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PortMiami Celebrates Record Day with 10 Ships and Over 75,000 Guests

PortMiami recently set a record after welcoming ten cruise ships and over 75,000 passengers in a single day. According to a social media update, the milestone was reached on Sunday, November 30, 2025, with 75,201 guests travelling through Miami’s cruise terminals. Seven cruise lines were sailing from Miami on that day, including Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity,...

Caledonian Sky Reportedly Sold to Greek Company

The Caledonian Sky was sold to a Greek shipping company earlier this month, according to a report by Arxipelagos.gr. The Greece-based shipping news website said that Kalamata Shipping acquired the 1991-built expedition vessel from APT. In November 2024, Cruise Industry News reported that the Australian tour operator was looking to sell the 114-guest vessel after...

Avalon Waterways Unveils Additions to 2026 Christmas Departures

Avalon Waterways has added seven new Christmas Market cruise departures for 2026, marking a 15 percent boost in capacity and the company’s largest-ever lineup of festive sailings. The company said that Avalon’s Christmas Market cruises are among its most popular, selling out earlier each year. “Every holiday season, our guests step into a living snow...

Riviera Travel Announces New 15-Day Grand Tour Itinerary

Riviera Travel has expanded its Grand Tour collection with the new Grand Tour, “A Taste of Italy & The Blue Danube Cruise.” Introduced earlier this year, the Grand Tour collection aims to elevate the traditional touring experience, combining culturally inviting land journeys with ultra-premium river cruising. The itineraries, including the brand’s newest voyage through one...

Royal Caribbean’s Legend of the Seas to Return to Florida in 2027-28

The Legend of the Seas is scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale for a second winter season in 2027-28, Royal Caribbean announced in a press release. As part of the company’s seasonal deployment in the Caribbean and the Bahamas, the vessel is scheduled to arrive back in Port Everglades in November 2027. The 5,610-guest ship...

Unimed Acquires Elssi Maritime Services

Universal Maritime Solutions (Unimed) has announced the acquisition of Elssi Maritime Services (Elssi), a Greece and Cyprus-based provider of drug and alcohol testing to the maritime industry. The provider of medical and compliance solutions is backed by ZCG Private Equity, the private equity arm of ZCG, and follows Unimed’s integration of Lagaay Medical Group, a...

MSC Virtuosa Kicks Off Season in Southern Caribbean After Drydock

The MSC Virtuosa recently arrived in the Southern Caribbean to kick off its 2025-26 winter season in the region. After undergoing a routine drydock in Europe, the MSC Cruises ship embarked on a trans-Atlantic crossing to Martinique in late November. The 16-night repositioning cruise departed from the United Kingdom, sailing from Southampton to destinations in...

Taiwan Gears Up for a Strong 2026

Taiwan is set to surpass the one-million passenger mark for the first time since 2019, as cruise traffic builds, thanks to more homeporting and additional ships sailing in the region, according to officials from the Taiwan International Ports Corporation (TIPC). Three hundred and four calls this year are split between 167 turnarounds and 137 transit...

Weather Forces Costa and MSC Ships to Divert to Ilhabela

Adverse weather conditions along the Brazilian coast have diverted two cruise ships to Ilhabela this week. According to local authorities, the Costa Favolosa and the MSC Sinfonia were forced to change their original itineraries and seek shelter at the destination. The Costa ship made an unscheduled visit to Ilhabela on Tuesday, while the MSC vessel...

Lost Returns Lost and Found: A Vital Touchpoint

When cruise passengers lose a personal item, they should never feel like their belongings have vanished, said Ervin LeMand, vice president of business development at Lost Returns (pictured above). “Guests must know what’s happening, what to expect and feel taken care of. Our end-to-end approach ensures guests understand that they can get their items back...

inGroup Invited on Star Princess Inaugural Sailing

inGroup International accepted an invitation to participate in the official launch of the Star Princess as Co-Founder and CEO Michael Hutchison and Commercial Partnerships Manager Tatiana Wegzyn were welcomed aboard as guests for the inaugural sailing held from November 7 to 10. inGroup, a subscription-based travel club housing the inCruises, inStays and inPay brands, focuses...

StarCruises and ACG Festiverse Host CosCruise Competition

StarCruises, in collaboration with ACG Festiverse and AniMania Festival, has launched “CosCruise: Cosplay Championship at Sea,” Malaysia’s first-ever onboard cosplay competition. The event invites cosplayers from Malaysia and across the region to showcase their creativity and passion while sailing aboard the Star Voyager. “‘CosCruise: Cosplay Championship at Sea’ is all about fun, creativity and celebrating...

