Viking Octantis Launches Season in Milwaukee
Milwaukee welcomed its first cruise ship of the 2023 season this past Thursday. The Viking Octantis was welcomed by Mayor Cavalier Johnson who was joined by Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, Port of Milwaukee officials, local tourism leaders and Great Lakes recreational cruise partners. The Viking Octantis’ arrival begins the summer season with 31 scheduled port calls…
Royal Caribbean’s Liberty: Brands ‘Stronger Than Ever’
“Our brands are stronger than ever and our yields in the first quarter blew away previous records,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, speaking on the company’s first quarter earnings call. The company operated at 102 percent occupancy in the first quarter at higher pricing than in 2019, he said, noting…
Royal Caribbean Reports Q1 2023 Earnings; Increases Guidance
Royal Caribbean Group today reported first quarter its first quarter 2023 earnings of: Loss per Share of $(0.19) and Adjusted Loss per Share of $(0.23). However, the company said that these results were significantly better than the company’s guidance primarily due to strong close-in bookings at higher prices, continued strength of onboard spend, and favorable…
Norwegian Cruise Occupancy Ramp Accelerates to Above 100%
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings had an average load factor of 101.5 percent in the first quarter, according to company executives speaking on the corporation’s first quarter earnings call. “We reached load factors of 101.5 percent in the first quarter, exceeding our guidance and breaking triple-digit levels for the first time in three years with some…
Norwegian Reports Q1 2023 Financial Results
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023 and provided guidance for the second quarter and full year 2023. First Quarter 2023 Highlights: Total revenue of $1.8 billion, GAAP net loss of $(159.3) million or EPS of $(0.38). Achieved Adjusted EBITDA of $234 million and Adjusted EPS of…
Discovery Princess Completes First Year in Service
The Discovery Princess is completing its first year in service. After welcoming guests for its maiden voyage a few weeks earlier, the Princess Cruises’ vessel was officially named on April 29, 2022. Held at the Port of Los Angeles, the themed christening ceremony was named “Discover Our World” and blended maritime tradition with contemporary elements….
MSC To Sail in Japan Year-Round
MSC Cruises announced that it will sail year-round in Japan with the MSC Bellissima. The line recently marked the start of its summer 2023 season in Japan with the ship in Yokohama with a special event to celebrate its 15-year presence in the country and also opened sales for its first winter sailing program in…
Celebrity Infinity Arrives in Europe for Year-Round Operations
The Celebrity Infinity recently arrived in Europe to kick off a year-round schedule in the region. After completing a season in South America, the Celebrity Cruises vessel departed on the first cruise of the program on April 26. Sailing from Lisbon to Barcelona, the ten-night cruise includes visits to several ports in Portugal and Spain…
Seabourn Debuts 90-Day Grand Africa Voyage
Seabourn announced its first-ever “Grand Africa Voyage” circumnavigating the continent in 90 days, departing from Barcelona, Spain on November 30, 2024. “Seabourn guests are accomplished, extraordinary people who are seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Our new Grand Africa Voyage is the result of our commitment to offering unforgettable ‘Seabourn Moments’ in some of the world’s most unique…
Port Canaveral Welcomes MSC Seaside for Inaugural Voyage
Port Canaveral welcomed the MSC Seaside as its new homeported ship during a ceremony on Thursday. The MSC vessel is set to sail three and four-night cruises to The Bahamas, and seven-night cruises to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, Belize. “We are excited to welcome the MSC Seaside to Port Canaveral, yet another beautiful…
Charlottetown Welcomes First Cruise Ship of 2023
The Port of Charlottetown has welcomed its first ship in 2023, marking the start of what will be a record-breaking cruise season, according to a press release. Holland America’s Zaandam arrived at Port Charlottetown on Wednesday, April 26 and the ship is scheduled to make a total of 15 calls to the port this year….
Cruise Season Begins at Port of Quebec
The Port of Québec kicked off what will be the longest-ever cruise season with the arrival of Viking Cruises’ Viking Octantis, according to a press release. On the occasion, President and CEO of Port of Québec Mario Girard awarded Captain Jorgen Cardestig with a medal honoring the first cruise ship of the year to dock…
Lindblad Expeditions: Responsible Travel
With over four decades of experience and a large fleet, Lindblad Expeditions is seeing record demand in 2023. Offering a global deployment that includes over 171 unique departures, the company remains committed to offering responsible travel and sustainable operations, said Trey Byus, Linblad’s Chief Expedition Officer. “At Lindblad Expeditions, we believe that sustainability is a…
MSC Euribia Completes Sea Trials
MSC Cruises’ new ship and second powered by liquefied natural gas, the MSC Euribia has completed a four-day set of sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean, according to a statement. The trial involved checking the performance of the ship’s engines, fuel consumption and safety systems as well as speed and stopping distances. Following the completion…
Carnival Spirit Offers Panama Canal Cruise Ahead of Summer in Alaska
Set to operate in Alaska during the summer, the Carnival Spirit is currently offering a 16-night Panama Canal to the Pacific Northwest. After completing its winter schedule in the Caribbean, the Carnival Cruise Line vessel left Miami on its repositioning voyage on April 16. Cruising all the way to Seattle, the one-way itinerary features visits…