Columbia Group has appointed Christina Orfanidou as its Head of AI, the company said in a press release. Orfanidou will lead Columbia Group’s AI strategy and implementation, focusing on business-owned solutions that deliver measurable value. “Christina’s appointment reflects Columbia Group’s belief that artificial intelligence must be deployed with purpose, responsibility, and a clear focus on...

Atlas Ocean Voyages has reported a record-breaking start to 2026, delivering what the company says is the strongest January booking performance in its history. In a press release, the company said this milestone continues its exceptional sales momentum from 2025, with future voyages filling at what Atlas says are unprecedented levels. According to Atlas, January...

MSC Cruises has announced a partnership with ORCA, a marine conservation organization which will deploy its first dedicated marine mammal observer (MMO) aboard a ship during the cruise line’s inaugural Alaska season in summer 2026. In a press release, MSC Cruises said the initiative reinforces its commitment to turning environmental responsibility into action as it...

Chimu Adventures has announced the launch of Frozen Chapters: A Literary Retreat to Antarctica aboard the Ocean Nova, according to a press release. The 13-day journey, departing Nov. 25, 2026, is designed for travelers seeking both polar exploration and creative inspiration. Travelers will cruise through the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands, discovering icebergs,...

The Caribbean will have over 40 percent of cruise market share worldwide in 2026, according to the upcoming 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report. CIN data shows that more than 200 ships will sail in the region, with capacity up over 10 percent on a year-over-year basis. Larger brands, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC and...

Cruise lines continue to add a significant number of staterooms to existing ships during routine drydocks, as highlighted in the new 2026 Drydock Report from Cruise Industry News. The additional capacity generally fills in under utilized public areas, with revenue that flows right to the bottom line. Among upcoming programs, the 2016-built Ovation of the...

Holland America Line is commemorating 100 years of Caribbean cruising with a limited-time promotion that includes a $100  onboard credit for a party of two, according to a press release. The cruise line was among the first in the region when the Veendam II sailed to the Caribbean in 1926. From Feb. 3 to 9,...

MSC Cruises is adjusting its plans for the 2026-27 winter season in South America, the company announced in a statement. According to the letter sent to travel agents, the MSC Lirica will no longer sail in the region during the timeframe. The 2003-built vessel was initially part of a five-ship lineup in the region, which...

Carnival Cruise Line sent an advisory to inform guests of a $1 increase in gratuities starting on April 2, 2026. The company also said that it will increase the daily cost of its Bottomless Bubbles beverage package for adults. “The last time we did this was in April 2023, so now the gratuities go from...

Victory Cruise Lines has announced highlights of its 2027 season, sailing April through October. According to a press release, next year’s sailing program will feature an expanded collection of Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway, Canadian Maritimes, and Atlantic Coast voyages. “Our 2027 season reflects what our guests and travel advisor partners want — even more...

Expedia Cruises is setting ambitious expansion and recruitment goals for 2026 following a strong 2025 marked by franchise expansion, internal growth and industry recognition, according to a press release. Last year, Expedia Cruises awarded 10 new franchises and opened seven new brick-and-mortar locations. Much of this growth was driven by existing franchisees expanding their portfolios....

Hurtigruten has reported its strongest ever month of trading and start to the year in the UK, which it describes as one of its strongest source markets. In a press release, the company said that the UK booked revenue in January increased 75% year-on-year, reflecting a growing demand for voyages along the Norwegian coast and...

Atlas Ocean Voyages has announced the appointment of Nicolas “Nico” Calvo as Regional Sales Director, Latin America. Calvo will be based in Bogota, Colombia, and will support Atlas Ocean Voyages’ growing presence and partner relationships across the Latin American market. Calvo brings a strong background in luxury hospitality and cruise sales, most recently serving with...

Cunard marked a historic maritime moment as the Queen Mary 2 was in Long Beach to reunite with her namesake, the historic Queen Mary, for the first time in 20 years, according to a press release. The rendezvous took place Feb. 2, 2026. This iconic rendezvous pays a powerful tribute to Cunard’s enduring legacy and...

