Sea Cloud Cruises has announced the appointment of William “Bill” Smith as Brand Ambassador for North America. In this role, Smith will collaborate with Mirell Reyes, CEO of Sea Cloud Cruises North America, and Kevin Smith, Chief Sales Officer (CSO), to elevate brand awareness and deepen engagement with the travel advisor community and past guests....

Tauck is getting ready for two more ships in 2026, said vice president of global sales and service, Steve Spivak. The Serene will be christened on the Seine and the Lumiere on the Rhone, according to 2026 European River Cruise Market Report by Cruise Industry News. “For river, we’re in growth mode. We’re growing because...

Hurricane Melissa is impacting cruise ships that were scheduled to sail to destinations in the Eastern and Central Caribbean this week. After intensifying and making landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm, the hurricane led to the cancellation of scheduled visits to destinations in the region. Royal Caribbean had to reroute the Icon of...

“Our commercial flywheel combining innovative ships distinctive destinations and world-class brands continues to drive sustained growth in guest trust and our ability to deliver the best vacation experiences responsibly,” said Jason Liberty, CEO and chairman of Royal Caribbean Group, speaking on the company’s third quarter earnings call. “We are focused on building a vacation platform...

MSC Cruises has announced that work has begun on the upgrade of the MSC Magnifica, marking the start of an enhancement program that underscores the company’s investment in enhancing the guest experience. MSC Cruises’ CEO Gianni Onorato said: “By introducing our MSC Yacht Club to these ships, along with new restaurants, gyms and wellness spaces,...

Princess Cruises has announced that it has partnered with Onboard Media to transform its port shopping services and elevate the guest experience with personalized programming and concierge-level advisory services. “Princess continually looks to enhance our guest experience and make each voyage distinctly personal and memorable,” said Alfredo Jimenez, VP of onboard revenue at Princess Cruises....

The Azamara Pursuit sailed from Lisbon earlier this month for a 21-night cruise to the Canary Islands and Africa. Sailing to Cape Town, the month-long voyage will feature visits to eight ports of call across six countries and islands. The itinerary is highlighted by a visit to Saint Helena, a remote British overseas territory in...

Ahead of its winter season in South America, MSC Cruises is warning guests of a change in insurance policies in Argentina. According to a statement sent to booked passengers, the country is now requiring foreign visitors to present proof of valid travel health insurance upon entry. The new rules that requires the insuranceare already in...

Carnival Cruise Line confirmed that five of its vessels had to change their itineraries due to Hurricane Melissa. According to the company’s website weather updates, the Carnival Celebration, the Carnival Dream, the Carnival Liberty, the Carnival Sunrise and the Carnival Vista were affected by the Category 5 storm. “Our Fleet Operations Center in Miami is...

Royal Caribbean Group’s CFO Naftali Holtz said that capacity in the Caribbean for the company has grown as it holds a strong position in the region. During the company’s 2025 third-quarter earnings call, Holtz said: “As expected, capacity growth in the fourth quarter is driven by new ships, the Star of the Seas and Celebrity...

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has announced its most extensive collection of new offerings yet, unveiling four ships and six itineraries launching in 2027. New ships include three Super Ship builds: the Audrey, Marlene and São Rafael on Portugal’s Douro River. In addition are sailings on the Aqua Blu to mark the company’s debut in Singapore...

Scylla announced that it completed the first-ever autonomous Dock2Dock voyage on Friday, October 24, 2025, when undocking in Hardinxveld-Giessendam and docking in Gorinchem during a live showcase onboard the Lumière. The demonstration combined Retina’s M-Pilot maneuvering system with the ST BRAIN and Autonomous Lane Assist (ST Sailing) from Shipping Technology. “With the Dock2Dock project, we’re...

Royal Caribbean Group has announced a new private destination in Santorini. The company said it continues to strategically invest in expanding its unrivaled portfolio of destinations and experiences, “deepening its competitive moat, strengthening its vacation ecosystem and creating new ways to deliver extraordinary vacations that resonate with guests.” The company has thus announced plans to...

Royal Caribbean Group today reported third quarter Earnings per Share  of $5.74 and Adjusted EPS of $5.75. The company said these results were better than the company’s guidance primarily due to higher than expected close-in demand and lower costs. The company is raising its full year 2025 Adjusted EPS guidance to $15.58 to $15.63, representing...

