Holland America Line today announced a $500 million Evolution refurbishment program to upgrade six vessels across its fleet. The initiative was announced by the company’s President and CEO, Beth Bodensteiner, during an industry event in Miami Beach. According to Bodensteiner, the program will be the largest fleet update program in the company’s 153-year history. The...

MSC Cruises is pushing the idea that the six cruise ships stuck in the Persian Gulf could be used to move thousands of seafarers to safety that are stranded on the commercial ships in the area. Speaking in Miami Beach on Tuesday morning, MSC Group’s Cruise Division’s Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago said the situation was...

Versonix has announced an AI strategy for Seaware, its reservation platform, to help cruise lines respond faster with real-time intelligence. According to a press release, the strategy is meant to enhance pricing and forecast accuracy, accelerate insights and decision-making and improve conversion and guest experience. “Cruise commerce is becoming a real-time game where speed and confidence in decision-making are critical,” said Yuri Polissky,...

StarCruises presented what it says are enhanced summer itineraries aboard the Star Voyager departing from Hong Kong’s Ocean Terminal to destinations across Asia, according to a press release. Sailing between July 3 and August 30, 2026, the itineraries are said to be designed to offer more discovery and flexibility onboard and ashore. Bookings will open...

The 2026 cruise season at Port of Cork officially started on April 13 with the arrival of the AIDAluna on its maiden call to Cork Harbor. This is the first of 93 vessels and over 175,000 passengers scheduled to visit between April and November. Eleven cruise ships are also scheduled to visit Bantry Bay Harbor...

Michael Marino has been appointed to the newly created role of chief marketing and growth officer at Margaritaville at Sea. In a press release, the company said Marino will spearhead its growth strategy during a period of rapid expansion, leading trade partnerships and distribution strategy, along with charter and group sales, direct marketing and contact center operations. “I’m incredibly excited to welcome Michael to Margaritaville at Sea as we embark...

The Four Seasons I has completed her maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, with Anglo Eastern Cruise Management Inc. (AECMI) as its technical ship management partner. In addition to this, AECMI shared in a statement that it covered safety and regulatory compliance and crew recruitment and training services. Neil McNeil, managing director, AECMI, said: “From the outset, close cooperation with Malta Flag (Transport Malta), the shipowner and the classification society...

Adora Cruises’ Adora Magic City is scheduled to operate international sailings from Shenzhen as its homeport during this summer season for the first time. In a press release, the company said it expects this deployment to further deepen its presence in the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao) and inject new momentum into the development of Shenzhen’s cruise market. “We are delighted to bring Adora Magic City to Shenzhen this summer to meet...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is giving travel agents a chance to secure a place on its Fleet Fiesta educational sailing as part of its Spring Savings campaign, the company said in a press release. Eight winners will get a place on a sailing aboard the Balmoral, departing Santa Cruz de Tenerife on November 30, 2026, and calling at Las Palmas, Arrecife, Funchal, Lisbon and Matosinhos. The Balmoral will meet the cruise line’s two other...

BASS Software has achieved ISO certification for establishing, implementing and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS). Following an audit by Tüv Nord Cert GmbH, the company is now holder of the ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certificate, according to a statement. BASS said that this validates its rigorous approach to risk management and the protection of...

The AIDAprima will offer new cruises from Kiel, Gran Canaria and Tenerife in fall and winter of 2026-27, the company said in a press release. The ship was previously meant to sail a winter season in the Middle East, but this was cancelled in mid-March due to the security situation in the region. With Kiel...

Royal Caribbean Group has announced that it will hold a conference call to discuss its financial results for Q1 2026 on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The call will be simultaneously webcast on the company’s investor relations website and its recording will remain available for 30 days after that.

Lionel Catherin has been promoted to Executive Chef at The World, Residences at Sea. Effective July 2026, he will succeed Senior Executive Chef Geoffrey Murray, who will retire on May 9, 2026, the cruise line said in a press release. In his new role, Catherin will partner with Executive Chef Sebastian Gnida to lead The...

Michael Eder has been appointed chief executive officer of MXP, effective July 1, 2026. He brings over two decades of experience in IT/OT automation, software development and digital transformation, MXP said in a press release. “I am excited to join MXP at such a pivotal moment,” said Eder. “With its strong MXP Enterprise Platform and market leader position in the cruise...

Margaritaville at Sea has signed a 10-year lifecycle agreement with Wärtsilä for lifecycle planning, long-term maintenance support and technical services for three vessels. Two are already in service, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and Margaritaville at Sea Islander, while the third, the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, is scheduled to enter service in early 2027. The agreements for the first two vessels were booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2026, while the third vessel is...

