Holland America Line is increasing its capacity for the 2027–28 South America and Antarctica season, according to a statement. The Nieuw Amsterdam will replace Oosterdam beginning in fall 2027. “Our South America and Antarctica cruises continue to be among the most popular itineraries we offer, and demand has only grown,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president, Holland...

January 2026 has marked an all-time high for total global bookings for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, according to a statement. The company credits strong demand across its global destination portfolio for the 20% increase in bookings compared to January 2025. “This record-breaking month underscores continued momentum for the brand and sustained demand for Regent’s unrivaled...

IG RiverCruise and River Cruise Europe presented a concept for managed tourism at a policy breakfast held in Amsterdam earlier this month. According to a statement, challenges faced by Amsterdam’s tourism sector were discussed at the event together with experts from the field. The number of incoming visitors arriving by plane and ship in Amsterdam...

Meyer Turku has completed a net zero cruise ship concept developed under its AVATAR project, achieving more than 90 percent reduction in lifecycle carbon footprint compared to the baseline defined by the International Maritime Organization. The concept was developed as part of NEcOLEAP, Meyer Turku’s four-year research and development program co-funded by Business Finland, according...

The Costa Serena recently made its maiden call to the port of Sihanoukville. According to local news sources, Costa Cruises ship brought approximately 2,890 guests to the destination in Cambodia. Currently offering a series of seven- to 21-night cruises to Southeast Asia and the Far East, the vessel arrived at Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on Feb....

Cruise Industry News looks into some of the key drydock projects that are set to take place in February 2026. Radiance of the Seas Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean International Capacity: 2,142 guests Tonnage: 90,000 Year built: 2001 Drydock Period: Jan. 20 to Feb. 14, 2026 Shipyard: Grand Bahama Shipyard (Freeport, the Bahamas) The Radiance of...

Royal Caribbean announced the expansion of its Artist Discovery Program which will now include the Legend of the Seas, opening submissions to emerging artists across the Caribbean and Central America. Artists can submit work through March 1, with selected artists commissioned to paint large-scale murals in six locations on the ship, according to the company....

The new year began with news for numerous secondhand cruise ship transactions. Cruise Industry News highlights some of the key transactions and developments that occurred in the first weeks of 2026. For a complete overview of the market, see the Secondhand Market Report from Cruise Industry News. Blue Zephyr (former Caledonian Sky) Company: Kalama Shipping...

The Norwegian Pearl sailed from PortMiami on Monday for the 2026 edition of Bare Necessities’ Big Nude Cruise. According to the company’s website, the chartered sailing will visit destinations in the Southern Caribbean and the Bahamas. Ports of call set to be visited include Ocho Rios in Jamaica, as well as Oranjestad in Aruba, Willemstad...

Scenic Group launched a new loyalty program that combines the existing Scenic Club and EmeraldEXPLORER programs into one unified platform for guests across its portfolio of luxury cruises and tours. The Scenic & Emerald Rewards program was designed from guest and travel advisor feedback and recognizes travel across all Scenic and Emerald luxury yacht, river...

MTN has finalized an agreement to offer Amazon Leo, Amazon’s satellite internet, as an authorized reseller for maritime deployment. MTN will initially provide the service across key maritime industries, including commercial shipping, yachting, offshore and cruise and ferry, according to the company. Amazon Leo is building a satellite communications system powered by a constellation of...

The Board of Directors of Royal Caribbean Group today declared a quarterly dividend of $1.50 per common share payable on April 3, 2026 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 6, 2026.  The previous dividend was $1.00. “This dividend increase reflects the continued strength of our business and the momentum across...

Versonix has announced a new partnership with Mitsui Ocean Cruises as the company has selected Seaware, Versonix’s reservation, inventory, and revenue management system, to support its expanding fleet and growing global presence, according to a press release. Seaware will serve as the end-to-end platform for Mitsui Ocean Cruises, managing every step of the guest journey, from...

Disney Cruise Line announced summer 2027 itineraries spanning Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Bahamas and Southeast Asia. Bookings for Castaway Club members begin Feb. 16, with public bookings opening Feb. 23. The Disney Wish will make its debut in Europe after a repositioning cruise, offering three- to 10-night itineraries that visit new destinations including Zadar,...

American Cruise Lines has announced its “Celebrating 250 Years of America” campaign, honoring the country’s semi quincentennial on all 2026 sailings crossing 35 states from Alaska to Florida. According to a statement, a commemorative 250th recognition will be featured on all ships, paired with special programming and guest experiences throughout the year. The onboard programming...

