A rising tide raises all ships, the old saying goes. Scenic Group’s Managing Director Ken Muskat certainly sees the rapidly expanding luxury expedition cruising market that way. While the increase in high-end small-ship tonnage injects competition into the sector, it also amplifies what Scenic does better than any other, Muskat told Cruise Industry News. “I...

Meyer Turku will build a new headquarters in the Blue Industry Park area near the shipyard, according to a press release. The project is valued at approximately 40 million euros and forms part of the company’s investment program. “This office building is a long-term strategic investment for us and a concrete way to modernize and...

Pulsating Northern Lights were captured during a sailing aboard the Trollfjord over northern Norway in a rarely witnessed event, Hurtigruten said in a press release.  The footage was captured by the company’s Chief Aurora Chaser, Tom Kerss, on February 22, 2026, but was discovered in April when he was reviewing video content at the end of the aurora season. According to the cruise line, the unusually powerful display of pulsating Northern Lights is one of the longest...

“Our guests want to stay a little bit closer to home. It’s a perfect year with America’s 250th to explore home,” said John Waggoner, founder and chairman at Victory Cruise Lines. The company has its two ships on the Great Lakes this summer and is pushing the season longer into the fall. In addition are...

Guests who book Royal Caribbean International’s guarantee cabins will be able to pay a fee to have their staterooms assigned earlier. According to guest reports, the initiative is part of the limited-time “Early Access” pilot program that was launched in late April. The company is reportedly charging a $30 fee per cabin for passengers who...

Celestyal Cruises confirmed that its two ships have now returned to the Mediterranean ahead of welcoming guests back in Greece. After spending nearly two months stranded in the Persian Gulf due to conflicts in the region, the vessels were able to start repositioning voyages to Europe in late April. “We are delighted to share that...

Global Ports Holdings (GPH) has appointed Saffet C. Tinaztepe as executive vice president, capital markets and strategic projects. Starting on June 16, he will focus on funding the company’s growth, optimizing its capital structure, credit rating strategy and expanding relationships with capital providers, based out of New York. He will also lead strategic initiatives of Chairman and CEO Mehmet Kutman, according to a press release. “As the scale of GPH’s infrastructure platform continues to...

Anzac Day was commemorated on several Carnival Cruise Line ships in Australia on April 25, the cruise line said in a statement. Guests and crew aboard the Carnival Splendor, Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter participated in the commemorations, which included dawn services at sea. Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance that commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in military operations....

Royal Caribbean Group today announced it has confirmed with Meyer Turku the order of a sixth and seventh Icon Class ship to be delivered in 2029 and 2030, respectively. The order is part of the company’s long-term framework agreement with Meyer Turku that secures the Group’s access to shipbuilding capacity through 2036 and includes the...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines organized a tree planting initiative to support ecological restoration in Madeira’s Funchal Ecological Park during one of its recent sailings. On April 23, 28 guests and crew members aboard the Bolette joined a hands-on shore experience at a protected nature reserve and conservation area north of Funchal. Together, the group planted 300 trees, contributing to ongoing ecological restoration efforts within the park, Fred. Olsen said in a statement. “Initiatives like this...

Holland America Line is partnering with cocktail brand Bols to introduce exclusive cocktails that will be served at its Orange Party.  Held once a cruise across the fleet, the party honors Koningsdag, or King’s Day, the Netherland’s national holiday celebrated on April 27.  Guests are invited to dress in orange and join the Netherlands-themed party onboard, according to a statement.  “Holland America Line and Bols are two brands deeply rooted...

American Cruise Line is getting ready for several “firsts” set to happen on U.S. inland waterways in May. In a press release, American said May would be a monumental month for the company and for river cruising around the country. “What, where, when, and how you can cruise throughout The United States today is a tremendous accomplishment that has been decades in the making,” said Alexa Paolella, spokeswoman for American Cruise...

Celestyal has launched a promo for its Mediterranean and Adriatic voyages in 2026 and 2027. Running from April 27 to June 2, 2026, the cruise line’s “Iconic Sale” campaign offers savings on its collection of sailings to Greece, Italy, Croatia and Montenegro. According to a statement, the deal covers 178 itineraries currently on sale, operating in the Mediterranean season from March through November.  “Our ‘Iconic Sale’ celebrates everything that makes the Mediterranean so...

AIDA Cruises will host sports-themed programs on selected cruises during the group stage (June 11-27) of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.  Selected matches will be broadcast live, including the German national team’s group stage games, the cruise line said in a statement.  This will be paired with pre- and post-match reports as well as half-time analyses from various German football experts.  Screening schedule: AIDAperla – Germany vs. Curacao on June 14 at 7:00 PM (during “Metropolises...

Selected P&O Cruises sailings between May and October 2026 will feature Jason Manford’s Comedy Club as part of the onboard entertainment offering.  UK comedians handpicked by Manford will perform exclusively for adults at the Limelight Club onboard the Iona and Arvia.  The program will see 70 comedians delivering 140 shows across the season, the cruise line said in a press release.  “We are delighted to be partnering...

“With the way the luxury market has expanded over the last 20 years, we’re perfectly situated,” said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The two brands under the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings umbrella have a combined nine ships on order, and Montague said the brands were capitalizing on...

Costa Cruises has unveiled its World Cruise 2028, a 139-day journey across five continents and three oceans aboard the Costa Deliziosa.  Setting sail from Savona on November 25, 2027, the ship will call at 51 destinations in 29 countries, including 21 islands, before returning to Savona on April 11, 2028.  In a press release, the cruise line described the journey as blending major global cities, unspoiled nature, ancient cultures and remote ports.  “With...

