Carnival Cruise Line’s fifth Excel-class ship, the Carnival Tropicale, will homeport in Galveston after its delivery in 2028. It will join the Carnival Jubilee – which started service in Galveston in 2024 – making Galveston home to two of the three newest ships in the cruise line’s fleet. In a press release, Carnival said the...

AIDA will mark its three decades of operation by funding the 100th school built through its Cruise & Help initiative. Thanks to donations, a new primary school for around 160 girls and boys will be built in the coming months in the Zambian town of Mulando, according to a press release. The cruise line’s initiative has supported educational opportunities in emerging and developing countries since 2019. “AIDA...

There are over 350 ports getting AIDA calls globally, head of deployment planning Diana Havkost told Cruise Industry News. “This year is our 30th anniversary so we have a sister-ship meeting planned in Hamburg on June 7, with the AIDAsol, AIDAprima and AIDAperla.” Also new for 2026 is the AIDAblu’s summer program in the Eastern...

Ocean Platform Marinas (OPM) and Global Ports Holding Limited (GPH) have formally started operations of the new cruise and megayacht terminal at the Port of Seville, the latter said in a press release. The duo was awarded a 25-year concession agreement for the operation of Seville Cruise Port late last year.  They plan to invest €5 million in the development...

Nicko Cruises is cancelling a cruise onboard the Vasco da Gama on short notice to make room for an unscheduled shipyard visit. Local sources report that the 1993-built ship is currently facing a technical issue that also led to the shortening of its 2025-26 world cruise. The cancelled cruise was scheduled to depart from Hamburg...

ECOS LNG has signed an agreement with BASS Software to deploy BASSnet Neo software for its Floating Storage Regasification Unit operations, according to a press release. The contract was awarded following an evaluation process to replace ECOS’s legacy maintenance software. “BASSnet Neo is the right choice to align with our broader digitalisation strategy and digital...

Holland America Line will welcome the Eurodam to the Port of Seattle on April 25, ushering in its 2026 Alaska season. Sailing April through September, the cruise season will feature more than 100 voyages across six ships departing from three homeports, according to a press release. “As the leader in Alaska, we are committed to delivering experiences that are as enriching as they are unforgettable, bringing guests...

Disney Cruise Line has extended its homeport partnership with the Port of San Diego through at least 2031, according to a statement. This is expected to double the number of Disney cruises out of the city each year, with more than one million Disney passengers expected to pass through the Port in this timeframe. “San...

Carnival Corporation has expanded its partnership with the Maritime & Port University of Mexico, extending its maritime cadet apprenticeship program to Princess Cruises. According to a statement, an addendum to the original agreement between the cruise line and the university from May 2024 was signed at a recent industry event in Miami Beach to include Princess Cruises vessels. The program enables eligible final-year students...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled its 2028–29 Legendary Journeys Collection comprising three Grand Voyages ranging from 61 to 101 nights. The itineraries span four continents, with 14 overnight stays across destinations in Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand and Europe. Reservations open on April 29, 2026, and guests can pre-register their interest from April 22, 2026, Regent said in a press release....

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said in a statement that it would report and discuss first quarter 2026 financial results on Monday, May 4, 2026. The financial results will be published at 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time with a conference call and webcast to discuss them to follow two hours later, at 8:30 a.m. The call will be webcast via the company’s Investor Relations website, and a replay will remain available there for 30 days following the...

Cruise Saudi has appointed Taha Nazer as its acting chief executive officer as it enters the next chapter focused on accelerating growth. After serving as Cruise Saudi’s chief financial officer since 2023, Nazer will now lead the company across all strategic, commercial, operational and financial priorities, the company shared in a press release. He will be replacing Lars Clasen, who established Aroya and lead the development of...

“Part of our portfolio is to continue to have new things to keep people coming back,” Mike Pawlus, head of itinerary planning at Azamara Cruises, told Cruise Industry News. “We have more than 300 ports we call at each year, and we are seeing a lot of people that once they sail with us, they...

“The most important news is that we are bilingual now, every ship,” said Lisa Wilken, head of luxury at Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. “Since January, the three expedition vessels and the two Europa ships, are fully bilingual. Especially now on the Europa, we are getting more international clients.” The 135-year-old company, which helped pioneer leisure cruising, had...

Royal Caribbean International is repositioning the Symphony of the Seas to Florida starting in August 2027. The Oasis-class ship was initially set to offer cruises to the Western Caribbean and the Bahamas from the Port of Galveston. Instead, the vessel will offer six- to eight-night cruises to the Caribbean, departing from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades....

