The last American Queen Voyages cruise ship docked in Escanaba Monday. According to the company’s schedule, the October 2 arrival of the Ocean Voyager was the last scheduled docking in Escanaba for the 2023 season. The cruise ships won’t be returning in 2024. Earlier this year, American Queen Voyages announced it would be discontinuing its Great Lakes cruise and selling its two Great Lake cruise … [Read more...]

Through October, Riviera River Cruises is offering a $500 per person discount on select European river cruise departures in April and May 2024. The spring discount is available on itineraries from eight to 15 days, including cruises that take in the glorious Dutch bulbfields, the alpine views of Switzerland, the gems of Eastern Europe and the UNESCO-listed Danube Delta, new 11-day cruises and … [Read more...]

Celebrity Cruises’ announced that its newest ship, Celebrity Ascent, lived up to its name, reaching the pinnacle of its construction milestones with the successful completion of its first open ocean sailing. During the traditional shipbuilding process known as sea trials, Celebrity Ascent completed a series of maneuverability skills designed to test the ship’s functional and operational … [Read more...]

The Turks and Caicos Islands continues to show strong growth in cruise passenger traffic, according to newly-released numbers from the destination’s tourism officials. Turks and Caicos’ cruise industry is centered in the port of Grand Turk, which has welcomed 143 ships so far this year, a 10.9 percent increase compared to the previous year. That included a total of 491,806 cruise passenger … [Read more...]

Some Maui businesses say they are getting an economic boost from visitors, but they are not coming by air but by sea. Central Maui businesses tell HNN cruise ships coming several times a week to Kahului Harbor right now represent the biggest boost to the economy. “We are glad the cruise ships are coming here. It helps the business. We are trying to survive,” said one taxi cab driver. Full story … [Read more...]

Holland America Line is more than halfway through updating internet to SpaceX’s Starlink across its fleet of 11 ships. The first ship to receive this next-generation technology was Koningsdam, and now Oosterdam, Volendam, Westerdam, Zaandam and Zuiderdam all have the high-speed internet on board. Starlink is the leader in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology providing high-speed internet … [Read more...]

Princess Cruises has embarked on a new culinary journey to meet the evolving tastes and dietary needs of its guests. In response to a surging demand for plant-based cuisine, Princess Cruises is introducing a series of creatively crafted vegan menus, enhancing the dining experience for all onboard. The new menus, available in the main dining rooms, are currently rolling out across the fleet of 15 … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean International has uncorked an exclusive partnership with Ponting Wines, cofounded by one of Australia’s most celebrated cricketers – Ricky Ponting – and known for its uncompromising, premium wines. The collaboration showcases Ponting Wines and Royal Caribbean’s commitment to delivering memorable holidays and moments. From October 2023 to April 2024, wine lovers and connoisseurs … [Read more...]

The Port of Isafjordur has invested IKr1 billion (€8 million) in a pier extension, increasing the length of the existing pier from 190m by 310m to 500m in total, with a depth alongside of 10m. Hilmar Lyngmo, recently appointed harbour master, says: “Now the bigger ships, up to 330m in length, can come alongside the new pier instead of tendering. We now have the capacity at this pier, the two … [Read more...]

You’re on a cruise in the buffet line. You’re politely waiting your turn to access a sumptuous bowl of fresh fruit. In front of you is a fellow passenger picking out certain berries — with their fingers! The ultraselective and handsy fruit looter who committed this cruising faux paus did it in front of none other than Nick Leighton, a frequent traveler and host of the weekly etiquette podcast … [Read more...]

The first Four Seasons Yacht will create exceptional experiences through best-in-class design, distribution, and deployment with inaugural voyages exploring the yachting playgrounds of the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Four Seasons, together with luxury yachting company Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd. and venerated Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, continues to build momentum towards the inaugural … [Read more...]

Seabourn is set to raise a glass for “A Toast On Both Coasts” and celebrate the first time that both of the line’s two new ultra-luxury purpose-built expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, will be in the continental U.S. on the same day on Friday, September 29, 2023. The brand-new ultra-luxury ship, Seabourn Pursuit, which launched on August 12, made its maiden arrival in the … [Read more...]

Following the debut of Ritz-Carlton’s new luxury cruise line, Four Seasons is set to launch its own boutique line, one that will begin operations in the Caribbean. Four Seasons Yachts will kick off its inaugural season in 2025-2026 with winter and spring cruises in the Caribbean. The essence of small-ship cruising, Four Seasons’ first “yacht” will have just 95 suites, all with terrace decks and a … [Read more...]

Trinidad is projecting a significant jump in cruise passenger traffic this season. The island’s tourism officials say “all signs point” to major gains in traffic, with the season set to begin in October and run through April of 2024. The first ship to visit Trinidad will be Seabourn Pursuit, which will arrive on Oct. 11. Initial projections suggest just under 90,000 passengers and 30,000 crew on … [Read more...]

American Cruise Lines is pleased to announce two new exclusive U.S. National Parks cruises for 2024 exploring Alaska. Next year, the company is offering 18-Day and 15-Day itineraries from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Juneau, Alaska, which combine guided explorations in Denali and Kenai Fjords National Parks along with small ship cruising in Glacier Bay, the Inside Passage and Frederick Sound. Both … [Read more...]

Last Saturday 23rd September 2023, the Port of Kiel opened two shore power facilities at the Ostuferhafen. The facilities comprise a 50/60 Hz shore power facility for cruise ships and ferries as well as a 50 Hz shore power facility for ferries and were funded in equal parts by the Federal Government and the State of Schleswig-Holstein. Schleswig-Holstein’s Minister-President Daniel Günther handed … [Read more...]

A 5,000m2 terminal on two floors is due to open at 312 Skarfabakki in the Port of Reykjavik in 2025 and be fully functional in 2026. Construction of the multipurpose BREEM-certified building is due to commence in autumn 2023. “The brief for the project was to design a building that would accommodate different requirements regarding passenger flow and luggage handling in the most flexible way … [Read more...]

At the weekend, (16-18th September) the seaport of Kiel reached the mark of one million cruise passengers in one season for the first time. On Saturday, the MSC Euribia, AIDAnova and Excellence Coral called at the PORT OF KIEL, and on Sunday the AIDAbella and AIDAluna visited Ostseekai. “Cruises have gained in popularity and our shipping company customers are recording good booking figures. We … [Read more...]

In 2025, Aqua Expeditions expands its horizons offering three new itineraries in the wildest, most remote corners of East Indonesia. The seven- and 12-night expeditions immerse travelers in some of the world’s most uncharted lands, home to lush jungles, impressive cave systems, vivid underwater ecosystems, and Indigenous communities. Snorkeling and diving excursions invite possible sightings of … [Read more...]

Resorts World Cruises, Asia’s homegrown international cruise line has been voted Best Cruise Line at the recent TTG Travel Awards 2023. Asia Pacific’s most prestigious travel industry awards was held in Bangkok this year on 28 September 2023. The TTG Travel Awards has been recognizing the best of Asia Pacific’s travel industries for over four decades with the casting of votes by industry … [Read more...]