Carnival Cruise Line recently welcomed 21 travel agents on a cruise and stay Fam trip in Florida. In partnership with Visit Florida, travel agents had a two-night pre-cruise stay at the Hutchinson Resort in Martin County. They enjoyed activities such as a sea turtle beach walk. The group then boarded Carnival Sunrise at PortMiami for a four-night cruise to the Bahamas. The ship made calls to Nassau and private island destination Half Moon Cay. The agents were able to try the line's speciality dining and a 1980s-themed rock and glow party. Abigail Reilly, Virgin Holidays, said: "It was great to see the product first hand and learn what is on offer with Carnival.” “I returned feeling so much more knowledgeable and that will help me to generate more sales." Iain Baillie, Carnival VP of international sales, said: "Fam trips are crucial to our long-term relationships with our trade partners. We know that agents value the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Carnival experience." 

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A host of major cruise lines have joined forces to support a new Fred. Olsen travel agency concept store in Hampshire. Carnival Corp brands Cunard, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Seabourn will together sponsor the new Fred. Olsen Travel store in Ringwood. The store just had its grand opening and is Fred Olsen Travel's first multi-brand concept store to showcase different brands from the same parent company. Each of the cruise brands agreed a three-year deal in return for in-store branding, marketing and dedicated promotions. Each brand will have their logos and dedicated point of sale materials, including brochures, displayed behind different desks in the store. The travel agency store is based in a Grade II listed building on Ringwood High Street, marking the travel agency's third concept store. Tom Mahoney, Director of UK Sales at Cunard, said: "The opening of this new concept store will strengthen our partnership with Fred Olsen Travel. This dedicated high street space brilliantly showcases the exceptional cruise experiences our brand is known for." It is located just a short drive from the UK’s cruise capital in Southampton. Paul Hardwick, Fred. Olsen Travel's Director of Retail, added: "We are delighted to be opening our newest travel agency concept store, supported by the Carnival brands.” “Cunard were instrumental in bringing this opportunity together, which further strengthens our great partnership with all of the Carnival brands."

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Carnival Legend has kicked off its European cruise season following a dry dock with several additional amenities and updates to public spaces. The major enhancements include a new Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, which serves as a gathering place for the many active-duty military and veterans. Heroes Tribute Bars are currently available on 13 Carnival ships. Also new on board Carnival Legend are Chef's Table, Dreams Studio and a dedicated space for Carnival Adventures. In addition, the ship's steakhouse has been refreshed and re-named Fahrenheit 555, and the casino has been expanded. The Carnival Legend spa is now rebranded as a Cloud 9 Spa and Fitness Center, which has proven to be popular across the Carnival fleet. Additionally, the ship's retail shops were also refreshed and on the top deck, a new mini golf course was installed. For younger cruisers, the youth program's Circle C and Camp Ocean spaces have been updated as well. Over the next four months, Carnival Legend will sail a series of 16 cruises in Europe. In addition to Barcelona, the ship is set to depart from Dover and Civitavecchia for a variety of sailings that include visits to destinations across Spain and Portugal, the UK and Iceland, Italy and Greece. In October, Carnival Legend will sail a transatlantic Carnival Journeys cruise to its new homeport of Tampa, Florida. Next year, Carnival Legend's sister ship Carnival Miracle will sail a Europe season and add Lisbon, Portugal as a departure point. 

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Carnival Cruise Line will host more UK travel agents than ever before as part of its 2024 ship visit programme. The cruise line is offering 350 travel agent places to visit the 2,124-passenger Carnival Legend on seven dates this summer: Dover - Friday, June 28 Liverpool - Tuesday, July 9 Edinburgh - Tuesday, July 30 Liverpool - Monday, August 5 Greenock (Glasgow) - Wednesday, August 7 Liverpool - Wednesday, August 14 Belfast - Saturday, August 17 Travel agents will have the opportunity to tour the ship, and enjoy lunch at the Lido featuring a selection of wine, beer and soft drinks. Agents can register online or visit Facebook.com/CCLFunTeamInternational Iain Baillie, VP international sales at Carnival Cruise Line, said: "Travel agents are the cornerstone of our industry and we are committed to supporting them in every possible way.” “This ship visit programme is a celebration of our partnership and our goal is to provide an educational and enjoyable experience." Carnival Legend is sailing out of Dover from June-August on a series of nine-day round Britain and western Mediterranean departures. 