The MSC Preziosa opened the 2025-26 cruise season at the Brazilian port of Santos on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Concluding a trans-Atlantic crossing that departed from Germany, the vessel also marked the opening of the national season in Brazil. Set to be followed by six additional vessels from both MSC and Costa Cruises, the Preziosa...

Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting itineraries to avoid the path of Melissa, which intensified into a Category 5 hurricane on Monday. The company’s Brand Ambassador, John Heald, said that ships sailing to Jamaica and nearby destinations are being affected. “Of course, the captains on the ships that have changed itineraries will have informed the guests...

Ship&Play has announced its first-ever cruise partnerships with Azamara Cruises, Emerald Cruises and Tours and Scenic Luxury Cruises and Tours. The luxury luggage shipping provider and team behind ShipSticks said that cruise passengers can ship their luggage from home directly to their suite and return it home again. The offer starts on fall 2025 itineraries...

Ports of Stockholm have announced that the traditional cruise season in Stockholm is coming to an end and that the year has seen a clear upturn, with more calls compared to last year. During the season, Sweden’s second shore power system for cruise ships was inaugurated in Stockholm. According to a statement, this is an...

Aroya Cruises, Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and Major Sports Cruises have announced a strategic partnership to reinforce Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in shaping global sports and tourism experiences. The collaboration unites world-class football, Saudi Arabian hospitality, and the opportunity to explore Saudi Arabia through an integrated program built around the Spanish Super Cup, to be...

Hurtigruten has announced the appointment of Hayley Moore as its vice president of sales and marketing for the UK and emerging markets.   The company said that Moore will lead its sales and marketing strategy across the UK and high-growth emerging markets in EMEA, spanning both B2B and B2C channels. Moore will oversee the UK-based team...

Cunard announced that the Queen Mary 2 will take center stage in New York Harbor on July 4, 2026, as part of Sail4th 250, the official event marking 250 years since American Independence. The company said that with 250 days to go until the occasion, the Queen Mary 2 will play a key role as...

American Cruise Lines has announced 10 new ships through 2028 for the U.S. market, beginning with the American Pioneer, which debuts in Florida on October 31. The American Pioneer is the second new Patriot Class ship the company has launched this year. The balance of the order will be delivered over the next three years....

Windstar Cruises will deploy the Star Explorer year-round in Europe when it debuts in late 2026 for the small-ship brand. Now open for booking, her first full season of Europe cruises runs through March 2028, featuring a lineup of classic journeys and new itineraries on the 224-guest ship. From Circumnavigating Ireland to discovering the Seven...

Ambassador Cruise Line and marine conservation charity ORCA have announced the launch of a new campaign, “#AmbassadorForWhales,” to help protect whales, dolphins and porpoises across the globe. Running from October 27 to November 12, 2025, the campaign will see Ambassador match every donation made to ORCA up to a value of £10,000, effectively doubling the...

A second ship on the Nile debuts later this year and another riverboat will be added to TUI’s European fleet for 2026, said Katy Berzins, head of TUI River Cruises, in the 2026 European River Cruise Market Report by Cruise Industry News. The reasons are simple: demand is good, she said, noting that the company’s European...

MSC Cruises made significant changes to the current itinerary of the MSC World America due to Hurricane Melissa, which is currently moving through the Caribbean. According to a statement sent to booked guests, the vessel will drop most of its planned calls to avoid the storm. Originally scheduled to offer a seven-night cruise to Puerto...

Century Cruises has announced the appointment of Alexis McKinnon Puma as global sales executive and MICE strategist. Puma’s career spans more than two decades of transformative leadership across cruise, hospitality and technology sectors. David Fredericks, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Century Cruises, said: “I’ve known Puma for many years, and she is...

StarCruises has announced that it will welcome travelers aboard the Star Voyager as it returns to Hong Kong for another homeport deployment in 2026. The ship will operate for 9 months, from February 13 to November 13. Michael Goh, president of StarDream Cruises, said: “The Star Voyager’s return reflects our commitment to providing more vacation...

The former Viking Sun is scheduled to return to Europe in 2026 after four years sailing exclusively in China. According to Viking’s Chinese website, the ship will operate cruises in the Mediterranean that are geared to Chinese guests. Currently sailing in Asia as the Zhao Shang Yi Dun, the 2017-built vessel is set to offer...

