The new line up includes exclusive shows in the Royal Court Theatre, interactive theatre and multi-sensory dining. Also, the line has collaborated with award-winning theatre producers, directors, writers, choreographers and performers to create 'Cunard Showcases' for 2024. Cunard also offers guests the chance to go behind the scenes with the 'In conversation with' events and workshops with the … [Read more...]
Windstar Cruises to position ships in the Mediterranean year-round
After launching its first-ever winter cruise season in the Mediterranean in December 2023, Windstar Cruises has decided to keep Star Legend sailing in the region for winter 2024-25.The cruise line began offering winter Med cruises for the first time last month, after being forced to postpone its 2023/24 Middle East programme aboard Star Legend due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.Positive feedback and … [Read more...]
SS United States: Fate of America's flagship hangs in court
It’s a new year, and Penn Warehousing is seeking to lose some weight. Around 53,330 tons from Pier 82, to be exact – as a bench trial has commenced over dock fees regarding the troubled liner SS United States Things are looking bleak for SS United States; North America’s ill-forgotten cruise icon. Following decades of conservation efforts tailored to prevent the vessel from being scrapped, a … [Read more...]
Riviera Travel to appear in ‘Cruising with Susan Calman’
The comedian, writer and presenter will travel along the Douro onboard Douro Elegance for seven nights visiting Porto, Mateus Palace, Salamanca and Almeida.Viewers will see Calman sample a range of guest facilities, including the onboard restaurant, sun deck, lounge and bar.The two episodes, part of the show’s third series, will air on January 26 and February 2 on Channel 5. Phil Hullah, chief … [Read more...]
Celebrity Cruises recognises agents at London awards ceremony
More than 80 agents attended the ceremony – which took place at the ME London hotel yesterday ( Thursday 11 January) – and saw a total of nine awards presented to key industry figures.The awards, now in their ninth year, were hosted by Claire Stirrup, UK & Ireland sales director, and Nic McNeish, head of sales.Speaking at the ceremony Giles Hawke, vice president & managing director, EMEA, … [Read more...]
Holland America Line announces 2025-26 Asia programme
Holland America Line is sending its 1,916- ship Westerdam to Asia in 2025 and 2026.The itineraries have a strong focus on Japan with stops at 24 different ports around the country. There are also visits to Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.Meanwhile late departures and overnight stays in ports including Shanghai, Bangkok, … [Read more...]
Celestyal announces year-round sailings and new Persian destinations
Departing from Doha, Qatar, the week-long Desert Days cruises will call for the first time at Bahrain, Dubai, Khasab (Oman), Sir Bani Yas Island and Abu Dhabi. The first sailing departs on November 9, 2024 onboard the 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey, which joined the company’s fleet in September 2023.After January 18, 2025, Celestyal will operate three, four, five and seven-night variations of … [Read more...]
Cunard to extend partnership with Michel Roux Jnr
The two Michelin-starred chef Michel Roux Jnr, who will close his iconic Mayfair restaurant Le Gavroche this month, will oversee four Le Gavroche at sea sailings onboard Queen Anne and Queen Mary 2.The former Masterchef judge will join cruises around the Norwegian Fjords as part of a five-night residency in partnership with the Norwegian Seafood Council which begins with Le Gavroche at The … [Read more...]
Windstar to feature on Cruising with Susan Calman
The show, which will air on Channel 5 on January 12 and 19, will feature the line’s 148-passenger sailing yacht Wind Spirit on a 10-night Pacific islands itinerary from Tahiti that showcases the region’s atolls, crystal-clear lagoons, lush rainforests, and fascinating Polynesian culture.Augustus Lonsdale, head of sales Windstar UK and Ireland, said: “We were delighted to host Susan and the crew … [Read more...]
Our columnist, Edwina Lonsdale, on why cruise ports should be open for business
‘Historic port closes doors to cruise ships’ is a headline we often read. But there has been some lazy reporting of this issue, so what is really going on? Sustainable tourism is something the cruise industry takes very seriously, and over the summer an agreement was signed between the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, focusing on ports and the … [Read more...]
