Academy Award-winning actor Robert Downey Jr. has been named godparent fo the Disney Adventure, the company said in a statement. “Our new ship continues Disney Cruise Line’s tradition of bringing great stories to life at sea, and we are honored that Robert Downey Jr., who has guided audiences through unforgettable Marvel stories, is the official...

Foreign Affairs Expert Nina Khrushcheva and retired U.S. Naval Officer Admiral James Stavridis are set to join Ponant Explorations’ “A World Affairs Voyage” as expert speakers. The 10-night journey from Copenhagen to London in August 2026 onboard the Le Champlain, which is tailored to English-speaking guests, is set to provide an inside look at Europe’s...

Two longstanding Scenic Group employees, Director of Operations Kim Scoular and Senior Software Engineer Ray Gilbert, have been selected as the godparents of the Emerald Kaia. The ship officially departed Vietnam’s Halong Bay, on February 13, 2026, marking her entry into the Emerald Cruises fleet, the company said in a press release. The christening ceremony...

As the cruise industry embraces LNG, the conversation has shifted from feasibility to methane slip. Advances in engine technology, independent validation, and real-world operations show LNG becoming a credible, scalable fuel for passenger shipping. When methane slip is effectively reduced, LNG-fuelled cruise ships can enjoy a longer regulatory compliance window than any other fossil-based marine...

China’s cruise market is undergoing a notable geographic consolidation in 2026, entering what industry players are calling a concentrated “Korea Season.” This shift sees cruise lines sailing from China pivoting almost exclusively to South Korean itineraries, a move driven by ongoing adjustments to Japan sailings and presenting new challenges in product differentiation and pricing stability....

The new 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report has been released with 400 pages of industry analytics and data available. From regional deployment data to supply growth through 2039, the report presents a complete overview of the global cruise industry, tracking every brand and every ship. The 400-page report covers everything from new ships on order...

AmaWaterways has presented incentives on select 2027 departures, valid for new bookings made before March 31, 2026. The promos apply to single and group travel and are meant to support travel advisors in capturing what the company says is strong demand across both segments, the company said in a statement. “Group travel and solo travel...

Seabourn has assembled an expert expedition team set to offer deeper insights about Alaska and British Columbia to guests onboard the Seabourn Encore during its inaugural Alaska season. According to a press release, a team of naturalists, scientists, and experts in wildlife, history, and watercraft will lead immersive experiences in Alaska from May to September...

Transcend Cruises has appointed Bentlie Logan (pictured above) as director of meetings, incentives, corporate and events (MICE) and Agency Sales, and Brittni Cloudsdale as controller, the company said in a statement. “Transcend is entering a pivotal phase as we move toward the launch of our first vessel and the continued expansion of our fleet,” said...

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group (AKTG), which owns Crystal Cruises, has appointed Debra Fox Chief Sales Officer – Trade and expanded the roles of two SVPs, Matias Lira and Shawn Johnson, both of which will report to Fox. “This structure allows us to deliver even more focused support to our trade partners than ever before,”...

Swan Hellenic has introduced a limited time offer covering free roundtrip airfare from select U.S. and Canadian gateways for guests who book their 2026 Asia Pacific sailings onboard the SH Minerva before February 28, 2026. The deal includes other benefits, such as cruise savings up to $1,500 per person, complimentary Wi-Fi upgrades to stay connected,...

The first in-person meeting of the international Cruises & Port Cities Working Group, which is a partnership between MedCruise and International Association of Cities and Ports (AIVP), was held Feb. 19-20, 2026, in Taranto, Italy. Around 30 port city professionals and experts from Italy, Spain, France, Greece and Portugal gathered for the occasion. Launched in...

More than a century after tortoises became locally extinct on Galápagos National Park’s Floreana Island, 158 giant tortoises were released back to the island on February 20. It was made possible in part by traveler contributions to the Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic Fund, which has provided more than $1 million in sustained support for the Floreana...

Celebrity Cruises cancelled a cruise on short notice on Feb. 16, 2026 due to a technical issue onboard the Celebrity Infinity. Starting its spring season in the Eastern Mediterranean, the ship was scheduled to offer an 11-night cruise from the Port of Piraeus in Greece. Passengers due to board the 2001-built vessel were informed of...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral has started a four-month sailing program from Newcastle’s Port of Tyne. Between February and September 2026,17 cruises will be departing from the city, with durations ranging from one‑night sailings to 14‑night explorations. The program includes Northern Lights voyages in Arctic Norway, cruising through Norway’ s fjords, and sailings to the...

Victory Cruise Lines is busy with upgrades on both the Victory I and Victory II ahead of their 2026 seasons. Marine and technical teams are executing engine top-end servicing, mechanical overhauls, drydock work and annual regulatory inspections in partnership with the United States Coast Guard, according to the company website. “There is a season in...

Paul Gauguin Cruises has presented a number of 2028 voyages across the South Pacific and French Polynesia that are available for booking. Ranging from seven to 14 nights, the 39 voyages enable travelers to explore the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Cook Islands, and South Pacific. Highlights include multiple overnights, two days in the protected coral...