Adora Cruises has welcomed its one-millionth passenger aboard Adora Magic City, , the company stated in a press release. In parallel, the company officially launched the “2026 Adora Service Year.” This program is meant to further improve guest experiences and establish what Adora says will be a Chinese benchmark for the cruise industry, in line...

Virtuoso has appointed Thatcher Brown as Special Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer, Cruise, the group said in a press release. In this newly created role, Brown will focus on strategy, structure and future product positioning, with an emphasis on strengthening global partnerships. Having previously served as Senior Vice President, Global Products for Virtuoso, Brown’s...

TUI’s cruise division delivered its best-ever first quarter results for 2026, with underlying EBIT soaring 70.8% to €82.3 million compared to €48.2 million in the same period last year, driven by exceptional demand and strategic fleet expansion. The performance was fueled by the addition of Mein Schiff Relax to the winter program, which increased available...

Viking Cruises inaugurated its first brand experience center in China on Feb. 5. The center is located in central Beijing and marks a significant milestone in the company’s decade-long expansion in the Chinese market and serves as a key initiative to celebrate its 10th anniversary in the region. The center, designed with Viking’s signature Nordic...

With Alaskan Dream suddenly ceasing operations earlier this month, Cruise Industry News looks at the company’s former fleet. The U.S.-flagged coastal vessels previously spent summers cruising for the company in Alaska. Plans for the vessels, which are currently laid up at the port of Sitka, are unclear. Alaskan Dream Year built: 1986 Capacity: 40 guests...

StarCruises has announced its May and June program for the Star Voyager, with sailings operated by Star Voyager from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (via Port Klang) sailing between May 22 and June 26. A series of two, three and five-night cruises will be offered, sailing to destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, featuring new...

Carnival Cruise Line apologized for a series of IT issues that recently affected some of its vessels in North America. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the issues delayed the departure of various ships on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2026. “I need to give an apology to those who were affected,” the company’s Brand Ambassador...

Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Adventure, arrived at the Port of Los Angeles on Feb. 9 during a nearly two-month voyage from Germany to Singapore, according to a company press release. The ship was built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany and is scheduled to depart on its maiden voyage from Singapore...

Holland America Line and Seabourn today announced that Mark Tamis, President of Seabourn, will assume a dual leadership role, adding responsibility for Guest Experience and Product Development (GEPD) across both brands, according to a company statement. Tamis will begin overseeing GEPD for Seabourn immediately and for Holland America Line in the coming months. Tamis, who...

The Port of Dover has awarded the Viking Sky the 2026 Safety and Environment Awareness Award, recognizing the ship’s environmental performance while in port. The Viking Saturn and Fred. Olsen’s Borealis also scored hihly in the ninth annual SEA Award program, according to the port. The award evaluates cruise ships’ operational footprint in port, with...

Holland America Line has hosted a crocheting workshop aboard the Volendam sailing on its annual 133-day Grand World Voyage. According to a press release, this is done for Project Linus, a nonprofit organization named after a character from the Peanuts comic strip always carrying a security blanket. The project is dedicated to providing handmade blankets...

Windstar Cruises has appointed Paul Chapple as its new vice president of hotel operations, the company said in a statement. In his new role, Chapple will oversee all aspects of hotel operations and product development, including food and beverage, onboard services, entertainment, guest relations, and destination services. He will report directly to Stijn Creupelandt, who...

The Anthem of the Seas welcomed guests back onboard in Sydney on Friday after spending 10 days out of service. Currently offering a winter season in Australia, the Royal Caribbean ship had its previous cruise cancelled due to a technical issue. According to a statement issued by the company in late January, the cancellation was...

Princess Cruises announced that Alfredo’s Pizzeria aboard the Sun Princess and the Star Princess has been awarded the Ospitalità Italiana Certification, the highest global recognition for authentic Italian cuisine and hospitality. The certification is awarded only to dining establishments that uphold Italy’s rich culinary heritage, according to the company. “Earning the Ospitalità Italiana Certification is...

Carnival Cruise Line ships had to delay departures on Sunday from their homeports due to IT issues that resulted in slower debarkation and embarkation processes. In a statement published on its website, the company explained that the problem was also affecting other tech tools. “Carnival is experiencing some IT issues that occurred during planned maintenance,...

