Lionel Catherin has been promoted to Executive Chef at The World, Residences at Sea. Effective July 2026, he will succeed Senior Executive Chef Geoffrey Murray, who will retire on May 9, 2026, the cruise line said in a press release. In his new role, Catherin will partner with Executive Chef Sebastian Gnida to lead The...

Michael Eder has been appointed chief executive officer of MXP, effective July 1, 2026. He brings over two decades of experience in IT/OT automation, software development and digital transformation, MXP said in a press release. “I am excited to join MXP at such a pivotal moment,” said Eder. “With its strong MXP Enterprise Platform and market leader position in the cruise...

Margaritaville at Sea has signed a 10-year lifecycle agreement with Wärtsilä for lifecycle planning, long-term maintenance support and technical services for three vessels. Two are already in service, the Margaritaville at Sea Paradise and Margaritaville at Sea Islander, while the third, the Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber, is scheduled to enter service in early 2027. The agreements for the first two vessels were booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2026, while the third vessel is...

Meyer Werft has announced a concept study for what it says is the world’s first 100% battery-powered cruise ship, the 88,000-ton Vision. The ship will be 275 meters long and able to accommodate 1,856 passengers, with the battery system supplied by Corvus Energy. According to a press release, the battery system will be able to...

The Carnival Pride returned to service in Baltimore on April 9 following a 22‑day drydock in Freeport, Grand Bahama. In a statement, Carnival Cruises said the ship’s casino and retail areas, including the Effy Jewelry boutique, were refurbished. Now that the work is complete, the vessel is set to resume its year‑round service from Baltimore. Cruises to The Bahamas and Bermuda are...

Estonian companies are developing practical solutions for modernizing vessels, reducing emissions and improving efficiency in the cruise and wider maritime industry, Trade Estonia said in a press release.  Their technologies and services range from marine engineering and retrofit to shore power, digital tools and interior solutions for passenger vessels. The companies are part of a connected ecosystem spanning €25 million state-backed retrofit support, port electrification and digital systems.  One of them is SRC, a marine retrofit company for passenger vessels and cruise ships. Its Methanol...

Silversea’s Venetian Society loyalty program is getting an upgrade starting July 1, 2026. There will be more ways to earn status, get recognition earlier and get benefits throughout the journey for guests, the company said in a press release. This includes two new loyalty milestones and additional benefits across every tier. “Our Venetian Society members...

Ambassador Cruise Line is offering a 5 percent discount on all bookings made during a 24-hour promo period in celebration of its fifth birthday. According to a statement, the promo will last from 9 a.m. on April 9 to 08:59 a.m. on April 10, 2026, and is valid for all cabin grades when using code...

Crystal has revealed new renderings for the dining venues aboard its newest ship, the Crystal Grace, set to debut on June 11, 2028. Following the recent unveiling of the ship’s suite categories, the company offered a first look at the dining venues in a press release. All three were designed by Tillberg Design of Sweden...

Ponant Explorations has announced its jazz-themed Baltic cruise setting sail in early 2027. The 11-day, 10-night “Jazz Festival, from the Baltic to the North Sea” aboard Le Commandant Charcot, will sail from Helsinki (Finland) to Bergen (Norway) Jan. 23-Feb. 2, 2027, according to a statement. Developed in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the...

Atlas Ocean Voyages is offering Double Air Credit of up to $3,000 per suite for select voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Arctic.  Forming part of the cruise line’s Explorer’s Choice offer, the deal is valid on select sailings for bookings made April 2-June 30, 2026, or until availability is exhausted, according to a press release.  “Air travel is an integral part of the overall journey when...

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...

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...

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...

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 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 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...

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...

Century Cruises has announced what it describes as exciting news and ambitious expansion plans that are set to be unveiled later in April. Announcing the news in a statement, the company also said that its Miami office is fully operational, enabling it to become a “true player” in the global cruise family. Sales have also...

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...

Tauck has christened its new riverboats, the Lumière and the Serene, in two separate ceremonies, the company said in a press release. The ceremony for the Lumière was held in Lyon on March 27, with around 50 guests, including Tauck leaders, travel advisors, supplier partners and members of the media, in attendance. “Our past river...

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...