Flying around Costa Smeralda

The 185,000-ton Costa Smeralda glided into Savona, Italy on Friday directly from Meyer Turku, ready for her first cruise on Saturday. It probably still has that new ship smell.

Carnival P_N_R_M_ Is Named (Do you need to buy a vowel?)

Wheel of Fortune co-host Vanna White has officially named Carnival Panorama at Long Beach yesterday in a ceremony befitting her letter-turning day job.

The complete story appeared in the December 11 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Princess Reached for the Sky on Saturday

Sky Princess was officially named in Ft. Lauderdale on Saturday in a ceremony whose theme was “Reach for the Sky” and honored the women of NASA.

The ship was named by her godmothers, astronaut Captain Kay Hire and NASA engineer Poppy Northcutt.

The complete story appeared in the December 9 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Being Very Forward

Seabourn has revealed an interesting design feature of their new expedition ship, Seabourn Venture. The ship will have a new lounge in the bow that will bring passengers close to the water in an ideal place for spotting marine life.

It will also have some unique technology that will give passengers a different perspective on the ship's voyage and its navigation.

The complete story appeared in the December 6 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Rendering courtesy of Seabourn Cruises. All rights reerved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Smooth Sailing for Scarlet Lady

Virgin Voyages' first ship, Scarlet Lady, has successfully completed two rounds of sea trials, and the interior finishing process is now proceeding.

Virgin founder Richard Branson went aboard the ship to look around in Marseille. You can go with him in the video below

Details appeared in the December 5 edition of Cruise News Daily.