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has welcomed guests back aboard the Bolette following a 16-day drydock at APCL A&P Falmouth that concluded in early February. The ship entered the facility on Jan. 18 for scheduled maintenance, technical inspections and guest-focused enhancements, according to the company. “We are delighted to welcome guests back on board the Bolette...

AmaWaterways has premiered its first national, multi-network television commercial, according to the company. The commercial serves as an expression of the cruise line’s recently unveiled brand campaign, Journeys That Move You, and invites travelers to experience river cruising through a personal and emotional lens. The spot celebrates the warmth, elegance and sense of discovery that...

The Organizing Committee of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games is chartering the Costa Serena. According to Chunichi Shimbun Online Edition, the vessel will serve as a floating Olympic village, accommodating athletes during the games, which will take place in Nagoya, Japan, between Sep. 19 and Oct. 4, 2026. Chunichi Shimbun said...

RINA played a key role on a recent drydock on Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras, which drydocked in Marseille, France, last year. “RINA has been involved in LNG cruise propulsion since the very beginning—from the first designs and newbuilds to bunkering operations and drydocks,” said Michele Landro, RINA’s director of passenger ships segment (Americas). RINA...

The Maryland Port Administration (MPA) is celebrating a new two-year contract with Carnival Cruise Line that will bring the Carnival Miracle to the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore beginning in 2027. The ship will operate seasonal cruises from November to April. The Carnival Miracle is one of Carnival’s Spirit-class vessels and is similar in...

The Disney Adventure is set to visit Los Angeles as part of its repositioning voyage to Southeast Asia and Singapore. After spending two weeks in Port Canaveral, the newest ship in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet transited the Panama Canal earlier this month. The 6,000-guest vessel is scheduled to arrive at the port in California on...

Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambience recently kicked off one of the company’s longest cruises this year, a 40-day voyage to the Caribbean. Sailing roundtrip from Tilbury, the “Jewels of the Caribbean Sea” itinerary is highlighted by visits to a wide range of destinations in the region. As part of the voyage, the Ambience will become the...

Ambassador Cruise Line and Greatest Hits Radio have expanded the list of performers at their Greatest Hits Radio Escape II cruise scheduled to set sail from the UK next month. According to a press release, musicians Martin Kemp and Lulu will join the cast of presenters and performers sailing on board Ambience departing from London...

TUI Cruises has launched an exclusive Mein Schiff Monopoly edition, the company said in a statement. The game allows players to discover bars and restaurants, experience a range of leisure activities and immerse themselves in the world of Mein Schiff cruises in a playful way. Players can look forward to buying their favorite spots aboard the TUI...

The new Amangati will offer two helipads when it enters service for Aman at Sea in the Mediterranean in 2027. According to the company’s website, the helicopter landing areas were designed for effortless arrivals and departures, which can be arranged upon request. Aman at Sea explained that the service can be used to connect guests...

Carnival Cruise Line is informing guests of a delay for the Carnival Sunshine cruise that was scheduled to depart from Norfolk on Saturday. According to a statement issued by the company, the ship will arrive at its homeport one day later than scheduled due to adverse weather conditions. “This advisory requires your immediate attention as...

Orient Express recently revealed deployment plans for 2027, which include the maiden season of its second vessel, the Orient Express Olympian. According to a press release, the ship will offer itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, along with its sister ship, the Orient Express Corinthian. Currently under construction at the Chantier Naval de Marseille...

There is strength in early bookings for Ambassador Cruise Line, according to CEO Christian Verhounig. “While there will always be demand for last-minute deals, we’ve seen a significant shift towards early bookings, with guests planning well in advance of the departure date when availability is high, particularly for longer voyages,” Verhounig said. He noted that the company had...

HX Expeditions has announced a new documentary series, “Julia Bradbury’s Wonders of the Frozen South.” Created in partnership with ITV, the three-part series will air on ITV1 at 12.45pm on Feb. 15, Feb. 22 and March 1. According to a press release, the series follows Bradbury on a 23-day voyage through the Southern Ocean, travelling...

Carnival Cruise Line is doubling its deployment in Europe in 2027, with two ships set to offer summer seasons The Carnival Miracle will provide the company’s traditional mix of Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruises, while the Carnival Sunshine is scheduled to sail new itineraries in the Mediterranean and Africa. Marking the first time that Carnival...

Carnival Cruise Line sent out a statement to warn guests of cold weather in Norfolk during Carnival Sunshine’s upcoming cruise. As part of its year-round schedule on the U.S. East Coast, the 1996-built ship is scheduled to depart from its homeport in Virginia on Feb. 7, 2026. “We are looking forward to having you sail...

