Pearl Seas Cruises is kicking off its 2026 cruise season this week, according to a statement. “We are so pleased to begin our 12th season cruising the Great Lakes aboard Pearl Mist. Our crew is the most seasoned team in the region, and their years of experience enhances each of our itineraries on the Lakes...

The global cruise ship orderbook now totals some $90 billion in newbuild orders through 2039, according to the latest update from Cruise Industry News. Five more ships were ordered during the month of April, including a trio for Princess Cruises from Fincantieri, and two more Icon-class ships for Royal Caribbean International from Meyer Turku. The...

Hong Kong is investing in infrastructure and pointing to busy events agenda to cement its status as a cruise hub in Asia, according to Marilyn Tham, general manager of mega events, MICE and cruise at the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Following a strong 2025 that saw a 20 percent increase in the destination’s cruise passenger...

Cunard has unveiled its 2028 program, featuring 190 voyages in 36 countries.  Sailing from April 2028 to January 2029, its fleet will visit 125 ports worldwide, including 19 overnight stays and 37 late-evening departures, according to a statement.  “Our new voyage collection is one of the most exciting programs we’ve ever launched. From the historic moment all four Queens meet in Liverpool on...

Viking has opened bookings for its 2028–29 expedition voyages.  The season features newly released departure dates across itineraries in the Arctic, Antarctica and the Great Lakes, Viking said in a press release.  Operating the expanded expedition offerings in the polar regions are the Viking Octantis and her sister ship, the Viking Polaris.  “Our guests are curious travelers who seek meaningful experiences and...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is moving to rebuild its marketing function at the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, bringing in new leadership and cutting overall spending, said Chairperson and CEO John Chidsey. Speaking on the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call, Chidsey acknowledged that marketing underperformance has been a significant part of the brand’s occupancy shortfall,...

Developing new itineraries requires a balance of guest insights, regulatory understanding and real-world scouting, according to Sylviane de Tracy, director of cruise research and development for Ponant. The process begins with understanding passengers’ evolving expectations and preferences, she explained. “Surveys are being sent out with different options and different choices. Both our current customer base...

Data harmonization and advanced demand planning are currently hot topics as Carnival Corporation works to overhaul its supply chain operations, according to Kevin Muhich, head of MAST. With a portfolio of eight different brands, the company is currently focused on standardizing its Planned Maintenance System (PMS) across the fleet to eliminate operational inconsistencies. “We have...

MSC Cruises is ready for the Poesia’s debut in Alaska, as the ship will spend the summer sailing Alaska cruises on Mondays from Seattle, marking the company’s entry to the region. “We’re so excited for this moment,” said Lynn Torrent, president of MSC Cruises North America. “From the time we announced the program until now,...

Lindblad Expeditions is actively pursuing expansion of its expedition fleet, according to CEO Natalya Leahy. Speaking on the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call, Leahy said fleet growth conversations are ongoing and that the current geopolitical environment has done nothing to slow them. “We continue to be actively focused on looking to expand capacity in...

API has signed another agreement (with a 10-year framework) with Fincantieri, which covers 23 vessels, deepening the Italian marine flooring specialist’s relationship that stretches back through multiple project cycles and hundreds of cruise ships since 1958. “This is our third framework agreement,” said Veno Cravino, managing director at API. “From a strategic standpoint, both parties,...

Explora Journeys is targeting land-based luxury travelers by highlighting the value of ocean travel and redefining its onboard hospitality culture, according to President Anna Nash. With a significant portion of the luxury market still hesitant to book cruise vacations, Nash believes the niche must emphasize the operational simplicity of its product. “I think the opportunity...

Oceanwide Expeditions confirmed on Tuesday afternoon it is arranging the medical evacuation of two passengers requiring urgent care and another guest associated with the passenger who passed away on May 2. Two specialized aircraft are en route to Cape Verde and passengers will be transferred for onward medical evacuation to the Netherlands. The company said...

Oceanwide Expeditions has provided an update on the ongoing medical situation onboard the Hondius, which remains off the coast of Cape Verde, according to a May 5 press update. The World Health Organization confirmed on May 4 that seven cases, including two laboratory-confirmed hantavirus cases and five suspected cases, have been identified. Three passengers have...

Lindblad Expeditions delivered a record first quarter occupancy of 93 percent even as it grew available guest nights by more than 6 percent, with Chief Executive Officer Natalya Leahy noting disciplined commercial execution and strengthening demand across the company’s global portfolio. “In a complex macro and geopolitical environment, our team delivered another record quarter,” she...

Oceania Cruises is eliminating non‑commissionable cruise fares (NCFs) on all newly launched sailings, set to be announced in May and June. Covering the 2028 summer and 2028–29 winter seasons and 2028 and 2029 Around the World voyages, the change is meant to simplify advisor compensation and expand their earning opportunities. Once the new itineraries go...