The Panama Canal has recorded a milestone with the inaugural transit of Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure, on February 2, 2026. According to a statement by Panama Canal Authority, this is the largest passenger vessel by capacity and gross tonnage ever to transit the interoceanic waterway. This new ship measures 342 meters in length and...

Cruise Atlantic Canada is celebrating 30 years since the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association (ACCA) was established in 1996 as a collaboration between ports, industry partners, and regional stakeholders aiming to keep Atlantic Canada at the center of New England sailing itineraries. In a press release, the association stated that it is looking forward to reinforcing...

Virgin Voyages has launched a Valentine’s Day Breakup Line, a hotline where callers can leave messages breaking up with whatever no longer serves them, according to a press release. The line is open from Feb. 3 to 28, 2026. “At its core, this is about realizing you don’t have to settle, not in love, not...

Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services, part of TUI Musement, the Tours & Activities division of TUI Group, has appointed Virginia Quintairos as its Managing Director. According to a press release, Quintairos will focus on sustained growth and commitment to operational excellence, innovation and high-quality service in her new role. The new Managing Director is expected...

Floating Accommodations is completing a housing charter in the Bahamas for TurnAgain Marine Construction. The company said in a statement that it provided accommodations for the construction team that was building the new cruise ship pier at Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island Great Stirrup Cay. “With numerous planned expansions and new projects throughout the Bahamas...

&O Cruises has announced a new 5 percent low deposit offer, making it simpler for guests to lock in their holiday plans with a smaller upfront commitment, according to a press release. The promotion is live from Feb. 3 until March 3, 2026, and applies to all cruises up to 23 nights, provided bookings are...

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett, has expressed appreciation to the island’s travel specialists for their efforts in driving tourism recovery following Hurricane Melissa, according to the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB). Through their work, travel agents have secured more than 23,000 room nights valued at approximately 8 million dollars. “Without you, tourism couldn’t happen....

Royal Caribbean International recently confirmed further changes for the upcoming cruises from China onboard the Spectrum of the Seas. Having removed destinations in Japan from part of the vessel’s sailings in December, the company adjusted additional itineraries earlier this month. The affected cruises are scheduled to depart from the port of Shanghai between May 2026...

Ambassador Cruise Line has opened registration for its 2026 program to visit its no-fly fleet in the UK for trade partners and agents, the company stated in a press release. Since its launch in 2022, the program has welcomed several hundred agents aboard Ambassador’s ex-UK fleet of small-to-midsize ships. This year’s edition will offer participants...

The Celebrity Reflection offered a cruise to nowhere over the weekend due to adverse weather conditions in Florida and the Bahamas. Having sailed from Fort Lauderdale on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, the ship was initially set to visit Key West and Bimini as part of a three-night itinerary. Guests were informed of the itinerary changes...

Carnival Cruise Line has announced the launch of Funnel Faves Wave Arcade, a promotion combining booking incentives with game-based elements, aiming to keep advisors engaged during Wave Season and encourage incremental bookings. Running until March 15, 2026, the program gives travel advisors an opportunity to earn points and prizes, culminating in a grand prize drawing...

Oceania Cruises said it had achieved record-breaking booking levels on January 28, 2026, the opening day of reservations for its newest ship, the Oceania Sonata. The company said that this surpassed the launch-day bookings of Oceania Cruises’ previous new ship, Oceania Allura, by 45 percent. “I’m absolutely thrilled by the exceptional results that Oceania Sonata...

Celestyal is adding two new repositioning voyages ahead of its upcoming season in the Arabian Gulf, the company announced in a press release. The cruises will sail between the ports of Athens in Greece and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia in November 2026. The Celestyal Journey will sail from Piraeus on November 14, operating a seven-night...

Tauck has announced the godmothers for its two newest riverboats, the Lumière and the Serene, both set to join the company’s European river cruise fleet in spring 2026, according to a press release. The Lumière, which will sail on the Rhône River, will be christened on March 27, 2026. The Serene will sail on the...

