(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Oct. 31, 2022 – Carnival Luminosa officially arrived in Queensland, Australia, yesterday, marking the first ship from the fleet to be homeported in Brisbane.

Carnival Luminosa, which docked at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal with a special “We Love Queensland” message to locals, will set sail on her first cruise on Nov. 6 and operate 28 sailings through April 13, 2023, visiting 60 ports of call across Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific including Airlie Beach and The Great Barrier Reef. These sailings will support Carnival Australia’s anticipated $165 million contribution to the Queensland economy this year.

Including Luminosa, Carnival is adding five beautiful new ships to its fleet over the next two years in a period of growth. Next in the lineup of exciting additions is the delivery of not one but two Excel-class ships – Carnival Celebration to Miami in late November and Carnival Jubilee to Galveston, Texas, next year.

As part of this growth plan, Carnival will also introduce a new concept, “Carnival Fun Italian Style” with two additional ships from sister brand Costa Cruises – starting with Carnival Venezia joining next spring and sailing year-round from New York City and Carnival Firenze in 2024 sailing from Long Beach and adding to Carnival’s strong presence on the West Coast.

“Carnival Luminosa is a testament to our ongoing commitment to Australia, and the start of a period of growth unlike any other in Carnival’s 50-year history,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Having a Brisbane-based ship has been a goal of ours for quite some time, so we are so happy that they are the first market globally to experience the big, bright, fun that this ship has to offer and so excited to give our guests more Carnival ships and itinerary options to sail over the next two years.”

Carnival Luminosa joined the fleet on Sept. 8 and underwent enhancements over the last two months including the addition of Carnival’s signature red, white and blue hull livery as well as guest favorites from other Carnival ships. Following her time in Brisbane, Carnival Luminosa will reposition for seasonal service from Seattle to Alaska next May, before returning to Queensland later in the year.

For additional information on Carnival Cruise Line and to book a cruise vacation, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, visit www.carnival.com, or contact your favorite travel advisor or online travel site.
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(PRESS RELEASE)_​Geneva, Switzerland – October 31, 2022 – MSC Cruises’ most innovative, most environmentally advanced and most exciting ship to date--MSC World Europa--is en-route to Doha, Qatar to prepare for her Naming Ceremony on November 13 following her delivery earlier this week.
 
The eagerly anticipated new ship spans 22 decks, is 154 feet wide, features 2,626 cabins, and boasts more than 430,556 square feet of public space. This ultramodern urban metropolis at sea is the future of cruising and will offer a world of experiences pushing the boundaries of what is possible on the world’s oceans—setting a new standard for the industry.
 
Waiting for guests onboard the new MSC World Europa:

The spectacular World Promenade – the beating heart of the ship
The nearly 350-foot long outdoor World Promenade is one of the ship’s most impressive spaces. Day or night, this is the place to be for entertainment, stunning sea views and The Venom Drop @ The Spiral, a striking architectural masterpiece and the longest dry slide at sea with its 11-deck drop. The World Promenade is connected to the World Galleria, which spans 23,831 square feet and is crowned by an awe-inspiring LED and kinetic dome ceiling. The World Promenade is the perfect place to shop, dine and relax with a drink.

(PRESS RELEASE)_​Miami, FL, October 31, 2022 – Oceania Cruises, the world’s leading culinary- and destination-focused cruise line, unveiled its 2024-2025 Tropics and Exotics Collection of itineraries, which open for sale on November 2, 2022. 

The new collection of 157 voyages spans seven continents and ranges from 7 to 200 days in length. Featuring more than 300 ports of call, the collection includes 14 new off-the-beaten-path ports. With 30% to 50% more time in port than premium lines, the itineraries include an astounding 451 overnight stays across 123 voyages. 

“This new collection of itineraries showcases iconic ports of call along with a wealth of opportunities to explore corners of the globe nearly untouched by tourism, and with seven brand-new or better-than-new ships, the journey will be just as rewarding as the destinations,” stated Howard Sherman, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., Oct. 28, 2022 — Holland America Line is further simplifying the protocols for guests to travel. The latest update to the line’s “Travel Well” COVID-19 protocols removes the need for guests on most voyages to take a pre-cruise COVID-19 test, regardless of their vaccination status.
 
