Cruise, along with luxury, is a buzzword in travel in 2024 and the sector is primed for a record-breaking year. The trend is borne out by a surge in cruise bookings at Trip.com, which says it has registered a whopping 344% year-on-year growth from January to October. The online retailer has also identified several micro trends within the larger tidal wave of global bookings.
A submersible from Seabourn Cruises’ expedition ship Seabourn Pursuit made a historic discovery during a dive off the coast of Alejandro Selkirk Island in Chile. On Oct. 14, the sub carrying guests aboard the ultra-luxury line’s newest purpose-built expedition ship found the wreck of the Titania, a German supply ship lost for 110 years lying 95 metres below the surface.
Thrill-seekers looking to get their name in the record books will now have even more opportunity to do so as MSC Cruises plans to roll out its Guinness World Records entertainment program across its entire fleet. The popular program, which gives guests the chance to break official Guinness World Records titles through a variety of activities, is now available on 12 ships and will be rolled out across the entire MSC Cruises fleet within the next year.
Le jazz was hot. The band rocked sets that ranged from Abba to Zappa. Bubbly and sangria were the drinks of choice. The party on the roof overlooking Promenade des Anglaise had the electric chic of a music video and the location was the most sybaritic on the French Riviera.
Carnival Cruise Line has announced an announced an enriched Learn & Earn training platform as part of its Loyalty Rocks! program for travel advisors. Travel advisors will now have new curriculum options, as well as access to more than 50 video-based courses designed to sharpen expertise on a variety of Carnival topics, including ship overviews, industry trends, and tools like social media training.
Small-ship cruise line Azamara has launched a revamped global reservation system aimed at enhancing the booking experience for travel advisors. Dubbed RezA, the new system is part of Azamara’s broader commitment to improving relationships with its travel partners through its “Listening, Learning, and Linking” initiative.
Food trucks and snack shacks will join four sit-down restaurants and 12 bars on Celebration Key, Carnival Cruise Line’s new private beach destination on Grand Bahama opening in July, 2025.
Perfect Day Mexico will make a splash in 2027 as the latest in Royal Caribbean’s growing lineup of destination experiences, which began with Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas in 2019, and includes upcoming ventures in Paradise Island, Bahamas; Cozumel in 2026; and Labadee, Haiti.
Spain’s Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean are named after birds for good reason. They’re the winter retreat of flocks of Europeans escaping the cold and most everyone who comes here flies in. But increasingly they’re cruise features in the fall and winter as itineraries continue to shift away from the troubled Middle East and Persian Gulf.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled and opened for sale the next evolution of its Prima Plus Class, the all-new Norwegian Luna. Marking the company’s 21st ship in its fleet, the ship will kick off its inaugural Caribbean season, sailing roundtrip from Miami, beginning April 4, 2026, through November 2026.
Viking marked its historic return to China with international travellers aboard late last month as the Viking Yi Dun (formerly the Viking Sun) completed her completed her first voyage from Shanghai to Hong Kong (Shenzhen).
PONANT’s groundbreaking polar expedition vessel, Le Commandant Charcot, etched its name in the annals of exploration on Sept. 12 by becoming the first vessel to reach the ‘North Pole of Inaccessibility’ – one of the most elusive and remote points on Earth. Located at the coordinates 85°48’ North, 176°09’ East, the North Pole of Inaccessibility is the farthest point in the Arctic Ocean from any land or accessible water, a place few dare to imagine reaching.
The damage is severe as torrential rains from a storm called Boris that had the Danube peaking at a 10-year high and saw water lapping at the steps of Hungary’s Parliament building in Budapest. It’s meant there’s not enough space for ships to sail under bridges on the central part of the river.
As you start planning your dream cold weather getaway, the first question to ask is where are you headed? It may not clear as you scan cruise websites, but there are two main routes around the Caribbean: Eastern and Western. They go back to the days of sailing ships and originally developed because of the trade winds and the ease of hopping between islands.
Anna Nash has joined Explora Journeys as President of the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group reporting directly to Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman, MSC Group’s Cruise Division.