Masterchef’s John Torode announced for Princess Cruises’ Good Food Show at Sea
Husband and wife duo Torode and Faulkner, best known for MasterChef, and Italian chef Contald will host cooking demonstrations, tutored tastings, cocktail classes, hands-on workshops, and more.The 14-night sailing on Sky Princess will depart from Southampton on November 2, 2024. Ports of call include Lisbon, Cadiz, Gibraltar, Cartagena, Barcelona, Malaga and Bilbao with prices starting from £799 … [Read more...]
Riverside Luxury Cruises to launch third ship in March
Riverside Debussy will depart on its inaugural cruise from Brussels to Amsterdam on March 23, 2024. The six-day voyage will call at destinations in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.The ship will then depart on a series of Rhine sailings, offering five itineraries: Holland at the Heart of Tulip Blossom; the Romantic Rhine Southbound; the Romantic Rhine Northbound; Cruising Belgium and the … [Read more...]
CLIA Forum 2023: "Cruise must avoid bloodbath pricing war"
Speaking during the 2023 CLIA Forum in Windsor on Tuesday (19 December), Bouldin said cruise must continue closing the gap on land-based holidays after some of the biggest tour operators increased their ATOL licences, but not at the cost of discounting. "We do not want an aggressive market in travel in 2024," he told delegates. "But we must continue to close the gap on land-based holidays. Jet2, … [Read more...]
Riviera Travel to give away £1million in gifts
In celebration of their 40th year, Riviera Travel is guaranteeing rewards on every booking made between December 20, 2023, and February 29, 2024.Gifts up for grabs include an eight-day “all expenses paid” river cruise for two with spending money, a worldwide tour for two, a European tour for two, and travel vouchers up to the value of £500.The line will offer more offer more than 390 cruises and … [Read more...]
Princess Cruises unveils captains for Star Princess
Captain Gennaro Arma, who currently serves as the new-build site lead for the construction of both Sun Princess and Star Princess, will be master of the 17th Princess ship when she debuts in the summer of 2025 When Arma is on leave, commodore Nick Nash will take over the navigation and leadership of Star Princess."It is my privilege to introduce and congratulate the masters of the stunning new … [Read more...]
Star on board: Rebecca Adlington, OBE
Olympian Rebecca Adlington has opened up in an exclusive interview with World of Cruising. Credit: Shutterstock The four-time Olympic medallist on her triumphs in the pool, the Paris Olympics, and why an Alaska cruise is on her bucket list What do you love most about cruise holidays?I’ve only been on one cruise actually, and that was immediately after the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games where I … [Read more...]
TUI River Cruises announces first new-build ship
Tui Alma will become the fifth ship in the line’s fleet and will homeport in Porto. Packages go on sale tomorrow (December 14).Alma – which means ‘soul’ in Portuguese – will be purpose-built for the Douro, which is smaller than most European rivers, with trips focusing on daytime sailing.The vessel will offer seven-night trips sailing a five-location itinerary for up to 123 passengers. Departing … [Read more...]
MSC Europa to star in Channel 4 documentary
The one-hour episode follows the story of MSC Cruises’ 22-deck ship from its first steel cutting in 2019 to its launch in late 2022. The documentary will be broadcast on Saturday, December 16 at 8pm.Viewers follow the teams of designers, project managers, and shipbuilders as they race against a tight schedule to deliver the ship.Audiences can watch the construction techniques used to craft MSC … [Read more...]
A-Rosa partners with rail specialist for three new itineraries
The itineraries include the Southern Rhine Cruise Through Germany to Switzerland itinerary, which departs Thursdays from 4 April to 12 October and sails through the Middle Rhine Valley from Cologne to Strasbourg via Rudesheim, Speyer, Breisach, Basel, Strasbourg, Mainz and Koblenz. Prices start from £1,695pp. A Classic Danube Cruise itinerary – from £1,895pp – departs weekly from 5 April to 18 … [Read more...]
Viking to add 10 river ships in Europe
Author: Kaye Holland Published on: 07 December 2023 Updated on: 07 December 2023 Viking is expanding its European rivers fleet with 10 new vessels Five of the new ships will be delivered in 2025, with the remaining half to be delivered in 2026. Eight of the new vessels will sail itineraries on the Rhine, Main, and Danube rivers, while two additional Viking Longships will join the … [Read more...]