Leaders from the top four cruise conglomerates, Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and MSC Group’s Cruise Division, gathered in Miami Beach on Tuesday morning to discuss the state of the global cruise business. “Nobody asks us about (fuel) hedging when the price is low. The starting point is fuel is something...

The 2026 spring issue of the Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine focuses on itinerary planning, food and beverage, the luxury market segment, expedition cruises, operations and future forecasts for the largest publicly traded cruise companies. The Cruise Industry News editorial team has produced exclusive insight into the itinerary planning process of 35 different cruise lines,...

Five Asia cruise destinations shared the latest updates on the cruise market during a luncheon with cruise line executives this week in Miami Beach. The event was hosted by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, along with representatives from Korea, the Philippines, Xiamen and Shanghai. According to organizers, the event showcased “A Journey Through Asia’s Finest...

Cunard served as headline partner of the 50th anniversary Olivier Awards, hosting a ceremony at London’s Royal Albert Hall, the company said in a press release. The event took place April 12, 2026. “Cunard’s connection to theatre, arts and culture has been part of our rich history for 185 years,” said Katie McAlister, president of...

Star Clippers is offering no single supplement on select 2026-2027 sailings and cabin categories across its fleet, according to a company press release. The promotion is available on Mediterranean, Caribbean and Costa Rica-Panama departures. “Solo travel continues to grow, but pricing has traditionally been a challenge,” said Terri Haas, vice president of sales and marketing...

The global cruise business is on course to grow at least 20 percent between 2026 and 2036, with big new ships driving growth to an estimated 50 million guests, according to the 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report. That is compared to just over 23 million guests 10 years ago, and an estimated 39 million...

The Norwegian Sky recently kicked off a repositioning voyage ahead of its farewell season for Norwegian Cruise Line. Having completed its winter season in the Southern Caribbean, the 1999-built vessel departed from the Dominican Republic on April 6, 2026. The 13-night trans-Atlantic crossing sails to Le Havre and includes visits to destinations in the British...

The new Ultimate Family Treehouse Suite onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Hero of the Seas will have fares of up to $105,878 per person for special seven-night sailings. For the ship’s Christmas sailing, the three-story stateroom was available for booking for a total of $211,756 plus taxes and fees. The amount is based on double occupancy....

StarCruises is set to welcome back celebrity chef Datuk Chef Wan aboard the Star Voyager for a three-night cruise to Phuket and Penang from May 22-25, 2026, the company said in a press release. The vessel is set to depart from Port Klang. “We are thrilled to welcome Chef Wan onboard the Star Voyager after...

Curaçao recently welcomed the maiden call of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Borealis. Offering a 76-night itinerary to South America and the Caribbean, the vessel arrived at the Port of Willemstad on March 30, 2026. According to the Curaçao Ports Authority, a plaque exchange ceremony was held onboard to mark the occasion. In addition to ship...

HX Expeditions announced that its October 2025 to March 2026 Antarctica season has been the company’s most successful on record, according to a press release. “This has been an extraordinary season, not only in terms of guest numbers and satisfaction, but in the depth of scientific engagement and responsible travel practices,” said Gebhard Rainer, chief...

The Costa Fascinosa recently returned to Europe after spending the 2025-26 winter sailing in the Caribbean. Sailing in the Caribbean along with the Costa Pacifica, the 2012-built vessel offered a series of cruises from the Dominican Republic and Guadeloupe since November. Aimed at international markets, the fly-cruise itineraries featured visits to a range of destinations...

Royal Caribbean International’s new Hero of the Seas will introduce new features for its inaugural season in 2027. According to a recent press release, the fourth Icon-class ship will “raise the bar with more records and iconic ways for families to make lifelong memories.” The company said that the 250,800-ton ship will offer the most...

Norwegian Cruise Line is informing guests set to board the Norwegian Jewel in Philadelphia about a delay in the construction of the new cruise terminal. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the new PhilaPort Cruise Terminal won’t be ready for the ship’s first sailing from the port, which is scheduled for April 16, 2026....

AmaWaterways announced the appointment of Toni Stoeckl as chief creative and marketing officer, according to a company press release. Stoeckl will join the river cruise line on April 13, 2026. “Toni brings a rare combination of creative vision and strong commercial acumen, along with a deep understanding of how to take guests on a meaningful...

The Brilliant Lady has recently arrived in Los Angeles, marking the debut of Virgin Voyages in California and the West Coast. Sailing the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal, the 2,770-passenger ship is now scheduled to offer a series of spring cruises to the Mexican Riviera and Baja. For its first sailing in the region, the vessel...

The Norwegian Pearl returned to Miami on April 11, 2026, to conclude its 2025-26 winter season in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Sailing in the region since December, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship offered short cruises, in addition to theme sailings and charters. Among these were Bare Necessities’ Big Nude Cruise, as well as Little...

