Viking is celebrating the beginning of spring with the start of something else exciting: its 2025 European river cruise season!

This season, Viking is introducing seven new sister ships, which all hold 190 guests or under and are designed specifically for European rivers. From March through December, the line is operating three new itineraries on the Rhine, Main, and Seine rivers — alongside many other popular and exciting itineraries.

New Itineraries

Rhine & Main Explorer — 11 days between Nuremberg and Basel

Discover the hidden gems of southern Germany, Switzerland, and France. Visit Basel, Switzerland’s capital of culture, explore Frankfurt’s vibrant cityscape, and admire the charming medieval towns of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Turreted castles, rolling vineyards, and a fascinating blend of old and new await.

Christmas on the Rhine & Main — 11 days between Nuremberg and Basel

Experience the magic of Europe’s Christmas markets along the Rhine and Main rivers. Browse festive stalls in Basel and Karlsruhe, discover Strasbourg’s Alsatian traditions, and wander through Nuremberg’s world-famous Christkindlesmarkt while savoring mulled wine and handcrafted holiday treats.

Christmastime in Paris & Normandy — 8 days roundtrip from Paris

Celebrate the holiday season in the “City of Light” before setting sail through the serene landscapes of Normandy. Visit the charming riverside town of Rouen, soak in the festive atmosphere of Christmas markets, and return to Paris to enjoy its world-famous holiday illuminations.

Returning Favorites

Rhine Getaway — 8 days between Basel and Amsterdam

Explore one of Europe’s best-loved rivers. Discover the turreted fortresses, grand cathedrals, historic cities, medieval towns and stunning scenery of the Middle Rhine—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taste the region’s renowned white wines, the roots of its terraced vineyards reaching back to Roman times. Savor the various culinary traditions of Alsace. With calls in Amsterdam, Cologne and Basel, this journey reveals a rich landscape of beauty and culture.

Danube Waltz — 8 days between Budapest and Passau

Soak up soothing steam at a Budapest thermal bath. Learn to waltz at a Viennese dance school. Savor Austro-Hungarian cuisine in Vienna and Budapest. Admire the Wachau Valley’s beauty. Explore lesser-known Central European cities like Bratislava and Passau. Witness daily monastic life on an exclusive visit to Göttweig Abbey. This eight-day itinerary reveals the best of these places while cruising leisurely through spectacular scenery.

Romantic Danube — 8 days between Budapest and Regensburg

Visit Budapest’s Castle District and cross the famous Chain Bridge. Explore Göttweig Abbey, one of Austria’s most revered monastic centers, and make dumplings with Wachau Valley apricots. Visit historic Salzburg. Spend two days in Vienna and celebrate the city’s musical heritage at a concert featuring works by Mozart and Strauss. With medieval towns, grand cities and stunning scenery, this eight-day journey on the “Blue Danube” is one you are sure to love.

Paris & the Heart of Normandy — 8 days roundtrip from Paris

Dock in the heart of Paris, admiring views of the Eiffel Tower and a replica of the Statue of Liberty from your ship. Experience history firsthand at the Normandy beaches and delight in Rouen’s Gothic architecture. Explore Giverny and the charming house and gardens where Claude Monet lived and worked, the setting inspiring many of his masterpieces. This voyage celebrates history, art, food and customs in France’s most alluring urban and pastoral settings.

Grand European Tour — 15 days between Amsterdam and Budapest

Admire Rhine Valley vistas from a 900-year-old castle. Sample the culinary delights of Austria’s Wachau Valley. Learn the Viennese waltz, visit Melk’s Benedictine Abbey and delve into Nuremberg’s World War II history. Indulge your senses on this 15-day journey spanning the best of Europe, tracing the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers between the windmill-dotted waterways of Holland and the stunning landscapes of Hungary, with engaging encounters at every bend.

Portugal’s River of Gold — 10 days between Lisbon and Porto

Experience the renaissance of Lisbon, newly invigorated with trending galleries and restaurants. Explore two of Iberia’s oldest university towns: Coimbra, Portugal and Salamanca, Spain. Roam the port warehouses of Porto. Enjoy traditional cuisine, wine and fado singing. Cruise the Douro River Valley, the world’s oldest demarcated wine region and a UNESCO Site. Our 10-day cruisetour includes a hotel stay in Lisbon and the added bonus of a visit to Spain.

2026 European River Season

Looking ahead to the 2026 season in Europe, Viking will add four more sister ships to its Viking Longships fleet. Also starting next year, the line will add new pre and post-cruise extensions. The fully-guided three or four-night tours will feature Privileged Access to museums, local cuisine for lunches and dinners, vineyard visits, cooking classes, and exploration of the region by scenic train travel — as well as more time to personalize the journey with optional excursions.

The new extensions include:

Best of Holland

Discover Holland’s rich cultural heritage, scenic beauty and iconic sights. Explore Delft’s Royal Dutch Delftware Manufactory and Gouda’s historic sites, and partake in a stroopwafel workshop. See The Hague’s landmarks and admire the masterpieces on display at the Mauritshuis Museum and Rijksmuseum.

Best of Belgium

Experience the rich history, stunning architecture and vibrant culture of Belgium during visits to three of its most captivating cities. Immerse yourself in the picturesque UNESCO-listed charms of Brussels and medieval Bruges, and explore bustling Antwerp, Europe’s renowned diamond capital.

Reims & Champagne

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Champagne region. Stroll through lush vineyards, savor a taste of champagne and exquisite cuisine, and visit the grave of Dom Pérignon. Admire the grandeur of Reims Cathedral and see the Châteaux de Vaux-le-Vicomte, an inspiration for Versailles.

St. Moritz, Lombardy & Alpine Train

Board the Bernina Express for a stunning rail journey along a UNESCO World Heritage Site route through the majestic Alps and Northern Italy. Explore the old town of Chur and admire striking views from atop Muottas Muragl in Saint Moritz. Experience Milan, the cultural center of Northern Italy.

Swiss Alps & Scenic Train

Journey through the Swiss Alps and visit picturesque alpine villages and towns, traveling by train on the scenic GoldenPass railway. Enjoy a stay amid scenic vistas by Lake Geneva’s shores, discover the serene beauty of Switzerland’s famed mountain range and explore the beautiful Jungfrau region.

Comments

Which of these Viking European river cruises would you most like to take? If you’ve been to Europe, what’s your favorite destination that you’ve visited there? Drop us an anchor below and share your thoughts!

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Our first river cruise was along the Seine with Viking last year. Looking to expand our horizons, we just set sail on an off-season Best of the Danube cruise with AmaWaterways on the line’s flagship vessel, AmaMagna. Although several elements of river cruising are the same regardless of the cruise line, our AmaWaterways river cruise really surprised us in many ways. Find out why in our AmaWaterways Danube River cruise review.

The Best of the Danube on AmaMagna – Our First AmaWaterways River Cruise Review

Most river cruise lines offer a variety of options for exploring the historic cities nestled on the banks of the Danube. However, few can measure up to AmaWaterways’ AmaMagna. This “double-wide”, 196-passenger vessel stands out in a crowd. Twice the width of a typical river cruise vessel, the extra space offers guests more area to relax and experience the variety of onboard amenities.

Featuring a modern design, with warm tones and open spaces that were inviting yet still intimate, AmaMagna certainly felt more like a floating upscale resort than a cruise ship. In fact, given the available amenities, AmaMagna almost felt more like a small ocean ship than a river ship.

This 7-day itinerary was roundtrip from Budapest, Hungary, not departing until 7 PM. So, while guests could fly in the day of the cruise, we opted for a pre-cruise hotel at the Aria Hotel.

This boutique hotel was the perfect luxury accommodation to overcome our jetlag before setting off to explore new destinations. The Aria Hotel features musically-inspired rooms, each with a unique theme. With spacious accommodations, and upgraded offerings like complimentary breakfast, a wine and cheese cocktail hour with live music, a thermal suite, and a stunning rooftop bar, we would highly recommend this hotel when visiting Budapest.

The AmaWaterways Experience

AmaWaterways offers guests a seamless, and mostly inclusive, experience.

Pre-cruise, guests can select from a variety of shore excursion options. In fact, all but one of the tours were included, so guests don’t have to worry about any upcharged activities. These tours ranged from routine city walks, to nature hikes and bike rides, to day-long sojourns to nearby picturesque cities.

Unlike our previous river cruise experience, we did like that there were options in most ports rather than just the one “included tour”. Sometimes, there were unique tour offerings and other times the offerings were divided into activity levels. This particularly appealed to us as we remembered being slightly bored with the slow pace of our previous tours. Instead, guests could choose active tours like hikes and bikes, regular-paced walking tours, or “gentle” tours which were either slower paced walking tours or panoramic bus tours. This variety ensured that those with limited mobility were accommodated as well.

Along with ashore programming, most onboard amenities are included in the cruise fare as well. All guests receive free Wi-Fi internet, which offered reliable connections throughout our voyage. In line with our previous experience, guests can access specialty coffee 24-7 at coffee kiosks. And beer, wine, and soft drinks are included at lunch and dinner.

One nice touch is the additional Sip and Sail cocktail hour. Before dinner, the Cruise Manager hosts this social gathering where guests can mingle and enjoy some complimentary cocktails. The limited menu includes several house wines, beer, and a small selection of drinks. Luckily, Heidi’s go-to Cosmopolitan was on the menu each night!

Further, all meals are included, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner available at more than just the main dining room. One advantage of the ship’s larger size is the ability to offer alternative dining options. Still, most other ships in AmaWaterways’ fleet do offer at least a chef’s table in addition to the main dining room.

Complimentary self-service laundry, a focused wellness program that even included spin bikes, and a pool on the sundeck were just some of the additional inclusions we weren’t expecting on our first AmaWaterways river cruise.

The Restaurant on AmaMagna

Perhaps the biggest surprise for us during this river cruise was the dining. With four different dinner options, guests can choose their experience.

If you are like us and want to try them all, you’ll need to make reservations once you board the ship for the alternative dining venues. However, reservations are not needed for the main dining room as there is open seating during all meals.

The main dining room on AmaMagna is The Restaurant on the main deck, midship. Unlike typical river cruise dining rooms where communal dining is the only option, The Restaurant boasted several different sized table and booths. So, some nights we dined with a larger group, while other times we ate on our own. We liked this flexibility because let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t feel like being social.

The Restaurant typically offered breakfast around 7-7:30 AM. It boasted a made-to-order menu of breakfast specialties, like custom omelets and Eggs Benedict. There were also daily specials, like a toasty and spicy breakfast burrito. In addition, there was a small buffet, with breakfast pastries, European breakfast, fresh fruit, and a few warm selections that guests could serve themselves.

