Tuesday Briefing: Two New Ships for Carnival Cruise Line

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The new ships will be the first built for Carnival in 12 years. // Photo by IgorSPb/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Welcome back! A trio of new ship orders for Carnival Corp. and another hurricane prompting cruise itinerary changes in Mexico are leading the headlines in the travel industry this morning. Here’s what you need to know. 

Two New Ships for Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Cruise Line has announced plans for two new ships. Slated for delivery in 2020 and 2022, the new ships, each of which will have a capacity of 5,200 passengers based on double occupancy, will be the first ships in North America to be powered by environmentally friendly liquified natural gas (LNG), Carnival said. 

The new ships will be constructed by Meyer Turku at the company's Turku, Finland, shipyard, marking the first ships to be built in Finland for Carnival Cruise Line in 12 years. No word yet on further design and itinerary information. 

Also as part of the same multi-ship order from parent company Carnival Corporation, P&O Cruises UK will also be getting a new ship in 2022. That ship will also be LNG-powered and built at Meyer Turku. 

Hurricane Newton, Tropical Storm Hermine Prompt Cruise Itinerary Changes

In other cruise news, stormy weather is still disrupting cruise itineraries this week. 

Hurricane Newtown, which made landfall this morning near Cabo San Lucas with sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, has prompted Carnival Cruise Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises to modify itineraries in Mexico, Cruise Critic reports. Carnival Miracle had to cancel a call at Cabo San Lucas yesterday and replace today’s call at Mazatlan with a sea day. Seven Seas Mariner also cancelled a stop in Cabo San Lucas today, instead spending the day at sea. 

Meanwhile, now-Tropical Storm Hermine continues to cause problems for cruise lines, Cruise Critic reports. Norwegian Cruise Line and Celebrity Cruises modified the departure times of the September 4 sailings of Norwegian Breakaway and Celebrity Summit from New York, departing earlier than planned. Meanwhile, Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam cancelled a port call in Halifax, Nova Scotia, yesterday, arriving today in New York one day ahead of schedule. 

Also to be aware of: over the weekend Hermine created a reported rough ride for Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas on Sunday, ABC News reports. A video recorded by passenger Robert McHugh is making the rounds on social media: 

New Controversy Over Cuba Travel Regulations in Congress

Shortly following last week’s launch of commercial air service to Cuba for the first time in 50 years, a new controversy is brewing in Congress regarding travel restrictions to the country, The Hill reports. One the one side: Senate appropriators in favor of looser restrictions have approved an amendment that would lift the ban on Cuba tourism, with similar legislation getting over 50 cosponsors. On the other: in the House of Representatives, a majority on the Homeland Security Committee is pushing a bill that would ground flights to Cuba until a review of airport security is conducted. The stalemate is unlikely to yield any further legislative changes this year, according to The Hill’s analysis. 

Marches Protest Brexit Vote in Cities Across UK

In Europe, the Brexit saga continued over the weekend, with protestors in favor of closer ties between the UK and Europe holding rallies in London, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Oxford, Cambridge and Bristol, the BBC reports. UK politicians Chuka Umunna, leader of the Labour Party, and Caroline Lucas, co-leader of the Green Party, supported the protests, along with comedian Eddie Izzard

In other Brexit news, this morning all-business-class airline La Compagnie announced it is suspending its route between London and New York in favor of a second daily flight between Paris and New York, starting this October. The airline said the decision is “in view of the new economic climate and aviation landscape in Europe following the recent United Kingdom European Union membership referendum in June.”

All customers booked on travel on the London - New York route after September 24 are eligible for a full refund or the option to rebook on the Paris - New York route free of charge, the airline said. 

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