Malta is working to attract more boutique cruise ships and expand homeporting operations, according to Arthur Grima, director of marketing for the Malta Tourism Authority. In 2025, in addition to 4 million tourists, the destination welcomed 870,560 cruise passengers who visited the country as part of 387 calls. While overall passenger volume increased by 2.5...

As MSC Cruises continues to expand its LNG-powered fleet and explore next-generation ship designs, the company is focusing on building vessels capable of exceeding current sustainability targets over a three-decade lifespan, according to Chief Energy Transition Officer Michele Francioni. Cruise ships designed today will enter service in five years and operate for 35 years or...

Lindblad Expeditions has financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026. Natalya Leahy, Chief Executive Officer, said: “In a complex macro and geopolitical environment, our team delivered another record quarter, achieving 93% occupancy- highest in the Company’s history, record yields, and 16% EBITDA growth. These results reflect the strength of our strategy and...

The global expedition cruise market is at an inflection point with serious grow expected to start again soon as the all new 2026 Expedition Cruise Market Report from Cruise Industry News captures it all. Now available for instant download in PDF format, the 280+ page report is the most comprehensive independent analysis of the expedition...

Huna Totem has built up to four ports in Alaska and is extending its reach into the Caribbean, which is a transformation that Howard Sherman, president, Huna Totem Tourism Group, said reflects both the industry’s growth and Huna Totem’s evolving ambitions. “If you go back and look before COVID, it was a single destination, which...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings expects net yields to decline three to five percent, the company said in its earnings announcement on Monday. “This updated guidance reflects both the impact of the macroeconomic environment and the extent to which those pressures have compounded the execution and commercial challenges already facing our business,” said Mark Kempa, CFO,...

Following her 134-day world cruise, Phoenix Reisen’s Amera entered drydock this week at Chantiers Naval de Marseille for scheduled refurbishment work. Working with the ship management company BSM, Phoenix Reisen is investing approximately 15 million euros in a number of upgrades. Work will cover the modernization of 160 guest bathrooms as well as the redesign...

Three months into his post as Chairperson and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, John Chidsey is orchestrating a turnaround at the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, targeting internal execution failures he said are fixable. Speaking on the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call, Chidsey pointed to the work head, describing missteps in marketing, revenue management...

Celestyal Cruises announced that its two ships have welcomed guests back in the Mediterranean, resuming their regular sailing schedule in the region. The Celestyal Journey and the Celestyal Discovery returned to Europe in late April after spending nearly two months stranded in the Arabian Gulf. After arriving back in Greece earlier this month, the ships...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is reassessing its bundled air program after Chairperson and CEO John Chidsey acknowledged on the company’s first quarter 2026 earnings call that the offering had been functioning more as a promotional subsidy than a genuine value-creating tool. Speaking on May 4, Chidsey said the program was being evaluated through the same...

Oceanwide Expeditions has provided a timeline of the ongoing medical situation onboard the Hondius, which is currently off the coast of Cape Verde, according to a May 4 press update. On April 11, a passenger died onboard. The company said the cause of death could not be determined onboard. On April 24, this passenger was...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is working quickly to optimize expenses, including making significant cutbacks shoreside. “While ship operating costs had remained relatively consistent over the past several years, we see a meaningful opportunity to reduce our shoreside costs,” said John Chidsey, chairperson and CEO, speaking on the company’s second quarter earnings call. “As part of...

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2026 and provided guidance for the second quarter and full year 2026. Highlights First quarter total revenue grew 10% to $2.3 billion. GAAP net income was $105 million, with EPS of $0.23. Delivered Adjusted EBITDA of $533 million in first quarter...

Orca AI has signed a memorandum of understanding with Samsung Heavy Industries to jointly develop and deploy autonomous vessel technologies, according to a press release. The collaboration will combine Samsung Heavy Industries’ autonomous solutions with Orca AI’s AI-powered maritime operations platform, enabling deployment of AI-assisted navigation, berthing and speed optimization across newbuild vessels and existing...

As Millennials and Gen Z drive demand for purpose-driven travel, HX Expeditions is leaning into science, education, and community engagement to differentiate itself from traditional cruise lines, according to Chief Executive Officer Gebhard Rainer. He noted that while geographic expansion is vital for customer retention, the depth of the experience is paramount. “Every customer you...