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  Carnival Cruise Line ship Carnival Glory has returned to service following a 21-day dry dock to refurbish onboard public spaces.   The 2980-guest vessel departed Barcelona on April 18 on a 14-day Carnival Journeys transatlantic cruise to its new homeport of Port Canaveral.   Carnival Glory now features refreshed furnishings and décor across all public areas; a newly added Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, which honours military veterans and active-duty service members; and Dreams Photography Studio.     Camp Ocean, which is designed for younger cruisers and developed in partnership with the Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex, has been fitted with a large video wall to enhance the Space Cruisers programme. Upgrades have also been made to the Warehouse video arcade, the spa and the casino, with the addition of a non-smoking casino area.     On May 2, Carnival Glory will join Carnival Freedom, Carnival Vista and Mardi Gras in Port Canaveral, offering three and four-day itineraries visiting the Bahamas, including Nassau, Freeport, Princess Cays and Bimini.   For more information go to GoCCL.co.uk.

  Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled a series of updates for GoCCL Navigator, its online travel agent booking platform.   The tool now features a fresh design to improve search and viewing functions, alongside the following enhancements across desktop and mobile:   * Enhanced offer details – fares will be easier to review and compare with a simplified list of key benefits and details. * Special offers red tag – red tags will now be shown to highlight when clients have a special VIFP (loyalty club) offer on a sailing. * Accessible staterooms – booking accessible staterooms will now be available on GoCCL.co.uk. * Side-by-side offer comparison – this feature will be enhanced to include price and benefits at a glance.   The updates form part of Carnival’s ongoing commitment to agents as part of its Travel Agents Rock! programme.   Adolfo Perez, senior vice president of global sales and trade marketing for Carnival Cruise Line, said: “We deeply value our travel agent community, whose expertise and passion are an integral part of our success. The latest updates on GoCCL.co.uk are based directly on agents’ feedback and make it easier than ever to match clients’ needs with the perfect Carnival cruise to deliver exceptional service, all while saving valuable time by doing it quickly online.”   All updates will be fully implemented by April 21, 2024.

  Carnival Cruise Line has revealed details for Paradise Plaza and Calypso Lagoon, two of the five ‘portals’ at its new Celebration Key private island. The island is in Grand Bahama in the Caribbean and will open in July 2025.   Paradise Plaza will welcome guests and provide wayfinding and destination information to help them plan their day. The plaza itself will include an eye-catching promenade and sun-shaped arch, flanked by a 10-storey-high Suncastle.   Calypso Lagoon includes the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean, a sports court and a beachside bar with nearly 50 swings for guests who want to dip their toes in the water while enjoying a drink. Two dedicated full-service restaurants, as well as a variety of casual snack shacks, will also be available.   A section of Calypso Lagoon and the adjacent beach will be designated as an adults-only area, and include a swim-up bar with DJ, cabanas, daybeds and loungers.   Christine Duffy, Carnival Cruise Line president, said: “When guests see our Suncastle as they arrive at Celebration Key, they’ll know immediately they’re in for big fun. Paradise Plaza will be the perfect welcome spot and will set the tone for the entire visit to this truly unique destination.   “These new details show the creative design that’s gone into the development of each portal, with Calypso Lagoon offering a wide variety of options to fill the day, while honouring the beauty of Grand Bahama and celebrating Bahamian culture.”   Three other portals have been announced, comprising a family-friendly area, a private retreat and a retail space. Further details will be made available in due course, with Carnival also planning a second phase of the destination that will add new features including a waterpark.   Celebration Key will be on more than 500 itineraries, via 18 Carnival ships sailing from nine US homeports. Up to two Carnival ships will dock at an adjacent cruise pier that allows guests direct access to the island.  

