Norwegian Aqua, the third ship in NCL’s Prima Plus class, is packed with exciting features, including a mini-golf course, interactive darts, a three-storey wellness facility and the Aqua Slidecoaster, the first waterslide-rollercoaster hybrid at sea. Our sister publication, Cruise Trade News, attended the preview sailing and spoke to industry insiders to get their first … [Read more...]

The Grills Terrace | Credit: Cunard Cunard has updated several areas of the 2,000-guest ship, including the Commodore Club, Queens Room, Garden Lounge and The Pavilion. The Queen Elizabeth's outdoor spaces have also been updated with more sun shades on the aft deck for warmer weather. … [Read more...]

Departing from Valletta, Malta, on 21 June 2025, this unique voyage has a surprise itinerary, with ports of call revealed only upon arrival at each destination.Following the success of the first Mystery CEO Cruise, this new adventure will take travellers through Malta and Italy aboard the luxurious Variety Voyager. Guests will explore off-the-beaten-path locations while indulging in … [Read more...]

UK travel company Jetline Holiday has ceased trading as an Atol holder after Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Cunard cancelled future bookings made through the company.While travellers booked with Jetline Holidays will be justifiably worried, thankfully, most will be covered financially thanks to the Atol scheme. The UK’s Air Travel Organiser’s Licence (ATOL) scheme ensures that, if … [Read more...]

Barrymore will perform the time-honoured ritual of breaking a champagne bottle against the ship's hull at the world's largest cruise terminal. Her co-star in MSC Cruises' recent "Let's Holiday" campaign, Orlando Bloom, will also be at the ceremony."I absolutely love to travel – it fuels my soul," Barrymore said. "Being part of something that helps people set off on incredible adventures is just … [Read more...]

If you've not watched Season 2 of World of Cruising TV or entered our competitions yet, now's your last chance. Season 2's six episodes, featuring Ambassador Cruise Line, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Hurtigruten, Riviera Travel, Saga Holidays and Virgin Voyages, remain on Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media until 28 February.Our six World of Cruising TV competitions also end on the same date, so make sure … [Read more...]

Seabourn has extended its 'Sail of the Year' event through March 4, 2025, offering up to 15 percent savings on select 2025 and 2026 voyages, 15 percent reduced deposits and up to $1,000 in shipboard credit per suite.  The offer applies to more than 400 ocean and expedition itineraries sailing in 2025 and beyond.  Highlights include a seven-day Alaska Inside Passage and Glacier Bay … [Read more...]

CroisiEurope is expanding its Nile cruise programme with a newly chartered ship. The Star of Luxor, which can accommodate 106 guests in 45 exterior cabins and eight spacious suites, will start sailing a seven-night ‘Cruise on The Nile: The Land of the Pharaohs’ itinerary from next month.Departing (round trip) from Luxor, the itinerary includes stops at Karnak Temple, the Temple of Horus at … [Read more...]

The line’s third Icon Class ship, Legend of the Seas, is due to launch in summer 2026 and sail year-round from Fort Lauderdale in Florida.Prior to sailing from its homeport, it will offer seven-night Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona from July 2026.The ship will then sail six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Southern Caribbean cruises from November 2026. Both itineraries include … [Read more...]

The Italian-owned line’s new flagship, MSC World America, has successfully finished sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean and is now entering the final phase of preparation before its debut in April. The LNG-powered ship will homeport in MSC Cruises’ new Port Miami terminal, the largest in the world, where it will be named on April 9.The vessel has capacity for 6,762 passengers and 2,138 crew, … [Read more...]

The sponsorship will see Windstar become the venue’s ‘official cruise line’ and bring brand the operator brand exposure across the venue to reach new potential travellers for the line’s small ship cruises.  
Visitors to the O2’s newest Premium space, The NinetyThird by Qatar Airways, will see a Windstar ship model on display year-round.As the third largest cruise market globally, the UK is a … [Read more...]

The work included a new livery, the hull being treated and painted with silicon paint and engines updated to improve operational efficiency and performance.The 1,260-passenger ship resumed sailings from Doha on a Desert Days itinerary with calls at Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Khasab and Sir Bani Yas Island.Celestyal Journey has a further two Desert Days sailings departing from Doha, on February 22 and … [Read more...]

Cruise continues to be perceived as a more expensive holiday option to land-based alternatives, according to a new report from Cruise Trade News produced in partnership with Mail Metro Media.Around 1,000 yet-to-cruise and experienced cruise customers were surveyed and findings revealed that: 52% of yet-to-cruise holidaymakers say they have been put off booking a cruise because they are too … [Read more...]

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has just launched a three-day Valentine's Day sale, saving £100 per booking on all 2025 cruises of five nights or more. If you've left this year's gift to the last minute, a cruise will score more points than a card from Tesco and flowers from the nearest petrol station. To unlock the discount, use promo code LOVERED when booking. The code works on existing offers, … [Read more...]

The British Film Institute (BFI) and luxury cruise line Cunard have announced the programme for the first Film Festival at Sea, a unique seven-day Transatlantic Crossing taking place on board Queen Mary 2 from March 8-15, 2025.Sailing from Southampton to New York, the voyage offers guests an exclusive opportunity to explore the world of cinema through a curated programme of film-themed events, … [Read more...]

