AIDAaura Completes 20 Years in Service
Scheduled to leave the AIDA Cruises fleet later this year, the AIDAaura will complete 20 years in service this month. The 42,000-ton vessel was built at the Aker MTW shipyard in Germany and was christened on April 12, 2003, during a ceremony at the German port of Warnemünde. The ship was named by top model…
Carnival Luminosa Sets Sail on 22-Day Repositioning Cruise to the U.S.
After completing its first season in Australia, the Carnival Luminosa is embarking on a repositioning cruise to the United States today. The 22-night Transpacific itinerary will take the ship from Brisbane to Seattle, with visits to five different destinations in New Caledonia, Fiji, French Polynesia, and Hawaii. One of the ports of call is Honolulu,…
Carnival Corporation Announces 2022 Sustainability Advances
Carnival Corporation released its 13th annual sustainability report, detailing industry-leading initiatives and momentum across environmental, social and governance focus areas, according to a press release. The report also describes significant progress made by the company toward its aspirations of carbon neutral operations by 2050 and a circular economy model focused on waste reduction, recycling and…
Royal Caribbean Itineraries Preview: Key Deployment Moves for 2023
With a fleet of 26 cruise ships, Royal Caribbean International has a global footprint. Here are some of the company’s key deployment moves for 2023: Symphony Returns to the Mediterranean As part of Royal Caribbean summer program in Europe, the Symphony of the Seas is returning to the Mediterranean. Five years after spending its inaugural…
Celebrity Beyond Completes First Year in Service
The Celebrity Beyond has completed its first year in service. After being built by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique Shipyard in France, the Edge-Class vessel was delivered to Celebrity Cruises on April 6, 2022. The Beyond then entered service later that month, offering its maiden voyage in Western Europe. Sailing from England’s Southampton, the ten-night repositioning…
Costa Sales ‘Robust’ as Easter Cruises Kick Off European Season
Costa Cruises is highlighting a series of Easter cruises including sailings in the Western Mediterranean, South America and a two-week cruise bound for Canary Islands, according to a press release. “Sales in the last three months have been robust. Ship occupancy is growing steadily, and summer programs are selling very quickly with a high demand…
MOL Sets Sights on Cruise Growth
MOL, which manages a fleet of approximately 700 cargo ships, is accelerating its growth in the cruise market, having acquired the Seabourn Odyssey to sail alongside the Nippon Maru, and planning to add two 600-guest newbuilds. Yusuke Ueno, president, (pictured above, third from the left) said the company was planning a new brand to evolve…
Mein Schiff Herz Sets Sail on Final Cruise for TUI
Set to be transferred to Marella Cruises, the Mein Schiff Herz is embarking on its final sailing for TUI Cruises today. After completing a winter schedule in the Canary Islands, the 1997-built cruise ship is setting sail on a repositioning voyage to the Western Mediterranean. Sailing from St. Cruz de Tenerife to Palma de Mallorca,…
Royal Caribbean Group’s $10-Billion Orderbook Includes 11 Ships
Valued at $9.9 billion, the Royal Caribbean Group orderbook currently includes a total of 11 ships and approximately 41,420 berths. Scheduled for delivery through 2026, the newbuilds are set enter service for four of the group’s five brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea Cruises and TUI Cruises. According to the Cruise Ship Orderbook…
Cruise Ships Sailing at 110 Percent Occupancy from Port Canaveral
“Cruising is back. We’re very strong. We ran our budget at 100 percent double occupancy … but as a fleet average from Port Canaveral, it’s 110 percent,” said Captain John Murray, CEO of Port Canaveral. Murray told Cruise Industry News the Florida port would continue growing and there is an opportunity to expand with a…
Rotterdam Sets Sail on Holland America’s 150th Anniversary Crossing
Holland America Line is celebrating its 150th Anniversary with a unique transatlantic crossing. Setting sail from New York City today, the commemorative sailing takes place onboard the Rotterdam VII and includes a series of special events and activities, according tot he company. Cruising to the Netherlands and England, the itinerary of the 13-day cruise includes…
Seven Seas Voyager Completes 20 Years in Service
The Seven Seas Voyager is completing 20 years in service this month after setting sail on its inaugural voyage on April 1, 2003. As Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ second all-suite vessel, the Voyager was built at the T. Mariotti Shipyard in Italy. Delivered to the company in February 2003, the 700-guest vessel was christened in…
MSC Cruises: $8.2 Billion Orderbook Includes Ten Ships for Two Brands
The MSC Group currently has a total of ten cruise ships on order for its two brands. Valued at $8,2 billion, the orderbook includes six luxury mid-sized vessels for Explora Journeys, as well as four large contemporary ships for MSC Cruises. According to the Cruise Ship Orderbook by Cruise Industry News, the new ships have…
Cruise Line Chefs Kick Off Packed Marine Hotel Association Event
The Marine Hotel Association (MHA) kicked off its 38th Conference and Trade Show on Sunday night with a cruise line chef event in Naples, Florida. In front of strong attendance, cruise line chefs from around the industry cooked up some of their favorite dishes for MHA members, which ranged from other cruise companies to vendors, suppliers…
Norwegian Pearl Kicks Off Summer Program in Boston
The Norwegian Pearl is in Boston today to kick off its 2023 summer program in the U.S. Northeast. Following a winter season in the Caribbean, the Norwegian Cruise Line vessel is set to offer different itineraries to Bermuda, Canada and New England departing from the Massachusetts homeport. Extending through mid-October, the program begins with a…