Explora II will make her debut in August 2024 with a maiden voyage from Barcelona to Rome via Port-Vendres (France), Portofino and Port Santo Stefano (Italy), Monte Carlo (Monaco) and Ibiza (Spain).Following her inaugural voyage, Explora II will sail the West Mediterranean until November 2024 before repositioning to the Caribbean for the winter months. The ship will then spend summer 2025 in the … [Read more...]
SeaDream Yacht Club releases 2026 Mediterranean collection
From May to September 2026, the boutique luxury cruise line will operate 27 itineraries ranging from seven- to 14-day Mediterranean voyages, covering 14 ports in 86 countries.New ports of call for the 2026 season include Primosten (Croatia), Setubal (Portugal), Cesme (Turkey) and Kythira, Kythnos, Syvota, and Tino in Greece.Two 14-night ‘Grand Mediterranean & Adriatic Explorer’ itineraries … [Read more...]
Norwegian Dawn to make UAE debut
Itineraries will span seven to 20 days with a range of embarkation ports to choose from, including Doha (Qatar), Dubai (UAE), and Port Louis (Mauritius).Passengers onboard the 2,340-passenger ship will have the chance to visit attractions such as the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, in Dubai or Bahrain’s UNESCO World Heritage Site Qal'at Al Bahrain. Itineraries will span seven to 20 … [Read more...]
Celebrity Cruises christens Celebrity Ascent
The ship – Celebrity Cruises’ fourth Edge-class vessel – was christened by its godmothers Sandy Yawn, star of hit TV series Below Deck, and her sister Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism, on December 1.They were joined by Greek brothers Dimitrios Kafetzis and Tasos Kafetzis who are the ship’s co-captains – a first for both Celebrity Cruises and the industry.Celebrity … [Read more...]
Seabourn expedition ships meet in Antarctica for the first time
The two expedition shops met at the entrance to the Neko Harbour to mark Seabourn Pursuit’s maiden season in the region. Seabourn Venture meanwhile is beginning its second season.Both ships will operate 11- to 13-day voyages to Antarctica, as well as 21-day voyages to South Georgia, Falkland Islands, and Antarctica. Seabourn Venture was launched in 2022 with Seabourn Pursuit making its debut … [Read more...]
Black Friday 2023: The cruise deals you won't want to miss
This year's Black Friday deals are here. Credit: Canva World of Cruising picks out the best Black Friday deals and offers for 2023 whether you're in search of an ocean cruise, a river cruise or an expedition voyage Emerald Cruises Save up to 35 per cent across 2024 Europe and Southeast Asian river cruises and luxury yacht cruises in the Caribbean and the Seychelles as part of Emerald … [Read more...]
Seabourn announces 129-day ‘Ring of Fire’ cruise in 2026
Departing from Los Angeles on January 6, 2026, the 229-passenger Seabourn Sojourn will travel approximately 28,000 nautical miles, visit 63 destinations, and cross the International Dateline and Equator not once, but twice, before concluding in Vancouver. The voyage visits the islands and atolls of the South Pacific, circumnavigates Australia, and crosses the North Pacific for the Alaskan summer. … [Read more...]
Celebrity Cruises announces 2025-26 season
The season features more than 800 sailings to over 290 destinations in 72 countries across seven continents on board the line’s fleet of 16 ships including Celebrity Xcel. Celebrity’s fifth Edge-class ship is scheduled to enter service on December 3, 2025.In Europe, the 2,910-passenger Celebrity Apex will home port in Southampton for the second consecutive summer and offer a range of Arctic Circle … [Read more...]
Celestyal Cruises adds former Carnival Corporation ship to its fleet
The 1,266 passenger vessel is set to undergo a “multimillion-euro” refit before entering service in March 2024 as Celestyal Discovery.Discovery is the second ship purchased by Celestyal this year following the acquisition of Celestyal Journey, formerly Holland America Line’s Ryndam.Built in 2003, Discovery features 633 staterooms and will go on sale on December 11, taking over Celestyal Olympia’s … [Read more...]
Holland America Line announces South America and Antarctica schedule for 2025/26
The season features longer cruises up to 22 days, visiting 16 UNESCO World Heritage sites and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.Oosterdam, which can accommodate 1,964-passengers, is being deployed in the region on itineraries between Santiago (Chile) and either Buenos Aires (Argentina) or Fort Lauderdale (Florida).Excursions are available to iconic South American sites such as Iguazu Falls, Machu Picchu … [Read more...]