At lunch, typically served around noon, the menu featured “Always Available” options like hamburgers or pizza. Honestly though, these menu options were not necessarily our favorites. But we didn’t come to Central Europe for your typical cruise fare. Happily, there were daily regional specialities, like Käsespätzle or Pork Belly, that delivered some of the local flavors. Other standouts during lunch included Tandoori Chicken Curry and Thai Shrimp Curry.

Another nice touch is that everyone is treated to all of that day’s starters presented on a sharing board. Of course, you can order a soup or salad in addition to these small plates.

Dinner at the Restaurant on AmaMagna usually started around 7 PM after the Sip and Sail cocktail hour.

The dinner menu features several appetizers, a daily soup, entrees, and dessert each evening. In addition to the “Always Included” selections, there were vegetarian recommendations each night. This was perfect for Heidi. However, the accommodating chefs were also willing to customize some dishes, like swapping beef tenderloin for chicken on a poke bowl.

The dinner menus also featured a couple of dishes each evening with local ingredients. For instance, there was a pork schnitzel that paired perfectly with that evening’s hand-selected wines when docked overnight in Vienna. Other hearty and rich offerings like slow-braised black angus short ribs or tender and sweet rack of lamb were just a few of the delectable dishes we enjoyed throughout the cruise.

AmaMagna’s Alternative Dining Options

While the main dining room offers a traditional rotating three-course menu, guests can enjoy the exact same fare in a family-style setting at Jimmy’s Restaurant. This alternative dining space is only open for dinner.

Located on Piano Deck, Deck 1, named after co-founder Jimmy Murphy, this restaurant has a laid-back, communal feel with nods to Irish heritage. We liked the setup and concept, but didn’t like that Jimmy’s served the same menu as the main dining room just plated differently. We feel the restaurant should have a distinct menu of its own, perhaps with Irish fare.

Nonetheless, we dined here one evening to check it out. Our table carved into shared plates, including the aforementioned rack of lamb. However, certain selections do not necessarily lend themselves to this style of dining. So, having a set menu for the entire voyage would make more sense.

Across the way from Jimmy’s Restaurant is the Chef’s Table. This venue offers a 7-course dining menu that stays the same throughout the voyage. These included a Goat Cheese and Tomato Sphere, Spinach Raviolini, Coconut Lemon Grass Soup, Grilled Pike, Sorbet, Slow Roasted Beef Tenderloin, and a Chocolate Sphere for dessert. With a display kitchen in the restaurant’s corner, this smaller, sophisticated dining room is a nice change of pace.

Finally, all the way forward on Deck 2 is the Al Fesco restaurant. This venue is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night snacks, offering a more casual atmosphere.

In the morning, Al Fresco has a small buffet along with The Restaurant’s made-to-order menu. Open longer than the main dining room, it was a bright and airy place for us to start most of our days on the ship.

For lunch, the Al Fresco restaurant offers the main dining room’s always-included options and a condensed version of The Restaurant’s other offerings. It typically featured a sandwich of the day, like the Austrian Alpen wrap, an entree, a salad, and one dessert.

At dinner, the Al Fresco restaurant turned into its own unique setting. To our surprise, it had a completely different set menu throughout the cruise. The only two entree selections were a Herb-Crusted Beef Striploin or a Tomato Ricotta Tarte. So actually, Heidi ended up asking for the chicken dish from the main dining room instead.

While we liked this venue for breakfast and lunch, it was our least favorite dinner option. We think it would be great if the cruise line made this a more casual, grab-and-go dining option for dinner. They could serve select dishes from that evening’s main dining room, or other quick service dishes, in a self-service style. This way guests would not have to sit through a multi-course meal after a long day ashore if they didn’t want to, especially since room service is not an option. This would then free up the kitchen to do something unique for Jimmy’s Restaurant.

Overall though, the food on our AmaWaterways river cruise exceeded our expectations.

Onboard Amenities and Activities

As one of the largest ships sailing the Danube, or any European river really, AmaMagna is home to some of the most public venues on any river ship.

More active cruisers will appreciate the ship’s fitness facilities. All the way aft, there is a gym open 24 hours a day. You can work up a sweat with cardio machines, free weights, and the like. Besides self-led workout routines, the onboard Wellness Host led several group fitness classes, spin classes, and yoga sessions.

AmaMagna also has a Spa. There, you can be pampered with upcharge services like massages, manicures, and pedicures. A full-service hair salon is also available.

We enjoyed one warm afternoon on the outdoor decks during our sail back to Budapest. But during the warmer months, there are various loungers, tables and chairs, and sofas on the sundeck. There is also a pool and hot tub, which our last river ship did not feature. While it was cold during our February sailing, the pool water is heated, so some cruisers did make use of this space.

Oh, and we can’t overlook the full-sized pickleball court. While vacant most of our cruise, we suspect this is a popular place to be on those warm scenic sailing days of the summer.

Although, what AmaMagna was missing is daily onboard programming. It seemed like the focus was on wellness offerings instead of enrichment offerings. This seven-day itinerary has several mornings of scenic cruising, with mostly afternoons ashore. So, we definitely think this is a missed opportunity.

One morning, a culinary team member demonstrated how to make apple strudel. Another late afternoon, one of the musicians led an arts and crafts activity. But, there wasn’t much related to any of the ports of call or the region beyond the culinary offerings.

Yes, there were brief port talks, but they mostly just discussed the upcoming shore excursions. We would have appreciated some informal talks on the history of the region, or the castles and palaces, or even something about The Sound of Music and some filming locations to see while in Salzburg for instance. These edu-tainment type activities were a glaring omission in our opinion.

Further, while the ship has an onboard library, the books are a hodge-podge of random topics. Few of the reading materials actually focused on any of the cities or countries we visited. There is also a comfy Cinema with plush chairs and an oversized television that was never used. At the very least, the Cinema could have been playing the Sound of Music on a continuous loop or other movies and documentaries related to the itinerary. These spaces felt under-utilized.

Nighttime Entertainment

Like most river cruises, there wasn’t much variety on AmaMagna in the evenings. The Lounge on Deck 3 was the main bar and entertainment space. While it was technically open most of the day, the venue did not liven up until around 6 PM with the line’s Sip and Sail cocktail hour.

This nightly social event was where the Cruise Manager, Martina, shined. Her energetic personality was perfect for this pre-dinner gathering. Having worked for AmaWaterways for nearly a decade, she was well versed in river cruising. As Cruise Manager, she made herself available to guests and wanted to ensure everyone made the most of their vacation.

On one evening, a local music trio came onboard to perform a melody of classical pieces and contemporary hits after dinner. On other nights, the resident duo, Richard and Anna, kept the late-night crowd singing and dancing with live music.

Overall, we would have appreciated more varied nighttime entertainment. We expected more local performances or presentations. It would have been nice to have a nightly game show or trivia session as well to liven up the crowd, perhaps between dinner and the live music.

Actually, the more in-depth ports talks and the group activities hosted by the cruise manager on our previous river cruise were some of the highlights of that trip.

Stateroom

Our cozy outside balcony, cabin 229, was on the starboard side of the Cello Deck, Deck 2. This category AB stateroom measured 252 square feet and was very akin to our typical balcony staterooms on ocean ships. Immediately entering the room, the bathroom was to the left, and the closet was to the right.

Further into the room was a small desk tucked around the corner behind the bathroom. Then, the bed was on the forward wall facing aft and was adjacent to the balcony.

While the rest of AmaMagna felt open and spacious, we would have appreciated additional space in our cabin. There was limited storage beyond the closet. And the walls weren’t magnetic, so we couldn’t use our tried-and-true cabin hacks for additional storage.

So, it took some creative unpacking to fit all our gear for this week-long cruise. Plus, the only full-length mirror was on the back of the closet door, completely blocking the main walkway when in use.

However, we did appreciate the USB outlets on each side of the bed. Along with cubby-style nightstands, I was able to pack away some of our accessories.

Perhaps what we missed the most was a seating area. Besides the desk, there was no sofa or even a bedside chair. I ended up taking a balcony chair inside on a few occasions so we could both have a place to sit and do some work.

Surprisingly, the bathroom was relatively large, with a full-sized tiled shower and a standard vanity. Compared to our previous river cruise stateroom, the bathroom definitely offered more space, which made getting ready for each day’s adventure easier.

Finally, the balcony was the length of the stateroom and just deep enough for our two chairs and table. Even though the weather was cool, grey, and overcast on several days, we did spend some time on our balcony. Whether it was scenic sailing, or an afternoon doing a little work, we enjoyed having this personal outdoor space.

While the interior size of our room was similar to that of category E and D staterooms on the Piano Deck (think oceanview), we believe upgrading to this category stateroom is worth gaining the additional outdoor space. However, if we were to sail on this class of ship in the future, we would probably book one of the entry level suites, which are almost 50% bigger. They feature a split bathroom design, more storage, and a separate seating area.  

The Best of the Danube Itinerary

This seven-day roundtrip itinerary is perfect for those looking to test the waters with a river cruise. With many river cruises lasting 10 to 14 days, this week-long sailing is the ideal introduction to this type of cruise.

The itinerary features three countries (which were all new for us!) and several popular spots along this famous river. Thus, it provides plenty of opportunity to explore the region’s hallmark cities at a comfortable pace. Starting and ending in Budapest, Hungary, we also cruised to Bratislava, Slovakia and Vienna, Austria.

Roundtrip Budapest

Budapest was our starting and ending point for this sailing. Spending multiple days here is fitting, as the city has two distinct areas, the ” Pest” and the “Buda” sides. Thus, we were able to dedicate a day to each.

Even if you arrive on embarkation day, the cruise line allows guests to drop off luggage at the ship as early as 9:30 AM. With embarkation not starting until later in the afternoon and an all-aboard of 6:30 PM, the first day is ripe for exploration.

With our pre-cruise hotel stay, we were up and ready to explore independently. The Aria Hotel is ideally located within walking distance of several landmarks on the Pest side of the city. So, we spent close to three hours strolling the streets, taking in sights like St. Stephen’s Basilica, the Parliament Building, the Shoes on the Danube Memorial, Liberty Square, the Dohány Street Synagogue, and the Ruin Bars.

On the back end, we took the included Buda Walking Tour. After a quick ride over to the other side of the Danube, we had about 3 hours to explore the city’s original center. We strolled this fortified area with our tour guide providing commentary along the way. After admiring the Castle building, the “Hungarian White House”, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion, we had just enough free time for a little shopping and a chimney cake.

Have Fun Storming the Castle

On Day 2, the ship pulled into the quaint capital city of Bratislava, Slovakia.

We didn’t have far to walk to see the historic old town as our ship was docked just a few blocks away. With our Quietvox in tow, we joined the group for our “Cornation City” walking tour.