Meyer Werft has announced a concept study for what it says is the world’s first 100% battery-powered cruise ship, the 88,000-ton Vision. The ship will be 275 meters long and able to accommodate 1,856 passengers, with the battery system supplied by Corvus Energy. According to a press release, the battery system will be able to...

The Carnival Pride returned to service in Baltimore on April 9 following a 22‑day drydock in Freeport, Grand Bahama. In a statement, Carnival Cruises said the ship’s casino and retail areas, including the Effy Jewelry boutique, were refurbished. Now that the work is complete, the vessel is set to resume its year‑round service from Baltimore. Cruises to The Bahamas and Bermuda are...

Estonian companies are developing practical solutions for modernizing vessels, reducing emissions and improving efficiency in the cruise and wider maritime industry, Trade Estonia said in a press release.  Their technologies and services range from marine engineering and retrofit to shore power, digital tools and interior solutions for passenger vessels. The companies are part of a connected ecosystem spanning €25 million state-backed retrofit support, port electrification and digital systems.  One of them is SRC, a marine retrofit company for passenger vessels and cruise ships. Its Methanol...

Silversea’s Venetian Society loyalty program is getting an upgrade starting July 1, 2026. There will be more ways to earn status, get recognition earlier and get benefits throughout the journey for guests, the company said in a press release. This includes two new loyalty milestones and additional benefits across every tier. “Our Venetian Society members...

Ambassador Cruise Line is offering a 5 percent discount on all bookings made during a 24-hour promo period in celebration of its fifth birthday. According to a statement, the promo will last from 9 a.m. on April 9 to 08:59 a.m. on April 10, 2026, and is valid for all cabin grades when using code...

Crystal has revealed new renderings for the dining venues aboard its newest ship, the Crystal Grace, set to debut on June 11, 2028. Following the recent unveiling of the ship’s suite categories, the company offered a first look at the dining venues in a press release. All three were designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden...

Ponant Explorations has announced its jazz-themed Baltic cruise setting sail in early 2027. The 11-day, 10-night “Jazz Festival, from the Baltic to the North Sea” aboard Le Commandant Charcot, will sail from Helsinki (Finland) to Bergen (Norway) Jan. 23-Feb. 2, 2027, according to a statement. Developed in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the...

Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering Double Air Credit of up to $3,000 per suite for select voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Arctic.  Forming part of the cruise line’s Explorer’s Choice offer, the deal is valid on select sailings for bookings made April 2-June 30, 2026, or until availability is exhausted, according to a press release.  “Air travel is an integral part of the overall journey when...

Beth Mercier has been appointed Aurora Expeditions’ vice president of sales, North America. In her new position, Mercier will lead the cruise line’s sales strategy across North America, focusing on growing distribution and strengthening partnerships with the trade, according to a press release. “Beth’s deep experience within the polar expedition sector, combined with her background across both advisor and...

MedCruise is launching a study aimed at providing an understanding of the economic, social and environmental impact of cruise tourism. The “Cruise Economic Impact Assessment Study” is conducted in cooperation with Professor Thanos Pallis of the Department of Maritime Studies at the University of Piraeus, MedCruise said in a press release. It is envisaged as a roadmap to optimize the economic, social and environmental benefits of cruise tourism. “This study marks a turning...

All Transatlantic Crossings aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 are set to feature an expanded entertainment program in 2026, the company said in a press release. Guests sailing between New York and Southampton can expect what the company says will be its most extensive program ever, marking the fact that the cruise line was selected Headline Partner of the Olivier Awards. “For more than 185 years, Cunard’s iconic...

The Adora Mediterranea has set sail from the Port of Xiamen, launching a six-day, five-night international cruise itinerary to Manila and Boracay in the Philippines. This is Adora’s third consecutive year of operation from Xiamen as its homeport as it continues to deepen its presence along China’s southeastern coast, the cruise line said in a statement. “Xiamen is a key...

Oceanwide Expeditions has completed conservation and survey work carried out in cooperation with the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust (UKAHT) at two sites in the Antarctic Peninsula. These are Base Y on Horseshoe Island and Base E on Stonington Island, two former British research stations, preserved as historic monuments under the Antarctic Treaty. These sites that are managed by UKAHT are often destinations for managed expedition tourism, according to a...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has partnered with Swiss technology company Kitro to trial AI-powered food waste monitoring devices onboard the Bolette. As food waste is said to be responsible for around 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, the technology could play an important role in reducing emissions and supporting decarbonization in commercial operations. In a press release, the cruise line said...

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...