The Norwegian Breakaway returned to New York City one day earlier than scheduled due to a winter weather system. Wrapping up an 11-night cruise to the Caribbean, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship is now set to dock at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. According to a letter sent to guests onboard,...

Located in Japan’s capital, the Port of Tokyo is now poised to make a significant leap forward as a cruise ship hub. In 2025, Harumi Cruise Terminal opened at the Port of Tokyo, commencing the acceptance of cruise ships alongside Tokyo International Cruise Terminal. The Port of Tokyo serves as a marine gateway not only...

Blue Zephyr Cruises has launched a new small ship cruise operation in the Greek Isles with the 114-passenger Blue Zephyr. The Greek-American owned company will operate eight-day and 13-day itineraries departing from Athens starting in 2026, according to a press release. “What truly sets us apart is our 25-year heritage and deep expertise in the...

MSC Cruises is bringing its MSC Yacht Club to two additional ships, the MSC Musica and the MSC Orchestra, according to a press release. The expansion marks the completion of the MSC Yacht Club refurbishment for the entire Musica class. The MSC Musica will receive the upgrade later in 2026, ahead of the South American...

Norwegian Cruise Line will make a return to South America and Antarctica during the 2027-28 winter season. According to the company’s website, the Norwegian Star will be in the region between December 2027 and March 2028. Ending a two-year hiatus, the 2002-built vessel will offer a series of 15-night cruises departing from Buenos Aires in...

The MSC Meraviglia delayed its departure from New York City due to bad weather in the region, according to a statement. Kicking off a cruise to the Bahamas and Florida, the MSC Cruises vessel was originally set to leave the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. The seven-night itinerary included visits to Nassau...

The Exploris One was reportedly sold at an auction that took place in Nantes, France, on January 30, 2026. According to Ouest France’s Le Marin, the ship was sold for 4.5 million euros, excluding mandatory legal fees. The bid was considerably below the starting price of seven million euros set by the court, the French...

Royal Caribbean Group is harnessing AI and GenAI technology to drive results, said Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty, speaking on the company’s year-end and four quarter earnings call. “First, we’re investing in enterprise programs that deliver better guest satisfaction and experience while improving revenue and margin, helping us to fundamentally change how we run the...

Emerald Cruises & Tours has announced its 2026-2027 Southeast Asia river cruising season is available for booking, according to a press release. The voyages feature journeys along the Mekong River through Vietnam and Cambodia, paired with land tours in Laos and Japan. “Emerald Cruises and Tours’ Southeast Asia collection offers travelers an effortless way to...

Costa Cruises is offering a special Valentine’s Day Sale to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 and National Take a Cruise Day on Feb. 3. According to a press release, the special offer is available for select cruises to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, and Asia. Costa said that, as part of the sale, guests...

MSC Cruises confirmed it is building a second private island destination adjacent to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. According to a recent press release, the development is part of a larger expansion and enhancement project planned for its private destination, which is located near Bimini in the Bahamas. MSC said that the yet-unnamed island will...

The Costa Deliziosa recently arrived in Australia and the South Pacific as part of Costa Cruises’ 2026 World Voyage. After departing from Italy in late November, the 141-night cruise initially crossed the Atlantic, sailing to destinations in North Africa and the Caribbean before transiting the Panama Canal. The itinerary then featured visits to ports in...

Carnival Cruise Line is extending its Cheers! Zero Proof package to all sailings set to depart in 2026, according to Brand Ambassador John Heald. In a social media update, he said that the option is now available for booking online via the company’s website and app. “We did open the Cheers! Zero Proof program for...

Disney Cruise Line announced that Tracy Wilson has been appointed Senior Vice President and General Manager, Disney Cruise Line Operations, following the retirement of longtime leader Sharon Siskie, who has guided the business through one of the most transformative periods in its history, the company said in a statement. “Tracy is an extraordinary leader whose...

The Coral Princess set sail from Los Angeles earlier this month for Princess Cruises’ “Circle Pacific” voyage. Sailing roundtrip from the World Cruise Center in San Pedro, the 115-night itinerary features visits to 60 destinations in 19 countries. Princess said that the cruise was designed to offer a journey around the Pacific, from the beaches...

