Cruise News December 17, 2017

With just over a week before Christmas, we are sure you are preparing for the holiday. With so much going on, you might have missed the latest announcements and updates from the major cruise lines. That is why we are here to help. We have been making a list and checking it twice to deliver you the latest Cruise News December 17, 2017.

Cruise News December 17, 2017

Carnival Fascination to Undergo Refurbishment

Carnival Cruise Line announced some updates coming to the Carnival Fascination in February 2018. Currently, the ship is helping the relief efforts in the Caribbean. The ship was chartered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through January of next year. Before re-entering service, the ship will go through a two week drydock which will include the addition of cruiser favorites. The new venues include a Guy’s Burger Joint, RedFrog Rum Bar, and the Alchemy Bar, among others. Once these additions are made to the ship, it will return to providing regular cruises from San Juan Puerto, Rico. The ship offers seven night sailings visiting Eastern and Southern Caribbean ports.

Carnival Fascination (Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line)

Celebrities Headline MSC Seaside Christening

MSC Cruises is going all out to welcome its newest ship. When MSC Seaside is christened later this week, it will be a star-studded affair. The cruise line announced the lineup for this event which features television personality Mario Lopez as the master of ceremonies. Along with hosting a “blue carpet” photo shoot, the christening will feature the world-famous singer Andrea Bocelli. Also performing during the event will be Ricky Martin, perhaps best known for his dance hits in the 1990’s. The ship will then set off on its first Caribbean cruise from its new homeport of Miami, FL. During a trip on this ship, cruisers are sure to be “livin’ la vida loca”!

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards

Cruise Critic is everyone’s favorite cruise site, after EatSleepCruise.com of course. This week, the site revealed its selections for the Editors’ Picks Award for 2017. MSC Seaside took the crown for Best New Cruise Ship of 2017. Carnival Cruise Line took its fourth consecutive title as the Best for Value cruise line. Other notable selections were Celebrity Cruises for Best Cruise Cabins and AmaWaterways named Best River Cruise Line. You can find the entire list of winners in additional categories like dining and entertainment on the site. Each year, the website’s international editors come together to pick their top choices for ocean cruising, river cruising, and luxury cruising.

Celebrity Flora Kneel Laid

In ship building news, Celebrity Cruises celebrated a milestone this week. Construction has begun on the cruise line’s newest purpose built ship for the Galapagos Islands. The new Celebrity Flora is being built in the Netherlands, and the first kneel was laid this week. Officials from the cruise line were there to mark the occasion, along with representatives from the ship building company De Hoop. Celebrity Flora will debut in the spring of 2019 and will be Celebrity Cruises’ premier ship in the region, ushering in the most luxurious accommodations and onboard enrichment and activities to get cruisers even more engaged with the amazing wildlife of the region.

Comments

Did we miss any major headlines from this past week? Do you have any updates you’d like to add to our latest edition of Cruise News December 17, 2017? Drop us an anchor below with your travel tidbits.