It's Ready

Celebrity Xploration is back from dry dock, and the line is ready to begin accepting reservations for its Galapagos' program beginning March 25.

Celebrity Xploration is one of the premium line's acquisitions in Ecuador that will give passengers a quite different experience in exploring the protected habitat. The ship is a catamaran that accommodates just 16 passengers.

Details appeared in the November 7 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Seabourn Encore Nearing Delivery

This afternoon Seabourn Encore returned to the Fincantieri yard at Marghera after successfully completing its final three-day set of sea trials in the Adriatic off the coast of Italy.

Photo courtesy of Seabourn Cruises. All rights reserve. May not be copied or used without permission.

Carnival Liberty Still in Galveston

Last week Carnival Liberty canceled Monday's sailing after developing a technical problem on the previous cruise that limited its cruising speed. An additional problem was discovered during the repairs, and it was hoped the ship would be repaired enough that it could sail on Saturday's cruise with a modified itinerary.

On Friday, however, the ship was still not able to sail and Saturday's sailing was canceled. It is now hoped the ship will be able to sail on Thursday (November 10). That will be a four-night cruise with a modified itinerary calling at Progreso rather than Cozumel.

The complete story appeared in the November 8 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Harmony of the Seas Makes US Debut at Port Everglades

After meeting with her two sisters off the Florida coast on Friday, Royal Caribbean's Harmony of the Seas came on into Port Everglades on Saturday to make her US debut on Saturday.

Photos courtesy of Royal Caribbean International. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Carnival Vista Gets Its Name

After sailing the Mediterranean this summer, Carnival Vista is making a stopover in New York on its way to its new Miami home port. In addition to a couple of sailings from there the main reason for the New York visit is to be officially named today.

The naming ceremony was part of a larger gala event honoring Operation Homefront military families which featured a concert aboard for them by seven-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood.

The complete story appeared in the November 4 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Carnival Vista captain Luigi De Angelis and Deshauna Barber pour champagne over the ship's bell signaling the release of the bottle of champagne against the hull.

And a blast from the past. Kathie Lee Gifford dropped in to help Carnival celebrate. Here she is shown with Micky and Madeline Arison, along with Carrie Underwood who performed a concert aboard the ship for Operation Homefront military families.

This photo was actually taken the day before. Carnival Vista's officers are all smiles after the ship received its US Coast Guard certificate. Of course, getting your picture taken with the boss helps too.

Photos courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.