The Celebrity Edge made its maiden call in Newcastle on Saturday, bringing over 4,000 passengers and crew to the Australian port. Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna said that the 306-meter-long Celebrity Edge is the largest cruise vessel by length to visit this season. “From wine tasting in the Hunter Valley, to getting up...

Avalon Waterways has added seven new Christmas Market cruise departures for 2026, marking a 15 percent boost in capacity and the company’s largest-ever lineup of festive sailings. The company said that Avalon’s Christmas Market cruises are among its most popular, selling out earlier each year. “Every holiday season, our guests step into a living snow...

Riviera Travel has expanded its Grand Tour collection with the new Grand Tour, “A Taste of Italy & The Blue Danube Cruise.” Introduced earlier this year, the Grand Tour collection aims to elevate the traditional touring experience, combining culturally inviting land journeys with ultra-premium river cruising. The itineraries, including the brand’s newest voyage through one...

The Legend of the Seas is scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale for a second winter season in 2027-28, Royal Caribbean announced in a press release. As part of the company’s seasonal deployment in the Caribbean and the Bahamas, the vessel is scheduled to arrive back in Port Everglades in November 2027. The 5,610-guest ship...

Universal Maritime Solutions (Unimed) has announced the acquisition of Elssi Maritime Services (Elssi), a Greece and Cyprus-based provider of drug and alcohol testing to the maritime industry. The provider of medical and compliance solutions is backed by ZCG Private Equity, the private equity arm of ZCG, and follows Unimed’s integration of Lagaay Medical Group, a...

The MSC Virtuosa recently arrived in the Southern Caribbean to kick off its 2025-26 winter season in the region. After undergoing a routine drydock in Europe, the MSC Cruises ship embarked on a trans-Atlantic crossing to Martinique in late November. The 16-night repositioning cruise departed from the United Kingdom, sailing from Southampton to destinations in...

Taiwan is set to surpass the one-million passenger mark for the first time since 2019, as cruise traffic builds, thanks to more homeporting and additional ships sailing in the region, according to officials from the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC). Three hundred and four calls this year are split between 167 turnarounds and 137 transit...

Adverse weather conditions along the Brazilian coast have diverted two cruise ships to Ilhabela this week. According to local authorities, the Costa Favolosa and the MSC Sinfonia were forced to change their original itineraries and seek shelter at the destination. The Costa ship made an unscheduled visit to Ilhabela on Tuesday, while the MSC vessel...

Ryobi’s R Yacht Co. recently revealed the first details of its newbuild, which is set to be built at the West Sea shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. According to a press release, the yacht-style cruise ship will be named the Sefu and is scheduled for delivery in time for summer 2027. The Japan-based company...

When cruise passengers lose a personal item, they should never feel like their belongings have vanished, said Ervin LeMand, vice president of business development at Lost Returns (pictured above). “Guests must know what’s happening, what to expect and feel taken care of. Our end-to-end approach ensures guests understand that they can get their items back...

inGroup International accepted an invitation to participate in the official launch of the Star Princess as Co-Founder and CEO Michael Hutchison and Commercial Partnerships Manager Tatiana Wegzyn were welcomed aboard as guests for the inaugural sailing held from November 7 to 10. inGroup, a subscription-based travel club housing the inCruises, inStays and inPay brands, focuses...

StarCruises, in collaboration with ACG Festiverse and AniMania Festival, has launched “CosCruise: Cosplay Championship at Sea,” Malaysia’s first-ever onboard cosplay competition. The event invites cosplayers from Malaysia and across the region to showcase their creativity and passion while sailing aboard the Star Voyager. “‘CosCruise: Cosplay Championship at Sea’ is all about fun, creativity and celebrating...

StarCruises has launched new two- and three-night itineraries on the Voyager from Hong Kong to Sanya and Xiamen as part of the ship’s upcoming 2026 Hong Kong homeport season. The sailings will operate from February 13 to March 29, 2026. “We are excited to be returning to Hong Kong in February for the 2026 season,”...

