Cruise News November 5, 2017

We are back with another weekly look at all that has happened in the world of cruising. While we were off last week, the cruise lines too were a bit quiet. Still, there have been

Cruise News November 5, 2017

We are back with another weekly look at all that has happened in the world of cruising. While we were off last week, the cruise lines too were a bit quiet. Still, there have been some newsworthy updates over the past couple of weeks. So, here is our latest look at Cruise News November 5, 2017.

Cruise News November 5, 2017

Celebrity Cruises to Offer Non-Refundable Deposits

In the wake of Royal Caribbean changing its booking policies earlier this year, sister brand Celebrity Cruises is also looking to alter the cruise deposit system. According to the cruisers at Cruise Critic, starting November 28th of this year, Celebrity Cruises will begin offering non-refundable deposits. Similar to Royal’s policy, non-refundable deposits will lock in a lower fare for the selected cruise. Cruise Critic also indicates that booking the lower fare will also come with certain perks for travelers booking an oceanview or above category stateroom. We will have to wait and see how big of a discount cruisers will get with these new options.

Cruise News November 5, 2017Celebrity Solstice (Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)

Time to Get on the List for Virgin Voyages

Cruisers have been eager to see what Richard Branson’s Virgin Voyages will offer since the line was announced a few years ago. This week, we learned a few more details on the ship and its first sailings. During the ship’s keel ceremony, Branson and his team revealed some new ship design graphics, along with the first (unnamed) ship’s livery. Also, it was announced that the new ship will be 18+, catering exclusively to adults. While we still do not know anything about onboard dining, entertainment, and activities, the ship design and layout are very encouraging. If you want to be among the first to sail on the ship, you can put down a $500 deposit to get on a wait list for an upcoming pre-sale. The cruise line has yet to announce cruise fares, sailing dates, or other details about the booking process. Are you going to #GetOnTheList?

Virgin VOyagesVirgin Voyages Concept Art

Carnival Cruise Line Returns to Grand Turk

In more encouraging news, Carnival Cruise line returned to Grand Turk this past week. The line’s Carnival Ecstasy was greeted by government officials as the ship was the first from the line to return to the island since Hurricane Irma. The Cruise Center reopening was welcomed by guests, the cruise line, and the island residents. Carnival has been visiting the Center since it was constructed back in 2006. This stop is one of dozens of calls planned by the cruise line now that the island is ready to welcome guests once again. Slowly but surely, the Caribbean is getting back up to speed.

Look out for Next Week’s Royal Reveal

We don’t have a crystal ball, but our friends at the Royal Caribbean Blog just might. Just a few days ago, they alerted loyal Royal fans to an announcement that travels agents received about an upcoming reveal. This November 7th announcement is touting that the “thrills are about to get even bigger”, and the internet has already started speculating on what the announcement could include. Suggestions range from already mentioned changes to CocoCay, to updates on Symphony of the Seas, to even changes in ship deployments and homeports. Whatever the news, we will be eagerly waiting by our smartphones for the latest news. Are you excited for the news release?

Comments

Did we miss any pertinent info in our latest edition of Cruise News November 5, 2017? Drop us an anchor below with your breaking headlines from the past seven days.

Cruise News November 05, 2017

Don Bucolo, or “DB”, loves everything about cruising- the ocean, the food, and the atmosphere. While he may be obsessed with doing extensive amounts of research on ships and all elements of a cruise, Don enjoys sharing his new found knowledge with fellow cruisers. When he is not sailing the high seas, he does whatever his wife tells him to do-it only took 10 years to realize this.
Don Bucolo
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Cruise News November 5, 2017

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