P&O Cruises Australia is extending its rolling pause in operations in New Zealand to departures on and before 25 April, 2021 as the cruise line and the wider industry continue to work with government and public health authorities on the appropriate time to restart sailing. The cruise line, which has based ships in Auckland for many years, will return to New Zealand for a dedicated 150-day … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests of additional cruise cancellations, including extending its pause in all operations in the U.S. through March 31, 2021, as well as select ships and homeport operations related to itineraries and dry dock work. Booked guests and travel agents are being notified directly of the cancellations and their options for a generous future cruise credit and onboard … [Read more...]

Crystal Endeavor, the German-built, PC6-designated vessel for Crystal Expedition Cruises is on track to debut in Summer 2021. Originally set to launch in August of 2020, the ship’s construction was delayed as the global health crisis forced a shutdown of MV WERFTEN where Crystal Endeavor is currently under construction. The shipyard has reopened fully this year and Crystal is pleased with the … [Read more...]

Viking today announced that revered British journalist and broadcaster Anne Diamond will be the godmother of its seventh ocean ship, Viking Venus®, which is scheduled to debut this spring. The 930-guest Viking Venus was “floated out” in June 2020 and is now under final construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. Anne is best known for her pioneering work on morning shows in the United … [Read more...]

Atlas Ocean Voyages and L’OCCITANE en Provence are proud to announce the launch of the first-at-sea Luxury SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE. Guests on a World Navigator luxe-adventure expedition will be able to opt from a holistic and sensorial menu in the new luxury SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE to perfectly complement their exciting and awe-inspiring shoreside experiences. The new SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE will be … [Read more...]

In consideration of the current uncertainty with regards to Covid-19 restrictions in the coming weeks, Costa Crociere has decided to cancel the departure of its cruises originally planned from January 7 to January 31st. Moreover, Costa will resume operations on January 31st with Costa Deliziosa, that will offer guests the opportunity to visit the most beautiful Italian locations with the same … [Read more...]

The President of P&O Cruises Australia Sture Myrmell has announced that the cruise line is on track with the delivery of the Pacific Adventure (former Golden Princess) and Pacific Encounter (former Star Princess). The two ships are expected to join the Pacific Explorer in the first half of 2021. “We can't wait to resume cruising because it also means opportunity for our devoted crew who do so … [Read more...]

As travelers seek out “the great outdoors” after months of staying at home, they are looking at less crowded destinations where they can safely social distance. UNESCO World Heritage sites are a great option, since many are natural attractions that can be enjoyed in the fresh, open air. European Waterways takes guests to some of the top UNESCO sites in Europe aboard their fleet of luxury hotel … [Read more...]

OCEAN DREAM, a 40-year-old cruise ship sailing under the flag of Comoros, arrived at Alang ship-breaking yard Friday to be dismantled. This is the second cruise ship to arrive at one of the world’s biggest ship-breaking yards in Bhavnagar within 40 days. On November 21, luxury cruise liner MV Karnika had reached Alang to be demolished after around a year’s gap. Ocean Dream, the cruise liner which … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises USA is ringing in the new year with several major trade program enhancements for travel advisors—including protected commission levels, new "Get On Board" perks and an enhanced group program—as well as a new Wave Season promotion for consumers.On the trade side, "we are grateful for the continued enthusiasm, trust and support of our dedicated partners, and we’re thrilled to … [Read more...]

With a brighter travel environment now visible around the corner, Windstar Cruises released its annual wave season offer January 5, 2021 and encourages prospective cruisers to take advantage of the offer now and book early so as not to miss out amid the coming rush of travel planning. The Sail Small, Live Large With Big Perks offer lets travelers choose from a set of complimentary perks plus a … [Read more...]

It would take up to three months to restart cruise operations in the UK and the industry would need a signal this month to res7ume operations by Easter, media reports said. “The UK Chamber of Shipping and CLIA said the restart of cruises would take up to three months, meaning that a signal was needed in January to allow the industry to get ready,” Travel Weekly said in a report. Ministers were … [Read more...]

The classic Marco Polo is heading to the scrap yard in Alang, India, according to a source familiar with the ship. "The Marco Polo is headed for the beach," they said. Other sources said potential charter deals included using the ship as a floating accommodation vessels and even converting it to a permanent hotel. None of the deals materialized, however. Following the demise of Cruise & … [Read more...]

A number of cruise ships are sailing globally in January as the industry continues its restart, in a staggered phased-in approach with an emphasis on regional start ups. Here are the cruise ships currently back in service or planning restarts in January:  Cruise Line: Dream CruisesShip: Explorer DreamCapacity (at 100% Occupancy): 1,856Built: 1999Homeport: Keelung … [Read more...]

The Ocean Dream has ended her seagoing career, having been sailed up on the beach in Alang, India, earlier this week.  The 1982-built ship was originally Carnival Cruise Line's Tropicale, sailing for Carnival through 2000 when it transferred to the Costa brand. The Danish-built ship then moved to P&O Cruises Australia, owned by Carnival, for a short stint as the Pacific Star before … [Read more...]

The cruise industry is going through a period of recuperation. Heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, cruise lines were forced to delay ship launches, cancel sailings and cut costs. However, if there is one thing the pandemic has been good for, it has been in providing a pause, a period of reflection, both in personal and business lives. During this time for reflection, the cruise industry has … [Read more...]

Port Canaveral’s new $155 million Cruise Terminal 3 is all dressed up and ready for visitors. But no one is coming — at least not just yet.The 188,000-square-foot terminal was considered substantially completed in May and became fully operational in June.It was supposed to be used this year for Carnival Cruise Line, including for Carnival’s new Mardi Gras, the biggest ship in its fleet. … [Read more...]

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is closing the year by reflecting on the very best of 2020, which has included a host of awards, a thriving Virtual Cruising programme and the introduction of two new ships in what has been a challenging and unprecedented year for the industry. On 13th March 2020, Fred. Olsen paused its operations and adapted to a new way of working. In April, it launched its award-winning … [Read more...]

Ports of Stockholm’s commitment to renewable energy continues with the installation of a rooftop solar cell facility at Stockholm Norvik Port that will be one the biggest of its kind in Sweden. The solar cell system went live on the darkest day of the year. On 21 December, the darkest day of the year, the first part of the new solar cell system at Stockholm Norvik Port came into operation. The … [Read more...]

Celestyal Cruises is on the expansion track, having acquired another vessel: the Celestyal Experience will launch service in 2021, having previously sailed as the Costa neoRomantica. The company took delivery of the 1,800-guest ship over the summer. “It has long been our goal to eventually renew our fleet in order to remain  competitive,” Leslie Peden, chief commercial officer, told Cruise … [Read more...]