Cruise News Daily Headlines for February 21, 2014

* Carnival Vista Construction Begins
Fincantieri cut the first steel for the 135,000-ton Carnival Vista this week.
   A photo is below.

* Making It Official
On Wednesday morning, an event that was months in the planning, was completed aboard Queen Mary 2 in Sydney Harbor.
   It was an official portrait of representatives of her crew to mark the ship’s tenth anniversary, and the ship’s special connection with Sydney.
   But this wasn’t just any photo of the crew. It was special. (more)

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

First steel cutting for Carnival Vista

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

Cunard Marks Tenth Anniversary of Queen Mary 2

Cunard's Queen Mary 2 has turned 10, and to mark the occasion, the line commissioned a very special portrait of representatives of her crew. The photo shoot was held when the ship visited Sydney this week and was months in planning. The photo and some behind the scenes shots are below.

Queen Mary 2's official tenth anniversary photo

Noted photographer James Morgan was commissioned to shoot the special photo.

Sydney's most famous landmark isn't in the official photo, but it is just off camera to the right.

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

Cruise News Daily Headlines for February 20, 2014

* Two Lines Set Major Expansion at Port Canaveral
At yesterday’s Board Meeting at Port Canaveral, the port’s CEO, John Walsh, announced they have reached multi-year agreements with Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line to expand their presence at the port.

* Other Things You’ll Want to Know
CND subscribers also read about Royal Caribbean becoming "autism-friendly" ... and Canada's largest labor union boycotting Carnival.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Cruise News Daily Headlines for February 19, 2014

* Norwegian Offers First Look at Accommodations on Norwegian Escape
When a cruise line is in a growth mode, it seems like just as one ship is delivered, they start getting excited about the next. That’s the case with Norwegian Cruise Line. Just days after Norwegian Getaway’s inaugural activities end, the line is today excitedly talking about the accommodations on Norwegian Escape.
   And well they should. The ship won’t be delivered until the fall of 2015, but in less than a month they will be announcing its home port and itineraries, and at the same time, they will be opening it for sale. It’s hard for people to buy it if they don’t know what there is to buy.  (More)

* Cruise Lines Lining Up to Call at Banana Coast
Banana Coast, the new port of call on the Honduran Caribbean coast, added another series of calls to their reservation book today when Norwegian Cruise Line scheduled 16 calls at the port for the coming winter season.

The complete articles appeared in the e-mail edition of Cruise News Daily delivered to our subscribers.

Norwegian Offers First Look at Norwegian Escape Accommodations

Norwegian Cruise Line just put Norwegian Getaway into service a couple of weeks ago, but already they are gearing up for the launch of Norwegian Escape, a larger version of the Breakaway-class. The line will open it for sale and announce its itineraries next month. Meyer Werft has scheduled delivery of the 163,000-ton vessel for the fall of 2015.

Today, the line is offering a first look at Norwegian Escape's accommodations.

One of the 1,168 Balcony staterooms

There will be only 407 inside staterooms, so those preferring this option will need to book early.

Deluxe Owner's Suite Bedroom

Deluxe Owner's Suite Living Room

The Haven pool

The Haven restaurant

Renderings courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line. All rights reserved. May not be used or copied without specific authorization.