Cunard Line has announced a major rework of staterooms and public areas of the Queen Mary 2 when she goes into drydock a Blohm + Voss from May 27 to June 21, 2016.

Among the work being done, the ship’s Queens and Princess Grill suites and restaurants will undergo enhancements, “ascending” to what Cunard called “a new level of luxury, sharing company with the world’s finest five star hotels. However, the ship will stay true to her art deco heritage, while offering updated, crisp, contemporary interiors re-designed for today’s most discerning travelers, and further solidifying the unique position of these distinctively luxurious at-sea accommodations.”

All Britannia Club Balcony and Single staterooms will also be redone. During the drydock, the ship will receive 30 new balcony staterooms and 15 single Britannia staterooms.

Princess Cruises announced today that its ship now under construction will be named Majestic Princess. The new ship will be based in China year-round beginning in summer 2017 and become the first vessel built specifically for Chinese guests.
“Royal Princess and Regal Princess were named after iconic previous vessels, while Majestic Princess will carry a name that was chosen by our global employees,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “The name Majestic Princess is well suited to the Princess Cruises experience in China, and she will offer a truly magnificent experience to our Chinese guests,” added Swartz.
Befitting her dedication to the Chinese market, Majestic Princess will also carry a Chinese name on the hull, 盛世公主号 (Shèng Shì Gōng Zhǔ Haò) – an interpretation selected by Carnival plc’s China employees, which has the suggestive meaning of “Grand World” or “Grand Spirit.”
“We’re excited that Shanghai will be welcoming this newest, most advanced addition to the Princess fleet, as it represents our brand’s long-term commitment to the continuing growth of the China market,” said Swartz.
“Every day, around the world, our guests create lifelong memories from authentic experiences while enjoying freshly made cuisine designed to bring each destination to life,” added Swartz. “Majestic Princess will allow us to bring the best the world has to offer to more Chinese guests, for an unparalleled premium and international vacation, inspired by our passion for the many places we sail.”
Like all Princess cruises in China, Majestic Princess will showcase the brand’s exclusive Princess Class experience, designed specifically for the Chinese market.

 Carnival Australia has announced changes to its fleet profile citing demand in the market.

Princess Cruises’ Australian-based Dawn Princess will move to the P&O Cruises Australia fleet in May 2017. At 77,000 tons, the 2,000-guest Dawn Princess will be the largest ship in the fleet.

This comes after Holland America Line will transfer to ships to P&O Australia later this year, making it a five ship fleet to close out 2015.

Meanwhile the Golden Princess will remain in Australian waters throughout 2017, alongside Sun Princess and Sea Princess.

Carnival Australia CEO Ann Sherry said the move reflected increased demand for cruise holidays in local waters and continued investment in the P&O Cruises brand.

“Australia is the world’s fastest growing cruise market, so as the biggest cruise operator Down Under we’re delighted to be expanding our local presence even further,” Sherry said.

“These fleet changes will help us further increase the range of exciting cruise options on offer to Australians and continue to meet local demand for holidays at sea.”

P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Sture Myrmell said Dawn Princess would be transformed and renamed before her transfer to the P&O Cruises’ fleet.

“This ship is a great addition to P&O Cruises’ fleet, with her larger size opening up opportunities for new onboard product and experiences,” Myrmell said.

Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said the cruise line was pleased to be able to offer its local guests more itineraries on its 2600-guest Golden Princess, with the ship based in Australia throughout 2017.

“One of Golden Princess’ key sailings for the year will be a 75-night Circle Pacific itinerary taking holidaymakers on a roundtrip cruise from Australia to Asia, Alaska and America,” Allison said.

“This will be the first time we’ve offered a world cruise from Australia on a Grand-class Princess ship so we think it will be a winner.”

More details of P&O Cruises’ 2017 itineraries and the ship transfer will be announced at a later date.

In early 2017, Disney Cruise Line returns to the Caribbean and Bahamas on a variety of itineraries, most from Florida ports. Also included are limited sailings from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Galveston, Texas.

Bookings open to the public on Oct. 8, 2015.

Miami

To kick off 2017, the Disney Magic continues sailing from Miami with three-, four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas, plus select five-night Western Caribbean cruises, through March 31.

Castaway Cay awaits guests aboard every one of these Disney Magic sailings. Other Bahamian ports of call include Nassau and Key West, while a stop in Grand Cayman or Cozumel headlines the Western Caribbean itineraries.

San Juan and Galveston

From San Juan, the Disney Magic sets sail on four seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean. Departing April 9, 16, 23 and 30, this limited-time engagement includes calls on Barbados, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua and St. Kitts.

The Disney Wonder completes a season in Galveston with two seven-night Bahamian voyages to Key West, Castaway Cay and Nassau on Jan. 6 and 13. From there, the ship embarks on a six-night journey to San Juan on Jan. 20 with stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Falmouth, Jamaica.

On Jan. 26, a three-night cruise aboard the Disney Wonder takes guests from San Juan to Port Canaveral, just an hour away from Walt Disney World Resort—the perfect stop for a fairytale land and sea adventure.


Port Canaveral

With three Disney ships in port and cruise lengths spanning three, four and seven nights, vacationers looking for a Disney Cruise Line getaway in early 2017 have a full menu of options from Port Canaveral. Every sailing includes a day at Castaway Cay.

The Disney Fantasy continues to sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages, while the Disney Dream runs on three- and four-night cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay.

Beginning Jan. 29, the Disney Wonder will alternate similar three- and four-night itineraries


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