Tag Archives: travel

Carnival to Sail Roundtrip Cruise from Singapore in 2027

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Carnival Cruise Line is set to offer a roundtrip cruise from Singapore in 2027 as part of a series of newly announced itineraries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sailing onboard the new Carnival Adventure (currently the Pacific Adventure, pictured), the nine-night cruise will sail to Southeast Asia in late February 2027.

The itinerary features four first-time visits for Carnival, including Koh Samui and Laem Chabang (Bangkok) in Thailand, as well as Sihanoukville in Cambodia.

Before returning to Singapore, the cruise is also scheduled to make a visit to Phy My, which serves as a getaway to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

During its short season in Southeast Asia, the Carnival Adventure offers a repositioning cruise from Sydney.

Sailing to Singapore, the 14-night cruise departs in late January 2027 and sails to destinations in Australia and Indonesia. Ports of call include Airlie Beach and Darwin, as well as Bali and Lombok.

As part of Carnival’s 2026-27 season in Asia-Pacific, the Carnival Luminosa is scheduled to offer cruises from Singapore and Japan as well.

Sailing in late 2026, the itineraries will sail to destinations in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia.

In October, the Carnival Luminosa is also scheduled to make the company’s first-ever visit to the port of Hong Kong.

Transferring from the P&O Cruises Australia fleet, the Carnival Adventure is scheduled to enter service for the Carnival Cruise Line in March 2025.

Originally built for Princess Cruises, the 2001-built vessel will be based in Australia and the Pacific Ocean on a full-time basis.

Before sailing to Southeast Asia, the Adventure offers year-round cruises departing from the Australian port of Sydney.

In addition to the Adventure, Carnival is welcoming its sister ship, the Carnival Encounter, to its fleet in March 2025.

The two ships join the company’s lineup in Australia, which currently includes two ships sailing from local homeports.

MSC USA: Readying for Big Moves

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“We’re excited about how the product is positioned in the U.S. market with very clear points of distinction, with our European style and American comfort, and how we bring that together,” said Lynn Torrent, executive vice president and chief commercial officer.

Torrent said MSC had tweaked the product for U.S. passengers and was gaining ground on marketing and driving wider brand awareness ahead of the MSC World America’s arrival in Miami this spring.

“We’re expanding our U.S. deployment,” she continued. “We’re adding Galveston this year, a second ship in Port Canaveral and sailing to Alaska from Seattle in 2026.”

Much of the immediate focus has been revealing feature after feature on the new World America for her Miami-based deployment of week-long cruises. These include a new sports bar concept and a comedy club, in addition to the first Eataly at Sea concept which will feature dishes and cocktails only available on the World America.

A new terminal with shore power will be awaiting World America in Miami, and a second new terminal will be ready for the MSC Seascape in Texas.

“We’re investing significant yin marketing and trade sales support in Texas,” said Torrent.

More ships in the market mean MSC has the attention of travel advisors, said Torrent, and continues to enhance tools and training options. Travel agents can benefit from lunch-and-learn seminars, virtual training, and more. Torrent said the company had a lot of on-the-ground support for advisors in Texas.

While Torrent focuses heavily on North American deployed ships, the company is also busy sourcing guests for cruises in Europe and elsewhere.

“We have a significant offering in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, and the World Europa and Euribia have driven more interest. The Yacht Club is popular with American guests looking for a premium, unforgettable experience.”

2026 brings more deployment and more berths to the U.S. market, as MSC will debut in Alaska, with the Poesia offering a week-long program from May to September.

“Alaska is a marquee destination. It completes our global portfolio,” Torrent said. “We think there is a lot of demand globally for Alaska. There is significant momentum already.”

Excerpt from the Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine Winter 2024-25

Costa Pacifica Becomes First Ship to Watch Santos’ Firework Display

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The Costa Pacifica became the first cruise ship to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Santos, Brazil.

The Costa Cruises ship reached the town as part of an eight-night cruise to Brazil.

Before anchoring in Santos Bay for the 14-minute firework display, the Pacifica embarked guests in Santos and Rio de Janeiro.

In addition to its two homeports, the itinerary also included visits to Búzios, Angra dos Reis, Ilhabela, and Balneário Camboriú.

According to Santos Mayor Rogério Santos, the operation highlights the town’s status as a major cruise hub.

“It is an extremely important action to promote Santos not only during New Year’s Eve but throughout the season, in all seasons of the year,” he said.

Continuing its deployment in South America, the Costa Pacifica is set to offer a series of three- to seven-night cruises from Santos and Rio through late March.

Costa’s 2024-25 season in the region also includes the Costa Diadema and the Costa Favolosa, with itineraries departing from different homeports.

A traditional destination for cruise ships during New Year’s Eve, Rio de Janeiro received six ships to ring in 2025.

The lineup included two vessels from Costa Cruises, the Costa Favolosa and the Costa Deliziosa, as well as four ships from MSC Cruises, including the MSC Grandiosa, which is currently the largest vessel sailing in Brazil.

The 4,888-guest ship joined the MSC Seaview, the MSC Orchestra and the MSC Poesia for the 12-minute firework display.

In Portugal’s Madeira Island, 11 cruise ships gathered in Funchal for the port city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Nine different companies were represented, including AIDA, Cunard, and Fred. Olsen, Hapag-Lloyd, Marella, Phoenix Reisen, Saga and TUI.

The largest ship on the scene was the 3,000-guest Queen Anne, which entered service for Cunard in April 2024.