Virgin Voyages announced it has become the first major cruise company to deploy AI-powered marketing tools at scale through a strategic partnership with Canva, a visual communication platform. “Travel advisors are the heart of Virgin Voyages’ success story,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “Our First Mates (travel advisors) don’t just sell cruises; they’re...

Set to be delivered to Windstar Cruises on December 15, 2025, the Star Seeker is getting its finishing touches at the West Sea shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. Originally ordered by Mystic Cruises, the 9,300-ton ship was acquired by Windstar while still in the early stages of construction in 2024. Overseeing the building process,...

Carnival Cruise Line will serve as the official cruise line sponsor of the Port of San Diego’s Big Bay Boom, the largest Fourth of July fireworks show on the West Coast, the company said in a press release. The guests sailing over the holiday on Carnival Radiance, Carnival Firenze and Carnival Luminosa will get a...

Crystal Cruises has announced the 2028 winter and spring season itineraries aboard the Crystal Serenity. The program features warm-water sailings across the Caribbean, Central America and the Amazon, followed by a spring transatlantic crossing to the Azores. The season concludes in Lisbon, where the ship will enter a scheduled drydock for enhancements. “Our approach to...

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is chartering the Greg Mortimer for Alaska cruises starting in 2027. According to a press release, the SunStone Ships vessel will replace the National Geographic Sea Lion and the National Geographic Sea Bird, which are set to be retired in 2026. Lindblad stated that the move will expand its operations in Alaska,...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today named Marc Kazlauskas as president of Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian), effective Jan. 19, 2026, according to a press release. He joins the company with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across sales, operations, and innovation in the global travel industry. Kazlauskas most recently served as CEO of Avoya...

AIDA Cruises has announced that it donated 4,700 pieces of furniture from the AIDAluna, which was just drydocked at Chantier Naval in Marseille as part of the AIDA Evolution program. The company said that the initiative was made possible through cooperation with the Hamburg association DER HAFEN HILFT! e. V., which organizes the distribution of...

The Crystal Symphony resumed service in late November after undergoing a major refurbishment in Genoa, Italy. As part of the three-week drydock, the 50,000-ton vessel saw significant updates to its public areas and staterooms. According to Crystal, the project featured a series of aesthetic and functional upgrades, including a transformation of the ship’s atrium. The...

Antarctica21 has signed with V.Ships Leisure to manage its new Magellan Discoverer which will debut in Antarctica for the 2026-27 season. V.Ships will provide ship management, crew management and newbuild support, according to the company. The Magellan Discoverer is the second newbuild for Antarctica 21 and is currently under construction at the ASENAV shipyard in...

China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Corporation has announced that it signed a deal with Mystic Cruises to build one cruise ship with an option for three additional ships. The deal was signed at a ceremony in China last week, with Mario Ferreira, president of Mystic Cruises, signing the agreement along with Mei Zhonghua, vice general manager...

Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) has announced the signing of a commercial commitment with an international shipping company for the provision of LNG bunker fuel in Galveston Bay. The Heads of Agreement covers LNG as a marine fuel to be delivered to the customer via a Jones Act-compliant LNG bunker vessel beginning in 2029. The...

Holland America Line has unveiled enhancements to its 2027 Cruisetour season. Travelers can pair an Alaska cruise with a journey into Denali National Park and Canada’s Yukon, featuring an expanded Denali Lodge and a new inclusive dining package for guests booking with the Have It All Early Booking Bonus. Guests can choose between 19 itineraries....

Carnival Corporation has scheduled a conference call with analysts for Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10 a.m. (EST), or 3 p.m. (GMT), to discuss the company’s fourth quarter financial results, which are expected to be released that morning. A simulcast of the call will be available via the company’s websites at www.carnivalcorp.com and www.carnivalplc.com.

