Hapag-Lloyd has launched its 2026 Amazon season with the Hanseatic Spirit departing Belém this week on an 18-day upstream expedition along the river. The company has sailed this approximately 4,000 km (2,385 mi.) journey deep into the heart of the Amazon for nearly 30 years. Two voyages, one upstream and one downstream are offered each...

TUI Cruises has completed the evacuation of approximately 2,500 guests from Mein Schiff 5 in Doha, Qatar, following the outbreak of conflict in the region on February 28, according to a report from Schiffe und Kreuzfarhten Mein Schiff 5 and its sister ship, Mein Schiff 4, became stranded in the Persian Gulf after strikes on...

The Costa Toscana is currently cruising in the Western Mediterranean after undergoing a drydock at the Chantier Naval de Marseille shipyard in France earlier this year. As part of the ship’s regular maintenance schedule, the two-week project was completed in mid-February. In addition to routine work, the drydock included technical updates and class inspections. The...

Celebrity River Cruises has unveiled a destination discovery program featuring four experience categories designed to connect travelers to European culture, the company announced. Available across all 2027 and 2028 Celebrity River Cruises itineraries and pre- and post-cruise stays in Prague, Budapest and Amsterdam, the program includes the Storyteller Series, Skillmaster Series, Keys to the City...

Virgin Voyages is launching what it describes as its boldest culinary venture yet – an Indian restaurant at sea. Named Ariya, the restaurant will open in May exclusively aboard the Valiant Lady following her drydock, the company said in a press release. “Ariya is the next chapter in our food and beverage collection that we’ve...

The Silver Spirit will get a series of upgrades during its upcoming drydock, which is set to take place between mid-March and early May. According to a press release, the 2009-built vessel will see major enhancements, including new dining venues, reimagined public areas and upgraded staterooms. Silversea said that the refurbishment will be similar to...

HX Expeditions has announced a major expansion of its travel advisor program for 2026. In a press release, the company said that this includes doubling its Americas support team, launching its 10-city North American roadshow and rolling out a new booking platform. “The travel advisor community is absolutely central to our continued growth. In 2026,...

Cruise Industry News highlights some of the key transactions and developments that occurred within the secondhand cruise ship market between February and the first weeks of March 2026. Lumina (ex-Seven Seas Navigator) Company: Avora Residences Capacity: 490 guests Tonnage: 28,550 Year built: 1999 Move: To sail for Avora as part of a charter agreement Date:...

Carnival Cruise Line is cancelling 11 cruises onboard the Carnival Firenze that were set to take place between October 12 and November 16, 2026. According to a statement shared with booked guests, the cancellations are related to a redeployment effort. “We have made some changes to the itinerary plans for the Carnival Firenze and, unfortunately,...

AIDA Cruises will not offer any cruises in the Middle East during the winter of 2026/27 as the situation in the region remains uncertain and cannot be reliably predicted for the foreseeable future, the company said in a press release. Consequently, the planned repositioning cruises of AIDAprima around Africa have also been cancelled. The company...

Celebrity Cruises opened bookings for more than 50 Galápagos expeditions aboard the Celebrity Flora in 2028, the company announced in a press release. The 100-passenger vessel will offer seven-, 10-, 11- and 16 night all-inclusive itineraries exploring the archipelago. Extended experiences include opportunities to explore Quito, Ecuador, as well as Lima, Cusco, Sacred Valley and...

Costa has announced deployment updates for the 2026-27 season, as the Costa Smeralda will not be sailing in the Middle East and instead be positioned in the Canary Islands and will be operating a brand-new seven-day itinerary between the Canaries and Madeira. With Costa Smeralda operating this program, Costa will significantly increase guest capacity  in...

Nicko Cruises is reportedly adjusting the itinerary of the current world cruise onboard the Vasco da Gama due to the recent conflicts in the Middle East. According to a report by Schiff un Kreuzfahrten, two segments of the 175-night voyage were affected, including the current one, which sailed from Indonesia in late February and was...

Coral Expeditions has added cruisePAL’s central reservation system (CRS) and customer relationship management (CRM) module to its portfolio. This is seen as a milestone since the two have collaborated since 2006, cruisePAL said in a statement. “We are proud that our long-standing collaboration continues to thrive. Over the years, we have been privileged to support...

