Cruise News Today — February 9, 2023 [VIDEO]

Carnival Announces 31-Day Transpacific Cruise

Carnival has announced a new 31-day Carnival Journeys cruise on Carnival Luminosa that will take passengers to three continents.

The transpacific voyage will depart Brisbane, Australia on April 1, 2024 and end in Seattle, Washington on May 1, 2024. Along the way, the ship will visit Guam, five ports in Japan, and three ports in Alaska. Luminosa’s call in Okinawa, Japan will mark Carnival’s first time to that port.

This 31-day sailing is one of the longest and most varied itineraries in Carnival Cruise Line’s 50-year history.

STORY: Carnival Unveils 31-Day Cruise Across Three Continents

Carnival Corporation Sells Costa Magica

Carnival Corporation has finally decided what to do with Costa Magica.

The company has sold the 17-year-old ship to Greek ferry company Seajets.

In 2021, Carnival announced that Magica would be transferred from the Costa fleet to the Carnival fleet. However, Magica was replaced with the newer Costa Luminosa, which was renamed Carnival Luminosa and began guest service with Carnival Cruise Line this past November.

Costa Magica is now the largest and newest ship in the Seajets fleet. The Greek company acquired five cruise ships during the pandemic.

STORY: Carnival Corporation Sells Cruise Ship to Greek Ferry Company

Explora Journeys Holds Coin Ceremony For Explora II

The coin ceremony for Explora Journeys’ second ship, Explora II, took place at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa, Italy on Wednesday. During the ceremony, commemorative coins were placed inside the ship as a sign of blessing and good fortune during construction.

Construction of Explora II began in October 2021 in Naples, and the ship’s keel was laid in May 2022. Explora II is scheduled to debut in August 2024, following the debut of Explora I this July.

Explora Journeys is a new luxury cruise brand from MSC Group, which also owns MSC Cruises.

STORY: Second Luxury MSC Cruise Ship Marks Construction Milestone

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