MSC Cruises has opened sales for the MSC World Atlantic, which will debut from Port Canaveral, Florida, in November 2027, with alternating seven-night and 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “The deployment of MSC World Atlantic from Port Canaveral, Orlando, underscores our dedication to offering U.S. and international...

Royal Caribbean Group today declared a quarterly dividend of $1.00 per common share payable on January 14, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 26, 2025. The company also announced today that its Board of Directors has approved the repurchase of up to $2 billion of the company’s common stock....

All of the main Jamaican cruise ports are now reopen after Hurricane Mellissa, country authorities announced in a press release. According to a press release, Port Royal, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay and Falmouth are ready to welcome ships and guests following the storm, which was considered one of the strongest ever seen in the region....

Costa Cruises and LC3 Trasporti have initiated a pilot project at the Genoa and Savona ports using electric trucks for ship supply operations. The test, conducted in October 2025, utilized heavy electric vehicles (BEVs) with a capacity exceeding 40 tons. “We are proud to have been chosen by Costa Cruises, an Italian company and part...

StarCruises has announced that it will welcome the New Year 2026 with the Star Navigator, unveiling three five-night sailings from Kaohsiung to Okinawa, Japan. The itinerary features stops at Naha, Ishigaki and Miyakojima, offering travelers an immersive Okinawa experience. “We are thrilled to offer these voyages as part of our 2026 program, providing travelers even...

The 2027 Arctic Season unveiled by Polar Latitudes Expeditions on December 9, 2025, will offer travelers new itineraries, including three first-time voyages exploring the North Atlantic and new Arctic Offerings. According to a press release, the 2027 season will also continue to feature the cruise line’s best-selling expeditions across Svalbard and Greenland. “We couldn’t be...

Azamara Cruises has rolled out its biggest sale of the year with an extended Wave season booking window, which is 23 days longer than last year. The promotion features over 200 sailings included in the offer and runs from December 9, 2025, through March 31, 2026. Guests booking select 2026 and 2027 cruises and Cruisetours...

Cunard has announced its Wave Season offer, running now through February 25. “Wave season is the most important time of year for cruise planning for both our guests and trade partners, and we’re delighted to meet that moment by rewarding loyal guests and inviting new travelers to discover the Cunard difference,” said Liz Fettes, senior...

Princess Cruises has begun the 2026 Wave Season with the introduction of its annual “Come Aboard Sale.” Running from December 9, 2025, through February 16, 2026, the sale features savings up to 40 percent off cruise fares, up to $500 in instant savings, 50 percent off deposits and free third and fourth guests on select...

TUI Group reported its full year 2025 earnings on Wednesday and noted that its cruise division saw underlying EBIT increased to 481.1 million euro, up 28.5 percent from 2025. The company operates 18 ships under the TUI Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Marella Cruises brands. TUI said that the performance was driven by higher occupancy rates...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises celebrated a milestone in the construction of the new Seven Seas Prestige, the company announced in a press release. As the first new ship class for the brand in ten years, the vessel floated from its building dock at Fincantieri on November 27, 2025. “The Seven Seas Prestige touching water for...

The MSC Grandiosa has made her maiden call in Nassau, which the company called a significant milestone in its long-term commitment to the Bahamas. The traditional maritime crest exchange of plaques to commemorate a ship’s first visit at a port was undertaken by Captain Danile Cho, the MSC Grandiosa’s captain, and Bahamian officials. The ship’s...

Swan Hellenic has announced a sale on bookings completed between December 9 and the end of February. Named “Elevated Expeditions” to convey the range of benefits and enhancements offered, the sale offers up to $1,500 per guest on cruises worldwide, combined with up to $500 onboard credit per person and free Wi-Fi upgrades, plus additional...

Royal Caribbean International revealed additional itineraries for its 2027-28 season in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. According to a press release, 13 cruise ships will sail in the region, including the new Legend of the Seas and the amplified Allure of the Seas. The company’s itineraries will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral and...

