Island Princess Enters Drydock in Italy
Princess Cruises’ Island Princess is undergoing a routine drydock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Italy. Currently operating in Europe, the 2003-built ship is going through regular maintenance, in addition to class inspections and technical work. The Island Princess is also expected to undergo minor upgrades to its public areas and cabins, as well as…
Royal Caribbean Adds Visits to Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic
Royal Caribbean International is adding visits to Cabo Rojo, Dominican Republic, starting in October 2024. According to several statements sent to booked guests, different company ships are set to add the new destination to their itineraries in the Caribbean. “To provide you with the best experience, we’ve added a brand-new port to our itinerary,” the…
Port of Seattle Prioritizes Climate Action in Future Cruise Agreements
The Port of Seattle has announced its commitment to environmental sustainability by making greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction a key factor in renewing long-term cruise berthing agreements. According to a press release, the order, approved by the Port of Seattle Commission, requires the Executive Director to: Evaluate cruise lines’ progress toward achieving Port of Seattle (Port)…
Royal Caribbean Ship Returns to Miami After 274-Night World Cruise
The Serenade of the Seas returned to Miami today to wrap up Royal Caribbean International’s Ultimate World Cruise. As the first-ever world cruise offered by the company, the 274-night journey sailed from the same port on Dec. 10, 2023. Sailing to the Caribbean, South America, Asia, and the Mediterranean, the cruise was also the longest…
MSC Cruises Announces 2025 China Deployment
MSC Cruises has announced its deployment plans for the Chinese market in 2025. According to a press release, the MSC Bellissima will return to China for a series of cruises departing from Shanghai. The ship will initially sail from the port between Jan. 16 and Mar. 10, 2025, offering four- and five-night winter cruises to…
AIDAprima Trials 100% Renewable Bio Marine Fuel
On September 5, 2024, AIDA Cruises refueled the AIDAprima with 100 percent renewable Bio Marine Fuel for the first time in the port of Rotterdam. According to a press release, this pilot project aims to evaluate the fuel’s performance in regular operations for potential future use. The sustainable biofuel, produced from advanced feedstocks such as…
Disney Wonder Completes 25 Years of Service
The Disney Wonder recently completed its 25th year of service. As the company’s second cruise ship, the 1,750-guest vessel entered service for Disney Cruise Line on August 15, 1999. As a sister to the 1998-built Disney Magic, the Wonder was built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Venice, Northern Italy. After being delivered to Disney, the…
Azamara Cruises Announces Summer 2026 Deployment
Azamara Cruises has announced its 2026 summer sailings, featuring 77 new itineraries. The Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest and Azamara Onward will cruise across Europe, with extended stays in the Mediterranean, Greece, Northern Europe, Ireland and the British Isles. Highlights include three special solar eclipse cruises in August 2026, giving guests a unique opportunity to witness…
Carnival Miracle and Carnival Spirit to Alaska in 2026
Carnival Cruise Line recently announced that it’s deploying the Carnival Miracle and the Carnival Spirit in Alaska in the summer of 2026. According to a press release, the two Spirit-class vessels will offer different itineraries departing from Seattle. A third ship will offer cruises to Alaska and Canada, departing from San Francisco in 2026, with…
TUI Cruises Building on Energy Efficiencies
Keeping its ecological footprint as low as possible was high on the agenda at TUI Cruises from day one when the brand launched in 2008, according to CEO Wybcke Meier, who was speaking at the SMM event in Germany on Tuesday. “We were able to build new ships and we built in Finland. Everything was…
AIDA Cruises Unveils Modernized Fleet Operations Center
AIDA Cruises officially opened its upgraded Fleet Operations Center (FOC) in Hamburg, marking a significant step forward in maritime technology and operations on September 2, according to a press release. The new high-tech center, located in Hamburg’s HafenCity, is designed to set new industry standards and serves as the central hub for monitoring and supporting…
Cruise Ship Orderbook Grows to Over 170,000 Berths
The global cruise industry will see the addition of over 170,000 new berths across between now and 2036, according to the recently updated cruise ship orderbook published by Cruise Industry News. The orderbook to open September is valued at $57 billion, with each ship averaging just over 2,500 guests. Among recent additions are a fourth…
Norwegian to Deploy Eight Ships in Europe in 2026
Norwegian Cruise Line’s recently announced 2026 deployment plans include eight ships spending the summer in Europe. Cruise Industry News looks at the highlights of the program, which includes three itineraries in Northern Europe and four in the Mediterranean. Northern Europe, Iceland and the Baltic Sea Ships: Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Star Homeports: Copenhagen…
Viking Announces New Asia Itineraries Starting in 2025
Viking is introducing six new itineraries in Asia, offering exclusive access to Japan and China, including Tibet (Xizang) in 2025, according to a press release. These voyages, ranging from 15 to 22 days, will visit destinations such as Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, Lhasa and Osaka. The itineraries focus on rare destinations and ports in China that…
Royal Caribbean Orders Another Icon, Plus Options For More
Royal Caribbean Group announced today that it has signed an agreement with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku to order a fourth Icon Class ship for delivery to Royal Caribbean International in 2027. The agreement also includes options to build a fifth and sixth Icon Class ship. “Building on the incredible momentum and market response to the…