Exploris One Reportedly Sold at Auction for 4.5 Million Euros

Exploris One

The Exploris One was reportedly sold at an auction that took place in Nantes, France, on January 30, 2026. According to Ouest France’s Le Marin, the ship was sold for 4.5 million euros, excluding mandatory legal fees. The bid was considerably below the starting price of seven million euros set by the court, the French…

Royal Caribbean Announces New ‘Discovery’ Class of Newbuilds

Harmony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Group today announced a series of agreements with the Chantiers de l’Atlantique (CdA) shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France to secure the construction of its Discovery Class of ships. The agreements include two firm ship orders with options for four additional ships. The first ship in the class is set to debut in 2029,…

Corazul Cruceros Set for July Launch with Unique Sales Model

Buenavista

Corazul Cruceros has announced the launch of a new cruise brand developed specifically for the Spanish market, with first sailings scheduled for July 2026. The brand is designed for Spanish-speaking families and groups seeking a cruise experience aligned with their language and culture. “We believe the market has been waiting for a tailor-made Iberian product…

Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program Opens to Cruise Lines

Vessel with whale

The Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) program is expanding participation to cruise lines operating in California, according to a press release. The program said it has had a decade of success in reducing the risk of ship strikes and improving coastal air quality. BWBS is a collaborative effort by regional coastal air districts,…

A Look at the Maiden Season of the Norwegian Aura

Norwegian Aura

Set to become the largest ship in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet, the Norwegian Aura will offer cruises in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean starting in mid-2027. Cruise Industry News takes a closer look at the inaugural deployment of the new vessel, which is currently being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. Inaugural Cruise in…

Queen Mary 2 Makes Historic First Transit Through the Panama Canal

Queen Mary 2

The Queen Mary 2 completed its historic first transit through the Panama Canal this weekend, marking a major milestone in her 2026 World Voyage, according to a press release from Cunard. Guests traveling on board the 108-night voyage were treated to a rare moment as Queen Mary 2 began her passage through the canal’s new…

Alpine Launches New F1 Car on MSC World Europa

Alpine Launch Aboard

The BWT Alpine Formula One Team launched its 2026 Formula 1 car aboard the MSC World Europa in Barcelona on Friday. The team’s livery for its 2026 challenger, the A526, was revealed during an exclusive event aboard while docked at MSC Cruises’ new state-of-the-art terminal. It is said to be the first F1 car launch…

AIDAluna to Sail from New York in Fall 2027

aidaluna usa 2027 jakebutter

AIDA has announced that the AIDAluna will sail from New York in the fall of 2027 to the U.S. East Coast, Canada and the Caribbean. On September 3, 2027, the AIDAluna will depart Hamburg for its transatlantic voyage, sailing via Reykjavik, Iceland, and Prinz Christian Sound and Nanortalik, Greenland, to New York, then heading to…

Aman at Sea Unveils Inaugural Itineraries for Amangati

Aman Ship

Aman at Sea has unveiled the inaugural itineraries for Amangati, with reservations now open for sailings beginning in spring 2027, according to a company statement. The ship will sail five- to eight-night Mediterranean voyages exploring the Dalmatian Coast, Mediterranean Spain and the French Riviera. It will also include rarely accessed ports such as Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Currently…

Atlas to Debut 400-Guest Luxury Expedition Sailing Ship

Atlas Adventurer

Atlas Ocean Voyages will expand with a 400-guest luxury expedition sailing ship, the Atlas Adventurer, with delivery slated for November 2028, according to James A. Rodriguez, president and CEO. “We are expanding with a newbuild that is a world-class vessel, and a totally new class of vessel that will set the standard for luxury expedition…

Westerdam Gets Updates, Capacity Increase in Drydock

Westerdam

Holland America Line’s Westerdam has completed a series of updates as part of a drydock in Southeast Asia. The 2004-built ship recently concluded a two-week drydock project in Singapore that began in early January. In addition to routine maintenance and technical work, the 82,348-ton vessel saw updates to its public areas along with a slight…

Adora Cruises Launches Year of the Horse Themed Cruises

Adora Magic City

Adora Cruises is launching two special Lunar New Year-themed cruises to welcome the Year of the Horse, the company announced in a press release. The cruises will sail during the 2026 Lunar New Year (Chinese New Year) timeframe onboard the Adora Magic City and the Adora Mediterranea. As part of the celebratory lineup, the Magic…

Norwegian Aura Unveiled, Sailing June 2027 From Miami

Norwegian Aura

Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled and opened for sale the Norwegian Aura, which it said is the longest and largest vessel in its fleet, which will homeport in Miami beginning in June 2027 for week-long sailings following her debut in Europe in late May 2027. The Norwegian Aura will be almost 1,130 feet long, 169,000…

Ritzenthaler: Azamara Forward ‘Introduction of a New Era’

azamara quest

The Azamara Quest will get a new penthouse deck later this year, with 12 new premium-priced staterooms, including two above-the-bridge suites with panoramic views. It’s part of the Azamara Forward refurbishment program that was announced on Thursday that will also include a new Chef’s Table restaurant, upgrades of all existing staterooms and much more, said…