Showcasing the city’s unique history over several centuries, our guide detailed her personal experiences living under the Soviet regime before the liberation of this small country. With remnants of Soviet rule scattered throughout the city, the cobblestone streets led the way to churches and landmarks hundreds of years old. From the preserved Michael’s Gate, or parts of the original wall abutting a highway, the city is a charming mix of old and new.

Weaving in and out of the streets are other notable photo ops, like Mirbach Palace and St. Martin’s Cathedral, as well as statues carved into the streets, like Cumil, popping up from a manhole. But, perhaps the most iconic city landmark is the impressive Bratislava Castle overlooking the city. While several of our fellow cruisers made the trek to the top, we enjoyed some coffee and souvenir shopping following the guided tour.

Luckily, we were treated to nighttime castle vistas as we sailed on to our next port of call.

Scenic Cruising Has Evaded Us Again

One of the draws of river cruising is that land is never out of sight—but not just any land. River cruises often appeal to those looking to sail by ancient villages, rolling valleys, and majestic castles.

While we were let down by many of the vistas on our Seine River cruise, we were ready for the Danube to wow us. Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not want to cooperate. With dense fog and a cloudy, wet morning, our scenic cruising time through the Wachau Valley did not deliver precisely the views we hoped for on this trip.

However, we learned the night before that the afternoon tour to Melk Abbey was getting upgraded. Now, along with a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage site, we would also visit the river village of Durnstein. One of the benefits of cruising off-season is that there are fewer crowds and virtually no traffic. So, the cruise line was able to modify the itinerary to add some additional time at this nearby town.

So, we set off on a short bus ride from our docking point in Weissenkirchen to this small town known for its vineyards. Again, the weather did not fully cooperate, but we enjoyed our guided stroll in town before taking the 30-minute drive to the magnificent 18th-century Abbey.

Known for its Baroque architecture, Melk Abbey is home to many impressive religious artifacts dating back centuries. With a tour taking us through this massive complex’s various construction periods and history, it was reminiscent of touring the Vatican.

Intricately designed rooms dive deeper into the religious underpinnings of the Abbey and its monks. We quickly visited its famous library, which has manuscripts dating back over 700 years. The tour culminates with a stop in the church, with over 4 kilograms of gold-leafed statues.

The Hills Are Alive

Heidi and I are often over-planners. But, given our travels, we had less time than usual to prepare for this trip.

Thus, when docking in Linz, we were unsure what to do. The cruise line offered three distinct options. One was a walking tour of the port, the third largest city in Austria. The others were full-day excursions to either Cesky Krumlov in the Czech Republic or Salzburg, Austria the birthplace of Mozart.

We opted for the latter and boarded a coach at 8:30 AM to set off in search of music. We learned that Salzburg is also home to the von Trapp family, the inspiration for the beloved film, The Sound of Music. So, our guided walking tour included stops at locations featured in the film as well as stops related to Mozart’s life.

Starting at Mirabell Palace, we had time for some quick photo ops in the Gardens, but given the time of year, they were not in bloom yet. From there, we were only a few blocks away from one of Mozart’s residences.

Along the way, the city’s 17th and 18th-century architecture seamlessly blended with modern structures. Trying to keep up with our guide while also admiring the cityscapes, historic buildings, and statues felt a bit overwhelming.

Crossing a pedestrian bridge, it was on to Getreidegasse, a popular shopping district. The windows of these small shops were lined with intricate keepsakes and local delicacies. Of course, during our free time, Heidi and I found our way back to a Christmas store to ensure we took home an ornament from one of these stores.

This well-traveled road is also home to one of the most popular tourist spots, Mozart’s birthplace. Once an unknown location, the third floor of this rather ordinary apartment is now a museum. The tour continued by Residenzplatz, with its museums and the Salzburg Cathedral ending near St. Peter’s Church.

We then had close to three hours of free time. So, along with acquiring our requisite souvenirs, we took the FestungsBahn up to Fortress Hohensalzburg. This 11th-century fortress gives a bird’s-eye view of the city. On a clear day, the Alps would also be visible. There are also several museum exhibits, restaurants, and stores. In fact, you could spend a whole day exploring this fortress city.

As part of the adventure, we stopped by Café Tomaselli for a coffee and pastry, just like Mozart, one of their most famous patrons.

While we were not as prepared as usual for a full day of sightseeing, we still accomplished quite a bit, with only minimal disagreements.

I’m Not Sure What I’m Seeing

Since leaving Melk, AmaMagna had begun its return trip east. After a morning of scenic cruising, we arrived in the romantic city of Vienna. Following a typical morning aboard, we geared up for an entire afternoon and evening in this avant-garde capital city.

Our included tour of the day was the “Imperial Vienna” city tour and carriage ride. Departing after lunch, there was a 30-minute bus ride from the ship to the heart of the city down the famous Ringstrasse Boulevard. This panoramic tour almost gave us whiplash, as the guide pointed out sights one after another appearing on both sides of the bus, from the Opera House to historic hotels, churches, museums, and squares.

The bus eventually dropped us off at Rathausplatz. Exiting the coach, we were surrounded by impressive reconstructed 18th-century buildings. With seemingly every building along our tour being noteworthy, or at least picture-worthy, it was tough keeping up.

But we soon reached a point near the Hofburg Palace for our carriage ride. Again, the weather remained cloudy and drizzly, so our carriage had the roof on it. Thus, we didn’t see much of what we were passing and there wasn’t any narration during the 30-minute ride.

From there, we snapped a few photos of the front of the palace before heading to our next destination, the urban center. Unlike other sections of Vienna, the stroll down Rotenturmstraße felt more like we were in the middle of New York City with luxury shops and several restaurants.

Our tour ended outside of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This medieval church feels almost out of place nestled in the middle of tourist traps and skyscrapers. With barely 40 minutes of free time, we barely had time to accomplish anything else before getting bused back to the ship.

A Night Out in Vienna

Once back onboard, it was a mad dash to change and prepare for our evening jaunt back into the city.

Initially, we had booked the upcharge concert experience offered by the cruise line, but we ended up switching to a different classical concert suggested by a friend. With the concert at 8 PM, we had to be ready for an early dinner.

Luckily, the Restaurant offered additional “early seating” to accommodate guests heading off on the cruise-sponsored tour. So, we grabbed a table of six, scarfed down some schnitzel, and had an Uber waiting to take us to St. Anne’s Church.

The 75-minute performance included a four-piece string ensemble that featured works by Mozart, Schubert, and Strauss. Having very little knowledge of classical music, each piece was a new introduction to the works of these musical masterminds.

A Morning Fit for an Empress

Our first day in Vienna was spent admiring the main highlights of the city. So, on our second day, we joined the tour groups for the included tour of the Schönbrunn Palace. Located about 35 minutes from our ship, this summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty is one of the most popular destinations to visit in Austria.

Walking through the Palace gates, a massive square reveals the Palace constructed by Maria Theresa, the only female ruler from the Habsburg family. Similar to Versailles in France, all tour groups take the same route through the second-floor living quarters. Passing through grand halls and galleries, our guide intertwined the rise and fall of the ruling family over hundreds of years. Being one of the first tours of the morning (and off-season), the Palace was not overrun by tourists.

Following the tour of the main building, we were given about 40 minutes to explore the gardens on our own. Again, had this been spring or summer with flowers in bloom, this wouldn’t have been nearly enough time. As it was, we didn’t even have time to get up the hill to Gloriette.

Luckily, the gardens are open for anyone to explore. So, if the timing is right, we will probably return to Schönbrunn Palace to stroll the gardens on a future visit to Vienna.

Recap of Our First AmaWaterways River Cruise Review

Our first AmaWaterways river cruise was filled with exquisite dining, picturesque cities, and fond memories.

AmaMagna was the perfect introduction to this river cruise line. As ocean cruise enthusiasts, we felt more at home on this river cruise ship. With several public spaces and additional amenities, it was more akin to the offerings and choice that we appreciate on ocean-going vessels. We also like the more inclusive nature of AmaWaterways and river cruising in general. With all meals, most tours, and many drinks included in the cruise fare, there’s no nickel-and-diming.

The dining was a highlight, featuring a variety of regionally-inspired dishes, classic options, and diverse dining arrangements. Still, we would have liked more casual, self-serve options. And we missed not having soft-baked cookies and other treats near the coffee machines in the afternoons.

The crew was friendly and attentive and happy to accommodate our requests. Even though everyone was basically on the same schedule, none of the venues felt busy and meals were well-paced. Martina was a fantastic cruise manager as well. Though, we were a bit let-down by the activities, entertainment, and enrichment, or lack thereof.

Sailing during off-season meant we were among the only cruisers at many of the ports of call. This gave us the opportunity to explore with fewer crowds and take in more of each stop’s natural beauty, unique architecture, and culture.

On the other hand, most days were grey, cloudy, and cool. Thus, most of our scenic cruising was met with less-than-ideal weather. And we didn’t get to enjoy the outdoor sundeck as much as we would have liked. When the sun finally did reveal itself on our sail back to Budapest, Martina entered the wheelhouse to provide commentary for this iconic sail into port. In fact, this was the perfect way to end our trip.

Seeing additional river cruise ships docked along the Danube, it reminded us that we have much more to discover about river cruises and many more rivers to explore.

Comments

Have you taken an AmaWaterways river cruise? Would you sail the Danube River off-seaon? Drop us an anchor below to share your river cruise reviews.

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Royal Caribbean has announced the expansion of its Artist Discovery Program from ship to shore, giving Bahamian artists the opportunity to bring to life the region’s culture through curated collections and performances. The next edition of the program will offer guests visiting the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island more ways to encounter the beauty of the Bahamas.

“The Artist Discovery Program will ensure we authentically reflect The Bahamas’ enduring creativity and essence at our Royal Beach Club,” said Philip Simon, President, Royal Caribbean Bahamas. “We are excited to give our guests a deeper and immersive taste of The Bahamas by embedding local art at the center of the ultimate vacation experience.”

Opportunities for artists include large-scale murals, dance performances, live music, and expressive sculptures. Artists will be prominently featured throughout the beach club.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be designed to offer an immersive experience of Bahamian art through designated “art districts.” The districts will introduce guests to Bahamian traditions, highlighting natural wonders, festivities, and the country’s beauty.

Both individual and teams of artists living in the Bahamas are invited to apply for consideration with mural, sculpture, musical, or performance submissions. Submissions must be completed by March 28, 2025. Applicants must send five work samples, a CV, and an artist statement to RBCPIArtistDiscoveryProgram@rccl.com to be considered.

The first round of selections will be announced in April, and the final selections will be revealed in May. Final selections will be installed at the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island by July 2025, with a grand unveiling in December 2025.

The first of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Collection continues to take shape ahead of its opening this December.

Additional information on the Artist Discovery Program can be found here.

Comments

Are you looking forward to the opening of Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club on Paradise Island? Are you a fan of private cruise line destinations? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!

Stay up to date with the latest cruise news and travel updates!

