MXP has launched an AI-powered tour audio guide that transmits tour guide voices directly to guests’ smartphones, eliminating the need for rented audio hardware, the company said in a press release. The solution includes real-time AI translation allowing guests to experience tours in their preferred language. Guests do not require mobile internet and do not...

Oceanwide Expeditions has released additional details on two eco-sail expedition vessels, including renderings and confirmation of a 2029 launch for the first ship. The company signed a letter of intent for the construction and delivery of the two vessels, according to a press release. Both will have capacity for 146 passengers and feature hybrid sail...

The Marine Hotel Association (MHA) is hosting its 41st annual trade show and conference in Naples, Florida, from March 29 to March 31, bringing together food and beverage and hotel suppliers and industry executives over three days at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. Purchasing and procurement executives from all the major cruise companies, including Carnival,...

Holland America Line has unveiled its Spring Sale, offering lower fees for bookings made between March 24 and 31, 2026. The deal is applicable to April and May 2026 cruises to Alaska (plus cruisetours), Europe (both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean) and Canada and New England. It includes up to $200 onboard credit per stateroom...

Variety Cruises is celebrating the start of the European summer cruise season with the addition of a new itinerary, the company announced in a press release. The seven-night cruise will explore the Greek Islands and Turkey, a country that hasn’t been visited by the company’s ships since 2016. Sailing roundtrip from Athens aboard the Panorama,...

Cruise Industry News looks into some of the key drydock projects that are taking place in March. Azamara Journey Cruise Line: Azamara Capacity: 718 guests Tonnage: 30,200 Year built: 2000 Drydock Period: Mar. 1 to Mar. 9, 2026 Shipyard: Cernaval (Algeciras, Spain) The Azamara Journey underwent a quick drydock at a shipyard at the port...

Celestyal Cruises cancelled three additional cruises that were set to take place in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean in early April. According to a statement issued on Wednesday, two sailings onboard the Celestyal Journey and one onboard the Celestyal Discovery will no longer go ahead. The vessels are currently docked in the Middle East, waiting...

Watermark Group has reopened its maritime simulator training center in Hampshire, bringing the facility back into active use for the cruise and shipping industries, the company said in a press release. The center is equipped with Wärtsilä’s high-fidelity simulator technology and includes two full bridge simulators, an engine control room simulator, high-voltage training capability, a...

Azamara Cruises is launching a global contest to find inspiration for the names of new suites aboard the Azamara Quest, the company said in a statement. As part of “A Suite Story” contest, guests, crew members, travel advisors and employees are invited to submit the name of a meaningful city that formed part of their...

Swan Hellenic has announced its 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 Antarctic seasons following a record 2025-2026 season that saw 53 percent growth in guest numbers and 66 percent increase in net revenue, the company said in a press release. “We are thrilled with the outstanding results achieved this season and the positive trend for the year ahead,”...

Seabourn has opened bookings for its 2027-2029 ocean voyages for sale. Spanning four continents, the new collection features voyages ranging from seven to 40 days, with extended time in port and new destinations, paired with special anniversary programming for Seabourn’s 40th anniversary. According to a press release, the 2027–2029 season will include 118 departures to...

BC Ferries has ordered man-overboard detection systems from Zelim for four hybrid-electric ferries scheduled to enter service in 2029, according to a press release. The contract was signed in February 2026, with installation expected to begin in 2027. Zelim’s ZOE man-overboard detection system uses computer vision and video analytics to deliver 360-degree surveillance for vessel...

MSC Cruises has revealed new details on two districts onboard its newest ship, the MSC World Asia, in a statement. One of the districts, the Harbour, will be revamped and continue to serve as an outdoor park for families. The other, the AquaDeck district, is getting a new design for its outdoor Manila Bay pool...

Explora Journeys today confirmed the Explora II will now be sailing in the Mediterranean from November 2026 to March 2027. The ship had previously been scheduled to sail in the Middle East. The company said: “This decision has been taken well in advance, following careful consideration and reflecting Explora Journeys’ commitment to providing guests and...