BW LNG has signed an agreement with BASS Software to deploy BASSnet Neo software solution across its fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs). According to a statement, the contract win followed a global evaluation process covering up to 30 solutions in the market. “We are extremely proud...

Malta is working to attract more boutique cruise ships and expand homeporting operations, according to Arthur Grima, director of marketing for the Malta Tourism Authority. In 2025, in addition to 4 million tourists, the destination welcomed 870,560 cruise passengers who visited the country as part of 387 calls. While overall passenger volume increased by 2.5...

As MSC Cruises continues to expand its LNG-powered fleet and explore next-generation ship designs, the company is focusing on building vessels capable of exceeding current sustainability targets over a three-decade lifespan, according to Chief Energy Transition Officer Michele Francioni. Cruise ships designed today will enter service in five years and operate for 35 years or...

Lindblad Expeditions has financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. Natalya Leahy, Chief Executive Officer, said: “In a complex macro and geopolitical environment, our team delivered another record quarter, achieving 93% occupancy- highest in the Company’s history, record yields, and 16% EBITDA growth. These results reflect the strength of our strategy and...

The global expedition cruise market is at an inflection point with serious grow expected to start again soon as the all new 2026 Expedition Cruise Market Report from Cruise Industry News captures it all. Now available for instant download in PDF format, the 280+ page report is the most comprehensive independent analysis of the expedition...

Huna Totem has built up to four ports in Alaska and is extending its reach into the Caribbean, which is a transformation that Howard Sherman, president, Huna Totem Tourism Group, said reflects both the industry’s growth and Huna Totem’s evolving ambitions. “If you go back and look before COVID, it was a single destination, which...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings expects net yields to decline three to five percent, the company said in its earnings announcement on Monday. “This updated guidance reflects both the impact of the macroeconomic environment and the extent to which those pressures have compounded the execution and commercial challenges already facing our business,” said Mark Kempa, CFO,...

Following her 134-day world cruise, Phoenix Reisen’s Amera entered drydock this week at Chantiers Naval de Marseille for scheduled refurbishment work. Working with the ship management company BSM, Phoenix Reisen is investing approximately 15 million euros in a number of upgrades. Work will cover the modernization of 160 guest bathrooms as well as the redesign...

Three months into his post as Chairperson and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, John Chidsey is orchestrating a turnaround at the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, targeting internal execution failures he said are fixable. Speaking on the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call, Chidsey pointed to the work head, describing missteps in marketing, revenue management...

Celestyal Cruises announced that its two ships have welcomed guests back in the Mediterranean, resuming their regular sailing schedule in the region. The Celestyal Journey and the Celestyal Discovery returned to Europe in late April after spending nearly two months stranded in the Arabian Gulf. After arriving back in Greece earlier this month, the ships...

Joe Maloney has been appointed as president of VacationPort, formerly Passport Online. Maloney brings more than two decades of leadership experience across the cruise and travel sectors, most recently serving as head of sales for Mitsui Ocean Cruises. According to a press release, he will lead VacationPort into its next chapter, focusing on innovation and...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is reassessing its bundled air program after Chairperson and CEO John Chidsey acknowledged on the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call that the offering had been functioning more as a promotional subsidy than a genuine value-creating tool. Speaking on May 4, Chidsey said the program was being evaluated through the same...

Margaritaville at Sea has announced its first national brand campaign, “Welcome to Somewhere,” rolling out in May. Described as an effort to strengthen brand voice, the campaign is designed to place focus on the journey as much as on the destination. In it, the company is presented as a more relaxed, emotionally driven alternative to...

Antarctica21 announced in a press release that it had a busy 2025–26 expedition season, having sold 92 percent of its berth inventory. The company welcomed 2,847 travelers from 53 nationalities aboard with 40 percent coming from North America and 60 percent from the rest of the world. The season saw 42 voyages to Antarctica, South...

Princess Cruises has welcomed its newest ship, the Star Princess, to Port of Seattle, which will serve as its homeport for the inaugural Alaska season. The ship is set to sail 20 weekly roundtrip voyages from Pier 91 through Alaska’s Inside Passage from May 3 to September 13, 2026. To mark the occasion, a maritime plaque exchange was held between...

Jordan Freese was appointed group sales and operations manager for North America at Hurtigruten. This is the first time a fully dedicated resource will be allocated to group sales following the split from HX, the company said in a press release. Freese joins the company from Incredible Adventure, where she was general manager. “Jordan joining...

Carnival Corporation has broken ground for its new global headquarters in Miami. This marks the official start of construction on the new campus in Waterford Business District, with site work scheduled to begin immediately. To mark the occasion, Miami-Dade County formally recognized May 1 as “Carnival Place Day,” the cruise line said in a statement. “Breaking ground at 887 Carnival Place feels less like a beginning and more like a natural next step...

