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…
LG Electronics Debuts Cruise-Specific TVs and Display Management
LG Electronics USA has unveiled new commercial cruise television models and a centralized display management platform, addressing challenges specific to the marine environment. The company introduced 32-inch and 43-inch Commercial Cruise TV models designed for staterooms and crew cabins, along with the Pro:Centric Catena platform for managing displays across public spaces. The new cruise-specific televisions…
Holland America Reveals Post-Evolution Deployment for Oosterdam
Holland America Line is now accepting bookings for the first post-refit season onboard the Oosterdam, the company said in a press release. The Vista-class ship will be the first to undergo a major refurbishment as part of the Holland America Evolution, which is considered the largest fleet investment in the brand’s 153-year history. After undergoing…
Mein Schiff 3 Back in Service After Rotterdam Drydock
Mein Schiff 3 is back from its two-week stay in Rotterdam at Damen. The newly refurbished ship is now setting course for Norwegian itineraries departing from Bremerhaven. The drydock focused on improving the onboard guest experience, TUI Cruises said in a press release. The ship’s two themed suites, the Godparent Suite and the Captain’s Suite,…
Explora V Bow Section Launched at Fincantieri
Explora Journeys has launched the bow section of the Explora V at Fincantieri’s Palermo shipyard in Sicily. Scheduled for delivery in 2027, the vessel will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). Following the first transfer from land to water and the initial outfitting in Palermo, the bow section will be transferred to Fincantieri’s Sestri…
Aroya Returns to Red Sea Ahead of Service Return
The Aroya recently returned to the Red Sea after spending nearly two months stranded in the Arabian Gulf. Following other ships that were also stuck in the region, the 150,000-ton vessel transited the Strait of Hormuz in late April. The ship then started a repositioning voyage to its homeport in Jeddah, where it is scheduled…
Spain Approves Hondius to Dock in Canary Islands and Patients Evacuated
Two patients with hantavirus and one suspected of being infected have been evacuated from the Hondius and are on the way to the Netherlands, the World Health Organization said, according to the Associated Press. The three people evacuated were a 41-year-old Dutch national, a 56-year-old British national and a 65-year-old German national who were transferred…
MSC Poesia Transits Panama Canal During Grand Voyage
The MSC Poesia has transited through the Panama Canal during her 18-night Grand Voyage from Miami to Seattle. The ship sailed through the Caribbean and Central America before this milestone, and is now in the Pacific, MSC said in a press release. It will now continue north along the coast on the final leg of her journey to Seattle, where…
Azamara Marks Advisor Appreciation Month with New Partnership
Azamara Cruises is partnering with Approach Guides for Travel Advisor Appreciation Month in May. During an initiative running from May 4 through May 31, the cruise line will combine new marketing tools with incentives and rewards for advisors, according to a press release. “At Azamara Cruises, travel advisors are the driving force behind our continued…
Canary Islands Rejects Hantavirus-Hit Hondius Docking at Tenerife
The regional government of Spain’s Canary Islands is opposed to allowing the Hondius to dock on the archipelago, its leader said on May 6, according to Reuters. “This decision is not based on any technical criteria, nor is there sufficient information to reassure the public or guarantee their safety,” Fernando Clavijo told radio station COPE,…
Pearl Seas Opening 2026 Cruise Season This Week
Pearl Seas Cruises is kicking off its 2026 cruise season this week, according to a statement. “We are so pleased to begin our 12th season cruising the Great Lakes aboard Pearl Mist. Our crew is the most seasoned team in the region, and their years of experience enhances each of our itineraries on the Lakes…
Cruise Ship Orderbook Moves to $90 Billion of New Ships
The global cruise ship orderbook now totals some $90 billion in newbuild orders through 2039, according to the latest update from Cruise Industry News. Five more ships were ordered during the month of April, including a trio for Princess Cruises from Fincantieri, and two more Icon-class ships for Royal Caribbean International from Meyer Turku. The…
Hong Kong Touts Events Calendar, Connectivity in Cruise Hub Drive
Hong Kong is investing in infrastructure and pointing to busy events agenda to cement its status as a cruise hub in Asia, according to Marilyn Tham, general manager of mega events, MICE and cruise at the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Following a strong 2025 that saw a 20 percent increase in the destination’s cruise passenger…
Cunard Unveils 2028 Program: 190 Sailings Across 36 Countries
Cunard has unveiled its 2028 program, featuring 190 voyages in 36 countries. Sailing from April 2028 to January 2029, its fleet will visit 125 ports worldwide, including 19 overnight stays and 37 late-evening departures, according to a statement. “Our new voyage collection is one of the most exciting programs we’ve ever launched. From the historic moment all four Queens meet in Liverpool on…
Viking’s 2028–29 Expedition Voyages Available for Booking
Viking has opened bookings for its 2028–29 expedition voyages. The season features newly released departure dates across itineraries in the Arctic, Antarctica and the Great Lakes, Viking said in a press release. Operating the expanded expedition offerings in the polar regions are the Viking Octantis and her sister ship, the Viking Polaris. “Our guests are curious travelers who seek meaningful experiences and…