Blue Whales and Blue Skies Program Opens to Cruise Lines
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
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
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
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
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 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 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
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 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 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’
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…
Exploris One to be Auctioned
The Exploris One is heading to auction online as part of Exploris Expeditions & Cruises’ liquidation proceedings. Interested parties are able to place bids for the expedition vessel on Interencheres, a France-based marketplace for auctions. According to the website, the 132-guest ship is being offered for sale by auction house Ouest Enchères Publiques of Nantes….
Key Cruise Ship Drydocks in January
From routine maintenance to conversion work, Cruise Industry News looks into some of the key drydock projects that are taking place in January For a complete overview of the drydock market, see the new 2026 Drydock and Refurb Report. Celebrity Infinity Cruise Line: Celebrity Cruises Capacity: 2,170 guests Tonnage: 91,000 Year built: 2001 Drydock Period:…
AIDA Cruises to Return to the Middle East in 2027-28
AIDA Cruises opened bookings for cruises to the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf during the 2027-28 winter season. The itineraries will be operated by the AIDAperla. The 2017-built vessel will offer its first season in the region, with cruises departing from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Starting on December 16, 2027, the deployment includes a…
2026 Drydocking and Refurbishment Report Out Now
Cruise Industry News has officially launched the 2026 Drydocking and Refurbishment Report, now available for immediate download in PDF format. This definitive resource provides a comprehensive analysis of the global cruise ship drydock market. It features a master calendar detailing current schedules and long-term projections extending through 2028. 2026 will be a record-breaking year for…