Windstar Cruises just reported that last week marked the highest grossing week of cruise sales since the start of the pandemic and one of the biggest in company history. Sea-ing is believing that vacations on smaller yacht-like ships visiting smaller ports, waterways and destinations that larger ships can’t access is a real trend. The “Windstar Week Sale” ran May 3-13 with voyages to Windstar’s … [Read more...]

P&O Cruises has today announced dates for exclusive new performances by Gary Barlow on board Iona in the Headliner’s Theatre. He will appear on the Spain and Portugal cruise (G236) departing Southampton on October 29, 2022 and the Spain, Portugal and Canary Islands cruise (G237) departing Southampton on November 12, 2022. All proceeds from ticket sales for the shows will be donated to Child … [Read more...]

As Americans prepare to mark Memorial Day, Carnival Cruise Line is showing gratitude to current and retired military service members with a special offer running now through the end of May. Beginning today, in addition to up to 40 percent off cruise rates, active military service personnel and veterans can book a future cruise vacation with a reduced deposit and receive a special military bonus of … [Read more...]

No industry on Earth was hit harder by COVID-19 than the cruise business. Packing guests into an enclosed ecosystem on a ship was just not doable. Getting people to sign up for slimmed-down experiences and mask wearing was a tough sell once ships were again allowed to operate. Still, we didn’t see any of the major operators enter bankruptcy protection, which is pretty incredible, all things … [Read more...]

Cruise agents have reported a surge in demand for ex-UK itineraries as interest in 2022 fly-cruises cools due to rising air prices, low flight availability and ongoing delays at airports. With European aviation bodies warning of disruption this summer, agents said near-term bookings for cruises from UK ports were “strong” and prices “really keen”. Phil Evans, owner of Cruise Nation, said about 50% … [Read more...]

For many years, AIDA Cruises has been investing in a future-proof and sustainable cruise market as part of its Green Cruising Strategy. As part of its comprehensive commitment, the company is continuously advancing climate and resource protection with many small and large initiatives not only on board its fleet, but also on land, at the company’s headquarters in Rostock, and at the Hamburg … [Read more...]

Celebrity Cruises has changed its sales structure to provide elevated sales and support to national and key accounts, along with enhanced marketing support to trade partners. The new organizational structure will go into effect beginning May 23 and was announced by Dondra Ritzenthaler, SVP of sales, the Americas, and Keith Lane, VP of sales, the Americas, Celebrity Cruises. Highlights of the new … [Read more...]

Carnival Welcomes Two Million Guests Since Restart As the first major U.S. cruise line with its full fleet back in guest service since the industry’s restart last summer, Carnival Cruise Line has now reached the milestone of welcoming two million guests. The milestone was commemorated yesterday in Port Canaveral, Fla. aboard Carnival Freedom as the Gibbs family – Daniel and Kristi with son Mason … [Read more...]

Carnival Corporation & plc today announced it has joined the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, a nonprofit, independent research and development center committed to accelerating the transition toward a net-zero future for the global maritime industry. Carnival Corporation, with nine global cruise line brands, is the first cruise company to join the center’s global … [Read more...]

American Queen Voyages celebrated the maiden arrival of Ocean Navigator™, with her first guests arriving at Chicago’s Navy Pier. Through an exclusive partnership with sister company City Experiences, American Queen Voyages is the only overnight cruise line to dock at the downtown Chicago destination. Sister ship Ocean Voyager™, will also call on Chicago’s Navy Pier for the first … [Read more...]

In just six months MSC Cruises will launch its most innovative, most environmentally advanced and most exciting ship to-date: MSC World Europa. This eagerly anticipated new flagship is the first from the trail-blazing World Class prototype, spanning 22 decks, 47 metres wide, with 2,626 cabins and boasting more than 40,000m of public space. This ultramodern urban metropolis at sea is the future … [Read more...]

Ambassador Cruise Line has today announced the launch of its 2023/24 sailing programme which will see the cruise line’s first ship Ambience return for her second season with new itineraries as well as Ambassador’s latest edition to the fleet, Ambition take to the seas. Ambition will set sail on her inaugural season on 4 March 2023 with capacity for 1,200 guests. Together the two ships will be … [Read more...]

Archives Archives SHIP REVIEWS Source: latecruisenews.com … [Read more...]

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has welcomed its third ship back into service, with the return of Balmoral marking the start of a summer season of sailing from Newcastle and Rosyth. Balmoral will split her summer sailings between the two ports, ahead of a programme of winter sailings from Southampton and Dover, with two new Captains, Captain Valentin Giuglea and Captain Steffan Ravneng, at the helm. In … [Read more...]

Celebrity Cruises is riding the wave of the future of art with its first foray into non-fungible tokens (NFT). In partnership with acclaimed artist Rubem Robierb, a longstanding featured artist with the cruise line, Celebrity has launched the Peacemakers Sunset NFT collection, complementing Robierb’s powerful Peacemakers sculpture featured on its brand new ship, Celebrity Beyond. Each NFT … [Read more...]

Viking today (May 17, 2022) named its newest identical ocean ship, the Viking Mars®, during a private ceremony in Valletta, Malta. As part of the event, the ship’s ceremonial godmother Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the Countess of Carnarvon, offered a blessing of good fortune and safe sailing for the ship—a naval tradition that dates back thousands of years. This week the new ship will begin her maiden … [Read more...]

The Port of Seattle, City and Borough of Juneau, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, leading global cruise lines, as well as the Global Maritime Forum, Blue Sky Maritime Coalition, and Washington Maritime Blue announced a new commitment today to explore the feasibility of the world’s first cruise-led ‘green corridor.’ Cruise line and industry partners include Carnival Corporation and its cruise … [Read more...]

P&O Cruises has unveiled details of new ship Arvia’s impressive centrepiece – a stunning Grand Atrium with widescreen ocean views which will become the focus of entertainment for the ship. The Grand Atrium is at the heart of Arvia and will provide a spectacular backdrop to aerial performers who will descend through the triple-height space and a striking installation of metal champagne-coloured … [Read more...]

Resorts World Cruises, a new Asian luxury and dynamic lifestyle cruise brand will have its global debut in Singapore on 15 June 2022 with the Genting Dream. With its inception, Resorts World Cruises aims to position itself as the leading and best cruise line in the region for Asian and internationally sourced passengers, providing diverse international experiences, which can also be customized by … [Read more...]

Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) – the trade association that represents the mutual interests of destinations and stakeholders throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Mexico, along with Member Lines that operate over 90 percent of the global cruising capacity – is pleased to announce that it has formed a tailored strategic agreement with the Cayman Islands. “This new … [Read more...]