Crystal unveiled new suite renderings of the Crystal Grace, set to debut in May 2028. The company said in a press release that the 337 suites were designed by cruise ship architectural firm GEM, with overall art direction and interior design coordination by the Milan-based architecture and design firm Studio Ibsen. Guest Room with Veranda...

Holland America Line announced that the Zuiderdam is back in service with a fresh look and new features, following a two-week drydock in the Bahamas. Guests embarked on the ship in Miami on December 6, 2025, for a 17-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruise, showcasing upgrades including the following: Crow’s Nest Entertainment Hub The company...

Celestyal has unveiled its Wave Season offer with savings of up to 50 percent on 226 sailings departing between December 2025 and October 2027. The promotion features select sailings with additional bonuses of up to $582 CelestyalPay credit, which can be used onboard for speciality restaurant dining and bar beverages and cocktails, as well as...

G Adventures’ former Expedition is back in Northern Europe after leaving the company’s fleet earlier this year. The 1972-built ship was laid up in South America ahead of a season in Antarctica when the expedition brand announced plans to replace it with a more modern ship, the Ocean Adventurer. Chartered from SunStone Ships, the 1976-built...

Everllence has confirmed the running on ethanol, at all load points, of its 21/31 dual-fuel engine at test facilities in Frederikshavn, Denmark. Everllence pioneered the two-stroke methanol-burning engine platform over a decade ago, with the first commercial engine entering service in 2016. Rasmus Frimann Nielsen, senior manager of Head of Four-Stroke Small-Bore Engineering at Everllence,...

Carnival Corporation, together with ITM Group and Hutchison Ports ECV, has unveiled plans for Ensenada Bay Village, a new shoreside destination inspired by the culture and natural beauty of Baja California, Mexico. The unveiling took place during a formal project presentation held on Friday, December 5, at the Ensenada Cruise Terminal. The destination is being...

Atlas Ocean Voyages has announced that it is extending its Black Friday Offer through December 31, following significant demand from travelers. The extended offer provides guests the opportunity to save up to 40 percent and choose one complimentary amenity. These include: Air credit savings of up to $2,000 per stateroom One-night pre-expedition hotel or land...

From routine maintenance to major refits, Cruise Industry News looks into some of the key drydock projects that are taking place in December 2025. MSC Magnifica Cruise Line: MSC Cruises Capacity: 2,516 guests Tonnage: 89,600 Year built: 2010 Drydock Period: Oct. 29 to Dec. 12, 2025 Shipyard: Palumbo (Valletta, Malta) The MSC Magnifica arrived at...

“So far this year, there have been 51 cruise calls at the Port of Tokyo,” said Haruka Imamura from the Port Management Division at the Bureau of Port and Harbor, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. There had also been seven maiden calls through late July. The Harumi Cruise Terminal was reopened this year following renovations. With the...

Guests joining Holland America Line’s 2026 Grand Voyages will receive a special tote bag made of upcycled ship textiles. According to a press release, the initiative marks the successful completion of the cruise line’s first fabric circularity project, which is said to be the first of its kind for the industry. The two-year program transformed...

Crescent Seas unveiled a new customization program for its newbuild, The Ocean, along with a reimagined Crescent Seas Design Studio. According to a press release, the new initiatives were announced during the ILTM Cannes 2025 and are said to mark the next evolution in the brand’s “mission to redefine what it means to live and...

Explora Journeys is launching a new partnership with the Hilton Honors loyalty program, the company announced in a press release. The luxury brand will become the exclusive luxury ocean travel partner for the debut of Hilton Honors Adventures, which is described as an extension of Hilton’s 235-million-member loyalty program. Explora explained that Hilton Honors members...

Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas, Relax Away, Half Moon Cay, recently celebrated the grand opening of four pickleball courts. According to a press release, the addition of pickleball courts is part of the cruise line’s drive to enhance the island, alongside other improvements such as new experiences and refurbished amenities. Holland America...

