Royal Caribbean partners with Eurovision Song Contest

Royal Caribbean International has joined forces with the world’s largest live music event, the Eurovision Song Contest. As an Official Partner for 2024 and 2025, Royal Caribbean will bring to life a wide range of moments and experiences, including brand exposure throughout the event, host-city promotion and more.

The new collaboration will debut ahead of the upcoming 68th Eurovision Song Contest that will be held in the city of Malmö, Sweden, in May 2024, and broadcast in the 37 participating countries with millions more watching online. This will also mark the start of Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated European season with six award-winning ships sailing from eight cities across the continent and visiting a line-up of landmark destinations.

Ben Bouldin, vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa, Royal Caribbean International comments, “As two world-renowned brands that are known for delivering memorable moments to millions across the globe, the combination of Royal Caribbean International and Eurovision Song Contest makes the ultimate partnership that will bring to life the very best of world-class live entertainment and a fusion of cultures from all over. With more than 60 historic years of the Eurovision Song Contest, we’re proud to partner with an iconic brand that has a global audience, which only continues to grow with the popularity of an event that has become a cultural moment for so many around the world.”

Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor for the Eurovision Song Contest said: “We’re thrilled to announce our exciting new partnership with Royal Caribbean International. The Eurovision Song Contest and Royal Caribbean share a passion for creating unforgettable experiences that unite people from all around the world. We look forward to making new memories for our fans and guests alike and can’t wait to set sail together on this new adventure!"

For those who love live entertainment, exploring the world and creating lifelong memories, Royal Caribbean’s 2024 summer season is a line-up of holidays that bring all three together. Holidaymakers will be blown away with full-scale shows across four signature “stages” – air, ice, water and theatre – alongside live music and comedy. With more than 50 years of experience delivering holidays with experiences for every type of family and traveller, Royal Caribbean sets the stage for everyone to make memories their way every day on holiday.

Details on how fans can get tickets to the 68th annual Eurovision Song Contest with Royal Caribbean will be revealed in the coming months.

MSC Cruises rolls out new global brand campaign

MSC Cruises, the contemporary brand of the Cruise Division of MSC Group, is launching its brand new global integrated marketing campaign, “For a Greater Beauty”.

The campaign encourages audiences to discover the beauty of cruising in a more conscious way with a profound respect for the ocean and the planet. Beauty, represented in the film by an alluring voice, invites the audience to immerse themselves in the world’s destinations, into nature and into wonderful experiences on and off board.

The campaign will be activated in more than 30 countries worldwide and will be seen through a mix of marketing channels including TV, out of home, print media, digital and social media.

The TV spot was filmed on board MSC World Europa, the fleet’s first ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), featuring the latest environmental technology. MSC World Europa offers an enriching vacation experience inspired by the Company’s European heritage, where guests can enjoy international dining, world-class entertainment, award-winning family programs and the latest user-friendly technology.

MSC Cruises is firmly committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions for its marine operations by 2050. The Company is also a significant investor in next-generation environmental marine technologies, with the objective to support their accelerated development and availability industry-wide.

Created in partnership with Dentsu Creative Italy, the new campaign has been filmed by the Australian director Kiku Ohe. Known for his ability to craft compelling visual narratives, elicit authentic character-driven performances, his highly awarded film craft displays a rare depth and artistry. The production is signed by Birth.

New cruise line to begin year-round sailings in the Baltic

In August 2023, passenger shipping companies Viking Line and Gotlandsbolaget launched a completely new joint venture in cruise traffic between Stockholm, Mariehamn and Visby. In December they announced that the Baltic Sea's new year-round cruise vessel will be called Birka Gotland. Under the leadership of CEO Susanne Kaarnimo-Knight, Birka Gotland will offer cruises from the end of March 2024.

Around Easter 2024, the maiden voyage departs from Stockholm to Mariehamn with the ship Birka Gotland, to also go via Visby on selected departures during the spring and summer. After that, the destinations are gradually expanded during the summer months with several popular destinations such as Härnösand, Ystad, Bornholm and Riga.

"We start from the two most beautiful islands in the Baltic Sea and the love for the sea, the archipelago and the unique local environment. There is a great demand for both shorter and longer cruises in the region. We are extra proud to be able to present the opportunity to go to beautiful Visby during the spring and summer, which gives travelers the chance to discover Gotland at its most beautiful," says Susanne Kaarnimo-Knight, CEO of the new company, Gotland Alandia Cruises.

The entertainment on board Birka Gotland will include several restaurants, shopping, spa and entertainment. "We offer an attractive alternative for the everyday traveler. We know that many are curious about the onboard experience, and we look forward to presenting the details shortly," says Susanne Kaarnimo-Knight.

The tickets for the cruises with Birka Gotland go on sale in January 2024. Birka Gotland has connecting traffic from 78' Swedish locations. The cruises will be sold both via Birka Gotland's new website as well as Viking Line's and Destination Gotland's channels.

