The cruise and casino industry is constantly growing and evolving. As we look to the future plans of industry leaders, the ships are getting larger, the technology more advanced, the casinos are getting more modern, and the level of luxury is higher. During our "Who wants to win Freeplay/Onboard Credit" game (played similar to Who wants to be a Millionaire), the URComped team answers trivia questions about future plans in the cruise industry as well as Vegas. To join in the fun, tune into our Facebook LIVE on Thursdays at 4:35 pm CST and put your answers in the comments for your chance to win Freeplay or Onboard Credit.
1. NEW LUXURY LINE
The MSC Group has announced the company’s entry into the luxury cruise market with the launch of a new brand, Explora Journeys. The first of four luxury ships are scheduled to set sail in 2023, with the remaining ships in 2024, 2025 and 2026. They have yet to announce if these ships will have casinos onboard. 2. TOP NOTCH TERMINAL
Royal Caribbean began construction in April on a new cruise terminal in Galveston, Texas. Cruise Terminal 3 is scheduled to open in October 2022, although there is an option for it to open in early 2023. It will be used exclusively by Royal Caribbean, and will be large enough to handle an Oasis or Icon Class ship. When this does happen you can bet we’ll have a meetup onboard.
3. BEYOND THE NORM
Celebrity Cruise Line's newest EDGE class ship, The Celebrity Beyond, will set sail in 2022 starting with Western Europe and Meditteranean cruises from Southampton and then coming to the US in November for Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale.
4. A LONG TIME COMING
The Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which has been unfinished since 2006, is scheduled to finally open as the JW Marriott in the fourth quarter of 2023, on the north end of the Las Vegas Strip. The first JW Marriott on the Las Vegas strip promises more than 3,700 rooms and suites as well as more than 500,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, a skywalk to the Las Vegas Convention Center, and plans to open a casino, spa, pool, retail, nightlife, and restaurants.