TUI Supports Familienschutzwerk eV
TUI Cruises has announced that it will again support the Familienschutzwerk eV project this year by supporting KidsAnker from Hamburg. KidsAnker is an outpatient children’s and youth hospice service and supports families with chronically ill, dependent and children, adolescents and young adults with life-limiting conditions. Last year, guests and employees of TUI Cruises raised 66,000…
Marella Expands its Mediterranean Excursion Program
Marella Cruises has expanded its Mediterranean excursion program with nine new offerings, including providing guests with the chance to ride a tuk-tuk through Olbia in Sardinia and experience a food tour in Athens. Chris Hackney, CEO of Marella Cruises, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to help our customers experience destinations more meaningfully.” “By expanding…
A Look at the Maiden Season of the Viking Mira
The new Viking Mira is set to kick off its inaugural season in early June after being delivered to Viking recently. Cruise Industry News takes a closer look at the inaugural deployment of the new 998-passenger vessel, which is the 13th in a series that started with the Viking Star in 2015. Inaugural Cruise in…
AIDAsol: 15 Years of Service for AIDA Cruises
The AIDAsol recently marked its 15th anniversary after entering service for AIDA Cruises on March 31, 2011. As the fifth in the company’s Sphinx class, the 71,000-ton vessel was built at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. According to the shipyard, the ship’s design is highlighted by a large number of cabins with private balconies, as…
MSC Opera Starts Interporting Season in Portugal
The MSC Opera recently arrived at the Lisbon Cruise Port for its interporting season in Portugal, which will be offered throughout the summer. After completing a winter season in South Africa, the 2,160-passenger ship is now offering a series of ten-night cruises to the Western Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Visiting Portugal, Italy, Spain and France,…
Hapag-Lloyd Adds Two New Great Lakes Itineraries to 2027 Program
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has added two new longer itineraries to its 2027 Great Lakes program. In a press release, the cruise line said the itineraries aboard the Hanseatic inspiration will replace three previously planned shorter cruises, for a total of four Great Lake voyages. The new cruises will allow guests to experience all five Great Lakes together with…
How Saga’s Captain Tanner Prepares for a Mystery Cruise
Saga’s Captain Kim Tanner said that he is excited about planning the Spirit of Adventure’s 25-night Mystery Cruise, which sails from Portsmouth on October 26. According to the captain, the only people aside from himself who will know where the ship will be sailing will be the navigator on The Bridge and the Explore Ashore…
Galveston Wharves Establishes Galveston College Endowment
The Galveston Wharves is investing in the future of the maritime industry by establishing an endowment at Galveston College to fund maritime-related degrees and trades. Initial funding of $40,000 came from sponsorship proceeds from the Port of Galveston’s 2025 bicentennial celebration. Rodger Rees, Galveston Wharves’ port director and CEO, said, “As one of the Gulf…
Margaritaville at Sea Debuts Spa, Fitness and Tattoo Offerings
Margaritaville at Sea Cruise Line has introduced a new collection of spa, fitness and lifestyle experiences aboard the Beachcomber by the new St. Somewhere Spa & Salon, Fins Up! Fitness Center and the next iteration of the Permanent Reminder Tattoo Studio. The company said that the new spaces represent its largest wellness footprint to date….
Kelly Predmesky Joins Mitsui Ocean Cruises as North America Head of Sales
Mitsui Ocean Cruises has named Kelly Predmesky as head of sales for its general sales agent partner in North America. Joining Albert Hartigan, who leads partner marketing in North America, she will oversee trade sales strategy and advisor partnerships. In her role, she is expected to help expand awareness of the company and its Japanese cruises, according to a statement. “Kelly…
Lindblad Announces 2026 Visiting Scientist Program Arctic Projects
The National Geographic Society and Lindblad Expeditions have unveiled the projects selected for the 2026 Arctic season’s Visiting Scientist Program. The projects include six National Geographic Explorer-led projects spanning 11 voyages aboard the National Geographic Endurance and Resolution. The company said in a press release that the Visiting Scientist Program is supported by the Lindblad…
Odyssey of the Seas: Five Years of Service for Royal Caribbean
The Odyssey of the Seas recently marked its fifth anniversary of service with Royal Caribbean International. Built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, the 4,200-passenger ship was delivered to the cruise line on March 31, 2021. As the fifth and last ship in the company’s Quantum class, the Odyssey completed a cycle that started…
Norwegian Changes Itinerary of 2027 Breakaway Sailing
Norwegian Cruise Line is changing the itinerary of the cruise set to take place onboard the Norwegian Breakaway on October 3, 2027. Sailing to Canada and New England, the seven-night voyage now features visits to a new destination in addition to a rearranged port schedule. The company is dropping Portland, Maine and instead going to…
Melinda Holmgren Becomes Telenor Maritime CMO
Melinda Holmgren has been named the chief marketing officer (CMO) of Telenor Maritime. Having joined the company earlier this year, Holmgren will now lead the product, market and commercial agenda. The company said in a statement that it expects this to bring stronger alignment between customer needs, digital services, product development and go-to-market priorities. “Melinda…
Steel Cut for Crystal Grace at Fincantieri
Crystal has celebrated a milestone with the ceremonial steel cutting of the Crystal Grace, the company’s newest ocean ship, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. The moment marks the official start of construction. Scheduled for delivery in May 2028, the Crystal Grace represents a bold step forward for the company and builds on its…