Riverside Luxury Cruises to launch its third vessel in March 2024

Riverside Luxury Cruises, the new luxury river cruise brand, will launch of its third all-inclusive, all-suite luxury river ship, Riverside Debussy, in March 2024. Riverside Debussy offers an expansive selection of more than 40 departures in 2024 with her inaugural voyage sailing from Brussels, Belgium, to Amsterdam, The Netherlands, on March 23. On the special, six-day itinerary, guests will visit Gent, Belgium; Middleburg, Germany; and Vissingen, Wilemstad, Dordrecht and Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Riverside Debussy will join Riverside Mozart and Riverside Ravel to bring travellers to some of Europe’s most picturesque and culture-rich locales along the Rhine, Rhône, Main and Danube rivers. To celebrate Debussy’s upcoming launch and the holiday season, Riverside is offering 500 euros onboard credit per suite to travellers when they make a new booking aboard any of the brand’s all-inclusive, 2024 luxury river cruises.

“Riverside’s three elegant ships are floating, luxury boutique hotels that bring guests on immersive and all-inclusive, Europe vacations,” said Jen Halboth, CEO of Riverside Luxury Cruises, Americas. “Riverside Debussy, Riverside Mozart and Riverside Ravel dock daily in a new town- and city-centre so guests can walk off and immediately experience the beauty and culture of inland locales that cruise ships cannot reach. We look forward to welcoming discerning travellers and delivering more culture, more celebrations and more luxury in 2024.”

Travellers can take advantage of Riverside’s holiday offer and choose a grand variety of memorable itineraries along the Rhine, Rhône, Main and Danube rivers aboard Riverside Debussy, Riverside Mozart and Riverside Ravel. Guests can apply their onboard credit to indulge in a complimentary spa treatment; experiences in the Vintage Room, an exclusive, gourmet dégustation and wine pairing; or a private shore excursion. Throughout, guests will enjoy Riverside’s signature, intuitive service and savour unmatched gourmet dining; and bask in exceptional comfort throughout the ships’ expansive spaces and plush accommodations.

The new Riverside Luxury Cruises is Europe’s premier luxury river cruise brand offering all-inclusive vacations along the Rhine, Rhône, Main and Danube rivers. The brand’s all-suite Riverside Mozart, Riverside Ravel, and the soon-to-launch Riverside Debussy are regarded among the most luxurious ships on Europe’s waterways. All guests enjoy Riverside’s signature intuitive and attentive service from every staff and crew member; personal butlers service in every suite; StarLink broadband Wi-Fi; gourmet cuisine paired with the region’s best wines; and shore excursions to delve further afield into the region’s history, culture and attractions.

Carnival Jubilee arrives to Galveston

Waving from the newest Fun Ship, Santa Claus swapped his sleigh for the day so he could help deliver Carnival Jubilee – the first brand new cruise ship to debut in Galveston, Tex. Carnival Cruise Line’s new flagship, which dons a Texas Star on its bow, was welcomed home with a grand water salute as she docked at Galveston Wharves’ Terminal 25 for the first time.

The official debut of the 26th Fun Ship in the Carnival fleet signals the start of a significant expansion strategy in Galveston, which has grown among Carnival’s top homeports since the company became the first cruise line to operate there year-round more than two decades ago. In addition to bringing Carnival’s most innovative and dynamic entertainment and dining offerings, the ship will now significantly expand capacity from the port. Carnival Jubilee joins Carnival Breeze and Carnival Dream at the port as part of a four-ship deployment plan that will be complete when Carnival Miracle repositions to Galveston next fall.

“The Texas star on her bow isn’t just decoration, it’s a symbol of our gratitude to our guests sailing from Texas who’ve made us the number one cruise line in Galveston, and our commitment to the future of cruising from this great city and state,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “When we cut the ribbon to welcome our first guests on this ship this weekend, we’ll be celebrating the beginning of a new era of operations here.”

Along with bringing the first roller coaster on board a cruise ship to Texas, Carnival Jubilee will also usher in the use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in Galveston. Enhancements were made at the port to accommodate the use of LNG and additionally, Carnival’s decision to deploy the new ship at its Texas homeport generated a $53 million investment in terminal improvements. In a Dec. 20 column, The Galveston County Daily News described Carnival Jubilee as a significant addition to the port and said, “The fact Carnival is willing to base its newest, biggest asset in Galveston is testament to the port’s standing in the industry and further evidence that past investment in cruise facilities was, and more investment would be, prudent.”

“The terminal, which has been home to Carnival ships since 2000, has been renovated top to bottom, inside and out. From a new roof, expanded dock and exterior colors to new interior finishes and furniture, the terminal has a fresh, new look,” said Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves port director and CEO. “We are happy the time has come for this historic event and honored to host this beautiful, state-of-the-art ship.”

Now, Carnival Jubilee’s 1,750 team members are preparing to welcome more than 6,000 guests aboard for a maiden departure on Saturday. The ship is set to sail on a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise, visiting Mahogany Bay as well as Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico. The ship will continue sailing week-long cruises year-round.