TUI Cruises cancelled an additional sailing due to the conflicts in the Middle East, according to a statement shared by the company. With its vessels still stuck in the Arabian Gulf, the company is now cancelling a repositioning voyage that was set to take place onboard the Mein Schiff 4 starting on April 11, 2026....

Bohai Ferry Group has decided to publicly list the Chinese Taishan for sale for the second time, with an asking price of $23 million. The decision was said to be approved at the company’s board meeting on March 9. The 832-guest ship holds the distinction of being China’s first independently operated and managed cruise ship...

Celestyal Cruises has cancelled an additional cruise in the Aegean Sea due to the ongoing situation in the Arabian Gulf. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the sailing that was set to take place onboard the Celestyal Discovery on April 3, 2026, will no longer go ahead. Celestyal said that the cancellation was necessary...

The AIDAdiva has recently returned to the port of Hamburg in Germany following AIDA’s 2025-26 world cruise. After undergoing a major refurbishment as part of AIDA’s Evolution refit program, the vessel embarked on the voyage in early November 2025. The AIDAdiva then visited 53 destinations in 27 countries before arriving back at its homeport on...

Oceanwide Expeditions has entered into what it said was an exclusive contract finalization with a shipyard for two eco-sail expedition newbuilds, with a letter of intent signed and financing secured. The company will begin commercializing the vessels in 2027. The ships will be 146 guests each. “Sailing has been part of OEX’s (Oceanwide) DNA from...

United Waterways is partnering with JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs to develop young talent and create dishes inspired by European river regions. The partnership will see emerging culinary professionals onboard United vessels connect with JRE chefs, the company said in a statement, bringing together JRE’s network of over 400 restaurants with United’s fleet of over 120 vessels. “The...

Customers staying in Royal Suites, Voyager Suites and Executive Suites across Marella Cruises’ fleet are getting an enhanced experience starting this summer. As part of the “Suite Service Max,” the cruise line is offering guests staying in these suites a collection of in-suite benefits meant to elevate their comfort, the company said in a press...

Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Line is looking for performers to join the live entertainment lineup aboard its upcoming vessel, the Beachcomber. In a statement, the company invited singer-songwriters, solo artists, duos, trios and bands to submit their audition materials to get a chance to join the Same Boat, a live music venue created in partnership...

Princess Cruises has announced its South America season aboard the Majestic Princess sailing from October 2027 through January 2028. The program features overnight experiences in the Antarctic Peninsula and access to 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the region. According to a press release, it will include overnight stays in Buenos Aires on every sailing,...

Carnival Corporation has announced a three‑year grant to Conservation International aiming to restore mangrove forests in the Caribbean. These coastal forests buffer shorelines from storms, absorb carbon from the atmosphere, and sustain marine life and local livelihoods in the Caribbean, the company said in a press release. Funding will come from programs like Holland America...

Six cruise ships remain stuck in the Arabian Gulf after their operations in the region were halted in late February. With the Strait of Hormuz virtually closed to international maritime traffic, the vessels are unable to leave the area and start repositioning voyages to other parts of the world. MSC Euribia Cruise Line: MSC Cruises...

Adora Cruises has announced the appointment of Captain Wei Zhiyi as the new master of Adora Magic City. This marks the first time a Chinese national has taken command of the vessel since its entry into service. Captain Zhiyi officially assumed command of the 135,500-ton Adora Magic City on March 17, bringing more than 20...

The Celebrity Solstice recently kicked off a spring season in the Pacific after undergoing a major upgrade project at a shipyard in Singapore. As part of a $250-million refit program that will see other Solstice-class vessels being modernized, the 2008-built ship welcomed guests back on March 2, 2026. Sailing from Singapore Marina Bay Cruise Center,...

Royal Caribbean International cancelled a series of cruises that were scheduled to take place onboard the Freedom of the Seas during the summer of 2027. According to a report by The Independent, over 20 itineraries scheduled between May and September 2027 were cancelled. The Freedom-class vessel was set to offer itineraries to the Caribbean and...

Azamara Cruises has partnered with Milam & Greene Whiskey for a bourbon experiment at sea called the Bourbon Quest. As part of this, one of four bourbon barrels will join the Azamara Quest on March 26, 2026, for its 188-night 2027 World Cruise, which will visit 37 countries, the cruise line said in a statement....

