HX: ‘Going Deeper, Not Just Further’
HX Expeditions continues to build on its Antarctica program, where it claims to carry more travelers than any other operator. “Last season was our most successful to date,” said Gebhard Rainer, CEO, “and with record guest satisfaction and significant enhancements across the entire journey. That includes launching the largest kayaking and camping program in the…
Polar Latitudes: Expansion Strategy
Polar Latitudes Expeditions is emerging from a significant transformation, having assembled a bigger fleet and absorbed two companies. John McKeon, founder and chair, described it as a deliberate, multi-year strategy to become the most comprehensive expedition travel company in the industry. The first move was the acquisition of Chimu Adventures, which added a wholesale and…
Royal Caribbean Group: Availability First, Fresh Ideas Always
“The biggest challenge we face today is on import restrictions,” said Vina Jumpp, associate vice president for food, beverage, hotel, galley and private destination procurement at Royal Caribbean Group. “What can we import into the various countries? That’s number one. We know animal products are the biggest challenge in regards to Europe, and now I…
Marella Marks 30 Year Anniversary with Momentum
Marella Cruises is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, carrying record-high forward bookings and pressing ahead on new homeports and an expanded entertainment and dining program. “Coming back on the back of 2025, which was our most successful year for Marella Cruises, we’ve come into 2026 with record bookings,” said Chris Hackney, CEO. “It’s our…
Cruise Beverage Trends: Zero Proof, Sustainable Cocktails and THC
Beverages trends range from non-alcoholic to sustainable cocktails, even THC (cannabis) drinks, according to a panel of cruise line beverage executives at the recent Marine Hotel Association’s annual conference and trade show in Naples. “For us, one trend is sustainable cocktails with repurposed ingredients, and there is also a focus on clarifying cocktails we are…
MSC Cruises Sets Global Growth Course
“We believe there is strong growth potential for cruise globally,” said Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises. “So, we will continue to invest in new ships and infrastructure to support our growth as well as sustainability initiatives.” MSC Cruises sails 23 ships today, with another ship slated for delivery at the end of the year,…
AIDA: Celebrating 30 Years
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, AIDA Cruises has a very clear identity in the German-speaking market, according to Alexander Ewig, senior vice president of marketing and sales. “We are more than a product. AIDA is a feeling,” Ewig explained to Cruise Industry News, “and many people recognize it the moment they see the smiling lips on…
Inside Lindblad’s Procurement Wins
Lindblad Expeditions may be managing one of the most complex supply chains there is, according to Max Duque, chief supply chain officer. Duque and his team have their share of complexity, with a fleet of small ships operating expedition itineraries globally. “The itineraries we run are very unique and very difficult to service from a…
Crystal Cruises: Setting the F&B Benchmark
“Dining aboard our ships is immersive, elegant and deeply personal,” Günter Lorenz, vice president of food and beverage at Crystal Cruises, told Cruise Industry News. “We offer fine dining without formality, indulgence without excess and service delivered with intuitive warmth. Each venue offers its own identity, yet all share the same commitment to quality, precision…
For Emerald and Scenic, the View Keeps Getting Better
A rising tide raises all ships, the old saying goes. Scenic Group’s Managing Director Ken Muskat certainly sees the rapidly expanding luxury expedition cruising market that way. While the increase in high-end small-ship tonnage injects competition into the sector, it also amplifies what Scenic does better than any other, Muskat told Cruise Industry News. “I…
Regent and Oceania Chart Big Future Plans
“With the way the luxury market has expanded over the last 20 years, we’re perfectly situated,” said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer of Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. The two brands under the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings umbrella have a combined nine ships on order, and Montague said the brands were capitalizing on…
AIDA’s Fresh Options Keep Guests Loyal
There are over 350 ports getting AIDA calls globally, head of deployment planning Diana Havkost told Cruise Industry News. “This year is our 30th anniversary so we have a sister-ship meeting planned in Hamburg on June 7, with the AIDAsol, AIDAprima and AIDAperla.” Also new for 2026 is the AIDAblu’s summer program in the Eastern…
Azamara’s Perfect Cruise Formula
“Part of our portfolio is to continue to have new things to keep people coming back,” Mike Pawlus, head of itinerary planning at Azamara Cruises, told Cruise Industry News. “We have more than 300 ports we call at each year, and we are seeing a lot of people that once they sail with us, they…
MSC Cruises Pursues Balanced Global Growth
These are engaging times for MSC Cruises with new programs and ships being launched. “We are starting to sail to Alaska for the first time this May with seven-night cruises aboard the MSC Poesia from Seattle,” said Luca Garritano, chief revenue and sales services officer. “And we are now also operating from Galveston year-round with…
Carnival Corporation: Driving Efficiency Gains
“We look at ways we can improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions across the fleet. We see drydocks as opportunities,” said Chris Millman, vice president of corporate marine technology at Carnival Corporation. “That may be installing equipment, blasting and painting, thruster grids, or making hydrodynamic improvements,” Millman said, in an interview with Cruise Industry News….