The atmosphere was electric with music from brass horns and drums as a feather-adorned Junkanoo band paraded around an oversize sandcastle. But this wasn’t a beach setting, this was The Carlyle, an indoor venue in Atlanta. The occasion was a sneak peek event for travel advisors to get a taste of what’s in store at
Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line is shaking things up in its 2026 spring and summer seasons by introducing three new ports of call to its European itineraries. These new ports include Portree, Scotland; Leirvik (Stord), Norway; and Palamos, Spain. By adding these destinations to their lineup, NCL is giving passengers the opportunity to explore lesser-known gems in
The sun-kissed beach of Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, an exclusive destination developed by Disney Cruise Line, offers a window into the vibrant heritage and culture of the Bahamas. Situated at the southern tip of the island of Eleuthera, Lookout Cay allows visitors to gaze upon the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and the
The cruise industry is experiencing a surge in demand, with Viking CEO Tor Hagen reporting record-breaking sales figures in recent months. Hagen revealed that the company’s highest-grossing sales week and best individual day occurred at the end of July, showcasing the strong interest in cruise vacations. Additionally, Viking’s second-quarter revenue saw a considerable increase of
Princess Cruises has announced plans to double its summer presence in the Caribbean in 2026 by homeporting one ship in Port Canaveral and another in Fort Lauderdale. This expansion marks the first time Princess will offer summer sailings from Port Canaveral, with a total of 90-plus cruises being scheduled out of the two ports. This
The Canaveral Port Authority in Florida has faced a setback in its plans to build a new cruise terminal. State government officials have expressed their disapproval over the proposed location of the terminal at North Cargo Berth 8. Despite earlier investments in the berth to support the aerospace sector’s cargo needs, the state has pushed
Windstar Cruises has recently revealed exciting details about their upcoming ship, the Star Seeker. This new addition will feature two Horizon Owners Suites located at the aft of the ship on deck 7. These suites boast a wraparound balcony, providing guests with stunning views of the sea. What sets these suites apart is the option
The Disney Adventure, set to be the largest ship in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, will soon set sail on three- and four-day cruises out of Singapore in 2025. This 208,000-gross-ton vessel will boast an enchanting hub known as the Disney Imagination Garden. The Imagination Garden is designed to transport guests inside the pages of a
As we transition from the scorching days of mid-August, the trials of July still linger fresh in the memory of Anthony Hamawy, the president of Cruise.com. July was not an easy month for the company, as various events conspired to create a challenging business environment. The month started off with a significant change in how
The cruise industry has seen a significant resurgence in ship orders this year, with various cruise lines placing orders for new vessels in response to the strong demand following the pandemic. This trend has been fueled by a sense of normalcy returning to the industry, with full sailings and record-breaking revenue being reported by the
The National Geographic Resolution, one of Lindblad Expeditions’ newest ships, offers a unique and luxurious experience for its passengers. Specifically designed for cold-weather cruising, this ship boasts state-of-the-art technology and ice-rated hulls. Despite having all the typical amenities of upscale ships, such as spas, lounges, and exquisite dining options, the Resolution sets itself apart with
The sophistication of Malaga, my favorite port among several coastal favorites on a Regent Seven Seas cruise, took me completely by surprise. We were traveling with 56 clients, headed for a post-cruise stay in Lisbon. But first a wonderful day in Malaga, beginning with a beautiful pier and a modern roadway over the water. It
Eight months after rebranding from Hurtigruten Expeditions to HX, the company has taken another step forward by launching a new travel advisor portal and online education platform. This move is part of their ongoing efforts to differentiate themselves from Hurtigruten’s Coastal Express cruises in Norway. The name change to HX was made to simplify their
Princess Cruises recently announced upgrades to its existing Premier package, offering guests unlimited drinks and unlimited specialty dining options. The Premier package previously included a limit of 15 drinks per day, valued at up to $15 each. However, with the new enhancements, guests can now enjoy all alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees, smoothies, and bottled water
When it comes to organizing group bookings in the travel industry, the size of the group plays a crucial role in the overall experience. Travel advisor Freed, for example, decided to cap her group at 41 people for a cruise with Royal’s sister brand Silversea. Despite being able to sell up to 100 spaces, there
Cruise lines operating in the Caribbean have been forced to make significant alterations to their itineraries due to the looming threat of Hurricane Ernesto. The Norwegian Breakaway, which initially set sail from Miami on an Eastern Caribbean route, has since rerouted to the Western Caribbean. This unexpected change now includes stops at Roatan, Honduras; Costa
Royal Caribbean International is known for pushing the boundaries when it comes to cruise ship innovation. The upcoming Discovery class ships are no exception to this trend. CEO Michael Bayley and his creative team are currently in the brainstorming phase, asking themselves questions like “what if” and “what’s missing?” This stage of development is crucial
The family of a French explorer, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, who lost his life in a submersible implosion during a voyage to the Titanic wreck site, has filed a lawsuit seeking over $50 million in damages. This incident, which took place in June 2023, resulted in the death of Nargeolet and four other individuals. The lawsuit alleges
