Cruise News Round-up: Utopia of the Seas, Disney in Japan, Ship-Free Saturday, and more
Welcome to Cruise Maven’s weekly round-up of the latest happenings in the cruise industry. This week’s highlights feature news from Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, and updates from Juneau, Alaska.
Weekly Cruise News Update
This week, Cruise Maven covers the most significant stories, including the much-anticipated maiden voyage of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas, a Disney ship being built for Japan, a citizen initiative in Juneau to prohibit Saturday port calls, Royal Caribbean’s change in itinerary for a visit to Jeju Island, and new luxury land tours for MSC Yacht Club guests.
Utopia of the Seas Arrives at Florida Homeport
The brand-new Utopia of the Seas, Royal Caribbean’s sixth and final Oasis-class ship, arrived at Port Canaveral, Florida, on July 11, 2024, after being delivered from France’s Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in mid-June.
With a capacity for 5,600 guests, the ship will offer 3- and 4-day cruises to Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s exclusive 125-acre private island in the Bahamas.
The ship’s inaugural cruise will set sail on July 19, 2024, with special preview cruises for media and travel partners. Pop star Meghan Trainor will serve as the godmother and perform during a 3-night christening extravaganza.
Utopia of the Seas features 18 decks, 40 dining and lounge venues, and several thrilling attractions like the Ultimate Abyss dry slide, FlowRider surf simulator, and the Perfect Storm water park.
The other Oasis-class ships include Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, and Wonder of the Seas. This class introduced the innovative concept of themed shipboard “neighborhoods,” which has inspired other cruise lines.
New Disney Ship to Be Built For Japan Market
Disney is expanding its presence in Japan by launching a Disney Wish-class ship that will be homeported in Tokyo. This new vessel will be operated by Oriental Land Company (OLC), which already manages Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea, and Tokyo Disney Resort.
The new ship, featuring traditional Disney amenities and modifications for the Japanese market, will debut in 2029 with a capacity for 4,000 guests in 1,250 staterooms.
It will be built by Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard, which is also constructing two other Disney ships: Disney Treasure (set for 2024) and Disney Destiny (expected in 2025).
OLC aims to create a “world-class cruise business” in Japan.
‘Ship-Free Saturday’ Bid Advances in Juneau
A citizen group in Juneau, Alaska, aiming to prevent large cruise ships from docking on Saturdays and July 4th, has collected the required signatures to put the issue on the city’s October ballot as of July 1, 2024.
The initiative was certified after obtaining 2,359 signatures, and it will be forwarded to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly. The governing body has until August 15, 2024, to act on the proposal. If they do nothing, the measure will appear on the October ballot, but they could also reject it, potentially leading to legal action.
The proposed restrictions stem from concerns that increased cruise ship traffic negatively impacts residents and the environment. In 2023, Juneau saw a 23% rise in cruise arrivals, totaling 1.6 million visitors.
Currently, the port has a cap of 16,000 passengers per day and 12,000 on Saturdays, per an agreement with the Cruise Lines International Association.
Cruise Line Nixes Call at Popular Jeju Island
Due to operational challenges, Royal Caribbean has canceled Spectrum of the Seas’ scheduled visit to Jeju Island, Korea, in March 2025. The ship, carrying 4,900 passengers, was set to stop there during a 4-night cruise from Shanghai to Nagasaki, Japan.
Instead, the ship will spend a day at sea. Guests who had booked excursions through Royal Caribbean will be refunded automatically; those with independent bookings should cancel their plans.
Jeju Island, often referred to as the “Hawaii of Korea,” is known for Mount Hallasan, a dormant volcano and UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
MSC Cruises Adds Upscale Excursions For Yacht Club Guests
MSC Cruises is offering nearly 100 exclusive land tours for guests in their high-end MSC Yacht Club. These luxury excursions are available in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Northern Europe, with more destinations to come. The tours focus on local culture, cuisine, and landmarks and include private transportation.
Although these tours are not included in the cruise fare, MSC Yacht Club guests enjoy numerous other benefits, such as 24/7 butler and concierge services, private dining and pools, complimentary beverages, WiFi, and priority boarding.
Exclusive tours include a perfume-making workshop in France, geothermal baths in Iceland, and a luxury catamaran sail and snorkel trip in Cozumel, Mexico. MSC Yacht Club guests can book these tours online, via the MSC app, through the concierge, or at the Shore Excursions desk.