Sea Cloud Cruises’ 2026 intimate Cultivated Journeys sailings, hosted by celebrated media personalities, guest chefs, wellness experts, acclaimed musicians, and accomplished authors, will welcome onboard veteran broadcast journalists Joel Seidman, Kerry Sanders, and Kevin Tibbles. Seidman and Sanders will be returning hosts who have previously participated in the cruise line’s Cultivated Journeys program. “Our guests...

Libby Anschutz, the daughter of Windstar Cruises owner Phil Anschutz, was named Godmother of the cruise line’s first of two new all-suite yachts, the Star Seeker, on December 8, 2026. The official christening ceremony will take place in Miami on January 15, 2026. In November 2025, Libby, alongside Windstar president Christopher Prelog, toured the shipyard....

SpecTec Cruise announced that the company has rebranded as Veridian. The rebrand was inspired by the blue-green hues of the ocean on which its customers’ ships operate. Malcolm Youngson, CEO of Veridian, said: “Cruise operators are navigating rapid evolution: greener ships, smarter operations and expanding fleets and offerings.” “Technology is a crucial enabler of this...

The Discovery Princess recently resumed service after undergoing a scheduled drydock in Singapore. The Princess Cruises ship arrived at the Seatrium Tuas Boulevard Yard in early November after repositioning from Alaska. During its two-week shipyard stay, the 116,000-ton vessel underwent routine maintenance, in addition to class overhauls and technical work. Public areas and staterooms were...

The Aroya is set to debut in Southeast Asia in early 2026 with a series of cruises between Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. The operation will be part of a partnership between Aroya Cruises and IslamiCruise, a Malaysia-based tour operator. According to the company’s website, the Aroya will offer four itineraries that either sail from or...

Huaxia International Cruise is now set to operate the largest cruise fleet in Asia, according to a report by the South China Morning Post. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the Chinese cruise holding was formed by at least six companies in December 2023. China is now planning to consolidate the operations into a...

P&O Cruises has introduced new five-berth cabins onboard the Arvia, Britannia and Iona in a bid to make holidays at sea easier and better for bigger families. Fifty five-berth cabins are being introduced across the three ships. The expanded accommodation choices will be available from summer 2026 and include balcony cabins and conservatory mini suite...

Riviera Travel has launched a line-up of Wave Season limited-time promotions and advisor incentives, including half-off departures, complimentary hotel stays, airfare credits, as well as advisor incentives. The company said in a statement that from December 5 through January 31, 2026, travelers can take advantage of: Up to 50 percent off per person on all...

MSC Cruises has revealed a new list of entertainment activities at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s private island in the Bahamas, which will be rolled out from January 2026. The additions will complement the existing offerings of snorkeling, paddleboarding and jet skiing at the island. The company said in a press release that...

Marella Cruises has launched its fourth a la carte dining experience on the Marella Voyager, Umi Sushi, offering Japanese-inspired cuisine, available onboard from December 2025. Umi Sushi, the 17th dining venue onboard the Marella Voyager, will feature freshly prepared ramen, customizable sushi boxes and Mochi Ice Cream bowls. Luke Murphy, senior product development manager at...

StarCruises has teamed up with the Malaysian restaurant group De. Wan 1958 to bring Malaysian culinary celebrity, Datuk Chef Wan, onboard the Star Voyager. Chef Wan will join guests from Port Klang on the three-night cruise to Pulau Bintan and Singapore, sailing from January 30 to February 2, 2026. “We’re thrilled to welcome Chef Wan...

Juneau celebrated a great cruise season in 2025, according to Alexandra Pierce, tourism director of the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ). As one of the main cruise destinations in Alaska, the port welcomed a steady number of visitors while working to enhance their experience on land. Pierce said that this stability is part of...

Phoenix Reisen donated 1.2 million euros at the annual ZDF Charity Gala which took place this past week in Germany. The funds will go to support the Christian organizations Misereor and Brot für die Welt. Misereor is committed to fighting poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America, while Brot für die Welt’s mission statement is...

