new cruises in the Canary Islands beginning in 2024; however, the 148-guest Wind Star yacht now will sail the Canary Islands consistently from November 2025 through March 2026.
• The move will provide ample opportunities to enjoy warm weather and sun in a location infused with African and European culture, as well as chances to take advantage of quick flights from London to escape gray skies and cold weather with ease.
• Middle East – Newly Added Cruise Tours for 2024 and 2025
• Windstar is excited to introduce its guests to the Middle East with first-ever itineraries beginning November 2023 on all-suite, 312-guest Star Legend, taking guests to sites from world religions to Egyptian temples, Bedouin villages, and extravagant cities that have risen from the desert over the past few decades.
• Sail dates are now listed into spring of 2025, with more than a dozen itineraries to choose from including Cruise Tours that combine a land tour with the cruise. Brand-new options are Cruise Tours for both Dubai and Muscat in 2024 and 2025, with included experiences like a star-lit local feast and belly dancing at the Al Hadeerah Resort, as well as ample time for exploring historic neighborhoods, spending time in museums, or delving further into Bedouin traditions. 
• Tahiti
• Windstar has created two new cruise tour options in French Polynesia, where the line has sailed for more than 35 years and is the small ship expert.
• The new Tahiti & Moorea Foodie Cruise Tour is a three-day extension to Windstar’s seven-day Dreams of Tahiti cruise, with three nights in a garden bungalow at the Hotel Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea; a half-day Moorea food adventure including locally-produced liquor and juice tastings, traditional Ma’a tinito (a Tahitian twist on Chinese food), and stops at exemplary roadside stands; a full day Moorea snorkeling tour of Cook and Opunohu bays with lunch and cultural demonstrations; and transfers. 
• Overwater Bungalow & Tahitian Paradises Cruise Tour is a romance-filled three-day extension to Windstar’s Dreams of Tahiti cruise featuring accommodations in an overwater bungalow at a four-star resort including three nights at the Hotel Manava Beach Resort & Spa Moorea, a breakfast delivered to the bungalow via canoe, a romantic beach dinner, a half day private car tour, and all transfers.
• In addition, starting in February of 2024, Windstar will move the all-suite, 312-passenger Star Breeze to sail in Tahiti year-round, replacing 148-passenger classic sailing yacht Wind Spirit as Windstar’s vessel of choice in French Polynesia. Windstar also recently announced new cruises to the remote Marquesas Islands beginning in 2024.

Viking Opens Nile bookings through to 2026

• Viking announced voyages on its newest Nile River ship, the Viking Sobek, are now available for booking. Set to debut in 2025; the Viking Sobek will join the company’s growing fleet as its sixth ship sailing the popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. With Viking’s 2024 Egypt season nearly sold out and 2025 selling well, strong demand has led to an early opening of the Viking Sobek’s inaugural season and 2026 departure dates across the entire Nile River fleet.

Viking Adds more departures on London Paris & D Day river voyage.

• Due to the overwhelming success of its commemorative 12-day London, Paris & D-Day River voyage in 2024, Viking has added this popular itinerary to its 2025 sailing schedule with 36 departures scheduled from March through to November 2025.
• The itinerary was first conceived to commemorate the 80th anniversary in 2024 of one of modern history’s most significant milestones. The voyage honours Operation Overlord and the historic battles of Normandy which collaboratively served as the catalyst for the liberation of Western Europe from German occupation.  Guests begin their four-day journey of London visiting historic World War II sites – the Churchill War Rooms and Bletchley Park, the home of World War II codebreakers. The visit continues at the Imperial War Museum London, Gunwharf Quays, the D-Day Museum and Southwick House—where Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower planned Operation Overlord.
• Continuing onto France, sail on board an award-winning Viking Longships built specifically to navigate the Seine. From Paris, guests can also explore Giverny and Claude Monet’s farmhouse before tracing the footsteps of Joan of Arc, visit the Pegasus Memorial Museum in Rouen and walk the hallowed ground at Normandy’s Commonwealth Cemetery and World War II beaches. In Paris, wander the lively Latin Quarter or explore the charming streets of Montmartre before enjoying a twilight sail along the Seine.

