Smiling Down Under

Carnival's AIDA brand, which markets solely in German-speaking countries, reached a milestone this week when AIDAcara became the first AIDA ship to visit Australia when it docked in Sydney on Wednesday (but in Germany it was still Tuesday).

Details appeared in the December 22 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Photo courtesy of AIDA Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

What Else Is There to Say?

We've seen a lot of MSC Seaside already, and yesterday the new ship arrived at her new home in Miami, and last night she was officially named there by aging screen legend Sophia Loren.

The accompanying show was partially broadcast on various social media platforms so fans could see the naming worldwide.

Captain Scala, Sophia Loren and Pierfrancesco Vago Cut the Ribbon to Officially Inaugurate MSC Seaside.

Photo courtesy of MSC Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas from Germany

Earlier this week the 2017 AIDA Christmas video arrived! Christmas in Germany must be a little different from the “old world” Christmas many imagine.

The song was composed by German entertainer, and AIDA regular, Wayne Morris (who performs it in the video). This could become a Christmas standard. Move over Darlene Love!  (Yes, it's available on Amazon and iTunes.)

The important thing is that everyone seems to be having fun, and the message is “Love and Peace to Everyone Wherever You Are.” Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!

The Norwegian Summer

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced their summer 2019 programs and opened them for sale.

The complete story appeared in the December 21 edition of Cruise News Daily.  

How to Build a Section of a Cruise Ship - in Just about a Minute

Earlier this month we told you about a section of AIDAnova being floated out of the covered building dock at Meyer Werft. AIDA has now given use time-lapse video of how that section was built from the individual blocks.

Also included is footage of the LNG engine room that was built in Rostock and towed to Papenburg, being floated in.

Video is courtesy of AIDA Cruises. All rights reserved.

Princess to Continue Japan Programs

Princess Cruises is continuing to dominate in the Japanese market both for Japan-sourced passengers and for their core North American customers who want the unique experience of touring Japan with Japanese passengers who are touring their own country.

The line said for the sixth consecutive year, Diamond Princess will return to Japan in 2019. Next year the ship will operate a March to November season with 60 sailings on 40 unique itineraries.

The complete story appeared in the December 20 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Beyond the Sea with Shakira

Shakira is set to reprise her role as international superstar spokesperson for Costa cruises.

As with last year's television spots, this year's is highly anticipated and will be unusual and completely different from last year's.

Details appeared in the December 21 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Below is a preview of the ad which will begin airing on December 25 in Italy. 

Mexico, Ahoy!

Another line has decided to try to cultivate the Mexico-sourced market for cruises on the Mexican Riviera. This time it's UK-based Cruise & Maritime Voyages, and they will operate in Mexico as Cruceros Maritimos Vacacionales with the 46,000-ton Magellan, which was originally Carnival's 1985-built Holiday.

The program will begin during the winter of 2019.

The complete story appeared in the December 19 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Vancouver Closes out Cruise Season

Star Princess departed Vancouver last Saturday (December 16) to end the port's 2017 cruise season. The same ship, which was homeported in Vancouver this year, also was the first cruise ship to sail and begin the season, making it one of the longest seasons on record.

Details appeared in the December 19 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Shore Excursion Bus Crash Kills at Least 12

A tour bus carrying passengers from Celebrity Equinox and Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas flipped on its side this morning on a two-lane highway en route from the port at Costa Maya to the Mayan ruins at Chacchoben, near the village of Mahahual. Twelve people reportedly died (11 passengers and the tour guide) and the other 16 passengers reportedly were injured to some degree.

The complete story appeared in the December 19 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

A Big Surprise

Carnival Corp is going to produce another television series in their stable of six shows with a cruise theme. This one will be a “Gran Sorpresa” because this time the show is produced in conjunction with Univision.

The show will also be the first Carnival-produced series that is aimed at prime time. “La Gran Sorpresa” will air on Univision on Sundays at 8pm ET/PT beginning January 7.

The complete story appeared in the December 18 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Two More, Please - They're Small

Fincantieri says that Viking Ocean Cruises has finalized the contracts for the seventh and eighth ships in the series they are building for the line. These two ships will be delivered in 2019 and 2021.

At the same time the line took the opportunity to exercise the options they held for two more of the 47,800-ton ships. These will be the ninth and tenth in the series.

Details appeared in the December 18 edition of Cruise News Daily.