The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) has concluded an integrated travel campaign in China to boost inbound tourism to the Kingdom.  The initiative reached more than 500 million people in China and achieved a 277% increase in bookings to Saudi Arabia, according to a press release.  The campaign, featuring a week-long exhibition and films … [Read more...]

The new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban will boost the domestic cruise market in South Africa, while also enhancing the country’s appeal as a fly-cruise destination, according to the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA). TGCSA expressed excitement at the potential the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal presents South Africa’s cruise tourism … [Read more...]

Viking Vela has touched water for the first time at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy where the latest luxury Viking cruise liner is being built. The float out of the ship marks the end of her major external construction works, with attention now turning to the fit and finish of her interiors and engineering spaces. The 998-guest Viking Vela is the 11th ship of her design and the tenth … [Read more...]

Sun Princess, the largest cruise ship ever built for Princess Cruises will also feature the largest casino in the cruise line’s fleet. The 4,300-guest Sun Princess will feature a Princess Casino with 50% more space and 30% more machines than the line’s Royal Class ships, currently the largest it operates. Located on deck 8 adjacent to the bustling Piazza, … [Read more...]

Icon of the Seas, the largest cruise ship ever built, has been delivered to Royal Caribbean International by the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland. Royal Caribbean accepted delivery of its new flagship in a ceremony at the shipyard, which marked the end of more than 900 days of design and construction by thousands of shipyard workers, contractors and experts across entertainment, … [Read more...]

Mein Schiff Relax, the first of two InTUItion class new concept cruise ships for TUI Cruises, has been launched at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. The dual-fuel powered (Liquid Natural Gas – LNG and Marine Gas Oil – MGO) vessel is the result of a design collaboration between TUI and Royal Caribbean Group, which owns a 50% in the cruise line. The launch of the new … [Read more...]

The Queen Elizabeth II Hotel, the former Cunard Line flagship docked in Port Rashid, Dubai has announced its festive offerings for Christmas and New Year.  The floating hotel will be hosting a range of Christmas-themed events, from the traditional Tree Lighting Ceremony at the stern where the ship’s main pool used to be, to be a series of festive Afternoon Teas in the … [Read more...]

Aroya Cruises has announced it will partner with travel technology provider Versonix for the development of its reservation and management systems ahead of the debut of its first cruise ship Manara.  Versonix’s reservation system will enable Aroya Cruises to offer passengers a user-friendly online booking platform with real-time availability … [Read more...]

South African President Ramaphosa hailed the global cruise industry as a key contributor to the South African tourism industry at the opening of the new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban. The Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal, located on Point Road in Durban will position the city and wider Kwa-Zulu Natal as a premier cruise destination alongside the best in the … [Read more...]

The new cruise terminal in Durban, developed by MSC Cruises as its annual winter homeport has been officially opened and re-named as the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The official opening of the new cruise terminal, named after South Africa’s first democratically elected president, coincided with the arrival of MSC Splendida in Durban for the first … [Read more...]

The Israel-Hamas conflict continues to reverberate across the regional cruise sector impacting Norwegian Cruise Line’s Dubai departure and Celestyal Cruises port calls in Israel. Norwegian Cruise Line has dropped a port call in Saudi Arabia in December for its Dubai departure, and Celestyal Cruises has cancelled Israeli port calls through the end of the year. Norwegian Dawn, departing … [Read more...]

MSC Splendida has arrived in Durban to begin her maiden cruise season in South Africa, sailing roundtrip from the new Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal.  MSC Splendida docked in Durban for the first time following a three week repositioning voyage from Europe down the coast of East Africa to Kwa-Zulu Natal. She will remain in the country until March next year, offering a range of … [Read more...]

Oceania Cruises has announced that Marina will undergo an all-encompassing refurbishment in May 2024, with new dining areas, reimagined public spaces, upgraded cabins and more. The 1,250-passenger ship will see dining options added that first debuted aboard the new Vista, including Aquamar Kitchen, a wellness-focused dining venue which debuted … [Read more...]

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Wednesday, 22 November 2023, deliver the keynote address at the inauguration of the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal in Durban, formerly known as the Durban Cruise Terminal. MSC Cruises entered into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Transnet in 2019 to design, build and operate the new cruise terminal at the Port … [Read more...]

Variety Cruises is relaunching its West Africa itineraries for the first time since the pandemic and opening a cultural hub in the community. The cruise line will sail two eight-day roundtrip itineraries from either Dakar or Banzul, sailing through the Rivers of Gambia and Senegal.  Variety Cruises is a boutique cruise brand, operating ships with a capacity … [Read more...]

Celestyal has acquired AIDAaura from Carnival Corporation’s German cruise brand AIDA Cruises, amid what it describes as major demand for cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean.  Celestyal Cruises will send AIDAaura for a major refit and refurbishment and then re-launch her as the Celestyal Discovery, according to a statement. Celestyal Discovery will … [Read more...]

Disney Cruise Line has launched its new cruise terminal in Port Everglades in greater Fort Lauderdale, its second year-round homeport in Florida. The more than 104,000-square foot terminal was reimagined by Walt Disney Imagineering exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests and is themed around Disney and Pixar’s film, “Finding Nemo,” with some of their favorite friends … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises has confirmed an order for two World-class liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessels with French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique, expanding its largest class of ship to four. The order included an option for a fifth ship, with the two confirmed vessels, currently referred to as World Class 3 and 4, due for … [Read more...]

Cruise Saudi, the parent company of Saudi Arabia’s first homegrown cruise brand, Aroya Cruises, has appointed DL Services to develop the catering spaces aboard Manama, the cruise line’s first ship. Manama is the working name for the cruise line’s first ship, the former World Dream, which is currently undergoing a mammoth refurbishment and refit in Europe following her aquisition from the … [Read more...]

Regent Seven Seas has taken delivery of its new vessel Seven Seas Grandeur from the Italian shipyardFincantieri in Ancona.  With a gross tonnage of 55,500, a staff of 548, and capacity for 746 guests, Seven Seas Grandeur has one of the highest space and staff to guest ratios in the industry, along with 8 dining … [Read more...]