Port Milwaukee to Welcome First Ship of 2026 Season
Port Milwaukee will welcome the Viking Polaris as the first cruise ship to call on the city for the 2026 season on Thursday, April 23. “We are proud to kick off our record-breaking cruising season and welcome visitors from around the world to our city,” Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said. “Each arrival brings new energy…
Mein Schiff 4 and 5 Ready to Leave Gulf When Time Is Right
The Mein Schiff 4 and 5 from TUI Cruises will sail out of the Persian Gulf when it’s appropriate said CEO Wybcke Meier. The ships have been stranded in the region since early March. Speaking with Cruise Industry News earlier this week, Meier said Mein Schiff 4 was in Abu Dhabi and Mein Schiff 5…
Iran Reopens Strait of Hormuz, Potentially Clearing Path for Stranded Cruise Ships
Iran has declared the Strait of Hormuz completely open to commercial vessels for the remaining period of the current ceasefire, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi announced on X on Friday. The reopening comes more than six weeks after Iran heavily restricted passage through the waterway following the start of hostilities with the United States…
Swan Hellenic Grows West Africa Itineraries in 2026-27
Swan Hellenic has announced two Grand Voyages taking guests southward along the West Coast of Africa in fall 2026. The two Grand Voyages can be combined into a 26-day exploration from Dakar to Luanda, spanning 14 countries and 18 ports, the company said in a press release. Additionally, the West African program will grow to nine cruises across two seasons in 2027. There…
New Shore Excursions in Dominica Available for Cruise Visitors
Dominica is expanding its port of call experiences for cruise passengers thanks to new shore excursions designed to provide a deeper connection to the island. According to a statement by Discover Dominica Authority, these experiences are tailored to be enriching and accessible, allowing visitors to make the most of their time in port. “Dominica continues to stand out in the Caribbean…
Zelim’s Man Overboard Detection System Becomes ISO-Certified
Zelim has announced that its AI-enabled ZOE man-overboard detection (MOB) system received official ISO certification from Lloyd’s Register. More specifically, the system received the ISO 21195:2020 standard, which sets out the minimum required performance for automatic MOB systems used on passenger ships. This follows extensive sea trials onboard Ambassador Cruise Line’s Ambition, the company said in a press release. “The 90-day testing window…
Norwegian Changes Departure Port of European Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line has changed the departure port for the cruise that is set to take place onboard the Norwegian Dawn on August 2, 2026. The ship will now sail from Tarragona instead of Barcelona. According to a statement sent to booked guests, the decision was made due to changes in port availability. “As we…
Croisiere Marseille Provence: Key Cruise Figures for 2025
Croisiere Marseille Provence has released figures for cruises in France for 2025, revealing that the year saw notable increases in terms of passenger numbers and calls. The insights were as follows: Total number of passengers: 6,284,121 +6.2 percent compared to 2024 The share of total passengers by region was 26 percent from overseas, 12.1 percent…
AmaWaterways to Operate Over 50 Ships by 2032
AmaWaterways has announced its most ambitious expansion to date, growing its global fleet to more than 50 ships by 2032, with 15 new ships in Europe and more than 60 percent capacity growth beyond the region, including new ships in Africa and Asia. This builds on a fleet of 31 ships currently in operation, with…
Ambassador Welcomes Business Development Executive James Doohan
Ambassador Cruise Line has appointed James Doohan to the role of business development executive, North. Doohan joins from Althams Travel, where he worked as assistant manager for the last two years. Ambassador’s Deputy Head of Trade, Karen Cameron, said: “I am delighted to welcome Doohan to the Ambassador family, which will only benefit our trade…
Virgin Voyages and TikTok Launch Creator Activation
Virgin Voyages and TikTok have partnered to launch the largest “Creator Voyage” to date: a full ship takeover bringing more than 1,000 creators and their guests onboard the Scarlet Lady for a three-night sailing from Miami to Bimini, April 19-22. Nathan Rosenberg, CMO at Virgin Voyages, said, “Creators are some of the most trusted media…
Norwegian Brings Cruise Back to Philadelphia
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced its return to Philadelphia with a season of voyages to Bermuda and Canada and New England aboard the Norwegian Jewel. According to a press release, this makes it the first cruise line in 15 years to sail from the city, which is said to be an ideal gateway for Mid‑Atlantic travelers. “Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to Philadelphia…
CTL and Casa de Campo to Re-develop Catalina Island
CTL Maritime, part of the MSC Group, and Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, a subsidiary company of Central Romana Corporation Ltd., have announced their joint venture to operate and re-develop Catalina Island beach destination, Dominican Republic, just off the coast of La Romana. The long-term 50/50 venture will see the companies collaborate to upgrade…
StarDream Cruises Strengthens Partnership with NKUHT
StarDream Cruises is reinforcing its commitment to talent development and industry-academia collaboration through an ongoing partnership with the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism (NKUHT). This collaboration aims to nurture future hospitality leaders and strengthen the cruise industry workforce capabilities in the local markets and across the region. “A strong homeport presence allows us…
Carnival Spirit to Undergo Further In-Service Repair Work
Carnival Cruise Line informed guests that the Carnival Spirit is set to undergo further in-service repair work during its April 12, 2026, voyage. According to a statement issued by the company, the required maintenance led to changes in the ship’s itinerary, including a later than scheduled departure. As part of its repositioning voyage to Seattle,…