Another round of travel updates closes out the month of April. With summer just around corner, we are looking forward to a few summer vacations. We hope everyone has some great travel plans scheduled for the next few months. If not, perhaps this look at cruise news April 30, 2017 might get you planning a little summer break of your own.

Cruise News April 30, 2017

Relive Your Childhood with Themed Cruises in 2018

Stop, collaborate, and listen. The 1990’s and 2000’s are making a comeback at sea in 2018. Although, who said they ever left. Headlining one of the biggest music cruises of the year are all your old school favorites. On the Ship Hop tour, rock out to Vanilla Ice, Naughty by Nature, Salt-N-Pepa, and others on a 4-night cruise aboard the Carnival Sensation. Along with concerts by all the artists, there will be meet and greets and other themed events on this cruise that is scheduled to stop at Key West, FL and Cozumel, Mexico. Not to be outdone, boy band phenoms, the Backstreet Boys, also recently announced their sixth fan cruise. Also on Carnival Sensation, this 4-night cruise in May 2018 is already sold out. However, you can get on the waiting list now.

New Holland America Drink Package

Holland America has introduced a new beverage package to make the cruise line more competitive with its peers. The new Elite Beverage Package will cost $54.95, when purchased pre-cruise. This new offering will cover all alcoholic and non-alchoholic beverages, including signature cocktails, beers, wine, coffee, soda, and water priced at $15 or less. This is a big improvement from the line’s current Signature Beverage Package, which only included drinks up to $8. In addition, guests sailing on MS Koningsdam will also receive Freestyle soda with the new beverage package, giving cruisers access to over 100 flavors during the cruise.

Cruise News April 30, 2017 (Courtesy of Holland America Line)

Celebrity Edge Announces Godmother

More updates on Celebrity Edge have also been released. This week, the cruise line formally announced the godmother for the ship. In an interesting move, the cruise line has selected Malala Yousafzai as the ship’s godmother. In doing so, Celebrity Cruises has agreed to partner with her non-profit, the Malala Fund, to help young girls receive an education. The 19 year old Nobel Peace Prize recipient has been on a global crusade to help ensure young girls all over the world have access to quality educational opportunities.

Cruise News April 30, 2017 (Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises)

New Quantum-Ultra Ship Going to Asia

While Princess Cruises has signaled that they will be reducing the number of ships in the region, that hasn’t stopped other cruise lines. Just this week, it was confirmed that Royal Caribbean’s first Quantum-Ultra ship will be sailing from Asia in the Spring of 2019. Promising to be the cruise line’s most advanced ship, cruisers can expect some “firsts at sea”. New onboard amenities and features will most likely include enhanced technology offerings as well as new dining. This change also means that Mariner of the Seas will leave the region during the season and be repositioned to Miami, FL. In addition, itineraries for the 2018-2019 Asian cruises are now available for Ovation, Quantum, and Voyager of the Seas.

Norwegian Joy Sets Sail

Yes, there is more cruise news from the far east. Also this week, Norwegian Cruise Line marked a historic moment when they took possession of their newest ship, Norwegian Joy. This second Breakaway-plus class ship is tailored for the Chinese market. With special family suites, the first virtual reality “pavilion” at sea, and even a go-kart race track on the open deck, Norwegian Joy is one of the most innovative and futuristic vessels afloat. The ship will be officially christened in China in June and then begin sailings to ports up and down the Asian-Pacific coast. Next up for the cruise line is Norwegian Bliss, due to set sail in Spring 2018.

Cruise News April 30, 2017 (Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

Empress of the Seas Calls on Cuba

Last week marked Royal Caribbean’s inaugural call into Cuba. Travel writers, avid Royal Caribbean fans, and eager travelers were onboard to mark the occasion. Empress of the Seas docked in Havana, Cuba last Sunday for the first time. Passengers from the U.S. are now able to travel to the country as part of people-to-people approved tours through either the cruise line or other tour operators. The ship will soon be repositioned to Tampa offering 4-6 night cruises. These itineraries will offer day and overnight stops to the island, along with stops at Key West, FL and Mexico.

Comments

Are we missing any major headlines from the week in our latest edition of Cruise News April 30, 2017? If so, drop us an anchor below to share your cruise news updates from the last seven days.