Virgin Voyages Introduces New Pricing Structure
Virgin Voyages will introduce a new pricing structure: VoyageFair Choices, which goes into effect on Oct. 7. The company said it was in response to consumer and travel agent feedback. New structure: With the Base fare, Sailors can choose the most value-driven option. This non-refundable fare introduces a new Basic WiFi tier for one device…
MSC Poesia: Major Refurbishment Ahead of Alaska Season
MSC Cruises is planning a major refurbishment for the MSC Poesia ahead of its inaugural season in Alaska. According to a press release, the upgrade will be one of the largest in the cruise line’s history and will include the addition of MSC Yacht Club. The company’s ship-within-a-ship concept will feature a private sun deck,…
Royal Caribbean: Meyer Turku Deal, Icon 5 for 2028, More Options
Royal Caribbean Group has announced a long-term framework agreement with Meyer Turku that secures Royal Caribbean Group’s rights to build at the yard through the next decade. As part of this agreement, the group also confirms an order for Icon 5 to be delivered in 2028, subject to financing, and adds an option to build…
Margaritaville at Sea to Homeport in Miami
The Margaritaville at Sea Beachcomber will homeport in Miami with sailings set to start in 2027, offering mainly week-long cruises, said Christopher Ivy, CEO. Bookings for the new cruises are open. “As we listened and went through surveys and talked to the travel agent community, it was clear we wanted to go longer and further,”…
Carnival Cruise Line to Return to South America After 14 Years
The recently announced deployment for the Carnival Firenze in 2026-27 will mark Carnival Cruise Line’s return to South America following a 14-year gap. As part of a repositioning cruise to Miami, the Firenze is set to offer three sailings in the region, visiting destinations in Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Currently sailing from…
Royal Caribbean to Add Nearly 100 New Staterooms to Harmony
Royal Caribbean International is adding a significant number of staterooms to the Harmony of the Seas during its Royal Amplified refit. Cruise Industry News estimates that the 2016-built ship will resume service next May with over 91 additional cabins. Most of the new staterooms will be added to the area which is now the ship’s…
Aroya Transits Suez Canal on Way Back to Red Sea
The Aroya completed a full transit of the Suez Canal earlier this week with over 2,300 guests and 1,500 crew members onboard. According to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), the operation was part of its “efforts to enhance the Suez Canal’s status as a central hub for maritime tourism and logistics services.” As Head of…
Carnival Legend Launches Hawaii Series, Freedom Moves to Norfolk
Carnival Cruise Line has announced plans for three homeports as it opened new sailings in Long Beach, Norfolk and Baltimore. With seasonal cruises on the Carnival Legend in Long Beach, Carnival will launch its first-ever dedicated series of Hawaii cruises. Carnival is also repositioning the Carnival Freedom to Norfolk and extending the Carnival Pride’s year-round…
Cunard Reveals Exclusive Offerings for Queen Elizabeth’s Caribbean Season
Cunard will offer an exclusive lineup of entertainment and gastronomy experiences for Queen Elizabeth’s maiden deployment in the Caribbean. According to the company, the new program of offerings will be available on select voyages of the 2025-26 season in the region. These include a lineup of culinary experiences, alongside nearly 120 limited-time theatrical performances. “At…
Celebrity Xcel Successfully Completes Sea Trials
The Celebrity Xcel has reached a major milestone after completing its first set of sea trials, Celebrity Cruises announced in a press release. Currently in the final stages of construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard, the Celebrity Xcel finished the tests on Sep. 13, 2025. With Captain “Kirk” Kyriakos Matragkas at the helm, the…
Cruise Executives Evaluate Investments in the Brazilian Market
The Brazilian cruise market could be poised for further growth following the 2025-26 season, when capacity is projected to be down based on published deployment. Speaking at an industry gathering in Brasília earlier this month, executives from major brands said they are currently evaluating further investments in the country. The national market, however, is plagued…
AIDA Shows Off 3D Virtual Tours of Crew Areas
AIDA Cruises is now offering a glimpse of its crew areas through a series of 3D virtual tours created in partnership with Liquid Ambient. According to a report by Crew Center, the 360º views give seafarers and future employees a behind-the-scenes look at life onboard. The tours allow potential crew members to explore crew areas,…
Ponant Launches New Yachting Brand and New Vessel
Ponant Explorations Group is introducing a new commercial brand for its yacht operations, Ponant Yachting. According to a press release, the launch showcases the Group’s expertise in crafting ultra-intimate experiences, combining sailing, sophistication and bespoke service. The company is also adding to its fleet with the order of a new catamaran, which will be called…
Aroya Completes Maiden Season in the Mediterranean
Aroya Cruises is completing its inaugural season in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek Isles later this week. Debuting in the region in late June, the Arabian company has been offering a series of seven-night cruises to Türkiye, Greece and Egypt. Sailing onboard the company’s flagship, the Aroya, the itineraries departed from Istanbul’s Galataport Cruise…
Explora Reveals 2027-28 Sailings, Asia Debut and Explora V Launch
Explora Journeys has unveiled its 2027-28 sailing program, including its Asia debut, to be operated by the Explora III, as well as the launch of the Explora V in the Mediterranean Sea before it heads to the Middle East. The company will offer up to 100 sailings to nearly 200 destinations in 59 different countries…