These ships, each nearly 230,000 gross registered tons, will be designed and constructed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and are scheduled for delivery in the summers of 2029, 2031, and 2033.
This order is part of Carnival Cruise Line’s broader expansion strategy. Earlier this year, Carnival Corporation placed its first new-build orders in five years for two additional Excel-class ships, which will join the fleet in 2027 and 2028.
Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said, “For this next generation ship, we are focused on creating innovative guest experiences that will take Carnival Cruise Line into the future with new FUN features and excitement that we know our guests will LOVE.” |
This is in addition to the previously announced message that Carnival is transferring five vessels from its sister brands to Carnival Cruise Line between 2023 (Costa Cruises) and March 2025 (P&O Cruises Australia) to increase guest capacity.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc, emphasized the importance of Carnival Cruise Line to the company’s growth strategy. “We are doubling down on the growth of Carnival Cruise Line – our highest-returning brand – to keep up with the incredibly strong demand we continue to see for the world’s most popular cruise line,” said Weinstein.
The new ships, featuring over 3,000 guest staterooms and a total capacity of nearly 8,000 guests, will be the largest in Carnival Corporation’s fleet.
For reference, the largest cruise ship in the world is the Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, with 250,000 gross registered tons. The Oasis-class, with 225,000 gross registered tons each, is in second place. |
The vessels will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and equipped with advanced energy efficiency, waste management, and emission reduction technologies. Design details and itineraries for the new ships will be announced in the future.
]]>Doug Parker and Richard Simms discuss recent cruise news and updates. Topics include the controversy over cruise ducks, Princess Cruise’s new pizza promotion, exclusive shore excursions for MSC Yacht Club guests, and Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to Philadelphia.
They also discussed Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, offering shorter sailings, and Carnival’s Mardi Gras ship’s 14-night transatlantic voyage.
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Tim from YouTube’s CruiseTogetherCouple recently embarked on a Mediterranean cruise aboard the MSC World Europa.
In his coverage, he detailed the ship’s amenities, explored the various ports of call, and shared practical tips for first-time European cruisers. The episode concluded with a guest discussing the potential success of a new ship.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or where you listen to your favorite podcast. |
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Chef Tony is noted as one of the greatest pizza makers and has been awarded World Pizza Champion 13 times. Establishing a new Guinness World Record, guests at the Princess Pizza Party consumed more than 60,000 oven-fresh pizza slices.
Additionally, Chef Gemignani created two pizza varieties exclusively for Princess guests. They feature Soppressata sausage, hot honey, agave pesto, and fresh goat cheese. Callie Smith, an Adjudicator from Guinness World Records, was in attendance and confirmed the record.
Chef Gemignani’s pizza recipes will debut at Alfredo’s onboard the new Sun Princess and be rolled out across the fleet this summer. Chef Gemignani personally trained Princess chefs at his Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco and onboard Princess ships.
All five pizza varieties will be prepared at sea to replicate Chef’s hand-crafted pizzas.
He is the most decorated pizza chef in American history, a restaurateur, master instructor, philanthropist, and author of ‘PIZZA”, The Pizza Bible, and ‘The Pursuit of Pizza.’ He hails from Northern California, opening his first restaurant in San Francisco 15 years ago.
Tony’s Pizza Napoletana has been named the best pizzeria by USA Today and the top pizza restaurant by the Travel Channel.
“Tony is the ‘GOAT’ with unparalleled world championships and passion for crafting the perfect pizza,” said Princess Cruises‘ President John Padgett. |
“Princess is about delivering great experiences and there is no more important element than Pizza. We decided to take it up an entirely new level with legendary Tony Gemignani and set a Guinness World Records title,” said John Padgett, Princess President. |
Chef Gemignani was part of the previous record for “World’s Largest Pizza Party” set in 2023, and is now a four-time Guinness World Record holder.
The World’s Largest Pizza Party used 6,512 pounds of dough, 1,393 pounds of pepperoni, and 2,323 pounds of cheese.
]]>In this podcast episode, Amy discusses her seven-night Alaska cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jewel. She shares her pre-cruise experiences in Vancouver, the smooth embarkation process, and her impressions of the stateroom.
Amy talks about the dining options, entertainment, and her participation in the “Newlywed Show.” She describes the ports of call, including Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, and highlights her Glacier Bay experience.
Amy also provides tips on packing, saving money, and making the most of the cruise. She concludes with her overall positive impressions of the Norwegian Jewel and the Alaska itinerary.
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In this podcast episode, guest Ross shares his experiences from a seven-night cruise aboard Carnival Magic out of Port Miami. He discusses pre-cruise preparations, smooth embarkation, and staying in a Cloud 9 Spa interior stateroom.