Princess Cruises is hosting an Alaska-themed drone show to mark the arrival of the Star Princess in Seattle ahead of her inaugural Alaska season. Taking place on May 1 at 8:30 p.m., the show will be best viewed from Seattle Center’s International Fountain Mall at 305 Harrison Street, the company said in a press release. After that, Princess’ newest ship will kick off her inaugural...

Europe’s airports have welcomed AccelerateEU, the European Commission’s response plan to the energy crisis triggered by the conflict in the Middle East, according to a statement from ACI Europe. The plan outlines measures aimed at safeguarding the continued availability of jet fuel across the European airport network. “No airport in Europe is currently facing jet...

Silversea has opened general sales for its 2029 World Cruise, a 125-day voyage departing San Diego on January 5, 2029, according to a press release. The voyage onboard the Silver Whisper will visit more than 60 destinations in 19 countries across the Pacific, spanning Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia, Asia and New Zealand. “With 17 overnights,...

Seabourn has opened for sale its 2028–29 expedition voyages aboard the Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit. According to a press release, the cruise line will offer 49 departures ranging from eight to 96 days and visiting more than 180 destinations across 29 countries. “As Seabourn approaches its 40th anniversary, our 2028–2029 expedition season is designed for travelers who want to explore the world’s most...

Virgin Voyages has announced its first AI crew assistant and AI-powered travel assistant, Rovey. Coming soon to VirginVoyages.com, Rovey will help guests with cruise planning by adding personalized recommendations adapted to specific travel style, pace and interests. This is the first expression of Project Ruby, Virgin’s AI platform co-developed with Google Cloud, and a total of seven are planned, the cruise line said in a statement. Nathan Rosenberg, chief brand experience, marketing and momentum officer at Virgin Voyages, said:...

Mario Bounas has been appointed chief commercial officer of Swan Hellenic, the company said in a press release. “I’ve had the privilege of helping shape Swan Hellenic from its earliest days, but the brand’s extraordinary growth reflects the talent and dedication of everyone in our team,” said Bounas. “Taking on the CCO role is both an honor and an exciting...

The Genting Dream embarked on its first voyage on April 20, 2026, marking the start of Dream Cruises’ sailing season from Port Klang. A Raya Open House event was hosted onboard the ship to mark the inaugural sailing, the company said in a press release. “This year, we are bringing together the very best of Asia — from its destinations and cuisine to its...

The Oceania Nautica is set to be reimagined as the Oceania Aurelia, Oceania Cruises said in a press release, describing the ship as the ultimate explorer. Having completed 25 years of operation last year, the ship will be transformed under the OceaniaNEXT program and is scheduled to come into service in late 2027. It is...

The MSC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the MSC Group, is marking a year since its Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay was opened in April 2025. According to a press release, the Foundation has advanced coral restoration, delivered hands-on training for over 20 marine science students and engaged more than 17,000 visitors in ocean education in its first year. “Our work in The Bahamas is grounded...

Adora Cruises announced the launch of what it says will be China’s first “cruise-to-nowhere” voyage aboard the Adora Magic City.  According to a press release, the voyage will depart on June 6 from the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal for a three-day, two-night weekend journey at sea.  The aim is to create a “micro-vacation” experience at sea, with nonstop, day-and-night celebration for all guests onboard.  Themed parties, stand-up comedy,...

These are engaging times for MSC Cruises with new programs and ships being launched. “We are starting to sail to Alaska for the first time this May with seven-night cruises aboard the MSC Poesia from Seattle,” said Luca Garritano, chief revenue and sales services officer. “And we are now also operating from Galveston year-round with...

Wärtsilä has launched NTPRO 7, a next‑generation bridge and ship‑handling simulator designed to support maritime training. According to a press release, it has been developed to deliver realistic, immersive training environments that support advanced ship‑handling, navigation and decision‑making training in various operational scenarios. Following piloting and validation over the last two years, including a recent statement of compliance from DNV, the simulator is expected to become commercially...

Grupo Vidanta, the Mexican luxury resort operator, has entered the cruise business as the 216- guest Elegant has launched operations in the Mediterranean, where it will sail offering a luxury yacht-like product through the fall. Ivan Chavez, executive vice president of Grupo Vidanta, told Cruise Industry News they approached the ship they bought as if...

Cunard has announced that all four of its ships will come together in Liverpool for the first time on May 16, 2028. The Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Anne will unite on the River Mersey, marking the first time the full fleet of four has ever assembled. In a press release,...

Ponant is offering flexible booking conditions during the month of April, according to a statement published on the company’s website. As part of its “Serenity Policy,” the cruise line will allow guests to change or postpone their cruises with no penalty. The condition coincides with the current conflict in the Middle East, which is currently...

