The ongoing conflict in the Red Sea has forced Princess Cruises to make significant revisions to the world cruise itineraries for both the Island Princess and the Crown Princess. Originally scheduled to sail through the Middle East and Asia in 2025, the cruise lines have decided to reroute the ships to make new port calls
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Carnival Cruise Line recently unveiled its latest addition, the Carnival Firenze, in Long Beach, California. This debut marked a significant milestone for the cruise line, further solidifying its status as the leading cruise line in California. With an impressive guest capacity of 5,000, the Firenze joins other Carnival ships like the Panorama and Radiance in
Explora Journeys, the luxury cruise brand under MSC Group, aims to cater to discerning travelers seeking an ultraluxury lifestyle ocean experience. The brand prides itself on offering an elegant, all-inclusive environment for those who are curious and desire to immerse themselves in destinations. With a boutique cosmopolitan hotel vibe onboard, Explora I and Explora II
After a long break of almost four years, Royal Caribbean International is all set to resume cruises for the Chinese market this weekend. The plan includes adding a second ship in 2025, marking a significant return to a key market that the cruise line left in early 2020 due to the pandemic. Executives revealed during
Hard Rock International has recently established a strategic partnership with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises to provide reciprocal benefits to members of their loyalty programs. Unity by Hard Rock loyalty members can now enjoy discounts on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity sailings, along with the opportunity to qualify for invitation-only cruise giveaways. Additionally, top-tier loyalty
Venice has recently launched a trial run of a tax aimed at day-trippers in an effort to tackle the issue of overtourism in the city. The entry tax, which came into effect on April 25 and will be enforced on select dates until July 14, targets tourists who visit Venice for just one day. This
When Viking filed for an IPO registration with the SEC, it sparked a discussion about the role of direct bookings versus travel advisors in the cruise industry. In their filing, Viking highlighted the benefits of direct bookings in reducing distribution costs and improving margins, citing their extensive marketing database as a key driver of growth.
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
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