MARITIME MONDAYS • CRUISE NEWS
CRUISE NEWS
The latest cruise news, updates and stories from around the cruise world.
THIS WEEK IN CRUISING
You don’t have to follow the entire cruise industry. We do that part for you.
THE WEEK IN 60 SECONDS
- Carnival Rewards officially replaces the VIFP Club.
- Norwegian’s Great Tides Waterpark reaches opening week at Great Stirrup Cay.
- Celebrity Silhouette begins a fall season sailing from Boston.
- SeaDream announces its first new yacht in 25 years.
- A major accessibility initiative expands across 35 cruise ports.
Got a minute? You’re caught up. Have five? Keep going.
THE BIG STORIES
Carnival Loyalty Just Changed
Carnival Rewards officially launched September 1, replacing the longtime VIFP Club with a new system built around Carnival Rewards Points, Status Qualifying Stars and sailing milestones.
Why we’re watching: Carnival cruisers now earn status differently, making this a change current and future guests need to understand.
Great Stirrup Cay Is Entering a New Era
Norwegian Cruise Line has previewed its new Great Tides Waterpark ahead of the September 4 grand opening at Great Stirrup Cay. The nearly six-acre attraction adds major slides, a river experience, family areas, cabanas and new food and beverage options.
Why we’re watching: Norwegian guests visiting Great Stirrup Cay now have a substantially different private-island experience to consider when planning their port day.
Celebrity Silhouette Heads for Boston
Celebrity Silhouette is arriving in Boston for a fall season of Canada and New England cruises, opening another appealing option for travelers interested in Maine, Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
Why we’re watching: Seasonal homeports can create entirely different cruise opportunities, especially for travelers looking beyond the traditional Florida and Gulf Coast gateways.
AROUND THE CRUISE WORLD
SeaDream Announces Its First New Yacht in 25 Years
SeaDream Yacht Club has announced SeaDream III, a 230-guest yacht scheduled to debut in July 2029. Its first two years are planned to span six continents, 73 countries and 364 ports.
Azamara Pursuit Returns From Drydock
Azamara Pursuit has completed a maintenance drydock in Vancouver and returned to service on a repositioning voyage toward Asia. The work focused on routine maintenance and inspections rather than a major redesign.
Celestyal Expands Winter Mediterranean Cruising
Celestyal is expanding its winter Mediterranean program with new Eastern Mediterranean voyages for Celestyal Journey, continuing the line’s push toward more year-round cruising in the region.
THE HUMAN ELEMENT
Ships take us places, but the people aboard them are what create the stories we remember.
A Small Symbol That Could Make Cruising Easier
Global Ports Holding is expanding the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program across its network of 35 cruise ports. The familiar sunflower allows travelers with non-visible disabilities or conditions to discreetly indicate that they may need additional time, understanding or assistance.
ON OUR RADAR
Carnival Rewards Rollout
The new program is live. We’ll be watching how smoothly points, status, enrollment and legacy VIFP benefits transition for actual cruisers.
Carnival Breeze in Cozumel
Reports of a minor docking incident are circulating, but Terry Cruises is waiting for stronger confirmation before treating the details as established fact.
We’ll update these when the facts catch up with the rumors.
CRUISERS KNOW THINGS WE DON’T.
Been aboard recently? Notice something that changed? Find a great hidden spot? Share your ship photos, reviews, discoveries, and firsthand cruise experiences with the Terry Cruises community.
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