Royal Caribbean Set to Maintain Largest Cruise Brand Title
Royal Caribbean International, which is the single largest brand in the cruise industry based on annual passenger capacity, will maintain its position based on the forward orderbook, with 7.7 million passengers by 2033 at double occupancy, compared to 6.9 million for Carnival Cruise Line, the second largest brand, according to the 2025 Cruise Industry News…
NCLH Reveals Development Plans for Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) has announced plans to build new amenities and enhancements at Great Stirrup Cay. The company said in a press release that the enhancements include a new welcome center and pool area with a swim-up bar, family splash pad and poolside cabanas. An island-wide tram system will also be added….
Holland America Line Extends 2026 Europe Season
Holland America Line has extended its 2026 Europe season by six weeks and opened bookings for four additional cruises, according to a press release. The expanded itineraries offer more opportunities to explore the Mediterranean and Norway, including a chance to view the Northern Lights on a cruise that enters the Arctic Circle. The new voyages…
Viking Orders Send Cruise Orderbook to 177,606 Berths
Two Fincantieri newbuilds ordered by Viking earlier this week, in addition to news from AIDA and Emerald, have sent the cruise ship orderbook to a total of 177,606 berths set to debut between now and 2036. The global orderbook (download a PDF here) now stands at 74 ships representing a total outlay of $64.1 billion….
Cruise CEOs Comment on State of Industry and Economy
Cruise industry senior leaders were in Miami Beach on Tuesday morning for a state of the industry panel. Josh Weinstein, president, CEO and chief climate officer, Carnival Corporation, said the first quarter of the company’s performance was amazing, noting strong per person per day yield results. “The level of onboard spending we saw in the…
Viking to Build Hydrogen-Powered Cruise Ship; Orders 2 More
Viking and Fincantieri today announced details of the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, capable of operating with zero emissions. In addition, the company announced a deal to built two more ocean-going ships with Fincantieri for delivery in 2031. Already under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, the Viking Libra is scheduled for delivery…
Carnival Next Gen Newbuilds: Project Ace
Carnival Cruise Line has revealed its next-generation ship platform under the codename Project Ace. This includes three ships at 230,000 gross tons each being built by Fincantieri that will be delivered in 2029, 2031 and 2033, respectively. With over 3,000 guest staterooms, the new ships will be the largest in the Carnival Corporation global fleet…
AIDA Orders Two New Ships From Fincantieri
Carnival Corporation today announced an order for two new ships for AIDA Cruises, for a new class of mid-sized vessel. The agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri provides for the design, engineering, and construction of these multi-fuel-capable ships, which will be delivered in the first quarter of fiscal years 2030 and 2032, respectively. “With approximately 2,100…
Sunsation Point Coming to Next Carnival Newbuilds
The Carnival Festivale will debut in 2027 sailing from Port Canaveral and will feature a new outdoor zone on the top three decks, named Sunsation Point, that is a vibrant and exhilarating family fun zone that promises endless entertainment, the company said. The Carnival Tropicale, sailing in 2028, will also feature the new area. On…
April Update: Latest Cruise Ship Transactions
Cruise Industry News looks at some of the key ship transactions and moves that took place recently, which include ship sales, charters and inter-company transfers. Oceania Insignia Company: Oceania Cruises Capacity: 684 guests Tonnage: 30,200 Year built: 1999 Move: To be operated by Crescent Seas starting in late 2027 Date: April 2025 Oceania’s Insignia will…
MSC Opens New Cruise Terminal in Miami
MSC Cruises has officially opened its new massive cruise terminal in PortMiami during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday. The event was attended by key executives of the company and partners, in addition to local and national authorities from the United States and Italy. Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Group’s Cruise Division, took the stage…
MSC Divina Wraps Up Cruise Season in the U.S.
The MSC Divina recently wrapped up its 2024-25 winter season in the United States after completing a short cruise to the Bahamas. After departing in late March, the four-night voyage included visits to Ocean Cay and Nassau before returning to PortMiami on April 4, 2025. Sailing with no guests onboard, the MSC Cruises vessel is…
Crescent Seas Buys Oceania Insignia as Second Residence Ship
Crescent Seas has announced the addition of a second ship to its portfolio, confirming it will buy the current Oceania Insignia for its second residential cruise ship, set to sail alongside the Regent Navigator. The 1998-built Insignia will undergo a more than $50 million comprehensive revitalization and will feature 290 residences priced from $650,000 to…
Aranui to Expand with Second Ship
Aranui will expand with a second luxury passenger-cargo ship sailing in the South Pacific in 2027, the company announced. The new ship will carry the name Aranoa and sail in the Austral Islands. “Aranui Cruises’ Aranoa will soon embark on its primary mission: supplying the remote Austral Islands and its residents with the provisions needed…
Albatros Expeditions and Polar Latitudes Join Forces
Albatros Expeditions and Polar Latitudes have announced they are joining the same ownership group to coordinate and combine their Arctic and Antarctic expedition cruise business. “Our ambition is to create the most trusted and reliable brand for all of our customers and business partners by learning from, and building on, each other’s strengths,” said Patrick…