Celestyal Cruises said that all of its upcoming cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean are going ahead as scheduled. In a statement shared on Monday, the company confirmed that its ships are currently sailing to Europe after spending over 50 days stranded in the Middle East. Celestyal stated that both the Journey and the Discovery have...

While the six stranded cruise ships have recently managed to leave the region, the future of cruising in the Arabian Gulf is still facing uncertainty. Cruise Industry News looks into the status of the 2026-27 season in the region, which has seen five cancellations so far. TUI TUI became the latest cruise line to cancel...

Princess Cruises and Holland America Line are joining forces to provide $175,000 in 2026 to help rebuild an American Legion Post in Ketchikan, Alaska. After more than 85 years at the same location, the Joseph T. Craig, Post 3 building was destroyed by arson in September 2023, according to a statement. The organization provides support to Ketchikan’s veterans, their families and the broader community. “At Princess Cruises, we are deeply...

Windstar Cruises’ Wind Star has completed the second and final stage of the company’s Setting Sails refurbishment project. This redesign is meant to bring a more refined, modern feel to the experience aboard the 148-guest vessel, which celebrated its 40th anniversary of operation earlier this month. The ship is now the first in the Wind Class fleet to complete Phases 1 and 2 of the refurbishment program, the company said in a statement. The Wind Surf is scheduled to complete Phase 2...

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is reintroducing its “Classical Music Meets Meditation” format aboard the Europa in 2027, the company said in a press release. The combination of classical music and guided mindfulness will be available during a 12-day journey from Santa Cruz to Cape Town sailing November 6-18, 2027. The Swiss CHAARTS ensemble, soprano Marlis Petersen and Italian composer and violinist Francesca Guccione will create a concert setting that will serve as backdrop for daily yoga, meditation and bodywork sessions. The combination is expected to enable guests to...

SeaDream Yacht Club announced its summer 2028 Mediterranean season, with 24 new voyages between May and October aboard the SeaDream II. The ship will be repositioned from Northern Europe to deliver a full season spanning 12 countries and more than 70 ports of call, due to what the cruise line said in a statement is an extraordinary demand for its Mediterranean program....

StarCruises has presented its “Knows Hong Kong Best” itinerary, envisaged as a staycation and getaway experience for Hong Kong travelers.  The Star Voyager will be sailing from Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal for a series of two-, three- and five-night Cruises to Okinawa in Japan, Vietnam and the coastal cities of Penghu and Keelung.  The two-night High Seas Cruise also departs every Friday night and returns Sunday in the afternoon, according to a statement. ...

Every major cruise line operating from Florida’s Space Coast wants the same thing: more space at Port Canaveral. And Captain John Murray, the port’s CEO, has a clear answer for all of them. “Everybody wants the new terminal,” Murray said, speaking with Cruise Industry News. “And I refer to it as a non denominational terminal....

Meyer Turku has launched a five-year research program focused on developing cruise ship concepts and floating infrastructure for the coming decades, according to a press release. The MERiON program, co-funded by Business Finland, will run through 2030 and increase combined research investments by Meyer Turku and its ecosystem partners by up to 85 million euros....

Leanna Lakes has been appointed to the newly created role of technical and marine operations director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the company said in a press release. She will oversee the captains, quality and resource and port operations, and the management of the company’s technical colleagues in Norway. Fred. Olsen added that the position has been created to provide strategic and commercial leadership...

P&O Cruises has unveiled what it says is its biggest ever summer program, with 215 new cruises on sale, departing from March to October 2028. Sailing from Southampton and on fly-cruises from Malta, the summer program will visit 121 destinations in 29 countries, with 64 overnight calls and 69 late evening departures that are expected to give guests more time to explore...

TUI Cruises’ new Mein Schiff Flow is being redeployed for its inaugural winter season. The ship was originally scheduled to sail in the Arabian Gulf but will now move to sail from German homeports for the winter. While the geopolitical crisis forced the deployment change, CEO Wybcke Meier said it would work for the company...

The Marella Discovery II arrived at the DP World Limassol’s cruise terminal for the first time this year, marking the start of Cyprus’ 2026 cruise season.  This is where the ship will homeport for the season, with 26 calls scheduled between April and November, according to a statement.  The ship is sailing an eight-day itinerary with stops at Kusadasi, Mykonos, Piraeus, Souda (Crete) and Rhodes before returning...

Adora Cruises announced its partnership with China Foreign Culture Group Co., Ltd. and the Children’s Art Theater of the China Welfare Association from July 3 to August to launch the show “Adora Mountains and Seas: Fantasy Journey” on the Adora Magic City, and start the summer-themed sailing season. The company said: “We are very pleased...