Viking has taken delivery of the Viking Eldir, its newest Longship, the company said in a statement. The delivery ceremony took place when the new ship was presented at Meyer’s Neptun Werft shipyard in Rostock-Warnemünde, Germany, where it was built. Featuring 95 staterooms, the 190-guest ship was built specifically to navigate the Rhine, Main and...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has received a MIDAS (Menu Innovation and Development Awards) award in the Travel & Leisure category for its Italian menu, according to a company statement. The award was presented on March 5 at the 2026 MIDAS Awards ceremony, held in Birmingham. Corporate Executive Chef, Zoe Hayward, attended the ceremony on behalf...

Princess Cruises will offer cruises departing from the port of Bridgetown in Barbados starting in early 2027. According to its website, the company will offer ten departures from its newest homeport between January 2027 and March 2028. The first ship to sail from Barbados will be the Crown Princess, which is scheduled to offer a...

The Ventura recently resumed service for P&O Cruises following a drydock at the Damen Shipyard in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. According to an update recently shared by the company, the 2008-built vessel welcomed guests back in late February with updated interiors and new features. P&O said that the ship’s cabins and staterooms were redesigned with new...

Star Clippers has announced an offer for select 2026 Greece voyages aboard the Star Flyer sailing roundtrip from Athens (Piraeus). Reservations made before April 30, 2026, will receive one complimentary pre- or post-cruise hotel night in Athens with breakfast and a complimentary transfer between the hotel and ship (or reverse), the company said in a...

Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Norwegian Luna, welcomed her first guests in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. The ship is scheduled to make her U.S. debut in Miami on March 23, 2026, followed by a christening ceremony on March 27. Following Fincantieri’s delivery of the vessel to Norwegian last week, the company shared new images of...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has launched an air travel program called Air Concierge. Debuting April 1, 2026, it will replace the current Ultimate All-Inclusive Fare pricing option for guests in the United States and Canada, the company said in a statement. “This program expands the meaning of the unrivaled Regent experience by offering a more...

MSC Cruises announced upgrades to the MSC Yacht Club restaurants, part of the company’s “ship-within-a-ship” concept. The company said in a press release that the refurbishment will be rolled out across its three Fantasia-class ships, set to undergo drydocks in December 2026, April 2027 and February 2028. The restaurant onboard its fourth Fantasia-class ship, the...

The AIDAbella is resuming service in Palma de Mallorca on March 11 following its AIDA Evolution refurbishment. The cruise ship had previously spent seven weeks in a shipyard in Marseille, where it underwent a comprehensive overhaul and modernization. According to a statement from the company, the upgrade included new and additional restaurants, bars with enhanced...

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has presented its winter 2027–2028 itineraries across Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean and the South Pacific aboard the Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara. Sailing from October 2027 to May 2028, the season features more than 60 voyages and introduces 14 new ports of call, according to a press release. “Our Winter 2027–2028 season reflects...

Royal Caribbean is debuting a new America’s Got Talent stage show on the Legend of the Seas in August 2026. America’s Got Talent LIVE will deliver a reimagined extension of the global variety show, marking the first time the series will headline at sea, the company said in a press release. “At Royal Caribbean, we...

Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC) has issued a statement saying that there would be no price increases until next March. The company said that the prices for its entire 2026-2027 program would remain competitive despite the geopolitical context in the Middle East and its impact on fuel costs. “While airfares are gradually increasing, we want...

P&O Cruises is offering additional onboard spend money for over 400 Select Price fly-cruise holidays departing between April 2, 2026, and March 18, 2028. Up to £850 onboard spending money is available for fly-cruises to Canary Islands, Mediterranean and Caribbean booked by April 13, 2026, the company said in a statement. Carnival UK & P&O...

Oceania Cruises launched a new global brand campaign called The Joy of Traveling Well, the company said in a press release. The campaign reflects the company’s focus on intentional, enriching travel at sea and aligns with Oceania’s transition to an adults-only experience. “The launch of The Joy of Traveling Well campaign offers a clear expression...

