Holland America’s Westerdam Returns to Japan for Spring Season
The Westerdam is marking Holland America Line’s return to Japan today after a three-year gap. Following a short season in Southeast Asia, the 1,900-guest vessel arrived in Yokohama to kick off a spring program in the country. Sailing roundtrip from the port – which is located near Japan’s capital city, Tokyo – the Westerdam is…
Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas Resumes Service Following Drydock
Royal Caribbean International’s Explorer of the Seas is re-entering service today following a 21-day drydock in Spain. Sailing from Miami, the Voyager-class vessel is resuming a program of six- to eight-night cruises to Southern and Western Caribbean. For its first voyage after the refit, the 2000-built cruise ship is offering a six-night itinerary to Jamaica…
New Ships to Drive Luxury Cruise Market Growth
The luxury cruise market is projected to carry just over 1 million guests this year, up from over 600,000 in 2019, and heading for 1.5 million by 2030, according to the 2023 Luxury Cruise Market Report by Cruise Industry News. New players, new ships and an expanding market is the overarching theme for the luxury…
Regent Announces Longest World Cruise Ever for 2026
Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced its longest World Cruise to date, sailing on January 10, 2026, aboard the Seven Seas Mariner, according to a press release. “Luxury travelers want to travel further afield and for longer durations, which is why we are excited to announce our newest and longest World Cruise for 2026,” said…
Crystal Serenity to be Equipped with Shore Power Capabilities
The Crystal Serenity will be equipped with a shore power connection before debuting in Southern California in early 2024. According to a statement issued by Crystal Cruises, work is already underway to add the feature to the 2003-built cruise ship. “As Crystal continues to improve its environmental footprint and help reduce emissions, we are happy…
Costa Cruises Restart Update: Entire Fleet in Service in June
With two additional ships resuming service soon, the entire Costa Cruises fleet is set to be in service for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eight Ships Currently in Service A total of eight cruise ships are in service for Costa Cruises for the 2022-2023 winter season, and the entire fleet…
MSC Cruises Implements Deck Officer Training Program
MSC Cruises has announced the implementation of a ship strike mitigation program for deck officers to reduce the chances of ships colliding with whales, dolphins and porpoises in oceans. The program is designed in collaboration with the marine conservation charity ORCA and will be first implemented on the MSC Bellissima. The ship, currently cruising the…
Norwegian Cruise Line Brands Gearing Up for 5,000 New Berths
“This year, for the first time in our history, we are gearing up to deliver one newbuild for each of our brands … adding over 5,000 additional berths to our fleet including an over 20 percent increase in our upscale berths. On a capacity day basis, this will result in approximately 19 percent growth in…
NCLH Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Financial Results
Norwegian Cruise Line Holding today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2022 and provided guidance for the first quarter and full year 2023. Highlights Fourth Quarter 2022 Total revenue of $1.5 billion, GAAP net loss of $(482.5) million or EPS of $(1.14), Adjusted Net Loss of $(439.7) million…
Explora Announces Winter 2024-25 Program for Explora I
Explora Journeys today announced its itineraries for the autumn and winter 2024-25 season of Explora I, according to a press release. Featuring 23 journeys and two grand journeys between September 2024 and April 2025, the itineraries will encompass 73 different destinations in 24 countries, the company said in a statement. Eight of them will be…
Cruise Saudi Welcomes Nearly 9,000 Tourists on Saudi Founding Day
On Saudi Founding Day 2023, Cruise Saudi, a 100 percent Public Investment Fund owned company established to develop the cruising sector, achieved a remarkable record for the first time in welcoming nearly 9,000 tourists visiting key Saudi destinations by three cruise ships calls in two ports, according to a press release. The day marked the…
Celestyal Acquires Former Ryndam
Celestyal has acquired the former Ryndam. The 1993-built vessel is currently laid up in Greece. The ship most recently operated for P&O Australia and will now become the 1,260-guest Celestyal Journey and will undergo an extensive, €20 million (approximately $21 million), refurbishment and technical maintenance overhaul before entering service. “While the global events of the…
MSC Cruises to Launch MSC Euribia In Copenhagen
MSC Cruises announced that the naming ceremony for its newest ship, the MSC Euribia, will take place on June 8, 2023, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The MSC Euribia will be the company’s second ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), one of the world’s cleanest fuels available at the moment. The new flagship will also feature…
Princess Cruises 2023 Spring Deployment Breakdown
Marking the company’s return to Japan, the spring season for Princess Cruises will also feature itineraries in the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, Northern Europe, Alaska, the West Coast, Australia and more. Cruise Industry News has looked into the company’s full deployment for the season. Here’s the breakdown: Atlantic and Europe Enchanted Princess Capacity (at…
Here Are All the Cruise Ships Acquired by Seajets
Seajets, a Greek ferry operator, has been busy buying up cruise ships since the pandemic started. With the recent addition of the ex-Costa Magica, the Greek shipowner has now acquired a total of eight vessels of different types and sizes. Cruise Industry News looks at all of Seajets acquisitions and their subsequent fates. Queen of…