Tag Archives: Alaska

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

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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.

Carnival Luminosa Kicks Off Inaugural Season in Alaska

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The Carnival Luminosa is kicking off its inaugural season in Alaska today.

After joining the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in late 2022, the 2009-built ship is also embarking on its maiden cruise in the United States.

Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the vessel’s first Alaska voyage features visits to three ports in Alaska: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

Before returning to its Washington homeport, the seven-night cruise also includes scenic cruising at the Tracy Arm Fjord, in addition to a visit to Victoria, in Canada’s British Columbia.

The itinerary is set to be repeated through mid-September – when the Carnival Luminosa sails to Australia via a 30-night transpacific cruise.

Part of Carnival’s three-ship summer program in Alaska, the 2,260-guest vessel is set to offer a total of 19 cruises in the region.

Sailing from San Francisco and Seattle, respectively, the Carnival Miracle and the Carnival Spirit will also spend the next months in the Last Frontier.

Transferred from the Costa Cruises fleet, the Carnival Luminosa spent its inaugural season with Carnival in Australia.

Between November 2022 and April 2023, the ship offered a series of itineraries to South Pacific, New Zealand and more departing from Brisbane.

Before debuting, the Carnival Luminosa was subjected to a refit that added Carnival’s signature features to its public areas and staterooms.

Among the new additions are extra dining venues, including the company’s Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and the upscale Chef’s Table.

The Luminosa also received the Bonsai Sushi Express, as well as Carnival’s new blue, red and white hull livery and different new entertainment venues.

Among them are The Punchliner Comedy Club, the Limelight Lounge, the Piano Bar 88 and the Alchemy Bar.

Other new venues added to the 92,700-ton ship include the RedFrog Rum Bar, the adults-only sundeck Serenity Retreat and the Cherry on Top candy shop.

Carnival Spirit Offers Panama Canal Cruise Ahead of Summer in Alaska

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Set to operate in Alaska during the summer, the Carnival Spirit is currently offering a 16-night Panama Canal to the Pacific Northwest.

After completing its winter schedule in the Caribbean, the Carnival Cruise Line vessel left Miami on its repositioning voyage on April 16.

Cruising all the way to Seattle, the one-way itinerary features visits to ports in three different countries: Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico.

In addition to doing a complete transit of the Panama Canal, the Carnival Spirit is visiting Cartagena de Indias, Santa Marta, Puntarenas and Cabo San Lucas before arriving in Washington.

The 2001-built ship is then set to kick off its summer program in Alaska.

Beginning on May 2, the Spirit offers a series of seven-night cruises to the Last Frontier which also includes visits to Canada.

During the four-month program, the vessel will visit popular destinations in the region including Skagway, Ketchikan and Juneau.

Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the Carnival Spirit also offers scenic cruising of the Tracy Arm Fjord, as well as visits to Victoria.

The schedule is part of Carnival’s 49-departure, three-ship summer season in Alaska, which also features the Carnival Luminosa and the Carnival Miracle.

Upon completing its Alaskan program in September, the Carnival Spirit is set to offer an additional Panama Canal cruise. Sailing from Seattle to New Orleans, the 16-night repositioning voyage precedes the ship’s debut in Mobile.

During the 2023-2024 winter, the Spirit is set to offer a series of different itineraries departing from the Alabama port.

Ranging from six to eight nights, the cruises sail to different parts of the Caribbean and the Bahamas, including Mexico, Honduras and Belize. In the Bahamas, the ship is set to visit Bimini, Freeport, Nassau and Princess Cays.

As the lead ship of Carnival’s Spirit Class, the Carnival Spirit originally entered service in 2001. Designed with a multi-deck atrium, a glass-enclosed pool deck and a large number of cabins with private balconies, the 2,100-guest ship was followed by the Carnival Pride, the Carnival Legend and the Carnival Miracle.