Gerolamo Scorza Completes Refit Projects on Norwegian Encore

Posted on 12 January, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Gerolamo Scorza S.p.A., a member of Genova Industrie Navali S.p.A., has completed four refit projects onboard the Norwegian Encore.

The work was carried out during the ship’s recent drydock, which took place in Brest, France, in November 2024.

According to a statement, the challenging project was successfully completed within a two-week deadline and included the conversion of a tender lobby into a store.

Gerolamo Scorza also reinstalled the metallic ceiling and renovated tiles in Encore’s American Diner restaurant.

The Italy-based contractor also installed a new counter at the ship’s Cruise Next office and added new customized furnishings to the onboard photo gallery.

“This project gave us the chance to showcase both our technical skills and our craftsmanship attitude, as some furniture was manufactured in our workshop,” the company said.

After completing its drydock in Brest, the Norwegian Encore welcomed guests back onboard on Dec. 3, 2024, for a trans-Atlantic crossing.

Now cruising from Miami, the 2019-built vessel underwent a major refurbishment that included the creation of new features onboard.

According to Norwegian Cruise Line, the project followed guests’ feedback and included the debut of Spice H2O.

The complimentary adults-only sun deck was created in the area previously occupied by the ship’s laser tag arena.

Other enhancements included the expansion of two of Norwegian’s speciality dining venues, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, as well as the addition of over 20 new balcony cabins.

The ship’s Haven suite enclave was also updated with the expansion of the Premier Owner’s Suites, which now offer new bedrooms in addition to fully renovated living rooms and a new separate dining room.

Before returning to the Caribbean, the Norwegian Encore also underwent technical work, including class overhauls, planned routine maintenance and more.

During the 2024-25 winter season, the Encore is scheduled to offer a series of seven-night cruises departing from Norwegian’s cruise terminal in PortMiami.

A Look at Carnival’s New Year-Round Cruises Out of Norfolk

Posted on 12 January, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

The Carnival Sunshine is launching a year-round deployment out of Norfolk in February, following a drydock in Europe.

Cruise Industry News takes a closer look at the new cruise schedule, which includes itineraries to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

Debut Voyage
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: Feb. 11, 2025
Length: 5 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Freeport and Bimini (Bahamas)

The Carnival Sunshine is set to debut the new deployment in Norfolk on Feb. 11, 2025, after completing a drydock in France.

For its first sailing from the port, the ship offers a five-night cruise to the Bahamas. In addition to two days at sea, the itinerary includes visits to Freeport and Bimini before returning to Virginia.

Eastern Caribbean
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: Six sailings between May and July 2025
Length: 8 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos); Amber Cove (Dominican Republic); and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

The new schedule for the Carnival Sunshine includes various sailings to the Caribbean, including this eight-night itinerary to Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

With six departures scheduled for 2025, the cruise will sail to the Eastern Caribbean and visit Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and San Juan.

Bahamas
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: 9 departures between March and December 2025
Length: 6 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Bimini, Nassau and Freeport (Bahamas)

The new deployment also features sailings to the Bahamas, visiting six destinations in the island country.

One of the itineraries is a six-night cruise with nine departures scheduled for 2025, featuring visits to Bimini, Nassau and Freeport.

Bermuda
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: Seven sailings between July and October 2025
Length: 6 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Two days in King’s Wharf (Bermuda)

For the summer, the Carnival Sunshine adds cruises to Bermuda to its schedule. Seven sailings to the island nation are scheduled for 2025, departing between July and October.

In addition to three days cruising in the North Atlantic, the itineraries feature an overnight visit to King’s Wharf.

Celebration Key
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: Three sailings between September and December 2025
Length: 6 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Bimini, Nassau and Celebration Key (Bahamas)

Starting in September, Carnival will offer cruises to its new private destination on Grand Bahama Island, Celebration Key, departing from Norfolk.

As part of one of its itineraries to the new port, the Carnival Sunshine sails for six nights and also visits Nassau and Bimini. Three departures are scheduled for 2025.

Fred. Olsen’s Bolette Featured in Susan Calman’s ‘Cruise of a Lifetime’

Posted on 5 January, 2025 by Spacejunkie2

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette will be featured in an upcoming episode of Susan Calman’s Cruise of a Lifetime on Channel 5 in the UK later this month.

The episode features Calman as she embarks on an eight-night journey to the Norwegian Fjords, departing from Liverpool. The cruise includes stops in Olden, Ålesund, Åndalsnes and Geiranger, with scenic sailings through Nordfjord, Geirangerfjord, and past the Seven Sisters Waterfall.

During the sailing, Calman participates in various activities, including visiting the Briksdal Glacier and kayaking in the Brosundet Canal. Onboard, she joins guests in a behind-the-scenes tour of the food stores, laundry and galley to meet with the crew and learn more about cruise operation.

Samantha Stimpson, CEO at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are all incredibly excited to see our flagship Bolette make her Channel 5 debut later this month. It was a pleasure to welcome Susan aboard our fleet for the first time, and I’d like to thank her for the time she spent with our guests and our crew.

“As a business, our heritage stems from Norway, and we are well known for our sailings to this beautiful part of the world. Our fleet really comes into its own in the heart of the fjordlands thanks to the smaller size of our ships, which allow us to reach the depths of the fjords that aren’t accessible to larger vessels. To be able to share this experience far beyond those who joined us onboard for this cruise is a truly exceptional opportunity.”