Princess to Increase Alaska Capacity For 2026 Season
With the new Star Princess debuting in the region, Princess Cruises is planning its largest-ever season in Alaska in 2026. According to numbers from the Global Cruise Ship Index by Cruise Industry News, the season will represent roughly an 18 percent increase in terms of berths compared to 2025. A total of eight Princess ships…
MSC Cruises to Reduce Fleetwide Emissions by Up to 15%
MSC Cruises is set to reduce fleetwide emissions by up to 15 percent in 2026 by implementing a new itinerary planning optimization tool, OptiCruise, according to a press release. Developed in collaboration with OPTIMeasy, the new mathematical model reportedly analyzes various factors influencing the planning of MSC Cruises’ itineraries. The goal is to achieve maximum…
Azamara Onward Completes 25 Years in Service
The Azamara Onward is soon celebrating its 25th year anniversary. Originally built for Renaissance Cruises, the ship was delivered by Chantiers de l’Atlantique on July 28, 1999. As part of a series of eight sister ships known as the R Class, the 680-guest vessel initially offered year-round cruises in French Polynesia as the R Three….
Chinese Market Adding Longer Sailings
According to local reports in China, the market is expanding its offerings to include longer cruises to destinations across Asia. Moving away from its traditional short cruise model, which typically features three- to five-night itineraries to Japan and South Korea, Chinese brands are now adding an increasing number of longer voyages in the near future….
Global Ports Holding Set to Go Private In Strategic Move
Global Ports Holding (GPH) will soon become a private company, delisting from the London Stock Exchange. Chairman and CEO Mehmet Kutman described the move as a strategic which he said was in the best interest of the company, and also added that he is fully committed to keep the company closely held and family owned…
Norwegian’s 2026 Summer Cruise Deployment Highlighted by Unique Mix
Norwegian Cruise Line’s recently announced plans for the 2026 spring and summer in North America include nine ships in the region. Cruise Industry News looks at the highlights of the deployment, which will mark the company’s return to Philadelphia. Return to Philadelphia Ship: Norwegian Jewel Homeport: Philadelphia (United States) Highlighted Ports of Call: King’s Wharf…
Norwegian Cruise Line: Onboard and Prebooked Revenue Grows
The second quarter of 2024 saw continued strength in onboard revenue for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, according to CEO Harry Sommer, speaking on the company’s second quarter earnings call. “During the second quarter, we observed continued strength in onboard revenue as well, which was driven by our guests’ continued enjoyment of our shore excursion and…
MSC Splendida to Swap China for Brazil for 2024-25 Season
The MSC Splendida will reposition to South America for the upcoming winter, MSC Cruises announced in a press release. Previously poised to become the company’s second ship in the Chinese market, the 3,300-guest ship will now sail from different ports in Brazil for the 2024-25 winter season. According to MSC, the change strengthens its leadership…
Windstar to Celebrate 40 Years of Small Ship Sailing in Ephesus
Windstar Cruises will commemorate its 40th anniversary with two special cruises: the Aegean Sea Odyssey on October 12 aboard the Star Legend, and the Treasures of the Greek Isles on October 13 aboard the Wind Spirit. The Star Legend and the Wind Spirit are set to meet in Kusadasi on October 16 for a celebration…
Holland America Line Introduces New 2026 Celestial Cruises
Holland America Line is introducing a new series of 2026 cruises to take guests to experience celestial events, according to a company statement. Starting July 31, travelers can book these special Celestial Cruises to see sights like the Northern Lights, a total solar eclipse, or the summer solstice above the Arctic Circle. “After the excitement…
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas Sailing at 132 Percent Occupancy
Royal Caribbean International’s new Icon of the Seas is resonating well in the family cruise market, and is currently sailing at 132 percent occupancy, according to Michael Bayley, president and CEO of the Royal Caribbean brand. With the ship’s double occupancy at around 5,600, a 132 percent load factor would mean there approximately 7,400 guests…
Royal Caribbean Reports 2024 Q2 Earnings: Dividend is Back
Royal Caribbean Group today reported second quarter Earnings per Share (“EPS”) of $3.11 and Adjusted EPS of $3.21. According to a statement, these results were better than the company’s guidance due to stronger pricing on close-in demand and continued strength in onboard revenue, as well as favorable timing of expenses of approximately $0.15. As a…
MSC Cruises Unveils Details of the World America’s Harbour
MSC Cruises has revealed the attractions and experiences for guests in The Harbour, the new outdoor space on the upcoming MSC World America, launching in 2025. Located in the ship’s Family Aventura district, The Harbour is an outdoor park offering a variety of activities as well as live music in the evenings, according to a…
Carnival Corp. Orders Three Additional Cruise Ships for Carnival Brand
Carnival Corporation today announced an order for three new ships for its Carnival Cruise Line brand for a new class of vessel, at nearly 230,000 gross registered tons. The agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri provides for the design, engineering, and construction of these liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered ships, which will be delivered in the summers…
Eastern Cruise to Launch New Operation with Former Pacific Venus
South Korea-based Eastern Cruise is set to launch a new cruise operation in Asia with the former Pacific Venus. Renamed the Eastern Venus, the 720-guest vessel is set to enter service for the startup brand in August 2024. Plans call for cruises in Northeast Asia from April to October with South Korea homeports, and in…