Oceania Announces Seven New 2025 Summer Sailings
Oceania Cruises has announced seven new summer 2025 sailings to French Polynesia and Hawaii onboard the Regatta. The new voyages will explore French Polynesia and Hawaii during the months of August, September and October. Itineraries include visits to Bora Bora, Tahiti, Raiatea, Nuku Hiva and more. “At Oceania Cruises, we offer a captivating array of…
MSC Confirms Two Hydrogen-Powered Ships for Explora with Fincantieri
MSC Group today confirmed firm orders for two hydrogen-powered vessels for its luxury travel brand Explora Journeys with Fincantieri and pledged to continue its push towards a net zero-carbon emissions target by 2050 by investigating additional new and advanced environmental technologies for the luxury ships, according to a press release. The deal completes a total…
Royal Caribbean’s New Utopia of the Seas Floats Out
Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas is now one step closer to its debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, in July 2024 as the ship floated for the first time over the weekend, marking a major milestone and the next phase of construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Known as…
Adora Magic City Completes Second Sea Trials
In final stages of construction in China, the Adora Magic City completed its second trial voyage. According to local reports in the Asian country, the cruise ship sailed from Shanghai for a six-day trial on Sep. 7. Over 1,300 people were onboard, including ship inspectors, contractors, service providers, as well as engineers and technicians. Being…
Disney Cruise Line: Winter 2023-24 Deployment Breakdown
Debuting new itineraries and a new destination, Disney Cruise Line is planning an eventful 2023-24 winter program. While the 2022-built Disney Wish continues to sail to the Bahamas for a second consecutive season, the Disney Wonder is set to mark the company’s first season in Australia and New Zealand. With the Disney Fantasy, the Disney…
Three Year World Cruise Ready to Sail Nov. 1
Life at Sea Cruises is ready to begin its three-year world cruise, sailing the Lara from Istanbul on Nov. 1. Cruise Industry News caught up with Kendra Holmes, CEO of Miray Cruises, on the project. Can you give us a general update on Life at Sea Cruises? Due to the enthusiasm of potential cruisers who…
Ocean Explorer Freed After Running Aground in Greenland
After four days stranded at Greenland’s Alpefjord, the Ocean Explorer was freed on Thursday morning. According to the Joint Arctic Command, the 140-guest ship was pulled free by the research ship Tarajoq, which is operated by Greenland’s Institute of Nature. The Ocean Explorer will now sail to a port designated by the Danish Maritime Board…
Luminosa Set For on Carnival’s Longest Ever Sailing
The Carnival Luminosa is setting sail from Seattle on Thursday on Carnival Cruise Line’s longest ever cruise. Part of the company’s Carnival Journeys program, the 30-night transpacific itinerary sails all the way to Brisbane, in Australia. Before arriving at the port, the Luminosa is scheduled to visit several ports of call in Alaska, the Far…
Royal Caribbean’s Radiance to Resume Service
The Radiance of the Seas is set to return to revenue service on Sept. 15, Royal Caribbean International confirmed. After seeing two cruises cancelled due to propulsion issues, the 2001-built vessel is set to resume its regular schedule in Alaska. “Our Marine technical team has given us green light and we’re thrilled to announce that…
China Merchants Viking JV Announces New Itineraries
China Merchants Viking Cruises has announced a new set of itineraries sailing from Mainland China this winter, visiting Vietnam and Hong Kong. The company, which operates the former 930-guest Viking Sun, is launching a new eight-day South China Sea tour, roundtrip from Shenzhen with calls in Ha Long Bay, Danang and Hong Kong. According to…
Explora II Floats Out and Steel Cut For Explora III
Explora Journeys today celebrated two maritime milestones at builder Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard near Genoa in Italy with the float out of the Explora II and the steel cutting of Explora III The new Explora II will enter service in summer 2024 and spend her first season operating in the Mediterranean Sea, the company said…
Crystal Symphony’s Return Wasn’t Easy
The newly-reengined Crystal Symphony purred into Athens last Friday morning, Sept. 1, to disembark the last preview-cruise gusts. Those coming aboard were the first revenue passengers since the 1995-built ship’s extensive refurbishment under its new owner, A&K Travel Group. Engine work and much of the rest of the maritime departments on the Symphony and the…
Celestyal Journey Debuts in the Eastern Mediterranean
The Celestyal Journey is now in service for Celestyal Cruises. After a $21 million refit, the ship kicked off its inaugural season on Saturday. Taking over the schedule of the Celestyal Crystal, the vessel set sail from Piraeus on a seven-night cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean. Following Celestyal’s Idyllic Aegean itinerary, the maiden voyage includes…
Ras Al Khaimah Developing Cruise Projects, Seeing Changing Luxury Landscape
The cruise industry is gaining momentum and proving to be one of the most significant contributors to the post-pandemic travel recovery, according to Raki Phillips, chief executive officer of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority. “That said, COVID-19 marked a substantial shift in the cruise industry, with the pause sending operators and brands back to…
Crystal Return: A Look at the Initial Itineraries of the Crystal Symphony
Following the Crystal Serenity, the Crystal Symphony is set to resume service for the new Crystal brand. After a major refurbishment in Italy, the luxury vessel is set to welcome passengers back in September, kicking off a return season that includes cruises in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Cruise Industry News highlights…