Glass Dome Installed on Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas

Posted on 15 July, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Glass Dome Installed on Royal Caribbean’s Hero of the Seas

Meyer Turku recently installed the signature Aquahome on Royal Caribbean’s next Icon-class ship, the Hero of the Seas.

Scheduled for delivery in mid-2027, the 250,800-ton vessel is currently being built at one of the shipyard’s drydocks in Turku, Finland.

According to an update shared by Meyer Turku, the 25-meter-high piece was lifted into place on June 28, 2026.

The shipyard added that the 50-meter-wide dome is the largest single-piece glass and steel structure ever lifted onto a ship.

Part of Hero’s Aquadome complex, the space will house an aquatic theater, as well as a series of restaurants, bars and lounges.

“This was already the fourth Aquadome lift. The entire operation went exceptionally well in terms of both timing and schedule,” said Elvis Kulovac, foreman of Meyer Turku’s factory logistics division.

“The prep work had been carried out carefully, and the conditions were perfect. There was virtually no wind, which is crucial for a lift of this scale. The entire process took about 24 hours, while the actual lift was completed in just a few hours,” he added.

Following the Icon of the Seas, the Star of the Seas and the Legend of the Seas, the Hero of the Seas will debut as the fourth ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class.

With its maiden voyage scheduled for August 2027, the 5,610-passenger ship will offer cruises departing from PortMiami.

As part of its maiden season, the vessel will operate a series of seven-night voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

The itineraries include visits to a range of destinations, such as Cozumel in Mexico, Philipsburg in St. Maarten and Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas.

As part of recently announced deals, Meyer Turku will build three additional Icon-class ships for Royal Caribbean through 2030.

The company is also taking delivery of three vessels from Chantiers de l’Atlantique during that timeframe, including an additional Oasis-class ship and two new Discovery-class vessels.

Carnival Magic: 15 Years of Service for Carnival Cruise Line

Posted on 29 June, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Magic: 15 Years of Service for Carnival Cruise Line

The Carnival Magic recently celebrated 15 years of service for Carnival Cruise Line after being delivered on April 27, 2011.

As a sister to the 2009-built Carnival Dream, the 3,650-passenger ship was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

At the time of its delivery, the Carnival Magic became the 100th ship across Carnival Corporation’s then 10 cruise brands.

Following a traditional handover ceremony, the vessel sailed for Venice to kick off its maiden voyage, which departed on May 1, 2011.

Sailing to Barcelona, the open-jaw itinerary included visits to destinations in Croatia, Italy, Spain and Monaco, such as Dubrovnik, Messina, Livorno and Monte Carlo.

The ship continued to offer itineraries in the Mediterranean through most of its inaugural season, operating itineraries to additional destinations in the region.

Ahead of its first sailing, the Carnival Magic was also officially named during a ceremony at the Venice Cruise Terminal.

Lindsey Wilkerson, a former St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patient who served as ambassador for the organization, was chosen as the ship’s godmother.

Soon after its first season in Europe, the Carnival Magic repositioned to Galveston for seven-night cruises to the Western Caribbean.

According to Carnival, the 130,000-ton vessel was the largest cruise ship sailing year-round from the Texas homeport at the time.

The Carnival Magic later sailed from other U.S. homeports, including Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Norfolk and New York City.

In 2023, the ship returned to Miami to kick off a year-round schedule of six- to eight-night cruises to the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Still being offered in 2026, the deployment features itineraries that visit destinations like Grand Turk, Curaçao, Puerto Plata and Celebration Key.

The Carnival Magic also became the second ship in the company’s fleet to introduce the new “From Sea to Shining Sea” crest.

Created in homage to the United States’ 250th anniversary, the patriotic feature was revealed in May and will be added to all of the company’s U.S.-based vessels.

P&O Cruises Unveils Onboard Spending Money and Low Deposit Promos

Posted on 8 June, 2026 by Spacejunkie2

P&O Cruises Unveils Onboard Spending Money and Low Deposit Promos

P&O Cruises has unveiled two promos: extra onboard spending money and low deposits on select cruises.

As part of the first deal, guests get up to £500 extra onboard spending money on selected Caribbean fly-cruise holidays departing between October 23, 2026, and March 18, 2028.

The offer applies to more than 100 Select Price fly-cruise voyages, available to book June 4–17, 2026, the cruise line said in a press release.

“Our Caribbean fly-cruises are a real favorite with our travel agent partners and this latest offer gives them even more to shout about,” said P&O Cruises associate vice president of sales and distribution, Ruth Venn.

The low deposit of £49 per person is valid for applicable Select Price and Early Saver holidays of up to 13 nights and £99 per person for selected sailings between 14 and 23 nights.

The offer applies to bookings made before June 30, 2026, and is valid for cruises departing between September 1, 2026, and March 30, 2028.

“With up to £500 to spend onboard and low deposits there’s a strong value story for customers. Add in just how easy these holidays are, with everything taken care of from flights to luggage and it makes them a really strong sell for travel agents this season,” added Venn.

Example itinerary:

Eastern Caribbean Islands fly-cruise (November 12, 2027)

This 14-night holiday onboard the Iona starts in in Bridgetown (Barbados), before calling into Basseterre (Saint Kitts & Nevis), Tortola (B.V.I.), St. Maarten, Fort de France (Martinique), with an overnight in Antigua, Castries (St. Lucia), Grenada, and ends in Barbados.

Prices start from £2,649 per person based on two people sharing a balcony cabin with a deposit of £99pp and include a £500 onboard spending money for the cabin.

Economy flights from London Gatwick, transfers in Barbados, children’s clubs, full board meals and entertainment are included in the price.

The company also launched its “Summer Sizzle” campaign for travel agents who are members of the Shine Reward Club.

Upon making a 2026 or 2027 Select Price booking June 1–30, 2026, agents can enter for a chance to win one of four £150 gift vouchers, with prize draws taking place throughout June.