Costa Cruises welcomed travel agents, partners and media onboard the Costa Diadema over the weekend for an event that marked the end of the 2025-26 cruise season in Brazil. The gathering also included an award ceremony that recognized over 20 travel agencies for their sales. “The Costa Brazil Awards is, above all, a recognition of...

Windstar Cruises will use d-flo Limited’s TravelComms software to manage guest travel communications, d-flo has announced in an online press release. The TravelComms platform is designed for travel companies to manage customer communications before, during and after trips through online and offline channels. “We’re very proud to have been selected to help Windstar Cruises achieve...

Royal Caribbean International’s new Legend of the Seas recently sailed from the Meyer Turku shipyard for its first set of sea trials. According to an update shared by the company, the LNG-powered vessel will spend the next 10 days at sea undergoing a series of real-world tests. The company said that the trials will push...

The Aroya recently transited the Strait of Hormuz, marking the departure of all ships that were stranded in the Arabian Gulf. Following five other vessels, the Cruise Saudi-owned ship passed the strait on Sunday as part of a repositioning voyage to the Red Sea. The 150,000-ton ship is now sailing to the port of Jeddah,...

Atlas Ocean Voyages revealed a new Assurance Program for 2026 European expeditions that enables guests to cancel their trips and get full reimbursement. Thanks to the initiative, eligible voyages can be cancelled for any reason up to 15 days before departure, with guests receiving a 100 percent cruise fare value as Future Cruise Credit (FCC),...

Azamara Cruises has unveiled a new lineup of original stage productions developed in partnership with RWS Global to be introduced across its fleet. It includes two brand-new shows exclusive to the Pursuit and two shows to be gradually rolled out across the fleet: the Journey on May 21, 2026, Quest in November 2026 and Onward...

Princess Cruises’ newest ship, the Star Princess, completed its first-ever transit of the Panama Canal. This marks a significant moment in the ship’s inaugural season, the cruise line said in a press release. “A Panama Canal transit is a true ‘must-do’ journey for travelers around the world, and it’s especially meaningful when one of our newest ships makes this iconic...

Adora Cruises has revealed the inaugural itineraries for its latest vessel, the Adora Flora City, with sales scheduled to open on May 20, 2026. According to a press release, the vessel will depart from Guangzhou Nansha International Cruise Home Port on her five-night maiden voyage, calling on Hong Kong and Chan May, Vietnam. The maiden...

Carnival Corporation completed bridge simulator tests evaluating S-100 navigational data in collaboration with international hydrographic offices and industry partners, the company said in a press release. The tests were conducted at Carnival’s Center for Simulator Maritime Training (CSMART) in Almere, Netherlands, and were recognized as an official International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) Test Bed and Sea...

Hurtigruten has highlighted seaweed as a sustainable ingredient used in various products onboard. The cruise line said in a press release that the ingredient, which is deeply rooted in Nordic food, is featured in many dishes, beverages such as gin, beer and tea, as well as bath and body products. “Seaweed has become an exciting expression of modern Norwegian cuisine – flavorful, versatile, and deeply connected to...

Travelmarvel is offering discounted deals on its all-inclusive European river cruise itineraries this summer. The offers include: Seven-night highlights of the Danube river cruise, which was £3,497 and is now £1,595 per person 14-night European Gems river cruise, which was £4,895 and is now £2,295 per person Seven-night Douro Discovery river cruise, which was £3,495...

Southern Chinese cruise hubs Xiamen and Guangzhou have launched new 2026 sailings as Xiamen launched its new season, including a themed voyage, while Guangzhou concluded a winter/spring season and is preparing for a newbuild to arrive. In Xiamen, the 2026 cruise homeport season officially started on April 1 with the Adora Mediterranea departing from the...

Ambassador Cruise Line has announced a new three-year partnership with England Golf, the governing body for amateur golf in England, naming Ambassador as the organization’s Official Cruise Line Partner, effective from April 1, 2026. The partnership will see Ambassador receive brand and marketing exposure across England Golf’s digital ecosystem, including its website, social media channels,...

With the Strait of Hormuz now reopened for maritime traffic, the six cruise ships that were stranded in the region are expected to resume service soon. MSC Euribia Cruise Line: MSC Cruises Status: Repositioning to Europe Next Scheduled Cruise Departure: May 16, 2026, from Kiel, Germany Upcoming Itineraries: Northern Europe and Scandinavia Currently on its...

