HX, the cruise line previously known as Hurtigruten Expeditions, has recently appointed Gebhard Rainer as its new CEO. Rainer, who is currently serving as the CEO of Sandals Resorts International, will remain with Sandals until June 30. His tenure at Sandals has been characterized by numerous contributions to the organization over the past six years.
Cruise
Embarking on a journey to Disney Cruise Line’s new private destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, in the Bahamas turned out to be more challenging than anticipated. Despite the promises of water play areas for kids, pristine beaches, and an embrace of Bahamian culture, the trek to reach this destination was not as smooth as
Working in the travel industry can be a rollercoaster ride, filled with unexpected challenges that require quick thinking and problem-solving skills. The story shared by Richard Turen sheds light on the complexities faced by travel agents when dealing with airline-related issues. From canceled flights to lost luggage, the stakes are high when it comes to
In an effort to address the ongoing issue of overtourism in Juneau, cruise lines have come to an agreement to implement a capacity limit starting in 2026. This decision has been made in response to the frustration expressed by locals regarding the overwhelming number of tourists the city receives. The new agreement states that cruise
Viking, one of the largest and fastest-growing ocean and river cruise lines, recently went public and provided a glimpse into its booking statistics during its first earnings call. The company revealed that like the other big players in the cruise industry, its bookings are soaring. According to Viking’s Q1 earnings call, an impressive 91% of
Carnival Corp. recently announced the retirement of the P&O Cruises Australia brand, with Carnival Cruise Line set to absorb its assets. This move will see the rebranding and operation of the Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships by Carnival Cruise Line, while the Pacific Explorer will exit the fleet in February. The decision to have
After a year of record-breaking cruise visitors in Alaska, industry experts are anticipating a relatively flat summer season in terms of cruise traffic. While this may seem like a cause for concern for some, members of the industry suggest that this stability could actually lead to a better experience for both tourists and locals alike.
Princess Cruises has recently launched a new Love Line Premium Liquors collection, in collaboration with three prominent celebrities – Pitbull, Jason Aldean, and Romero Britto. Each celebrity has contributed their expertise to create unique spirits and wines that are now available on Princess ships. Miami musician and entrepreneur Pitbull teamed up with Princess Cruises to
Royal Caribbean Group has recently announced a new program that allows cruisers with loyalty status on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, or Silversea Cruises to apply that status level to all three cruise lines. This initiative aims to encourage customers to remain loyal to the brands under the Royal Caribbean Group umbrella, providing them with
Viking Cruise Line recently held its first earnings call as a public company, and the results were highly positive. The company reported a significant increase in revenue for the first quarter of the year, with a year-over-year growth from $629 million to $718 million, marking a 14% increase. During the earnings call, Viking shared details
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is set to launch a new fare structure this summer, aimed at providing guests with more flexibility when it comes to booking their cruise experience. The new pricing system, which will go into effect for bookings made on or after July 1, offers guests the option to choose between a cruise-only
In the fast-paced world of travel agencies, efficiency is key. Any tool or technology that can streamline processes and save time is highly valued. One such advancement is the introduction of cruise booking engines, like MAST Travel Network’s Agent Connect, designed to make booking cruises more efficient for its members. With the cruise industry booming,
As temperatures start to rise and summertime approaches, the focus shifts to winter at the Port of Quebec. While the port typically welcomes cruise ships during the spring and fall seasons, a new development is set to change the game. Quebec City is gearing up to host its first-ever winter cruise in early 2025. This
When the reborn Crystal cruise line first began accepting bookings, luxury travel advisor Diego Riveron faced a tough challenge. Former customers who had lost money during the collapse of the previous Crystal Cruises harbored animosity towards the brand. Additionally, new clients were skeptical about booking trips on older vessels. However, after almost a year of
This past weekend marked the resumption of cruise operations in Baltimore as both Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International set sail once again. Crews worked tirelessly to clear debris from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge, which had blocked access to the port for quite some time. Royal Caribbean International was the first to
Disney Cruise Line’s development of Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on the southern tip of Eleuthera required a significant amount of effort to protect the local wildlife and habitat. The relocation of coral, human-sized sponges, tracking birds’ behaviors, and identifying the hiding spots of crabs on land were just some of the challenges faced. By
The cruise industry is facing a turning point as local communities and environmental concerns push for more regulations on the number and size of cruise ships. Key West residents voted to limit cruise ships in 2020, citing concerns about water quality and coral reef preservation. However, these limits were quickly overturned by legislation signed by
Oceania Cruises has announced a change in plans for the debut of its newest ship, The Allura. Originally scheduled to set sail on its inaugural cruise on July 25, 2025, from Trieste, Italy, the date has been pushed up to July 18, 2025. This shift in schedule comes as a surprise to many, especially to
