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Bigger ships, new routes, and a $450M impact

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NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – If you’ve ever tried to book a cruise out of New Orleans only to find the ship sold out, that may soon be a problem of the past.

Carnival Cruise Line announced plans to expand its offerings in the Crescent City, including voyages to its new private resort in the Bahamas, Celebration Key, and the return of the Carnival Dream in 2027. The 4,600-passenger vessel hasn’t sailed from New Orleans since 2019.

“We actually plan on going on a cruise in the fall,” said Felicia Allen Bass, a frequent cruiser. “And that just means we will have to go on another one when the bigger ship comes through.”

Carnival isn’t the only cruise line making waves at Port NOLA.

Norwegian Cruise Line is set to debut a 5,000-passenger vessel out of New Orleans this fall. And in 2026, Royal Caribbean will replace its current ship with one 50% larger.

“We did 1.2 million passengers last year, which was a record for us,” said Steven Gauthier Jr., Vice President of Cruise at the Port of New Orleans. “We are on pace for 2027 to do 1.5 million passenger moves per year.”

Gauthier said cruise lines are taking notice of the city’s appeal as both a starting point and a destination.

“Guests can come to New Orleans and that’s one destination for them, and then they get on the cruise and that’s another destination,” he said.

The influx of cruise-goers is not only fueling excitement among travelers but also among local businesses near the port.

“You have people coming from Mississippi, Alabama, Texas,” said Bass.

That kind of regional pull brings plenty of customers to Larry Thompson Jr.’s seafood stand, Mr. Shrimp, located on the Riverwalk.

“The captain, all the way to the deckhand, they come to eat from us. They love the freshness,” Thompson said.

With bigger ships set to dock just steps from the Riverwalk mall, Thompson is confident business will keep booming.

“Man, having another cruise down here, thank you for that, because that’s going to help with business for us,” he added.

Port NOLA officials estimate the cruise industry generates $450 million annually for the city and anticipate that number will grow as cruise lines increase their capacity and frequency.

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Cruise capsizes in Vietnam's Ha Long Bay, killing 34 with no Korean victims – CHOSUNBIZ – Chosunbiz

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Cruise capsizes in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, killing 34 with no Korean victims – CHOSUNBIZ  Chosunbiz



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Cruise & Ferry

Dream Cruise Ship Completes Major Drydock in China – See the New Upgrades!

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Sunday, July 20, 2025

Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line’s Dream has emerged from a drydock at the Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry shipyard in Qingdao, China. The 77,000-ton vessel went in for the maintenance visit at the end of June and is now able to carry out vital repairs and renovations.

The Dream, which sailed for Princess Cruises as the Sea Princess, wasn’t just subjected to routine checks during its time in the drydock — it also received some substantial upgrades and a brand-new appearance. Eleven days later, the ship was back in service and resumed the normal pattern of its short cruises from Tianjin.

What Happened During the Drydock?

While in the yard, the Dream got some serious technical loving. The hull was re-painted, rusty parts were cleared and the engines were rebuilt. The oil pumps systems were also overhauled to operate at maximum efficiency for the ship’s service.

Aesthetically, the Dream is now dressed in a new livery and has been painted with stylish waves across its hull and bold new colors on its main mast. These renewals add a modern twist that makes it anything but old-fashioned whenever it sails again.

Dream Reborn: Back to Service

In early July, after the drydock work was done, the Dream once again sailed from Tianjin to begin its cruise program. The ship will continue its series of short cruises from Tianjin, China that feature ports like Sasebo, Nagasaki and Fukuoka, all in Japan – and the South Korean island of Jeju. The Dream’s return also represents a significant milestone in the cruise line’s return to business once again opening its doors to guests for leisure cruising.

A History of Transformation

The Dream, constructed in 1998 in Italy at the shipyard of Fincantieri, has undergone several incarnations in its lifetime. Returning to focus on ‘her’ Princess Cruises, it served cruise guests for more than 2 decades and was retired from the fleet in 2020, as part of the global pandemic. Ship transferred initially to Sanya International Cruise Development departed Singapore for the Bahamas as Charming.

But the ship was delayed because of pandemic-related travel restrictions in China and spent months in layup. In 2023, the Dream was sold to Tianjin Orient International Cruise Line and she began service with them. The ship received a significant refurbishment during a three-month drydock in 2023, which included updates to public spaces and staterooms, as well as technical enhancements.

The Importance of the Dream in the Fleet

The Dream, a ship in Princess Cruises Sun Class, was added in 1998, as the number three in its class. Sister ships The series includes 1995-built Pacific World (now operated by Peace Boat) and 1997-built Star Voyager, now sailing under the StarCruises brand. The long history of the Dream, and improvements that have been made in recent years mean it will still be an integral part of the cruise line’s output.

What’s Next for the Dream?

With modifications and a new livery, the Dream is now in shape for more years of service. Continuing to provide travelers with an extraordinary vacation experience, the renovated ship will offer a variety of itineraries exploring some of the most incredible destinations across the globe and will also feature brand new stateroom options, as well as new dining, entertainment and retail experiences.

So if you’ve been itching to plan your next cruise (or just wondering about these upgrades), the Dream’s return couldn’t come at a better time for the cruise industry—and there couldn’t be a better time to experience the newly renovated ship for yourself.



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34 dead in Vietnam cruise ship sinking ‹ ARTSAKH NEWS

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A cruise ship carrying 48 tourists and five crew members capsized in a storm off the coast of Quang Ninh province in Vietnam, the Vietnamese news portal VNExpress reported.

“On Saturday evening, border guards conducting a search and rescue operation confirmed the death of 34 people, and 11 have been rescued,” the news outlet reported.



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