About 600 guests were evacuated off the cruise ship Viking Orion in Sydney Harbour after a fire broke out in one of the ship’s guest staterooms. According to reports the fire broke out on Friday, February 3, at about 8:10 am and was extinguished at 8:40 am. while the ship was moored at White Bay in Sydney. The fire was suspected to have been caused by an electrical device in a guest cabin.
The world's largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas, is currently being built at the Meier shipyard in Turku, Finland. Royal Caribbean International's next-generation ship will feature a number of innovations. Neighborhood Surfside is designed for young families with children.
As part of its pre-cruise advisory program, Carnival Cruise Line is providing tips on what you should do and not do on a cruise. The alerts, which are emailed to incoming passengers, focus on guest safety and behavior guidelines, highlighting things like smoking guidelines on the cruise, as well as rules regarding disruptive behavior and bringing alcohol on board.
Crystal Cruises is returning to the world of cruising this summer under a slightly different name. The two ocean liners Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony will operate under the brand Crystal - Exceptional at Sea. Previously the luxury ships will receive major refurbishments and enhancements in a Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste.
Costa Cruises announced its comeback in Asia with the cruise ship Costa Serena. From June to September 2023, Costa Serena will offer thirty “charter” voyages, in collaboration with local Asian partners. The signing of the agreements took place in Dubai, aboard Costa Toscana, the flagship of the fleet deployed in the Arabian Gulf for the entire winter season 2022/23.
An interesting story comes from New Zealand, as the country is facing nationwide fresh egg shortages leading suppliers and supermarkets to introduce a temporary limit on the purchase of eggs. Yes, you heard it right. New Zealand is facing egg shortages in the past month as a result of the ban on battery-caged hens which started a week ago.
With the strength of its business and the generosity of its guests, Carnival Cruise Line broke the annual fundraising record for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Carnival raised more than $3.5 million for the organization last year, surpassing the annual high of $2.8 million in 2018 and bringing the total since the partnership began in 2010 to $26.2 million.
Holland America Line passengers participated in a fundraising campaign around six different continents today, culminating in a generous donation to Ukrainian relief. A check for $450,000 raised by Holland America Line's on Deck for a Cause campaign was presented to the global humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief at the Port of San Diego.
Starboard Cruise Services will replace Harding+ as the cruise retailer for Virgin Voyages. Starting April 1st Harding+ will be withdrawing from two operations and one yet-to-launch ship in Virgin's fleet.
Between March 13 and November 9, Princess Cruises will launch 32 sailing aboard the Diamond Princess from Japan. After three years of international cruise ships ban, the Japanese government announced in mid-November that foreign-registered cruise ships will be allowed to use Japanese ports starting in spring 2023.
