Holland America Line hosted a week-long immersive tea programming during the Volendam’s Grand World Voyage in Asia from March 24–30. As part of the cruise line’s Culinary Ambassador program, Master Tea Blender Steve Schwartz, founder of Art of Tea, hosted various tea-themed experiences for guests. The experiences were designed to deepen guests’ appreciation for tea...

Century Cruises has announced what it describes as exciting news and ambitious expansion plans that are set to be unveiled later in April. Announcing the news in a statement, the company also said that its Miami office is fully operational, enabling it to become a “true player” in the global cruise family. Sales have also...

Celebration Key has become the first cruise destination to earn KultureCity’s sensory inclusion certification, Carnival Cruise Line said in a press release. More than 400 team members at the cruise line’s destination in Grand Bahama are now trained to help guests with sensory needs navigate the vacation environment. “This milestone demonstrates Carnival’s dedication to making vacations accessible and enjoyable for all, including families with sensory processing needs. By...

Tauck has christened its new riverboats, the Lumière and the Serene, in two separate ceremonies, the company said in a press release. The ceremony for the Lumière was held in Lyon on March 27, with around 50 guests, including Tauck leaders, travel advisors, supplier partners and members of the media, in attendance. “Our past river...

Viking’s newest ships for the Nile, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet, have touched water for the first time, the company said in a press release. Following the float out ceremonies at Massara shipyard in Cairo, the ships will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out. The Viking Ptah is set to...

The newest Super Ship in Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ fleet, the S.S. Emilie, sailed its inaugural voyage March 21–30. Guests on the inaugural voyage experienced the 10-day “Tulips & Windmills” itinerary through the Netherlands and Belgium with stops in cities such as Amsterdam and Antwerp, the cruise line said in a press release. Highlights included strolling through the tulip fields of Keukenhof Gardens, sailing...

Oceania Cruises is launching a multi-year training program for its onboard chefs in partnership with The Butter Book digital training platform. Called the Floating Pastry Academy, the education program is said to be the first of its kind for the cruise industry. According to a press release, more than 200 Oceania pastry and bakery chefs will complete this three-year program combining theory with practical assessments online and in person onboard the vessels....

Heineken has added new brands to its cruise portfolio to elevate onboard relevance and choice for guests. Brands have been selected to match itineraries and passenger profiles, according to a press release. The destination-driven portfolio approach built around regional relevance and local heritage is expected to enable cruise lines to offer more personalized beverage experiences...

The Azamara Onward is scheduled to enter a two-week drydock in early November 2027. The refurbishment forms part of Azamara Forward, said to be the brand’s most extensive fleetwide renovation program to date. The ship is getting onboard upgrades designed to elevate the guest experience, Azamara said in a statement. This includes a transformation of onboard nightlife venues, a newly dedicated Chef’s Table experience, a reimagined...

On March 29, the Adora Magic City set sail from Shanghai on a five-day, four-night themed cruise to Jeju Island and Busan, South Korea. This is the inaugural voyage of the “Sea Film Festival” themed sailing season set to run on all three Adora ships until late June this year. Actors Hou Yong and Liu...

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has named Tim Klauda as senior vice president, customer experience, effective March 30, 2026.   Working in a newly created role, he will lead the evolution of the guest experience across the fleet, reporting to Ernesto Fara, president and CEO.  According to a press release, Klauda brings more than two decades of leadership positions at the intersection of product, design and guest experience.  Most recently, he served as vice president of global products at McDonald’s, working at advancing crew experience...

Carnival Cruise Line has donated more than 1,000 towels to children learning to swim in Vanuatu, the company said in a statement.  Since this island nation has the world’s fourth‑highest drowning rate, the cruise line is providing funding for swimming lessons through the guest-funded Pacific Partnerships program. “Carnival guests love visiting Vanuatu, and this towel donation is one way we can give back to...

Celestyal has cancelled all April 2026 sailings due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.  The cruise line said in a press release that its ships are currently positioned in the Arabian Gulf – the Celestyal Discovery in Dubai, UAE, and the Celestyal Journey in Doha, Qatar – as they wait to reposition to Athens, Greece.  “Our priority remains the safety and confidence of...

All accommodations on Atlas Ocean Voyages vessels are being reclassified under a unified suite nomenclature starting April 2, 2026.  The reclassification ensures consistency across all accommodations, the cruise line said in a statement.  “At Atlas, this is not about changing a name, it’s about aligning our language with the experience we deliver every day,” said James A. Rodriguez, president and CEO of Atlas...