Carnival Adds Another Cruise Ship, NCL Guests Mad Over Fine Print

Editorial Summary

Doug Parker reports on several significant developments within the cruise industry. Carnival Cruise Line has announced plans to expand its operations in Galveston, Texas, by introducing the Carnival Legend in the fall of 2025. This Spirit class vessel will accommodate 2,100 guests and will alternate between short itineraries and longer Panama Canal cruises. The addition highlights the growing importance of the Galveston port, which currently serves 1.7 million passengers annually. In a separate report, Norwegian Cruise Line guests in Spain have expressed frustration regarding the fine print of the Free at Sea promotion. Passengers are being charged a 10 percent value added tax when sailing through Spanish territorial waters, a detail the reporter notes is included in the promotional materials. Additionally, MSC Cruises has finalized orders for two hydrogen powered ships, Explorer 5 and Explorer 6, which are expected to be delivered in 2027 and 2028. These vessels will utilize liquid hydrogen and fuel cells to achieve zero carbon emissions while docked. The report concludes with a photo of a Vancouver sunset and a summary of recent fluctuations in cruise line stocks, noting declines for Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.