Cruise
Explora reveals new loyalty program, Explora Club
Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has unveiled Explora Club - a new loyalty program created to celebrate and reward discerning guests who seek more than a journey. Explora Club offers a seamless and intuitive, five-level structure – Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond – with each level unveiling a curated collection of benefits, from priority access and bespoke events to personalized gifts and exclusive savings. With more journeys, Explora Club Members unlock an array of incremental privileges, thoughtfully designed to...
Viking announces world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship; two more ocean ships
Viking and Fincantieri have shared details of the Viking Libra, the world’s first hydrogen-powered cruise ship, capable of operating with zero emissions. Already under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard, the Viking Libra is scheduled for delivery in late 2026. The Company’s subsequent ocean ship, the Viking Astrea, which is also currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2027, will also be hydrogen powered. About Viking Libra Classified as a small ship, as are all Viking ocean ships, the Viking Libra will have a gross tonnage of approximately...
Ponant’s Le Commandant Charcot will fully sail Antarctica in 2028
Ponant Explorations' luxury icebreaker, Le Commandant Charcot, will embark on a full circumnavigation of Antarctica between January and March 2028, departing from Ushuaia. Le Commandant Charcot will journey through remote, uncharted regions and navigate nearly 11,200 miles of coastline along the frozen continent— roughly one and a half times the size of the United States. The circumnavigation of Antarctica is a polar expedition unlike any before. Specifically designed for expeditions in extreme environments, Le Commandant Charcot features a PC2 polar hull, allowing her...
Quark Expeditions unveils Arctic sweepstakes contest for advisors
Quark Expeditions has launched its Arctic Sweepstakes, a limited-time contest designed exclusively for travel advisors. This exciting opportunity offers six lucky winners the chance to experience the wonders of the Arctic aboard the Svalbard Explorer: Best of High Arctic Norway expedition, taking place May 29 – June 8, 2026. By booking Arctic voyages for their clients, advisors will earn entries into the contest. Putting them in the running for a once-in-a-lifetime journey to Svalbard, one of Earth’s most wildlife-rich regions. How it works To participate, travel advisors...
CHTA wants U.S. to consider Caribbean exemptions to port fees proposal
Tourism officials in the Caribbean are raising concerns about proposals by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to imposed significant fees on each port of call by a Chinese-made or flagged vessels. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), pointing to the mutual benefits that tourism brings to both the Caribbean and the United States, particularly Florida, is recommending alternatives to the proposed U.S. port service fees and tariffs. The CHTA is advocating for modifications to the port-related policies currently under consideration, and is calling...
MS Paul Gauguin emerges from multi-million dollar refurbishment project
Paul Gauguin Cruises has completed an extensive refurbishment of the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin. The vessel emerged from its seven-week drydock in Singapore on April 1 with transformed spaces, enhanced guest amenities, and sustainable upgrades all designed elevate the seamless and carefree cruise experience. The refurbishment included a contemporary redesign of the beloved Le Grill restaurant, a reimagined pool deck with an elegant, shaded cabana area, eight new connecting staterooms, refreshed soft furnishings throughout the ship, and the integration of sustainable...
Carnival shows off new ships, fleet updates and destination plans
Carnival Cruise Line is outlining its strategic plans over the next five years with the introduction of its “Innovation Itinerary,” focused on three pillars: sailing the most fun fleet at sea; creating compelling experiences and destinations; and building more Carnival loyalists. The line’s President Christine Duffy provided details on new ships, deployment, fleet enhancements and exclusive destinations at a media briefing today aboard Carnival Celebration at PortMiami. “Since our inception in 1972, we have defined and led the modern cruise industry and our plans for the next...
Explora Journeys commences Mediterranean Journeys Collection
Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has officially launched its Mediterranean Journeys Collection. With immersive Mediterranean journeys aboard EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, guests will experience the elegance, comfort, and discovery that define the Explora Journeys experience. Until November 2025, guests are invited to embrace the Ocean State of Mind as they sail through the Western and Eastern Mediterranean enjoying the sun-drenched coastlines of Italy, Greece, Türkiye, France, and beyond. All journeys combine iconic destinations with hidden gems and...