Passenger Shipping Pause 2020
Due to the Coronavirus crisis, CCL-Carnival Cruise Line suspended its fleet’s passenger shipping operations by canceling all voyages with pre-scheduled departures in the period March 13, 2020, through July 2021.
Next are listed CCL-Carnival’s first departure dates by ship/homeport – BREEZE , CELEBRATION , CONQUEST , DREAM , ECSTASY , ELATION , FREEDOM , GLORY , HORIZON , LEGEND , LIBERTY , MAGIC , MARDI GRAS , MIRACLE , PANORAMA , PARADISE , PRIDE , RADIANCE , SPIRIT , SPLENDOR , SUNRISE , SUNSHINE , VALOR , VISTA , JUBILEE .
- The 2020-built Mardi Gras ship’s inaugural sailing was rescheduled from April 24 to May 29, June 5, July 3, Oct 2.
- Carnival Radiance restarted from Long Beach on December 23 .
- Carnival Legend’s Europe 2021 program was canceled and the ship restarted on Nov 14, out of Baltimore to Bermuda.
- Carnival Australia ships were planned to restart in 2022 on April 16 and April 17 , but in February 2022, both programs were canceled and the ships redeployed.
- CCL’s newest boat was scheduled for Nov 6, 2022 .
IMPORTANT: Effective July 31, 2021, all unvaccinated passengers boarding CCL ships in Florida must first buy a travel insurance policy worth at least USD 10,000/ EUR 8450 . Proof of travel insurance is required at check-in. The policy has to be in the name of the traveling passenger and feature US$10,000 and US$30,000 .
Some Final World Cruise Tips
Below are some simple tips from crew that have served on multiple world cruises:
- “Of course the food is good, but on long voyages people start to want home cooking. Just ask for fried eggs and chips, or sausage and mash — it isn’t a problem!”
- “If you are on a ship with fixed seating, change tables during each segment. You’ll want to see new faces.”
- “Stay away from negative complaining people!”
- “Keep a diary that states what you are wearing each day so that when you go back through your pictures you know where you were. Ports tend to blur into each other otherwise.”
- “At the first cocktail party find an officer and make friends. Do the same with the Maitre d’. They can always add some extras in such as hosted officer tables, etc. for nice passengers.”
- “Remember, it is your holiday. So if you are not happy with something, say so straight away, and not at the end. Just do it in a nice way.”
Carnival Journeys Cruise Itineraries
Since 2015, Carnival Cruise Line offers the so-called “Carnival Journeys” itineraries. These are longer than usual voyages with length ranging between 9 and 15 nights. Some are one-way .
“Carnival Journeys” offer a more in-depth port of call experiences than the shorter itineraries of 7-8 nights. Among the highlights are live entertainment and exotic culinary experiences that reflect the local cuisine and cultural traditions.
The onboard “journey” experiences feature local cuisine specialties , cooking demonstration, Academy of Fun , traditional dance performances, themed deck parties, crew connections . The new program “Carnival Journeys” features destinations like Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal, Europe.
Among the wide variety of offers are over cruises of up to 5 days, providing passengers with many “mini-cruise” options, including new 4- and 5-day deployments for Carnival Valor and Carnival Victory-Radiance . Longer Carnival Journeys visit exotic ports. Bermuda cruises depart from 7 East Coast USA homeports. The unique Panama Canal cruises on Carnival Pride leave from Tampa.
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How Much Does A Carnival Cruise Cost
In general, Carnival ships are among the most affordable at sea. Its not uncommon to find Carnival voyages to the Caribbean, Bahamas or Mexico starting under $100 per person, per night including all taxes and fees at least in the offseason.
As of the date of this storys posting, for instance, seven-night sailings from New Orleans to the Western Caribbean in September were starting at just $264 per person, not including taxes and fees of $119.86. That works out to just $55 per night, per person with taxes and fees for a package that includes your lodging, transportation and meals.
As you might expect, pricing for ships generally will be lower during offseason periods such as September, October and parts of November.
The timing of when you book also can matter. Cruises book up much further in advance than airplanes or hotels, and many cruisers will tell you that the best pricing for any given sailing is often available when cruises first go on sale . Booking far in advance gives you the best chance of getting your preferred cabin type and location on a ship.
Once on board a Carnival ship, youll pay extra for most drinks, extra-charge restaurants, spa services, shore excursions, internet service and a few other things unless youve bought a package for some of these items in advance. Most onboard activities such as shows and deck-top attractions are included in the fare.
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Princess Cruises 2021 World Cruise Becomes Fastest Selling World Cruise In Lines History
More Guests Can Explore the World with the Award-Winning Destination LeaderFree Benefits Including Spending Money, Airfare, Internet and More When Booked Early
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. When the 2021 World Cruise offered by Princess Cruises,opened for sale on March 27, within 24 hours it became the fastest-sellingWorld Cruise in the cruise line’s history. With space still available,travelers can explore the world with the award-winning destination leader,enjoying many onboard benefits when booking early.
