Top Cruise Travel Stories From September

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 11:15 PM ET, Fri September 29, 2023

Carnival to Expand Service From Galveston in 2025

1/14 Carnival Cruise Line announced that Carnival Legend would join Carnival Dream, Carnival Breeze and Carnival Jubilee sailing out of the Port of Galveston in the fall of 2025. The four ships will offer a variety of four- through 10-day Western Caribbean sailings, while Carnival Legend will offer two Panama Canal cruises. The voyages from Galveston are now on sale.

 

Royal Caribbean Unveils Details of Adults-Only Hideaway Beach

2/14 Royal Caribbean International unveiled details of Hideaway Beach, its first adults-only beach destination, which is situated on the northwest second of Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, and set to open in January in conjunction with the debut of Icon of the Seas.

 

Virgin Voyages Announces $550 Million in Funding, New Global Itineraries

3/14 Virgin Voyages closed on a $550 million capital raise to accelerate its growth plans and revealed future itineraries, which include 19 new ports and 27 new itineraries through April 2025.

 

Cunard to Add SpaceX’s Starlink Fleetwide

4/14 Cunard is implementing a new Wi-Fi service in tandem with a fleetwide rollout of SpaceX’s Starlink. Cunard said, “The roll-out of Starlink aboard Cunard Queens began in June 2023, with the service due to be available in both public spaces and staterooms on Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth by the end of 2023.”

 

Cruising Is Getting Greener, According to New Sustainability Report

5/14 Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its 2023 Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices Report, which shows there are currently 44 new cruise ships on order for delivery within the next five years; of these, 25 will be powered by Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), a more sustainable form of marine fuel, while seven will be either methanol ready or methanol capable.

 

Disney Reveals First Look at New Disney Treasure Ship

6/14 Disney Cruise Line unveiled the first renderings and information about the new Disney Treasure cruise ship, which is expected to debut in December 2024 as the second in the line’s new Wish-class ships. The vessel’s new motto and theme is “Adventure,” and it takes inspiration from a variety of beloved Disney adventures, but most notably, it’s the first ship in the fleet to take inspiration from popular attractions found within Disney Parks across the globe.

 

Carnival Introducing New Vegan Menus

7/14 Carnival Cruise Line announced the introduction of new vegan menus on two ships and plans to add the option fleetwide in a phased approach through the end of the year. The vegan menus will first be added to Carnival Freedom based out of Port Canaveral, Florida, and Carnival Horizon at PortMiami.

 

Oceania Cruises Announce 2025 Summer Collection Voyages

8/14 Oceania Cruises announced the 2025 Summer Collection of voyages, including an extensive lineup of more than 100 itineraries and nearly 50 Grand Voyages. The 2025 itinerary highlights include Oceania’s Riviera ship sailing in Alaska for the first time, voyages ranging from 7-56 days, over 100 overnight stays, 10 new ports of call and over 70 European options aboard Allura, Vista, Marina, Sirena and Nautica.

 

Carnival Adding 'Family Feud Live' to 12 More Ships

9/14 Carnival Cruise Line announced plans to expand its popular Family Feud Live onboard game show to as many as a dozen new ships by the fall of 2024. Currently available aboard Carnival Celebration and Mardi Gras, Family Feud Live debuted on Carnival Vista during its September 16 voyage and on Carnival Legend during its September 30 sailing.

 

Viking Announces More Nile River Sailings Through 2026

10/14 Set to debut in 2025, the Viking Sobek will join the company's growing fleet as its sixth ship sailing the 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. With Viking's 2024 Egypt season nearly sold out and 2025 selling strong, the demand led to an early opening of the Viking Sobek's inaugural season with 2026 departure dates across the entire Nile River fleet. 

 

Atlas Selects Explorer Preet Chandi as Godmother of World Voyager

11/14 Atlas Ocean Voyages named explorer Preet Chandi godmother of World Voyager, which will be christened in Ushuaia, Argentina, on November 8. Preet Candi, a physiotherapist and British army captain, “gained international recognition in 2022 when she completed a remarkable solo expedition across Antarctica to the South Pole,” Atlas Ocean Voyages said.

 

Princess To Offer Three Hollywood Insider Cruises

12/14 Princess Cruises will be offering three special “Hollywood Insider” themed voyages sailing along the California coastline this October, 2023. The three sailings, which range from 3- to 7-days long, offer different themes and industry guests to ensure that travelers learn all about the inside world of working on Hollywood movies, primetime television shows and more.

 

Hurtigruten Group CEO Discusses Re-Brand, New Strategy

13/14 Hurtigruten Group officials announced plans to re-brand Hurtigruten Expeditions as HX, emphasizing the division’s global expedition-style itineraries and creating a clear separation from Hurtigruten Norway, the company’s 130 year-old coastal voyage provider.

 

Holland America Line Introduces Worldwide Fresh Fish Program

14/14 Holland America Line has unveiled the Fresh Fish Program, featuring 80 types of fish from 60 worldwide ports, which will be served in onboard dining venues and the new Morimoto at Sea pop-up restaurant debuting in 2024. Chef Masaharu Morimoto will serve as the program’s Fresh Fish Ambassador, which puts the spotlight on local ingredients and destination-focused menus.

 

The cruise industry has made major waves throughout the month of September as demand continues to soar.

With an eye shifting to 2024 and next year’s sailings, companies within the industry have continued to announce new destinations, additional homeports, and sustainability efforts.

From adding new ships to introducing debuting itineraries, the cruise industry continues to capitalize on travel’s resurgence. Add in updates about unique entertainment options and fresh food and beverage offerings, and there has never been a better time to hit the high seas.

Here are the top stories from September.

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