Norwegian Aqua to Debut in 2025 Out of Port Canaveral
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today unveiled the evolution of the Prima Class with the all-new Norwegian Aqua, the first of the expanded Prima Plus Class setting sail in April 2025. Starting today, guests can book Norwegian Aqua’s first voyages to the Caribbean with seven-day itineraries departing from Port Canaveral, Fla. Voyages include calls to Puerto…
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Reports Strong Q3 2023 Results
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today reported financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023 and provided guidance for the fourth quarter and full year 2023. Third Quarter 2023 Highlights: The company met or exceeded guidance for all key metrics in the third quarter. Generated total revenue of $2.5 billion, a record for the…
Exclusive Look at Carnival Jubilee’s River Conveyance
Carnival Cruise Line’s latest ship, the Carnival Jubilee, departed from Papenburg on Monday, October 30, 2023, heading to Eemshaven in the Netherlands, traveling along the river Ems backwards. The conveyance was carefully timed with the tidal range on the river. Cruise Industry News received exclusive photos from Oceanliner Pictures and Oliver Asmussen showing the ship…
MSC Magnifica Starts Repositioning Voyage to Miami
The MSC Magnifica is starting its repositioning cruise to Miami today. Set to debut in the North American market, the 2010-built vessel is kicking off a 20-night transatlantic crossing from Genoa, Italy. After leaving Genoa, the MSC Magnifica is scheduled to visit Civitavecchia/Rome, Palma de Mallorca, Málaga, Funchal and St. Cruz de Tenerife before crossing…
Costa Fortuna Completes 20 Years in Service
The Costa Fortuna is completing its 20th anniversary. Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Italy, the 110,000-ton vessel was delivered to Costa Cruises on October 31, 2003. After inaugural festivities, which included a christening ceremony with the Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta, the Fortuna sailed its maiden voyage on Nov. 25, 2003. Sailing…
Virgin’s Resilient Lady Sets Sail to Australia
Virgin Voyage’s Resilient Lady recently started its three-part repositioning voyage to Australia and New Zealand. Ahead of the company’s inaugural season in the region, the 2022-built vessel kicked off the first part of its journey on Oct. 22, in Piraeus, Greece. Sailing to Dubai, UAE, the 14-night cruise marks Virgin’s Middle East debut and also…
MSC Redeploys Orchestra to Western Mediterranean
MSC Cruises has revealed a new winter itinerary for the MSC Orchestra, which will homeport in Valencia, marking the first time a ship will be based at the Spanish port during a winter season. The cruise line said in a statement that the MSC Orchestra will operate weekly voyages between December 16, 2023, and April…
Carnival Magic Repositions to Miami
The Carnival Magic arrived in Miami today to kick off a series of cruises to the Caribbean. Sailing from its new year-round homeport in South Florida, the 3,650-guest vessel is set to offer a series of six- to eight-night itineraries to different destinations in the region. The first cruise of the program includes six days…
Upbeat 2023 and 2024 Outlook for Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean executives presented a very upbeat forecast for the full year of 2023 and outlook for 2024 on the company’s third quarter earnings call today. The full year adjusted EPS guidance is for $6.59 to $6.30 for 2023 and “at least $9” for 2024, according to Jason Liberty, CEO. Capacity will be up 8…
These Five Cruise Ships Are Set to Change Hands Soon
These five cruise ships are set to debut for their new operators over the next months. See the new Secondhand Market Report by Cruise Industry News for a complete look at the ship transaction market. Caledonian Sky Capacity: 114 guests Tonnage: 4,200 Year built: 1991 Current operator: APT Touring Next operator: Captain Cook Cruises Fiji…
Royal Caribbean Reports Q3 Results, Increases Guidance
Royal Caribbean Group today reported third quarter Earnings per Share of $3.65 and Adjusted EPS of $3.85 for the third quarter of 2023. These results were better than the company’s guidance due to stronger close-in demand and further strength in onboard revenue, the company said in a press release. The company is also increasing its…
Carnival Corporation Is Accelerating Efficiency Goals
Carnival Corporation’s 2030 carbon-intensity-reduction goal of 40 percent has been moved up to 2026. “What we thought we could do by 2030 (compared to a 2008 baseline) we are now comfortable we can do by 2026,” said Admiral Bill Burke, chief maritime officer at Carnival Corporation. “That’s a big one.” How? It goes beyond a…
Discovery Princess to Homeport in Sydney in 2025-26
Princess Cruises announced that the Discovery Princess will homeport in Sydney during the 2025-26 summer Australia season. The Discovery Princess will be the cruise line’s biggest ship to ever homeport in Australia in its 50-year history of cruising down under. The ship will make its debut in Sydney in October 2025. Princess Cruises’ President John…
Carnival Freedom Returns To Service With New Look
Once again sporting an iconic winged funnel, the Carnival Freedom marked its return to service by welcoming guests onboard in Barcelona, Spain, for a 14-day transatlantic voyage to its homeport of Port Canaveral, Fla. The ship underwent an extensive refurbishment that included the installation of the new funnel, the addition of the signature Carnival red,…
Viking On Course to Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Viking is moving firmly in the direction of hydrogen fuel cells, according to Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman. Operating 10-ocean going cruise ships now and 10 more slated for deliveries by 2030, he said that the thirteenth ship will be equipped with a 6 MW fuel cell installation, providing a third of the ship’s power…