Iglu Cruise News - September 2024

Want to find out what happened in the cruising world in September 2024? In this edition of Iglu Cruise News, we’ll take you through the latest updates and announcements.

Keep reading to find out more! 

A Monthly Roundup of the Latest Cruise News

Exciting Upcoming Ship Refurbishments!

In September, Virgin Voyages, Disney Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line all announced upcoming refurbishments on Scarlet Lady, Disney Dream and Norwegian Encore. With enhanced cabins, new restaurants and more coming, guests are bound to be excited about the updates. 

Here’s what we know so far about the refurbishments:

Scarlet Lady 

Entering dry dock in November 2024, Scarlet Lady will receive more suites, a new restaurant (as well as redesigned eateries), the mermaid on the bow will become more 'majestic', refurbished bars and lounges and Grounds Club, Too will transform into a full bar with plush seating.

Fan-favourite Razzle Dazzle will also feature a new dining concept in the evenings, titled ‘Lucky Lotus by Razzle Dazzle’, with an Asian-inspired menu and delicious craft cocktails. Cabin-wise, a handful of Sea Terrace cabins will be converted to RockStar suites. VIP cabanas will also be added onto the pool deck (which can be reserved) and the Redemption Spa and Casino will be enhanced. 

Disney Dream

Currently in drydock in France, Disney Dream is undergoing a variety of upgrades. Whilst DCL haven’t announced all of the updates as of yet, so far we know that Disney Dream will have a Dream Tower Suite added to its funnel (with a Fantasia theme), there will be additional dining options and the kids clubs and spa will be refreshed. There will also be a Concierge Lounge (with a Hercules theme) and a new Mexican restaurant added.

Disney Dream is set to sail with the new upgrades at the end of October. And in addition to stops in Disney’s private island resort Castaway Cay, Disney Dream will offer new itineraries to Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point; Disney’s new private island resort.

Norwegian Encore

Norwegian Encore, one of the newest in the fleet, is also set to go into drydock in November 2024, and emerge with new facilities. These include the addition of Spice H20 (an adults-only al fresco lounge) which will take the place of the laser tag arena, new suites in The Haven, the Palomar restaurant and 26 new staterooms added. Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki will also be expanded, offering more seating. 

David J. Herrera, President of Norwegian Cruise Line commented the following about the refurbishment:

“Our guests' wants and needs are at the forefront of every decision that we make, and enhancing Norwegian Encore with more of the experiences they value showcases our commitment to just that. From more space for adults to relax, to more opportunities to enjoy their favourite dining options and beyond, we are dedicated to providing our guests with an elevated onboard experience as part of their dream vacation.”

Norwegian Luna Reveals a Variety of Facilities Onboard

Setting sail in 2026, Norwegian Luna is an extraordinary addition to the fleet, with a futuristic design. Sister ship to Norwegian Aqua, it’s set to offer a wide selection of dining and entertainment options, alongside activities that the whole family will love. 

This month, we found out more information about what will feature onboard, including restaurants, bars & lounges, entertainment and more that are also making their debut onboard Norwegian Aqua. 

Some of the top highlights include:

• Syd Norman’s Pour House - enjoy famous rock hits from a live band at this vibrant venue
• The Improv at Sea - for side-splitting comedy shows
• Hasuki - for mouth-watering Asian cuisine
• Ocean Boulevard - take in picturesque ocean views from the glass bridge, take a dip in the Infinity Beach pool and relax in the lounge chairs that are dotted along it
• Aqua Slidecoaster - a hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide 

Other amenities that will feature on board include: Nama Sushi & Sashimi, Hudson's, Indulge Food Hall, Indulge Outdoor Lounge, Palomar, Penrose Atrium, Penrose Bar, Whiskey Bar, Metropolitan Bar, The Local Bar & Grill, Belvedere Bar, Cruise Next, Internet Desk, Perspectives Photography Studio, Luna Bar, and the Soleil Bar amongst others.  

Regent Seven Seas Installs Starlink Internet Across Fleet

And last but not least, Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that they have installed Starlink wireless internet across their fleet. A feature that’s included on all voyages (one login per suite), with the unlimited, enhanced internet, you’ll enjoy faster browsing speeds, connectivity and stability throughout your getaway. 

Ensuring you stay connected to loved ones throughout your sailing, there’s also the option to purchase additional logins. 

Andrea DeMarco, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruise, commented the following about the update:

“We are committed to providing an unrivalled experience for our discerning guests and are delighted to give luxury travellers the ability to share photos and videos, stream films and enjoy other immersive content on board at even faster speeds.” 

Iglu Wins Best Cruise Specialist at Virgin Voyages’ 2024 First Mate Awards

In other news, we’re proud to announce that we were awarded ‘Best Cruise Specialist’ at this year’s Virgin Voyages’ First Mate Awards which took place on the Celebration Voyage! Held onboard Resilient Lady, this is a fantastic achievement that we couldn’t be happier with. 

Callum Buchanan, Head of Commercial Training at Iglu, said the following:

“As part of the Celebration Voyage, the Virgin Voyages team honoured their travel partners with their inaugural First Mate Awards and I’m delighted to say Iglu won the largest award of the night- the Best Cruise Specialist Of The Year.

It was an absolute privilege to be onboard and be able to collect the award on behalf of the business. Congratulations to everyone at Iglu for the outstanding team effort around winning this award! It’s now proudly displayed in our overflowing awards cabinet in the Portsmouth office.”

Iglu Cruise’s Top Blogs in September

Whilst this month we were busy with content updates across the site, from new ship launches to content reviews and more, we also uploaded a selection of spectacular blogs! Here are our top three blogs for September that you should check out: 

🚢Cunard’s 2025 Event Voyages Revealed🚢

Find out about the 2025 event voyages onboard the Cunard fleet in this blog, including information about the dates, what to expect on each sailing and more!

🐪Qatar: The Top 7 Things to do in This Remarkable Country🐪

Discover the top 7 things to do in this underrated country, from the bustling Souq Waqif to the unique Katara Cultural Village and the picturesque Inland Sea! 

⚓A Quick Guide to the Best Small Luxury Cruise Ships⚓

We’ve recently launched a wide range of luxury small ships across our site. In this guide, we’ll take you through the different ships, including what facilities you can find onboard. The perfect blog for those seeking an opulent getaway, you’ll want to book your luxury escape the moment after you've finished reading!

Book Your Iglu Cruise Getaway Today 

No matter what type of getaway you’re looking for, whether it’s a budget-friendly cruise or a luxury voyage, at Iglu Cruise we’ve got you covered. With a wide selection of cruise deals available for all preferences, you’re guaranteed to find the ultimate cruise holiday for you.

Check out our blog - Iglu Cruise News - August 2024 to see last month’s updates!