SunStone Ships’ Ocean Victory is scheduled to offer a series of expeditions in the Arctic during the summer of 2026. Cruise Industry News found departures onboard the ship being sold by Adventure Canada and Polar Latitudes Expeditions. Planned sailings include expeditions to Iceland, Greenland and the Northwest Passage, as well as the Canadian Arctic. A...

Oceanwide Expeditions has announced that its 2025-26 Antarctic cruise season has begun with the company’s first voyage of the season departing Puerto Madryn, Argentina, on a Falkland Islands, South Georgia, Antarctica Photographic Special itinerary. The Hondius, Ortelius and Plancius will take guests from South America across the sub-Antarctic and into the Antarctic Peninsula and the...

Two cruise ships will serve as floating hotels during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. According to reports, the Piano Land and the Eastern Venus will host attendees after being chartered by the event’s organizers. Located 370 kilometers away from Seoul, Gyeongju is said to be facing challenges due to...

Mexico’s Port of Progreso in Yucatán is expecting record cruise ship arrivals over the next two years, according to a report in local media. The country’s Minister of Tourism Development, Darío Flota Ocampo, said that cruise lines are addingcalls at the port through 2027. Ocampo noted that the increase in traffic is being driven by...

Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald said that the company’s adults-only cruises are “extraordinarily popular” with passengers. In a social media update, he noted that the special sailings received positive feedback from the market but mentioned that Carnival will continue to offer multi-generational experiences. “We are and always will be a proud family cruise...

The MSC Euribia is currently sailing to the Middle East ahead of its winter season in the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Gulf. With its repositioning cruises cancelled due to security concerns in the Red Sea, the LNG-powered ship is currently sailing around Africa. The long voyage started in Northern Europe in mid-October and...

TUI Cruises has announced that the Mein Schiff 1 will be offering a six-day sailing called “Rock ‘n ‘Sail 2026 with Peter Maffay and band” from and to Mallorca with stops in Gibraltar and Cartagena. The company said in a press release that Maffay and the band, who are reported as German rock legends, will...

Ambassador Cruise Line has renewed its partnership with Greatest Hits Radio and will launch a themed cruise with the station. Gordon Nardini, CMO of Ambassador Cruise Line, said: “Greatest Hits Radio is an engaging and dynamic platform, and we are thrilled to continue our partnership with them for the Greatest Hits Radio Escape II with...

The Brazilian government is looking for a new private operator for the Maceió Cruise Terminal as part of a 25-year concession contract. A bidding process was held in São Paulo on Oct. 22, with the winning bidder expected to be announced soon. As part of the contract, the awarded company will be required to invest...

Sailing in the region for the first time, the Discovery Princess recently arrived in Asia as part of a repositioning cruise. The ship embarked on a 29-night itinerary between Seattle and Singapore following its summer season in Alaska. The month-long repositioning voyage departed from North America in late September and included visits to four destinations...

Damen Shiprepair Brest has completed its 50th cruise ship project since joining the Damen Shipyards Group in 2012, marking a major milestone in its drive to make cruise refits greener and more efficient, the company said in a press release. The French yard recently wrapped up work on the Disney Fantasy, following a similar project...

The City of Dubrovnik in Croatia will continue to charge a tourist fee for cruise ships visiting in 2027, according to a report by The Dubrovnik Times. According to the local newspaper, the City Council recently passed a proposal that will keep the rates unchanged for the year. The fee is applied to each ship...

Paul Gauguin Cruises has announced that it is building upon its Moana Explorer Program with 12 voyages scheduled for 2027 on the Paul Gauguin. The complimentary program, developed in partnership with Te mana o te moana, launched in 2020 as a way to engage young guests in hands-on, educational activities both onboard and ashore. Paul...

The Scenic Eclipse opened the 2025-26 cruise season in Uruguay with a visit to the Port of Montevideo earlier this week. Offering a repositioning cruise to Antarctica, the Scenic vessel was the first to arrive in the country for the season. According to Uruguay’s port authority (ANP), the ship was welcomed by national officials, including...

Ponant Explorations Group has announced the release of its second Ponant Science program report. Launched in 2021, the program welcomes scientific researchers onboard. The company said in a press release that these expeditions provide access to remote ecosystems, allowing data collection and contributions to international research efforts. Over the past five years, 230 researchers have...