Previously, customers had to complete their bookings over the phone or via email.This still remains an option, alongside the new online functionality.The company said the move will expand customers’ choice and streamline the booking process, allowing its consultants to spend more time on creating tailor-made packages.Customers will continue to be introduced to a member of staff, who will be on … [Read more...]

Originally known as Pandaw III, the RV Tonle Pandawsaw a year’s service in Burma in 2003 before moving to the Mekong. The vessel is currently being refurbished and will feature a new spa as well as a gym, library, cocktail saloon and extensive open deck area.RV Tonle Pandaw – which will offer just 14 suites, each measuring 1,600 square feet – also has an ultra-shallow draft of just over a metre … [Read more...]

Celebrity Cruises will introduce a new venue concept on Celebrity Xcel that aims to “erase the line between ship and shore”. Called the Bazaar, the three-storey ‘multi-sensory’ space will transform each day to reflect the destinations it visits.The venue will stage cooking and dance classes, markets featuring  local artisan products and hands-on craft experiences, destination inspired … [Read more...]

The two ships will visit six continents and more than 170 destinations in the six-month period.Crystal Symphony will sail from Fort Lauderdale to Mexico and Central America in January 2027, including a journey through the Amazon River.In February 2027, the ship will visit the British Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Barts and St. Kitts.In March 2027, Crystal Symphony will sail across the … [Read more...]

The top reasons cited for an increased interest in cruising over the next two years include retirement and more free time (23 per cent), avoiding the hassle of flying (19 per cent), value for money (18 per cent), and the convenience of visiting multiple destinations in one trip (15 per cent).The research also found 94 per cent of first-time cruisers reported being either satisfied or very … [Read more...]

The ship will offer 18 seven-day itineraries between Vancouver, British Columbia and Juneau, Alaska.Seabourn Quest’s 2025 Alaska season will feature Ventures by Seabourn –  a collection of optional excursions, offering guests expedition-style adventures through hiking, kayaking, and Zodiac cruises. Available on all Alaska sailings, Ventures by Seabourn excursions … [Read more...]

Bookings will open later this year, offering travellers a chance to experience the brand’s take on river cruising across Europe.Parent company Royal Caribbean Group says the move reflects growing demand. CEO Jason Liberty stated that half of the company’s customers have taken a river cruise or are interested in trying one.“Our guests and travel partners should expect us to do what we do best – … [Read more...]

Ambassador Cruise Line, the UK-based no-fly cruise line, will be offering a range of themed cruises in 2025.This is the result of positive guest feedback on Ambassador's themed cruises in 2024.For 2025, guests can choose from an 80's themed cruise, a Supercraft cruise or an educational cruise on marine wildlife conservation – with prices starting from £559 per person.  Back to the … [Read more...]

Available until this Friday (January 24), the offer covers more than 500  sailings between summer 2025 and spring 2026.The wider ‘Start Your Journey Sale’ campaign runs until February 28, 2025. Passengers booking applicable voyages with the company’s ‘Have it All’ premium package will receive a free cabin upgrade in select categories, reduced fares, and lower rates for children aged 18 … [Read more...]

Comedian-turned-artist Jim Moir (aka Vic Reeves), best-selling author Jenny Eclair, and photographer Scarlet Page have been unveiled as Fred Olsen’s new ‘Moments Crew’.Their role is to capture guests’ most memorable onboard moments through paintings, words and photographs on three separate sailings.Reeves – whose real name is Jim Moir – will join an eight-night Norwegian Fjords sailing departing … [Read more...]

Best known for her food focused creations, Kate recreates everyday objects – a carton of French fries, a tin of sardines – and transforms them into memorable works of pop art.You have just returned from a Viking cruise around the Mediterranean. What were you inspired to create while sailing?Naturally, this itinerary was full to the brim with seafood inspiration that I could recreate during the … [Read more...]

Luxury Yacht, Emerald Sakara, will star in two episodes which will air at 8pm on Friday 24 and 31 January 2025 on Channel 5.The 100-passenger vessel will sail an eight-day Caribbean itinerary. Highlights include Katouche Bay’s rainforest and beach, the Virgin Gorda islands and a ship-hosted beach barbecue in Jost van Dyke. Back onboard viewers can watch Susan sample drinks at the Sky Bar and, … [Read more...]

From January to March 2027, Noordam will sail a variety of 14-day Australia and New Zealand itineraries between Auckland and Sydney, each calling at eight ports including Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park, with prices from £2,669 per person.The Vista class ship will also sail three Legendary Voyages – a 34-day Legendary South Pacific Crossing from Seattle to Sydney in October 2026, a … [Read more...]

After a long wait for cruise fans, the second season of World of Cruising TV returned to our screens at the start of this month.Season one’s core cast – including host Dean Wilson, Michelin-star chef and sommelier Marc Fosh, travel journalists Lisa Minot and Kaye Holland, and partners Saga Holidays, Virgin Voyages, Hurtigruten, Riviera Travel, and Ambassador all return. The second series also sees … [Read more...]

Passengers can now book cabins on Azamara’s 188-night world cruise, which visits 37 countries, 103 destinations and five continents. Departing from San Francisco on January 5, 2027, the world cruise will head to Hawaii before turning south to Polynesia (Bora Bora, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji), New Zealand, Tasmania and the southern coast of Australia. Passengers will then spend two months exploring … [Read more...]