The US Maritime Patriots Alliance announced the release of a video advertisement on social media calling on the Okaloosa County Board of Commissioners to halt its plan to sink the historic ocean liner the SS United States as an artificial reef, the organization said in a press release. The ad argues that sinking the vessel...

Three ships in the Royal Caribbean International fleet are currently undergoing drydocks in Europe and Asia. While two vessels are also getting significant updates as part of the company’s Royal Amplified refit program, a third is undergoing routine maintenance. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the Ovation of the Seas was the first of...

MSC Cruises is removing Tracy Arm Fjord from the itineraries of its inaugural season in Alaska, which is scheduled to start in May. According to a statement sent to booked guests, the MSC Poesia will now visit a different glacier in the region. “Unfortunately, we are unable to proceed with the planned navigation around the...

Greenock Cruise Port is set to launch its 2026 season on April 12, welcoming the Le Lapérouse for the port’s first turnaround call of the year, the company said in a press release. The port has undergone a series of infrastructure and guest experience improvements over the past winter months. “The completion of our winter...

The Port of Tampa Bay is a planning a new cruise ship terminal, according to a report by Spectrum News. The local news source said that the new terminal would prepare the port for future growth after welcoming over 1.6 million guests in 2025. While the Port of Tampa Bay works on a new master...

Polar Latitudes Expeditions is launching new Fly & Cruise voyages to Antarctica onboard the Ocean Nova starting in early 2028. According to the company’s Director of Product Development, Steffan Danino, the new product was designed to offer a time-efficient and comfortable way to visit the destination. As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the company...

Global Ports Holding (GPH) has signed a 24-year operating concession agreement for Acapulco Cruise Port in Mexico, marking the company’s first port concession in the country, according to a company statement. GPH was selected as the preferred bidder by the Administration of the National Port System Acapulco (ASIPONA) and will operate and develop the cruise...

Carnival Cruise Line changed the itinerary of the current cruise aboard the Carnival Spirit due to ongoing maintenance onboard the vessel. According to a statement sent to guests, the ship is dropping a visit to Bimini and adjusting its visit to Nassau. “The Carnival Spirit needs in-service work during your voyage, which will change our...

The MSC Poesia recently resumed service after undergoing a series of enhancements at the Palumbo Shipyard in Malta. Set to mark MSC Cruises’ debut in Alaska later this year, the 2008-built vessel spent almost two months at the facility in Valetta. Part of a modernization effort that will see all of MSC’s Musica-class ships undergoing...

Royal Caribbean International is redeploying the trans-Atlantic crossing scheduled to take place onboard the Mariner of the Seas in April 2027. According to a statement sent to booked guests, the ship is no longer able to offer a 15-night cruise from New Orleans to Southampton. “As part of our ongoing itinerary planning process, which sometimes...

66° Expeditions has released its 2026 Arctic voyage schedule featuring itineraries designed to offer travelers the opportunity to witness both the Northern Lights and polar bears within a single journey. “Combining these two iconic Arctic phenomena in a thoughtfully designed itinerary addresses a specific desire we’ve identified in our clientele,” said Dr. Li Wei, chief...

Cruise Planners hosted its annual River Cruise Academy in partnership with AmaWaterways, an onboard training program designed to help advisors deepen their river cruise knowledge and better serve growing client demand, the company said in a press release. The fifth annual ASTA River Cruise Expo brought 1,600 travel professionals to Amsterdam for nine days of...

As Disney Cruise Line continues to grow its fleet, the cruise line’s stated objective is to bring the “magic of its vacations at sea” to more guests in more places around the world. This includes offering a mix of shorter cruises, expanded regional sailing options and a continued presence in popular destinations like the Caribbean,...

Victoria will welcome its first cruise ship of the 2026 season, the Nieuw Amsterdam, on April 10, the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority said in a press release. The vessel will arrive at 10 a.m. and depart at 10 p.m. from Pier B at The Breakwater District at Ogden Point. “As the 2026 cruise season begins,...

VidantaWorld Voyages has announced the long-awaited debut of the Elegant, which the company described as an ultra-yacht designed for Mediterranean cruising. From April 11 through October 2, 2026 and returning May through September 2027, the vessel will offer seven-night Mediterranean itineraries spanning the French Riviera, Spanish Coast, Azores and Portugal, Greek Islands and Adriatic Sea,...

With a record number of cruise passengers expected globally in 2026, the industry’s chargeback fraud problem is scaling right alongside it. From friendly fraud disputes on bundled vacation packages to organized refund abuse targeting high-ticket bookings, cruise operators are uniquely exposed. And according to Tim Tynan, chief executive officer of Chargeback Gurus, most aren’t equipped...

