This week, the Port of Seattle is kicking off the 2026 Alaska cruise season, marking a milestone with 330 vessel calls and 2.1 million revenue passengers, the most in the port’ history. The season begins Friday, April 17 with the first in-transit arrival. In 2026, eleven homeport vessels will connect to shore power, with design...

ABS has signed a letter of intent with United Waterways (UW) to establish a joint venture (JV) with River Academy, UW’s training and education subsidiary. The aim of the JV is to provide crew training programs across the European inland barge, river cruise and coastal vessel sectors, ABS said in a press release. “River Academy has earned a strong reputation for developing the skilled crews that this industry depends on,...

Adora Cruises will take delivery of its new cruise ship, the Adora Flora City, ahead of schedule. Based on an agreement with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipyard, the vessel will be delivered on November 6, 2026, the company said in a press release. The ship will then launch international routes from Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province. Adora’s CEO Roger Chen said: “We are now fully focused on the early...

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) floated out the Norwegian Aura during a ceremony held on April 16 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Now that the external hull construction is complete and the ship has touched water for the first time, work will continue on the ship’s interior development, according to a statement. Said to be the...

Oceania Cruises has shared new details of La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, its dining venue debuting aboard the Oceania Sonata next year. In a press release, Oceania described La Table as the most exclusive fine dining venue at sea, noting that it will offer an experience that embraces classic French techniques and innovative pairings to only 18 guests. “At Oceania Cruises, our dedication to cuisine is rooted...

Royal Caribbean has unveiled a new lineup of sailings on the Spectrum of the Seas for the 2027-28 season, which includes eight- to 10-night journeys from Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong. The company said in a press release that for the first time, guests can sail one way between cities, starting or ending their journey...

Royal Caribbean Group has launched the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation to advance change through global and regional partnerships and community-based solutions. In a press release, the company described the Foundation’s creation as a formal expansion of its commitment to strengthening ocean communities around the world. Its inaugural pledge supports the creation of the Emergency Medicine...

The Riverside Mahler will make her debut for Riverside Luxury Cruises in 2028, according to a press release. Joining her sister-ship, the Riverside Debussy, she is slated to sail itineraries on the Rhine, Main, Moselle and Danube rivers. “This is the next chapter for Riverside. Introducing Riverside Mahler gives us the opportunity to take everything...

Princess Cruises has launched “POURS,” a signature beverage program that enhances the onboard guest experience through a curated selection of balanced, founder-led premium spirits, as well as zero-proof and nonalcoholic beverage offerings. Launching fleetwide this summer and replacing the former Love Line Collection, POURS beverages represent an evolution in both design and guest experience, the...

Colombia’s cruise industry is expanding, with cruise passenger arrivals increasing by more than 20% in the 2025–26 season. The industry generates approximately $50 million annually and plays a key role in local economies, according to a press release. One of the reasons for this expansion is thought to be the interconnection between biodiversity, culture, sustainability and community in the country. “Colombia offers a cruise portfolio as diverse as its...

The MSC Magnifica made its inaugural call at the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal on March 29, 2026, coinciding with the company’s 20th year of operations in the Chinese market. The call was marked by a plaque exchange between MSC Cruises executives and Shanghai port authorities. The ship’s call was featured on the 2026 World...

Atlas Ocean Voyages will open bookings for the maiden season of its new sailing yacht, the Atlas Adventurer, on May 20, 2026. According to the company’s president and CEO, James A. Rodriguez, reservations will open first for the members of the brand’s loyalty program, the Atlas Yacht Club. The general public will be able to...

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett, delivered an address to the Jamaican diaspora community at the Embassy of Jamaica on April 8. In his statement, Bartlett unveiled that Jamaica welcomed over one million visitor arrivals and generated $956 million in foreign exchange earnings in the first quarter of 2026. This was just five months after...

Saga Cruises has announced that it will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2027 with bespoke new itineraries for the Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure. The company said in a blog post that both sailings will be offered in May 2027 and will feature onboard events and entertainment to mark the anniversary of the...

Three Princess newbuilds ordered at Fincantieri have pushed the global cruise ship orderbook out to 2039, with the total now standing at 82 cruise ships on order. The trio of 4,700-guest ships ordered on Wednesday will be the largest Princess ships to date and be 183,000 tons each, with deliveries slated for 2035, 2038 and...

Trafalgar has debuted its new river cruise offering with inaugural sailings aboard the Trafalgar Verity on the Rhine and the Trafalgar Reverie on the Danube. The launch was celebrated with a three-day inaugural sailing aboard the Trafalgar Verity in Amsterdam from April 10-12, welcoming over 100 trade partners, media and Trafalgar team members worldwide. The...

Windstar Cruises is opening bookings for its 2028 French Polynesia season with the choice of a sailing yacht or motor yacht experience. Building on the addition of the Wind Star to the South Pacific program in 2027, the company will deliver an expansive slate of small-ship voyages across Tahiti, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, the Cook...

