The Caribbean continues to be the backbone of the cruise industry with 42 percent of the global cruise capacity deployed in 2026, up 12 percent from 2025, and with a record 16.5 million guests, according to the 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report This year, more than 200 ships from more than 40 cruise lines...

Creating the ideal deployment is one of the biggest challenges for an expedition cruise line, according to Belinda Hindmarsh, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Global Business for Ponant Explorations Group. “The complexity in building a fleet deployment is not to be underestimated,” she said. Deployment can either make or break a year from a commercial...

The Disney Adventure is back in service after facing a technical issue that led to the cancellation of one cruise. Resuming its regular schedule, the 2025-built ship sailed from Singapore on May 11, 2026, kicking off a three-night cruise in Southeast Asia. The itinerary includes two days of sailing in the South China Sea before...

Three cruise ships,the Blue Dream Star, Blue Dream Melody, and Chinese Taishan,remain out of service in mainland China and looking for their next careers. The 1,218-guest Blue Dream Melody, operated by Blue Dream Cruises, was withdrawn from service at its Beihai homeport on January 4, 2026, citing a need for “systematic hardware upgrades and maintenance.”...

Port workers in Ushuaia have issued a public warning that the upcoming 2026-27 Antarctic cruise season cannot be guaranteed amid an ongoing federal government takeover of the port. The workers of the Provincial Port Directorate issued an open letter stating that operational reliability at the port is now at risk following the January intervention by...

Disney Cruise Line will temporarily suspend the sale of alcoholic beverages at its private destination of Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. According to a statement issued by the company, drinks will not be available for guests visiting the port on May 12, 2026. Joining Royal Caribbean and MSC, which announced similar temporary bans, Disney said...

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority celebrated the maiden call of Virgin Voyages to the Port of Vancouver, according to a press release. The Brilliant Lady arrived at the Canada Place Terminal today as part of the brand’s debut in Alaska and the West Coast. “We are delighted to welcome Virgin Voyages to the Port of...

Twenty British nationals evacuated from the Hondius are beginning 45 days of self-isolation in the UK after their chartered flight from Tenerife landed at Manchester Airport on May 10, according to the BBC. The evacuees are isolating at Arrowe Park Hospital in Merseyside for 72 hours before being asked to self-isolate for a further 42...

The Silver Spirit resumed service for Silversea Cruises earlier this month after undergoing a series of upgrades during a drydock in the Mediterranean. After spending over a month at a shipyard, the 2009-built ship welcomed guests back for a repositioning voyage to Northern Europe. According to a press release, the ship’s revitalization aimed at enhancing...

With a new refurbishment program underway, Azamara is focusing on hardware upgrades and operational agility to drive profitability, according to Chief Executive Officer Dondra Ritzenthaler. The company last expanded its fleet in 2022, with the introduction of the Azamara Onward, which was acquired from Princess Cruises a year earlier. According to Ritzenthaler, the company currently...

Royal Caribbean International has solidified its commitment to the Chinese market by renewing its partnership with the Shanghai Rolex Masters tennis tournament. The cruise line will continue as the Official Cruise Line Partner for the 2026 and 2027 editions of the event, marking a strategic extension of its high-profile sports marketing initiative in the region....

Nicko Cruises cancelled a second cruise onboard the Vasco da Gama due to technical issues with the 1993-built vessel. Currently undergoing a drydock at Damen, the ship will be unable to operate its upcoming sailing, which was scheduled to depart on May 9, 2026. Sailing from Hamburg, the Vasco da Gama was set to offer...

Royal Caribbean International advised guests that it will not serve alcoholic beverages at its private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, on May 12, 2026. According to a statement sent to passengers, the temporary alcohol ban is related to the national elections in the Bahamas. “There is a public notice issued by the Ministry of National...

A guest dinner sign-up program has reduced food preparation waste by up to 75 percent on Lindblad Expeditions vessels, CEO Natalya Leahy said, speaking on the company’s first-quarter earnings call. She described it as one of several initiatives that is simultaneously cutting costs and reducing the company’s environmental footprint. “We have made significant strides through...

The SS United States is ready to be sunk ahead of becoming the world’s largest artificial reef, according to a recent report by Fox10 News. Citing sources from Okaloosa County, the local news source said that the former ocean liner is awaiting approval from federal agencies before embarking on its final voyage. A date for...

Disney Cruise Line cancelled the current cruise of the Disney Adventure due to a technical issue that prevented the ship from departing from its homeport in Singapore. Guests were informed that the sailing was no longer going ahead after boarding the vessel and spending one night onboard. As part of its series of short cruises...

Tallink Silja Line has announced its new exclusive private label collection of wines and beers, the company said in a press release. “The tradition of selecting Tallink Silja Line’s ship wines and beers reaches back decades,” said Aimar Pärna, head of Tallink Duty Free. “Every two years, new signature drinks are carefully chosen to reflect...

MSC Cruises recently adjusted its plans for the 2026-27 season in South America, which will see five ships sailing from Brazil and Argentina. The changes come after the addition of the MSC Seaview to the region’s lineup. Initially set to offer itineraries in the Caribbean during the season, the vessel was redeployed after the cancellation...

The Margaritaville at Sea Paradise recently arrived in Cozumel for the first time, according to an update shared by the company. Sailing from its homeport at the Port of Palm Beach, the 1991-built vessel made its maiden visit to the Mexican port on May 5, 2026. The inaugural call was part of the ship’s “Cozumel...

Villa Vie Residences revealed a new signature offering with My Global Adventure, a three-year around-the-world cruise onboard the Odyssey. According to a press release, the product was designed for passengers who “want to experience the planet in the most immersive way possible.” The company said that the sailing was designed for explorers, retirees, remote workers...

MSC Cruises warned guests of a temporary alcohol ban that will be in effect in the Bahamas on May 12, 2026. According to a statement sent to travel agents, the ban is related to Bahamian General Election regulations. As a result, the company will be forced to temporarily suspend alcohol service at its private island...

The OE Corinthian made its first visit to the Port of Lisbon during its maiden voyage for Orient Express Sailing Yachts. Sailing to Marseille, the ship is currently offering a repositioning cruise to the French Riviera that departed from St. Nazaire. The visit to the Portuguese capital city took place on May 6, 2026, and...

Havila Voyages has joined the European LOWNOISER project as an associated partner, the company said in a press release. The project aims to reduce underwater noise and protect marine life. “The future of maritime transport must be built on respect for the oceans we sail and the coastal communities we serve,” said Marianne Vågen Langeland,...