Cunard has partnered with celebrity fashion stylist Micaela Erlanger to offer Grill Suite guests access to personalized styling services and a digital style guide, according to a press release. Available exclusively to Queens Grill and Princess Grill Suite guests sailing on voyages with embarkation dates between May 15, 2026, and April 15, 2027, the program...

Sea Cloud Cruises has presented its brochure featuring a collection of voyages aboard the Sea Cloud Spirit and Sea Cloud II sailing from January 2027 through March 2028. According to a press release, the highlights of the season will include Caribbean island-hopping, Mediterranean cultural voyages and Northern European sailings departing Dublin. Guests can also save...

The Coral Princess arrived in Singapore on March 22 as part of her 131-night world cruise before departing on a 56-night journey to Alaska and the U.S. West Coast. Carrying 2,000 guests, the Coral Princess is navigating a 35,000 plus nautical mile Circle Pacific itinerary spanning 60 ports across 19 countries with calls to 45...

The Carnival Encounter has returned to Brisbane from drydock with refreshed interiors, a new hull livery and expanded entertainment programming. The ship now features a Cloud 9 Spa Thermal Suite with heated thermal lounges, saunas and steam baths. All five pool areas have been revitalized, seven jacuzzi tubs replaced and the sports court and Twin...

Virgin Voyages will stage what it says will be the largest celebration ever held on the open ocean – all four of its Lady ships meeting at sea on Feb. 16, 2027. The event is being called “Sisters at Sea.” As part of this, the Scarlet Lady, Valiant Lady, Resilient Lady and Brilliant Lady will...

Princess Cruises has announced four new immersive onboard experiences as part of its North to Alaska program in 2026. According to a press release, the expanded program features 180 departures and visits to 19 destinations, giving travelers a chance to experience Alaska by sea or through combined land-and-sea cruisetours. The new programming will be featured...

Seabourn has revealed the names of speakers who will come onboard the Seabourn Quest for the Seabourn Conversations program during the 2027 World Cruise. The World Cruise will sail from Miami on January 5, 2027, visiting 67 destinations in 19 countries across the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand and South America, the company said in...

The MSC Sinfonia is currently returning to Europe with no guests onboard after completing a winter season in South America. Having spent the past four months serving the Brazilian market, the MSC Cruises vessel started its repositioning voyage in Santos on March 17, 2026. The 2002-built vessel is now expected to make a technical call...

The Noordam sailed from Australia earlier this month to kick off a 36-night repositioning voyage to the West Coast. Sailing between Sydney and Seattle, the month-long itinerary started in mid-March and includes destinations in the South Pacific, French Polynesia and Hawaii. The cruise is highlighted by overnight visits to Honolulu and Tahiti, as well as...

The MSC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the MSC Group, has strengthened its partnership with the Bahamas’ Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS), aimed at restoring marine biodiversity. The two are working together to protect and restore some of the Caribbean’s most threatened reef-building corals, the cruise line said in a press release. As part...

The new Norwegian Luna is currently crossing the Atlantic ahead of making its debut in the United States. Delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line earlier this year, the vessel is offering a 13-night repositioning voyage that started in Italy on March 10, 2026. The trans-Atlantic crossing departed from the port of Civitavecchia and featured visits to...

Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting select itineraries of the Carnival Panorama for 2026, the company announced in a statement. According to the letter sent to booked guests, 11 sailings will see slightly modified itineraries, which include updated port times and adjusted orders for port visits. Modified sailings include the August 15, 2026, departure, which will...

Riviera Travel has announced in a press release that its Festive 2027 river cruises, new 2028 sailings on the Mekong River and 2027 Danube sailings are available for purchase. “This is one of our most significant launches of the year, bringing together festive river cruises, expanded solo options, long‑haul itineraries and the next evolution of...

Norwegian Cruise Line is reportedly dropping a planned change that would see beverage packages no longer being honored at Great Stirrup Cay. The move was initially set to take effect on March 1, 2026, but had already been delayed by the company. Now, travel agents are reporting that Norwegian will continue to honor all of...