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.

Royal Caribbean’s Utopia Sailing from Port Canaveral in 2024

Posted on 27 June, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

Royal Caribbean International will put the new Oasis-class Utopia of the Seas in the short cruise market from Port Canaveral when she debuts next year.

“Vacationers are looking to make every moment count by celebrating and recharging with their friends and family, and Utopia of the Seas makes all that possible in more ways than one,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, of Royal Caribbean International. “With the variety of dining, bars, pools, entertainment and thrills that make Oasis Class ships revolutionary and the experiences to match on our private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, we’ve combined the best of the best to create the world’s biggest weekend for everyone.”

The signature adventures of the newest LNG-powered Oasis ship will make their short getaway debut alongside firsts and reimagined experiences, like a new Caribbean tiki bar, a first-of-its-kind immersive dining experience, the latest, greatest – and longest – dry slide at sea; newly designed resort-style pools; and more, the company said.

The Utopia opens for bookings on Royal Caribbean’s website as soon as Friday, June 23. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members can book on Thursday, June 22.

Cruise Saudi Launches Arabian Cruise Experience: Aroya Cruises

Posted on 27 June, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

Cruise Saudi, a 100 per cent Public Investment Fund-owned business, has announced the launch of its own cruise line, AROYA Cruises.

Combining the words “Arabian” & “roya” (meaning vision or dream), AROYA Cruises will offer Saudi nationals, expatriates, and regional guests a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of Saudi from the sea, the company said.

The line is expected to start operating with the former 3,500-guest Genting World Dream, which it purchased at auction late last year.

With a commitment to showcasing Arabian experiences, AROYA Cruises will reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and warm hospitality, providing an immersive journey, designed and tailored to reflect its brand values of inspiration, enrichment, generosity and respect.

AROYA Cruises is committed to an exceptional passenger experience and will offer the highest standard of service, facilities and shore excursion program culminating in a unique offering in the region.

“This momentous step marks a historical milestone in Cruise Saudi’s ambitious strategy to create a premium cruise ecosystem in Saudi, in line with Vision 2030,” said Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi. “AROYA Cruises will be operating as an autonomous brand within the Cruise Saudi portfolio, aiming to provide experiences and services specifically designed to embrace Arabian preferences.”

The launch of AROYA Cruises’ will be led by Ghassan Khan. The brand will be managed as a separate business unit supporting the fulfilment of Cruise Saudi’s strategic goals of welcoming 1.3 million cruise visitors by 2035 and providing 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Ghassan Khan added: “This is an extremely exciting time. It is a privilege to bring this cruise line to launch as a core element of Saudi’s development as an international cruising destination.”

AROYA Cruises itineraries and packages are currently under development and will be announced at its commercial launch to be held in the coming months.

Norwegian Cancels Most of Spirit’s Sailings for 2024 and 2025

Posted on 26 June, 2023 by Spacejunkie2

After announcing the cancellation of the ship’s 2024 summer program, Norwegian Cruise Line is cancelling more scheduled sailings onboard the Norwegian Spirit.

According to different statements sent to booked guests, all of the 2025 departures were cancelled, as well as additional dates in 2024.

Essentially leaving the 1999-built ship with no schedule beyond next April, the new cancellations are the result of redeployment moves, Norwegian Cruise Line said in one of the letters.

“As a company, we are committed to providing exceptional vacation experiences, both aboard our ships and by taking our guests to some of the most sought-out destinations around the world. As a result of a fleet redeployment, Norwegian Spirit’s sailings from February 8, 2025, through and including November 23, 2025, have been cancelled,” the company explained.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this may cause,” Norwegian added.

In 2024, the sailings not long going ahead include cruises previously scheduled to depart between May through early June, in addition to itineraries scheduled to sail between September and December.

The Norwegian Spirit was scheduled to sail in the Pacific during the period, offering itineraries across Australia, New Zealand, Alaska, Hawaii and Tahiti.

While no cruises had originally been planned for January and early February 2025, and the ship’s 2024 summer program had already been cancelled back in May, the new cancellations leave the Spirit with no schedule after the 2023-2024 winter season.

Impacted passengers will receive several compensations, including full refunds and discounts for rebooking on different dates.

Originally built for Star Cruises in 1999, the Norwegian Spirit is currently one of the oldest in the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet.

With a capacity for 2,000 guests, it went through a $100-million refurbishment in early 2020. The major modernization project saw the addition of 14 new venues to the ship’s public areas, in addition to cabin updates and technical upgrades.