Panama Canal to Receive Over 200 Transits by Cruise Ships This Season

Posted on 4 October, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

The Panama Canal announced the transit of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Spirit, which will kick off the 2022-2023 cruise season, with over 200 transits by new and returning cruise ships expected in the waterway this season, according to a press release.

Over the next few months, the Panama Canal will facilitate over 200 cruise ship transits, 17 more than was expected in the 2019-2020 season, including two transits by the Norwegian Encore, according to the Panama Canal.

“We anticipate a record number of Neopanamax vessel transits this year, which will help boost Panama’s tourism sector. Given our role in international trade, we are thrilled to welcome visitors from around the world to experience the Panama Canal first-hand and to discover what our country has to offer,” commented Albano Aguilar, international trade specialist, at Panama Canal.

The cruise season for the Panama Canal stretches from October to May. This season will see the return of several cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Royal Caribbean Cruises, all of which will offer passengers itineraries that include a full or partial transit of the Panama Canal.

In addition, at least 12 cruise ships are scheduled to make their first transit through the Panama Canal this season, including the Fridtjof of Nansen, Seabourn Venture, World Navigator, Celebrity Edge, Sea Cloud Spirit, World Voyager, Evrima, Le Bellot, Spirit of Adventure, Viking Neptune, Viking Octantis, and Viking Polaris.

Carnival Celebration completes sea trials in Baltic

Posted on 22 September, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship Carnival Celebration has completed sea trials and is inching closer to its debut voyage at the Port of Miami

Carnival Celebration set sail on its first round of sea trials on 5 September from Finland’s Meyer Turku shipyard, where sister ship Mardi Gras was built. The vessel had a full contingent of officers, technicians and engineers on board to test the ship’s technical, mechanical and navigation systems.

Captain Vincenzo Alcaras said the vessel underwent several tests during its sea trials, to determine the ship’s capability and performance. “We’ve done many manoeuvring tests, such as endurance tests, steering tests, speed tests and thrusters tests. The ship performed wonderfully, and shortly, we will start cruising.”

The 180,000-dwt, LNG-powered Excellence-class ship will become the operator’s largest upon delivery, capable of accommodating up to 6,500 passengers.

Carnival Celebration will arrive in PortMiami in November, and following an inaugural six-day voyage to the eastern Caribbean, the ship will launch year-round, seven-day cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean from PortMiami beginning 21 November. The week-long voyages will visit San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cozumel, Mexico and Grand Turk.

Carnival Celebration will feature many of the attractions seen on Mardi Gras, including BOLT, an onboard roller coaster at sea, an atrium spanning three decks and Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant.

The ship will also have a new Miami-themed zone aboard: named after the address of Carnival’s original headquarters, 820 Biscayne will celebrate the culture, architectural styles and flavours of the home city where the line was founded in 1972.

A conman has been jailed for six years for posing as a fake Carnival Cruise Line ship captain

Posted on 26 August, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

Jody Oliver, 44, was said to have dressed as a cruise ship captain with a Carnival lanyard and lied to victims about discounted holidays.

Newport Crown Court reportedly heard he admitted stealing £320,315 through the scam. Oliver, of Bwlch, Powys, also created fake documents before cancelling or delaying the holidays, claiming it was a result of “security issues” or “ship problems”.

According to the BBC, he also created fictitious Carnival staff to back up his story, forwarding victims fake emails.

Andrew Davis, prosecuting, reportedly said Oliver gave his name as Jonathan and said he was born in 1983 when he was first quizzed by police. He insisted he was a “master mariner” and had served as captain for Carnival for two years.

Concluding, Judge Richard Williams said: “You’ve devastated not only your immediate family but all those involved in this case and have left a lot of people significantly out of pocket and feeling betrayed.

“The motivating factor in your offending is your profound dishonesty and willingness to leech off those of your acquaintance.”

He ordered an investigation into Oliver’s finances so proceeds of crime hearing can be held.

TTG has approached Carnival Corporation for comment.