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From Alaska to Antarctica and the Caribbean to the Mediterranean, we’ve been fortunate to cruise quite a bit. Still, there are several places across the globe that remain on our travel bucket list. To start off 2025, we decided to venture Down Under for our first Australia and New Zealand cruise. After spending 14 days cruising the region, we can honestly say that it wasn’t quite what we expected. Find out why in our latest cruise review.

Our 14-Day Australia and New Zealand Cruise Wasn’t What We Expected

The closest we’ve come to Australia or New Zealand is Hawaii and French Polynesia, so we were thrilled when we were invited to join Holland America’s Westerdam for a 14-day sailing in the region. Since the ship’s itinerary spent most of its time in New Zealand, we decided to extend the trip by a few days in Sydney. We couldn’t come all this way and not explore this iconic city!

With the time differences and extended travel distances, we would be away for a total of three weeks. This would be our longest travel stretch yet; in fact, two weeks would also be our longest cruise to date. Would we survive? Well, we were about to find out!

With lots of luggage in tow, we set off on Sunday evening and arrived in Sydney on Tuesday morning. We had a few tours and activities lined up before we embarked on Westerdam the upcoming Sunday, and we were ready to make the most of it.

Table of Contents:

• Holland America Westerdam
• Australia and New Zealand Ports of Call
• What We Wish We Knew Before Our First Australia and New Zealand Cruise

The Ship – Holland America Westerdam

We’ve cruised with Holland America Line a few times in the past, but mostly on the line’s newer Pinnacle Class vessels. Luckily though, most ships in the fleet have a similar layout and venues. Thus, Westerdam felt familiar to us.

Holland America’s Westerdam launched in 2004. This ship is just over 82K gross tons and carries just over 1900 passengers at double occupancy.

When it comes to dining, guests will recognize some familiar favorites. In addition to the main dining room and Lido Market buffet, the ship features the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and Canaletto Italian restaurant, both specialty restaurants with recently refreshed menus. Don’t worry, while there isn’t a dedicated spot for the Asian Tamarind, the Pinnacle Grill hosts pop-up dinners during the cruise. Guests can also sample the new Morimoto by Sea menu at a pop-up experience in the same location. Further, the main dining room and buffet feature regional port-to-plate dishes.

While Pinnacle Grill sears up a great steak and we did like the new Canaletto menu, Tamarind is still our personal favorite. Don enjoyed the Asian-infused seafood selections at Morimoto as well.

Aside from food, another cruise staple is entertainment, and Westerdam delivers with plenty of offerings to keep guests busy. There are nightly show on the World Stage, which include performances by the Step One Dance Company and various other headliner acts. Our favorite of the Step One shows is Humanity, but unfortunately they are redundant if you’ve cruised with HAL before. We were hoping to see some new productions on this ship, but that was not the case.

Holland America is also known for its destination-focused enrichment. Eli, the travel director on our sailing, was a wealth of information with his daily port talks and other edutainment-type presentations. These should not be missed.

Other popular spots on the ship include Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Lounge which host live music and various other trivia sessions, game shows, and dance classes throughout the cruise. The Crow’s Nest, perched all the way forward on the top of the ship, offers fantastic views and is home to the resident coffee shop. There are also two pools, the Lido Pool with a retractable roof and the SeaView Pool with great aft views. Not to mention, there’s a casino, spa, fitness center, pickleball court, and plenty of bars with specialty drink menus.

While not the new kid on the block, Holland America’s Westerdam has generally withstood the test of time. Though, some of the decor, and more notably the staterooms, did show signs of the ship’s age. While our verandah cabin did have some newer accents like curtains and pillows, the carpet, balcony, and bathroom did need some TLC. Did we mention, there’s still a shower curtain? Hopefully, the staterooms receive some updates during the ship’s scheduled dry dock in 2026.

The Ports of Call

Our 14-day Australia and New Zealand cruise was a one-way itinerary from Sydney to Auckland. It featured eight ports of call and a day of scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park. Unfortunately though, our four sea days were all clustered at the beginning of the itinerary as we transitted from Australia to New Zealand.

Given this was our first time in the region, we tried to make the most of it by booking a shore excursion in the majority of our ports. Admittedly, we did not spend as much time researching the destinations as we typically do, simply because we didn’t have the time with our travel schedule. So, we booked all our excursions with the cruise line for convenience.

Of course, other options exist and even offer return-to-ship guarantees like Shore Excursions Group.

Sydney, Australia

During our time in Sydney, we stayed at the W Sydney in Darling Harbor. This area was lively and had several restaurants within walking distance, but it was a bit out of the way from Circular Quay. Circular Quay is the main ferry transportation hub and where you’ll find the Sydney Opera House, Royal Botanic Garden, The Rocks, and other notable attractions.

During our five days here, we booked two tours and purchased tickets to an opera.

Day 1 Sydney

On the day of our arrival, we weren’t sure how tired we’d be, so we didn’t plan anything. Surprisingly, the 14-hour time difference didn’t impact us as much as we thought it would…though the 100 degree weather did!

We headed to Circular Quay to get our first glimpse (and plenty of photos) of the Syndey Opera House and Sydney Harbor Bridge. We attempted to walk some of the nearby Botanic Garden, but it was just too hot. Instead, we hopped on a harbor cruise to get an overview of the area and did a little shopping for some authentic UGG Australia footwear because Don wanted more items in our luggage (haha!).

Day 2 Sydney

For Day 2, we had a full day private tour booked. This tour basically took us around the entire coastal city showcasing some of the touristy and less-touristy areas with several photo stops along the way. From The Rocks, to Mrs. Macquarie’s Chair, to Finger Wharf, Shark Beach, Vaucluse House, Gap Park in Watson’s Bay, Bondi Beach, Waverley Cemetery, Centennial Park, and more, we covered it all.

If you want to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, a private, customizable tour is a great option.

Day 3 Sydney

For Day 3, we booked a tour to the Blue Mountains. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with us. Nonetheless, we headed out for our full day adventure bright and early in the morning. After about an hour and a half drive, we arrived at Scenic World. Here, we experienced the Scenic Skyway, then took the Scenic Cableway down for a walk through the rainforest. The only thing we saw on these two “scenic” rides was fog! After a brief stroll on the elevated boardwalks scouting flora and fauna, we took the Scenic Railway back up. It’s the steepest passenger railway in the world, and we did it backwards! This was certainly a highlight of our day.

Following the visit to Scenic World, we stopped at a few different lookouts in the National Park in attempt to see something, anything. This included Cahills Lookout and Boars Head Lookout, in addition to the Katoomba Cascades or Three Sisters waterfalls.

After a lunch break (where we discovered chicken parm is a thing is Australia), we stopped at Yellowmundee Regional Park for another scenic lookout before heading to Featherdale Wildlife Park. Here, we had about 75 minutes to see and interact with various indigenous species. We got our first glimpse of koala bears, kangaroos, wallabies, dingoes, enchidnas, blue penguins, tasmanian devils, and more.

Day 4 Sydney

Since we needed to tie up some loose ends before we embarked on the cruise, we spent the morning in our hotel getting some work done. Looking for a half-day outing, several had recommended a visit to the Taronga Zoo. So, we took the ferry ride over from Darling Harbor and spent about three hours meeting all the local residents. Since it was rather hot again today, the animals were not very active. Still, we managed to get some more adorable koala photos, along with meandering through the African savannah, kanagroo country, and seal cove. We also met some gorillas, a sun bear, tigers, and red pandas along the way.

Taking the ferry back to Circular Quay, we headed to The Rocks for dinner. This historic area is popular with tourists and locals alike with outdoor markets, restaurants, pubs, shopping, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. I guess it had to be done eventually, so we settled in to an al fresco table for Don to try a kangaroo burger.

Day 5 Sydney

Why just tour the Sydney Opera House when you can actually attend an opera? And that’s exactly what we did. Prior to our travels, we purchased tickets to a matinee show of Cinderella. We figured if we had to watch an opera at least we could follow along with this storyline.

Since today was some of the best weather we had in Sydney, we decided to take the ferry over to Manly following this performance. Luckily, the ferry systems in Sydney are very user-friendly and easy to navigate. Here, we enjoyed an early dinner at Hugos on Manly Wharf then spent some time strolling Manly Beach.

While the sun was setting on our time in Sydney, the fun wasn’t over just yet. Upon returning to our hotel, we stumbled upon a Lunar New Year celebration ocurring at Darling Harbor complete with water performers and fireworks. Now, this was the perfect ending to our visit!

Melbourne, Australia (Day 3)

After a day at sea traveling from Sydney, our first port of call on our Westerdam cruise was Melbourne. We were docked at Station Pier from 8 AM to 5 PM. The city center was a 15-20 minute ride away and had plenty of highlights to explore, but we booked the River Cruise, Healesville Sanctuary & Wine Tasting excursion.

This 8-hour tour started with an hour-long scenic cruise on the Yarra River. Passing under several ornate bridges like the Princes Bridge, we listened to commentary as we sailed past landmarks like the botantic gardens, cricket stadium, Herring Island, and more. We then reboarded our bus for the nearly 75 minute drive to Fergusson’s in the Yarra Valley for a wine tasting. This portion of the tour felt a bit rushed, but we were provided lunch and got to sample five different wines before heading off once again.

Our final stop of the day was the Healesville Sanctuary where we had just over an hour to explore. Given the weather was quite warm once again, many of the animals were lazing in the shade this afternoon. We did get to see more koalas, echidnas, kangaroos, a platypus, and a sleeping wombat.

Overall, it was a long day with rushed stops. In hindsight, we would have certainly skipped the cruise on the Yarra River to allow more time for the wine tasting and/or sanctuary visit.

Hobart, Tasmania (Day 5)

Following another sea day, we arrived in Hobart, Tasmania for our second and final port in Australia. Once again, we were docked here from 8 AM to 5 PM. Hobart center was a 15-minute walk from the ship, but we decided to give the Australian animal encounters one last try. After all, we STILL had not seen a kangaroo hopping!

After attending the port talk, we decided to switch our excursion to the Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary & Historical Richmond. This 4-hour tour started with a visit to Bonorong where we had just over an hour to immerse ourselves in the wildlife. While I could have spent all day watching the kangaroos, our time here didn’t feel rushed like the other encounters. Given the weather was more pleasant today, the animals were FINALLY active. We even got to feed the kangaroos….major bucket list item achieved! Oh, and when in Tasmania, you must see a Tasmanian devil, right?

Next, it was on to historic Richmond where we had just over an hour of free time. So, we did a little shopping, grabbed some candy and coffee at a lolly shop, and took some photos along the way.

Scenic Cruising Fiordland National Park (Day 8)

Departing Tasmania, we had three days at sea before reaching our first port of call in the South Island of New Zealand. The third sea day was spent scenic cruising through Fiordland National Park. Much like Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska, this is a full day event complete with commentary, sightseeing, and a presentation in the theater.

