Royal Caribbean Suspends All Visits to Labadee in Haiti
Royal Caribbean International is suspending all of the upcoming calls at Labadee, its private island in Haiti. “Due to the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we’re temporally suspending our visits to Labadee for our entire fleet,” the company said in a prepared statement. “We continue to monitor and assess the…
Caribbean Princess Completes 20 Years of Service
The Caribbean Princess is marking a milestone anniversary in 2024. After debuting in April 2004, the cruise ship is completing 20 years of service next month. Part of Princess Cruises’ Grand Class series, the 3,100-guest vessel was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. With a modified layout, the Caribbean Princess is slightly larger…
Renaissance Kicks Off CFC’s 2024 Cruise Season
The Renaissance recently kicked off the 2024 cruise season for Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC). After being laid up in Marseille for the past few weeks, the vessel is now entering its second year of service for the France-based cruise line. Initially sailing from Le Havre, the Renaissance will offer a variety of three- to…
Seward Company Releases Plans for New Cruise Terminal in Alaska
The Seward Company recently released plans to design and build a new cruise terminal and pier at the Port of Seward in Alaska. According to the company’s website, design and construction for the new facility is scheduled to start immediately, with completion expected by Spring 2026. The Seward Company is working with the Royal Caribbean…
Selectum Blu Aims to Resume Service in May
Anex Tour’s Selectum Blu Cruises is planning to resume its cruise services in Turkey ahead of the upcoming summer season. After cancelling most of its 2023 sailings and essentially ceasing its cruise operations, the company is expected to offer a season in the Eastern Mediterranean onboard the Blue Sapphire starting in late May. The Blue…
Viking Announces Discovery of New Penguin Colony in Antarctica
Viking announced its expedition team supported the discovery of a new colony of chinstrap penguins not previously known to science on Diaz Rock, near Astrolabe Island, in Antarctica, according to a press release. The finding took place in January 2024 when the Viking Octantis visited Astrolabe Island located in the Bransfield Strait of the Trinity…
SES Providing More Connectivity for the Lady Ships
Virgin Voyages and SES Networks recently rolled out a new connectivity system for guests and crew, meaning those onboard will benefit from SES’ medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites combined with Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) system and the newly launched SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink PRO system. “More than anything, this allows us to offer…
Navigator of the Seas to Enter Drydock in Asia
The Navigator of the Seas is currently sailing towards Asia for a routine drydock. After leaving Los Angeles in February, the Royal Caribbean International ship recently visited South Korea on its way to Singapore. Upon arriving in Southeast Asia, the 2002-built vessel is expected to undergo a two-week drydock at a local shipyard. In addition…
Journey Kicks Off Celestyal’s 2024 Season in the Eastern Mediterranean
The Celestyal Journey kicked off Celestyal Cruises’ 2024 season in the Eastern Mediterranean on Saturday. After completing a charter in late February, the vessel welcomed guests for a seven-night cruise to the Adriatic Sea. Sailing roundtrip from Piraeus, the cruise features visits to a total of six destinations in Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Montenegro, including…
Crystal Announces New Dates for 2024 Chairmen’s Cruise
Crystal announced a new date for the Crystal Chairmen’s Cruise, now sailing Nov. 14-24, 2024, aboard the Crystal Symphony from Venice to Athens, according to a press release. Guests will have the opportunity to sail alongside A&K Travel Group Executive Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre, and Founder & Chairman Emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent, Geoffrey Kent. The…
NCLH: Measured Cruise Capacity Growth at 28%
A key cornerstone of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ long-term strategy is measured capacity growth, said Harry Sommer, president and CEO, speaking on the company’s year-end and fourth quarter earnings call. He pointed to the company’s newbuild pipeline of five ships and its 2023 to 2028 capacity growth, which represents 28 more supply for the company’s…
NCLH: New Transformation Office Driving Cost Cutting
Harry Sommer, president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, said that the company’s strong focus on costs in 2023 will not just be a one-year exercise. “Rather, it is a cultural shift in the way our entire company looks at cost to ensure that we are operating as efficiently as possible while delivering experiences…
Norwegian Cruise Line Reports Q4 and Full Year 2023 Results
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2023 and provided guidance for the first quarter and full year 2024. Full Year 2023 Highlights: Generated total revenue of $8.5 billion, a 32% increase compared to the same period in 2019, with GAAP net income of $166.2 million,…
Virgin Voyages Rolls Out New Improved Internet Package with SES
Virgin Voyages will deploy a new level of “Pretty Fly for a Wi-Fi” connected experiences for its guests and crew becoming the first cruise line to deploy SES Cruise mPOWERED + Starlink PRO service, according to a press release. Combining Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite coverage, the SES Cruise mPOWERED…
Viking Said to Have Filed for IPO
Viking has filed confidentially with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a IPO (initial public offering), according to multiple news reports. There were no further details available. A previous report had a $500 million IPO being discussed. Investors eyeing a Viking IPO would be investing in a dominant position in the European river cruise market,…