36 | CRUISE NEWS


www.nitravelnews.com


February 2025


Celebrity Cruises Announces Plans For Sixth Edge Ship


ROYAL


Norwegian Cruise Line Names Award-Winning Actor As Godfather To Its Newest Ship


THE Two-Time Emmy-Award Winning Actor Will Bless the Next Cutting-Edge Vessel in the NCL Fleet at the Official Christening Ceremony in Miami on April 13, 2025


Set to Debut April 2025, Norwegian Aqua


Will Offer Guests More to Enjoy with First-At- Sea Experiences, Including the World’s First Hybrid Waterslide and Rollercoaster, as well as the First Clay Sauna; and the Brand’s First Thai Specialty Restaurant


Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), ship, Norwegian have


announced that the two-time Emmy® Award-winning actor, Eric Stonestreet, will serve as the godfather of NCL’s newest groundbreaking


Aqua,


launching in April 2025. Eric Stonestreet is a beloved screen actor, best known for his work on the hit television show “Modern Family.” His unforgettable portrayal of Cameron


Tucker earned


him two Primetime Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Stonestreet has also appeared in films including “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Identity Thief,” and has previously hosted Fox’s reality competition series “Domino Masters.” Currently, he can be seen in season two of The Santa Clauses, one of Disney+'s most-streamed original series. As a charismatic and relatable celebrity


figure, Stonestreet brings joy to audiences through his humor. Similarly, NCL brings joy to its guests with the variety of elevated experiences that empower guests to have their own best vacation with more of what they love across its 19-ship fleet and the 450 destinations it visits around the world. Stonestreet will play a pivotal role in


officially welcoming the beautiful new Norwegian Aqua to NCL's fleet as the ship's godfather. On April 13, 2025, in Miami, also known as the Cruise Capital of the World, Stonestreet will lead the time- honored tradition of christening the vessel by breaking a champagne bottle across its bow, a classic maritime custom performed by the ship's godparent. This act is meant to bring good fortune for the life of the vessel and all the passengers that may sail on her throughout her journeys. David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line stated, “We are very excited to officially welcome Eric Stonestreet to the NCL team! We had an amazing time with Eric on one of our ships, and also got to spend some time with his charming family after. Over


the past couple of months, Eric has become a true friend of NCL. Eric's authenticity, wit, charm and genuine desire to bring happiness to the masses embodies the role of godfather for Norwegian Aqua, as well as who we are and what we stand for as a company. We are honored to have Eric as the godfather of Norwegian Aqua!” Eric Stonestreet spoke on his appointment as Godfather of NCL Aqua, highlighting “Traveling the world to meef new people and explore new places is something I love to do, and after recently experiencing what Norwegian has to offer, I can attest that Norwegian truly makes it easy to do more of what I enjoy while on vacation,” said Eric Stonestreet, two-time Emmy® Award-winning actor. “I am honored to be named the godfather of Norwegian Aqua and to play my part in the journey of bringing this new ship to life. I am blown away by what’s in store for Norwegian Aqua and I cannot wait to take a ride on the Aqua Slidecoaster, indulge in some red curry at the all-new Sukhothai and most importantly create lifelong memories with my own family while on board this innovative new ship.”


Caribbean Group have


announced that it has signed an agreement with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to order a sixth Edge Series ship for delivery to Celebrity Cruises in 2028. Edge 6 or “Xcel 2” will be the sister-ship to Celebrity Xcel, which is preparing to take its inaugural sail later this year. Other Edge Series ships include Ascent,


Celebrity


Celebrity Apex, and Celebrity Edge – the first ship in the series that was delivered in 2018. “Celebrity’s Edge Series redefined premium travel at sea,


blending


groundbreaking design and unforgettable guest experiences. Each ship in this award- winning series has set a new standard for the industry, and Celebrity


Xcel,


sailing later this year, is no exception,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. Partnering with Chantiers de l’Atlantique to expand the Edge Series with Edge 6 is another milestone in our mission to deliver the world’s best vacations responsibly.”


Oceania Cruises Set To Bring Signature French Dining Onboard Newest Ship


OCEANIA Cruises is set to bring its signature French restaurant, Jacques, on board its newest ship, Allura, which launches in mid-July. Named after renowned chef Jacques


Pépin, the founding father of Oceania Cruises’ culinary philosophy and the line’s first-ever Executive Culinary Director, this sophisticated restaurant is already a crowd favourite with Oceania Cruises guests sailing on Marina™ and Riviera™.


In addition, Jacques will make its


debut aboard VistaTM, Allura’s sister ship, in October 2025, joining the Polo Grill steakhouse, Italian restaurant Toscana, and pan-Asian Red Ginger on all four of the line’s 1,200+ guest ships. Frank A. Del Rio, President of Oceania


Cruises, said: “Jacques is our culinary patriarch, having been a member of the culinary team since day one. His creativity and expertise form the very heart of our philosophy, The Finest Cuisine at Sea, which drives everything we do. Bringing this fabulous restaurant to Allura as she launches this summer, and to Vista later in the year, means the world to me, and the entire Oceania Cruises family.” Oceania Cruises’ two Executive


Culinary Directors and Master Chefs of France, Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale, will be working with Chef Pépin to bring new flavours to the menu.


