TUI Cruises has cancelled two repositioning cruises between Europe and Asia that were meant to transit through the Suez Canal and Red Sea, due to ongoing security risks in the area. As a result, additional cruises in Asia, the Middle East, and Europe have also been cancelled, but Mein Schiff 4’s scheduled Arabian Gulf season out of Dubai will go ahead as planned, but will conclude a month … [Read more...]

AROYA Cruises, the Saudi Arabian cruise line backed by PIF-owned Cruise Saudi, has signed an MoU with fellow PIF-owned Sawani Co, as part of its commitment to showcasing Arabian preferences and Saudi Arabia’s heritage and traditions. The collaboration between the two PIF companies will enable Noug and Nougelato products to be supplied aboard Aroya, the first cruise ship in the AROYA Cruises … [Read more...]

British wildlife television presenter Michaela Strachan is set to join Fred Olsen Cruise Line again in 2025 for a cruise aboard Bolette from Cape Town, South Africa, as well as a 2024 voyage in Norway. In September, she will spend six days aboard the Bolette during the ‘Scenic Autumnal Norwegian Fjords’ cruise, while in March 2025, Strachan will join Bolette on the SA leg of its inaugural … [Read more...]

Royal Caribbean International has revealed additional details on the refit and refurbishment of Allure of the Seas ahead of her summer program in the Western Mediterranean. As part of the Royal Amplified program, Allure of the Seas will undergo a $100 million upgrade that will see a series of new features, experiences and venues added to the 14-year-old vessel. These additions and … [Read more...]

Disney Cruise Line has confirmed an order with German shipyard Meyer Werft for four new cruise ships, due for delivery between 2027 and 2031. The new vessels will join its current fleet of five and four on order, bringing the total fleet count to 13 ships when all have been delivered. The announcement was made during the Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase, where the company said that … [Read more...]

Norwegian Cruise Line is offering savings of up to 30% on its upcoming African itineraries aboard Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Sky during the 2024/25 cruise season. Norwegian Cruise Line has two ships cruising in Africa during the coming 2024/25 cruise season, with Norwegian Dawn cruising roundtrip from Cape Town and Norwegian Sky offering cruises from Cape Town to Mauritius and Barcelona … [Read more...]

Cordelia Cruises is considering adding more international destinations to its itineraries, and has placed orders for two new cruise ships as it looks to capitalise on the success of its first cruise ship in India, according to The Hindu. The cruise line’s second vessel is scheduled to arrive in India mid-2025, with the third expected to be delivered by 2026.  The line’s current … [Read more...]

TUI Cruises has announced details of the retail offerings to be available on its new ship Mein Schiff 7, following the signing of a collaboration agreement with Starboard, a leading cruise retail supplier. The retail space aboard Mein Schiff 7 spans 5,629 square feet across two decks and features a variety of brands and products with a focus on sustainability and items inspired by the … [Read more...]

Disney Destiny, the new Wish-class vessel in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, will feature a range of hero and villain-themed attractions inspired by Disney, Pixar and Marvel, when she is launched in late 2025. Disney Destiny will offer a range of hero-themed experiences, including the “Lion King” dining adventure, an “Incredibles” confectionary, new lounges celebrating Cruella de Vil and … [Read more...]

Carnival Cruise Line has announced its new destination in the Bahamas, Celebration Key, will feature the new Pearl Cove Beach Club, an exclusive retreat for guests 18 and older. The cruise line also opened reservations for shore excursions, supervillas, cabanas and daybeds for sailings visiting Celebration Key starting in July 2025. Pearl Cove Beach Club will feature a secluded entry, an … [Read more...]

Norwegian Cruise Line is planning to send Norwegian Encore into dry dock for a major refit and refurbishment that will introduce a range of new experiences and amenities onboard. These include a brand-new Spice H2O; the expansion of two popular dining venues, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki; redesigned suites in The Haven by Norwegian; and 24 new balcony staterooms. The two-week … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises is weighing its options for the upcoming 2025 World Cruise aboard MSC Magnifica amid the ongoing security crisis in the Red Sea. The cruise line is considering changes to the itinerary and may reroute the ship around Africa if Houthi attacks on shipping from Yemen continue. MSC Magnifica will depart on the 116-night cruise on January 5th next year, visiting 50 destinations in … [Read more...]

Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) a leading international law firm specialising in cruise and merchant shipping financing is expandings its Middle East presence with new appointments in Dubai. WFW will strengthen its Middle East ship finance practice with the relocation of Assets & Structured Finance Partner Emily Widdrington from London to Dubai as of August 1st, 2024. Emily has … [Read more...]

The Italian hotel giant Arsenale has signed a contract with Egyptian National Railways to build a luxury cruise train called Guardian of the Nile, according to Railway Supply. The Italian-made train will be designed to transport tourists along Egypt’s key historical and cultural routes in a level of luxury reminicent of the famed Orient Express. The train will consist of 15 … [Read more...]

The cruise industry’s rapid recovery from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has given the world’s major cruise line’s the confidence to begin reinvesting in their fleets, with newbuild contracts now at highest level since the pandemic. Cruise ship orders have almost reached recovery level, nearing pre-pandemic highs, as the big players book vessels deeper into the future, … [Read more...]

Cruise Saudi has announced its participation in the United Nations Global Compact, promoting sustainable and socially responsible business practices. The parent company of AROYA Cruises, the first homegrown cruise line in the Arab world, said it will integrate the global compact’s Ten Principles covering human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption into its strategy, culture and … [Read more...]

MSC Cruises and the conservation non-profit BirdLife South Africa are offering one of the most unusual voyages of the season from South Africa in January, 2025, with MSC Musica set to sail south from Durban for the Marion and Prince Edward Islands. Lying just beyond the 40th parallel south, in the ‘Roaring Forties’ of the Southern Indian Ocean, the Marion and Prince Edward Islands are one … [Read more...]

Costa Cruises is offering cruises to North America-based passengers starting at US $782 per person, double occupancy, to the Mediterranean, Caribbean and United Arab Emirates, along with up to US $200 in onboard credit per cabin.  The “Summer On Board” promotion is available on a variety of cruises departing between August 2024 and August 2025, when booked by August 29th, 2024. The … [Read more...]

Oceania Cruises has released its festive holiday voyages for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 cruise seasons, offering at sea Christmas and New Year celebrations on a variety of itineraries, including cruises departing from Cape Town and Dubai. The diverse selection of more than 40 voyages invites travelers to explore in whichever corner of the world best inspires their holiday cheer: from a … [Read more...]

Saudi Arabian start-up cruise line AROYA Cruises has announced the official renaming of its first cruise ship from Manara to Aroya, in deference to the brand’s trail-blazing ambition in the regional cruise industry. Aroya is of course the name of the brand itself, but is also a combination of ‘Arabia’ and the Arabic girl’s name Rouyya, meaning “vision” and “dream”. AROYA Cruises’ first … [Read more...]