Royal Caribbean Group has been building the infrastructure of a loyalty ecosystem, including status matching across brands and a co-branded credit card. That appears to be paying off as repeat guests are big spenders, said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, speaking on the company’s earnings call on Thursday, April 30. “They tend to sell on...

Oceanwide Expeditions has confirmed three guests have passed away onboard the Hondius which is currently located off the coast of Cape Verde. Media reports said the 174-guest ship is battling a hantavirus outbreak. Information regarding the number of guests and crew aboard was not immediately available. In addition, one passenger is currently being treated in...

Riviera Travel is expanding its offerings of no single supplement cabins across some of its most popular European river cruises for 2026, according to an announcement. Solo travelers can now book select departures on itineraries including The Blue Danube, Cruise the Heart of Europe, Rhine, Moselle & Medieval Germany, The Douro, Porto & Salamanca, and...

Signature Travel Network brought together approximately 70 agency owners for Horizon Club, an invitation-only recognition experience held across Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, from April 12 to 19, according to an announcement. Hosted by The Travel Answers Group, the Horizon Club represents Signature’s recognition for agency owners. “The Horizon Club trip was a fantastic opportunity for...

Royal Caribbean Group has set its sights on the Texas cruise market. “We’re expecting to own the Texas market as it relates to cruising into the Caribbean,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, speaking on the company’s first quarter earnings call April 30. A new terminal that opened in 2022 in...

Avalon Waterways has unveiled new seasonal excursions for 2027 designed to take place exclusively during specific times of the year, according to a press release. The excursions span spring, summer, fall and winter and are timed to regional activities and traditions. “Our new seasonal excursions connect our guests more deeply to the places they’re exploring,”...

The Baltic Ports Organization will host a shore power supply seminar and a study visit at the Port of Hamburg on June 26, according to an announcement. The event is designed for decision-makers responsible for technology implementation, sustainability, investments and infrastructure development in ports and terminals. Session topics include onshore power for container vessels at...

Aurora Expeditions has completed its largest Antarctic season to date, operating 30 voyages, facilitating an estimated 819 landings and welcoming a 30 percent increase in expeditioners representing 56 nationalities, according to an announcement. “This season represents a significant milestone for Aurora Expeditions,” said Michael Heath, chief executive officer at Aurora Expeditions. “Delivering 30 voyages to...

MSC Cruises has unveiled a Yacht Club experience debuting at the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix taking place May 1-3. As part of this, a multi-level superyacht-inspired structure will be created in the Marina at the Miami International Autodrome. Positioned along turns 5 through 9, the experience will combine views of up to five...

Four Seasons is bringing its hallmark philosophy of space, choice and distinctive design to the oceans with its new yacht operation. According to Chief Executive Officer Ben Trodd, the brand’s approach centers on understanding how ultra-high-net-worth individuals define luxury, which at its core, revolves around flexibility and freedom from rigid schedules. “Most of the ultra-high-net-worth...

Disruptive Technology and AI will only help drive performance at Royal Caribbean Group, said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, speaking on the company’s first quarter earnings call. “What differentiates us in this space is not access to tools, but the combination of a deep understanding of our guests, a fully integrated digital ecosystem the ability...

Royal Caribbean’s revised 2026 earnings and yield guidance came in better than Wall Street had feared, according to a note from Sharon Zackfia, analyst at William Blair, who said the softness triggered by geopolitical uncertainty has already begun to ease. Zackfia noted that bookings for Mediterranean and West Coast of Mexico itineraries softened in March...

Swan Hellenic is unlocking remote regions like West Africa and leaning into sustainable operations to meet evolving consumer demands, according to CEO Andrea Zito. He said that developing new itineraries outside traditional polar regions is not only a cultural value but also an operational necessity that avoids the financial burden of repositioning ships empty. “We...

Across Oceans Group (AOG) is forming a strategic partnership with Moore & Company to expand advisory services across the U.S. commercial shipbuilding sector, global cruise industry and maritime investment market. The combined expertise across the maritime advisory and law sectors is expected to enable new partners to provide integrated services across the full lifecycle of...

Holland America Line today announced the itineraries for its two 2028 Grand Voyages, according to a press release. The new cruises were “shaped by years of guest feedback and a shared appetite for discovery,” the company said. Passengers can choose between a 129-day circumnavigation of the globe onboard the 2028 Grand World Voyage or a...