Effectively immediately, unvaccinated guests sailing on “Standard Protocol” voyages will no longer need a test prior to sailing. Checks of individual guest vaccination status will be discontinued on Standard Protocol voyages as well (unless required by destinations).

(PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., Oct. 26, 2022 — Holland America Line’s favorite four-legged friend, Joska the service dog, reached a milestone achievement of 700 cruise days on Rotterdam’s current 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing, making her eligible to receive the Platinum Medallion, the highest past-guest award for cruising days. Joska, a 10-year-old black Labrador retriever, is the ultimate globetrotter and spends most of her days cruising on Holland America Line with her owners, Cornelia “Connie” and Cornelis Marinussen, who previously received their Platinum Medallions. 
 
A special ceremony for Joska was held on board Rotterdam Oct. 26 to mark the milestone. Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha and Rotterdam’s Captain Werner Timmers presented Joska with her Platinum Medallion, 5-Star Mariner status (highest level) in the cruise line’s loyalty program and a selection of dog-friendly, Holland America Line-branded gifts.
 
“Joska is the first service animal to achieve this lofty status and we wanted to honor her with an event that shows her how special she is to everyone in our company,” said Antorcha. “Registered service animals are always welcome aboard Holland America Line ships, and Joska has become a member of our family. She not only brightens the spirits of everyone on board, but she also allows Connie to do what she loves most, which is to cruise and explore the world.”
 
The Dutch couple have been cruising with Holland America Line since 2013 and have taken nearly 60 cruises. From Alaska, Hawaii and Canada to Europe, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean, Joska has sailed on more than 50 Holland America Line voyages since joining the Marinussen family in 2014 to assist Cornelia, who is legally blind, and is among the most traveled dogs in the world.
 
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., Oct. 26, 2022 — Holland America Line’s Rotterdam arrived at New York City this morning on its maiden call to the city following a transatlantic crossing that departed Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Oct. 15. The ship is nearing the end of a 15-day cruise that is recreating the maiden voyage of Holland America Line’s first ship — Rotterdam I — that departed Rotterdam 150 years ago Oct. 15, 1872.
 
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine officially declared today, Oct. 26, an “honorary day” for Holland America Line to recognize the occasion and the historic contributions of the company to Manhattan throughout its 150 years.
 
To celebrate the milestone, an event is being held on board tonight for invited guests. A highlight of the evening will be the performance of a musical piece by Emmy Award-winning producer and Emmy-nominated composer Steven Schoenberg, written exclusively for Holland America Line’s anniversary to accompany a special short film about the cruise line’s journey. The composition will be performed by a 25-piece ensemble of former Holland America Line’s Lincoln Center Stage musicians.

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI – Pickleball is one of America’s fastest-growing sports, and now it has a special place on board America’s Cruise Line, with Carnival Conquest debuting the first dedicated pickleball court in the Carnival fleet.

Carnival Conquest’s team members were the first to test out the new pickleball court that was added during its recent dry dock. The new court is located on the ship’s top deck, so picklers can enjoy the fun of their favorite game and take in beautiful ocean views all at once.

Pickleball is a two- or four-person sport where players hit a perforated hollow ball over a net using solid-faced paddles, combining elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong. The game has existed for decades, but it has seen surging popularity across the U.S. recently and growing interest internationally as well.

While Carnival Conquest has become the first Carnival ship to feature a permanent pickleball court, the game can be played on board several other ships across the Carnival fleet as well – with equipment recently added to most ships featuring basketball courts, where the game can be played.

Pickleball joins several other popular activities as part of Carnival SportSquare, which includes facilities for games such as mini golf, volleyball and basketball. For more about onboard activities, click here.

Carnival Conquest’s pickleball court is one of several recent ship enhancements, which also includes the addition of Carnival’s new signature livery which features a stunning red, white, and blue hull design. Carnival Conquest sails from PortMiami year-round and offers a range of itineraries to The Bahamas as well as other Caribbean destinations. To view current sailings offered aboard Carnival Conquest, click here.
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