The Costa Favolosa became the first large ship to visit Ilhabela this season with a call on November 24, 2025. The Costa Cruises ship arrived at the Brazilian destination during its first sailing in the region after repositioning to South America for the winter. The three-night cruise departed from Santos on November 23, 2025, and...

Villa Vie Residences welcomed a new captain to its team this week, the company announced in a social media update. After previously serving as staff captain onboard, Captain Emanuele Giudice will be sharing rotation with Captain Valentin Giuglea as master of the Odyssey. “Captain Emanuele looks forward to leading the Odyssey with professionalism, care and...

TUI has announced that cruises onboard the Mein Schiff Flow, departing from July 2026, are now open for bookings. TUI Cruises said in a press release that it will soon release two more “welcome sailings” in 2026. The week-long “welcome trips” homeport in Palma, Mallorca, and sail in the Western Mediterranean. Highlights include stops in...

Dream Vacations/CruiseOne announced that it is accelerating its commitment to travel advisor education with an expanded catalogue of training programs and 2026 events and training calendar. The franchisor’s AI Assistant Learning Center has been redesigned to harness artificial intelligence to personalize learning and equip advisors with real-world sales tools, including airfare, shore excursions and product...

The MSC Grandiosa arrived at Port Canaveral on Saturday to begin week-long sailings to the Caribbean and Bahamas. As the second MSC Cruises ship based at Port Canaveral, the MSC Grandiosa joins the MSC Seashore which shifts to three- and four-day cruises. “MSC is a valued partner, and we’re thrilled to have this beautiful new...

Holland America Line is celebrating the holiday season with its second annual “Great HALiday Giveaway,” the company announced in a press release. The 12-day online event runs from Dec. 5-16, 2025, and allows participants to enter a dedicated website daily for a chance to win a series of prizes. As part of the initiative, Holland...

Cunard’s Queen Victoria is back at its British homeport in Southampton for the 2025-26 winter season. The 2007-built vessel returned to the UK in late October following her Mediterranean season. The Queen Victoria’s 2025 summer season in the Mediterranean started in April and included a series of itineraries departing from ports in Italy and Spain,...

AIDA has showcased its Christmas sailings for 2025, revealing select highlights that guests can expect from the sailings: Festive Atmosphere with No Stress The AIDAnova and AIDAprima will be transformed into winter worlds with a maritime Christmas market. The other nine ships are also festively decorated. International Festive Cuisine The company said that its kitchen...

Trafalgar has appointed two former guests as the Godmothers of its new river cruise line, set to debut in April 2026. The brand has selected Cassandra (Cassie) Estrella-Roca of Southern California and Kate McIntosh of Melbourne, Australia, to represent its debut ships, the Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie, as they travel the Danube and Rhine...

The Crown Princess recently arrived at a shipyard in Singapore for a routine drydock. The Princess Cruises’ ship entered drydock on Nov. 29, 2025 after completing a world cruise that sailed from Australia earlier this year. The 2006-built ship is now set to undergo scheduled maintenance and technical work, as well as class inspections. The...

DNV’s latest white paper, “Methanol fuel in shipping,” highlights that methanol-fueled engines and technical systems have reached high levels of readiness. The report also shows that existing global production sites, storage facilities and a growing bunker fleet are providing a strong platform for broader adoption. In addition, industry stakeholders are already investing in the fuel,...

Ambassador Cruise Line has been named as an official partner of Hampshire Cricket following the signing of a multi-year agreement. The company said in a press release that the partnership will see Ambassador receive brand and marketing exposure opportunities at Utilita Bowl on matchdays from next season, including pitch-side branding and online and social media...

The Disney Treasure recently completed its first year of service for Disney Cruise Line after being handed over on October 24, 2024. As the second ship in the company’s Wish class, the LNG-powered vessel was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Following its delivery, the Treasure made a technical call to Portugal’s...

