Cruise & Cruise Line

Top Cruise Travel Stories From July

Donald Wood

by Donald Wood
Last updated:: 7:00 PM ET, Thu July 27, 2023

Norwegian Joy sailing in Caribbean waters. (photo courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line)

Emeril Lagasse and Carnival chefs. (Photo Credit: Carnival Cruise Line Media)

Top Chef alum Bryan Voltaggio will sail with Scenic Luxury Cruises & tours in October 2022. (Photo via Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours)

Zaandam and Amsterdam in Seattle. (photo via Holland America Line)

The Travvy Awards await their winners. (photo via Eric Bowman)

A rendering of the spa’s reception area.

Couple hugging at sunset on cruise ship. (photo via michaeljung / iStock / Getty Images Plus)

Atlas Ocean Voyages yacht expedition in Antarctica (Photo Credit: Atlas Ocean Voyages)

Azamara's Azamara Journey, Milford Sound, New Zealand (photo via Azamara)

Icon of the Seas successfully completed its first sea trials in Finland. (Photo Credit: Royal Caribbean International)

Cruise ships at a port in The Bahamas. (photo via Brand X Pictures / Stockbyte / Getty Images Plus)

Rendering of Disney Treasure's stern art. (Photo Credit: Disney Cruise Line Media)

Holland America Line’s Koningsdam in Geiranger, Norway. (Photo Credit: Holland America Line)

Queen Mary 2 in Cape Town, South Africa (Photo Credit: Cunard)

NCL’s Norwegian Joy to Undergo Revitalization

1/14

In early 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) Norwegian Jewel will enter a three-week drydock, which will equip the ship with a new Thermal Suite in the Mandara Spa and Salon, a larger Vibe Beach Club, 24 new staterooms, and expanded and redesigned Haven Premier Owner’s Suites.

Carnival Cruise Line Rolling Out New Dinner Menus

2/14

Carnival Cruise Line announced it would roll out new dinner menus for dining rooms in a phased approach across the fleet following a successful pilot on Carnival Dream. The expanded menu options will first be available on Carnival Conquest before being added to Carnival’s other vessels in the coming over the next year.

Scenic Welcomes Back Celebrity Chef Bryan Voltaggio

3/14

“Top Chef” alumnus and James Beard Award semi-finalist Chef Bryan Voltaggio will join two Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours cruises later this year and next summer. His first partnership with Scenic was on a France river cruise last fall that sold out. This year, he will join the newly launched Scenic Eclipse II yacht for a nine-day “Iconic Panama Canal” sailing departing Montego Bay on October 31. In 2024, Chef Voltaggio will sail on the June 18, 2024, departure of the eight-day “Bordeaux Affair” itinerary in France aboard Scenic Diamond.

HAL Adds Astronomy Experts to 2024 Solar Eclipse Cruises

4/14

Holland America Line is adding astronomy experts to its 2024 Solar Eclipse cruise programming. Guests sailing on Koningsdam and Zaandam to experience the total eclipse in spring 2024 will have exclusive access to lectures, demonstrations and firsthand tips on how to make the most of their eclipse viewing.

Spotlighting 2023 Travvy Award Nominees: Best Cruise Lines

5/14

The 2023 Travvy Awards are here! These awards recognize travel advisors’ favorite destinations, hotels, ocean and river cruises and more. Winners will be announced at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center on November 2. Here are the cruise lines that made the list of nominees for this year.

Crystal Unveils New Design Concepts for Two-Ship Fleet

6/14

Crystal unveiled design concepts for Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, which are scheduled to embark on their inaugural voyages this summer. The ships will also be equipped with new accommodations’ categories, including the Junior Crystal Penthouse Suite and Single Guest Room with Ocean View for single travelers.

PONANT Announces Zero Greenhouse Emissions Ship

7/14

In its commitment toward zero carbon navigation, PONANT is developing a transoceanic sailing ship set to debut in 2030, which “aims to be a catalyst for new energy solutions for PONANT and the broader industry,” the line said.

Atlas Ocean Voyages to Offer High-Speed Wi-Fi Onboard

8/14

Atlas Ocean Voyages’ World Traveller and World Navigator and the company’s soon-to-launch World Voyager yacht will enhance onboard connectivity by partnering with the internet service provider Starlink. The cruise line also provides guests with a complimentary 1 GB of the new high-speed Wi-Fi on all expeditions.

Azamara Releases 2025 Itineraries, Return to Canada

9/14

Upmarket cruise line Azamara has just released its inventory of 73 distinct itineraries for 2025, including two brand-new voyages that will take it to Canada for the first time since 2017. Also debuting in 2025 will be double-night stays, which will allow guests to make the most of two overnights in the same port, ensuring they have ample time to explore their destination unhurriedly.

New RC Ships Will Convert Waste to Energy Onboard

10/14

Royal Caribbean’s newest ships will introduce what’s being described as the “next generation” of waste management at sea thanks to systems designed to turn waste directly into energy onboard. Slated to debut this year on two ships—Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas and Silversea Cruises’ Silver Nova— the new approach to waste management will be a cruise industry first.

WTTC Urges Governments to Support Sustainable Cruising

11/14

The United Nations International Marine Organization (IMO) recently adopted a revised strategy to decarbonize global shipping. The announcement came at the recent Marine Environment Protection climate summit in London. The IMO is aiming to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions in international shipping by or around 2050, according to news reports.

Disney Cruise Line Unveils New Disney Treasure's Stern Art

12/14

As Disney Cruise Line (DCL) prepares for the 2024 launch of its newest ship, Disney Treasure, the company revealed an artist rendering of the vessel’s stern. DCL officials made the announcement in Celebration, Florida, sharing that Disney Treasure would maintain the cruise line’s tradition of being adorned with beloved characters with the addition of Peter Pan and Captain Hook to the stern.

HAL Records Highest Booking Day in History

13/14

As a sign of the continuing strength of the cruise travel industry, Holland America Line’s bookings on Tuesday, July 11 were the highest in the brand’s history and booking revenues broke the cruise line’s single-day record. The majority of the sailings were 2024 and 2025 bookings indicating that cruisers are eager to travel and are planning ahead. Bookings reflect marquee locations including Alaska, Europe, the Caribbean as well as increased interest in the cruise line’s Legendary Voyages.

Cunard Announces New Event Voyages for 2024

14/14

Cunard announced that its flagship, Queen Mary 2, will host four of seven newly-themed voyages in 2024 crossing the Atlantic. The remaining three will be onboard Queen Elizabeth navigating through the waters of Australia and Japan.

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The cruise industry has made major waves throughout the month of July as demand continues to soar and more travelers continue to hit the open seas.

Major cruise lines like Norwegian, Carnival and Royal Caribbean continue to revitalize ships, roll out new menus and focus on sustainability, they are not alone in making headlines.

As other cruise-based companies improve special voyages, announce plans for fleet expansion, reveal new itineraries, highlight record bookings and unveil stern art, the industry is leaving the devastation of the coronavirus pandemic in its wake.

In addition, the 2023 Travvy Awards are on the horizon—winners will be announced at the Greater Fort Lauderdale Broward County Convention Center on November 2—and the nominees for the best cruise lines have been highlighted.

Here are the top stories from July.

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Topics From This Media to Explore

Carnival Cruise Line Disney Cruise Line Holland America Line Norwegian Cruise Line Royal Caribbean International

Donald Wood

News Editor

Donald Wood is TravelPulse’s senior news editor, bringing nearly 15 years of experience to the desk. He currently lives outside...

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