Carnival Brings Texas Flair to Jubilee’s Keel Laying

Posted on 25 July, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

The Carnival Jubilee is set to sail from Galveston, Texas, next year and Carnival Cruise Line’s third cruise ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG) got its first taste of Texas today with the keel laying ceremony at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany., according to a press release.

Wearing cowboy-shaped hard hats, Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy was joined by Meyer Werft Managing Director Bernard Meyer and Carnival’s Senior Vice President of Newbuilds Ben Clement, among others, to celebrate the construction milestone by placing coins under a 375-ton keel block.

The coins signify good luck for the ship and will remain under its foundation as the structure is built. the company said.

One of the ship’s lucky coins is an official ship coin. It commemorates an integral part of Carnival history while celebrating its future by showing the Carnival Jubilee alongside the original MS Jubilee from 1986. The coins will later be placed in a special compartment near Carnival Jubilee’s mast as permanent fixtures of the ship.

“Our plans for Texas are as big as the state itself, and we’re looking forward to bringing guests aboard our third Excel-class ship that will be just as magnificent as her sister ships Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration. I’m ecstatic to be here for this important moment and witness construction now officially underway. Carnival Jubilee will significantly enhance our offerings from Galveston as the industry leader in the Texas cruise market and an important contributor to the Galveston tourism economy,” said Duffy.

The Carnival Jubilee will be the first Carnival Cruise Line ship built in Papenburg, Germany. Meyer Werft has already built four other LNG-powered ships for other cruise lines under Carnival Corporation.

“We are pleased to take another symbolic step in the construction of Carnival Jubilee with the keel laying. The Meyer team will once again produce an advanced and innovative cruise ship that will provide a great vacation for millions of passengers,” said Meyer.

American Queen Voyages Rolls Out Pacific Coast Sailings with Free Air

Posted on 25 July, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

American Queen Voyages is launching its Pacific Coast sailing aboard the Ocean Victory from San Diego, California, to San José, Puerto Rico, and offers free air transportation from select getaways, according to a press release.

Guests will be eligible for the free air option if they complete their booking by August 31, 2022, according to the company.

American Queen Voyages also offers its guests the choice to pick between two shorter voyages ranging from eight to fifteen days, from San Diego, California to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to San José, Costa Rica, beginning on October 3, 2022.

Guided tours led by local experts and historians are available in each port, and the company has also introduced a series of premium tours developed by its shore excursions team, such as Turtles and Iguanas and Salsa and Margaritas.

“Guests have given Ocean Victory rave reviews on her inaugural Alaska season, and our Pacific Coast sailing provides a final opportunity to experience this unique vessel in 2022 before she returns to North America again next year,” said Isis Ruiz, chief commercial officer, American Queen Voyages. “This itinerary exploring the Western coastlines of Mexico and Costa Rica will provide spectacular vistas and a variety of experiences guests have come to cherish from American Queen Voyages, which combines science, history, wildlife and adventure.”

Voyage Options:

San Diego, California to San José, Costa Rica
Date: October 3, 2022
Duration: 15 days
Calls on: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; La Paz, Mexico; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Manzanillo, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puerto Chiapas, Mexico; and Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
Fare: Starts from $5,099 per guest with free roundtrip airfare

San Diego, California to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Date: October 3, 2022
Duration: 8 days
Calls on: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and La Paz, Mexico
Fare: Starts from $2,499 per guest with a $300 onboard credit

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to San José, Costa Rica
Date: October 9, 2022
Duration: 9 days
Calls on: Manzanillo, Mexico; Huatulco, Mexico; Puerto Chiapas, Mexico; and Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
Fare: Starts from $2,799 per guest with a $300 onboard credit

P&O Australia’s Pacific Encounter Sets Course for Return to Sydney

Posted on 24 July, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

P&O Australia’s Pacific Encounter departed from Singapore and will return to Sydney Harbour on August 2, according to a press release.

The Pacific Encounter becomes the second cruise ship of P&O to homeport in Sydney for a short encounter before sailing to Brisbane. The Pacific Explorer also visited Sydney earlier this year for the first time in more than two years, according to the company.

“Knowing that we have a second P&O ship only weeks away reminds us all that cruising is making a return to normal scheduling. This is a testament to our onboard and shoreside teams and to the many P&O passengers who were patiently waiting during the pause for the opportunity to cruise again,” said Marguerite Fitzgerald, president, Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises.

“We can’t wait for Pacific Encounter to depart on her first guest cruise from Brisbane on August 20, a 7-night Barrier Reef Discovery Cruise. This itinerary will include Pacific Encounters’ maiden call to Cairns helping to bring cruise tourism back to Far North Queensland,” she added.