Cruise news: New Royal Caribbean ship, VeriFLY, Marvel Day at Sea and more

Lots happening in the cruise world, and today we have some of the biggest cruise news from this week to share.

Things move quickly with announcements, policy changes, and even new ships.

If you want to catch up on some of the most recent happenings, here’s what you should know about.

Wonder of the Seas delivered

Royal Caribbean added a new cruise ship to its fleet today when it took delivery of Wonder of the Seas.

Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis Class cruise ship, and is now the largest cruise ship in the world (replacing Symphony of the Seas).

She will begin sailings with cruises from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in March and April 2022.

Wonder then heads to Europe in April for cruises from Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome). In November it begins year-round deployment from Port Canaveral.

Disney announces Marvel at Sea dates

If you can’t get enough Marvel Comics fun, then Disney Cruise line has the cruises for you.

DCL announced the dates for its 2023 Marvel Day at Sea sailings, which will be held on the Disney March in early March.

Marvel Day at Sea will be held on nine sailings from Miami:

• January 7, 2023
• January 16, 2023
• January 21, 2023
• January 30, 2023
• February 4, 2023
• February 13, 2023
• February 18, 2023
• February 27, 2023
• March 4, 2023

The special day-long celebration will be available on select five-night Caribbean cruises and feature superhero interactions, Marvel-themed activities, action-packed entertainment, and exclusive merchandise.

Carnival will test new Covid-19 proof of vaccination program

Carnival Cruise Line wants to speed up the verification process for passengers when it comes to validating their Covid-19 vaccination status.

Carnival said it will test out a new integration with VeriFLY for guests boarding Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral.

VeriFLY by Daon is now widely used in the airline industry, and it will allow Carnival guests to upload their proof of vaccination and testing information so that it can be verified in advance of the sailing – resulting in a streamlined embarkation experience at the terminal. Merienda the pilot at Port Canaveral is complete, Carnival intends to move quickly to implement the solution across its fleet.

Carnival also said it will expand in-terminal testing capabilities for vaccinated guests prior to embarkation, specifically for short itineraries of 3- and 4-day voyages. 

Bookings open for Carnival Jubilee

Want to be the first to sail on Carnival’s next Excel Class cruise ship?

The cruise line opened up bookings on the Carnival Jubilee, which will be homeported in Galveston, Texas and offer 7-night cruises beginning November 18, 2023.

Jubilee will visit ports of Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan.

Jubilee is the line’s third Excel-class ship following last year’s Mardi Gras, and this year’s upcoming Carnival Celebration. 

Celebrity Infinity will return to service in summer 2022

Another Celebrity Cruises ships is posed to return to service.

Celebrity Cruises announced the Celebrity Infinity will return to operation and set sail for the Caribbean in Summer 2022. 

Sailing from Port Everglades beginning June 25, 2022, Celebrity Infinity will embark on alternating seven-night Eastern and Película del Oeste Caribbean itineraries.

Celebrity Infinity will sail in the Caribbean through the end of November before embarking on a 14-night cruise to Rio de Janeiro, and will remain in this region for the winter season.