ASENAV and Antarctica21 celebrated a major milestone in Chilean naval engineering: the launch the Magellan Discoverer. The ceremony marked the exact moment the vessel was floated for the first time, on the Calle Calle River in the city of Valdivia. According to a press release, the event was attended by national and regional authorities, Fernando...

Tourisme Montréal and the Port of Montréal have signed a new three-year partnership agreement to support the city’s cruise growth. The announcement was made at the inaugural Montréal Cruise Forum on Tuesday, October 22. It was confirmed at the event that Montréal will begin its first-ever winter cruises in February 2027 with Ponant adding the...

The World Residences at Sea has appointed Lyubomir “Lubo” Ivanov Stoyanov as beverage manager aboard The World. Stoyanov joins The World with over 30 years of experience in fine dining, luxury hospitality and wine service. His career began in Bulgaria at the Palace Hotel and later took him to sea aboard the Aurora One, the...

South Korea is ramping up investment in its cruise industry, with the government announcing a plan to attract one million cruise passengers annually by 2027. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, has outlined several infrastructure projects, including a new wharf at Saemangeum in North Jeolla, due...

Swan Hellenic has announced its 2026 Explore Space at Sea Series, offering a series of expedition cruises in a partnership with the SETI Institute, an offshoot of NASA’s High Resolution Microwave Survey focused on the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). The 2026 series will feature eleven SETI Institute scientists, one per cruise, except for a...

The AIDAluna recently arrived at the Chantier Naval de Marseille in France for its AIDA Evolution refurbishment. As the second ship to undergo a refit under the initiative, the 2009-built vessel entered drydock following a fall season in Western Europe. During its seven-week enhancement, the AIDAluna will get new features, in addition to an overall...

cruisePAL announced that two APT vessels are now sailing with cruisePAL SMS/POS. The company said in a press release that the cruisePAL team visited the APT Ostara and APT Solara to install its software and train the crew. The company said: “We were happy to receive positive feedback from APT’s team members who highlighted cruisePAL’s...

Celestyal announced in a statement that on Tuesday, October 21, passengers on Norse Atlantic Airways’ last flight of the season from JFK to Athens received a special gift. All 300 of the onboard passengers were awarded a “Golden Ticket” from Celestyal for a potential cruise for next season, sailing from Athens, in celebration of the...

Holland America Line has announced the launch of new dishes and cocktails for the Caribbean cruise season, celebrating the region’s local flavors. Launching onboard all six ships exploring the region from October 2025 to April 2026, the new menu items and beverages aim to offer authentic local experiences. The company said in a press release...

The new Star Seeker recently departed from the West Sea shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, for a series of sea trials. The 10,000-ton vessel is scheduled to be delivered later this year. After departing from Portugal on Oct. 23, the Star Seeker is set to remain at sea for a few days while undergoing...

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regalado said that the fuel farm crisis currently threatening operations in Miami is an opportunity to “bring the port into the 21st century.” As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the port’s bunker depot, which is privately owned and located on nearby Fisher Island, was sold to a real estate developer...

Royal Caribbean International celebrated the beginning of the construction of its seventh Oasis-class ship on Thursday. According to a press release, the milestone was marked with a steel-cutting ceremony held at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire. Ordered in 2024, the yet-to-be-named vessel is scheduled to be delivered by the French shipyard in 2028. Representatives...

Princess Cruises has announced that its Royal Princess has been named the 2025 “World’s Best Culinary Cruise Ship” by the World Culinary Awards. Voted on by the culinary community, industry experts and consumers from around the world, the awards celebrate and reward excellence in the culinary industry and recognize the commitment to delivering outstanding dining...

HX Expeditions is celebrating 130 years of exploration by offering guests the opportunity to book an 1896-themed cabin. In 1896, HX launched the world’s first expedition cruise. The anniversary cabin offering is now open for bookings. “The 1896 Cabin is a chance for our guests to not just see history but to live and sleep...

Celebrity Cruises has taken delivery of and welcomed the Celebrity Xcel and announced the name of its sixth Edge Series ship, the Celebrity Xcite. The ship’s first piece of steel was cut, and construction commenced at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire. The Celebrity Xcite is expected to set sail in 2028. “Celebrity Xcel...