Carnival Cruise Line recently introduced the Carnival Firenze, further solidifying its leading position as a cruise line in California. This 5,000-guest ship joined the Carnival Panorama and Carnival Radiance to offer year-round sailings from Long Beach. The addition of the Firenze is set to increase the number of guests embarking from Long Beach by over
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After a hiatus of almost four years, Royal Caribbean International has decided to resume cruises for the Chinese market. This move comes after the cruise line left the market in early 2020 due to the pandemic. During the Royal Caribbean Group’s Q1 earnings call, executives expressed their excitement for the return to China, citing booking
Hard Rock International has joined forces with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises to offer exclusive benefits to members of their loyalty programs. Unity by Hard Rock members will now enjoy discounts on cruises with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, along with opportunities to win invitation-only cruise giveaways. Similarly, top-tier members of Royal Caribbean’s Club Royale
Venice, a city known for its picturesque canals and historic charm, has recently implemented a trial run of a tax on tourists who make day trips to the city. The aim of this entry tax is to combat overtourism and discourage one-day visits on peak days. The new entry tax, which debuted on April 25,
Princess Cruises has introduced a new ship-within-a-ship suite category called The Sanctuary Collection on their Sun Princess and Star Princess ships. This collection promises an exclusive and luxurious experience for guests, with access to top-deck retreat areas, private dining options, and upscale stateroom accommodations. The Sanctuary Collection is set to debut in October, starting with
The cruise industry has been rapidly evolving with the rise of direct bookings by customers rather than through travel agents. This shift in consumer behavior has sparked a debate within the industry about the impact of direct bookings on distribution costs and overall profit margins. As more cruise lines invest in marketing to attract customers
Cruise ship excursions have long been a staple for travelers looking to explore new destinations while ensuring a timely return to the ship. However, recent incidents like the one involving a group of passengers missing the last tender to the Norwegian Dawn have raised concerns about the reliability of independent tour operators. Despite the media
Embarking on the Seven Seas Grandeur, the newest addition to Regent Seven Seas Cruises, offers a culinary experience unlike any other. The Culinary Arts Kitchen, a standout feature of the Explorer class ships, allows guests to indulge in hands-on cooking classes while sailing the high seas. Whether you are a novice in the kitchen or
Princess Cruises and shipbuilder Fincantieri have made the difficult decision to delay the delivery of the much-anticipated Star Princess, resulting in the cancellation of nine cruises during the ship’s inaugural season. Originally scheduled for delivery on July 29, 2025, the 4,300-passenger vessel will now be completed and delivered on September 26, 2025. This delay has
The luxury cruise industry has been expressing optimism about its business despite potential challenges ahead, notably the upcoming U.S. presidential election. While cruise lines have been highlighting strong bookings this year, concerns have been raised regarding historical slowdowns in the industry during election periods due to increased political advertising and consumer distraction. Outgoing Silversea president,
Starting this September, Princess Cruises will be offering guests more dining options than ever before. In addition to the traditional early or late dinner seatings, guests can now choose to dine at any time they prefer in the main dining rooms. This new flexibility ensures that guests can enjoy their meals in a way that
Upon embarking on Hurtigruten’s North Cape Express cruise, the promise of witnessing the mesmerizing aurora borealis beckons travelers from around the world. The company’s Northern Lights Guarantee ensures that guests will have a chance to witness this natural phenomenon or receive a seven-day free cruise. However, the experience of seeing the northern lights can often
The recent airport expansion in Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland, is expected to have a significant impact on expedition itineraries for Viking Cruises in 2025. With a longer runway and a new terminal set to open later this year, Nuuk will become a strategic starting point for roundtrip and open-jaw expeditions. Viking is taking
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) is gearing up for a major transformation at Great Stirrup Cay, their private island in the Bahamas. The company expects that the construction of a new two-ship pier on the island will lead to a significant increase in guest counts, projecting a growth of more than 50% within the first
The landscape of the cruise industry is rapidly evolving, with major players making significant moves in the wake of recent announcements. The retirement of high-profile CEOs such as Arnold Donald of Carnival Corp and Frank Del Rio of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has set the stage for a new era of leadership. However, it is
Viking, renowned for its luxury river and ocean cruises, has been operating as a private company for 27 years. Recently, the company has made the decision to go public. Founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen, assured in the IPO registration form that the core essence of Viking’s business will remain unaltered. However, one aspect of the
The cruise industry is continuously evolving, and one of the key aspects being emphasized by cruise line executives is the importance of social media influencers in attracting new customers. According to Windstar Cruises chief commercial officer Janet Bava, traditional marketing strategies are often met with skepticism by consumers. Therefore, leveraging influencers to provide authentic reviews
The cruise industry is experiencing a surge in new customers, with Carnival Corp. reporting a significant increase in first-time cruisers compared to previous years. CEO Josh Weinstein attributes this growth to strategic advertising efforts, positive word of mouth, and the gap in value between cruise vacations and land-based getaways. As the company’s ships return to