For more than twodecades, Princess Cruises hasbeen taking guests to iconic and off-the-beaten-path global destinations onannual World Cruises and the 2021 itinerary is the most robust yet with moreports and countries than ever before, sailing onboard Island Princess. The111-day World Cruise will visit 50 destinations in 32 countries, across sixcontinents, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, South America and NorthAmerica.
“First-day bookings for our2021 World Cruise were extraordinary and this record-setting day furtherdemonstrates that our guests value travel experiences to explore new places andcultures,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president.
New and interesting detailsabout the 2021 World Cruise include:
Moreinformation about the 2021 World Cruise is available at www.princess.com/world. Additionalinformation about Princess Cruises is available through a professional traveladvisor, by calling , orby visiting the company’s website at princess.com.
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How To Pick A Cabin
A lot depends on your budget for this one, but if you are going to be at sea for several months, it’s worth splurging on the biggest and best room you can afford. If nothing else, you need plenty of space to store all your clothes.
A suite would be lovely but isn’t necessary. However, if you can afford it, a balcony cabin is probably worth the splurge so you have somewhere to hide away from your fellow globetrotters for those moments of “me” time.
The usual rules apply if you are able to pick your specific cabin. The lower rooms in the center of the ship are the most stable if the sea turns nasty. If you can’t bear being near the water line, choose a cabin higher up but still in the center of the ship. Conversely, cabins at the front and back take the brunt of the movement in a heavy swell, but those at the rear often have wonderful views over the ship’s wake .
Cabins near elevators can be noisy as people return to bed late at night. Staterooms at the back are handy for the self-service buffet on the top deck and the restaurants on the lower decks, which are invariably at the aft end of the ship.
For general tips on how to choose a cabin, read our feature.
World Cruises: What You Need To Know
World cruisers, I have discovered, fall into two groups: those who fill their days moaning about anything and everything — and those who are fed up with the nitpickers. On my voyage on P& O‘s Aurora, one of my tablemates at dinner fell into the latter category. “People who haven’t been on a world cruise before get bored at this point, so they start to moan,” she told me on my first evening onboard. It was her 52nd night since the ship sailed from Southampton.
Like 1,100 others, she was following in the footsteps of that most famous of circumnavigators, Phileas Fogg, and cruising around the world in 80 days. I, on the other hand, was a world cruise virgin, doing a two-week sector between Hong Kong and Mumbai in India.
My tablemate was only half right. Even practiced circumnavigators were starting to long for home by the time I got onboard, due mainly, I suspect, to the many consecutive sea days, which are trying for all but the saltiest sea dogs. Aurora had just done six in a row when the ship got to Hong Kong, and another five were looming after Mumbai.
“They see the list of ports and don’t realize how many sea days it takes to get between them,” my world cruise expert advised knowingly. Lesson number one: Count the days in between those exotic-sounding ports.
Circumnavigators have a hard life. Here are some tips if you’d like to become one of them and take a world cruise.
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Setting Sail For A Caribbean Cruise
Later that afternoon, we sail away from Miami to begin our week exploring the Caribbean.
Our first full day is what Carnival calls a Fun Day at Sea.
After a few cruises, Ive decided I really like starting and ending the cruise with a day or two at sea. It gives you a nice opportunity to learn your way around the ship and relax by the pool a bit before all the island-hopping starts in earnest.
Tips For Planning Your Retirement
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There Is Simply No Better Way To See The World Than On A Silversea World Cruise
The world has so much to offer, and so do we. A Silversea World Cruise is the occasion to see our wonderful planet in ultra luxury. Experience disparate cultures, enjoy unique gastronomy, see iconic sights – each one of our Luxury World Cruisesis a unique story that we invite you to be part of. Join us and discover remote and remarkable destinations across all seven seas. Our reputation as the “Best World Cruise” is amply demonstrated on board our intimate ships. Our Impeccable service, superb gastronomy and luxurious suites are just the beginning of your all-inclusive cruise. Not forgetting extraordinary events, designed to emphasise the beauty of the places you visit. This journey is the journey of a lifetime. The world awaits.
The Carnival Cruise Line Fleet
Carnival is one of the worlds biggest cruise lines by passenger capacity, with 25 ships that together offer more than 76,000 berths.
In general, these are big ships. However, with one exception, theyre not giants by todays standards. Carnival just began operating its first truly giant ship in years, the 181,808-ton, 5,282-passenger . The lines next-biggest vessel, the 4,008-passenger Carnival Panorama, measures just 133,868 tons. Thats about 40% smaller than the biggest ships operated by Royal Caribbean.