Amid ongoing security concerns and regional operational challenges, multiple cruise lines have now cancelled the remainder of their 2025-26 winter deployments in the Arabian Gulf. MSC With sailings in the region through early April, MSC Cruises cancelled the remainder of its 2025-26 season in the Middle East. In its cancellation statement, the company said that...

The Dream officially launched its 2026 homeport season in Shanghai earlier this week, departing on a cruise to South Korea. The Dream, operated by Tianjin Oriental, is now based at Shanghais Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal for the season. Its deployment for the spring and summer season adds a midsize vessel option to the port’s homeport...

Princess Cruises will offer a 115-day world cruise onboard the Coral Princess in 2028, the company announced in a press release. The 2028 World Cruise will visit 49 destinations across 24 countries and five continents, featuring 39 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Princess said that the itinerary is highlighted by more overnight and late-night stays, as...

Margaritaville at Sea today announced the debut of two Bridge Wing Suites onboard the new Beachcomber. According to a press release, the suites will introduce the most distinctive accommodations created by the cruise line and will be located on Deck 9, directly atop the ship’s bridge. The two suites were inspired by “Captain and the...

Port Tampa Bay’s 51 visits scheduled for March is set to break its all-time monthly record for cruise ship calls, according to a press release. This is interpreted to reflect the increasing interest from travelers seeking departures from Florida’s Gulf Coast. “March is one of the busiest travel months of the year, and we’re thrilled...

Polar Latitudes Expeditions announced that it is adding the Discoverer, which was formerly known as the Exploris One, to its fleet. According to a press release, the expedition ship will join the company’s Antarctica program starting with the 2026-27 season. The vessel will replace the Seaventure, which will transition to full-time operations under the 66º...

SeaDream Yacht Club has unveiled new destinations for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, ranging from Mediterranean harbors to remote North Atlantic isles and Caribbean hideaways. In a press release, the company said it plans to add 27 ports in 2027 and at least 28 in 2028, with more destinations expected as the itineraries get announced....

Virtuoso has announced its 2026 Virtuoso Cruise Icons, recognizing advisors whose cruise sales performance ranks among the best in the industry. A group of 178 advisors worldwide have earned the designation this year. “Cruise Icons are the advisors the industry looks to when there are market shifts or demand accelerates,” said Cory Hagopian, senior vice...

MarineXchange (MXP) has introduced an AI-powered functionality for its iTV which could help cruise lines increase revenue by enabling guest to book events from their cabins, the company said in a statement. Instead of limiting the use of cabin TV to entertainment and information, guests can book excursions, restaurants, spa, fitness, beauty salon or onboard...

Carnival Cruise Line has introduced a new dining option for its guests called “Express Dining.” Available nightly, the option offers a multi-course dinner experience in under an hour for groups of six guests or fewer, featuring a slightly abbreviated selection of the main dining room offering, the company said in a statement. “Our guests continue...

Tianjin International Cruise Homeport welcomed the arrival of the Vision on March 2, marking the start of the vessel’s first season from a northern Chinese homeport. The ship is the former Costa Magica which Tianjin Oriental International Cruise Line acquired late last year. The arrival follows the completion of the ship’s refurbishment at the Beihai...

Virgin Voyages cruises departing from New York City will sail from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal starting on April 6, 2026. In a statement sent to booked guests, the company said that the change is valid for all of its scheduled sailings from the port. Operating seasonally from New York City, Virgin has previously sailed from...

Given the current situation in the Middle East, Celestyal Cruises has announced it has cancelled two Iconic Aegean sailings operated by the Celestyal Discovery. The trips were scheduled to sail on March 20 (three nights) and March 23 (four nights). In a statement, the company said it is still in the process of finalizing operational...

Aroya Cruises has ended its current season in the Arabian Gulf, the company announced in a statement. According to the company, the Aroya will not operate the remaining sailings scheduled to take place in the region. After arriving in the Arabian Gulf in late February, the vessel was scheduled to offer weeklong cruises to destinations...

Adora Cruises’ 100-person livestream event promoting cruise culture held on March 9 in Shanghai attracted an online viewership of over 10 million. Additionally, the value of purchases made online during the event was over 10 million yuan, the company said in a press release. “The ‘100-Person Livestream’ is another proactive attempt to popularize cruise culture...