Even the ground beneath your feet can’t be trusted any more, says Mia Otokiak, describing how her husband was almost swallowed up by a giant sinkhole. Riding a four-wheel drive ATV, he stopped just in time when a big section of the main trail out of Cambridge Bay became a deep crater. Soil that had been permanently frozen just melted and washed away as previously uncommon heat becomes the new normal.
Cruise passengers arriving in Santorini and Mykonos will soon be expected pay a little more for the privilege of visiting the popular Greek islands with the introduction of new fee likely to be implemented by next summer. The Greek government announced the €20 (approximately $30) levy as a means to help manage the strain on the destinations due to a surge in visitors.
Lanette Canen and Johan Bodin gave up life on land to become seaborne nomads on a years-long cruise. Months later, the couple has yet to spend a night at sea. Their ship, the Odyssey, is stuck in Belfast undergoing repair work that has postponed its scheduled May departure for a 3- 1/2-year round-the-world voyage.
We’re ready to devour the scrumptious catches of one of France’s seafood capitals. The small size of our cruise yacht World Traveller gives us the advantage of docking an easy stroll from the middle of Sète, a gorgeous southern French city that larger ships never visit.
Bookings will open Sept. 12 for Disney Destiny, the new “heroes and villains” themed Disney Cruise Line ship that will launch from Port Everglades, Florida (Fort Lauderdale) in November 2025. Sister ship to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, the Destiny will sail four- and five-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean, including visits to one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Crystal has scored a groundbreaking collaboration with world-renowned chefs Massimiliano Alajmo— the youngest chef ever to be awarded three Michelin stars– and his equally talented brother Raffaele, to bring their unparalleled expertise to specialty dining venue Osteria d’Ovidio on both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.
Princess Cruises is planning its biggest summer Caribbean cruise season ever in 2026, with two ships – Regal Princess and Caribbean Princess – sailing to all areas of the region for the first time ever. Now available for booking, clients can choose from over 90 voyages sailing from Ft. Lauderdale/Port Everglades and Port Canaveral respectively.
Following the launch of its first Icon-class vessel Icon of the Seas in January, Royal Caribbean Group has ordered another ship in the class, with further options to build two more. The fourth Icon Class vessel, to be built in Finland, is scheduled for delivery to Royal Caribbean International in 2027.
A table is heaped with a colourful cornucopia of luscious fresh vegetables and fruits, perfectly cooked pasta and exotic garnishes that include a bowl of roasted meal worms. Yes, worms! But keep reading.
Disney Cruise Line has unveiled new details about one of the seven themed areas aboard the Disney Adventure, which will set sail from Singapore in 2025. Disney Imagination Garden, the central hub of the ship, will be an “immersive, enchanted valley inspired by 100 years of heroic and heartwarming Disney adventures.”
We’re docked amid the massive yachts of the super-rich, who compete to have the biggest and flashiest water toys. But sorry, boys, we have you beat. We’re aboard the impressive new mega-yacht World Traveller, 126 meters long and 7 decks tall. Like all good yachts she can sail into practically any port deemed worthy of its elegant presence, carrying a crew that’s almost one-to-one with its nearly 200 guests.
With the opening of Celebration Key on Grand Bahama Island just a year away, Carnival Cruise Line has unveiled details about Pearl Cove Beach Club, which will offer a premium experience for guests 18 and older. Reservations for the exclusive retreat are now available through Jan. 2, 2026.
From an aquapark to an 11-storey dry slide, thematic playground, ropes course and much more, MSC Cruises has revealed the latest details on attractions and experiences awaiting guests in The Harbour, dubbed “the crowning glory” of the MSC World America’s Family Aventura entertainment district.
The Disney fleet currently consists of five ships – Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Magic, Disney Wish and Disney Wonder. The Disney Treasure will join the existing fleet this year, followed by Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny which will launch in 2025. An as yet unnamed fourth ship will launch in 2029. Over the weekend the Disney Cruise Line revealed it is ordering four more ships. The new order which will give DCL a fleet of 13 ships by 2031.
Princess Cruises says its Alaska season for 2026 will be its biggest ever. Highlighted by the debut of the newest ship in its fleet, Star Princess, the program will feature eight ships, 180 departures, and 19 destinations, with a robust roster of Alaska adventures by sea, land, or both.