Tag Archives: carnival

Carnival Corporation Sells Seabourn Odyssey to MOL Group

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Seabourn Odyssey photo credit for Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Carnival Corporation and its luxury Seabourn brand have announced the sale of the 450-guest, 2009-built Seabourn Odyssey to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), which currently operates a one-ship Japanese cruise line with the Nippon Maru.

Following the sale, Seabourn will continue to operate all published voyages through August 22, 2024, under a charter arrangement.

The Seabourn Odyssey will then be delivered to MOL after the charter agreement.

Of note, it’s the 26th ship to exit the Carnival Corp. fleet since 2020.

“We are proud that Seabourn Odyssey carried our guests across the world for the last 14 years and are happy to see her join a great company, MOL,” said Seabourn President Natalya Leahy. “As we prepare to say farewell to Odyssey in September 2024, I am excited to further optimize our fleet as we grow our expedition business. With the addition of Seabourn Pursuit this summer, Seabourn will have one of the most modern fleets in the ultra-luxury segment with an average age of just seven years.”

The company said that Seabourn’s fleet expansion into the ultra-luxury expedition market allows for a more diverse offering of deployment opportunities, which will lead to new and exciting itineraries across all seven continents with a higher guest capacity compared to 2019 even after Seabourn Odyssey’s departure.

“With this elite, modern fleet, Seabourn continues as the leader in ultra-luxury travel, providing highly curated and immersive experiences and unique ‘Seabourn Moments’ for our guests,” Leahy said.

Carnival Cruise Line Raises Gratuities and Wi-Fi Prices

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Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting gratuity levels for all of its U.S. and European cruises, raising the values of the recommended daily crew tips starting on April 1, 2023.

According to a letter sent to booked guests, the gratuities for both standard staterooms and suites will be increased by $1.50.

“Our shipboard team members work hard to provide exceptional and friendly service, so we hope you will agree that this slight increase is well deserved,” Carnival stated.

With the change, passengers of standard cabins will now be suggested to pay $16 per guest per day, while for suite guests, the recommended amount will be $18 per guest per day.

Prepaid gratuities will be honoured, the company said, with passengers being able to secure the current rates if they pay the fees online before April 1.

If not paid in advance, the recommended gratuity value will be added to passengers’ onboard account during their cruise “as a convenience,” Carnival added in the letter.

However, while onboard, guests are also free to adjust the values at their own discretion, the company explained.

In addition to raising gratuity levels, Carnival Cruise Line is also raising the prices of the onboard Wi-Fi internet access plans.

According to the same statement, the increase will be effective for all embarkations starting on January 16, 2023.

The Social plan had its fare adjusted to $12.75 per day, up from $10.20, while the Value plan will be priced at $17 per day, up from $14.45. The Premium plan will cost $18.70 per day, up from $17.

Passengers are also welcome to prepurchase their internet plans at the current rates, the company added.

Carnival last adjusted the value of the recommended daily gratuities in April 2022. At the time, the amounts were increased by $0.50.

Carnival Cruise Line Raises Food Prices, Makes More F&B Changes

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Carnival Cruise’s iconic Whale Fluke Photo Credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

Citing inflation, higher fuel prices and supply chain challenges, in an effort to cut down on food waste, Carnival Cruise Line is making a number of food and beverage adjustments.

In a letter sent to booked guests, Carnival cited food supply chain challenges that have been further complicated by global politics and a “myriad of laws regarding how we should source products and how crops and animals are farmed and handled.”

Carnival said it had reached a point with its food costs where it must take a modest but specific action.

Changes:

  • Steakhouse prices increased to $48 per person from $42.
  • Prices are speciality dining restaurants on select ships will increase, with Carnival citing rising food costs.
  • In the main dining room, the free lobster will continue to be offered on cruises lasting six days or more but will be moved to the second elegant evening.
  • Free 24/7 ice cream is being trimmed back to set hours.
  • Guests ordering the third entrée in the main dining room will see an additional $5 charge.

The company noted that for sailings departing through Dec. 31, speciality dining reservations paid in advance will be charged the current price, but reservations made onboard will be subject to new prices.