Virgin Voyages has deployed more than 1,500 AI agents across its operations. This represents a nearly 2,900% increase from the 50 it had when it first partnered with Google Cloud in October 2025, according to a company statement. The company said this signals a fundamental shift in how it operates, with a 100% Gemini Enterprise...

Swan Hellenic has unveiled two 32-night Grand Voyages exploring the remote regions of Antarctica aboard the SH Minerva. Called “Ultimate Antarctica Adventure: From Ushuaia to Dunedin,” the voyages follow the same itinerary from South America to New Zealand, sailing from February 3 to March 8, 2027, and from February 4 to March 7, 2028. The...

The Carnival Venezia recently returned to Port Canaveral after offering a 14-night Carnival Journeys cruise. As one of the longest itineraries being offered by the ship this year, the two-week voyage departed from Central Florida on Feb. 22, 2026. Before returning to Port Canaveral, the itinerary included visits to a series of destinations in the...

Guests from Holland America Line’s two 2026 Grand Voyages united in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, March 7. Together with captains and senior officers from the Zaandam and Volendam, guests gathered for an event called Chocolate Afternoon Tea aboard the Zaandam. The meeting coincided with the ships’ overlapping call, creating what Holland says is a rare...

Explora Journeys has celebrated three milestones at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard for a trio of vessels being built there. Held on March 3, the celebration included the launch of the Explora IV, the coin ceremony of the Explora V and the start of construction of the Explora VI. The Explora IV and Explora V are...

Scenic Group will add three river ships to its fleet in 2027 and 2028, including one Emerald Cruises vessel and two Scenic ships, the company announced in a press release. “Our commitment to an additional three new river ships for the Scenic and Emerald Cruises brands reflects our confidence in the strong demand for our...

Port Canaveral reached a construction milestone on its new Cruise Terminal 6 East parking garage when a 600 square-foot, 36.7 ton pre-cast concrete wall section was lowered into place. This marks the beginning of vertical construction on the 13 story facility, the port said in a press release. The $93 million, 3,732 space garage is...

TUI River Cruises will launch the TUI Elara in summer 2027, the company’s fifth ship in its European fleet, the company said in a press release. The 138 passenger vessel will operate five, seven and 14 night sailings along the Rhine, Moselle, Dutch and Belgian waterways from Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Basel. “As we enter our...

Atlas Ocean’s Mediterranean Epicurean Expeditions sailing July through September 2026 have limited availability remaining, the company said in a statement. These experiences offer a deep dive into the history, nature, art or cuisine of a destination through an exclusive excursion ashore or an event onboard. “Our 2026 Mediterranean Epicurean Expeditions are designed to go beyond...

The luxury cruise ship orderbook shows more than three dozen new vessel introductions coming from now through 2027. Highlights include the entries of Four Seasons and Orient Express, and Explora Journeys rounding out its fleet to six ships by 2028. For a complete overview of the market, see the new 2026 Luxury Market Report by...

Adora Cruises is launching the “Sea Film Festival” themed sailing season from late March to late June this year. Organized in partnership with Changying Group, the immersive cinematic journey at sea will take place simultaneously aboard the Adora Magic City, Adora Mediterranea and the Piano Land, which is operated by Astro Ocean Cruises. According to...

Carnival Corporation has held a series of high-level meetings and industry engagements in Bermuda, the company said in a statement. One of these was the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s (CTO) Air Connectivity Summit. Marie McKenzie, senior vice president of government and destination affairs at Carnival Corporation, participated in the panel “Routes Across the Region” at the...

The construction of R Yacht’s first vessel, the Sefu, is progressingat the WestSea Shipyard in Viana do Castelo, Portugal. In a newsletter update, the company shared the first pictures of the building process, in addition to details of the project. R Yacht said that the Sefu is “slowly starting to take shape” at the Portuguese...

Royal Caribbean International is making changes to its beverage packages, which will no longer include access to Coca-Cola Freestyle machines and a souvenir cup by default. According to the company’s website, guests who purchase the Deluxe or Royal Refreshment packages will be able to use the product as an add-on starting on March 15, 2026....