Icon of the Seas: No Straight Lines in Innovation
Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas is different things to different people. A playground to passengers, a paycheck to ports, a home away from home to crew, a profit-driving post-pandemic triumph to Royal Caribbean International, and to the people designing and building the 250,000-plus-ton ship, the largest cruise ship ever built is a floating laboratory….
Disney Dream Sets Sail to Northern Europe
The Disney Dream is starting a repositioning voyage to Northern Europe today. Sailing from Barcelona to Southampton, the seven-night cruise includes visits to ports in Spain, Portugal, France and the United Kingdom, such as Cádiz, Lisbon and Le Havre. Following the open-jaw itinerary, the Disney Cruise Line vessel is set to offer a program in…
Holland America Line Has Highest Booking Day in Brand’s History
Holland America Line bookings on July 11 were higher than on any day in the brand’s 150-year history, according to a statement from the Carnival Corporation brand. Booking revenues also broke the line’s single-day record. Most of the sailings booked July 11 were for 2024 and 2025, showing that cruisers are planning ahead and eager…
MSC Revving Up for Global Exposure
MSC Cruises is aggressively building up its global exposure through sponsorships of sports, including auto racing, soccer and basketball, in addition to the more traditional sales and marketing channels. Comparing the cruise line to the worldwide Formula 1 racing series, Gianni Onorato, CEO of MSC Cruises, said: “We share common goals; we are focused on…
Limbo Fleet: These Cruise Ships Are Looking For New Owners
While almost all of the global cruise ship fleet is back in service coming out of the pandemic, some vessels continue to sit in limbo around the world. From coastal and expedition vessels to large contemporary cruise ships, Cruise Industry News gathered the latest on some of these vessels. Braemar Last Operator: Fred. Olsen Cruise…
MSC Cruises Heading Back to China in March 2024
MSC Cruises today announced that on March 16 2024 it will return to international sailings from China with the MSC Bellissima becoming the largest and newest flagship in Asia, according to a company statement. The MSC Bellissima will operate international itineraries between March 16 and April 24 2024 to neighboring countries from Baoshan Wusongkou International…
First Look at Next Generation TUI Cruises 2024 Newbuild
TUI Cruises has revealed new details of the outdoor area onboard its eighth ship. Set to launch in 2024, the new ship of the Mein Schiff fleet will provide guests with a new sense of space thanks to extensive, connected outer decks and a large specially designed roof. The top deckwill feature a 25-meter pool…
Costa Introduces Costa Voyages, Longer Itineraries
Costa Cruises is launching Costa Voyages, a new cruise experience designed to explore extended itineraries, according to a press release. Starting in September 2023, Costa Cruises will offer itineraries ranging from 10 to 14 days, allowing guests to visit destinations and explore them in-depth. Voyages include visiting destinations such as the Canary Islands, Turkey, Egyptian…
AIDA Cruises Begins Starlink Rollout For Three Ships
AIDA Cruises has successfully completed the installation of SpaceX’s Starlink broadband internet on the AIDAblu, AIDAbella and the AIDAstella. “Our project team has already equipped three ships in the AIDA fleet with Starlink antennas and the field test has been very convincing. Guests and crew appreciate the faster internet connections and enjoy more comfortable web…
New 2024 Global Cruise Ship Index Out Now
The new 2024 Global Cruise Ship Index by Cruise Industry News has been released, with a single user-friendly file with the entire cruise fleet at a user’s fingertips. The newly released Excel file is a game-changer, offering comprehensive information on over 500 cruise ships. It’s a unique go-to resource for key metrics, including cruise line,…
First Brewery at Sea in Asia to Debut Onboard Adora Magic City
Adora Cruises announced that the first brewery in Asia will debut onboard the Adora Magic City when she debuts for Adora Cruises later this year. The 1508 Brewery will offer guests a diverse selection of freshly-brewed craft beers designed by veteran German brewers and according to the Bavarian Beer Purity Law which dates back to…
July 2023 Cruise Industry Preview
As the global cruise industry welcomes in the first full month of summer, a number of intriguing storylines are emerging. Explora debut: MSC’s new luxury brand debuts this month as Explora Journeys takes delivery of the new Explora I from Fincantieri on July 6. Revenue operations start from Southampton on July 16. Ships are full:…
In Limbo Braemar Completes 30th Anniversary
Facing an uncertain future, the Braemar has just marked its 30th anniversary. After debuting in 1993, the cruise ship was withdrawn from the fleet of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in late 2022. The 25,000-ton vessel is currently sitting in Scotland while looking for a new owner and operator. Built in Spain in the early 1990s,…
Manfredi Promises Enhanced Crystal Cruise Product
Crystal’s Executive Chairman, Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio has introduced the new chapter of Crystal and discussed the cruise line’s journey, values and plans for the future in a video published on the company’s Facebook page. Commenting on what guests can expect, d’Ovidio said: “For the Crystal passengers that have been coming to Crystal and are coming…
Carnival Introduces SEA Change
SEA Change, a plan setting three-year financial and sustainability targets for Carnival Corporation, was revealed by Josh Weinstein, CEO, on the company’s second quarter earnings call this week. In SEA, the S stands for sustainability through carbon intensity reduction, the E refers to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) per ALBD (available lower…