Wave Awards 2023: What the winners had to say
The Oscars of the cruise industry took place earlier this week at The Dorchester in the heart of Park Lane TV presenter and comedian, Joel Dommett, was on hosting duties with entertainment provided by Fred Olsen, Cunard, and Marella Cruises.Here’s how some of the award recipients reacted to their wins: The Peter Grant Contribution to the Cruise Industry Award: James Cole“It is absolutely … [Read more...]
Wave Awards 2023 winners announced
Wave Awards winners 2023. Credit: AG Studios The ninth annual Wave Awards was held on November 13th, with some stand-out winners Jenni Fielding – better known by her online pseudonym Cruise Mummy – was named favourite cruise blogger at the 2023 Wave Awards, where companies and individuals from across the cruise and travel sector were hailed for their achievements throughout the year. “It's … [Read more...]
MSC Cruises confirms order for two more LNG ships
The two vessels, currently referred to as World Class 3 and 4, will be delivered in 2026 and 2027, respectively.Both ships will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and will use “innovative solutions to maximise energy efficiency, with extensive use of heat recovery and other technological solutions.”World Class 3 and World Class 4 will be able to use a mix of alternative fuels, including bio … [Read more...]
What kind of food is on a cruise ship? Everything you need to know about luxury dining with Seabourn
Credit: Seabourn Sponsored by Seabourn Seabourn serves up the very best of the best onboard cuisine that goes above and beyond expectations. Discover the range of ship dining venues for you to sample. Combining the finest quality ingredients and authentic regional flavours with skilled chefs, Seabourn offers up an impressive array of dishes and dining venues. Don’t be fooled by … [Read more...]
Celebrity Cruises reveals name of new Edge-class ship
Launching in autumn 2024, Celebrity Xcel will debut in the Caribbean, sailing seven-night itineraries – alternating between the Bahamas, Mexico and the Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St Thomas and St Maarten – from Fort Lauderdale.The vessel’s name was revealed at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, as Royal Caribbean Group executives assembled to watch the first piece … [Read more...]
Norwegian Aqua to feature world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide
The ship will feature the world’s first hybrid roller coaster and waterslide, the Aqua Slidecoaster. The ride will have dual slides and a magnetic lift that propels guests through two different courses on three storeys around the ship’s funnel, and measure three stories high.Norwegian Aqua will also debut the line’s first two-storey Duplex Haven Suites, each with three bedrooms. The four suites … [Read more...]
Azamara launches ‘Work & Wander’ package for digital nomads
With Starlink’s high-speed internet, office equipment, and dedicated IT support, passengers can work on Azamara’s ships as part of the line’s ‘Work & Wander’ programme.Passengers will be able access monitors, mice, keyboards and adapters, ensuring they can stay connected with colleagues and attend virtual meetings The programme also includes late nights and overnight calls– called Extended … [Read more...]
Edwina Lonsdale, managing director of Mundy Cruising, on why the future is luxe
With Seabourn Pursuit, Scenic Eclipse II, Explora I, Silver Nova and Seven Seas Grandeur all having arrived in 2023, you might think we’d be overrun by luxury options – until you realise the capacity of all these together is smaller than that of a single mainstream ship such as MSC’s Euribia, or Royal Caribbean International's Icon of the Seas.While the core market grows steadily, the luxury … [Read more...]
Cunard to showcase new Queen Anne venue at 2023 Wave Awards
Olivier Award-winning Matt Henry MBE, and YolanDa Brown OBE DL will perform at this year's Wave Awards. Credit: Cunard Author: Kaye Holland Published on: 30 October 2023 Updated on: 30 October 2023 The luxury cruise line's new entertainment venue, Queen Anne’s Bright Lights Society, will be brought to life at the Oscars of the cruise industry A new Cunard entertainment … [Read more...]
Cunard to launch Queen Anne in six months
Queen Anne is Cunard's first ship in a decade. Credit: Cunard The launch of a new Cunarder is always big news – and with six months to go, Queen Anne is already making a splash, as Will Payne reports All eyes will be on Queen Anne when she sets sail from Southampton to Lisbon on May 3, 2024 with her 3,000 lucky passengers on board. Luxury line Cunard has a lot riding on this launch – it … [Read more...]