The day began bright and early as we were expected to enter Milford Sound around 6:30 AM. Given the weather conditions, the narration started a bit late. So, we ventured out into the fog and rain around 7:15 AM to the outdoor viewing area in front of the gym on Deck 9 forward. We were treated to an abundance of waterfalls that were quite stunning despite the weather. As it started to rain a bit heavier, we tried to scout out other viewing spots but ultimately ended up back inside watching out of our balcony.

At 10 AM, we attended the presentation in the theater and grabbed a coffee before gearing back up for our arrival in Doubtful Sound which had been delayed until around 12:15 PM.

What a difference a few hours can make in terms of the weather. By the time we arrived, it was picture-perfect! Thus, we spent a majority of the time outdoors admiring the views from differenet vantage points around the ship. From the Deck 10 sundeck, to the aft SeaView Pool area, to the bow, every angle was spectacular.

Of note, while the bow on Deck 4 of Westerdam is normally not accessible, it will open duing scenic cruising weather permitting. The outdoor viewing plaforms on Decks 5, 6, and 7 forward were also open to guests.

Exiting Doubtful Sound about an hour later, we grabbed some lunch before entering our third and final sound of the day, Dusky Sound. By this time, it had clouded up again and gotten quite windy, but at least it wasn’t raining. This was the least scenic in our opinion, but we still ventured out to the bow for a bit and watched from our balcony for a while.

Port Chalmers (Dunedin), New Zealand (Day 9)

After eight days on the ship, we reached our first port in New Zealand. Westerdam docked in Port Chalmers, which then required an approximately 30-minute drive into Dunedin. Guests could purchase shuttle tickets if they wished for $35 NZD roundtrip. Today, we were in port from 7 AM until 6 PM.

While we had been waitlisted for a while, we received word the night before that our desired tour, Albatross Cruise & Natures Wonders, had become available. Perfect!

Albeit another gray and overcast day, our tour began with an approximately 75-minute cruise on the Albatross Express. We set off through Otago Harbor towards the historic lighthouse in search of wildlife, mainly albatross which have nesting grounds near this lighthouse. Alas, we didn’t see any.

Next, we docked at Weller’s Rock where we boarded a bus for a short drive to the private Reid family farm. While the first half of this day was a letdown, the second part was a highlight of the trip. Here, we boarded a 6-person Argo for an off-road journey to see fur seals and blue penguins up close and personal. I never imagined that we would get so close to the seals living on the rocks and the penguins’ burrows.

Lyttelton (Christchurch), New Zealand (Day 10)

Our next stop on the South Island was Lyttelton, which offered a complimentary shuttle into town. Alternatively, guests could book a shuttle into Christchurch for $45 NZD. Today, we were in port from 8 AM until 5 PM.

We booked the High Country Explorer by Off Road Vehicle & Jet Boat excursion which was another long tour and not really what we expected. All said and done, it was a lot of driving and not much adventure. We started the day with a 2-hour drive that took us on a brief panoramic tour of Christchurch before heading out to the Springfield Adventure Center.

Here, we were expecting to board similar vehicles as yesterday, but instead it was basically a 4WD bus that took us across sheep and cattle farms to a couple scenic lookout points. It was rather foggy, so we didn’t get to see too much. Following this portion of the tour, we had a less-than-delicious lunch before our jet boat ride. We boarded a famous Hamilton jet boat for an approximately 35-minute ride into the Waimakariri River Gorge. With the wind in our faces, our captain sped off skimming over shallow water with some twists and 360-degree turns along the way.

While the guides were great and the boat ride was fun, we probably wouldn’t book this tour again. It was a long and expensive day with little to show for it.

Picton, New Zealand (Day 11)

Coming off of some long days and shore excursions, we decided to take it easy during our stop in Picton. We did book a short Picton Seaport Walk tour, but in hindsight, it wasn’t necessary. Westerdam was docked 8 AM to 5 PM, and there was a complimentary shuttle into town.

During our barely 1.5-hour walking tour, we strolled the waterfront while the guides provided some narration about the history of the area. We then crossed the coathanger bridge for a short bush walk in Victoria Domain where our guides provided some info on the local flora and fauna as well as New Zealand’s goal to be predator free by 2050.

Since it was such a lovely day, we continued exploring on our own after the tour. We walked past the old Edwin Fox, did some shopping, and grab a toastie for lunch before taking the shuttle back to the ship.

Wellington, New Zealand (Day 12)

Another day, another port. We had now made our way to the North Island of New Zealand. Today, we were docked in Wellington from 7 AM until 4 PM. There was a complimentary shuttle that took cruisers on the 10-minute drive into town. But, we booked another shore excursion. Don was looking forward to our Full Day Lord of the Rings Film Locations & Weta Workshop tour. I do admit that even as a non-Lord of the Rings fan, it was an interesting tour.

This full-day journey took us to several stops in the Wellington region including the Hutt River (River Anduin), Harcourt Park (Gardens of Isengard), Kaitoke Regional Park (Rivendell), and Mount Victoria (Hobbiton Woods). At each stop, we were able to walk the grounds and take photos after our enthusiastic guides gave us some insight into the filming locations and some of the behind-the-scenes magic. It was impressive to contrast photos from the movie scenes with the actual locations, and the guides really brought everything to life.

The tour also included a lookout point on Mount Victoria, a buffet lunch, and a visit to the Weta Workshop. Because we arrived a little late, our time at the Weta Workshop did feel a bit rushed. Nonetheless, we got a brief tour of the facilities and some background into the making of costumes and props for 300+ movies like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Avatar, District 9, and more. 

While it was a long day, the tour was balanced with no extended drive times between destinations. This is in contrast to the reviews we heard from the other Lord of the Rings tour in Christchurch. So, we’re glad we picked this one!

Napier, New Zealand (Day 13)

Approaching the end of our cruise, we were getting a bit worn out from all of the long-day excursions. So, after attending one of cruise line’s port talks we made the decision to cancel our shore excursion for the day and just walk around town.

We were only docked in Napier from 8 AM until 1 PM, and by coincidence it was the beginning of the Art Deco Festival. Plus, the center of town was less than a mile away and complimentary shuttles were provided.

We spent a few hours strolling the streets admiring the art deco buildings and antique cars on display. Then, we walked along the waterfront, through the gardens, and to the war memorial with its stunnig floral clock. We ended the day with a visit to Starbucks…I know, very authentic! But it had been nearly two weeks since I had my Starbucks drink, and we walked by the building at least three times.

Tauranga (Rotorua), New Zealand (Day 14)

Our final port of call, and final day of the cruise, was a stop in Tauranga. We were docked here from 7 AM until 5:30 PM. Docked at the base of Mount Maunganui, some beaches, hot pools, and waterfront were within walking distnce, but we chose to take an excursion to Rotorua to experience some of the Maori culture.

Our Te Puia Geyser & Maori Arts excursion took us to Te Puia, a Maori arts and crafts institute. Here, we learned a bit about the heritage, skills, and culture of these indigenous people of New Zealand. We saw recreations of a village and meeting house, witnessed a Haka dance and traditional Maori welcome, and toured the arts and crafts institute observing carving and weaving works in progress.

Then, we walked through the geothermal valley, where we saw the Pohutu Geyser, steam vents, and mud pools; and we saw adorable kiwis at the Kiwi Conservation Center (no pictures allowed though). We ended the tour with a delicious, semi-authentic buffet lunch.

What We Wish We Knew Before Our First Australia and New Zealand Cruise

We truly enjoyed our nearly three weeks touring this region of the world, and we would certainly return. However, in retrospect, we may not have been as prepared for our first Australia and New Zealand cruise as we thought we were. Here are a few things we wish we knew during our planning process.

1. There are more choices of ships than we thought.

Granted, as we mentioned previously, we were invited by Holland America to join this cruise, so we didn’t go through our normal ship researching process. Still, when we envisioned a 14-day itinerary visiting so many ports of call, we assumed these would be offered only by lines like Holland America, Princess Cruises, and some luxury lines.

To our surprise, we saw a variety of ships from a variety of cruise lines while in the region. And many of them offer very similar itineraries.

So, while Holland America’s Westerdam (or Noordam) is a solid choice when taking an Australia and New Zealand cruise, it’s not the only one. If you’re looking for that enrichment component, Princess currently has two ships sailing in the region as well. If you want a more family-focused ship, Carnival Splendor offers 9- and 10-night sailings and Royal Caribbean’s Anthem/Ovation of the Seas also visits many of the same ports. Not to mention, Celebrity Edge is one of the newer large ships sailing the region.

In 2026, Norwegian Spirit will offer similiar itineraries too. In fact, there will be 14 different cruise lines in the region next year.

2. There are various itineraries in the region.

Speaking of itineraries, you will want to review all the options carefully. Our itinerary focused heavily on New Zealand with only two Australian ports of call. If you are looking to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, this is not the cruise for you. We didn’t realize this before our sailing either, but the Great Barrier Reef is along the more Northern Australian coast. These itineraries will likely still start in Sydney but will visit ports like Whitsunday Islands, Cairns, Port Douglas, and Brisbane.

If you want to explore more of Southern Australia, pick an itinerary that includes ports like Melbourne, Adelaide, Kangaroo Island, and Tasmania.

Further, you should consider extending your stay to explore your embarkation and disembarkation ports as well. You could spend days in just Sydney or Auckland alone. So, pick an itinerary length that will allow for this, keeping your budget and vacation time in mind.

3. As Americans, you need visas to cruise to Australia and New Zealand.

With recent changes in tourism regulations, more and more destinations are starting to require visas to enter. However, as Americans, we aren’t quite used to this just yet. While we did know that we needed visas, applying for them slipped our minds until the last minute. Luckily, the turnaround time is quick, but it will still take you some time. You’ll need to download two separate apps (one for Australia and one for New Zealand) and input all the pertinent information. Once completed, we received our Australian visa almost immediately and our New Zealand visa in about 24 hours.

When budgeting, you should also be aware that each of these visas comes with a fee. The Australian visa is inexpensive at $20 AUD (roughly $13 USD) per person. However, the New Zealand visa is a bit more expensive at $117 NZD (roughly $67 USD) per person.

4. The countries are strict about biosecurity.

Yes, we’ve all heard that we aren’t allowed to bring fruits or vegetables off the ship in ports of call. But, Australia and New Zealand take things one step further. They are really strict about biosecurity and don’t allow you to take ANYTHING off the ship except bottled water. This means no morning coffee and not even a packaged granola bar for a midday snack.

We heard multiple announcements about this restriction every day before heading ashore and were warned that the countries conduct random bag checks and guests could be fined for not adhering. We also needed to complete declarations when entering each country for the first time.