Carnival Corporation & plc has announced achieving a 38% reduction in food waste per passenger relative to its 2019 baseline. This is edging closer to its interim target to reduce food waste by 40% per person by 2025. The goal is to reach a 50% reduction by 2030. It is less than a year since it surpassed the previous 30% food waste reduction goal announced in its 2022 Sustainability Report. To achieve these goals, Carnival Corp has taken measures onboard its ships to minimize unused food across all food preparation and dining services. The company has invested in advanced waste management tech such as biodigesters to naturally break down and dispose of unused food. "It's a virtuous cycle from start to finish that reduces our environmental footprint," said Bill Burke, chief maritime officer. Carnival Corp has put in place several practical initiatives designed to creatively cut food loss while continuing to deliver dining experiences. It monitors guest dining trends using methods like AI technology. Many of the company's brands have also implemented onboard awareness campaigns to educate both guests and crew on doing their part to help reduce food waste. Costa Cruises works with a network of registered food banks in communities it visits to deliver surplus ingredients and meals to people in need. The company has over 600 food waste biodigesters installed across its fleet, which house naturally occurring bacteria that enable the ships to organically break down and liquify 80% of uneaten food. The company's current Sustainability Report highlights its progress against all its 2030 sustainability goals. 

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  October 5, 2023 marks the start of bookings for the AIDA summer season 2025. With the new program and a choice of around 500 departure dates, the cruise line has just the right offer in store for a variety of travel trends.   Travel trend number 1: Getting away from it all   Many travelers want a travel experience that will catapult them completely out of the ordinary. What could be better than exploring an exotic faraway destination on a cruise? AIDA has a real highlight in its program for this category for summer 2025, namely: JAPAN! During the cherry blossom season in spring 2025, fascinating routes will take you to the Land of Smiles. For example, on the 15-day "Great Japan Round Voyages" with AIDAstella or on cruises that combine destinations in China, Japan and South Korea or Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam and Hong Kong. These special voyages can also be combined with the matching Trans Asia and Trans Suez voyages to create a “globetrotter’s cruise” of up to 52 days. Of particular interest for the personal bucket list are the ports that AIDA will be calling at for the first time on the new itineraries: Seoul/Incheon, Jeju, Busan, Hiroshima, Aburatsu, Kagoshima, Kyōto/Kobe, Mount Fuji/Shimizu, Tokyo/Yokohama, Kanazawa, Niigata, Akita, Hakodate, Miyako-Iwate and Amami Oshima.   Travel trend number 2: Easy to get to, easy to enjoy   The trend toward travel starting at one's own doorstep continues unabated. In the summer of 2025, no fewer than eight AIDA ships will set sail from German ports on voyages to Northern Europe. A total of 290 cruises will be available from Hamburg, Kiel and Warnemünde between April and October 2025. How about a Baltic Sea cruise from Warnemünde, for example? The treasures of the Baltic States can be explored on numerous cruises that take you to Stockholm, Riga, Klaipeda or Gdansk, for example. Or how about the "Scottish Highlights" tour, which departs from Hamburg to Newcastle, Edinburgh and the Orkney Islands?   Travel trend number 3: Off the beaten track   Megacities are great, but smaller destinations also have their appeal. Places that are still relatively undiscovered and off the beaten track are especially in vouge. How about Brønnøysund, for example? AIDAbella is calling at this new Norwegian destination for the first time - on her voyages to the Northern Lights in fall or to the Lofoten Islands. Or Kemi? The Finnish port city is located on the Gulf of Bothnia and, with the Perämeri National Park, offers not only great nature but also countless outdoor activities. Kemi is one of the cities visited on AIDAmar's "Archipelago of the Baltic Sea" voyage.   A look to the south also offers potential for explorers: AIDAstella sets sail from Corfu to the Adriatic Sea and Greece - including Koper in Slovenia. In addition to dream beaches, there is also plenty of culture to be discovered. For example, the magnificent Gothic Praetorian Palace is located in the center of the medieval old town. Another new AIDA port on this itinerary is Korčula. Ever heard of it? Korčula is one of the most diverse and beautiful islands in Croatia with plenty of opportunities for hiking and swimming.   