Cruise Radio News Briefs | Week of July 25, 2021

Welcome to the Cruise Radio News Brief for the Week of July 25, 2021, where we bring you the latest cruise news, our weekly podcast, and recent YouTube videos.

1. Carnival Cruise Line celebrated its brand-new ship Mardi Gras becoming the first ship in 16 months to sail a revenue-generating cruise from Florida’s Port Canaveral for its maiden voyage. As the ship departed on its seven-night sailing to San Juan, Amber Cove, and Nassau, the ship’s captain called it an “emotional moment.”

2. Royal Caribbean is now requiring all guests sailing from a U.S. port on a ship during the month of August to arrive with a negative COVID test result, regardless of vaccination status. The new requirement comes “in an abundance of caution” due to the surge in cases attributed to the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus.

3. Holland America Line took delivery of its new flagship Rotterdam during a handover ceremony at Fincantieri’s Marghera, Italy, shipyard. This is the 11th ship in the fleet and the seventh ship in the line’s long history to bear the name Rotterdam.

4. Viking River Cruises officially resumed river cruises in France, marking the company’s restart of cruising operations in Europe since the beginning of the pandemic. The line’s four new Viking Longships are now sailing the Seine: Viking Kari, Viking Radgrid, Viking Skaga, and Viking Fjorgyn.

5. Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald announced big changes to two of Guy Fieri’s restaurants on-board the line’s newest ship. Specifically on Mardi Gras, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse will be complimentary, and Guy’s Burger Joint will be open for breakfast for the first time.

Featured Article: Everything You Need to Know About Mardi Gras’ Loft 19 and Its Cabanas

The Loft 19 area on the new Mardi Gras is a brand-new concept to Carnival Cruise Line. Learn more here about the new space, who has access, and how much it costs to rent one of the exclusive cabanas.

This Week’s Podcast: Cruise Industry Restart with Retired Executive + News

In this week’s episode, former cruise line executive Art Sbarsky talks with us about the cruising industry restart and about moves the cruise lines are doing to earn extra revenue at this time.

Featured Video: Carnival Mardi Gras Food and Bars

She’s here! After years of anticipation, paying guests are finally stepping aboard Mardi Gras to enjoy the newest bells and whistles introduced by Carnival Cruise Line. Watch the video below to refresh yourself on all the newest bars and restaurants, from the new RedFrog Tiki Bar to Shaq’s Big Chicken.