Celebrity Reveals First Riverboats: Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker
Celebrity Cruises revealed its first two riverboats, set to sail in 2027, the Celebrity Compass and Celebrity Seeker. “Celebrity River Cruises ships will be the most innovative on the river, with a patent-pending industry-leading design that offers more space to vacation while bringing guests even closer to destinations,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity…
Legend of the Seas Floats Out at Meyer Turku
Meyer Turku hosted a festive ceremony on August 29, 2025, to celebrate the float out of Royal Caribbean International’s new Legend of the Seas. According to a press release, the traditional float out ceremony included speeches by representatives of the shipyard and the cruise line, as well as a gun salute and a playful competition…
Carnival Cruise Line to Return to Acapulco After 15 Years
Carnival Cruise Line is returning to the Mexican port of Acapulco in early 2027 following a more than 15-year hiatus. According to the company, the visit marks a significant milestone, connecting its guests with “one of Mexico’s most famous coastal cities.” After last visiting the destination in 2010, Carnival said that Acapulco is known “for…
Carnival Radiance Completes 25 Years of Service
The Carnival Radiance recently completed 25 years of service after being delivered to Carnival Cruise Line on July 28, 2000. Built by Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard in Italy, the 101,509-ton vessel debuted as the third in the company’s Destiny class. Under its original name of Carnival Victory, the ship kicked off its inaugural season with a…
Aroya Announces Return to the Red Sea
Aroya Cruises announced that it is returning to the Red Sea in September, with a new season of sailings departing from its homeport of Jeddah. The company said that the new itineraries will take guests to some of the most captivating destinations in the region, including the private island of Jabal Al Sabaya and Sharm…
Norwegian Aqua Completes First Cruise to Bermuda from New York
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced that the Norwegian Aqua completed her first sailing to Bermuda from her new seasonal homeport of New York City. Through October, the Norwegian Aqua will offer round-trip five- and seven-day voyages to Bermuda’s West End at the Royal Naval Dockyard, sailing from Manhattan. “We’re thrilled to have had the Norwegian…
First Look: Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Cruises offered its first look at the new Celebrity Xcel under construction in Nantes, France. The 3,244-passenger ship, currently at Chantiers de l’Atlantique, will feature seven concept spaces not on the other four Edge-class ships, said Celebrity President Laura Hodges Bethge. Most striking is the Bazaar, which offers samples of regional food and drink,…
Celebrity Names Janaina Torres as Godmother of Celebrity Xcel
Celebrity Cruises has announced Janaina Torres as the godmother of Celebrity Xcel, a Brazilian chef who was named Best Female Chef in the World 2024 by World’s 50 Best. According to Celebrity, Torres is recognized for her no-waste approach to cooking that blends heritage with purpose. “We are honored for Chef Torres, a trailblazer in…
Royal Caribbean Offers Incentives for Guests to Change Utopia Booking
Royal Caribbean International is offering incentives for guests willing to change their cabin categories for the August 25, 2025, cruise onboard the Utopia of the Seas. According to a statement, passengers may receive perks when moving their bookings for ocean view or interior staterooms. “Ahead of our Utopia of the Seas, August 25, 2025, sailing,…
Saint John Welcomes Unscheduled Visit from Norwegian Aqua
Saint John in Canada welcomed the new Norwegian Aqua for an unscheduled visit earlier this week. Initially set to visit Bermuda, the Norwegian Cruise Line ship was diverted to the port due to the impact of Hurricane Erin. “It was a beautiful sunny day, and guests were in good spirits despite not being at the…
New Festivale to Feature Carnival’s Biggest Waterpark
The Carnival Festivale will feature the biggest waterpark in Carnival Cruise Line’s history, the company announced in a press release. Set to debut in 2027, the Excel-class ship will introduce Carnival Waterworks Ultra as part of the new Sunsation Point family adventure zone. According to Carnival, the waterpark will feature six water slides designed for…
President David Herrera Out At Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) announced that David J. Herrera, who served as president of Norwegian Cruise Line, exited the company effective on August. 20. According to a filing issued this Wednesday, Herrera’s departure is part of a “strategic leadership change.” Harry Sommer, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ president and CEO, will assume Herrera’s day-to-day responsibilities…
Viking Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Viking Holdings has reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. Key Highlights Total revenue was $1,880.4 million for the second quarter of 2025, an increase of 18.5% compared to the same period in 2024. Gross margin increased 22.3% and Adjusted Gross Margin increased 19.2% compared to the same period in 2024….
Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas Embarks on First Cruise
The Star of the Seas is now in service for Royal Caribbean International, embarking on its first revenue cruise on Aug. 16, 2025 from Port Canaveral. As the second ship in the company’s Icon class, the 250,800-ton ship was delivered by the Meyer Turku shipyard in early July. Following a series of preparations, as well…
Aroya Cruises to Debut in the Arabian Gulf in 2026
Aroya Cruises is set to expand its operations to the Arabian Gulf early next year, according to published deployment plans. Now open for bookings on the company’s website, the season includes cruises from Dubai and Dammam starting in February 2026. Following a fall cruise program in the Red Sea, the Aroya will initially sail from…