Norwegian Sun Enters Drydock in Singapore
The Norwegian Sun recently arrived at a shipyard in Singapore for a routine drydock. Concluding a winter season in Southeast Asia and the Far East, the 2,000-passenger ship arrived at the shipyard on April 2, 2026. The work scope is said to include regular upkeep and class work. Following its 11-day drydock, the Norwegian Sun…
Flynn Cruiseport Boston Ready for 2026 Season With Larger Ships
Flynn Cruiseport Boston is set to start its 2026 season, welcoming 23 cruise brands and nine homeport vessels from April through November, including the largest ship ever to homeport in Boston, the Norwegian Breakaway, the Massachusetts Port Authority said in a press release. Massport is also installing a new passenger bridge to streamline the boarding…
Seabourn Pursuit Provides X-Ray Services to Remote Chilean Island
When the Seabourn Pursuit arrived at Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island in the Juan Fernández Islands on April 4, it brought more than guests ashore, the company said in a press release. For local residents, the ship could now provide access to much needed medical care that had been unavailable to them for months. “Seabourn Pursuit…
New Emerald Kaia Starts Service
Emerald Cruises announced the launch of the Emerald Kaia after a successful transit through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, the company said in a press release. The 128-guest vessel has now departed from Limassol, Cyprus, on its inaugural voyage. The launch follows successful river trials of the Emerald Astra, which is set to join…
Oceania Announces Extensive Refurbishment of Marina
Oceania Cruises announced plans for a refurbishment of the Oceania Marina, the company said in a press release. Scheduled to enter drydock in October 2026, the 1,250-guest vessel will undergo an extensive transformation as the first ship in the line’s OceaniaNEXT program. “At Oceania Cruises, raising the bar is not an initiative, it is our…
Poseidon Announces Enhancements for 2026 Arctic Season
Poseidon Expeditions announced a series of enhancements for its 2026 season in the Arctic onboard the Sea Spirit. According to a press release, the company is introducing updates to its products designed to improve the guest experience onboard. Among the enhancements is the debut of a new inclusion package, which is being added in response…
China Targets 80% Local Supply Chain in Cruise Newbuilds by 2035
Chinese officials have set a formal timeline to shift the majority of cruise ship subcontracting and key component needs to domestic suppliers, with a target of sourcing more than 80 percent of supporting equipment and systems from Chinese companies by 2035. The goal, outlined by Chen Gang, Chairman of Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (SWS)…
Eastern Cruise Plots a New Course for Asian Cruising
“Eastern Cruise is not just a company that operates ships; we are establishing an Asian-style cruise philosophy that combines regular sailings, efficient service and immersive cultural experiences,” said Kiro Kim, managing director of the South Korean cruise brand. He added that the company’s 2026 operating strategy is based on this long-term vision and its understanding…
Carnival Returns Fun-ternship Program for Second Summer
Carnival Cruise Line is kicking off its second summer Fun-ternship Program, giving more than 100 high school students ages 17 and older hands-on experience in cruise terminal operations at six U.S. homeports. The program returns to Baltimore, Tampa, Jacksonville, Norfolk, New York City and Long Beach following a successful debut in summer 2025, the company…
Ponant Reveals Jazz-Themed Baltic Voyage in 2027
Ponant Explorations has announced its jazz-themed Baltic cruise setting sail in early 2027. The 11-day, 10-night “Jazz Festival, from the Baltic to the North Sea” aboard Le Commandant Charcot, will sail from Helsinki (Finland) to Bergen (Norway) Jan. 23-Feb. 2, 2027, according to a statement. Developed in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center and the…
Port Saint John to Welcome Valiant Lady, Season Starts Early
Port Saint John will kick off its 2026 cruise season over two months ahead of schedule with the arrival of Virgin Voyages’ the Valiant Lady expected on April 8 at the Diamond Jubilee Cruise Terminal. “Our ability to embrace opportunities like this on short notice speaks to the strength of our port and tourism ecosystems,…
MHA Announces 2026 Culinary Scholarship Program Dates
The Marine Hotel Association (MHA) announced dates for its 2026 culinary scholarship program at the Culinary Institute of America’s Singapore campus, running June 15 to 19. The announcement was made at the MHA’s 41th anniversary conference and trade show in Naples, Florida, which wrapped up earlier this week. “We’re excited to be offering this amazing…
MariApps Marine Solutions Acquires EffiaSoft Private Limited
MariApps Marine Solutionsannounced it has acquired 100 percent ownership of Hyderabad-based software company EffiaSoft Private Limited. “The acquisition of EffiaSoft is a testament to our vision of building a comprehensive digital maritime ecosystem,” said Sankar Ragavan, chief executive officer of MariApps Marine Solutions. “Their expertise in creating high-performance software aligns perfectly with our goal of…
Club Med Building Deployment on Cultural Experiences and Private Beaches
To open the year, the Club Med 2 operated in the Caribbean, sailing from the Dominican Republic down to French Guiana throughout the winter season. It was then set to sail in the Mediterranean this summer. Among highlights is a 16-day cultural cruise around Italy, from Porto Venere to Venice, visiting 13 Italian ports of…
MSC Becomes Fourth Cruise Line to Cancel Middle East Season in 2026-27
MSC Cruises became the fourth cruise line to cancel its planned winter season in the Middle East for 2026-27. Following similar announcements from Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Explora Journeys, the company revealed its decision in late March. As the largest ship in the region, the MSC World Europa was scheduled to offer cruises in…