In a bold move to cater to its most affluent guests, MSC Cruises has unveiled a new strategy that sets them apart from their competitors. This innovative approach involves offering a range of exclusive shore excursions to passengers staying in the luxurious MSC Yacht Club accommodations. With over 90 unique excursions available in select destinations
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Meghan Trainor, the talented singer-songwriter, has been chosen as the godmother of Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Utopia of the Seas. This prestigious honor comes with the responsibility of hosting a three-day cruise and concert to kick off the ship’s inaugural season. Trainor expressed her excitement, stating, “It’s an incredible honor to join the Royal
Disney Cruise Line is set to expand its horizons by launching cruises from Japan in 2029. This new venture will see the introduction of a newbuild sister ship to the Disney Wish, operated by the Oriental Land Co., which also owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort. The ship, expected to be around 140,000 gross tons
Celebrity Cruises recently made a strategic decision to sell its two small Galapagos vessels to Lindblad Expeditions in a move that benefits both brands. While this sale will reduce Celebrity’s Galapagos presence to just one ship, it opens up new opportunities for growth and expansion in the expedition cruise market. The 16-passenger Celebrity Xploration and
In a bold and strategic move, Regent Seven Seas Cruises recently gathered 30 top consortia and travel advisors in Pebble Beach, Calif., for a face-to-face summit. This Regent Elevate Council Elite Summit provided Regent President Andrea DeMarco with valuable insights on the brand’s strengths and weaknesses. While DeMarco left the meeting feeling confident about Regent’s
Luxury cruising has always been associated with a certain demographic, but recent efforts by Embark Beyond and Silversea Cruises are challenging that perception. By inviting top-selling Embark advisors, including those who don’t typically sell cruises, to experience the Silver Nova’s first Alaska sailing, they aimed to showcase the unique offerings of luxury cruises. This initiative
Australia’s remote Kimberley region is becoming an increasingly popular destination for expedition cruise ships. Despite the potential threats, such as crocodiles, the allure of the ancient Montgomery Reef, horizontal waterfalls, and rich Aboriginal culture is drawing more operators to the area. In the past two years, the number of cruise operators in the Kimberley has
Royal Caribbean Group is making strides to keep their loyal customers engaged and satisfied by introducing a new status matching program that spans across their three main brands – Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises. This innovative approach aims to reward loyal cruisers by recognizing their highest loyalty status achieved within the family
Tour operator Tauck recently made the decision to stop booking American Airlines and other airlines within the Oneworld alliance due to a new policy that complicates the process of offering refundable airfares. This move came as a response to a memo sent out to travel advisors on May 16, which highlighted the challenges faced by
Cruise line Crystal has recently signed a memorandum of agreement with shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct two brand new 690-passenger vessels. The first ship is scheduled to be delivered in the spring of 2028, while the timeline for the second ship has not yet been announced. Additionally, Crystal has secured an option to build a third
The Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has recently made a statement expressing Greece’s concerns over the impact of cruise tourism on popular destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos. Mitsotakis suggested implementing restrictions on cruise ship berths or introducing a bidding process for ships to call at these islands. According to a report by Bloomberg, Mitsotakis
One of the most anticipated public spaces on the Disney Adventure is the Disney Imagination Garden. Described as the “emotional heart” of the ship, this enchanted valley promises to be a charming garden and an open-air performance venue all rolled into one. Inspired by 100 years of Disney adventures, from Moana to Mowgli, this space
The rising momentum to limit cruise traffic in popular destinations worldwide has placed Greece under the spotlight. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has hinted at potential restrictions on the number of berths or the introduction of a bidding process for ships docking at Greece’s most sought-after islands. This move could materialize as early as next year,
Carnival Corp. had a strong second quarter, achieving record revenue, operating income, and booking levels. The net income for the quarter was reported at $92 million, marking a significant improvement from the previous year. However, when compared to the pre-pandemic period in 2019, there was still a gap of approximately $350 million due to higher
In today’s cruise industry, loyalty status plays a significant role in shaping consumer behavior. Kelly Brewer, the owner of a Cruise Planners franchise, highlighted how difficult it is to persuade clients to switch cruise lines once they have achieved loyalty status with a specific brand. This phenomenon is not unique to Brewer’s clients, as many
Holland America Line has taken their culinary offerings to the next level by partnering with Lindt to offer delightful sweets to guests during their cruise experience. Lindt Lindor milk chocolate truffles and sea salt milk chocolate truffles will greet guests in their stateroom after the once-a-cruise Gala Night activities. This partnership aims to enhance the
Silversea is well-known for its luxurious cruise experiences across the globe. However, with the introduction of new president Bert Hernandez, the brand is poised to undergo significant changes. Hernandez, a seasoned veteran in the Royal Caribbean Group, brings a fresh perspective to the table. He emphasizes the importance of three brand pillars: curation and delivery
The recent opening of Disney Cruise Line’s new private destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, has brought a vibrant celebration of Bahamian culture to the forefront. Unlike Disney’s Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay takes a different approach by embracing the unique music, art, and designs of the local people, highlighting their annual national celebration known as