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,…
Royal Caribbean Increases Financial Guidance for 2024
Royal Caribbean Group today provided an update on demand and updated its 2024 guidance. The company said it continues to be very encouraged about the demand and pricing environment for 2024. Since its most recent update on its Q4 2023 earnings call, the WAVE booking season has exceeded the company’s initial expectations, with the first…
P&O Cruises UK Sees Record Bookings
P&O Cruises has reported its strongest January ever, with record-breaking sales volume during the month., according to a press release. The most popular destinations booked were the Caribbean, the Norwegian fjords and the Atlantic Islands, while P&O Cruises Iona, has seen the most interest, the company said. In addition, P&O Cruises has seen a longer…
AIDA Announces AIDA Evolution Drydock Upgrade Program
AIDA Cruises has announced the AIDA Evolution, which will be the largest modernization program to date for the company’s fleet. AIDA said the first phase of the drydock upgrade program will involve the Sphinx-class ships in 2025 and 2026, including the AIDAdiva, AIDAbella and AIDAluna. The drydocks are expected to take six weeks each. Felix…
Norwegian Joy Resumes Service Following Drydock in Europe
The Norwegian Joy is back in service following a major refurbishment. After completing the enhancement at Damen, the Norwegian Cruise Line vessel welcomed guests back in Southampton, England on Feb. 13, 2024. Currently cruising in the North Atlantic, the Joy is offering an 11-night transatlantic to Miami. With no ports of call, the one-way cruise…
Royal Caribbean Group Signs with Chantiers For Next Oasis Class Ship
Royal Caribbean Group announced today that it has entered into an agreement with French shipbuilder Chantiers de l’Atlantique to order a seventh Oasis Class ship for delivery to its Royal Caribbean International fleet in 2028. “While we eagerly anticipate the debut of Royal Caribbean’s Utopia of the Seas this summer, we’re already dreaming up her…
Antarctica21 To Build New Ship Magellan Discoverer
Antarctica21 has announced an expedition newbuild, the Magellan Discoverer, set to join its fleet for the 2026-27 Antarctic season. The ship will be a sister to the Magellan Explorer and built at ASENAV, and is a result of the increasing demand for their unique fly and cruise Antarctic expeditions, a model of polar travel pioneered…
Carnival Cruise Line Orders New Ship for 2027 Delivery
Carnival Corporation and Meyer Werft announced they have reached an agreement to build another cruise ship for Carnival Cruise Line. The ship will be a sister to the Carnival Jubilee, which was delivered in 2023, and is scheduled to be delivered in 2027. “We are very pleased that the partnership between the Meyer Group and…
TUI 2024 Q1: Cruise Occupancy Up at Higher Rates
TUI Group reported its first quarter 2024 numbers, noting an increase in occupancy and ticket price for its trio of cruise lines in TUI Cruises, Marella Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. “In cruises, the strong trading environment coupled with the quality of product we offer, drove an increase in occupancy at higher rates, with all three…
February Update: Holland America Line Fleet Locations and Itineraries
Holland America Line is offering a complete winter program with ships sailing in the Caribbean, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the West Coast, South America and more. Here are the locations and itineraries of every ship in the company’s fleet as of February 9, 2024: Rotterdam Year Built: 2021 Capacity: 2,660 guests Location: Southern Caribbean…
Chinese Cruise Lines Set to Form New Cruise Company
Six Chinese cruise companies may come together to form a new cruise holding company in Huaxia International Cruises. According to local sources in China, the new company will operate under a shareholder cooperation agreement that was signed in late December. Huaxia International Cruises aims to become a leader in the country’s cruise industry development, a…
Galveston and MSC Cruises Finalize Agreement on 4th Cruise Terminal
Galveston Wharves and MSC Cruises have finalized an operating agreement for a fourth cruise terminal complex at the Port of Galveston, according to a press release. The MSC Seascape will homeport at the new terminal beginning in November 2025. The port will develop the $100 million cruise terminal, $42 million parking garage, internal roadway and…
Royal Caribbean: Mobile Devices Driving Onboard Spending
More and more guests are prebooking onboard experiences and spending money on their mobile devices on Royal Caribbean Group ships, said Jason Liberty, president and CEO. “The outsized increase in our onboard revenue over the past couple of years has been fueled by new capabilities introduced to make it easier for guests to pre book…
Royal Caribbean: 2024 Opens in Record Booked Position
2024 has opened with Royal Caribbean Group in the strongest booked position in the company’s history from both a pricing and volume standpoint, according to President and CEO Jason Liberty, speaking on “the company’s fourth quarter and year-end earnings call. “Momentum continues in 2024 with a record breaking start to the Wave season,” he said….