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About Spacejunkie2

I love all things Cruise and add that to my hobby Photography I'm in dreamland, I'm an exTravel agency owner with the inside contacts, so I will try to keep you updated in all things travel related with a side serving of images and other maritime stories.

NCLH: Measured Cruise Capacity Growth at 28%

A key cornerstone of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ long-term strategy is measured capacity growth, said Harry Sommer, president and CEO, speaking on the company’s year-end and fourth quarter earnings call.

He pointed to the company’s newbuild pipeline of five ships and its 2023 to 2028 capacity growth, which represents 28 more supply for the company’s trio of brands in Norwegian, Oceania and Regent.

That averages out to a compound annual growth rate of five percent, he advised.

“Historically, capacity growth has led to outsized revenue and EBITDA growth and we expect this capacity growth to be no different and deliver meaningful top and bottom line growth,” Sommer noted.

“We believe that these measured capacity additions will enable us to further enhance our long-term profitability and continue to significantly strengthen our balance sheet while providing guests new and innovative experiences,” he said.

“We continue to experience strong and resilient customer demand across all three of our brands. The strong momentum we saw in 2023 has continued into 2024 with an all-time high booked position and pricing buoyed by strong wave season demand. This has led to some of the best booking weeks in the company history, which began with successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions.

“In general, we continue to see healthy demand across all markets, brands and products.”

Crime Meets Cruise on Vasco Da Gama

Following the success of the first crime thriller cruise in 2023, Nicko Cruises is once again hosting a crime-themed cruise onboard the Vasco da Gama, according to a press release.

Sailing from August 8 to August 20, 2024, the 17-day cruise around Great Britain with moderator Uwe Bahn is all about mystery, criminal cases and investigations, as well as visiting destinations across the UK such as Edinburgh, Dundee and Belfast.

The onboard program ranges from crime quizzes to crime talk and live podcast hearings to crime readings and more. Guests will have the opportunity to find out how realistic their favorite crime films and series are and what a real court reporter does. 

Real crime scene fans can also meet actor Dietmar Bär at the Meet&Greet who will join guests for crime readings.

Guests onboard the Vasco da Gama will also get to explore Ireland and Scotland on this journey.

Jordin Sparks Records Signature Song for the Disney Treasure

Singer-songwriter Jordin Sparks recorded a new song dedicated to Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Treasure, according to a press release.

Released on streaming platforms on March 1, “Live the Adventure” sets the tone for a new era of Disney Cruise Line vacations as the ship enters the final stages of construction. 

The tune features lyrical and instrumental nods to Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Aladdin” and blends Sparks’ signature pop stylings with Agrabah-inspired sounds. 

  “For me, this is a really cool moment,” Sparks said. “I’ve been wanting to do something like this for so long. I’m very excited that [“Live the Adventure”] is going to be part of the Disney repertoire, and that it’s going to be an original with my vocals on it.” 

This is the first time Disney Cruise Line has released a signature song for one of its ships.  

“I really like ‘Live the Adventure’ because it’s happy – it automatically makes you feel like it’s going to be a great day,” added Sparks. “It’s saying we can discover the treasure of what the day is going to bring.” 

 “The ability to work with Jordin Sparks is amazing,” said John Dennis, executive creative director, Walt Disney Imagineering. “She has been a terrific partner, and her vocal style is perfect for ‘Live the Adventure’.”

Set to launch in December, the Disney Treasure will debut experiences such as Plaza de Coco, a new theatrical dining experience themed to the Pixar film; Haunted Mansion Parlor, the first-ever bar inspired by the Disney Parks attraction; and “Disney The Tale of Moana,” the world’s first stage adaptation of the animated movie.