Okaloosa County: Reefing Project to Preserve SS United States’ History
Okaloosa County said that its project to turn the SS United States into the world’s largest artificial reef aims to preserve the history of the former ocean liner. “There are definitely some very passionate people that are involved with preservation. We are one of those groups,” the county said in a social media update. Okaloosa…
New Pier and Expanded Amenities Ready for Carnival at Half Moon Cay
Carnival Cruise Line’s new pier as well as new amenities and upgrades to the existing ones at its exclusive destination, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, are now open. “RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s natural beauty has always made it a favorite for our guests, and with the new pier, more ships can now easily…
Valiant Lady Heading to Med Fresh from Drydock
The Valiant Lady has returned from drydock with 10 redesigned spaces, Virgin Voyages said in a press release. The ship was undergoing upgrades at Fincantieri’s Palermo yard since May. “Valiant Lady was already one of the most compelling ships at sea, but we kept asking ourselves how to make her even more worth coming back for,” said Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin Voyages. …
Explora III Completes Sea Trials
Explora Journeys has announced that the Explora III completed her sea trials in the Mediterranean. The trials validated the ship’s technical and operational performance ahead of her summer debut. “The completion of Explora III’s sea trials marks another proud milestone for Explora Journeys as we continue to bring our long-term fleet vision to life,” said…
Carnival Brings Cruise Ship LNG Bunkering to Latin America
The Carnival Jubilee has been refueled using a mobile liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling solution at Carnival Corporation’s Isla Tropicale exclusive destination in Roatán, Honduras. In a statement, the cruise line said this is an industry first as it introduces bunkering as a new maritime fueling capability to Latin America and the Western Caribbean. Roatán’s location is said to enable LNG-capable ships to refuel with what Carnival says are minimal…
Port of San Diego Recognizes Participants of VSR Program
The Port of San Diego has recognized 24 ship companies, including cruise lines, for their participation in the port’s voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Program, which helps improve air quality and reduce emissions in and around San Diego Bay. The voluntary program is an objective of the Port’s Maritime Clean Air Strategy to reduce air…
Viking Names Mira in Italy
Viking’s newest ocean ship, the Viking Mira, was officially named during a traditional ceremony in Venice, Italy. Rebecca “Becky” Webb Wilson, an attorney, author, photographer and philanthropist, served as ceremonial godmother. The Viking Mira will now continue her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. “We are proud to welcome the new Viking…
Hondius Cleared for Operations After Deep Clean and Disinfection
The Hondius has now been cleared to return to its full operations following the completion of a deep cleaning and disinfection process in Rotterdam, according to Oceanwide Expeditions. Dutch health authority GGD Rotterdam-Rijnmond inspected the vessel on May 29 and issued an official clearance on May 30. “Based on this targeted inspection, it has been…
Concerns Mount on Corazul Cruceros Start Up
Corazul Cruceros is scheduled to make its Mediterranean debut in early July with the Buenavista, but concerns are mounting that the new brand may not enter service on time, or at all. The company announced its intention to start a summer cruise program earlier this year, operating on a unique business-to-business model, where cruises will…
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty Resumes Service After Major Refit
Royal Caribbean International’s Liberty of the Seas recently resumed service after undergoing a refurbishment project at a shipyard in France. As part of the latest round of refits of the Royal Amplified project, the vessel debuted a series of enhancements and updates. In line with other ships in the company’s fleet, the Liberty now offers…
MSC Preziosa Kicks Off Year-Round Schedule in Northern Europe
The MSC Preziosa recently kicked off a new year-round deployment in Northern Europe for MSC Cruises. The 2013-built ship arrived in Germany in early May after completing a repositioning cruise from South America. Sailing from its homeport in Hamburg, the vessel is now scheduled to offer a series of seven- to 14-night cruises to a…
Riviera Announces World Cup-Inspired Rewards for Advisors
In celebration of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Riviera Travel has announced that it is giving North American travel advisors a chance to earn more while supporting their home team. Starting June 1, advisors can earn a $50 PerfectGift voucher on each new booking made. The company said in a statement that for every goal…
AIDA Ship to Enter Drydock with Passengers
The AIDAmar is scheduled to enter drydock with passengers onboard as part of a special itinerary in Northern Europe. According to the company’s website, the new 10-night itinerary allows guests to live a “shipyard experience,” with a visit to a facility in the Netherlands. The unique cruise departs from the German port of Warnemünde on…
Silversea Wraps Up 2026 World Cruise in Lisbon
Silversea’s World Cruise 2026 has come to an end in Lisbon, Portugal. “The Curious and the Sea” was a 140-day journey aboard the Silver Dawn that visited 59 destinations across 30 countries and six continents since it started in January. The ship sailed from the South Pacific and Southeast Asia to Africa and Europe, before concluding in Lisbon. “With ‘The Curious and the Sea,’…
TUI’s Mein Schiff Flow Getting Its Own Kids Club Character
TUI Cruises has created a Kids Club character specifically for Mein Schiff Flow, its next InTUItion-class ship. Named after its fins, the character of Finni was developed to support the ship’s family program. The expansion of family offering aims to further enhance and enrich the family experience onboard the latest addition to its fleet, TUI…