Virgin Brings AI to Travel Advisors with Canva Partnership

Virgin Voyages announced it has become the first major cruise company to deploy AI-powered marketing tools at scale through a strategic partnership with Canva, a visual communication platform. “Travel advisors are the heart of Virgin Voyages’ success story,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. “Our First Mates (travel advisors) don’t just sell cruises; they’re...

Crystal Announces First Wave of 2028 Crystal Serenity Voyages

Crystal Cruises has announced the 2028 winter and spring season itineraries aboard the Crystal Serenity. The program features warm-water sailings across the Caribbean, Central America and the Amazon, followed by a spring transatlantic crossing to the Azores. The season concludes in Lisbon, where the ship will enter a scheduled drydock for enhancements. “Our approach to...

Lindblad Expands in Alaska with Greg Mortimer Charter

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions is chartering the Greg Mortimer for Alaska cruises starting in 2027. According to a press release, the SunStone Ships vessel will replace the National Geographic Sea Lion and the National Geographic Sea Bird, which are set to be retired in 2026. Lindblad stated that the move will expand its operations in Alaska,...

Marc Kazlauskas Named President of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today named Marc Kazlauskas as president of Norwegian Cruise Line (Norwegian), effective Jan. 19, 2026, according to a press release. He joins the company with more than 30 years of senior leadership experience across sales, operations, and innovation in the global travel industry. Kazlauskas most recently served as CEO of Avoya...

Crystal Symphony Resumes Service After Refit

The Crystal Symphony resumed service in late November after undergoing a major refurbishment in Genoa, Italy. As part of the three-week drydock, the 50,000-ton vessel saw significant updates to its public areas and staterooms. According to Crystal, the project featured a series of aesthetic and functional upgrades, including a transformation of the ship’s atrium. The...

V.Ships Leisure to Manage New Magellan Discoverer for Antarctica21

Antarctica21 has signed with V.Ships Leisure to manage its new Magellan Discoverer which will debut in Antarctica for the 2026-27 season. V.Ships will provide ship management, crew management and newbuild support, according to the company. The Magellan Discoverer is the second newbuild for Antarctica 21 and is currently under construction at the ASENAV shipyard in...

Mystic Signs Cruise Newbuild Deal in China

China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Corporation has announced that it signed a deal with Mystic Cruises to build one cruise ship with an option for three additional ships. The deal was signed at a ceremony in China last week, with Mario Ferreira, president of Mystic Cruises, signing the agreement along with Mei Zhonghua, vice general manager...

Holland America Announces 2027 Alaska Cruisetour Enhancements

Holland America Line has unveiled enhancements to its 2027 Cruisetour season. Travelers can pair an Alaska cruise with a journey into Denali National Park and Canada’s Yukon, featuring an expanded Denali Lodge and a new inclusive dining package for guests booking with the Have It All Early Booking Bonus. Guests can choose between 19 itineraries....

Carnival to Hold Fourth Quarter Conference Call

Carnival Corporation has scheduled a conference call with analysts for Friday, December 19, 2025, at 10 a.m. (EST), or 3 p.m. (GMT), to discuss the company’s fourth quarter financial results, which are expected to be released that morning. A simulcast of the call will be available via the company’s websites at www.carnivalcorp.com and www.carnivalplc.com.

MSC Opens Bookings for World Atlantic 2027 Sailings

MSC Cruises has opened sales for the MSC World Atlantic, which will debut from Port Canaveral, Florida, in November 2027, with alternating seven-night and 14-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “The deployment of MSC World Atlantic from Port Canaveral, Orlando, underscores our dedication to offering U.S. and international...

StarCruises to Kick Off 2026 with Kaohsiung to Okinawa Sailing

StarCruises has announced that it will welcome the New Year 2026 with the Star Navigator, unveiling three five-night sailings from Kaohsiung to Okinawa, Japan. The itinerary features stops at Naha, Ishigaki and Miyakojima, offering travelers an immersive Okinawa experience. “We are thrilled to offer these voyages as part of our 2026 program, providing travelers even...

Polar Latitudes Expeditions Launches 2027 Arctic Season

The 2027 Arctic Season unveiled by Polar Latitudes Expeditions on December 9, 2025, will offer travelers new itineraries, including three first-time voyages exploring the North Atlantic and new Arctic Offerings. According to a press release, the 2027 season will also continue to feature the cruise line’s best-selling expeditions across Svalbard and Greenland. “We couldn’t be...

