With trouble continuing to brew in the Red Sea, Holland America Line has decided to skip the region during its 2026 World Voyage. As a result, the cruise line is also removing Europe and Africa from its 133-night voyage. Instead, the cruise line’s 61,396-gross-ton Volendam will now focus on five continents and visit Asia, the US, and Central America. Citing the need for caution and … [Read more...]
Archives for 29/10/2024
Montreal Port Closes Season With Over 50,000 Passengers
Another cruise season is in the books for the Port of Montreal, and like so many international cruise ports worldwide, the Canadian port is celebrating a banner year. As Oceania Cruises’ Insignia and Nautica each set off from their former homeport for the last time in 2024 on October 28, Montreal waved goodbye to another successful year. Between May 4 and October … [Read more...]
Port Dropped for Disney Cruise Ship, Now Sailing to Nowhere
Guests who boarded Disney Wonder on Monday, October 28, 2024, were surprised to learn they would not be getting the itinerary they anticipated and, in fact, would have no port visits altogether and a later arrival for debarkation at the end of the cruise. The ship is sailing from Brisbane to Melbourne in Australia, and the original itinerary for this 4-night, one-way cruise included a stop in … [Read more...]
Pandaw Cruises, New Kerala combo cruises in India
Following the launch of the latest expedition along the backwaters of Kerala, Pandaw Cruises is happy to announce two new combination cruises joining their existing Ganges & Brahmaputra adventures with the new Kerala expedition. These exclusive 15-night and 22-night combos are the perfect way to explore even more of this fascinating and diverse country in comfort and style aboard Pandaw’s … [Read more...]
New private beach in Mexico is Royal Caribbean's secret to reap more Texas cruisers
Royal Caribbean thinks its building a private destination with beaches, pools, and a water park will lure more Texas cruisers.Right now, Royal Caribbean's private destinations are in The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean. However, with the launch of Perfect Day Mexico in Costa Maya, those onboard sailings to the Western Caribbean will have an exciting new option. "Perfect Day Mexico is … [Read more...]
Holland America Line Enhances 2026 Grand World Voyage Itinerary
Holland America Line has announced updates to its 2026 Grand World Voyage aboard Volendam. The revised itinerary will allow guests to explore East and Southeast Asia, Central America, and U.S. destinations and transit the Panama Canal. This new route replaces the original plan through the Red Sea, reflecting concerns from global security experts. The changes impact the final 54 days of the voyage, … [Read more...]
Weather the Cause of a Cruise Passenger Fatality and Over 100 Injuries
A preliminary report from the UK’s Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) reveals that severe weather conditions likely played a significant role in the propulsion failure aboard Saga Cruises’ Spirit of Discovery, which left over 100 passengers injured and led to one fatality. The incident, which occurred on November 4, 2023, was spurred by intense weather that saw winds reach Force … [Read more...]
6 Tips for Visiting Alsace, France
Alsace is a gorgeous and underrated region nestled in eastern France, bordering Germany. This area shares a mix of French and German influences through their cuisine, architecture, and culture, and is known for its famous Christmas markets, wines, and charming villages.The region’s main city of Strasbourg is the eighth largest city in France and is roughly two hours away from the French capital of … [Read more...]
Major Canadian Port Breaks Cruise Arrivals Record in 2024
British Columbia’s Port of Vancouver, a prime embarkation port for Alaska cruises, has closed out another record-breaking year of cruise guest arrivals, welcoming 1.32 million passengers, a 7% hike compared to 2023. At the start of the 2024 season, port officials predicted cruise arrivals would reach 1.27 million, so the final number reflects a healthy boost over that projection. In an … [Read more...]
Virgin Voyages Unveils Details of Line’s First Alaska Season
Virgin Voyages has revealed a few more details about its entry into the Alaska market in the summer of 2026, when the new-build Brilliant Lady will be deployed to Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia, for a series of seasonal cruises to the popular destination. The cruise line, a creation of British powerhouse entrepreneur Richard Branson, announced in May 2024 that it would base the ship in … [Read more...]
Virgin Voyages Details Inaugural Alaska Season on Upcoming Cruise Ship
Sarah Bretz, ContributorSarah has been writing about the cruise industry since 2015, and in that time has taken a dozen cruises and counting. Her favorite onboard activities include trying the casual dining options, spending time in the spa’s thermal suite, and attending the love & marriage show. You can keep up with her on Instagram at @IAmSarahJaneB.See all author posts Appeared first on: … [Read more...]
Brilliant Lady to Set Sail to Alaska in 2026
Virgin Voyages is launching sailings to Alaska in the summer of 2026. The new ship, Brilliant Lady, will offer 17 voyages to 12 destinations from May to September. Presale access begins on Thursday, and general sales start on November 13. Brilliant Lady will provide a unique experience during peak orca season, allowing travelers to spot wildlife such as bald eagles, seals, and humpback whales, … [Read more...]
Virgin Adds Cruises to a New Destination in 2026, Alaska
For the second time in a week, a cruise line has announced new itineraries in Alaska for the 2026 season. Virgin Voyages, an adults only cruise line, will begin sailing to Alaska in May of 2026 on Brilliant Lady. The sailings will range from seven- to 12-days in length and open for bookings to the general public on November 13, 2024. Brilliant Lady’s cruises to Alaska will depart from both … [Read more...]
Royal Caribbean: The majority of passengers are people that have never cruised
The marketing is definitely working at Royal Caribbean, with more people than ever cruising, especially new cruisers.Royal Caribbean Group shared the results of its third quarter in 2024 on Tuesday, and one important metric to note is how many people that have never cruised before.Speaking to Wall Street analysts on a conference call, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty gave an … [Read more...]
