Lindblad Ramps Up Hull Cleaning, Speed Optimization to Curb Fuel Costs
With fuel prices elevated by the conflict in the Middle East, Lindblad Expeditions has a renewed effort to reduce consumption across its expedition fleet, intensifying hull cleaning and propeller polishing schedules and engaging ship leaders directly in reviews of how energy is used aboard each vessel. CEO Natalya Leahy told analysts on the company’s first…
Royal Caribbean Reveals Capacity of New Discovery-Class Ships
Royal Caribbean revealed the first details of its Discovery-class ships through a recent SEC filing. According the company’s recent quarterly filings, the vessels in the new series will carry up 4,300 passengers atdouble occupancy. The company also revealed delivery dates for the vessels, which are expected to enter service in late 2029 and in the…
Great Stirrup Cay Water Park Positioned as Demand Driver
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is counting on the late-summer opening of the Great Tides Water Park at its Great Stirrup Cay private island to help reverse softening Caribbean demand and generate itinerary premiums heading into 2027. “At Great Stirrup Cay, we witnessed the significant progress being made on the island, particularly at the Great Tides…
Windstar Launches New Flexible Booking Policy for 2026-27
Windstar Cruises announced the launch of its new Peace of Mind Promise, which is said to give guests flexibility when booking eligible 2026 and 2027 sailings. According to a press release, the policy was designed as a response to ongoing travel uncertainty and includes full-itinerary protection. “Unlike most flexible booking programs that cover only the…
Oceania Cruises Reveals Aurelia’s Inaugural Sailings
Oceania Cruises has unveiled the inaugural sailings for the Oceania Aurelia, set to debut in late 2027. Formerly the Oceania Nautica, the ship is set to be reimagined as the Oceania Aurelia, with a christening ceremony planned to take place in January 2028 in Miami. With the voyages available for preview online, reservations will open on May 13, 2026, the cruise line said in a…
Orient Express Bringing Corinthian to Cannes Film Festival
Orient Express Sailing Yachts is partnering with the Festival de Cannes for its 79th edition, taking place May 12–23, 2026. The ship will anchor in the Bay of Cannes and be visible from the Croisette, Cannes’s boulevard, for the duration of the festival. The christening ceremony for the Corinthian, said to be the world’s largest sailing yacht, was celebrated on…
TUI River Cruises Highlights Vienna Tours for Eurovision Guests
TUI River Cruises has highlighted a collection of land tours available to its guests visiting Vienna. In a statement, the cruise line said this could be of interest to those visiting Eurovision, Europe’s largest singing contest, whose finale will take place at Wiener Stadthalle on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The cruise line offers a seven-night…
Aman: Quiet Luxury and Exclusivity
As luxury hotel brands continue to enter the cruise industry, Aman at Sea is betting on a philosophy of “quiet luxury” and exclusivity to differentiate its product. According to President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Wilson, the brand’s transition to the ocean relies heavily on replicating its signature state of mind rather than simply building…
Regent, Oceania Delivering to Expectations at NCLH
While Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings works through a turnaround at its Norwegian Cruise Line brand, the company’s two luxury brands, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, are holding firm, with management pointing to their steady performance as evidence that the wider cruise industry remains on solid footing. Speaking on the company’s first quarter 2026…
Mitsui Ocean Cruises Announces Promo for Japan Summer Sailings
Mitsui Ocean Cruises has presented its “Summer in Japan Sale” for its 11 itineraries sailings from June to September 2026. With the promo, $1,000 onboard credit is available per suite or $500 per guest (based on double occupancy) on all summer sailings departing June 3 through September 19, 2026. A 15% commission is also available for travel advisors, the company shared in a press release. Operating the…
Regent: Driving Retention Through Service
The arrival of ultra-luxury hotel brands into the cruise industry isn’t a threat to established operators but a marketing asset, said Regent Seven Seas President Wesley D’Silva. For the company, the influx of competitors like Ritz-Carlton, Aman and Four Seasons helps resolve a challenge for the brand: convincing non-cruisers that an ocean voyage fits their…
MSC: Integrating Supply Chain and Suppliers
MSC Cruises is modernizing its supply chain and turnaround operations by prioritizing digitalization, demand forecasting and vendor integration, according to Paolo Raia, managing director of procurement and logistics. Highlighting the challenging nature of the turnaround process, he noted that the brand leverages synergies with its broader shipping and cargo divisions to be more effective. Calling…
Lindblad: $1,631 Net Yield Per Available Guest Night
Lindblad Expeditions posted a record net yield of $1,631 per available guest night in the first quarter of 2026, the highest quarterly figure in the company’s history, according to Chief Executive Officer Natalya Leahy. “These results reflect the strength of our strategy and importantly, the discipline of our execution,” she said. Leahy said the company…
Firenze: Carnival Replaces Regular Cruises with Adults-Only Sailings
Carnival Cruise Line replaced 11 regular cruises onboard the Carnival Firenze with a series of new adults-only voyages as part of its SEA program. The new departures are now available for booking on the company’s website and include seven- to 14-night itineraries to the Mexican Riviera and Baja California. Sailing roundtrip from Long Beach, the…
Seabourn: Blending ‘Art and Science’ of Hospitality
Global uncertainty is creating a sense of urgency among guests in the ultra-luxury cruise market, according to Seabourn President Mark Tamis. While sales of physical luxury goods may have softened slightly, the desire for high-end, once-in-a-lifetime travel experiences is actually accelerating, he said. “Uncertainty hasn’t really suppressed demand for us. What it tends to do…