These laws are in place to protect the environments from foreign pests and diseases. New Zealand in particular is serious about this, aiming to be predator free by 2050.

5. Most of the region is cashless.

We are accustomed to getting foreign currency at our local bank before traveling internationally. While we did get Australian dollars, we weren’t able to get New Zealand dollars prior to our departure. However, this didn’t matter much as both countries are primarily cashless. Almost everywhere we went used tap and pay systems. Even the ferry systems in Sydney and many buses used this process. This made things quick and efficient regardless of whether we were using public transit, shopping, or purchasing something at a local cafe.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt to have some local currency for tips or open-air markets (though even most of these vendors accepted credit cards).

Of note, most of the public toilets in Australia and New Zealand are free; so there’s no need to worry about having coins when going ashore like in Europe.

6. The weather can be quite variable.

The weather and packing for a cruise can be tricky regardless of destination. Even monitoring weather apps before our travels, we STILL didn’t pack appropriately for our Australia and New Zealand cruise. The weather during our time in Australia ended up being significantly warmer than we expected, reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on a few occasions. Yet, the weather in New Zealand was cloudy and overcast most of the time with some wind and rain making it feel cooler than the actual temperatures.

So, be sure to pack layers and a rain coat at the very least.

7. There are two terminals in Sydney.

When walking around Sydney, most will encounter the Overseas Passenger Terminal located at the edge of Circular Quay in The Rocks area. However, this is not the ONLY cruise terminal in Sydney. There’s also the White Bay Cruise Terminal, which is about a 15-minute drive away from the Overseas Passenger Terminal. We actually didn’t realize until requesting our Uber on embarkation day morning that we were departing from the White Bay Cruise Terminal.

While the Overseas Passenger Terminal is in the heart of Sydney directly across from the Opera House, sailing from the White Bay Cruise Terminal has its advantages. Generally, smaller ships depart from this terminal and then sail out under the Sydney Harbor Bridge. Larger ships leaving from the Overseas Passenger Terminal will sail by the Opera House but not under the Bridge.

8. There are no koalas or kangaroos in New Zealand.

We don’t know about you, but we were pretty excited to see koala bears and kangaroos on this cruise. But, we didn’t realize that we would only see them in Australia NOT New Zealand. With only a few Australian ports on our itinerary, we ended up switching around some of our excursions to fit in more animal sightings.

If you are looking to interact with these adorable creatures, we’d recommend Healesville Sanctuary and Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary. If you want more time at these locations or want to partake in any for-fee “encounters”, consider hiring a car to go on your own or booking a tour outside the cruise line. Also, keep the weather in mind. The animals will likely be more active in the cooler temperatures, so consider a morning visit.

9. The Tasman Sea can be rough.

If you’re taking an Australia and New Zealand cruise, you’ll be traveling in the Tasman Sea at some point. This sea is known for being rough and unpredictable. Similar (but less intense) to the Drake’s Passage heading to Antarctica, this is where currents from two different oceans meet. The region is also prone to strong winds and tropical cyclones.

So, it’s best to be prepared. If you are prone to motion sickness, be sure to pack the proper aids— whether you take prescription meds, over-the-counter items like Dramamine or Bonine, use Sea-Bands, or other natural ingredients like ginger.

10. Investigate the ship’s laundry situation.

If you plan to spend any time in your pre-cruise or post-cruise destinations, you could be traveling for three weeks or more. And it’s just not realistic to pack that much…even for us! So, we suggest investigating your ship’s laundry situation before setting sail.

Some cruise lines, like Princess Cruises, have self-service laundry rooms which are ideal. Even Carnival Splendor has self-service facilities where you can wash and dry your clothes for a nominal fee. If this option isn’t available, many cruise lines will offer deals on wash-and-dry bags of laundry. For instance, our Holland America ship offered a “fill the bag” service for $25 USD or unlimited laundry for 14 days for $119. If neither of these options are available, it could cost you a pretty penny to pay by the item!

11. Most ports are working ports so you can’t walk off the ship.

Like many ports in Europe, a majority of the ports on our Australia and New Zealand cruise were considered working ports used for the logging industry. Thus, cruise passengers are not allowed to just walk off the ship like you can in most Caribbean or Alaskan ports.

At many of our stops, complimentary shuttles into town were available. Or, in certain instances, you could purchase shuttle tickets. If you are booked on a shore excursion, there’s no need to worry, as you’ll typically depart from right outside the ship.

However, if you plan to book private tours or tours with third party vendors, be sure to inquire about meeting points.

12. Excursions are expensive.

Speaking of excursions, they are expensive in this region! As first-time visitors to Australia and New Zealand, we wanted to see and do as much as possible. This meant that we booked an excursion in almost every port of call, and these tours were often $200-$300 or more per person. So, this can easily add thousands of dollars to your vacation costs as it did for us!

We suggest that you do more research than we did and investigate options from all sources. For instance, Shore Excursions Group offers similar options at prices up to 40% off cruise line prices. They often offer smaller group sizes and private tour options as well. And the best part is that they offer a “return-to-ship” guarantee so you don’t have to worry about missing the ship.

As we’ve now realized, it’s okay to not book an excursion in every port too. Most of these ports are very walkable once taking the shuttle into town. If your cruise line offers them, we suggest you attend the port talks. Eli, our travel guide on Westerdam, did a fantastic job of highlighting what there was to do in each port. He even provided maps and practical information so you could feel confident exploring on your own.

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The countdown is officially on for the opening of Carnival Cruise Line’s brand-new private destination in the Bahamas, Celebration Key. To kick off the countdown, Carnival Corporation’s CEO Josh Weinstein and Chief Maritime Officer Lars Ljoen joined Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy for a behind the scenes look at Celebration Key as construction enters its final phases.

In a nod to the maritime tradition of a keel laying for a new ship, they placed commemorative keys into Celebration Key’s signature Suncastle, the sandcastle-esque centerpiece of the sunny destination.

The Suncastle is 10 stories tall, standing near the first portal guests encounter when they arrive at Celebration Key, called Paradise Plaza. The Suncastle is home to racing waterslides which are part of the family-focused portal, Starfish Lagoon. Other portals include the adult-focused portal Calypso Lagoon, a premium beach club called Pearl Cove, and an artisan retail village called Lokono Cove.

During their tour, the Carnival leaders joined team members planting palm trees from the “Plant a Tree” community engagement program that launched last year as part of a broad preservation initiative. It has involved replanting of thousands of native trees across the property. About 1,000 sabal palms were saved and replanted across Celebration Key.

Duffy also participated in the ceremonial filling of one of two expansive freshwater lagoons that will be sustained by Celebration Key’s desalination system that converts seawater into freshwater. The lagoons span over seven acres and hold about seven million gallons of water.

“Celebration Key represents a new chapter for Carnival and its construction builds on our close partnership with The Bahamas, so seeing it transform from vision to reality is incredible,” said Duffy. “We broke ground on this site less than three years ago, and now in five short months we’ll see our first guests enjoy the many experiences we created just for them to celebrate and enjoy this gorgeous place on Grand Bahama.”

About 500 workers are on site daily as construction continues to prepare Celebration Key for its summer opening. To date, 28 Bahamian companies have contributed to the project. Carnival Vista is slated to be the first ship to stop there on July 19th.

“This destination will serve as a tribute to the rich Bahamian culture and Grand Bahama’s natural environment,” said Weinstein. “It’s clear Celebration Key will be a game-changer for our flagship brand and its loyal guests, with endless options for relaxation and recreation, but it’s also truly great to see firsthand how we’re implementing our company’s robust sustainability initiatives on land.”

Celebration Key is a featured destination on hundreds of Carnival itineraries across 20 ships sailing from 10 U.S. homeports into 2027. It’s the first destination that’s exclusively for Carnival Cruise Line ships. Half Moon Cay, another private destination in the Bahamas, is shared between Carnival and her sister brand Holland America Line.

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Luxury cruise line Seabourn is highlighting its summer 2025 northern Europe season, which will include visits to 40 destinations across 12 countries.

From May to August, guests aboard Seabourn Sojourn will set sail on nine itineraries in northern Europe, ranging from seven to 24 days long. Homeports will be Dover (London), England; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Greenock (Glasgow), Scotland, with sailings focusing on the British Isles, Norwegian fjords, and coast of Iceland.

The season will be capped with the 24-day “Route of The Vikings” itinerary, which will follow the historic seafarers’ route from Dover to Montreal, Quebec.

“Our Northern Europe itineraries bring history and culture to life and provide ample opportunities for guests to explore charming British, Icelandic and Norwegian villages, visit the historic castles of South Wales, and discover the region’s stunning fjords and ancient lochs,” said Mark Tamis, president of Seabourn. “Guests can connect with the charm, heritage, and hospitality of Northern Europe, while enjoying the ultra-luxury travel experience that we are known for.”

British Isles

Seabourn Sojourn will take guests on a historic journey through the British Isles, exploring cities and villages steeped in centuries of captivating stories. Featured ports include:

Fishguard, Wales

A haven for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike, this small town boasts a rich history and charming architecture that offer a glimpse into Wales’ cultural heritage. Its stunning coastal beauty and breathtaking landscapes instantly capture the essence of life in this quaint harbor. For those seeking to explore some of the largest and best-preserved castles in South Wales, this port is an ideal destination.

Oban, Scotland

The quiet, rural feel of Oban is responsible for the abundance of wildlife within the town boundaries. Here grey seals can be spotted swimming in the harbor or resting along the shore. A featured shore excursion is Scotland’s Mountains & Gondola Ride that travels along Scotland’s beautiful coastlines and windswept, heather-covered hills to view stunning scenery including Loch Linnhe, Glen Nevis.

Saint Helier, Jersey

Discover this jewel in the British Isles, neither part of the European Union nor the United Kingdom. Wineries such as La Mare take advantage of the pleasant climate, as does the 32-acre Durrell Wildlife Park, founded by author and naturalist Gerald Durrell. Visitors are welcome to see and learn about the over 130 species they maintain, including a famous family of lowland gorillas.

Norway and Iceland

Guests can get a taste of Viking culture with small gothic villages, warm Norwegian hospitality, and the unique natural wonders that inspired Viking and Nordic folklore. Featured ports include:

Reykjavik, Iceland

The capital of Iceland is the location of the country’s first permanent settlement. Its name translates to ‘smoky bay,’ due to the geothermal nature of the surrounding area. Now known for its bustling city scene and highlights such as the famed Blue Lagoon, it is a must-see for all visitors to the country.

Brønnøysund, Norway

Brønnøysund boasts quirky treasures, surrounded by waterways dotted with a maze of small scenic islands. In this fairytale setting, picturesque, colorful houses are set amidst lush thick greenery, turquoise blue water and shallow bays. Towering above the town like a giant troll’s hat is the massive granitic monolith of Torghatten Mountain.