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has put the spotlight on its National Geographic Photo Camp, a week-long photography experience. Since the program’s inception in 2003, more than 3,000 students have participated in camps in dozens of countries and countless communities. “Listening and trying to understand each other’s stories is one way we can change the world for...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is launching the new Epicurean Enrichment Studio, which is described by the company as state-of-the-art culinary theaters onboard the Seven Seas Mariner and the Seven Seas Voyager. According to a press release, the initiative will elevate the standard for culinary enrichment at sea with experiences designed to connect guests to destinations...

Seabourn has unveiled its annual “Explore More Event,” featuring savings and offers on most 2026 through 2028 worldwide ocean voyages and expeditions to Alaska, Antarctica, Japan, the Mediterranean and more. Available now until February 17, 2026, the offer includes the following exclusive benefits: Savings of up to 15 percent on select Seabourn luxury ocean voyages...

Broward County’s Port Everglades has announced that it has set a new benchmark for performance, based on preliminary Fiscal Year 2025 numbers. In the cruise market, Port Everglades welcomed a preliminary count of 4,773,873 cruise guests in Fiscal Year 2025, a 16 percent year-over-year increase. The port said in a press release that this achievement...

Bud Gilroy, president of the Tahiti Cruise Club, reported that the region had 110,000 passengers in 2024 for 465 calls, and that the numbers are expected to be the same this year. “Despite the simultaneous refit during the first quarter of 2025 of the three main ships operating year-round in French Polynesia (the Paul Gauguin,...

Spending some $120 million per year, Norway is basically subsidizing each passenger who travels on Hurtigruten or Havila on their coastal service. The program goes back to 1893 when the ships provided a vital link to remote coastal towns and villages along the Norwegian coast. Now, that program is up for review again. Last time,...

Ponant Explorations has launched the Status Match initiative across loyalty programs in its brand portfolio to unify its guest experience. The launch follows the company’s acquisition of Aqua Expeditions in January 2025. Historically, Ponant, Paul Gauguin Cruises and Ponant Yachting shared a loyalty program, the Ponant Yacht Club. The company said in a press release...

Swan Hellenic and Travel Photo Tour have launched the first edition of Photojournalism at Sea, a creative program set to take place aboard the SH Vega. The experience will unfold during the 10-day voyage from Valparaíso, Chile, to Callao, Peru, departing March 30, 2026. VP Global Sales at Swan Hellenic, Carlos Garzon, said: “We are...

Two of Quark Expeditions’ vessels met in Antarctica in November, the company revealed in a social media update. Offering expedition cruises in the region, the World Explorer and the Ultramarine made a double call at Damoy Point. Operating its final season for the company, the World Explorer was offering Quark’s “Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th...

“About 25 years ago, we had cruise companies ask us for support. We now have a dedicated business unit for the cruise industry,” said Mark Dowling, vice president of global partnerships at Tower Supplies. After assisting Carnival UK with sourcing the company, which supplies PPE, workwear, safety equipment and hygiene products, now finds that most...

Ambassador Cruise Line has announced the launch of its festive campaign, offering guests the opportunity to secure their 2027-28 no-fly sailing with a £12 deposit.  The company said its “12 Days of Christmas Campaign” will run for 12 days from December 5 to 16, and that it applies to 2027-28 sailings aboard both ships in...

HX Expeditions has extended its Galápagos partnership with Metropolitan Touring through 2029 and outlined plans for its 2027 and 2028 seasons, the company said in a press release. The three-year extension builds on an original five-year charter agreement with Metropolitan Touring, the longest-established travel operator in the Galápagos, founded in 1953. HX holds a significant...

P&O Cruises’ Iona will arrive earlier in Southampton this weekend due to adverse weather conditions, according to a statement sent to guests onboard. Currently offering a 14-night cruise to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, the vessel was initially scheduled to arrive back at its homeport on Saturday morning. The letter said that, with the...

The French Senate has approved a new tax for cruise operations across France, according to a report by Le Figaro. Voted on Monday, the new measure calls for every cruise passenger to pay a fee of 15 euros per stop in the country. While the law was green-lighted by senators, its draft will continue to...