MSC Cruises cancelled the first cruise of the European season for the MSC Euribia, which was scheduled to depart from Kiel, Germany, on May 2, 2026. Docked in Dubai since late February, the LNG-powered vessel was scheduled to offer a seven-night cruise to the Norwegian Fjords. According to a statement sent to booked guests, the...

Next year, Viking will introduce several new ocean and river itineraries, including winter season sailings in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. Six ships will sail in the Mediterranean, while the Viking Libra will sail 20 days from Barcelona to Tromsø in Northern Norway via London (Tilbury) for a Northern Lights cruise which is repeated aboard...

MSC Cruises will send five ships to South America for the 2026-27 winter season, following the addition of the MSC Seaview to the region’s deployment. Initially set to offer itineraries in the Southern Caribbean, the 2018-built vessel is now set to offer cruises to Brazil and Argentina. The move is related to a broader redeployment...

Just over 20 percent of cruise passengers will go through a Global Ports Holding–operated (GPH) port this year as Chairman Mehmet Kutman continues his strategic expansion of the company. A deal to take GPH private in 2024 has only helped, giving Kutman the flexibility and speed he needs. Kutman said he was currently keeping an...

Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting the itinerary of two cruises from its 2027 Mediterranean season onboard the Carnival Miracle. According to a statement sent to guests, the Oct. 16 and Oct. 26, 2027, sailings will replace one of their ports of call in the Greek Islands. Instead of visiting Santorini, the ship will now sail...

Alaska Native village corporation Huna Totem Corporation and the City and Borough of Juneau have finalized a tidelands lease agreement for the Áak’w Landing project, clearing the way for final design and construction of a new cruise ship dock and waterfront destination in downtown Juneau, the company said in a press release. The lease agreement...

The Apollo Group has announced its new Maritime Services division, which the company called a strategic expansion beyond its hospitality business into full-service maritime solutions for the global cruise and shipping industries. The new division positions The Apollo Group as both an operator and advisor, offering end-to-end support across technical ship management, operations, consultancy and...

Avora Residences will offer a series of exclusive amenities to the members of its new Continuum membership program. Launched in partnership with Villa Vie Residences, the company is planning to offer an upscale residential product onboard the Lumina. Currently sailing as the Seven Seas Navigator, the vessel will offer new features, including jet skis and...

The Harmony of the Seas recently entered drydock for a major refurbishment as part of Royal Caribbean International’s Royal Amplified program. After arriving in Europe in late March, the Oasis-class vessel reached the Navantia shipyard in Cadiz on April 3, 2026. The 227,625-ton ship is now set to undergo a six-week drydock before welcoming guests...

The MSC Seashore recently kicked off a routine drydock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, the Bahamas. After pausing its operations in Port Canaveral in late March, the MSC Cruises vessel arrived at the facility on April 1, 2026. The 4,560-passenger ship is now expected to undergo maintenance and routine work before welcoming guests...

The former Zhao Shang Yi Dun, once celebrated as China’s first luxury cruise ship, has been officially renamed Viking Yi Dun, with the new name painted on at Shekou International Cruise Home Port on March 24, 2026. The vessel has also been reflagged to Norway, marking what appears to be a return to the Viking...

Windstar Cruises launched a new complimentary All-Inclusive offer designed to drive bookings across with a limited-time upgrade on voyages worldwide, the company said in a press release. Available on select sailings booked between April 1 and June 30, 2026 for travel through June 30, 2027, the promotion includes Wi-Fi, gratuities and select unlimited cocktails, wine...

Selectum Blu has 56 cruises on the books this year, sailing from Cesme from April to mid-October. The cruises are short, three and four nights, and allow Turkish guests to visit Greece without traditional visas. “Our ports of call are determined by a special agreement between Turkey and Greece, which facilitates the entry of Turkish...

Aon Affinity Travel Practice has extended its relationship with Virgin Voyages to administer its travel protection program, the company said in a press release. Under the program, branded Voyage Protection, Aon Affinity provides U.S.-based Virgin Voyages passengers with access to a suite of travel protection benefits. “Aon is proud to support Virgin Voyages and its...

The Norwegian Sun recently arrived at a shipyard in Singapore for a routine drydock. Concluding a winter season in Southeast Asia and the Far East, the 2,000-passenger ship arrived at the shipyard on April 2, 2026. The work scope is said to include regular upkeep and class work. Following its 11-day drydock, the Norwegian Sun...

Flynn Cruiseport Boston is set to start its 2026 season, welcoming 23 cruise brands and nine homeport vessels from April through November, including the largest ship ever to homeport in Boston, the Norwegian Breakaway, the Massachusetts Port Authority said in a press release. Massport is also installing a new passenger bridge to streamline the boarding...

