This week in cruise news the industry was looking forward to some new ships from some major lines.
Carnival Cruise Line released more details on the upcoming Carnival Vista, which will debut in the Mediterranean in 2016, marking the cruise line's return to Europe.
The new ship will offer SkyRide, a suspended open-air cycling experience; the world’s first IMAX Theatre on a ship; an expanded water park featuring the colorful Kaleid-O-Slide, the line’s first raft-riding water tube slide; Seafood Shack, a New England-inspired eatery; RedFrog Pub, including the line’s first onboard brewery, and other enhanced dining, bar and entertainment options; as well as new scenic and family-friendly accommodation types.
The ship will debut May 1, 2016, with a 13-day cruise departing from Trieste, Italy, marking the first European voyage for Carnival in three years.
Mediterranean itineraries will be offered with port calls throughout Italy, France, Spain, Croatia and Turkey, as well as several new destinations for Carnival such as Crete (Heraklion), and Corfu, Greece; Valletta, Malta; Palermo, Sicily; Cagliari, Sardinia; and Gibraltar. On October 21, 2016, Carnival Vista will embark on a special 13-day trans-Atlantic crossing and arrive in New York November 3, 2016, then operate a series of voyages from the Big Apple.
Norwegian Cruise Line continued its previews of the new Norwegian Escape. This week, the line spotlighted the new vessel's dining and entertainment options.
The ship's culinary direction will be helmed by James Beard Award-winning Iron Chef Jose Garces and Miami restaurateurs Jose Mendin, Andreas Schreiner and Sergio Navarro of The Pubbelly Restaurant Group. New beverage concepts will include The District Brewhouse, featuring craft beers from Wynwood Brewing Company, and The Cellars, A Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar.
For entertainment, there will be three new shows: Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals After Midnight and Million Dollar Quartet, along with a new supper club concept exclusive to Norwegian Escape, For The Record presents Dear John Hughes, featuring classic soundtracks from favorite motion pictures in a 360° post-modern cabaret and dinner experience.
AmaWaterways announced that it will be debuting two new ships as part of its 2016 itineraries.
The new, 158-passenger sister ships, AmaViola and AmaStella, will offer the line’s new connecting staterooms, as well as larger suites, twin balcony staterooms, heated swimming pools, hair salons, fitness rooms and more.
In terms of itineraries, in 2016 the line will double its number of special wine sailings. There will be 34 special wine sailings, including the new Taste of Bordeaux itinerary. This seven-night voyage will travel France's Bordeaux region, with stops along the Garonne and Dordogne rivers.
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