Travel trend number 4: Busy diary, but always finding time to get away   A travel trend is and remains - travel! Even those who don't have a lot of time on their hands still want to take a break from time to time. The extensive range of short trips with 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-day cruises is the solution: With AIDAmar from Warnemünde, you can easily visit destinations such as Gotland or Bornholm, as well as capitals such as Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen. For AIDAperla it goes from Hamburg to Stavanger and Eidfjord and with AIDAluna for example to Gothenburg, Kristiansand, Arhus, Oslo and Copenhagen. Who wouldn't want to pack their suitcase for a short trip?   Travel trend number 5: Sunbathing is out, forest bathing is in!   Wildlife watching and hiking are among the top travel activities. AIDA cruises in the summer of 2025 will once again offer numerous opportunities for this. A cruise through the fjord landscapes of Norway, through the archipelago of the Baltic Sea or further west around the British Isles promises one thing above all: impressive natural spectacles.   The Geirangerfjord is certainly one of the most popular destinations. It never fails to enchant visitors with its mystical atmosphere again and again. The fjord winds its way inland past forests, cliffs, rushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountain peaks. The estuary was even named a World Heritage Site in 2005.   For those who are drawn even farther north, there are trips to the North Cape, Iceland, Greenland and Svalbard. One of the many highlights of a trip to Norway is a detour to the Lofoten Islands. This Norwegian archipelago rises like a cliff out of the sea. The islands are located 100 to 300 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle at the top of Norway. If you only think of ice and snow, the Lofoten Islands will surprise you: Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the climate here is relatively mild. The coastline is characterized by impressive mountain scenery, interspersed with countless fjords and even white sandy beaches.   Svalbard is one of the northernmost destinations in the world, with a rugged landscape of glaciers, mountains and fjords. Polar bears, reindeer and foxes live here in their natural environment.   Travel trend number 6: Me Vacation!   Mindfulness and personal growth are also top trends when it comes to traveling. On an AIDA cruise, this "me" vacation can be combined with exercise classes, yoga sessions or spa treatments. Another way to find yourself is through pilgrimage. A visit to Santiago de Compostela - the end point on the Camino de Santiago - is an absolute must. AIDAsol calls at the nearby port city of A Coruña on its "English Channel & Bay of Biscay" voyages. Parts of the Camino de Santiago can also be walked on the stops in Bilbao and Gijón, as well as the new AIDA port of Bordeaux. Vacation - here I come!   Travel trend number 7: A trip to the stars   Apparently, space exploration is one of the top travel desires of the future. Who doesn't dream of being up close to the stars one day? It only takes a little imagination to make this dream come true – even on an AIDA cruise! For example, it is well worth visiting the famous Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which houses the world’s seventh-largest telescope, a Camera Obscura and an exciting gallery dedicated to modern astronomy. Visitors can also try their hand at being an astronomer, lead a space mission and touch a meteorite that is more than 4.5 billion years old. All of this can be experienced on the "Metropolises from Hamburg" route of the AIDAperla from April to October 2025.   In the night, the stars on the vast ocean seemingly draw nearer. Every summer, the Perseids can be seen on a clear night. In 2025, the shooting stars will appear between July 17 and August 24 in the western Mediterranean, for example, where AIDAcosma and AIDAstella will explore Mediterranean highlights on voyages from Mallorca or Barcelona.   The chance to see the aurora borealis, also known as the northern lights, will be offered on the cruises of AIDAbella in the fall of 2025 from Kiel. The 14-day voyages will take passengers to destinations including Leknes and Bodø, Trondheim or Stavanger, and Tromsø.   Travel trend number 8: Book smart, secure early booking benefits   When booking at the AIDA PREMIUM rate, you can save up to 375 euros early booking plus discount for summer departures in 2025 if you book by October 31, 2024. On the globetrotter itineraries, the discount is even up to 1,050 euros. The contingent is limited and applies to the 1st and 2nd person in the cabin. Other benefits of the AIDA PREMIUM rate include the choice of the cabin of your choice as well as two bottles of mineral water and a 250 MB Internet package on board every day.   The voyages can also be booked at the AIDA PREMIUM All INCLUSIVE rate. In addition to the services included in the PEMIUM rate, it includes the most extensive AIDA beverage package for the entire voyage.   AIDA voyages for the 2025 summer season can be booked starting October 5, 2023, at travel agencies, at the AIDA Customer Center by calling 0381/202 707 07 or at www.aida.de.

