Cruise Currents

As the rollout of the reimagined shows begins, guests will enjoy a brand new menu, with dinner now being served before the show begins, allowing guests the chance to fully experience the unique culinary offerings, followed by the captivating show. As the first cruise line to offer branded Broadway-style entertainment, Norwegian has become known for breaking boundaries to bring the finest entertainment to sea,” Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line said. Our guests absolutely love our Cirque Dreams & Dinner shows, and we are thrilled to offer three new over-the-top shows, providing a whole new entertainment experience for both our new and returning guests. Designed by world-renowned Broadway director and Cirque Dreams founder Neil Goldberg, each of the three ships will offer a unique Cirque Dreams & Dinner experience, featuring unique themes, costumes, and acrobatics, specific to the show onboard.

On June 16, 2018, the Disney Magic will set sail on a 7 night cruise from Barcelona to Civitavecchia (Rome), calling in Marseilles, Villefranche, Genoa (Milan), Livorno (Florence, Pisa), and Naples. From Rome, Disney Magic will return to Barcelona on another week long cruise, departing June 23, 2018, calling in Naples, Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Genoa (Milan), Cannes, and Marseilles. Genoa, featured on both seven night sailings as well as a 10 night Mediterranean sailing, will be a new port of call for Disney Cruise Line, offering cruisers the chance to explore the historic port city as well as the option to explore the nearby Italian metropolis of Milan. Another first for Disney, a seven night British Isles will set sail on September 2, 2018, including ports such as Dublin, Greenock, and Liverpool, with a first time visit to the Irish port city of Cork, home to the  famous Blarney Stone. The summer of 2018 will also see the return of the newly re-imagined Disney Wonder to the chilly waters of Alaska, offering a great collection of 5, 7, and 9 night itineraries from Vancouver, with calling in Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, and Tracy Arm Fjord.

The newly announced Carnival Journeys sailings will set sail between 2018 and 2019 on a wide array of Carnival ships: * Carnival Splendor:  a 14-day Alaska cruise round-trip from Long Beach Aug. 25 to Sept. 8, 2018, visiting Hubbard Glacier, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Skagway, Juneau and Sitka, Alaska, as well as Victoria, British Columbia. * Carnival Freedom: a 14-day Panama Canal voyage round-trip from Galveston , visiting Montego Bay, Aruba, Curacao, and Cartagena prior to a partial transit of the Panama Canal followed by Limon (Costa Rica) and Cozumel. * Carnival Miracle: a 14-day Panama Canal voyage round-trip from Tampa , visiting Cozumel and Limon prior to a partial transit of the Panama Canal followed by Cartagena, Aruba, Curacao and Ocho Rios. * Carnival Freedom: a 14-day Southern Caribbean sailing round-trip from Galveston , featuring Grand Cayman, Aruba, Bonaire, and Cartagena prior to a partial transit of the Panama Canal followed by Limon and Cozumel.

For many, a cruise outside of sand and sun is daunting, outside of one’s cruise comfort zone. I love choosing a cruise based on how many places I haven’t seen. Sure, I was pretty freaked about my Grand European Tour with Viking River, only because I was turning 20 during the trip, which freaked me out, and I was worried I’d be very lonely due to the age difference in guests. Looking back now – for as worried as I was – that cruise was the definition of meaningful travel – new places, new people, new moments – and I would have never experienced it had I not cruised out of my comfort zone.