Princess Cruises has recently announced the launch of a new ship-within-a-ship suite category called the Sanctuary Collection. This exclusive offering will be available on the Sun Princess and Star Princess, with the latter set to debut in October 2025. The Sanctuary Collection is designed to provide guests with a luxurious and private retreat experience while
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The cruise industry is known for its spectacular experiences and shore excursions that allow passengers to explore different ports of call. However, recent incidents have raised concerns about the reliability of independent shore excursion operators and their ability to ensure guests return to the ship on time. One such incident involved a group of passengers
The Seven Seas Grandeur, the latest addition to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, showcases the Culinary Arts Kitchen as one of its standout features. This onboard culinary experience offers guests the opportunity to participate in interactive cooking classes led by experienced chefs. While the Culinary Arts Kitchen may not be a novel concept in the cruise
The eagerly anticipated inaugural season of the Star Princess has hit a major roadblock. Princess Cruises, in collaboration with shipbuilder Fincantieri, has made the difficult decision to postpone the delivery of the 4,300-passenger vessel. Initially scheduled for delivery on July 29, 2025, the new delivery date has been pushed back to September 26, 2025. This
The annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference in Miami saw heads of luxury cruise lines expressing optimism about their business prospects. However, the looming U.S. presidential election has raised concerns among industry leaders. Historically, the travel industry experiences slowdowns during election periods as political contests dominate advertising time and consumer attention. The likely rematch between presumptive
Starting in September, Princess Cruises is introducing a new dining experience for guests onboard their ships. Traditionally, guests had the option of choosing between early or late dinner seating for the duration of their cruise. However, Princess Cruises will now offer a more flexible dining approach, allowing guests to dine at any time they choose
My journey to northern Norway began with the allure of the mystical northern lights, but it quickly evolved into a multi-faceted exploration of the region’s culture, cuisine, and outdoor adventures. Embarking on Hurtigruten’s North Cape Express cruise, I was promised a sighting of the aurora borealis, but little did I know that this trip would
Greenland, the picturesque land of ice and snow, is on the brink of a major transformation in its expedition cruise industry with the completion of an airport expansion in its capital city, Nuuk. This development is not only expected to boost tourism but also drive new expedition itineraries for cruise lines like Viking, Silversea, and
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings recently announced plans for a new two-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, their private island in the Bahamas. This development is expected to significantly increase guest counts by more than 50% within the first year of operation. Currently, access to the island is limited to tender boats from cruise ships, but
The cruise industry is abuzz with excitement as major players like Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) make significant moves to expand their fleets. NCLH recently made headlines with an order for eight new cruise ships, marking the largest order in company history. CEO Harry Sommer attributes this massive order to a variety of positive metrics,
Viking, a prominent cruise line, has recently made the decision to go public after 27 years of operating as a private company. In its IPO registration form, Viking’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen, emphasized that the core of the cruise line’s business will remain consistent. However, a significant aspect of their strategy might have raised
In a sea of marketing strategies, cruise line executives are turning to social media influencers to attract new customers. Janet Bava, chief commercial officer of Windstar Cruises, emphasized the skepticism consumers have towards traditional marketing methods during the Seatrade Cruise Global conference. By collaborating with influencers, cruise lines can portray authenticity that resonates with potential
The cruising industry has experienced a significant increase in the number of new guests over the past year. Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Group, and MSC Cruises are among the companies that have reported a surge in new-to-cruise customers. This growth can be attributed to a variety of factors, including increased advertising spend, the return of
American Cruise Lines recently announced the arrival of their fifth and sixth Project Blue coastal ships, scheduled for 2025. These ships, named American Patriot and American Pioneer, will be the first in the Patriot class and will each accommodate 125 passengers. One of the standout features of the Patriot class will be the expansive staterooms,
Cruise lines are continually looking for ways to enhance the passenger experience, and one of the growing trends in the industry is the creation of distinct themed areas on megaships. These themed areas, often referred to as “districts” or “neighborhoods,” are designed to offer specific vibes and cater to different interests of passengers. This approach
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings recently announced a significant order for eight new ships that will be constructed by Fincantieri, a renowned shipbuilding company. These ships are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2036, marking a significant expansion for the company. The order includes vessels for all three of NCLH’s brands, with four Prima Plus ships
Princess Cruises has announced a new partnership with Brightline intercity passenger rail to provide travelers with a unique “Rail and Sail” program that will make getting to their cruise even easier. This innovative program will allow guests cruising from Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral to seamlessly transition from train to ship, all while enjoying the
Jonathan Bennett, a well-known actor for his roles in movies such as “Mean Girls,” Hallmark Channel productions, and currently on Broadway, has been chosen to be the godfather of Carnival’s Firenze ship. This ship, the second of Carnival’s Italian-themed vessels acquired from Costa, will be christened in Long Beach, California, on April 24, with its