Ross highlights the variety of food options, enjoyable entertainment, and port excursions in Cozumel, Belize City, and Mahogany Bay. Despite rough seas and crowded areas, he praises the efficient debarkation process and exceptional service.
Ross expresses willingness to sail with Carnival again and considers trying other cruise lines.
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Doug Parker and staff writer Richard Simms discuss recent cruise news, including a viral fight on a Carnival ship, rising cruise prices due to new California laws, and capacity boosts in the Mediterranean amid over-tourism concerns.
Caleb shares his experience aboard Disney Magic, highlighting efficient embarkation, dining options, and exceptional service. He compares Disney to Virgin Voyages, noting differences in inclusivity and service. Caleb offers tips for first-time Disney cruisers and confirms his next Disney cruise on the Dream.
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In this podcast episode, Christy, a teacher from New York City, reviews her seven-night cruise on Carnival Pride to the Bahamas and Grand Turk. She discusses the change in departure port from Baltimore to Norfolk, the embarkation process, accommodations, dining options, entertainment, and activities on board.
Christy shares her experiences at Grand Turk, Princess Cays, and Freeport, highlighting swimming, a tender boat malfunction, and casino winnings. She praises the ship’s cozy atmosphere and efficient staff and provides a comprehensive review of the cruise experience.
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Doug Parker and Richard Simms discuss cruise industry updates, including a minor fire on the world’s largest cruise ship, Carnival Corporation’s financial success of $92M profit, heat warnings for Greece, and Seattle’s 2027 shore power mandate, and Princess Cruises’ loyalty points promotion.
Kurt shares his experience on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas, detailing the ship’s layout, dining options, entertainment, and ports of call like Bermuda, Saint Martin, San Juan, and Puerto Plata. Kurt’s feedback highlights positive aspects and areas for improvement on the cruise.
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Initially, for their value river cruises, Viking has steadily expanded its fleet of ocean-going ships, maintaining the same high standards of service and sophistication.
Unlike other cruise lines that rapidly expand their fleets, Viking has taken a more measured approach, focusing on quality over quantity. This strategy has allowed Viking to offer a unique and consistent experience across its ocean-going ships.
Ship Name | Ship Class | Year Launched | Gross Registered Tonnage (GT) | Passenger Count | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Viking Star | Star | 2015 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Sea | Star | 2016 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Sky | Star | 2017 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Sun | Star | 2017 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Orion | Star | 2018 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Jupiter | Star | 2019 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Venus | Star | 2021 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Mars | Star | 2022 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Neptune | Star | 2022 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Saturn | Star | 2023 | 47,842 | 930 | 748 feet |
Viking Vella | Star | Dec 2024 | 54,300 | 998 | 784 feet |
Ship Name | Ship Class | Year Launched | Gross Registered Tonnage (GT) | Passenger Count | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Viking Octantis | Viking Expedition | 2022 | 30,150 | 646 | 672 feet |
Viking Polaris | Viking Expedition | 2022 | 30,150 | 646 | 672 feet |
Viking cruise ships stand out because they focus on giving passengers intimate experiences. Unlike many big cruise ships, Viking ships are smaller, carrying only about 930 guests, so they never feel too crowded. The ships are designed with many open spaces, stylish interiors, and plenty of relaxing places.
Viking also offers exciting shore excursions that let passengers explore and learn about the places they visit. Plus, there are no kids’ activities or casinos, so the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful, perfect for adults who want a relaxing and enriching cruise experience.
Project Name | Expected Delivery |
---|---|
Ocean Newbuild XII | July 2025 |
Ocean Newbuild XIII | May 2026 |
Ocean Newbuild XIV | May 2027 |
Ocean Newbuild XV | May 2028 |
Ocean Newbuild XVI | November 2028 |
Ocean Newbuild XVII | May 2029 |
Ocean Newbuild XVIII | November 2029 |
Ocean Newbuild XIX | May 2030 |
Ocean Newbuild XX | November 2030 |
Viking cruises all over the globe. Passengers can explore Norway’s stunning fjords, soak up the sun in the Mediterranean, or discover the rich history of the Baltic Sea and the Caribbean. In the summer months, Viking also offers cruises to Southeast Alaska.
]]>In this podcast episode, Doug Parker and guest Tommy Casabona discuss Tommy’s recent cruise on the Norwegian Joy. Tommy describes the smooth embarkation process from Pier 88 in New York City and his upgrade to a balcony stateroom.
He shares his positive experiences with the ship’s food options, entertainment, and casino. Despite some turbulence and a shortened stay in Bermuda, Tommy enjoyed exploring Horseshoe Bay Beach.
The episode also touches on the unique vibe of New York City sailings and the chaotic disembarkation process in the city.
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