Tromsø, Norway

Situated 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Tromsø is within the land of the midnight sun during summer months and the elusive northern lights in winter.

Featured Shore Excursions

The royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo | Leith (Edinburgh), Scotland

Available only on Seabourn Sojourn’s “7-Day Castles, Lochs & Scottish Highlands” cruise departing August 2, 2025, guests can transfer into the city of Edinburgh and watch the Scottish Edinburgh Tattoo. Synonymous with summertime in the city, the Scottish Edinburgh Tattoo is an evening show held high above the city on the sweeping Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle and includes bagpipers, drummers, marchers, Highland dancers, and a host of other spectacles.

Scotland’s Mountains & Gondola Ride | Oban, Scotland

Travel along Scotland’s beautiful coastlines and windswept, heather-covered hills to view stunning scenery including Loch Linnhe, Glen Nevis — indisputably one of the Highland’s most impressive glens. And Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak, rising steeply to the north, this valley has provided the dramatic backdrop to world blockbuster films, such as Braveheart and Harry Potter.

2026 Northern Europe Sailings

Between May and August 2026, Seabourn Ovation will visit over 60 destinations in 16 countries. Nine itineraries will be available, ranging from seven to 22 days long.

The ship will operate two 14-day departures through fjords to the northernmost tip of Europe — the North Cape — departing May 16th and June 13th. The June 13th departure coincides with Midsummer, celebrating the summer solstice and offering the ideal opportunity to experience the midnight sun.

Seabourn Ovation will also sail on a 14-day West Ireland Gems & Solar Eclipse voyage, departing on August 8, 2026, from Dover (London), England, to Reykjavik, Iceland. The ship will visit unique ports in western Ireland, including Galway and Killybegs, and position itself off the coast of Ireland in the Atlantic Ocean to view the total solar eclipse on August 12, 2026. The voyage will also feature a special Seabourn Conversations program with Jane A Green, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, to educate guests about the solar eclipse.

Rounding out Seabourn Ovation‘s Northern Europe deployment from Dover, are several departures of the 14-day Jewels of the British Isles voyages, which blend top destinations such as Belfast and Edinburgh with smaller gems like Oban, Scotland and Fishguard, Wales.

Seabourn Ovation will end the season with the special 22-Day Fire & Ice Passage where she crosses from Iceland via Greenland and Atlantic Canada to reach New York City in time for the fall colors.

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After decades of sharing a private island (Half Moon Cay) with sister brand Holland America Line, Carnival Cruise Line finally has a private destination to call its own. Carnival’s Celebration Key is an exclusive port in the Bahamas that allows guests to enjoy a beach or pool day filled with fun — from water slides and games to delicious food and drinks.

If you’re looking for an overview of what you need to know about Celebration Key, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s our full guide to Celebration Key, Bahamas.

Guide to Celebration Key Bahamas

What is Carnival’s Celebration Key?

Celebration Key is an upcoming private port for Carnival Cruise Line, located in the Bahamas. It can be found on the southern coast of Grand Bahama, about a 23-mile (40 minute) drive from the Freeport Cruise Port on the western side of the island.

Construction on Celebration Key officially broke ground in spring 2022, and design and construction has been underway since. The first cruise ship scheduled to visit the beach destination is Carnival Vista on July 12th during an eight-night southern Caribbean cruise.

Celebration Key will feature its own cruise pier, able to accommodate up to two of Carnival’s largest Excel-class vessels simultaneously. The destination will be split into five areas that Carnival calls “portals.” They are the Paradise Plaza welcome area, the family-focused Starfish Lagoon, the adult-centered Calypso Lagoon, the Locono Cove shopping area, and the adults-only private beach club, Pearl Cove. Starfish Lagoon will feature the largest freshwater lagoon in all of the Caribbean.

Getting to Celebration Key Bahamas

Carnival’s Celebration Key will be exclusively for Carnival cruise ships. This means that you cannot visit the destination unless you’re on a Carnival cruise. Most sailings that include a call at Celebration Key will originate in Florida, including voyages from Miami, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, and Tampa. However, other homeports will also offer cruises to Celebration Key such as Mobile, Alabama; Galveston, Texas; and Baltimore, Maryland; among others.

The majority of the ships in Carnival’s fleet will sail to Celebration Key over the next couple of years. These include the line’s three newest and largest ships, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, which offer mostly six to eight-night sailings. Shorter Bahamas and Caribbean cruises on ships like Carnival Sunrise, Horizon, Freedom, and Vista will also visit Celebration Key.

What’s Free at Celebration Key?

A number of included activities, amenities, and entertainment will be available for visitors to enjoy at Celebration Key. As guests arrive to the destination, they’ll be greeted by live music and a fountain at Paradise Plaza.

Starfish Lagoon is filled with fun for the whole family. The focal point of the entire destination is located here: the towering Suncastle, constructed to look like a sandcastle. This structure will house dual racing waterslides, which are 350-foot-long, 10-story attractions called Flash Flamingo and Mach III Marlin. The Starfish Lagoon portal is also where you’ll find a lagoon swimming pool, the family-friendly beach, and the Guppy Grotto splash pad with fun water features for the littlest visitors. A gaming pavilion also offers activities like ping-pong, foosball, and cornhole.

Calypso Lagoon will be the more adult-friendly portal, though it’s not limited to just adults like the exclusive Pearl Cove Beach Club is (more on that below). This area is located on the other half of the lagoon-style pool, offering a more laid-back atmosphere complete with DJ-spun music. This portal also offers access to the beach.

Competitive guests might want to play a few games at the pickleball, basketball, or volleyball courts, which are accessible from both the Starfish and Calypso Lagoon areas.

Food at Carnival’s Celebration Key

Island Eats

Instead of offering a full picnic-style buffet for free to guests like many private cruise destinations, Celebration Key will operate a bit differently. The destination will feature a number of both sit-down and casual walk-up dining venues that are an extra fee. Each guest will receive a dining credit called Island Eats. This entitles passengers to a complimentary meal at one of the quick casual venues, or a 25 percent discount on one entree from the full-service restaurants (excluding the Pearl Cove restaurant).

However, if you’re still looking for a buffet-style restaurant, there is one at Celebration Key that you can use your Island Eats credit for — Captain’s Galley Food Hall. Located in the Starfish Lagoon portal, the food hall will serve subs, burritos, hot dogs, pizza, burgers, salads, Mediterranean bowls, desserts, and more.

Between dining venues and bars, there will be over 30 options to choose from at Celebration Key.

Casual Venues

There will be a number of casual dining options at Celebration Key in addition to the aforementioned food hall, including food trucks and carts, snack shacks, and the fast-casual venue Mingo’s Express.

Calypso Lagoon, Starfish Lagoon, and Lokono Cove will all have food carts. Paradise Plaza will feature an ice cream shop called Yumshine Scoops.

Snack shacks can be found in both Calypso Lagoon and Starfish Lagoon, serving things like wraps, sandwiches, salads, and other grab-and-go items. Those two portals have their own food truck plazas too, offering beachside classics like burgers and chicken sandwiches as well as local Bahamian dishes like conch fritters.

Mingo’s Express, located at Calypso Lagoon, will offer hamburgers, salad, fish sandwiches, and Caribbean specialties.

Full-Service Restaurants

Celebration Key will be home to four full-service restaurants for visitors to enjoy as well.

Located in Calypso Lagoon are two sit-down restaurants: Mingo’s Tropical Bar & Kitchen and Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews. Named for the Bahamas’ national bird, Mingo’s will serve up island favorites like jerk chicken and coconut shrimp, as well as classics including tacos and burgers. Surf N’ Sauce BBQ & Brews is exactly as it sounds — a barbecue joint. Complete with an outdoor smoker, guests can enjoy slow-cooked meats alongside sides and sauces right next to the lagoon. Bonus: guests will also be able to grab a craft beer from a local brewery at the venue’s full-service bar.

The family-friendly Starfish Lagoon will be home to Gill’s Grill, a full-service restaurant pairing land and sea with dishes like seafood baskets, steamed crab, shrimp, lobster, local fish, chicken, and burgers.

The Pearl Cove Beach Club has its own full-service venue too, aptly named Pearl Cove Beach Club Restaurant & Bar. The space will include a restaurant with an elevated menu, bar, and lounge area. It will serve dishes such as lobster, shrimp, fresh sushi, and salads.

Drinks at Celebration Key

A number of bars will be dotted around Celebration Key, ensuring that guests will never be far from a tropical cocktail or ice-cold beer. But before we get to that, we first have to talk about coffee. Many visitors will want to start their island day with a burst of energy from Suncastle Grounds Coffee, located in Locono Cove. It will serve up hot, iced, and frozen coffee beverages.

Now, onto Carnival’s Celebration Key bars. We don’t know exactly what drinks will be offered at each bar, as menus have not yet been revealed and the destination is not yet open.

Calypso Lagoon is home to three bars. Long Necks Bar in a swim-up bar in the lagoon with a whopping 100 seats. There, guests can enjoy a Bahamian cocktail, frozen drink, or beer amidst a fun atmosphere curated by an on-site DJ. Visitors may also want to swing on over to one of the 40 swings at the Sunshine Swings Bar. The last bar at Calypso Lagoon is the Lagoon Bar West.

Over at the Starfish Lagoon, guests will find Lagoon Bar West’s counterpart, Lagoon Bar East. Starfish Lagoon is also home to Parrotfish Swim Up Bar, which offers variety with both in-water and out-of-water seating. The AquaBana area will also have its own bar.

Over at the beach club is the Pearl Cove Beach Club swim-up bar, serving up its own tropical cocktails and other libations.

Remember that the full-service restaurants mentioned above include bars of their own, too.

As for standard non-alcoholic beverages that guests don’t have to pay extra for, Carnival has not revealed what will be offered at Celebration Key. However, you can expect that offerings will likely be similar to what you can find on other cruise line private islands such as ice water, lemonade, and iced tea.

Does Carnival’s Cheers drink package work at Celebration Key?

Unfortunately, Carnival’s beverage packages do not apply to the line’s private destinations, which include both Celebration Key and Carnival Corporation’s private island Half Moon Cay. So you’ll have to pay menu price for alcoholic and specialty beverages.

Things to Do at Celebration Key That Cost Extra

Shore Excursions

During a visit to Celebration Key, cruise passengers don’t have to stay in the port area. Whether exploring on their own or taking a Carnival shore excursion, guests have the option of seeing other parts of Grand Bahama Island. However, these explorations are not included in the cruise fare and will cost extra. Some of Carnival’s shore excursions available at Celebration Key include:

• ATV off-roading with visits to a garden and Taino Beach
• Pirate’s Cove ziplining and beach break
• Open-air tram city tour with a guided tour of Cooper’s Castle and a visit to the Port Lucaya Marketplace
• Jet-skiing along Millionaire’s Row and a visit to Taino Beach
• Open-air tram tour with a wine-and-paint class and visit to the Straw Market
• Disco Bus tour with rum and beer tasting along with a stop at the beach

Guests can also rent equipment for water activities within Celebration Key, including kayaks and paddleboards.

