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…
Seabourn Venture Sets Sail on First Expedition to Northwest Passage
In a first for Seabourn and the entire Carnival Corporation, the Seabourn Venture recently embarked on its first voyage through the Northwest Passage. Part of the ship’s maiden program in the Arctic, the on-way expedition cruise set sail from Kangerlussuaq, in Greenland, and is set to arrive in Nome, in Alaska, on September 17. In…
Hurtigruten Hybrid Cruise Ships Meet in Northwest Passage
Hurtigruten Expeditions’ two battery-hybrid ships, the Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen, crossed paths for the first time in the Northwest Passage on August 28, 2023. The meeting of the ships took place in Cambridge Bay, Canada. Guests and crew were invited onboard to celebrate with flags, banners and warm drinks. “This gathering serves as a…
Carnival Journeys Program Embarked Over 330,000 Guests Since 2015
More than 330,000 guests have sailed on a Carnival Journeys cruise since the program was launched in 2015. According to Carnival Cruise Line, the number is set to grow significantly in the future, as the program adds more varied itineraries. In 2025, the initiative will include several newly announced cruises onboard the Carnival Spirit and…
Celestyal Crystal Sets Sail on Farewell Cruise
Set to be replaced by the new Celestyal Journey, the Celestyal Crystal is currently offering a farewell cruise for Celestyal Cruises. Wrapping up an extended summer program that started in early March, the 1980-built vessel sailed from Piraeus on August 26, 2023. Following Celestyal’s “Idyllic Aegean” itinerary, the seven-night cruise includes visits to several ports…
Construction of the New Mein Schiff 7 Progressing in Finland
Meyer Turku recently shared an update on the construction process of the new Mein Schiff 7. Being built at the Finish shipyard, the 110,000-ton vessel is set to debut for TUI Cruises in mid-2024. During the course of August, the newbuild saw the placing of several new blocks which, according to Meyer Turku, are hoisted…
Winter 2023-24: More Ships to Sail from Port Canaveral
More ships are set to be homeported in Port Canaveral during the upcoming winter season. In addition to larger vessels from Royal Caribbean and MSC, the Florida port will welcome additional ships from Carnival and Norwegian during the season. Joining Carnival’s three-ship lineup, the Carnival Vista is set to kick-off a summer program departing from…
Silversea 2023 Summer Deployment: New Ship and Global Reach
With the debut of the Silver Nova as the highlight this summer, Silversea’s summer season includes itineraries sailing to the Mediterranean, South America, Northern Europe, the Arctic, Australia’s Kimberley region, Canada and New England and more. Cruise Industry News breaks down the company’s itineraries for the 2023 summer season. Mediterranean Silver Nova Capacity: 728 guests…
Holland America Announces New 28-Day Legendary Voyage for 2025
Holland America Line announced its new 28-day “Arctic Circle Crossing: Greenland and Iceland” Legendary Voyage exploring Greenland, Iceland and Norway, according to a statement. Departing on June 29, 2025, on the Nieuw Statendam, the voyage is inspired by the routes of Norse explorer Erik the Red, known as the founder of the first European settlement…
Carnival Confirms Dates for Fleetwide Rollout of New Dining Menus
Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald confirmed the roll out schedule for the company’s new dining room menu. After first debuting in June, the enhanced dish selection will be introduced to the remainder of the fleet on a gradual basis, with dates as follows: Carnival Radiance: August 18, 2023 Mardi Gras: August 19, 2023…