ASIAN river cruise specialist Pandaw has announced details of an exciting new expedition on the Hooghly River that connects Kolkata with the Ganges. Commencing October 2025,


the


18-stateroom Kalaw Pandaw will sail from Kolkata to Baranagar and back on India’s most sacred rivers. The adventure captures the essence of real


the India: enchanting


magnificent palaces, mystical temples and artisanal villages, not to mention very friendly folk and riverside communities.


Pandaw Announces Details of New Cruise on The Hooghly River The nine-night itinerary also includes two


countryside,


nights in Kolkata, allowing passengers to spend two full days sightseeing in the former capital of the Indian Raj. The city has a huge museum, 18th-century churches, temples, mosques and architectural splendours that reflect the Raj’s glory days. On the final day, passengers will enjoy a late disembarkation with full board catering as most international flights from India depart in the evening. For further information and reservations, call


Fred. Holidays on 0800 988 3369 or visit www. fredholidays.co.uk


“Celebrity Xcel will be the happy place Celebrity Beyond,


of vacationers globally when she launches in November and we’re thrilled to be making this commitment to bring her a sister ship in Edge 6,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “Celebrity Xcel will take forward the best of Edge Series ships coupled with seven new experiences, all perfected with the help of our recently announced Xcel Dream Makers – an industry first program enlisting the power of cruisers to make final decisions across culinary, interior design and entertainment.” Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series ships


transformed guest’s experience by bringing them closer to destinations with state-of-the-art features like the iconic Magic Carpet® – the world’s first cantilevered, floating platform at sea – offering a unique way to dine, drink and connect with destinations, or take in the dramatic local landscapes. Other innovations introduced by


Celebrity’s Edge Series ships include Infinite Veranda® staterooms, which erase the boundaries between ship and


shore. The sixth ship in the lineup will incorporate the series’ key features and make room for other yet-to-be-announced innovations. “The strong ties between Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Royal Caribbean Group have led to the creation of the unique Edge Series design,” said Laurent Castaing, Chief Executive Officer, Chantiers de l’Atlantique. “This sixth ship marks the epitome of a pioneering series in the cruise industry that is both elegant, high-performing, and ever more innovative, notably thanks to its methanol capabilities.” Royal Caribbean Group’s newbuild pipeline currently includes a total of eight ships on order.


This year, the company


will welcome two new ships including Royal Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas and Celebrity Xcel. With this announcement, Royal Caribbean Group continues to drive its moderate capacity growth to help guests turn a vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations. For more information on Royal


Caribbean Group and its brands, visit royalcaribbeangroup.com.


Carnival Cruise Line Launches new Asia-Pacific Sailings


CARNIVAL Cruise Line has launched four new ‘Carnival Journeys’ Asia- Pacific sailings on Carnival Luminosa and Carnival Adventure, in 2026 and 2027, respectively. The


itineraries will feature seven


inaugural ports of call for the cruise line and visit destinations in Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia. Carnival Luminosa’s new itineraries comprise: * 14-day Tokyo to Singapore cruise, departing October 9, 2026. Inaugural visits to Hong Kong; Osaka (Kyoto) and Fukuoka (Hakata) in Japan; South Korea's Seogwipo (Jeju); and Keelung (Taipei) in Taiwan. The cruise will also visit Phu My (Ho Chi Minh) in Vietnam. * 14-day Journey from Singapore to Brisbane, departing November 30, 2026. Visiting Bali; Darwin, Cairns and Airlie Beach, Australia. Carnival Adventure, which will officially


join the fleet from P&O Cruises Australia in March 2025, will operate the following: * 14-day Cruise from Sydney to Singapore, departing January 27, 2027. Visiting Airlie Beach and Darwin, Australia; and Bali and Lombok, Indonesia. * Nine-day Southeast


“These new itineraries represent some of our most exotic and diverse offerings in the Asia-Pacific region. With our expanded


deployment in Australia,


we’re able to offer our guests itineraries with more variety along with the Carnival experience they know and love, and this includes the rare experience of sailing with our ships as they mark inaugural visits to several ports and countries across the region.” ‘Carnival Journeys’ itineraries are a limited series of voyages with additional onboard experiences on offer. For more information, visit carnival. com or call 0808 234 0680.


Asia cruise,


departing February 27, 2027, roundtrip from Singapore. Inaugural visits to Koh Samui and Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand, and Sihanoukville, Cambodia. The sailing will also visit Phu My (Ho Chi Minh). Fred Stein, vice president of itinerary planning for Carnival Cruise Line, said:


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