Reading view

Beth Mercier Named Aurora Expeditions’ VP Sales for North America

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...

Winter 2026-27: World Europa to Become MSC’s 9th Ship in the Caribbean

The MSC World Europa will become the 9th ship from MSC Cruises sailing in the Caribbean during the 2026-27 season. Previously scheduled to operate a season in the Middle East, the 5,400-passenger ship will take over the itineraries that were originally announced for the MSC Seaview. Sailing from Martinique and Guadeloupe, the LNG-powered vessel will...

P&O Cruises Adds Five Britannia Sailings for April 2027

P&O Cruises has launched five new Britannia cruises for April 2027, the company said in a press release. The new program includes two short breaks, two seven-night itineraries and a 14-night Spain, France and Norwegian Fjords cruise. All sailings depart roundtrip from Southampton. “Releasing these additional Britannia sailings gives agents even more choice to meet...

MedCruise Studies Cruise Tourism’s Impact Across the Mediterranean

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...

Cunard Expands Entertainment Program on 2026 Transatlantic Crossings

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...

Marella: Musical Med-leys Theme Cruise with West End Performers

Marella Cruises has announced headline acts for its first musical theme cruise, Musical Med-leys, sailing in October 2026 aboard the Marella Voyager, the company said in a press release. The five-night cruise departs Corfu, Greece, on October 30, 2026, and calls at Palma, Cartagena and Malaga, Spain. “These musical headline acts mark an exciting chapter...

Marina Completes 15 Years of Service for Oceania Cruises

The Oceania Marina recently completed 15 years of service after entering service for Oceania Cruises in early 2011. As reported by Cruise Industry News, the vessel was christened during a special ceremony at PortMiami on February 5, 2011. Entertainment Tonight host Mary Hart served as the vessel’s godmother during the event. Built at the Fincantieri...

Wind Star Celebrates Anniversary in Drydock

Windstar Cruises has celebrated the 40th anniversary of its first ship, the Wind Star, which originally entered service in 1986. The 148-passenger ship is currently undergoing a modernization project in drydock at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz, Spain. Windstar marked the occasion with a celebration at the facility that included a photoshoot featuring the vessel’s...

Bodrum Cruise Port Opens 2026 Season with Astoria Grande

Bodrum Cruise Port officially inaugurated its 2026 cruise season April 3 with the arrival of the Astoria Grande carrying 909 passengers and 445 crew members. The port is expected to host 119 cruise calls and welcome approximately 140,000 cruise passengers in 2026, according to the company. “Bodrum has reached a new milestone in its international...

Adora Mediterranea Embarks on New Xiamen Season

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 Supports Conservation Efforts in Antarctica

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 Testing AI-Powered Food Waste Reduction Onboard

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...

Carnival Glory Offering Adults-Only Cruise in Europe

The Carnival Glory is currently offering an adults-only cruise to the Canary Islands and the Western Mediterranean. As part of Carnival Cruise Line’s SEA program, the 15-night itinerary departed from the Spanish port of Barcelona on March 25, 2026. Before returning to the port, the European sailing is set to visit other destinations in Spain,...

Holland America Brings Art of Tea to Grand World Voyage

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...

Carnival’s Celebration Key Becomes Sensory Inclusion Certified

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...

Carnival Removes Tracy Arm Fjord from Itineraries

Carnival Cruise Line is removing visits to Tracy Arm Fjord from its itineraries during the upcoming summer season in Alaska. According to a statement sent to booked guests, the change affects sailings scheduled for the Carnival Miracle, the Carnival Luminosa and the Carnival Spirit. “We have been closely monitoring geological conditions in Tracy Arm Fjord....

Viking Ptah and Sekhmet Floated Out in Egypt Ahead of Fall Debut

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...

StarCruises Adds Kaohsiung-Penghu Itinerary on the Star Voyager

StarCruises has introduced three-night roundtrip cruises to Kaohsiung and Penghu departing from Hong Kong aboard the Star Voyager, according to a press release. The new sailings replace previous three-night Sanya itineraries and depart April 12, April 19 and May 10, 2026. The itinerary includes calls at Kaohsiung and Penghu Island. “These specially curated sailings are...
❌