We hope you have enjoyed some sun and beach fun on this popular vacation week. Even if it is prime time to take a few days off, we have been keeping our eyes out for the latest travel updates. Admittedly, it seems like the cruise lines themselves were also on break holding back on any major announcements. Still, we dug deep to find some noteworthy developments to share in this edition of Cruise News July 9, 2017.
Cruise News July 9, 2017
Virgin Voyages Partnership for Greener Vessels
While we are still years away from the first vessel in the Virgin Voyages’ fleet, the cruise line is looking ahead to having some of the most eco-friendly and efficient cruise liners afloat. This week, they revealed that the cruise line will be using engines, scrubbers, and other navigational systems powered by the Wärtsilä Corporation. The integrated suite of simulations will provide the ship with “best-in-class” fuel consumption, along with lowering emissions and minimizing the impact of the ships as they sail throughout the oceans of the world. The company will also be providing onboard navigational software. These programs will coordinate with the ship’s different platforms allowing for more efficient and flexible control of the various systems comprised in powering and navigating the ship.
Cruise News July 9, 2017 – Courtesy of Virgin Voyages
Royal Caribbean Scaling Back Stops to Falmouth, Jamaica
Is Royal Caribbean and partner brands pulling out of Falmouth, Jamaica? Reports from this week indicated that local authorities stated a few ships will be skipping Falmouth on upcoming cruises. According to news outlets, two Royal Caribbean and one Celebrity Cruises’ ship will no longer be stopping at the port. The article cites government officials reporting “visitor harassment” as the top reason for the change. Craft vendors’ behavior was also a chief reason why these ships have decided to skip over the port. Still, the port is expected to welcome several other Royal Caribbean ships this season. It is unclear if this is a temporary decision for certain ships or a “test run”. The cruise line invested heavily in the port when it was designed in 2011. Discussions have also been ongoing for additional work to the port, including further drudging to allow two oasis-class size ships to call on the port a the same time.
Royal Caribbean Possibly Changing Drink Package Rules
Royal Caribbean knows how to get “loyal Royal” cruisers upset. All they need to do is announce that they are “testing” changes to the onboard offerings. So, it should be no surprise that the internet went crazy when it was reported that the cruise line will “test” changes to the drink package on Harmony of the Seas. Specifically, the line will revert back to the (short-lived) stipulation that each person in a cabin over 21 years old needs to buy a drink package. Currently, one adult in a room can buy the package. For eight Harmony of the Seas sailings starting in September, the line will require all adults in a stateroom to purchase the drink package. It’s speculated that this change has to do with too many people reportedly sharing the package while on a cruise.
Cruise News July 9, 2017
Carnival Vista III Steel Cutting
And another Carnival Cruise Line cruise ship will be hitting the waters in 2018. Just the other day, officials from the cruise line were in attendance at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Italy for the ceremonial steel cutting of the third Vista-class ship. Carnival Horizon, the second ship in the class, will debut next spring, joining the Carnival Vista which launched in 2016. The latest Vista-class ship is expected to have a similar onboard amenities and features as the two previous ships. Still, the unnamed ship is expected to have a few unique venues and features than her older sisters. Stay tuned to EatSleepCruise.com for more details about this newest Carnival Cruise Line ship as they are released.
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Do you have any other cruise updates to share? Drop us an anchor below with any travel headlines that we may have missed in this edition of Cruise News July 9, 2017.
Cruise News July 9, 2017
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