Speaking on the company’s first quarter earnings call April 30, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty described what had been, at the start of the year, an exceptional setup for the company’s European deployments that then softened. “If you kind of zoom out in the beginning of the year, demand from North Americans...

Le Havre’s cruise terminals marked an operational milestone on April 16 with the first dual call at Le Havre Verrazzano Cruise Terminal, according to an announcement. The Majestic Princessmade her inaugural call to Le Havre during a simultaneous operation alongside Nieuw Statendam from Holland America Line. “This inaugural call of the Majestic Princess, during a...

Lindblad Expeditions may be managing one of the most complex supply chains there is, according to Max Duque, chief supply chain officer. Duque and his team have their share of complexity, with a fleet of small ships operating expedition itineraries globally. “The itineraries we run are very unique and very difficult to service from a...

Royal Caribbean Group today reported first quarter Earnings per Share of $3.48 and Adjusted EPS of $3.60. The company said these results were better than the company’s guidance due to more favorable revenue, lower costs, and better performance from joint ventures. During the first quarter, the company returned approximately $1.1 billion to shareholders through $836...

The MSC Euribia recently became one of the largest cruise ships to transit the Suez Canal as part of its repositioning voyage to Northern Europe. According to an update from the Suez Canal Authority, the MSC Cruises vessel transited the waterway for the first time on April 26, 2026. Having spent nearly two months stranded...

The Port of Los Angeles and Princess Cruises celebrated the maiden arrival of the company’s newest vessel, the Star Princess, to the LA Waterfront. According to a press release, the Sphere-class ship made its inaugural visit to San Pedro on April 29, 2026. After spending the upcoming summer season in Alaska, the LNG-powered vessel is...

AmaWaterways has christened its second ship in Colombia, the 64-guest AmaMelodia, in Barranquilla, according to a press release. “This milestone means so much to us, not only as we expand our presence in Colombia, but also as we continue to strengthen the relationships we’ve built here,” said Kristin Karst, chief brand ambassador at AmaWaterways. The...

The Valletta Cruise Port celebrated the maiden calls of two cruise ships on Tuesday, with the arrivals of the Norwegian Pearl and the MSC Euribia. According to a social media update, both vessels made their first visits to the Maltese port, which is a subsidiary of Global Ports Holding. To mark the occasion, the Norwegian...

The National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions have announced the 2026 Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship cohort, marking 20 years since the fellowship’s founding, according to a press release. The cohort includes 36 educators from across North America who will embark on expeditions worldwide. “As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Grosvenor Teacher Fellowship, I am...

“Dining aboard our ships is immersive, elegant and deeply personal,” Günter Lorenz, vice president of food and beverage at Crystal Cruises, told Cruise Industry News. “We offer fine dining without formality, indulgence without excess and service delivered with intuitive warmth. Each venue offers its own identity, yet all share the same commitment to quality, precision...

Royal Caribbean International’s Icon-class debuted in 2024 with the Icon of the Seas, which was followed by the Star of the Seas in 2025. The Legend of the Seas debuts this summer as it launches service in the Mediterranean before heading to the Caribbean. The fourth Icon-class vessel, Hero of the Seas, is slated for...

Atlas Ocean Voyages is pushing the boundaries of expedition cruising with the introduction of the industry’s first ice-class luxury sailing yacht, according to Chief Executive Officer James Rodriguez. The company is also strategically expanding its deployment starting in 2028, he added, noting that technical innovation and respect for the environment are what drive the brand’s...

Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting two itineraries aboard the Carnival Venezia, which is offering cruises to the Caribbean departing from Port Canaveral. According to a statement sent to booked guests, the vessel’s present itinerary was changed to drop a planned visit to Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. Instead of visiting the destination, the Venezia will...

The World Odyssey is currently undergoing a drydock ahead of kicking off its farewell season for Phoenix Reisen. Following the completion of its spring world cruise for Semester at Sea, the 1998-built vessel arrived at a shipyard in Germany in mid-April. Preparations include a change of livery, as well as the renaming of the vessel,...

A rising tide raises all ships, the old saying goes. Scenic Group’s Managing Director Ken Muskat certainly sees the rapidly expanding luxury expedition cruising market that way. While the increase in high-end small-ship tonnage injects competition into the sector, it also amplifies what Scenic does better than any other, Muskat told Cruise Industry News. “I...