  The AIDAsol 2024/2025 world cruise is now open for bookings for individual legs. The duration of the voyages varies between 33 and 84 days - a great opportunity to enjoy the world cruise in shorter legs and discover unique destinations. For example, guests can travel from Hamburg to San Antonio, the port of Santiago de Chile, in 36 days or to fantastic destinations such as French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia and Mauritius in 48 days. Another highlight is the leg from Mauritius to Hamburg with stops on La Réunion, in South Africa, Namibia and the Canary Islands.   The entire AIDA World Cruise will depart from Hamburg on October 23, 2024, visiting 41 ports and 17 countries in 117 days. The voyage with AIDAsol will return to Hamburg on February 17, 2025, and can be booked from 14,445 euros per person at the AIDA PREMIUM rate for a 2-person cruise (inside cabin IB), including a 3,000 euro early-bird discount for bookings made by April 30, 2024.   The individual legs can be booked from 3,650 euros per person at the AIDA PREMIUM price based on 2-person occupancy (inside cabin IB), including a 700-euro early booking discount if booked by April 30, 2024. Contingent is limited.   Unforgettable highlights   Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Golden beaches, subtropical forests and Sugar Loaf Mountain: The locals simply call their city "Cidade Maravilhosa" - the fantastically beautiful city. Fall in love with the rhythm of Rio and the joie de vivre of its inhabitants.   Napier: This new AIDA port is famous above all for its classicist architecture from the 1930s. The New Zealand Art deco city is also home to many Maori motives and patterns.   Tauranga: All of the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" movies were filmed in various locations in New Zealand. Guests can still admire the Shire with the hamlet of Hobbingen not far from the city center - in the seemingly endless greenery around Matamat.   Melbourne: Guests can celebrate their New Year's Eve in the Australian metropolis! Along the Yarra River, in the Birrarung Marr parks, at Federation Square or on the deck of AIDAsol - you have a perfect view of the fireworks and drone show from everywhere.   South Africa & Namibia: Here, guests experience the charms of Africa in all its beauty: from the charm and picturesque Table Mountain backdrop of Cape Town to the awe-inspiring African wildlife and towering sand dunes of the Namib Desert.   These are the bookable legs of the World Cruise 2024/2025:   From Hamburg to San Antonio from October 23, 2024 to November 28, 2024 (36 days) from €4,895* p. p. incl. €700 early bird plus discount From San Antonio to Mauritius from November 28, 2024 to January 15, 2025 (48 days) from €8,295* p. p. incl. €1,000 early bird plus discount From Mauritius to Hamburg from January 15, 2025 to February 17, 2025 (33 days) from €3,650* p. p. incl. €700 early bird plus discount From Hamburg to Mauritius from October 23, 2024 to January 15, 2025 (84 days) from €12,445* p. p. incl. €1,700 early bird plus discount From San Antonio to Hamburg from November 28, 2024 to February 17, 2025 (81 days) from €11,265* p. p. incl. €1,700 early bird plus discount From Hamburg to Sydney from October 23, 2024 to December 29, 2024 (67 days) from €9,790* p. p. incl. €1,400 early bird plus discount From Sydney to Hamburg from December 29, 2024 to February 17, 2025 (50 days) from €6,300* p. p. incl. €1,000 early bird plus discount Booking and further information on AIDAsol and the legs of the world cruise available now at travel agencies, at the AIDA Customer Center at +49 381 20 27 07 07 or at www.aida.de.   Rostock, August 4, 2023   * AIDA PREMIUM price per person based on double occupancy (inside cabin IB), including early bird plus discount for bookings made by April 30, 2024, subject to availability.