Royal Caribbean Reveals More Itineraries for 2027-28 Season in Caribbean

Royal Caribbean International revealed additional itineraries for its 2027-28 season in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. According to a press release, 13 cruise ships will sail in the region, including the new Legend of the Seas and the amplified Allure of the Seas. The company’s itineraries will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Port Canaveral and...

Everllence Runs Ethanol-Fuelled Four-Stroke Engine

Everllence has confirmed the running on ethanol, at all load points, of its 21/31 dual-fuel engine at test facilities in Frederikshavn, Denmark. Everllence pioneered the two-stroke methanol-burning engine platform over a decade ago, with the first commercial engine entering service in 2016. Rasmus Frimann Nielsen, senior manager of Head of Four-Stroke Small-Bore Engineering at Everllence,...

Carnival, ITM and Hutchison Ports Unveil Plans for Ensenada Bay Village

Carnival Corporation, together with ITM Group and Hutchison Ports ECV, has unveiled plans for Ensenada Bay Village, a new shoreside destination inspired by the culture and natural beauty of Baja California, Mexico. The unveiling took place during a formal project presentation held on Friday, December 5, at the Ensenada Cruise Terminal. The destination is being...

Atlas Extends Black Friday Offer Through December

Atlas Ocean Voyages has announced that it is extending its Black Friday Offer through December 31, following significant demand from travelers. The extended offer provides guests the opportunity to save up to 40 percent and choose one complimentary amenity. These include: Air credit savings of up to $2,000 per stateroom One-night pre-expedition hotel or land...

Holland America to Gift Upcycled Tote Bags on 2026 Grand Voyages

Guests joining Holland America Line’s 2026 Grand Voyages will receive a special tote bag made of upcycled ship textiles. According to a press release, the initiative marks the successful completion of the cruise line’s first fabric circularity project, which is said to be the first of its kind for the industry. The two-year program transformed...

Explora Joins Hilton Honors Adventures

Explora Journeys is launching a new partnership with the Hilton Honors loyalty program, the company announced in a press release. The luxury brand will become the exclusive luxury ocean travel partner for the debut of Hilton Honors Adventures, which is described as an extension of Hilton’s 235-million-member loyalty program. Explora explained that Hilton Honors members...

Holland America: Relax Away Half Moon Cay Adds Pickleball

Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas, Relax Away, Half Moon Cay, recently celebrated the grand opening of four pickleball courts. According to a press release, the addition of pickleball courts is part of the cruise line’s drive to enhance the island, alongside other improvements such as new experiences and refurbished amenities. Holland America...

Veteran Journalists Set to Join Sea Cloud Spirit Voyages

Sea Cloud Cruises’ 2026 intimate Cultivated Journeys sailings, hosted by celebrated media personalities, guest chefs, wellness experts, acclaimed musicians, and accomplished authors, will welcome onboard veteran broadcast journalists Joel Seidman, Kerry Sanders, and Kevin Tibbles. Seidman and Sanders will be returning hosts who have previously participated in the cruise line’s Cultivated Journeys program. “Our guests...

Windstar Announces Libby Anschutz as Godmother of the Star Seeker

Libby Anschutz, the daughter of Windstar Cruises owner Phil Anschutz, was named Godmother of the cruise line’s first of two new all-suite yachts, the Star Seeker, on December 8, 2026. The official christening ceremony will take place in Miami on January 15, 2026. In November 2025, Libby, alongside Windstar president Christopher Prelog, toured the shipyard....

SpecTec Cruise Rebrands as Veridian

SpecTec Cruise announced that the company has rebranded as Veridian. The rebrand was inspired by the blue-green hues of the ocean on which its customers’ ships operate. Malcolm Youngson, CEO of Veridian, said: “Cruise operators are navigating rapid evolution: greener ships, smarter operations and expanding fleets and offerings.” “Technology is a crucial enabler of this...

Discovery Princess Resumes Service After Drydock

The Discovery Princess recently resumed service after undergoing a scheduled drydock in Singapore. The Princess Cruises ship arrived at the Seatrium Tuas Boulevard Yard in early November after repositioning from Alaska. During its two-week shipyard stay, the 116,000-ton vessel underwent routine maintenance, in addition to class overhauls and technical work. Public areas and staterooms were...

P&O Introduces Five-Berth Cabins on Arvia, Britannia and Iona

P&O Cruises has introduced new five-berth cabins onboard the Arvia, Britannia and Iona in a bid to make holidays at sea easier and better for bigger families. Fifty five-berth cabins are being introduced across the three ships. The expanded accommodation choices will be available from summer 2026 and include balcony cabins and conservatory mini suite...

