Carnival Cruise Line today unveiled more details on the numerous accommodation choices guests will have on its highly-anticipated new ship, Mardi Gras, which will feature more than 180 suites across 11 styles, including the new premium category Carnival Excel suites with select amenities and access to a new resort-style, open-air enclave called Loft 19. 

New Premium Level Carnival Excel Suites

Royal Caribbean celebrated the beginning of construction of its fifth Oasis Class cruise ship this week at a ceremony held at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France.

The steel cutting, marking the official start of construction.

The fifth Oasis Class ship will combine the iconic seven-neighborhood concept that her sister ships feature with a bold and unexpected lineup of thrilling experiences, imaginative dining, unparalleled entertainment and the latest technology.

The Norwegian Joy has completed a $50 million renovation and has set sail on the first of two exclusive inaugural preview cruises before her first official sailing out of Seattle to Alaska on May 4, 2019.

Princess Cruises informed travel agents that it intends to raise the daily gratuity rate on all voyages departing on or after May 21, 2019.

The new gratuity rates are going up by $1:

• Interior/Oceanview/Balcony — $14.50 USD per guest, per day
• Mini suites (including Club Class) — $15.50 USD per guest, per day
• Full Suites — $16.50 USD per guest, per day

Guests who wish to prepay their gratuities at the current amount may do so through May 14, 2019 at 11:59PM PST.

Ahead of Celebrity Cruise's next new ship, Celebrity Flora, the cruise line announced three new partnerships ahead of the ship's launch.

Godmother

The 16th annual "Cruising with the King" tribute cruise is being planned to commemorate Elvis' 85th birthday aboard Royal Caribbean's Adventure of the Seas.

The cruise is produced by  Mahwey Productions LLC since 2005. 

MSC Cruises announced a new partnership with home and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart on specially curated shore excursions, celebration surprise gift packages, and onboard special holiday dinner menus and recipes.

Carnival Cruise Line announced an exclusive partnership with Zumbini to offer high-energy early childhood activities and classes that combine singing, dancing and playing.

Created by Zumba and BabyFirst, Zumbini’s mixed-age music and movement curriculum features group sing-alongs, activities and musical instruments to keep children engaged and energized while learning.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. received approval from the Miami-Dade Tourism and Ports Committee on Monday to build a new office and parking garage on the land at the southwest corner of Dodge Island next to where its older offices sit now. The new campus would expand the company’s workforce capacity from 2,200 to 4,200.

The designs for the new buildings by New York architecture firm HOK give employees the view.