Princess Cruises set a new Guinness World Records title for the most margaritas sold in eight hours, according to a press release. The celebration aboard the Regal Princess sold 3,410 handcrafted 24K Margaritas featuring Pantalones Organic Blanco Tequila, surpassing the previously held record of 2,728. “You could feel the celebration in every bar of Regal...

TUI Cruises is on the lookout for a godmother for its new ship, the Mein Schiff Flow, which will be christened on June 20 in the port of Trieste. Potential godmothers need to have traveled with the fleet at least once. Those that qualify and are of legal age can apply on the company’s website...

Viking has announced two new 2027 itineraries on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers onboard the Viking Mississippi, which are now open for booking. The company said that the Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass and Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer expand its destination-focused offerings on the two rivers. “Wherever they are in the world, our guests are...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has teamed up with cruise enthusiast Fraser Porteous, known as “Fraser at Sea,” to launch “Setting Sail at 60,” a six-part YouTube series which debuted on February 20. The series follows Fraser and his mother, Margaret, as they embark on six cruises to mark her 60th birthday, with Margret experiencing life...

AmaWaterways has introduced three limited-time offers designed to help travel advisors drive early bookings on select 2026 and 2027 sailings. Available now through March 31, 2026, and valid for over 600 sailing, the offers include the Complimentary Land Package and Triple Savings, both of which can be combined with the company’s AirPlus fixed air rates....

The Noordam recently completed its 20th year of service for Holland America Line. Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the vessel was delivered to the company on January 31, 2006. After crossing the Atlantic for the first time, the 1,900-passenger ship was christened in a ceremony in New York City on February 22, 2006....

Jeff Bogle, author of “Street Cats and Where to Find Them,” will host a street cats-themed cruise aboard Celebrity Eclipse from Oct. 19-30, sailing from Ravenna, Italy to Athens, Greece. The 11-night voyage will include complimentary guided walking excursions in select ports where guests can observe, interact with and photograph street cats in historic cities...

Guests on Swan Hellenic’s six-night cruise from Portugal to Fuerteventura will get to play on five champion-designed golf courses. According to the company, the Atlantic Horizons cruise departs Lisbon aboard SH Diana on September 7, 2026. The golf program can be purchased as a complete package, or each golf course can be booked individually in...

Holland America Line’s Volendam has reached Pitcairn Island in the southern Pacific Ocean, said to be one of the most isolated inhabited places on Earth. The call took place on day 46 of its 133-day Grand World Voyage that set sail from Fort Lauderdale on January 4. Located about 1,350 miles east-southeast of Tahiti, Pitcairn...

Costa Cruises recently published its deployment for the summer of 2027, which includes the return of the Costa Serena to Europe after over a decade in Asia. The 2007-built vessel will arrive back in the Mediterranean following a previously announced winter season in South America. The ship is scheduled to embark on a trans-Atlantic crossing...

Ambassador Cruise Line launched its Treat Yourself campaign, offering up to 20 percent off balconies and suites on selected sailings. Guests booking between Feb. 17 and April 1 can take advantage of the deals, according to the company. The offer is available on Ambassador’s no-fly cruise experiences aboard Ambience, which operates from London Tilbury, and...

The 2026 Audubon Photography Awards are open for entries, giving photographers a chance to win a $5,000 cash award and a voyage to Antarctica with HX Expeditions. Winners of the Grand Prize will have the opportunity to explore some of the most remote wildlife habitats on Earth in a voyage combining birding, conservation, and exploration,...

Antarctica21 has launched “An Expedition to Planet Earth,” an original web series offering a look behind the scenes at an expedition to Antarctica. The series follows the full journey south, inviting viewers to discover the company’s air-cruise experience starting in Punta Arenas, the Chilean gateway to Antarctica. “An Expedition to Planet Earth is an invitation...

The Carnival Conquest has returned to Miami after a 12‑day drydock at Grand Bahama Shipyard, the company said in a statement. Now that drydock refurbishment is complete, the ship will resume year‑round sailings from Miami. The ship debuts several upgrades, one of which is the addition of the Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge which honors...

In a further change to its 2026-27 winter season in South America, MSC Cruises announced that the MSC Splendida will also offer cruises departing from Rio de Janeiro in 2026-27. Initially set to depart exclusively from Argentina, the Fantasia-class vessel will now sail from the Brazilian port on select dates. According to a press release,...

Australis Cruises has announced a one-time-only extension of what is normally a four-night route into a seven-night expedition voyage sailing from Punta Arenas, Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Departing March 29, 2026, the cruise is set to give guests a longer, deeper experience of Patagonia’s fjords and channels. “This extended sailing is a rare invitation to...

Avora Residences, a new luxury residential cruise brand, has launched its website and unveiled details of its inaugural vessel Lumina, scheduled to debut in January 2028, sailing from Lisbon, Portugal. The brand announced a strategic marketing alliance with Villa Vie Residences in late January, positioning Avora as the luxury counterpart to Villa Vie’s contemporary residential...