Hapag-Lloyd Adds More Japan Sailings Through 2028 as Demand Grows
Hapag-Lloyd has highlighted Japan as one of its most popular itineraries, with the 2026 season now underway aboard the Hanseatic inspiration. The cruise line said in a statement that additional Japan sailings aboard the Hanseatic spirit, Europa and Europa 2 were added for 2027 and 2028 due to strong demand. Guests can explore all four of Japan’s main islands, Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and…
South Korea: Capitalizing on Passenger Surge
South Korea is welcoming record-breaking cruise passenger volumes, according to Lee Jong-Geun, deputy director of the Marine Leisure Tourism Division at the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. With projections for 2026 already exceeding 1.8 million guests and 952 calls, the country is nearly doubling its numbers year over year. “That number was based on our…
Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas Completes Major Drydock
The Harmony of the Seas is ready to resume service after undergoing a major drydock refurbishment at the Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz. Completing the five-week refit project, the Oasis-class vessel sailed from the Spanish shipyard earlier this week. As part of the Royal Amplified initiative, the ship is set to welcome guests back later this…
Viva Cruises Christens New Ship During Ceremony in Paris
Viva Cruises officially christened its new ship, the Viva Beyond, during a ceremony in Paris, France, on May 8, 2026. According to a press release, Norwegian travel industry leader Cecilie Kopperud served as the godmother of the vessel, which became the first in the company’s Viva Boutique line. The company said that the naming ceremony…
Asia-Pacific Sees Largest Gain in 2026; Africa, South America Drop
With a growing cruise fleet, capacity is up in most sailing regions, although some are seeing a significant dip in 2026 from 2025, according to the 2026 Cruise Industry News Annual Report. The biggest percentage increase year-over-year is in the Asia-Pacific region which is seeing a 47 percent increase in cruise capacity from last year….
Ponant Extends Flexible Booking Program Through End of May
Ponant extended its flexible booking program through the end of May, according to a statement published on the company’s website. Originally announced for bookings in April, the “Serenity Policy” allows guests to change or postpone their cruises with no penalty. According to the company, the policy is now valid for all bookings made between April…
Sojourn Completes Final Cruise for Seabourn
The Seabourn Sojourn completed its final cruise ahead of being handed over to its new owners, Mitsui Ocean Cruises. Part of the MOL Group, the Japanese cruise line acquired the 450-passenger vessel in March 2025, chartering it back to Seabourn. As part of its farewell season, the 2010-built ship offered a series of itineraries to…
Celestyal Journey Makes Inaugural Call at Agios Nikolaos
The Celestyal Journey made her inaugural call at Agios Nikolaos, Crete on May 12, 2026. According to a statement, this port will replace a stop that was previously made in Heraklion during Celstyal’s seven-night “Idyllic Greece” itinerary. Sailing roundtrip from Athens, the cruise calls at Kusadasi, Turkey; Rhodes; Agios Nikolaos; Santorini; Mykonos; and Milos. “Agios Nikolaos has a growing role as a cruise…
Costa Cruises Unveils Flexible Booking Offer for Med Sailings
Costa Cruises has presented its “Change for Free” offer, allowing guests to plan their trips with more flexibility, according to a statement. Thanks to this, Mediterranean cruises booked by June 3, 2026, can be modified up to 30 days before departure, with no additional costs, subject to availability. The promo covers itineraries aboard the Costa…
MSC Euribia Kicks Off Northern Europe Season
The MSC Euribia has started its Northern Europe season, MSC Cruises announced in a press release. The ship will take guests to explore Norway’s fjords sailing from Kiel and Copenhagen, stopping in Hellesylt/Geiranger and the Flaam village, among others. Having been stranded in the Arabian Gulf for nearly two months, the ship was supposed to reposition to Northern Europe through Africa. However, it ended…
Adora Ship Chartered to Malaysia-Based Tour Operator
The Adora Mediterranea is set to operate cruises from Malaysia in late 2026 as part of a charter deal with Hwajing Travel & Tours. With sailings scheduled for November and December, the operation includes four departures from Penang, according to Travel Weekly Asia. The report said the charter builds on Hwajing’s track record in cruise…
Travel Agents Report Mixed Signals on Europe Cruise Demand for Summer 2026
Europe cruise bookings for summer 2026 now present a more complex picture than expected in 2025, with travel agents across the United States reporting divergent trends shaped by new geopolitical uncertainty, surging airfares and shifting consumer behavior. Denise Ambrusko-Maida at Travel Brilliant said that Europe cruise bookings for summer 2026 are strong and pacing ahead…
New Ship Joining Riviera Travel’s Fleet in 2028
Riviera Travel has announced the addition of a new ship to its Radiance Class fleet. The Riviera Rhapsody is set debut on April 1, 2028, starting with the Bruges, Medeival Flanders, Amsterdam & The Dutch Bulbfields itinerary along Dutch waterways. It will then reposition to the Rhine River in summer to sail a range of…
JAMVAC Director Representing Jamaica in Cine-Tourism Talks at Cannes
Executive Director of Jamaica Vacations Limited (JAMVAC), Joy Roberts, will participate in tourism and film industry events linked to the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, according to a statement. She will serve as panelist at the 7th edition of the Pavillon Afronova at the Cannes Film Festival, participating in a Cine-Tourism Panel focused on destination development,…
Norwegian Jade and Gem Resume Service Following Drydocks
The Norwegian Jade and the Norwegian Gem are back in service after recently undergoing routine drydocks. As part of Norwegian Cruise Line’s maintenance schedule, the ships spent time at shipyards in the Pacific Northwest and the Mediterranean, respectively. Now offering summer cruises in Alaska, the Norwegian Jade entered drydock in Victoria, Canada, on April 20,…