Royal Caribbean International confirmed that the Freedom of the Seas will replace the Mariner of the Seas for the 2027 season out of Southampton. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the Freedom was expected to serve the British market after having its deployment for the timeframe cancelled. Originally set to offer itineraries from Miami...

Celestyal Cruises’ Chief Executive Officer Chris Theophilides said that the company’s ships will sail from the Middle East “as soon as it is safe to do so.” In a statement shared on social media, he added that the line remains firmly focused on resuming service in Greece. “Over the past few weeks, we have continued...

Cruise lines will spend roughly $80 billion on new cruise ships over the next decade, according to the latest update of Cruise Industry News’ global cruise ship orderbook. Following recent orders, 79 newbuilds are set to be delivered by 2037, adding nearly 205,000 berths to the market. The new vessels have an average size of...

The Ovation of the Seas recently entered drydock in Singapore to undergo a major refurbishment as part of Royal Caribbean International’s Royal Amplified program. During the month-long refit, the 2016-built ship will see the addition of new features and updated public rooms, as well as extra cabins and refreshed areas. Among the main changes coming...

Carnival Cruise Line cancelled a sailing onboard the Carnival Splendor that was set to take place on October 12, 2027. According to a statement sent to booked guests, the cruise is no longer going ahead due to a full-ship charter. Sailing roundtrip from Sydney, the 3,000-passenger ship was set to offer a ten-night Carnival Journeys...

Oriental Land Co. recently established a new subsidiary to manage its cruise business in Japan, which will be launched in partnership with Disney Cruise Line. The Japan-based entertainment company is currently building a Wish-class vessel at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. According to a press release, Oriental Land Cruise Co. was announced during a...

Seabourn will celebrate its “Ruby Jubilee” in 2028, marking 40 years of sailing, the company said in a press release. The cruise line’s 2028 season will therefore feature events commemorating four decades since its story started in 1988 with The Yachts of Seabourn. Alongside sailings featuring onboard programming inspired by the anniversary, a series of...

With the Strait of Hormuz still deemed unsafe for international maritime traffic, six cruise ships have been stuck in the Arabian Gulf since late February. With itineraries planned in Europe and the Red Sea and uncertain dates for repositioning voyages, the vessels are expected to resume service in early May should they be able to...

The Royal Caribbean Group and Bank of America today announced the launch of Royal ONE Visa Signature and Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature credit cards. According to a press release, the new tri-branded cards will simplify how travelers earn and redeem rewards across the company’s brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea. The company said...

Windstar Cruises recently cancelled a trans-Atlantic crossing that was set to take place onboard the Wind Surf starting on December 5, 2026. In a statement sent to booked guests, the company explained that the cancellation was necessary due to an extension of the vessel’s scheduled drydock. Windstar noted that the refit was enlarged to accommodate...

The Costa Favolosa recently sailed from the port of Buenos Aires in Argentina for a repositioning voyage to Europe. Wrapping up a four-month season in South America, the Costa Cruises vessel is now offering a trans-Atlantic crossing that will sail to the company’s Palacrociere Cruise Terminal in Savona. The 19-night itinerary sails to Uruguay, Brazil,...

The Koningsdam is back in service after undergoing a two-week drydock in the Bahamas, Holland America Line announced in a press release. According to the company, the vessel now offers new accommodations for families and friends, as well as refreshed entertainment and retail spaces. The Pinnacle-class ship welcomed guests back on March 29, 2026, kicking...

Nicko Cruises is hosting ship tours of the Vasco da Gama on four dates in Hamburg and Kiel between May and October 2026 for travel agents. The tours provide travel agents with insights into the ship’s amenities, service and atmosphere to support customer consultations, the company said in a statement. The Vasco da Gama carries...

Norwegian Cruise Line is making changes to its “Happy Birthday” onboard package, which previously included a six-inch cake. According to a statement sent to guests, the celebratory package, which also offers cabin decorations, will now include other perks. “This package has been refreshed as part of our continued effort to elevate the way we celebrate...

Royal Caribbean International presented the Chief Dog Officer for its upcoming Icon-class ship, the Legend of the Seas. According to a social media update shared by the company’s President and CEO Michael Bayley, Skipper will continue a tradition that started with the Icon of the Seas. The 2023-built vessel was the first to introduce the...

The Marine Hotel Association (MHA) opened its 41st annual conference and trade show Sunday, March 29, in Naples, Florida, bringing together cruise line purchasing executives with food and beverage and hotel supply vendors and industry leaders for three days at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. The event kicked off Sunday evening with an opening reception...

MSC Cruises announced today that it is cancelling its planned 2026-27 season in the Middle East onboard the MSC World Europa. According to a press release, the decision is part of a revised deployment for 2026-27 that will strengthen its presence in the Caribbean. Replacing the MSC Seaview, the MSC World Europa will make its...

Ambassador Cruise Line CEO Christian Verhounig has told trade partners the cruise line’s 2026 and 2027 programs are fully hedged and there are no plans to introduce fuel surcharges despite rising fuel costs. In a letter to trade partners dated March 30, Verhounig said the escalating crisis in the Middle East should end any illusion...

For over a decade, the Blue Whales Blue Skies program (BWBS) has been working to reduce ship strikes on whale populations along the California coast. Now, for the first time, cruise lines can be part of the solution. Founded in 2014 by the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, BWBS asks ships transiting California’s busy shipping lanes...

R Yacht Co. has selected the team for the maiden season for the Sefu, which is set to enter service in 2027. Born in Osaka, Katsuya Matsui will serve as Sefu’s first captain, bringing three decades of experience to the company. According to R Yacht Co., Matsui first joined the cruise industry in 1994, starting...

Aurora Expeditions has launched a new Arctic photography expedition for 2027 following demand for its sold-out Antarctica photography voyage, the company said in a press release. The Iceland & East Greenland: Through the Lens expedition departs July 31, 2027, aboard the Sylvia Earle for 11 days with fares from $14,956 per person in Australian dollars....

Cruise Industry News gathered the latest on 11 cruise ships that are currently out of service and facing a limbo status.  Blue Dream Melody Last Operator: Blue Dream Cruises Year Built: 2002 Capacity: 1,218 guests Tonnage: 42,200 Location: Beihai, China Originally built as the AIDAvita, the Blue Dream Melody has been laid up at the Chinese...

The Brilliant Lady recently completed its inaugural transit through the Panama Canal, marking the first time a Virgin Voyages vessel has sailed through the waterway. In a social media update, the Panama Canal Authority celebrated the milestone, noting that the transit was one of the highlights of its 2025-26 season. The authority also stated that...

AIDA Cruises has released its summer 2028 program, with over 450 cruises available on routes in Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea and the Mediterranean from April to October 2028. Northern Europe The AIDAluna will depart from Kiel on two-week voyages to the North Cape, the northernmost point of Europe, and to the Lofoten Islands. A...