Eight of the lines 25 vessels measure less than 100,000 tons, which makes them almost midsize by todays cruise ship standards.
This is a notable change for the brand from just a couple of decades ago. There was a time when Carnival operated some of the biggest cruise ships in the world.
However, for many years it chose not to follow rivals such as Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises in building ever-bigger ships. Mardi Gras is now the only Carnival ship on the list of the 50 biggest cruise ships.
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The arrival of Mardi Gras in 2021 marked a major turning point for the line. At 181,808 tons, its the 11th-largest cruise ship in the world and 35% bigger than the lines next-biggest ship. Two more ships in the series Carnival Celebration and Carnival Jubilee will arrive late this year and in 2023, respectively.
Related: The 8 classes of Carnival ships, explained
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Cruises For Singles In Their 30s
According to McDaniel, cruisers in their 30s are likely looking for a good mix of “bustling nightlife and engaging in classes, but they also really want to explore and experience culture.” She says river cruises that offer things like silent discos and paint-and-wine classes appeal to this age group.
The eight-day Vienna Vibe cruise from U by Uniworld is a great option . This cruise line was originally built to cater to millennials, and this itinerary includes excursions like a walking tour of Vienna and biking around Passau. On board, morning yoga classes and a rooftop ice bar ensure guests will always have something to do. A negative COVID-19 test may be required for unvaccinated passengers when entering foreign countries.
Other travelers might want to opt for a South American adventure with National Geographic. The aboard the Delfin II offers a chance to spot diverse wildlife within this impressive ecosystem.
On The Insurance Side The Most Important Kind Of Coverage To Have Would Be Health Insurance At Age 65 Youre Eligible To Apply For Medicare Coverage But Medicare May Not Always Cover You On A Cruise Ship Generally Medicare Only Applies Outside The Us In Situations Where:
- The doctor is allowed under certain laws to provide medical services aboard the cruise ship
- The ship is in a U.S. port or within 6 hours of a U.S. port when you receive services
If youre more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port, your Medicare coverage wouldnt kick in. You could maintain a private health insurance policy as a supplement, but youd need to read the fine print. Make sure your coverage includes any treatment that a cruise ships physician may offer.
When weighing the costs of health care, its important to think about your overall health. Having a serious medical condition or certain risk factors for developing one, for example, could increase your cost of care. This applies both on and off the cruise ship.
In the event that you have a medical emergency that requires you to be evacuated from the ship, the expense could be astronomical, Tetreault says.
One solution is to purchase cruise travel medical insurance. This can help you manage these types of costs if they become necessary. According to online travel insurance company Squaremouth, this coverage typically costs around 5% to 7% of the trip cost when purchased through a third-party insurer. Cruise lines can also offer their own travel insurance, which includes emergency medical coverage.
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Carnival Cruise Line Ships
Carnival Cruise Line is best-known for implementing top-notch marine technologies, innovative vessel construction methods and ship designs. Its customers are mostly Americans, 30% of which under 35 yo, 40% – between 35-55, 30% over 55.
All CCL liners names have the prefix “Carnival”, and are also trademarked “The Fun Ships”. Also trademarked is the ship’s funnel – colored in red-white-blue, and shaped like a whale tail. Company’s vessels offer spacious public spaces and staterooms that are one of the largest at sea with a huge variety of stateroom types in several categories. Between the high-quality amenities are Carnival’s terry robes and “Comfort Bed” sleep system with deluxe mattresses, linens, duvets, and pillows – Suite guests can even choose from a “pillow menu”.
Carnival is famous for its great cuisine and multiple dining options. The long list of dining venues includes the Main Dining Rooms , Chef’s Table , Supper Club with steakhouse favorites , BlueIguana Cantina , Sushi Bar, European-style Patisseries and Cafes, Poolside Bars, themed Kids Dining, Midnight Buffets, 24-hour Pizza and Room Service.
Bocce is a nodules sport similar to lawn bowls. However, the traditional courts are usually made of wood and sized 60×12 ft and 22×6 ft / 670×180 cm and can be set up in just minutes.
SkyRide is an outdoor/aerial bicycle ride on the newest Vista-class Carnival ships.
There is also a Mini-Golf course and great golf cruise packages created for keen golfers.
Original Concept And Construction
The ship was the idea of Knut Kloster, whose family had a long history in the marine industry. The hull was built in Landskrona, Sweden, by Öresundsvarvet, and it was then towed to Fosen Mekaniske Verksted in Rissa, Norway, for completion. The vessel was launched in March 2002 and purchased by its residents in October 2003.
The management company is responsible for operations and administration of the ship, including hiring the employees. The residents, through their elected board of directors and a network of committees, provide guidance to the management about the ship’s itinerary, finances, and lifestyle.
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