MSC Cruises has unveiled new family entertainment options aboard its latest ship, the MSC World Asia. Once it debuts in the Mediterranean in December 2026, the ship will sail seven-night itineraries to destinations including Barcelona, Marseille, Messina, Civitavecchia for Rome, Naples and Valletta. According to a statement, the ship is set to boast an expanded family entertainment offering alongside the already announced venues. “As a family-owned company, MSC...

Dream Cruises and skincare brand Kiehl’s teamed up for a three-night skincare and wellness experience aboard the Genting Dream. Influencers from Singapore and Malaysia were invited to experience Kiehl’s latest UV serum in real conditions during a Penang–Kuala Lumpur sailing from April 21 to 24, 2026. In a press release, Dream Cruises said the collaboration emphasizes its focus on delivering lifestyle-led experiences that resonate with today’s travelers. “We...

Cruise Industry News looks into some of the key drydock projects that are happening around the world in April. Harmony of the Seas Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International Capacity: 5,558 guests Tonnage: 227,625 Year built: 2016 Drydock Period: Apr. 3 to May 21, 2026 Shipyard: Navantia (Cádiz, Spain) The Harmony of the Seas is currently...

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is launching a Travel Partner Council as part of its Regent Elevate Travel Advisor program. It comprises three tiers: The Elevate Council, Elevate Council Elite and Elevate Premier Advisor. In a press release, Regent said the program was designed to celebrate, recognize, and further invest in its travel advisors and travel...

Jørn Henriksen, director of expedition operations at Viking, has been appointed chair of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators’ executive committee, according to a press release. Henriksen has been involved in Antarctic travel since 2000 and has been an IAATO member since 2005. He was elected to the executive committee in 2024 and previously...

TUI River Cruises is adding 10 new excursions to its 2026 European program, which will enable guests to explore its newest port, Kladovo in Serbia, among others. According to a statement, guests can visit Kladovo during a seven-night “East Danube Delights” roundtrip cruise from Budapest, Hungary on the TUI Maya starting at £1,610 per person. “With our newest port, Kladovo in Serbia being added to the program and the latest refurbished ship TUI Aria...

AmaWaterways has introduced a new culinary experience offering guests hands-on cooking sessions with French grandmothers, according to a press release. The Cooking with Mamie program is available exclusively on the AmaDante and AmaLyra as part of the Paris & Normandy itinerary. “With Cooking with Mamie, we are bringing local traditions to life in a very...

Crew members will join the TUI Cruises’ ships that were stranded in the Middle East in South Africa, according to Crew Center. Set to welcome guests back in Europe in early May, the Mein Schiff 4 and the Mein Schiff 5 are currently sailing with reduced staffing. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, only...

Merima has opened a new office and logistics center at the Blue Industry Park, a new maritime industry business park near the Turku shipyard. In a press release, the company described the industry park as Europe’s leading maritime and manufacturing industry cluster, bringing together pioneers from their respective fields. “Turku is an important hub for...

A travel agent who shares her name with P&O Cruises ship the Iona is planning to get married on the vessel next year. Iona Ginn, a travel consultant with Hays Travel, will get married aboard the ship on September 12, 2027, during a seven-night cruise to the Norwegian fjords. The ceremony will take place while at sea, before the ship arrives in Stavanger, Norway. “We’re...

Urban One media company is partnering with Virgin Voyages to bring its ONE Voyage Experience cruise onboard the Resilient Lady. Described as a reimagined evolution of the Fantastic Voyage, the 2026 sailing taking place from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1, will depart from Miami and call at Nassau, Bahamas and the Beach Club at Bimini. Radio host and comedian Rickey Smiley will host this year’s voyage, according to a press release....

Foyle Port has officially commenced its 2026 cruise season with the arrival of the Le Lapérouse, marking Ponant’s first visit to the port, according to a press release. The expedition vessel anchored in Greencastle on April 16 as part of a 10-day Celtic Secrets & Landscapes cruise sailing from Greenock to Cobh, with stops across...

Poseidon Expeditions has wrapped up its 2025-26 Antarctic season. According to the company, the season’s standout moment came during the New Year cruise, when near-perfect weather conditions allowed the expedition team to land at Bailey Head on Deception Island, one of Antarctica’s most challenging landing sites. The remote location, situated within a flooded volcanic caldera,...

Astro Ocean’s Piano Land is set to wrap up its Hong Kong homeport season by the end of May, according to its published sailing schedule. The vessel’s itineraries from the Asian hub have included voyages to ports in Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei. The ship is expected to reposition to Europe where it will will sail...

Bantry Bay Port Company will mark the beginning of its 2026 cruise season on April 26 with the arrival of the Le Lapérouse, the first of 12 cruise vessels scheduled to call this year, according to a press release. Across the season, Bantry Bay will welcome a mix of expedition, luxury and mid-size cruise ships....

The Costa Fortuna recently repositioned to the Mediterranean for its final season in service for Costa Cruises. After 23 years sailing for the Carnival-owned brand, the 103,000-ton vessel is set to be handed over to Margaritaville at Sea in September. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the ship will undergo a major refurbishment before...

The Brilliant Lady recently arrived at the Port of San Diego for the first time as part of Virgin Voyages’ maiden season on the West Coast. After debuting in Los Angeles in early April, the 2,770-guest ship is now offering a series of cruises to the Mexican Riviera and California. The first call to San...

The MSC Euribia is currently returning to Europe through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, according to AIS data. After spending nearly two months stranded in the Arabian Gulf, the MSC Cruises vessel was expected to reposition to Northern Europe through Africa. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the LNG-powered ship was projected...