Princess Cruises today announced three new shipbuilding agreements with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to build three new cruise ships on a next-generation platform, according to a statement. The LNG-powered newbuilds are slated to be delivered in late 2035, 2038 and 2039, respectively. “The Voyager class will delight both our loyal guests and attract the next generation...

Explora Journeys will become the title partner of the Switzerland SailGP Team, the company announced at a press conference in Miami Beach. According to the brand’s president, Anna Nash, the partnership will highlight Explora’s European roots and values while increasing the company’s exposure in different parts of the world. As part of the deal, the...

Global Ports Holding (GPH) has showcased its developments across its West Mediterranean portfolio, including updates on Sevilla Cruise Port, Ferrol Cruise Port and Las Palmas Cruise Port. During a recent press conference, the operator introduced the newly awarded projects in Sevilla and Ferrol. Francesc Grau, GPH’s regional director for West Med, said: “Sevilla and Ferrol...

The Port of Marseille Fos has showcased shore power facilities capable of accommodating three large cruise ships simultaneously. Following a testing phase that began in late 2025, Marseille Fos will, by 2026, be one of the first ports in Europe and the Mediterranean capable of this performance. The power supplied by the Port of Marseille...

AIDA has announced that it is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an Innovation Hub, inviting start-ups, universities and companies to submit innovative ideas. The company said in a press release that applications will be accepted in three categories: decarbonization, sustainability and artificial intelligence and smart tools. The finalists will present their project ideas to a...

ABS has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Meyer Group’s Alfred Maritime to explore technical projects. According to a statement, the deal establishes a framework for collaboration across three key areas: fleet performance and health monitoring, maintenance optimization and safety and emergency systems. “ABS is committed to helping shape the future of cruise vessel safety, reliability and performance. We are pleased to join Alfred Maritime in this agreement...

Scenic Group has shared new details about 2028 plans for three ships: the Emerald Xara, Scenic Eclipse II and Scenic Ikon. More details about the itineraries for the Xara and Ikon have been unveiled in a press release, while the Eclipse II is set to expand its global deployment. In 2026, the company debuted the Emerald Kaia earlier this month, while the Emerald Astra will follow May. 2027 will see the addition of the Emerald Lumi, Emerald...

Princess Cruises has released what it says is its most expansive Asia deployment ever, bringing together its 2027-2028 Southeast Asia and 2028 Japan program. In total, the season features 96 departures across 61 itineraries visiting 55 destinations in nine countries, with now two ships homeporting in Japan, the company said in a press release. “This is...

HX Expeditions has unveiled a newly expanded portfolio of Greenland experiences from June this year through the 2027 season. The company said in a press release that the offerings were developed in collaboration with Greenlandic community partners. Following its debut in 2025, HX Expeditions’ Greenlandic culinary program returns across nine sailings on the Fram, Roald...

CruisePAL’s IssuTrax module, a maintenance and cruise guest service automation tool system, has been deployed aboard the Four Seasons I yacht, the company said in a statement. Designed to streamline onboard communication and issue resolution, it officially went live on March 20, 2026, during the vessel’s maiden voyage. “We are honored to partner with Four Seasons Yachts during this landmark moment in their history. Launching IssuTrax in tandem with their first guest voyage demonstrates the robustness of...

European airports may be facing a significant jet fuel shortage in as little as a few weeks, according to the Airports Council International (ACI). “If the passage through the Strait of Hormuz does not resume in any significant and stable way within the next three weeks, systemic jet fuel shortage is set to become a...

The MSC Meraviglia sailed from the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on Sunday for MSC Cruises’ final voyage, for now, from New York City. Sailing year-round from the port since April 2023, the vessel is offering a farewell cruise to the Bahamas and Florida. The seven-night itinerary includes visits to Nassau and Port Canaveral, as well as...

The Queen Anne recently made its first visit to the Port of Los Angeles as part of its 2025-26 world cruise. According to an update shared by the local port authority, the Cunard ship was welcomed to the LA Waterfront on April 4, 2026, for an overnight call. The 3,000-guest ship is currently offering a...

Holland America Line today announced a $500 million Evolution refurbishment program to upgrade six vessels across its fleet. The initiative was announced by the company’s President and CEO, Beth Bodensteiner, during an industry event in Miami Beach. According to Bodensteiner, the program will be the largest fleet update program in the company’s 153-year history. The...

With six cruise ships currently stuck in the Persian Gulf, MSC Cruises is pushing the idea that those vessels could be used to evacuate their own crew members out of the area. Speaking in Miami Beach on Tuesday morning, MSC Group Cruise Division Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said the situation remained fluid. “The reality is...

Leaders from the top four cruise conglomerates, Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and MSC Group’s Cruise Division, gathered in Miami Beach on Tuesday morning to discuss the state of the global cruise business. “Nobody asks us about (fuel) hedging when the price is low. The starting point is fuel is something...

Following the Mein Schiff Flow’s first season in the Mediterranean, the ship will be redeployed from the Middle East to Northern Europe for the winter 2026-27 season. The ship had previously been slated to sail in the Mediterranean. TUI Cruises said in a press release that the Mein Schiff Flow’s new journeys are targeted at...

