Tag Archives: Royal Caribbean

MHA Symposium at Sea Starts from New Norwegian Viva

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The Marine Hotel Association’s (MHA) 2023 Symposium at Sea has kicked off from the just-christened Norwegian Viva, which sailed from Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pearl of Miami terminal on Saturday, Dec. 2 on a four-day Bahamas cruise.

Sailing from PortMiami’s Terminal B, MHA members were quick to move from curb to ship, with a priority access security line and dedicated check in area. The four-day cruise features one day at sea and port calls in Nassau and Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

The 3,215-guest ship will serve as the host of the MHA’s event, which features sessions with cruise line decision-makers in the hotel operations, food and beverage and supply chain arena from a variety of big-ship, luxury, expedition and niche lines, plus vessel management companies.

In addition to the panel sessions, the ship is offering MHA members a look behind-the-scenes at the operation for over 3,000 guests and 1,000 crew members.

MHA attendees can also look forward to a full schedule of speed networking with cruise lines in attendance, with key personnel on hand from all four major cruise corporations: Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and MSC.

There are more companies too, including but not limited to adventure brands such as Lindblad Expeditions and vessel management company Anglo-Eastern Leisure Management, which is overseeing multiple vessels in the polar market.

Having entered service this summer after delivery from Fincantieri, the Viva is a sister to the Norwegian Prima. Four more similar but upsized Prima ships are set to follow, with the Norwegian Aqua poised to start service in 2025.

Sailing from Miami, the Viva will reposition in December to San Juan, where she will sail week-long Eastern Caribbean itineraries through March. An April trans-Atlantic crossing positions the ship in the Mediterranean for summer 2024.

Royal Caribbean’s New Icon of the Seas Delivered

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After more than seven years of dreaming and 900 days of design and construction by thousands of experts, Royal Caribbean International welcomed the Icon of the Seas during a handover at Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

Representatives signed on the dotted line just two months before the new ship’s January 2024 debut in Miami.

Marking the milestone at the celebration were more than 1,200 crew members and workers, who were joined by Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley and Meyer Turku CEO Tim Meyer.

“Today, we are celebrating more than a new ship; it’s also the celebration of the culmination of more than 50 years of innovation and dreaming at Royal Caribbean to create the ultimate vacation experience,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “Delivering Icon of the Seas represents all that can be accomplished with strong partnerships and a commitment to delivering memorable vacations responsibly, and we thank Meyer Turku and an incredible village of skilled partners for joining us on this journey. The memories millions of families and vacationers will make on Icon will be our greatest accomplishment yet.”

“Welcoming Icon of the Seas to the Royal Caribbean family is a remarkable accomplishment years in the making for thousands of innovators, engineers, architects and designers,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Seven years ago, we had an ambitious idea to create the first vacation truly made for every type of family and adventurer; now, it’s in our hands, and in this final stretch, we’ll bring it all to life for the biggest debut in our history in January 2024.”

Tim Meyer, CEO of Meyer Turku, commented on the handover of Icon of the Seas as a significant moment in the shipyard’s history: “Icon of the Seas is the world’s largest, but above all, the world’s most advanced cruise ship. Together with Royal Caribbean, we set the bar exceptionally high in terms of design, technology, safety and reducing energy consumption.

Navigator of the Seas to Host Two Taylor Swift Themed Cruises in 2024

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Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas will host special Taylor Swift-themed cruises in 2024, sailing from Los Angeles, according to a press release from the travel agency organizing the cruises.

Inspired by the singer’s tour and concert movie, four travel agents teamed up to plan a celebration of Swift at sea, calling it the Bestie Cruise. They noted they are not affiliated with Taylor Swift or TASRM.

The four-night sailings to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico depart on April 29 and July 22, 2024.

“Fora Travel takes care of it all. From selecting cabins and booking pre/post cruise hotels, to planning dance parties, friendship bracelet making and other fun activities, we handle the details so you can focus on the fun. Our curated activities will celebrate all things Taylor, and there’s even a special surprise in store! Visit BestieCruise to learn more and sign up. We’ve got Blank Spaces; will you write your name?,” the company said in its statement.

The two sailings are in addition to the previously announced fan-led cruise for “Swifties” departing aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas from the Port of Miami on October 21, 2024.