As Tropical Storm (now Hurricane) Debby approached Florida's West Coast earlier this past weekend, Margaritaville at Sea adjusted schedules for two voyages of Islander. On Saturday, Port Tampa Bay issued this weather-related statement: "The Islander was originally scheduled to return to Port Tampa Bay on Sunday, August. 4, 2024, and will now return on Monday, August 5, 2024. Additionally, the Islander's August 4 departure was rescheduled to August 5."
In addition, Royal Caribbean International's Symphony of the Seas spent a day at sea Sunday after the line opted to cancel a Port Canaveral port call. Given the storm's path, Norwegian Cruise Line replaced Norwegian Sky's Bahamian call at Great Stirrup Cay with Nassau, plus cancelled a Key West, FL, port call.
Earlier today, prior to making landfall in northwest Florida, the storm intensified into a Category 1 hurricane. Hurricane Debby is expected to move east across Florida to the Jacksonville area and move north to Georgia and South Carolina. So, Carnival Cruise Line's Elation returned to JAXPORT on Sunday, a day earlier than anticipated from a Bahamas cruise. In turn, the ship's August 5 cruise departed a day early, according to CruiseRadio.
More Cruise News
Norwegian Cruise Line is making big enhancements to Norwegian Encore prior to the ship's 2024 winter Caribbean season of voyages from PortMiami. Updates will include addition of the adults-only Spice H2O outdoor lounge; newly redesigned Haven by Norwegian Suites; expansion of Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki; 24 new balcony staterooms; and the addition of Paloma, a Mediterranean specialty restaurant.
NCL’s parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which also operates Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, reported strong second quarter 2024 demand, yield growth and earnings. In addition, for its projected full year 2024 outlook, NCLH increased its adjusted net income guidance from the previously projected $730 million to $790 million, and its adjusted earnings per share guidance increased more than 8 percent, from $1.42 per share to $1.53 per share. Harry Sommer, NCLH’s president and CEO, said: “2024 continues to be an exceptional year in terms of our financial performance, as evidenced by our strong second quarter results which exceeded guidance across the board.”
Disney Cruise Line revealed more details about what customers can expect on its new Disney Destiny, which will begin sailing in late 2025 from Port Everglades (Greater Fort Lauderdale), FL. Look for décor and entertainment reflecting both heroes and villains—a range of Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters. New lounges will celebrate Cruella de Vil and the Pirates of the Caribbean, for instance.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises announced a 50-night Rivers of the World” cruise in 2026, while Victory Cruise Lines has opened its 2025 sales for the Great Lakes. Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours has announced a new itinerary aboard Scenic Eclipse. Its “Sounds of Discovery” cruise will depart from New York City on October 12, 2024. Broadway star Carrie St. Louis will sail and perform on board. Passengers can choose between a five-day sailing to Bermuda or an extended 13-day journey to the Bahamas.
On the destination front, Carnival Cruise Lines revealed details about its new Pearl Cove Beach Club. That's an exclusive retreat at the line's new Celebration Key destination, which opens in July 2025 on Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas.
Trade Sales and Trends
Two Carnival Corporation brands, Holland America Line and Seabourn have merged their sales teams. The combined sales team will be led by Rob Coleman, who was promoted to senior vice president of North America and Australia sales. He’ll continue to report to Beth Bodensteiner, Holland America’s chief commercial officer.
Sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor provides insight on luxury trends from Steve Odell, chief sales officer, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. That ultra-luxury line has also unveiled new travel advisor incentives.
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