Shopping

Carnival’s Celebration Key will include a number of shops offering handmade craft items, duty-free items, jewelry, and other souvenirs. Locono Cove, the shopping portal, will also feature a Bahamian artisan market. There are also shopping opportunities on other parts of the island, and many shore excursions build in time for visitors to peruse local shops as well.

Cabana and Daybed Rentals

Cabanas

Standard cabanas will be available at several spots surrounding the lagoons as well as close to the kids’ splash pad. They can accommodate up to four guests and include armchairs, a couch, sun loungers, a cooler with chilled bottled water, and fruit and snacks upon arrival.

Over-the-lagoon cabanas, located on peninsulas over the lagoons, add a private sun shelf and ceiling fan. Large cabanas can also be found around the lagoons, accommodating groups of up to six. They include a few extras such as a dining table, soda, and lunch delivery.

AquaBanas are fun floating cabanas centered around a peninsula with its own bar at Starfish Lagoon. They offer seating for up to eight people around a table, with their feet in the water under a shady canopy.

Villas

Supervillas are the largest private cabanas at Celebration Key with the ability to accommodate up to 10 guests. They include the same things as the other cabanas, plus hammocks, swing chairs, dedicated sun shelves with water loungers, and a waterslide into the lagoon. There are two Supervillas at Calypso Lagoon, and two at Starfish Lagoon.

Four Beach Supervillas will also be available: two at the family-friendly beach and two at the adults-only beach.

Daybeds

For a slightly more premium experience at a lower cost, guests can also opt to reserve a daybed, many of which are located at both Calypso and Starfish Lagoons. The plush daybeds include pillows, a canopy for shade, and privacy curtains. Water daybeds include lounging for two on the sun shelf at Calypso Lagoon.

Pearl Cove Beach Club

If you’re looking for a more upscale and laid-back place to hang around the pool or beach, Pearl Cove Beach Club is the place to be. This exclusive portal is open only to adults 18 and older, and requires a fee for access.

The focal point of Pearl Cove is an 11,000 square-foot infinity pool complete with a sun shelf, premium loungers, and umbrellas. Villas and cabanas are available in the beach club for rent. Pearl Cove also has its own private end of the beach, which will offer food and drink service.

There will be three types of bookings available for access to Pearl Cove Beach Club. The first is basic beach club access, which includes a welcome drink of fruit or rum punch starting at $100 per person.

The second is open bar access, which consists of rum punch, draft domestic beer, house red and white wine, well drinks, frozen strawberry daiquiris, and piña coladas. This option includes up to 10 drinks and starts at $140 per person. The third option is all-inclusive access, which is the same as the open bar except it also includes lunch at the Pearl Cove full-service restaurant. This package also has a 10-drink limit, and starts at $180 per person.

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Cunard has announced its Alaska schedule for the 2026 season, which will take place aboard Queen Elizabeth from May to September.

The vessel will operate 15 roundtrip voyages from Seattle, ranging in length from seven to 12 nights. Those looking for a longer vacation can take extended voyages of up to 42 nights, taking in the landscapes of Alaska, the beauty of the Caribbean, and the iconic Panama Canal.

An additional highlight to Cunard’s 2026 season is eight sailings through the Panama Canal. The ship will glide through 50 miles of locks and waterways between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Cunard’s 2026 program on Queen Elizabeth features visits to 31 unique destinations across 16 countries, including highlights such as Colón, Panama, and Bridgetown, Barbados.

Cunard Alaska Cruise Highlights

Queen Elizabeth‘s voyages in Alaska will include calls to destinations such as Juneau, where famous gold miles put the city on the map, or Haines, a prime destination for kayaking.

The season will also include visits to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Glacier Bay National Park and Hubbard Glacier.

Prices for a 10-night Seattle sailing roundtrip to Alaska in July 2026 start at $2,069 per person based on double occupancy in a Britannia Balcony stateroom.

“Alaska is a truly unique destination, and we’re delighted to return with our 2026 program,” said Katie McAlister, president of Cunard. “Sailing through its spectacular fjords and seeing the immense glaciers is an experience like no other. On board, guests can sip regionally inspired cocktails, enjoy cuisine influenced by local flavors, and hear fascinating stories from renowned explorers. These voyages promise to create unforgettable memories, and we can’t wait to welcome our guests on board Queen Elizabeth.”

Sailings are now open for booking, and travelers can claim up to $800 in onboard credit per cabin for bookings made through March 26, 2025. The $800 credit ($400 per person) is based on reserving a Queens Grill Suite on 10 to 20-night sailings. Passengers in a Britannia stateroom will receive up to $400 in onboard credit.

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American Cruise Lines has announced its biggest season in Alaska ever. For the 2025 season, the line will have two small ships in the region operating five itineraries. American Cruise Lines’ season in Alaska will run from May through September.

For 2025, ACL has repositioned its small ship American Constitution to the west coast for summer Alaska cruises and spring and fall Puget Sound cruises. Doubling capacity in the region, the 170-guest vessel joins sister ship American Constellation to sail five itineraries, including two new Alaska National Parks cruises. These adventures include seven days of land exploration in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks. They combine the land tour with either a nine or 12-day cruise between Fairbanks and Juneau.

American Cruise Lines’ offerings in Alaska are notable because they blend small-ship expedition access with large-ship luxury and comfort on board. Unlike other small ships in the region, the U.S. built American Constellation and American Constitution are both fully stabilized and offer balcony cabins. There are also a number of onboard amenities, alternate casual dining venues, and spacious top-deck lounges that are uncommon on other ships of their size.

All itineraries include pre-cruise stays and a range of experiences featuring up-close views of Alaskan glaciers and wildlife. Plus, all of ACL’s Alaska cruises include small-ship access to Glacier National Park, with some sailings including a rare overnight there.

Alaska Cruise Itineraries

19-Day Grand Alaska National Parks

This itinerary includes seven days of guided exploration in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks and a 12-day Alaska cruise that sails into Glacier Bay National Park, the Inside Passage, Frederick Sound, and the Wrangell Narrows.

This cruise sails from Fairbanks, Alaska to Juneau, Alaska. It visits Fairbanks, Anchorage, Seward, Juneau, Haines, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Tracey Arm.

16-Day Alaska National Parks

This adventure includes seven days of guided exploration in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks plus a nine-day Alaska cruise with visits to Glacier Bay National Park and the Wrangell Narrows.

This voyage sails from Fairbanks to Juneau and visits Fairbanks, Anchorage, Seward, Juneau, Haines, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Tracey Arm.

9-Day Southeast Alaska

This American Cruise Lines voyage includes a pre-cruise stay and sails roundtrip from Juneau. The itinerary includes visits to Juneau, Haines, Glacier Bay National Park, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Tracy Arm/Sawyer Glacier, also sailing the Wrangell Narrows.

12-Day Alaskan Explorer Cruise

This itinerary includes a pre-cruise stay and sails roundtrip from Juneau. The extended 12-night voyage visits Juneau, Haines, Glacier Bay National Park, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Tracey Arm. Alaskan Explorer cruises also sail the Inside Passage, Frederick Sound, and the Wrangell Narrows.

16-Day Alaska Inside Passage Cruise

The 16-day Alaska Inside Passage Cruise sails from Seattle to Juneau or the opposite. It includes exploration of nearly 1,000 miles of coastline through Alaska’s southeastern panhandle, where 22,000 islands create a maze of beautiful landscapes.

This itinerary visits Juneau, Haines, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park, Petersburg, Wrangell, and Ketchikan, Alaska; and Friday Harbor, Anacortes, and Seattle, Washington. The cruise also sails the Inside Passage, Frederick Sound, the Queen Charlotte Strait, and the Strait of Georgia, and includes a pre-cruise stay in either departure city.

May 2025 departures from Seattle offer a complimentary Four Seasons pre-cruise package, and all 2025 American Cruise Lines Alaska Inside Passage Cruises offer complimentary domestic airfare.

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Holland America has announced a $70 million expansion project on its Denali property in Alaska, which will expand guest capacity and enhance the Alaska cruisetour experience for guests. The investment will build on the line’s position with more opportunities for glacier viewing and more ways to see Alaska’s wildlife than any other cruise line.

“It’s truly special that we can bring guests to a lodge at the doorstep of Denali National Park,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. “This investment is a win for Alaska, our guests, and Holland America Line. Enhancing and expanding the Holland America Denali Lodge will help meet the growing interest in combined land and sea Cruisetours for our 49th state and further support the Alaska tourism industry.”

Expansion Highlights

2025

The project is set to begin this year, starting with enhancements to the riverside interpretive trail with scenic viewpoints, improved on-site wayfinding, refined menu offerings in restaurants, and public space improvements for the Cottonwood and Canyon Lodge guest room buildings.

2026

The project will continue with 48 remodeled rooms in the Holland America Denali Lodge, a new coffee shop, and a remodeled Karstens Public House with expanded indoor and outdoor seating.

2027

2027 will bring the addition of a new guest room building with 120 suites and standard rooms. There will also be a main lodge renovation that includes a new restaurant, a new lobby bar, and an enhanced coffee experience.

Cruisetours Open For Booking

2025 and 2026 cruisetours are available for booking, allowing guests to combine an Alaska cruise with a journey into Denali National Park and Canada’s Yukon Territory. A series of 17+ itineraries will combine a cruise with an overland journey, offering more access to Alaska’s glaciers, wildlife, and wilderness tours.

Holland America owns motorcoaches, railcars, and hotels, providing preferential schedules for cruisetour guests. Each itinerary includes a scenic ride on the luxury glass-domed McKinley Explorer train, and select itineraries visit Dawson and rides through the historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad from Skagway. Other select itineraries offer direct-to-Denali service, taking guests from the ship to their Denali hotel room on the same day.

Wildlife Spotting

In addition to glaciers, Holland America offers more ways to see the wildlife of Alaska. The line’s ships in Alaska each carry a wildlife expert on board to help guests spot the animals found in the Last Frontier, including whales, eagles, bears, moose, otters, seals, sea lions, and more. A wildlife spotting guide points out the native animals found along the cruise route and includes a map with the best places to see each species. Between 8 am and 5:30 pm, wildlife sightings are announced for guest viewing.

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Have you ever taken a cruisetour — a vacation that combines a cruise and land tour — on any cruise line? Does this project on Holland America’s Denali Lodge entice you to book an Alaska cruisetour with the line? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!

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The post Holland America Announces $70 Million Expansion Project For Denali Lodge in Alaska appeared first on EatSleepCruise.com.