When the Seabourn Pursuit arrived at Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernández Islands on April 4, it brought more than guests ashore, the company said in a press release. For local residents, the ship could now provide access to much needed medical care that had been unavailable to them for months. “Seabourn Pursuit...

Emerald Cruises announced the launch of the Emerald Kaia after a successful transit through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, the company said in a press release. The 128-guest vessel has now departed from Limassol, Cyprus, on its inaugural voyage. The launch follows successful river trials of the Emerald Astra, which is set to join...

Oceania Cruises announced plans for a refurbishment of the Oceania Marina, the company said in a press release. Scheduled to enter drydock in October 2026, the 1,250-guest vessel will undergo an extensive transformation as the first ship in the line’s OceaniaNEXT program. “At Oceania Cruises, raising the bar is not an initiative, it is our...

Poseidon Expeditions announced a series of enhancements for its 2026 season in the Arctic onboard the Sea Spirit. According to a press release, the company is introducing updates to its products designed to improve the guest experience onboard. Among the enhancements is the debut of a new inclusion package, which is being added in response...

Chinese officials have set a formal timeline to shift the majority of cruise ship subcontracting and key component needs to domestic suppliers, with a target of sourcing more than 80 percent of supporting equipment and systems from Chinese companies by 2035. The goal, outlined by Chen Gang, Chairman of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (SWS)...

“Eastern Cruise is not just a company that operates ships; we are establishing an Asian-style cruise philosophy that combines regular sailings, efficient service and immersive cultural experiences,” said Kiro Kim, managing director of the South Korean cruise brand. He added that the company’s 2026 operating strategy is based on this long-term vision and its understanding...

Carnival Cruise Line is kicking off its second summer Fun-ternship Program, giving more than 100 high school students ages 17 and older hands-on experience in cruise terminal operations at six U.S. homeports. The program returns to Baltimore, Tampa, Jacksonville, Norfolk, New York City and Long Beach following a successful debut in summer 2025, the company...

Port Saint John will kick off its 2026 cruise season over two months ahead of schedule with the arrival of Virgin Voyages’ the Valiant Lady expected on April 8 at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal. “Our ability to embrace opportunities like this on short notice speaks to the strength of our port and tourism ecosystems,...

MariApps Marine Solutionsannounced it has acquired 100 percent ownership of Hyderabad-based software company EffiaSoft Private Limited. “The acquisition of EffiaSoft is a testament to our vision of building a comprehensive digital maritime ecosystem,” said Sankar Ragavan, chief executive officer of MariApps Marine Solutions. “Their expertise in creating high-performance software aligns perfectly with our goal of...

The Marine Hotel Association (MHA) announced dates for its 2026 culinary scholarship program at the Culinary Institute of America’s Singapore campus, running June 15 to 19. The announcement was made at the MHA’s 41th anniversary conference and trade show in Naples, Florida, which wrapped up earlier this week. “We’re excited to be offering this amazing...

To open the year, the Club Med 2 operated in the Caribbean, sailing from the Dominican Republic down to French Guiana throughout the winter season. It was then set to sail in the Mediterranean this summer. Among highlights is a 16-day cultural cruise around Italy, from Porto Venere to Venice, visiting 13 Italian ports of...

MSC Cruises became the fourth cruise line to cancel its planned winter season in the Middle East for 2026-27. Following similar announcements from Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Explora Journeys, the company revealed its decision in late March. As the largest ship in the region, the MSC World Europa was scheduled to offer cruises in...

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 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...

TUI Cruises made significant reductions to the number of crew members onboard its two ships in the Middle East, according to a report by Crew Center. Unable to return to Europe for their planned summer seasons in the Mediterranean, the Mein Schiff 4 and the Mein Schiff 5 are presently stranded in Abu Dhabi and...

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...

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...

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 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...

“Over the next two years our focus is on refining and redistributing capacity rather than reinventing the network. Lakshadweep remains a core part of our offering and continues to be one of our most popular destinations,” said Jurgen Bailom, CEO at Cordelia Cruises, which goes from one ship this year to three by the end...

Emerald Cruises’ newest mega yacht, the Emerald Kaia, is ready to welcome guests for its maiden cruise on April 4, 2026. After being delivered by the Halong Shipyard in Vietnam earlier this year, the 128-passenger ship is set to kick off its inaugural season in Europe. For its first revenue cruise, the Kaia will sail...

The deployment of the SS United States as the world’s largest artificial reef has been pushed to early May 2026, according to a recent report by Fox10 News. The former ocean liner is currently being prepared for its final voyage, which will end with a controlled sinking operation on the coast of Florida’s Okaloosa County....

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,...

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....

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...