Carnival Cruise Line’s new Grand Bahama destination, Celebration Key, has introduced its first set of holiday decorations and seasonal activities, the company said in a press release. The private destination, which opened earlier this year, now features festive décor across its themed portals. Holiday trees, wreaths and garlands have been tailored to each area, including...

Holland America Line broke its Black Friday weekend sales record in the United States, with 19 percent more bookings than its previous high watermark, set in 2023 for the same period from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, the company said in a statement. “This holiday season, we are seeing guests prioritize the experience itself in...

Azamara Cruises has announced its 2028 World Cruise aboard the Azamara Onward. The 175-night itinerary spans six continents, 40 countries and 91 ports. The company said that the sailing is further enhanced by the support of Azamara’s new World Cruise Desk, a pre-cruise concierge for guests and travel partners. “Our 2028 World Cruise represents Azamara’s...

MSC Cruises has begun the one-year countdown to the launch of MSC World Asia, expected to join the fleet in December 2026. The company has shared highlights about the new ship and its amenities, dining and entertainment, which include the following: Dragon Sculpture The company said that the ship will feature a stainless-steel dragon suspended...

Celestyal marked its first-ever visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a traditional plaque exchange ceremony in collaboration with Cruise Saudi. The Celestyal Journey’s maiden call took place on November 29 as the final port on the company’s new seven-night “Athens to Jeddah” voyage, which left Athens on November 22 and called at Marmaris, Turkey and...

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise will debut a new self-service restaurant following a routine drydock in January 2026. According to an update shared by Margaritaville at Sea, the new market-style dining experience will replace the ship’s traditional buffet. The company said that the space, which will be located on Deck 10, will feature individual stations...

Royal Caribbean International shared some of the key figures of its new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which is set to open later this year. Located at the Port of Nassau in the Bahamas, the new facility will offer a series of exclusive features for the company’s guests. When purchasing an unlimited open-bar and dining...

American Cruise Lines has highlighted 11 new U.S. itineraries and three new small ships being offered in its 2026 program. Sailing year-round, the company said it will honor the country’s 250th birthday with its portfolio of domestic itineraries exploring coast to coast, including new cruises on the Great Lakes, the Arkansas River and the Gulf...

The Brazilian Port of Itajaí kicked off its 2025-26 cruise season on Sunday with the arrival of the Costa Diadema. The Costa Cruises vessel is now offering a series of cruises that sail from both Itajaí and Santos, after serving as a floating hotel during an UN Event in Belém. According to the local port...

Azamara Cruises has announced that Cyber Monday 2025 delivered the strongest booking day in the company’s history, with new bookings up approximately 5 percent over its previous record. The broader multi-week Black Friday Sale also ranked among the top five best booking periods in Azamara Cruises’ history. “Cyber Monday blew past every expectation,” said Dondra...

Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled a new 2026 lineup of ship tours and Seminars at Sea in the next wave of the company’s “Funnel Faves” campaign. The company said that the programs are designed to showcase the onboard experience firsthand and reinforce Carnival’s commitment to supporting travel partners with opportunities to learn, connect and sell...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) have launched the latest evolution of their landmark partnership, The Concierge Collection 2027-28. Launched in 2024, the collection offers Regent’s guests three-night pre-cruise stays at GHA properties, paired with voyages aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur, Seven Seas Splendor, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner....

Silversea has launched its 2026 Wave Season offer with savings of up to 40 percent on more than 800 voyages, the company announced. The promotion is available on new bookings made from Dec. 3, 2025, through Feb. 28, 2026. Savings amounts vary by suite category, and the offer includes reduced deposits starting at 15% for...

Oceania Cruises unveiled two brand-new culinary concepts aboard the Oceania Sonata during a press conference at ILTM Cannes. Debuting aboard the ship will be La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, a fine-dining restaurant at sea, and Nikkei Kitchen, an evening venue focused on a fusion of Peruvian flavors and Japanese culinary techniques and tastes....