A “Flood” of Excitement in Finland

Meyer-Turku celebrated the float out of Costa Smeralda today at their yard in Finland, marking the first time the ship has touched water, when Meyer and Costa officials opened the valves that let water into the dry dock.

Actually, it was more of a float up because it will take about 24 hours to fill the giant dry dock and tow the ship to an outfitting pier where its interior will be completed in time for delivery in October.

This is also an important milestone because Costa Smeralda is the first Costa ship, and the first to be sold globally, that will be powered both at sea and in port by clean-burning liquified natural gas (LNG).

The complete story appeared in the March 15 issue of Cruise News Daily.

Note: Additional photos still being added to this item. 

Water begins to flood the dry dock

Photo courtesy of Meyer-Turku and Costa Crociere. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - March 15, 2019

CND subscribers also read about:

• The Port of Seattle considering an additional cruise terminal
• The Port of Dublin considering cutting cruise capacity

Details appeared in the March 15 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Splendor in Australia

When Carnival Splendor arrives in Australia in December, it won't be the same ship it was when it leaves Long Beach in October. A lengthy stop in Singapore for refurbishment will change a lot.

We've already told you about the new waterslides that will be added. Now Carnival is announcing four new restaurants that are being added to the ship, specifically to appeal to Aussie tastes.

The complete story appeared in the March 14 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Tandori Chicken at the new Masala Tiger Restaurant aboard Carnival Splendor

Photo courtesy of Carnival Cruise 'Line. All rights reserved. 

Other Things You'll Want to Know - March 14, 2019

CND subscribers also read about:

• MSC finalizing their order with Fincantieri for four small luxury ships to be delivered beginning in 2023.
• Meyer Werft schedules Spectrum of the Seas' river transit to begin March 19. 

Details appeared in the March 14 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Spectrum of the Seas ready for river conveyance

Photo courtesy of Meyer Werft. All rights reserved. 

Where You'll Live on Mardi Gras

Carnival Cruise Line today introduced a new cabin design for Mardi Gras by DCA Design International. Now before you panic, it's nothing radical like the wavy walls Norwegian tried out on Norwegian Epic. Mardi Gras' new design seems to be mostly centered around new features passengers will find convenient rather than a new shape or concept.

Beyond that, the design seems to employ features to make the stateroom feel bigger, and it has cleaner lines and lighter colors - but no wavy walls.

The complete story appeared in the March 13 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

Video courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line. All rights reserved.

Other Things You'll Want to Know - March 13, 2019

CND subscribers also read about:

• Seabourn naming their new purpose-built expedition ship Seabourn Venture. 
• Fincantieri cut the first steel for Holland America's next Pinnacle-class ship. 

Details appeared in the March 13 issue of Cruise News Daily.

Fincantieri cuts the first steel for Holland America's third Pinnacle-class ship

Photo courtesy of Fincantieri. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without express permission. 

Freedom in Galveston

Carnival Freedom has returned to Galveston following a three-week refit in Freeport that added a number of new features and updated many existing ones.

The complete story appeared in the March 12 issue of Cruise News Daily. 

The Joy of Learning and a Free Cruise

You can show your appreciation to a teacher for Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10) by nominating her or him for Norwegian Cruise Line's Giving Joy campaign to reward educators.
 
"Travel is a powerful means of education," said Norwegian Cruise Line president Andy Stuart. "It brings people closer to each other and to diverse cultures around the world. It promotes awareness and understanding...it broadens perspectives. Through our Norwegian Cruise Line Giving Joy campaign, we celebrate the power of education and travel, and reward teachers who have taken responsibility for our future, our children, and who lean into that responsibility with all they've got."
 
From now through April 12 (2019), Norwegian is asking for nominations of certified or accredited teachers in the US and Canada who are inspiring joy in the classroom. The 15 teachers with the most votes will win a seven-day cruise for two. They will also be provided airfare and accommodations for an award ceremony taking place in Seattle on May 3, where they will have the chance to win $15,000 for their school. So get your whole class or school in on the voting.
 
To nominate a favorite teacher, to vote and for terms and conditions, please visit nclgivingjoy.com.

This article appeared in the March 12 edition of Cruise News Daily. 

If They Like It in China, They'll Love It in the Caribbean

Princess Cruises said today that La Mer, the casual French bistro restaurant, that debuted aboard Majestic Princess in China and is now wowing them in Australia, will join the lineup of specialty restaurants aboard Sky Princess when it sails in the Caribbean beginning in December. It will mark the first time the line has offered a French restaurant to North Americans.

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