Funchal’s cruise terminal in Madeira handled 335,748 passengers in the first quarter of 2026, representing a 24.79% increase compared to the same period last year. In a press release, Paula Cabaço, CEO of Madeira Ports (Portos da Madeira) and chair of the Port Authority of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (Administração dos Portos da Região...

The Celebrity Infinity recently completed its 25th year of service for Celebrity Cruises. Built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in France, the vessel was delivered on February 25, 2001. As the second ship in the company’s Millennium-class series, the Infinity initially offered a trans-Atlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale before embarking on its maiden voyage...

Tarragona Cruise Port officially launched its 2026 cruise season on Thursday, April 16, and expects a record season in terms of calls and passengers. Eighty-one calls are planned, representing a 28.6 percent increase over 2025. They will bring nearly 160,000 passengers (+23.3 percent) in the eight-month season from April to November. The port said in...

Avalon Waterways has highlighted its commitment to meeting the growing demand for personalization and choice through its guest-first philosophy. The company said in a press release that it was building its river cruise model around personalization before flexibility became an industry trend. According to Avalon, luxury in travel is being redefined: It is more about...

Dream Cruises is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a year-long “Decade of Dreams” celebration aboard the Genting Dream, featuring a series of programs, themed events, enhanced entertainment and collaborations throughout 2026. Sailings will be offered year-round from Singapore and, from April 20 onwards, from Kuala Lumpur via Port Klang, including two-, three-, four- and five-night...

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has unveiled new pre- and post-cruise programs for voyages from fall 2027 through early 2029, the company announced in a press release. The programs are designed to enhance selected itineraries, allowing guests to extend their journey before or after their cruise. The programs range from guided city tours and nature-focused excursions to private...

Star Trek: The Cruise X is set to sail Feb. 20-27, 2027 from New Orleans aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas, the company said in a press release. The seven-day voyage will travel to Cozumel, Mexico, George Town, Grand Cayman and Montego Bay, Jamaica. The cruise will commemorate 40 years of Star Trek: The...

Five cruise ships have transited the Strait of Hormuz, completing what became a two-day passage of five vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf since the onset of conflicts in the Middle East. MSC Cruises confirmed on Saturday that the MSC Euribia has departed Dubai, safely transited the strait and is now en route to Northern...

Atlas Ocean Voyages has presented the suite collection for the Atlas Adventurer, scheduled for launch in late 2028. Portuguese studio Oitoemponto designed the suites divided into three categories for the 400-guest luxury expedition sailing ship, according to a statement. The design is said to reflect the Art Deco spirit of 1930s cruise ships, featuring materials including polished marble, high-gloss mahogany and hand-finished metals. “Atlas Adventurer represents a pivotal step forward for our brand and for expedition travel,” said James...

MSC Cruises has confirmed that the MSC Euribia has departed Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz and is now en route to Northern Europe. The passage was completed in close coordination with the relevant authorities, the company said. The Euribia is on course to resume her Northern Europe season, and...

Global Ports Holding (GPH) showcased its North European cruise port network at a press conference held during a Miami Beach industry event. The portfolio encompasses ports in Scotland, Liverpool and Bremerhaven. In a press release, GPH explained that it continues to see a substantial cruise ship orderbook and growing demand across Northern Europe, which it says reinforces the long-term potential of the region. Greenock Cruise Port Greenock Cruise Port’s deep-water berth...

Silversea has unveiled its 125-day World Cruise 2029 onboard the Silver Whisper called “A Pacific Awakening.” Sailing from San Diego on January 5, 2029, the world cruise will explore more than 60 destinations in 19 countries, spanning Polynesia, Micronesia, Melanesia, Australia, Asia and New Zealand. In a press release, Silversea shared that the voyage will feature six signature events and one included overland experience. “The depth and variety of experiences around...

Commuting along the Norwegian coast is set to become more eco-friendly with the addition of new P-12 electric hydrofoil vessels. Norway’s Boreal has ordered 20 of these vessels from Sweden’s Candela Technology, the latter said in a press release, noting that this will mark the world’s largest electric fleet to date. “Candela P-12 is the...

Azamara Cruises has announced a new partnership with MJM Marine for the execution of the upcoming Azamara Forward enhancements aboard the Azamara Quest. The collaboration follows MJM Marine’s previous work on the refit of the Azamara Pursuit. “This partnership with MJM Marine reflects our commitment to thoughtfully evolving the Azamara Cruises experience while delivering the...

Lindblad Expeditions’ CEO, Natalya Leahy, has shared insights into what lies ahead for adventure travel and the transformative power of exploration. Leahy said that expedition cruising is entering a new phase of strategic maturity, and identified where the real growth is coming from, how portfolio mix is shifting, what “responsible expansion” now looks like, and...