The Bahamas welcomed a record 12.5 million visitors in 2025, the highest total ever recorded, according to the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation’s recent press release. Visitor arrivals grew 11.4 percent year-over-year, surpassing 2024’s record and exceeding pre-pandemic 2019 levels by more than 70 percent. Cruise tourism remained the primary driver of growth,...

P&O Cruises has announced its biggest Shine at Sea program to date, giving more travel agents than ever before the chance to experience life onboard, the company said in a statement. For 2026, P&O Cruises will offer immersive training experiences for 120 agents across three sailings with 40 spaces available on each cruise. “Shine at...

Dominica’s cruise ports welcomed maiden calls from Royal Caribbean International, Cunard and Noble Caledonia in recent weeks. According to Discover Dominica, the Brilliance of the Seas arrived in the island country for the first time on January 23, 2026. The Royal Caribbean vessel became the ninth to make a maiden call at the Caribbean port...

Norwegian Cruise Line is updating its NCL Air program to require guests to arrive at their embarkation ports one day prior to their cruise. According to a statement shared with travel agents, the new policy went into effect on January 26, 2026. “All guests booking air travel through all NCL Air programs will be required...

Carnival Cruise Line’s Weather Contributor Amy Sweezey shared an update about potential impacts of adverse weather on the company’s operations in the next few days. “Another potentially significant winter storm is developing and forecasted to bring strong winds, snow and bitterly cold temperatures from New England, all the way down to the Carolinas,” she said....

Ambassador Cruise Line made a second adjustment to the current itinerary of the Ambition due to adverse weather in the North Atlantic. According to a statement shared on social media, the 1999-built ship had to depart earlier on Friday Jan. 30 from Gibraltar to avoid strong winds and a cold front. “Unfortunately, the current weather...

The Carnival Sunshine will return to its homeport in Norfolk earlier due to adverse weather conditions in North America. According to a statement shared with guests onboard, the Carnival Cruise Line vessel will arrive back in Virginia one day ahead of its original schedule on Saturday, January 31, 2026. “With support from our Fleet Operations...

Villa Vie Residences has announced a strategic marketing alliance with Avora Residences, a newly launched luxury residential cruise brand, according to a press release. Avora is designed to complement Villa Vie’s contemporary residential offering as its luxury counterpart, expanding consumer choice within the residential-at-sea category. “Luxury today is defined by access and freedom,” said Mikael...

Margaritaville at Sea and Disney Cruise Lines are adjusting the itineraries of upcoming cruises to the Bahamas due to adverse weather conditions in the region. Sailing from West Palm Beach today, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise will be forced to change its visit to the Bahamas due to forecasted high winds. According to a statement...

Holland America Line revealed its complete lineup of Legendary Voyages for the 2027-28 season, the company announced in a press release. The premium brand stated that the schedule is highlighted by immersive cruises, such as its first Caribbean-based Legendary Voyage, the 28-day “Pan Am 100 Years” cruise, and the 28-day “Solar Eclipse & Cosmic Port...

MSC Cruises will unveil a new MSC Yacht Club experience for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix from May 1 to 3, according to a press release. The all-new hospitality centerpiece will deliver elevated luxury and immersive design for guests across five decks of a lifelike yacht and is set to become the highlight of the...

At Monaco Day in Davos, Per Bjornsen, CEO of V.Ships Leisure, highlighted Monaco’s position as a leading maritime hub for cruise and luxury yachting. The Principality hosts a unique concentration of shipowners, yacht owners, cruise lines and other stakeholders, including the offices V.Ships Leisure. Five cruise brands are also headquartered in Monaco, as the luxury...

When working with cruise companies, Skrewball Whiskey, a peanut butter-flavored American whiskey producer, is seeing its cruise business pick up. According to Global Business Acceleration Director Juan Manuel Gomez, Skrewball’s offering is also very unique within the whiskey space, as the flavor makes it perfect for mixing into cocktails and different recipes. “It’s perfectly in...