On Board A Reason to Celebrate: Carnival Celebration
Carnival Cruise Line’s next new ship, Carnival Celebration, was floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland on February 11. The second of three revolutionary Excel-class ships, she joins Mardi Gras, already sailing from Port Canaveral and Carnival Jubilee, set to sail from Galveston, Texas beginning November 18, 2023 with seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries with stops in Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, as well as Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), Honduras. Carnival’s newest and biggest class of ships run on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) technology platform, which Carnival Corporation pioneered the introduction of in the passenger cruise sector as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and emissions reduction. On a Carnival cruise, guests' vacations start in the atrium, and on Carnival Celebration, that is in Celebration Central. Spanning Decks 6, 7 and 8, Celebration Central is an update to the fabulous starboard side atrium that debuted on Mardi Gras, designed as the heart of the ship's celebratory spirit with a whole new look and the feeling of a festive party woven throughout. Celebration Central will also feature the awe-inspiring, three-deckhigh atrium that guests are quickly getting to know and love, but with a ceiling that appears as a burst of a confetti canon made of approximately
14 FIRST QUARTER 2022 | TRAVEL & CRUISE
1,400 color-changing lighting fixtures that will transform from day to night. Functional as it is eye-catching, the space will include 3,000-square-foot floor-to-ceiling windows on the side of the ship that will change into 16 individually controlled, six- by 14-foot LED screens to work hand in hand with the ever-changing entertainment options, including live music, special effects, aerial acrobatic performances, and high-energy shows. Introducing nods to Carnival's Fun Ship history, guests will spot pieces from former Carnival ships that will be repurposed to blend with the ship's modern decor throughout Celebration Central and beyond. For example, in the Aquaria Bar, ocean-themed glass murals from Carnival Victory by Italian artist Luciano Vistosi will be incorporated into a striking two-deckhigh decorative wall behind the bar to create an aquarium-like effect, inspiring the name. And the Tropicale Bar is named after Carnival's first ship to sport the line's iconic funnel. Carnival Celebration’s first Caribbean sailing will take November 21, with her arrival marking the culmination of the year-long celebration of Carnival Cruise Line’s 50th birthday. Carnival’s newly transformed Terminal F at PortMiami will welcome the new ship. Not long after, the Carnival terminal will also usher in a new era of port infrastructure as one of the first at PortMiami equipped to provide shore power to ships by fall 2023.
ANOTHER CROWN JEWEL: DISCOVERY PRINCESS Princess Cruises revealed a first glimpse of its newest MedallionClass ship, Discovery Princess, while celebrating her maiden voyage to the Mexican Riviera on March 27. The 3,660-guest Discovery Princess was built at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and is the sixth and final RoyalClass newbuild sharing all of the spectacular style and luxury of her sister ships – Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess and Royal Princess. "Cruising is back and the elegant Discovery Princess showcases the many reasons why travelers should take a cruise now,” said John Padgett, Princess Cruises president. “We also recognize and applaud the ship's company, who will work tirelessly to deliver memorable cruise vacations to all who sail on this magnificent cruise ship." Discovery Princess expands the cruise line's fleet to 15 vessels. With an array of innovative new experiences, guests will enjoy 270-degree sweeping views from the Princess' largest balconies at sea in the Sky Suites, unwind in ultimate comfort at The Sanctuary and indulge the senses with worldclass dining options. Plus, Princess live entertainment presents mesmerizing Broadway-style production shows that can only be seen in the state-of-the-art Princess Theater, including the newest show, Spotlight Bar. Discovery Princess uses the latest technologies to reduce fuel consumption, treat wastewater, and support the cruise line's environmental compliance efforts.