Viking Yi Dun Departs Shanghai, Concludes Its Chinese-Flag Era
The Viking Yi Dun slipped her moorings at Shanghai’s North Bund International Cruise Terminal on June 5, beginning a roughly 60-day positioning voyage across the South China Sea. The ship will sail past Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean, around the Cape of Good Hope and into the Mediterranean, with a scheduled arrival in Barcelona, Spain,…
Richard Branson Joins Brilliant Lady’s First Call at Prince Rupert
Virgin Voyages’ newest ship, the Brilliant Lady, has visited Prince Rupert Cruise Port for the first time, with Virgin Group founder, Sir Richard Branson, in attendance. The port served as the final stop on the ship’s itinerary on May 26, 2026, during its first Alaska season, according to a press release. The season will feature 17 new voyages spanning 12 destinations across Alaska and the Pacific…
Vancouver Celebrates One Millionth Passenger Through Facial Biometrics
The Port of Vancouver celebrated the one millionth cruise passenger going through its unique facial biometric embarkation system today. The Fullerton family triggered the one-million mark. They were traveling from Kentucky to board their Alaska-bound cruise ship. Facial biometrics were first implemented at the Canada Place Cruise Terminal in June 2024, just as the Alaska…
Holland America and Celestyal Join Growing Year-Round Europe Trend
Two cruise lines recently announced plans to expand their operations in Europe, adding winter cruising in the region. Holland America and Celestyal became the latest in an increasingly long list of brands sailing year-round in the destination. Holland America Line is deploying its largest and newest ship, the Nieuw Statendam, for a winter and early…
Norwegian Shifts Viva to PortMiami, Cancels Puerto Rico Season
Norwegian Cruise Line will redeploy the Norwegian Viva to PortMiami for the 2027-28 winter season, cancelling the Prima-class ship’s previously planned Southern Caribbean cruises from Puerto Rico. In a notice sent to guests, Norwegian advised that all itineraries the Norwegian Viva was set to operate from San Juan between late 2027 and early 2028 have…
Frank Del Rio Sues Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Over Consulting Deal
Frank Del Rio, the former president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, has sued the company, its operating subsidiary NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. and four former directors, alleging they reneged on an oral promise to pay him an additional $8 million in consulting fees. The complaint, filed May 5 in the Circuit Court of the…
Ritz-Carlton Yacht CEO: ‘We Are Growing and Executing as Planned’
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has completed a planned capital transaction representing more than $300 million in total support, with President and Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Fara saying the company is growing and executing as planned and excited about the future, according to a company announcement. “Our shareholders and lenders have together committed more than $300…
Corazul Cancels European Debut, Will Launch in Brazil Instead
Corazul Cruceros has cancelled its planned Mediterranean debut with the Buenavista and will instead launch its first commercial season in Brazil in 2026-27. Cruise Industry News reported earlier this week the company was facing challenges in its planned start up. All European departures scheduled for 2026 will be cancelled as a result, the company said….
New Pier and Expanded Amenities Ready for Carnival at Half Moon Cay
Carnival Cruise Line’s new pier as well as new amenities and upgrades to the existing ones at its exclusive destination, RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, are now open. “RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay’s natural beauty has always made it a favorite for our guests, and with the new pier, more ships can now easily…
Viking Names Mira in Italy
Viking’s newest ocean ship, the Viking Mira, was officially named during a traditional ceremony in Venice, Italy. Rebecca “Becky” Webb Wilson, an attorney, author, photographer and philanthropist, served as ceremonial godmother. The Viking Mira will now continue her inaugural season sailing in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. “We are proud to welcome the new Viking…
Ferreira: Interrupting Vasco da Gama Operations Was a ‘Responsible Decision’
Taking Nicko’s Vasco da Gama out of service due to a series of technical problems was a responsible decision, according to Mario Ferreira, CEO of the brand’s parent company, Mystic Cruises. After cutting short its world cruise in late April, the company cancelled three sailings onboard the 1994-built ship to make room for an unscheduled…
MSC Sustainability Report: Decarbonization Goal Reached 5 Years Early
MSC Group’s Cruise Division has published its 2025 Sustainability Report. According to a statement, the company’s seventh annual report shows clear and sustained progress on areas including decarbonization, destination stewardship and biodiversity. As one of the highlights, MSC pointed out that its Cruise Division achieved the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2030 carbon intensity reduction target five years ahead of schedule. Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Group’s Cruise Division,…
Adora Magic City and Flora City Meet at Sea
China’s first two domestically built large cruise ships, the Adora Magic City and Adora Flora City, met in the East China Sea on the evening of May 16, marking a historic milestone for the country’s shipbuilding industry and cruise sector. The Magic City was returning from voyage to Busan, South Korea, when it crossed paths with…
Celestyal Cancels Gulf, Doubles Down on Med for Winter 2026-27
Celestyal has cancelled its Arabian Gulf season for winter 2026-27, replacing it with a Mediterranean deployment, which will include the brand’s debut in the Western Med. In a press release, the cruise line said it would extend its current Eastern Mediterranean season in 2026-27, adding new sailings for two vessels in its fleet, the Celestyal…
Viking Mira Delivered at Ancona
Fincantieri and Viking have celebrated the delivery of the Viking Mira at the Ancona shipyard. The ceremony was attended by Jeff Dash, executive vice president and head of business development at Viking, as well as Giorgio Gomiero, senior vice president of operations at Fincantieri and Gilberto Tobaldi, director of the Ancona Shipyard. With a gross…