  Costa Cruises launches "Morocco and Tunisia: a journey of the senses”, the second cruise in 2023 featuring exclusive experiences dedicated to members of C|Club, the Italian cruise company’s loyalty program.   An unmissable cruise starting from the two-week itinerary, a real journey through colors, flavors and scents of unforgettable destinations, such as Morocco, Tunisia, Italy, France, and Spain. Departure from Italy will be Sept. 23, 2023, from Savona, on board of Costa Favolosa, then leaving for Civitavecchia/Rome, Palermo, Tunis (Tunisia), Cartagena (Spain), Tangier (Morocco), Casablanca (Morocco) with a one-and-a-half day call to allow guests to live fantastic excursions to Marrakech, Cadiz (Spain), Malaga (Spain), Barcelona (Spain), Marseilles (France), and return to Savona on Oct. 7.   A rich program reserved for C|Club members has been designed for this second cruise-event, including excellent gastronomic experiences, themed parties, unique shows and excursions organized especially for the cruise.   Tony Hadley will be the super special guest of this event. The former Spandau Ballet leader will perform aboard for C|Club members, offering a dive into the 1980s with the most famous hits of his career, as well as his new singles. There will also be dedicated moments for photos and autographs with fans.   But that's not all! The 6-star Michelin chef Hélène Darroze, who together with Bruno Barbieri and Ángel León signs Costa Cruises' gastronomic excellence, will be on board to propose some never-before-tried Destination Dishes, which will convey through taste the destinations visited. In addition, she will be the protagonist of a spectacular cooking experience together with C|Club members, who under her guidance will be able to try to create typical Moroccan and Tunisian dishes through easy recipes using local ingredients.   Staying on the topic of taste, during the cruise C|Club members will find another excellent signature: Riccardo Bellaera, Costa's Corporate Pastry & Bakery Chef, close associate of the Maestro dei Maestri of international pastry, Iginio Massari. Riccardo Bellaera will delight C|Club members with his creations, devised especially to celebrate the itinerary destinations, involving them in entertaining cooking and pastry shows.   For an immersion in local culture, not to be missed are the Destination Moments, a series of events and lectures on the history and use of the spices that make Morocco and Tunisia so special.   In addition to the Welcome party, fun play and art activities, with lessons in traditional local painting and decorating, Costa Favolosa's crew will entertain guests with a Birthday Party dedicated to Costa's 75th birthday. The program of entertainment includes also themed parties: the "Desert Night," a sensory journey through the scents, flavors and traditions of Morocco and Tunisia, with amazing experiences such as the tea ceremony and ritual drawings with henna, and the "Mediterranean in festa," to celebrate the traditions and street food of the Mediterranean. Special guests on board will include South African singer Talia Alexis, who will perform an international music show and a tribute to Tina Turner, while also engaging C|Club members in a fun singing challenge.   Finally, new excursions have also been created especially for this cruise, with local gastronomic experiences, moments of pure relax, and unexpected sights and attractions. For example, it will be possible to relax with steam baths in the “Arabian” part of Cadiz; enjoy the view of Casablanca from the world's highest minaret; experience an authentic culinary experience in Tunis; and admire the colors of Rabat and Fez.

Carnival Cruise Line is expanding use of facial biometric tech to speed up the debarkation process in partnership with the CBP. The service has already been used by more than three million Carnival guests. Nine of Carnival's 14 U.S. homeports are using this service including Miami, Port Canaveral, Mobile, Galveston and Long Beach. Carnival says facial biometrics has speeded up debarkation by an average of 30%. "We're doing everything we can to make the debarkation process as simple as possible for our guests," said Christine Duffy, president. "Thanks to our partnership with CBP, these technology solutions make the process more efficient." Guests pause at a kiosk with a camera and take a photo. Within seconds, the image is biometrically compared to their passport or visa photo to verify the guest's identity. It has over 98% accuracy. US travelers and some foreign nationals who prefer to opt out of the facial biometric process can request a manual document check. .