Embark on a bespoke African adventure with Savile Row’s new safari guide
Savile Row Travel has recently launched a new Safari Guide. Curated with luxury travellers in mind, it is an excellent resource for anyone thinking of visiting Africa for the first time, or indeed for regular visitors to this continent of contrasts. It covers everything from descriptions of prime safari destinations to expert insights on upscale safari lodgegs, wildlife and and bespoke … [Read more...]
Golden partnership between Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Else achieves renowned award recognition
A partnership between Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and design consultancy Else has delivered golden results. The two businesses won a Gold Award at the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards in recognition of the outcomes of a digital overhaul project. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Else teamed up at the height of the pandemic with the aim of making improvements to the website to boost guest bookings and hit a … [Read more...]
Virgin Voyages’ Brilliant Lady is setting course for Alaska, the Last Frontier in the summer of 2026
Brilliant Lady, the newest ship in Virgin’s impressive fleet, will celebrate the grand finale of her inaugural North American tour with 17 new voyages – heroing 12 awe-inspiring destinations. Access for presale passholders opens on Thursday, while itineraries go on sale for the general public starting Nov. 13 with inaugural season pricing expected to rise quickly. Just in time for peak orca … [Read more...]
CNSC wins arrivals duty-free contract at Tianjin International Cruise Port
Tianjin International Cruise Home Port Co has awarded China National Service Corporation (CNSC) the arrivals duty-free contract at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port after an open tender. The Sinopharm-controlled company will open a 255sq m store in the terminal at the southern end of the Dongjiang Port Area in Tianjin. The facility is the largest cruise passenger hub in northern China and … [Read more...]
MSC Cruises Launches Cruises To Alaska For Summer 2026 Season. MSC Poesia will depart Seattle weekly calling beautiful destinations in Alaska and Canada
MSC Cruises announced that it will offer sailings to Alaska for the very first time, with the new itineraries now open for booking. MSC Poesia will homeport in Seattle, U.S., for the season and depart weekly on seven-night sailings to Alaska and Canada starting May 11, 2026. Guests sailing to Alaska will be able to enjoy the region’s unrivalled beauty, breathtaking scenery magnificent wildlife as … [Read more...]
CLIA Australasia wins top training award at NTIAs
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has been honoured at Australia’s National Travel Industry Awards (NTIAs), receiving the award for ‘Most Outstanding Travel Industry Training Institution’. Announced at a gala dinner in Sydney on Saturday night, the award recognises CLIA’s extensive professional development programs and the role they have played in fostering an expanding community of … [Read more...]
Record 2024 cruise season wraps at Port of Vancouver
Award-winning Canada Place cruise terminal expected to see more than 1.32 million passengers and 327 ship visits in 2024—supporting businesses and jobs across the Lower Mainland and Canada. The final cruise ship of the 2024 season, Norwegian Jewel, will depart from Canada Place tomorrow (Oct 29, 2024) marking the end of another successful year for Vancouver’s cruise industry. The award-winning … [Read more...]
How to Find the Best Cruise Deals
Cruising is an excellent way to explore new destinations while enjoying onboard amenities. You can wake up to a different port each day and enjoy gourmet meals and entertainment—all without unpacking. Cruises provide access to diverse experiences in one package. The best part? You can make this vacation affordable by finding great cruise deals. Here are some essential tips for securing those … [Read more...]
Amex Membership Rewards Cards: Earn Up to 150,000 Points!
The Canadian-issued Business Platinum Card from American Express and the American Express Platinum Card have received significant boosts to the welcome offers. If you’ve been looking to expand your American Express Membership Rewards balance for an upcoming trip, you’ll certainly want to take advantage of these offers, as long as you can meet the sizeable minimum spending … [Read more...]
Port of Seattle marks major green milestone as cruise season ends
As the 2024 cruise season officially comes to a close in Seattle, city and port officials marked a significant milestone — the full electrification of all three cruise terminals. The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Jewell departed from Pier 66 today (October 28, 2024) capping a busy season that saw 276 cruise ship calls and 1.75 million passengers. Port of Seattle officials anticipate nearly 2 million … [Read more...]
2025 Reservations for Carnival’s Specialty Dining Venues Are in Demand
Cruises are all about the food, from casual poolside snacks to all-you-can-eat buffets to luxurious gourmet dinners. Specialty dining experiences are also popular and add even more delicious options for passengers. Now, Carnival Cruise Line has opened reservations on 2025 sailings for four top specialty dining options: Chef’s Table, the Bonsai Teppanyaki Lunch, Carnival Kitchen, and the … [Read more...]
Oceania Cruises Offering Free Airfare on Select 2025 Voyages
Oceania Cruises has unveiled an offer on 23 sailings to Alaska and the Caribbean in 2025: The line is providing guests free round-trip airfare and double loyalty credits until December 4, 2024. Repeat guests booking a cruise from these select 2025 sailings to Alaska and the Caribbean will receive loyalty points for two cruise bookings, enabling them to earn points faster and achieve eligibility … [Read more...]
New Mein Schiff Cruise Ship Completes Maneuvers During Sea Trials
The innovative new cruise ship under construction at Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy for Germany’s Mein Schiff completed her first sea trials in October. At 160,000 gross tons, she will be the largest cruise ship in the fleet and the company’s first LGN dual-fuel cruise ship. Named Mein Schiff Relax, the ship left the yard in Monfalcone and after a brief dry docking to clean its hull, began its … [Read more...]
Forget Paris! This Charming French City Is Oozing Medieval Charm & It’s Cheaper To Visit
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These Are The 3 Fastest Growing Destinations In Asia To Visit This Winter
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5 Reasons Why Cancun Is The Best Beach Escape This Winter
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