Cruise

EPICURES INDULGE WHEN THE MARKET IS DOWN

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.

DESTINY AWAITS: A deep dive into Disney’s newest ship

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 ADDS TRIPLE MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF

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 PRIMED FOR MORE CARIBBEAN

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.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN EYES MORE ICON-CLASS SHIPS

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.  

COOKING UP FUN ON AN EPICURIAN EXPEDITION

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 ADVENTURE’S CENTRAL HUB A GARDEN OF DELIGHT

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.”

HOW TO BE THE BIGGEST YACHT IN THE HARBOR

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.

CARNIVAL REVEALS THE PEARL OF CELEBRATION KEY

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.

‘CROWNING GLORY’: First look at MSC World America’s The Harbour

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.

DISNEY EXPANDS FLEET:

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 IS ALL-IN ON ALASKA IN 2026

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.  

WHY NO ONE EVER SEES ITALY’S INVISIBLE CITY

Everyone’s been here, but hardly anyone’s ever seen it. You’ve visited Civitavecchia if you’ve ever cruised to Rome, but I’ll bet it left no impression as you hit the highway for the hour’s ride to the Eternal City.

VIKING LAUNCHES NEW TRAVEL ADVISOR PORTAL

Viking has launched a new and improved travel advisor portal designed to provide advisors with the tools and resources needed to sell the cruise line’s river, ocean and expedition voyages. The updated platform offers a comprehensive suite of features to enhance the booking experience and streamline the marketing process.

NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE SALUTES CANADIAN MILITARY

Norwegian Cruise Line has expanded its Military Appreciation Program to include active Canadian service members, veterans, and their dependents from the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Coast Guard. Eligible members of the Canadian armed forces will receive special onboard experiences, amenities, and a 10 percent cruise fare discount across all sailings on all ships throughout the entire NCL fleet.

CRYSTAL LAUNCHES NEW AGENT BOOKING ENGINE  

Crystal has launched a new booking engine today (Aug. 1). The cruise line say its innovative platform is designed to streamline the booking experience for travel advisors, offering “unparalleled ease of use, advanced features, and robust support tailored to meet the needs of today’s travel professionals.

A DATE WITH VENUS ON THE INCREDIBLE ITALIAN RIVIERA

You can’t make up a place like Portovenere. Its confection of tall candy-coloured homes and ancient stone walls lining a sparkling blue harbour dedicated to Venus has inspired generations of romantic poets and artists. Visitors and locals mingle on narrow streets that stay shaded and naturally cool in the summer heat. Staircases built of lava rock lead to a fantastic cove where poet Lord Byron is said to have brooded while writing odes to beauty and nature.

EPIC JOURNEY TO MARK UNIWORLD MILESTONE IN 2026

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises’ third ‘Rivers of the World’ cruise in 2026 will highlight the company’s 50th anniversary with a 50-night around-the-world journey where guests will sail on five different vessels across multiple countries and continents with special surprises including the brand’s Uniworld’s signature Mystery Cruise leg to secret destinations.

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.

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