Oceanwide Expeditions has set a world record for the southernmost point reached by a non-icebreaker vessel in the Weddell Sea for the second year in a row, the company said. On Feb. 5, 2026, the  Ortelius recorded a position of 78 degrees 05.60 minutes south in Vahsel Bay. This follows last season, when the Ortelius...

Royal Caribbean International sent out a statement to a selected group of guests, inviting them to cancel their bookings for the Feb. 7, 2026, cruise onboard the Oasis of the Seas. According to the letter, the company was looking for passengers who might have “flexible travel arrangements.” “If your plans are set in stone, please...

Seabourn Venture reached 70 degrees south during a 12-day Antarctica exploration voyage from Jan. 28 to Feb. 9, 2026, setting a new record for the most southerly point in Seabourn and Carnival Corporation history, according to Seabourn. The expedition ship became the most southerly ship on the Antarctic Peninsula at the time while crossing the...

AIDA Cruises has appointed Anika Birkholz its Vice President of Revenue & Capacity Management starting Feb. 1, 2026, the company said in a statement. In addition to Revenue Management and Guest Transportation, Birkholz will also be responsible for Customer Care. She will also succeed Dennis Schrahe as a new member of the AIDA Executive Committee....

The Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Transportation and Investment for Antigua and Barbuda, The Honourable Charles Fernandez, has outlined the government’s strategic outlook for the tourism sector in 2026, according to the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority. “Our focus for 2026 is not simply expansion, but smart, balanced and inclusive development; growth that protects our...

The Radiance of the Seas is currently at one of the drydocks of the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, the Bahamas. Pausing a series of short cruises departing from Port Everglades, the original Radiance-class vessel arrived at the facility in late January. While Royal Caribbean did not release information about the project, the 2001-built ship...

Azamara Cruises has reintroduced its Azamara Ashore land programs for destination immersion, the company said in a statement. The program enables deeper exploration of destinations before and after the cruise. “At Azamara, every journey is designed to be more than a passing visit, it’s an opportunity to truly connect with the places visited and the...

NYK’s Asuka Cruises is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Asuka II with a live photo essay and a special cruise to Southeast Asia. Originally built for Crystal Cruises in 1995, the former Crystal Harmony was transferred to the Japan-based brand in late 2005. As reported by Cruise Industry News at the...

Celestyal has announced two new F1 sailings for its 2026-27 Arabian Gulf season, the company said. On Nov. 27, 2026, the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey will be in Doha for an eight-night Doha F1 itinerary. The ship will stay in port for three nights, allowing guests to watch all practice sessions, qualifying and race day events....

Victory Cruise Lines has appointed Rodney Bailey as vice president, guest experience, the company said in a press release. The role puts Bailey in charge of the holistic guest experience shoreside and onboard, covering pre-voyage inspiration and booking, onboard experience design and delivery, theme and enrichment programming, loyalty strategy and post-voyage service recovery. “Rodney represents...

AmaWaterways has announced the appointment of two senior executives: Virginia Suliman as chief technology officer and Michael Moghtader as chief people officer, according to a press release. Suliman brings extensive technology leadership experience, most recently serving as chief information and digital officer at Invitation Homes, where she led a major digital transformation. She also spent...

Scenic and Emerald Cruises are offering $100 per person savings on select 2026 sailings during a weekend flash sale from Feb. 6 to 8, 2026, according to a press release. The offer is stackable with current promotions. “We continue to see strong demand for forward-planned travel, and our Weekend Flash offer reflects that momentum,” said...

Holland America Line is opening nearly three dozen itineraries in 2027–28 spanning Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal and the Pacific Coast, the company said in a press release. The new season features longer stays in Honolulu, Hawaii, and extended exploration of Mexico’s Sea of Cortez aboard Koningsdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam or Zaandam. Sailings are set...

Carnival Cruise Line has announced new sailings for the 2027/28 season, highlighted by the addition of a second ship in Baltimore and new deployment options for the Carnival Firenze, the cruise line said. This marks the first time Carnival will homeport two ships from Baltimore. Beginning fall 2027, the Carnival Miracle will join her sister...

MSC Cruises has revealed details about the artwork to be featured on MSC World Asia, the latest World Class ship to join the cruise line’s fleet. As stated in a press release, the ship will start seven-night sailings to popular Mediterranean destinations including Barcelona, Marseille, Messina, Civitavecchia for Rome, Naples and Valletta, from Dec. 4,...