MSC: New Family Activities at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

MSC Cruises has revealed a new list of entertainment activities at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s private island in the Bahamas, which will be rolled out from January 2026. The additions will complement the existing offerings of snorkeling, paddleboarding and jet skiing at the island. The company said in a press release that...

Marella Voyager Launches Fourth A La Carte Venue Umi Sushi

Marella Cruises has launched its fourth a la carte dining experience on the Marella Voyager, Umi Sushi, offering Japanese-inspired cuisine, available onboard from December 2025. Umi Sushi, the 17th dining venue onboard the Marella Voyager, will feature freshly prepared ramen, customizable sushi boxes and Mochi Ice Cream bowls. Luke Murphy, senior product development manager at...

Villa Vie Welcomes New Captain

Villa Vie Residences welcomed a new captain to its team this week, the company announced in a social media update. After previously serving as staff captain onboard, Captain Emanuele Giudice will be sharing rotation with Captain Valentin Giuglea as master of the Odyssey. “Captain Emanuele looks forward to leading the Odyssey with professionalism, care and...

Dream Vacations/CruiseOne Expands 2026 Training Calendar

Dream Vacations/CruiseOne announced that it is accelerating its commitment to travel advisor education with an expanded catalogue of training programs and 2026 events and training calendar. The franchisor’s AI Assistant Learning Center has been redesigned to harness artificial intelligence to personalize learning and equip advisors with real-world sales tools, including airfare, shore excursions and product...

Cunard’s Queen Victoria Back in Southampton

Cunard’s Queen Victoria is back at its British homeport in Southampton for the 2025-26 winter season. The 2007-built vessel returned to the UK in late October following her Mediterranean season. The Queen Victoria’s 2025 summer season in the Mediterranean started in April and included a series of itineraries departing from ports in Italy and Spain,...

AIDA Unveils Christmas Sailings Highlights

AIDA has showcased its Christmas sailings for 2025, revealing select highlights that guests can expect from the sailings: Festive Atmosphere with No Stress The AIDAnova and AIDAprima will be transformed into winter worlds with a maritime Christmas market. The other nine ships are also festively decorated. International Festive Cuisine The company said that its kitchen...

Trafalgar Appoints Guest Godmothers for Verity and Reverie

Trafalgar has appointed two former guests as the Godmothers of its new river cruise line, set to debut in April 2026. The brand has selected Cassandra (Cassie) Estrella-Roca of Southern California and Kate McIntosh of Melbourne, Australia, to represent its debut ships, the Trafalgar Verity and Trafalgar Reverie, as they travel the Danube and Rhine...

DNV: Methanol at High Readiness Level, But Adoption Hurdles Remain

DNV’s latest white paper, “Methanol fuel in shipping,” highlights that methanol-fueled engines and technical systems have reached high levels of readiness. The report also shows that existing global production sites, storage facilities and a growing bunker fleet are providing a strong platform for broader adoption. In addition, industry stakeholders are already investing in the fuel,...

Ambassador and Hampshire Cricket Sign Multi-Year Partnership

Ambassador Cruise Line has been named as an official partner of Hampshire Cricket following the signing of a multi-year agreement. The company said in a press release that the partnership will see Ambassador receive brand and marketing exposure opportunities at Utilita Bowl on matchdays from next season, including pitch-side branding and online and social media...

Disney Treasure Completes First Year of Service

The Disney Treasure recently completed its first year of service for Disney Cruise Line after being handed over on October 24, 2024. As the second ship in the company’s Wish class, the LNG-powered vessel was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Following its delivery, the Treasure made a technical call to Portugal’s...

National Geographic Society Showcases Photo Camp Program

National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions has put the spotlight on its National Geographic Photo Camp, a week-long photography experience. Since the program’s inception in 2003, more than 3,000 students have participated in camps in dozens of countries and countless communities. “Listening and trying to understand each other’s stories is one way we can change the world for...

Regent Launches New Epicurean Enrichment Studio Concept

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is launching the new Epicurean Enrichment Studio, which is described by the company as state-of-the-art culinary theaters onboard the Seven Seas Mariner and the Seven Seas Voyager. According to a press release, the initiative will elevate the standard for culinary enrichment at sea with experiences designed to connect guests to destinations...

Seabourn Announces Annual Explore More Event

Seabourn has unveiled its annual “Explore More Event,” featuring savings and offers on most 2026 through 2028 worldwide ocean voyages and expeditions to Alaska, Antarctica, Japan, the Mediterranean and more. Available now until February 17, 2026, the offer includes the following exclusive benefits: Savings of up to 15 percent on select Seabourn luxury ocean voyages...