Princess Cruises to Roll Out the Red Carpet on Three California Coastal “Hollywood Insider” Theme Cruises in October 2023

• Bringing together the stars of Dallas, musicians, special effects and makeup artists to share personal stories working in the entertainment industry, Princess Cruises is debuting a series of three “Hollywood Insider” theme cruises, sailing on California Coastal voyages in October 2023.
• The three specially-themed “Hollywood Insider” voyages, ranging in length from three to seven days, include:
• Hollywood Insider with 80’s Primetime Stars
• Majestic Princess, October 3-7, 2023
• 5-day Pacific Coastal from Vancouver to Los Angeles
• Embark on a journey along the coast of the Pacific with some of the legendary stars from the 80’s primetime TV smash hit Dallas. This specially-themed, five-day cruise sails along the coast from Vancouver to Los Angeles, with a stop in beautiful Victoria, Canada. Guests will enjoy meet & greets and speaker events from some of their favorite Dallas stars sharing stories behind the infamous Texas oil family drama, including:
  • Linda Gray “Sue Ellen Ewing” from 1978-1989, also starring opposite Sylvester Stallone in the 1991 film Oscar, the FOX drama Models Inc. from 1994-1995 and numerous television movies.
  • Charlene Tilton “Lucy Ewing” from 1978-1985 and 1988-1990, also appearing in Happy Days, Eight is Enough, Knots Landing and made her first film appearance alongside Jodie Foster in Freaky Friday in 1976.
  • Sheree J. Wilson “April Stevens Ewing” from 1986-1991, where she earned a Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Death Scene in 1991, as well as four other nominations.
  • Christopher Atkins “Peter Richards” from 1983-1984 playing Sue Ellen’s controversial young lover and came onto the movie scene in the worldwide blockbuster film, The Blue Lagoon, opposite Brooke Shields.
• Hollywood Insider: Behind the Screen EFX
• Crown Princess, October 16-19, 2023
• 3-day Pacific Coastal from Seattle to Vancouver
• The perfect cruise for screen buffs who love to go behind the scenes of their favorite TV shows and movies to meet the real magic makers of Hollywood, who have transformed some of Hollywood’s greats into beloved characters. Guests cruise from Seattle to Vancouver alongside some of Hollywood’s renowned EFX artists to enjoy personal stories and specially-themed events from guests including:
  • Michael Westmore, nine-time Emmy-award-winning makeup artist best known for his work in various Star Trek productions.
  • Johnnie Spence, special effects for notable films such as Man of Steel, Spider-Man 3, Face Off and more.
  • Tym Buchaarern, double Emmy-award winning makeup artist with film & TV credits including Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Hairspray Live!, and Glee.
• Hollywood Insider: Music Connection
• Discovery Princess, October 21-28, 2023
• 7-day Classic California Coast from Los Angeles
• Calling all music-lovers! Sail the coast of California on this specially-themed cruise featuring some of the music industry’s most talented lyricists, vocalists, and more. Roundtrip from LA and visiting San Francisco, San Diego and Ensenada, this cruise features special vocal performances, meet & greets, speaker events and more from guests including:
  • Allan Dennis Rich, two-time Oscar®, Grammy®, Golden Globe® and Emmy®-nominated songwriter whose songs have sold more than 65 million copies worldwide, most notably Whitney Houston’s “Run to You” from The Bodyguard hit soundtrack, James Ingrams’ “I Don’t Have the Heart,” and Natalie Cole’s “I Live for Your Love.”
  • Freda Payne, American singer & actress best known as one of the legendary Supremes and as a solo artist for her 1970 hit single “Band of Gold.”
  • Al Jardine, an American musician and original co-founder of The Beach Boys, best known as the band’s rhythm guitarist and singing lead vocals on hit singles such as “Help Me Rhonda.”
  • Kimberley Locke, American singer-songwriter and television personality who gained fame with her participation in the 2003 fan favorite American Idol reality TV vocal competition.
  • Leo Rossi, former Fleetwood Mac tour director and road crew member for Led Zeppelin, The Who, Al Jarreau, Chaka Khan, and more.

Fred. Olsen makes waves with campaign pouring 175 Years in Every Single Day

• Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched a new campaign outlining how their 175 years of experience in sailing goes into making every single day count.
• With new guest bookings rising significantly, the brand has now tapped into the talents of a multi-award-winning documentary maker and creative team to deliver “175 Years in Every Single Day”.
• Along with a television advert, the campaign includes marketing materials and an extensive social media presence giving prospective and returning guests a unique perspective into what makes the brand stand out in a crowded marketplace.
• Enjoy the TV Advert here: https://youtu.be/h8Edy3STR3w?si=3HMui7orvR6j7K8_