Oceanwide Expeditions has provided a timeline of the ongoing medical situation onboard the Hondius, which is currently off the coast of Cape Verde, according to a May 4 press update. On April 11, a passenger died onboard. The company said the cause of death could not be determined onboard. On April 24, this passenger was...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is working quickly to optimize expenses, including making significant cutbacks shoreside. “While ship operating costs had remained relatively consistent over the past several years, we see a meaningful opportunity to reduce our shoreside costs,” said John Chidsey, chairperson and CEO, speaking on the company’s second quarter earnings call. “As part of...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 and provided guidance for the second quarter and full year 2026. Highlights First quarter total revenue grew 10% to $2.3 billion. GAAP net income was $105 million, with EPS of $0.23. Delivered Adjusted EBITDA of $533 million in first quarter...

Orca AI has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Heavy Industries to jointly develop and deploy autonomous vessel technologies, according to a press release. The collaboration will combine Samsung Heavy Industries’ autonomous solutions with Orca AI’s AI-powered maritime operations platform, enabling deployment of AI-assisted navigation, berthing and speed optimization across newbuild vessels and existing...

As Millennials and Gen Z drive demand for purpose-driven travel, HX Expeditions is leaning into science, education, and community engagement to differentiate itself from traditional cruise lines, according to Chief Executive Officer Gebhard Rainer. He noted that while geographic expansion is vital for customer retention, the depth of the experience is paramount. “Every customer you...

Royal Caribbean Group has been building the infrastructure of a loyalty ecosystem, including status matching across brands and a co-branded credit card. That appears to be paying off as repeat guests are big spenders, said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, speaking on the company’s earnings call on Thursday, April 30. “They tend to sell on...

Oceanwide Expeditions has confirmed three guests have passed away onboard the Hondius which is currently located off the coast of Cape Verde. Media reports said the 174-guest ship is battling a hantavirus outbreak. Information regarding the number of guests and crew aboard was not immediately available. In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in...

P&O Cruises has announced its Early May Bank Holiday offer with discounted fares for additional guests on summer sailings. For new bookings made before May 5, 2026, third and fourth guests sail from £49 per person when booking a balcony cabin with two full paying adults, according to a statement. The deal applies to selected...

AmaWaterways has prepared benefits for Travel Advisor Appreciation Month in May. Advisors can take advantage of incentives, educational opportunities and giveaways, according to a statement. “Travel advisors remain at the heart of everything we do, and Travel Advisor Appreciation Month is an important opportunity for us to recognize their ongoing support and partnership,” said Catherine...

Trafalgar is launching a limited-time deal offering savings on select European river cruises. The Spotlight Savings offer is available on a range of 2026 and 2027 departures across Rhine and Danube itineraries while inventory lasts. It features solo supplement deals and shipboard credit for suite bookings, according to a statement. “River cruising continues to see...

Star Clippers has introduced a new collection of 2027 Greek Island sailings aboard the Star Flyer. The itineraries showcasing smaller ports across the Aegean are now open for booking, with departures throughout the spring and fall seasons, the cruise line said in a press release. “These new 2027 Greek itineraries—and the added value of the...

Riviera Travel is expanding its offerings of no single supplement cabins across some of its most popular European river cruises for 2026, according to an announcement. Solo travelers can now book select departures on itineraries including The Blue Danube, Cruise the Heart of Europe, Rhine, Moselle & Medieval Germany, The Douro, Porto & Salamanca, and...

Margaritaville at Sea has announced several initiatives to celebrate the Hero community during Heroes Month in May. Active and former duty military, first responders, nurses and educators will be celebrated throughout the month with experiences onboard and beyond the ship.  According to a statement, the initiative builds on its Heroes Sail Free program launched in 2022 in partnership with GOVX.  “Heroes month is about more than recognizing...

Windstar Cruises has presented benefits available to travel advisors during Travel Advisor Appreciation Month in May. According to a statement, this includes rewards, incentives and booking tools. “Travel advisors are at the heart of everything we do,” said Janet Bava, Windstar’s chief commercial officer. “Their knowledge, dedication, and ability to match the right guest with...

Signature Travel Network brought together approximately 70 agency owners for Horizon Club, an invitation-only recognition experience held across Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, from April 12 to 19, according to an announcement. Hosted by The Travel Answers Group, the Horizon Club represents Signature’s recognition for agency owners. “The Horizon Club trip was a fantastic opportunity for...

Royal Caribbean Group has set its sights on the Texas cruise market. “We’re expecting to own the Texas market as it relates to cruising into the Caribbean,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, speaking on the company’s first quarter earnings call April 30. A new terminal that opened in 2022 in...

Avalon Waterways has unveiled new seasonal excursions for 2027 designed to take place exclusively during specific times of the year, according to a press release. The excursions span spring, summer, fall and winter and are timed to regional activities and traditions. “Our new seasonal excursions connect our guests more deeply to the places they’re exploring,”...