Ponant Launches Status Match Initiative Across Loyalty Programs

Ponant Explorations has launched the Status Match initiative across loyalty programs in its brand portfolio to unify its guest experience. The launch follows the company’s acquisition of Aqua Expeditions in January 2025. Historically, Ponant, Paul Gauguin Cruises and Ponant Yachting shared a loyalty program, the Ponant Yacht Club. The company said in a press release...

Quark Ships Meet in Antarctica

Two of Quark Expeditions’ vessels met in Antarctica in November, the company revealed in a social media update. Offering expedition cruises in the region, the World Explorer and the Ultramarine made a double call at Damoy Point. Operating its final season for the company, the World Explorer was offering Quark’s “Antarctic Explorer: Discovering the 7th...

Tower Supplies: End-to-End Sanitary Solutions for Cruise

“About 25 years ago, we had cruise companies ask us for support. We now have a dedicated business unit for the cruise industry,” said Mark Dowling, vice president of global partnerships at Tower Supplies. After assisting Carnival UK with sourcing the company, which supplies PPE, workwear, safety equipment and hygiene products, now finds that most...

HX Expeditions Extends Galapagos Charter Deal

HX Expeditions has extended its Galápagos partnership with Metropolitan Touring through 2029 and outlined plans for its 2027 and 2028 seasons, the company said in a press release. The three-year extension builds on an original five-year charter agreement with Metropolitan Touring, the longest-established travel operator in the Galápagos, founded in 1953. HX holds a significant...

P&O Ship to Advance Arrival in Southampton Due to Weather

P&O Cruises’ Iona will arrive earlier in Southampton this weekend due to adverse weather conditions, according to a statement sent to guests onboard. Currently offering a 14-night cruise to Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands, the vessel was initially scheduled to arrive back at its homeport on Saturday morning. The letter said that, with the...

Celebration Key Debuts First Holiday Season Decorations

Carnival Cruise Line’s new Grand Bahama destination, Celebration Key, has introduced its first set of holiday decorations and seasonal activities, the company said in a press release. The private destination, which opened earlier this year, now features festive décor across its themed portals. Holiday trees, wreaths and garlands have been tailored to each area, including...

Cruise Saudi Welcomes Celestyal on its Maiden Call to Jeddah

Celestyal marked its first-ever visit to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with a traditional plaque exchange ceremony in collaboration with Cruise Saudi. The Celestyal Journey’s maiden call took place on November 29 as the final port on the company’s new seven-night “Athens to Jeddah” voyage, which left Athens on November 22 and called at Marmaris, Turkey and...

Margaritaville at Sea Paradise to Debut New Buffet

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise will debut a new self-service restaurant following a routine drydock in January 2026. According to an update shared by Margaritaville at Sea, the new market-style dining experience will replace the ship’s traditional buffet. The company said that the space, which will be located on Deck 10, will feature individual stations...

Azamara Celebrates Record Bookings from Cyber Monday

Azamara Cruises has announced that Cyber Monday 2025 delivered the strongest booking day in the company’s history, with new bookings up approximately 5 percent over its previous record. The broader multi-week Black Friday Sale also ranked among the top five best booking periods in Azamara Cruises’ history. “Cyber Monday blew past every expectation,” said Dondra...

Carnival Expands 2026 Ship Tours and Seminars at Sea

Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled a new 2026 lineup of ship tours and Seminars at Sea in the next wave of the company’s “Funnel Faves” campaign. The company said that the programs are designed to showcase the onboard experience firsthand and reinforce Carnival’s commitment to supporting travel partners with opportunities to learn, connect and sell...

Regent and GHA Unveil Concierge Collection 2027-28

Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) have launched the latest evolution of their landmark partnership, The Concierge Collection 2027-28. Launched in 2024, the collection offers Regent’s guests three-night pre-cruise stays at GHA properties, paired with voyages aboard the Seven Seas Grandeur, Seven Seas Splendor, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner....

Oceania Reveals Two New Culinary Concepts on Sonata

Oceania Cruises unveiled two brand-new culinary concepts aboard the Oceania Sonata during a press conference at ILTM Cannes. Debuting aboard the ship will be La Table par Maîtres Cuisiniers de France, a fine-dining restaurant at sea, and Nikkei Kitchen, an evening venue focused on a fusion of Peruvian flavors and Japanese culinary techniques and tastes....
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