Crystal has released a first look at the itineraries for Summer and Fall 2028, highlighted by the inaugural season of the Crystal Grace, along with new voyages for the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. These include several combination sailings and a curated Grand Journey. According to a press release, all itineraries will be released on...

The 2026 spring issue of the Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine focuses on itinerary planning, food and beverage, the luxury market segment, expedition cruises, operations and future forecasts for the largest publicly traded cruise companies. The Cruise Industry News editorial team has produced exclusive insight into the itinerary planning process of 35 different cruise lines,...

Five Asia cruise destinations shared the latest updates on the cruise market during a luncheon with cruise line executives this week in Miami Beach. The event was hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, along with representatives from Korea, the Philippines, Xiamen and Shanghai. According to organizers, the event showcased “A Journey Through Asia’s Finest...

Cunard served as headline partner of the 50th anniversary Olivier Awards, hosting a ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the company said in a press release. The event took place April 12, 2026. “Cunard’s connection to theatre, arts and culture has been part of our rich history for 185 years,” said Katie McAlister, president of...

Versonix has announced an AI strategy for Seaware, its reservation platform, to help cruise lines respond faster with real-time intelligence. According to a press release, the strategy is meant to enhance pricing and forecast accuracy, accelerate insights and decision-making and improve conversion and guest experience. “Cruise commerce is becoming a real-time game where speed and confidence in decision-making are critical,” said Yuri Polissky,...

StarCruises presented what it says are enhanced summer itineraries aboard the Star Voyager departing from Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal to destinations across Asia, according to a press release. Sailing between July 3 and August 30, 2026, the itineraries are said to be designed to offer more discovery and flexibility onboard and ashore. Bookings will open...

The 2026 cruise season at Port of Cork officially started on April 13 with the arrival of the AIDAluna on its maiden call to Cork Harbor. This is the first of 93 vessels and over 175,000 passengers scheduled to visit between April and November. Eleven cruise ships are also scheduled to visit Bantry Bay Harbor...

Michael Marino has been appointed to the newly created role of chief marketing and growth officer at Margaritaville at Sea. In a press release, the company said Marino will spearhead its growth strategy during a period of rapid expansion, leading trade partnerships and distribution strategy, along with charter and group sales, direct marketing and contact center operations. “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Michael to Margaritaville at Sea as we embark...

The Four Seasons I has completed her maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, with Anglo Eastern Cruise Management Inc. (AECMI) as its technical ship management partner. In addition to this, AECMI shared in a statement that it covered safety and regulatory compliance and crew recruitment and training services. Neil McNeil, managing director, AECMI, said: “From the outset, close cooperation with Malta Flag (Transport Malta), the shipowner and the classification society...

Meyer Turku Group Oy has published its 2025 financial results, revealing that the company’s turnover amounted to €2.14 billion. The group said in a press release that this represents a 17.2 percent increase compared to the previous year. Adjusted EBIT for the 2025 financial year was €105.1 million. “The result achieved last year supports us...

MSC Group’s Cruise Division has introduced Sandy Cay, a new luxury private island destination located next to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve in The Bahamas. The destination is set to open in 2028. The company said in a press release that the island is designed for MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests. MSC Cruises and...

Star Clippers is offering no single supplement on select 2026-2027 sailings and cabin categories across its fleet, according to a company press release. The promotion is available on Mediterranean, Caribbean and Costa Rica-Panama departures. “Solo travel continues to grow, but pricing has traditionally been a challenge,” said Terri Haas, vice president of sales and marketing...

Windstar Cruises has selected IDeaS as its Revenue Strategy Partner. The partnership will enable the company to better anticipate demand and calibrate pricing across its portfolio. Windstar said that the collaboration reflects and expands its commitment to innovation, including investments in its fleet, renovations, guest experience and operational improvement initiatives. Crystal Pernici, Global Director at...

Adora Cruises’ Adora Magic City is scheduled to operate international sailings from Shenzhen as its homeport during this summer season for the first time. In a press release, the company said it expects this deployment to further deepen its presence in the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao) and inject new momentum into the development of Shenzhen’s cruise market. “We are delighted to bring Adora Magic City to Shenzhen this summer to meet...

The global cruise business is on course to grow at least 20 percent between 2026 and 2036, with big new ships driving growth to an estimated 50 million guests, according to the 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report. That is compared to just over 23 million guests 10 years ago, and an estimated 39 million...

The Norwegian Sky recently kicked off a repositioning voyage ahead of its farewell season for Norwegian Cruise Line. Having completed its winter season in the Southern Caribbean, the 1999-built vessel departed from the Dominican Republic on April 6, 2026. The 13-night trans-Atlantic crossing sails to Le Havre and includes visits to destinations in the British...

The new Ultimate Family Treehouse Suite onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Hero of the Seas will have fares of up to $105,878 per person for special seven-night sailings. For the ship’s Christmas sailing, the three-story stateroom was available for booking for a total of $211,756 plus taxes and fees. The amount is based on double occupancy....