And We're Going to KEEP Going to Cuba

Carnival Cruise Line announced receiving permission for an  additional 20 voyages to Cuba in 2019. These are essentially extending the line's program from Tampa and in addition to the recently announced sailings to Cuba from Miami aboard Carnival Sensation in 2019.

The Tampa program will continue operating with the just-refurbished (and private verandas added) Carnival Paradise.

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

Other Things You'll Want to Know - April 6, 2018

CND subscribers also read about:

• #CarbonaraDay aboard Costa
• Still looking around Symphony of the Seas 

Details can be found in the April 6 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Please note this is B-roll so there is little or no sound.

Tom Franek Could Win That Contest Standing on His Head

When pianist Tom Franek isn't wowing Princess audiences with his outstanding musical talents, he's just putting on a genuinely fun show. And he did it so well aboard Regal Princess last week, that audiences voted him Princess Cruises' Entertainer of the Year.

The complete story appeared in the April 5 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Say Hello to Pursuit

A couple weeks ago, Carnival Corp handed P&O's Adonia over to Royal Caribbean in the dry dock at Grand Bahama Shipyard where exterior work was done on the ship removing the Adonia and repainting the ship in Azamara livery.

The ship took another step toward its new identity on Wednesday when it arrived at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast for its interior refit.

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

Azamara Pursuit arrive at Harland and Wolff in Belfast on April 4.

Changing the metal letters on the bow at Grand Bahama Shipyard

Removing the last exterior Adona signage at Grand Bahama Shipyard

Photos courtesy of Azamara Club Cruises. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

Viking Signs LOI for New Type of Ship

Fincantieri says Viking has signed a letter of intent for Fincantieri's Vard subsidiary to build two of a new type of ship for them. Included in the contract will be options for two additional ships.

Fincantieri is referring to the ships as “special cruise vessels,” but Viking is not commenting about what will make them “special” or how they will be different from their other oceangoing ships. Fincantieri says they will be designed by Vard in close cooperation with Viking.

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

Other Things You'll Want to Know - April 4, 2018

CND subscribers also read about:

• Holland America continuing to play ball with the Mariners
• Is this therapy or marinating?

Details appeared in the April 4 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

And Weddings Would Be Good for Business Too

Carnival Corp came out today to actively support OUTBermuda in their efforts to change the law in Bermuda which only allows same-sex couples to register a domestic partnership rather than a marriage.

“Carnival Corporation believes our employees, guests and the public at large deserve equal dignity and respect,” the company said today.

The complete story appeared in the April 3 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Overboard from Norwegian Spirit

Norwegian Cruise Line says a passenger was reported going overboard from Norwegian Spirit at 2am this morning (local time in the Mediterranean). The ship turned and began a search while all the appropriate authorities were notified.

Details appeared in the April 3 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - April 3, 2018

CND subscribers also read about:

• Royal Caribbean International is canceling the 11-night April 6 sailing of Radiance of the Seas due to a problem with the Azipod propulsion system. 
• Carnival Legend left Sydney this afternoon to begin repositioning to Alaska for the summer. The ship will undergo a dry dock when it reaches Vancouver. 

Details appeared in the April 3 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Carnival Legend just before it left Sydney this afternoon

Photo courtesy of James Morgan and Carnival Cruise Line. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Carnival Horizon Enters Service - but No Bottle Broken

Carnival Horizon arrived in Barcelona yesterday, ready for her first passengers to board today. They did, and the ship left as scheduled this afternoon, on her maiden cruise, a 13-night Mediterranean voyage.

There was no naming ceremony in Barcelona today. That will wait until the ship reaches New York on May 23 and actress Queen Latifah will name the ship before it sets sail on its summer series of cruises from the Big Apple.

The complete story appeared in the April 2 edition of Cruise News Daily.

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

Other Things You'll Want to Know - April 2, 2018

CND subscribers also read about:

• Grimaldi has contracted with Fincantieri to lengthen two of their ferries
• A quick look at Symphony's departure (below). 

Details appeared in the April 2 edition of Cruise News Daily.

Symphony of the Seas entered regular service on Saturday when she left Barcelona on a five-night Mediterranean cruise: