Cruise

A DATE WITH DESTINY: First details emerge on newest Disney ship

In an unusual first-look roll-out of details of its newest ship, taking place over three days, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has revealed the first details of the heroes and villains-inspired Disney Destiny, which will set sail in late 2025 from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

HOW MSC PLANS TO DOMINATE THE YOUNG CRUISE MARKET

Young travellers are driving a cruise boom, according to the CLIA’s 2024 State of the Cruise Industry report. Its surveys find that 88 percent of Millennials and 86 percent of Gen-X who have taken a cruise are planning to cruise again. And the surge is particularly strong in Canada, says Ian Patterson, MSC Cruises Canada country manager.

CARNIVAL THINKS BIG: Orders new 8,000-passenger ships and ‘doubles down’ on growth

With a capacity that would hold the entire current population of Goderich, Ont. – nearly 8,000 people – Carnival Cruise Line’s new ships will be the biggest in the world when they entire service in the summers of 2029, 2031 and 2033, respectively. The ships will be a new class of vessel and feature over 3,000 staterooms each.

AGENT INCENTIVE: Going for the gold with AmaWaterways

Taking a page from the Olympics, AmaWaterways has launched its ‘Cruise for Gold’ travel advisor incentives, offering Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals to the three North American travel advisors who book the most river cruises to France with the company during the course of the Summer and Paralympic Games in Paris – July 26 to Sept. 8.

FANATICAL ABOUT PHILLY: New homeport highlights NCL 2026 SEASON

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced its 2026 spring/summer itineraries to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Bermuda, Alaska, and Canada and New England, as well as a new season of voyages from the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort) for the first time in many years.

IS CRYSTAL STILL A TOP CHOICE FOR CRUISE CUISINE?

Let’s put it this way: if Waterside restaurant on Crystal Symphony was ashore, you wouldn’t be able to get a reservation even weeks in advance. Seriously. It’s that good. The menus are so varied, the presentations so outstanding and the service so impeccable that it would be a hands-down choice for a memorable splurge dinner anywhere on land or sea. And Crystal’s gourmet restaurants are complimentary.

MSC INTRODUCES EXCLUSIVE SHORE EXCURSIONS FOR YACHT CLUB GUESTS

MSC Cruises is introducing more than 90 shore excursions for MSC Yacht Club guests, providing guests touring options in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Northern Europe beyond existing shore excursion programs. The exclusive excursions are also designed to take care of all the details, from priority disembarkation, private transfers to local experts ashore.

UTOPIA OF THE SEAS SET TO SAIL THIS WEEK

Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas has arrived in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Fla., ahead of its official debut later this week (Friday). The Oasis Class ship is the first of its kind to debut with three-night weekend and four-night weekday getaways. 

8 REASONS WHY CRYSTAL SYMPHONY IS BETTER THAN EVER

You can’t keep a winner down. On her return to service, the classic Crystal Symphony has a strikingly fresh new look, with the verve and determination to make new magic. The ship is attracting a new generation of cruisers and long-time regulars are seeing her with a fresh eye.

DISNEY CRUISE LINE EXPANDS AGAIN, TAKES BRAND TO JAPAN

Disney is taking its cruise brand to Japan under an agreement that will see the company that owns and operates Tokyo Disney Resort build and operate a Disney-branded cruise ship in the country, which is expected to set sail by early 2029.

AMSTERDAM WILLING TO PAY PRICE TO CURTAIL CRUISE SHIPS

In a measure to combat over-tourism, Amsterdam will reduce number of sea cruises calling in the Dutch city by almost half in 2026, while aiming for its cruise terminal to leave the city altogether by 2035. The number of sea cruises that moor at the Passengers Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) will drop from 190 to a maximum of 100 per year and the PTA will also immediately return to one berth and cruise ships required to use shore power by 2027.

WILL GREECE FINALLY REIN IN GROWING CRUISE HERDS?

Let’s add it up: As Crystal Symphony with 600 aboard sailed into Mykonos harbour, she’s joined by Odyssey of the Seas carrying about 4,100 and Celestyal Journey, with another 1,260. Several tourist ferries are also unloading throngs eager to squeeze shoulder-to-shoulder along the narrow laneways of white-stucco Mykonos Town.

NEW WINDSTAR FEATURES CATER TO CANADIAN AGENTS

Coinciding with Canada Day, Windstar Cruises has unveiled a new Canada-centred booking process designed order to provide better service and value for Canadian guests and the travel advisors who serve them. Canadians can also sail on select cruises for up to 30% off in Iceland, the Mediterranean, and French Polynesia.

HOW OCEANIA CRUISES IS ABOUT TO MAKE TAHITI HOTTER

Oceania Cruises is making the 2025 season in the South Pacific it most expansive yet. Two ships, Nautica and Regatta are plotting unique itineraries in fascinating corners of Tahiti during the winter and summer seasons.

FOUR SEASONS YACHTS REVEALS INAUGURAL DESTINATIONS

With Four Seasons Yachts preparing to debut in 2026, the company has revealed its first 10 voyages, featuring more than 130 distinct destinations across over 30 countries and territories.

10 REASONS TO CRUISE TO THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

Breaching whales, polar bears on the prowl, other-worldly landscapes and cultures whose traditions date back to pre-history. No summer travel destination can give you an entirely new view of the world like an Arctic experience. I can vouch for that because a Northwest Passage crossing I did on the luxury expedition ship Seabourn Venture last year is still inspiring my dreams.

SMOOTH SAILING AHEAD: Virtuoso forecasts 2024-25 cruise trends

Virtuoso has released survey findings that offer a glimpse into the preferences of the world’s luxury cruise passengers. Drawing on the insight of more than 300 professional travel advisors who specialize in cruising, Virtuoso found that 58% believe it will emerge as the strongest tourism sector in 2024-25, surpassing land-only experiences.

AMALILIA A STYLISH NEW GIRL ON THE ANCIENT NILE

As the allure of the enigmatic monuments and history of Egyptian empires attract increasing numbers of tourists, AmaWaterways has doubled its Nile River fleet. The luxurious new AmaLilia, featuring 41 staterooms, including 13 suites is welcoming guests as part of an 11-night cruise and land experience.

QUEEN ANNE SPURS RECORD BOOKINGS FOR CUNARD

Cunard says it registered record-breaking bookings following the launch of its new ship Queen Anne. The 3,000-guest vessel set sail on its maiden voyage on May 3 before returning to her homeport of Southampton on May 24 to begin a celebratory British Isles Festival voyage, which included a spectacular naming ceremony in Liverpool. 

NEW UNIWORLD COURSE A CRYSTAL BALL FOR 2025

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ new Uniworld University course for 2025 is now available in its online travel advisor education program. The course details what’s to come in 2025 for the luxury river cruise line, including five new itineraries, expanded land extensions, more ‘MAKE TRAVEL MATTER’ experiences, and a new ship setting sail next year, the SS Elisabeth.

MSC HAILS EXPANDED NORTH AMERICAN SAILINGS FOR 2025

MSC Cruises has unveiled an expanded slate of itineraries for guests departing from the line’s four US homeports: Miami, Port Canaveral, New York, and Galveston, Texas. The company’s Winter 2025/26 season will feature seven ships, including MSC Grandiosa’s debut in the US from Port Canaveral; the cruise line’s inaugural season sailing from Galveston; and MSC World America’s first winter season sailing from Miami, following her debut as the line’s newest flagship in April 2025.

8 LUXURY IDEAS TO HIJACK FOR YOUR BATHROOM

Sliding into the tub and looking around at the extensive detailing of the bathroom in an elegant suite on Regent’s Seven Seas Explorer reveals a host of exclusive and steal-able design tips for creating a dream space in your own home.

JUNEAU COPES WITH COPIOUS CRUISE PAX: Seeks to limit number of visitors

A new agreement between Alaska’s capital city and major cruise lines seeks to cap the daily number of cruise ship passengers arriving in Juneau starting in 2026. The agreement, finalized late last week, seeks a daily limit of 16,000 cruise passengers Sundays through Fridays and 12,000 on Saturdays. However, officials in Juneau say that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be that many people every day.

QUEEN ANNE’S CUNARD CACHET: Ship’s stunning design showcases mix of heritage and contemporary style

When the ‘Queen Anne’ sailed up the River Mersey to Cunard’s “spiritual home” in Liverpool, UK – where Samuel Cunard launched the first transatlantic passenger cargo service in 1840 with steamship Britannia – thousands of people lined the waterfront, cheering on the majestic vessel in anticipation of the christening and naming ceremony of the illustrious Cunard brand’s first new ship in 14 years.

MSC YACHT CLUB TO HIT NEW HEIGHTS ON WORLD AMERICA

MSC Cruises says it will bring its largest and most luxurious MSC Yacht Club “ship within a ship” concept to North American shores with the launch MSC World America in April, 2025. One of the ship’s seven distinct districts, the MSC Yacht Club offers guests a secluded sanctuary within the bustle of the wider ship.

CRUISE LINES ARE GETTING RACY IN EUROPE

Explora Journeys is getting into race mode to celebrate the arrival of Explora II, its second luxury ship this summer. The new small-ship ocean travel brand is the Global Partner of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, that takes place in the waters off Barcelona. Meanwhile, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team are hosting a racing themed cruise, complete with a replica car on the ship and specialty shore experiences in Monte Carlo.

THAT’S ENOUGH:  Virgin Voyages cracks down on predatory sales tactics

Virgin Voyages said it plans to crack down on predatory sales tactics being used by some of its ‘First Mate’ travel agent partners who are soliciting customers and offering misleading ‘discounts’ to boost their sales. North American sales VP John Diorio, said in an email to travel agent partners that this has become an ‘important and serious’ issue.

SHOCKER ON THE RIVERS: Paddle-wheelers Bound for Scrap Heap

Can the big wheels keep on turning? A well-known fleet of paddle-wheelers that evoke the Proud Marys and Showboats that plied the rivers of early America face being cut up for scrap after a bankruptcy sale that has the cruise industry abuzz.

CRUISE CONTROL: Can victory be snatched from Great Lakes defeat?

Here we go again. Cruise entrepreneur John Waggoner is reported to be relaunching Victory Cruise Lines to start cruising the Great Lakes in 2025. He scooped up two 190-passenger ships that have come and gone a number of times from the lakes over the past couple of decades in an auction of the assets of the bankrupt American Queen Voyages.

WHY AFRICA’S THE NEXT HOT CRUISE DESTINATON

Quick: where’s Banjul? How about Cotonou or Lome? Suddenly, places along the west and east coasts of Africa that are likely to have even veteran travellers doing where in the world? Google searches are being asked to quickly arrange docks and shore excursions for multiple cruise ships.

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