Cruise
Norwegian Cruise Line unveils 2027 spring-summer deployment
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled its spring/summer 2027 deployment –featuring over 500 individual voyages across 20 ships, departing from nearly 30 of the world’s top homeports, including Miami; Seattle; New York City; Southampton, England, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy. From April through October 2027, NCL’s fleet will call to over 150 unique ports across 59 countries delivering immersive itineraries with more time in port, including over 170 overnight stays in the most sought-after destinations such as Istanbul; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Royal Naval Dockyard, Bermuda....
NCL announces Great Stirrup Cay transformation with six-acre waterpark, 19 waterslides, cliff jumping and jet karts
Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas, will look very different in the summer of 2026 following a massive transformation that includes the launch of a nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark. In addition to the multi-pier enhancements and the oversized heated pool and beach club additions already announced earlier this year, the island will now offer 19 waterslides, an 800-foot dynamic river, a 9,000-square-foot splash zone for kids, and the industry’s first cliffside jumps. “Great Stirrup Cay has always been an amazing part of...
Set Sail on a ‘Slowcation’ with Azamara Cruises
With travellers increasingly seeking deeper, more intentional experiences when they travel, the ‘Slowcation’ is emerging as a defining travel trend and Azamara Cruises believes it’s ‘perfectly positioned’ to lead the way. Azamara’s Destination Immersion Elevated programming provides guests with the opportunity to truly connect with the places they visit. With extended port stays, overnight dockings, and thoughtfully curated country-intensive itineraries, Azamara’s voyages are designed for curious, experience-driven travellers who want to go beyond surface-level...
Costa Cruises provides update on operations to and from Dubai
Costa Cruises has provided an update on its offer for the upcoming 2025/2026 Winter season. The cruise said in a statement that “due to the currently fluid situation in the Middle East, which remains unpredictable for the foreseeable future, Costa wants to provide its guests with reliable clarity on their vacation plans for the upcoming winter season as early as possible.” As a result, Costa said, it has decided not to operate the originally scheduled itineraries in the United Arab Emirates on board Costa Toscana and those from and to Dubai for the winter season...
Celebrity Cruises names captain of the Celebrity Xcel
There was a lot of buzz on social media in the run up to Celebrity Cruises announcing the new Captain of the Celebrity Xcel. Well, the wait is over, with Celebrity Cruises officially announcing that Kyriakos “Kirk” Matragkas will helm the Celebrity Xcel, the brand’s newest billion dollar Edge Series ship. Affectionately known as ‘Captain Kirk,’ he has a legacy rooted in seafaring tradition and a personality as magnetic as the ship he now commands. Captain Kirk’s appointment signals not just a new chapter for Celebrity but a bold new era in cruising. Born in...
Virgin Voyages Sets Sail for Paradise
Virgin Voyages is inviting Canadian Sailors to trade in snow boots for sandals with its unforgettable 7+ night Caribbean itineraries sailing throughout 2025 and 2026. Perfectly timed for those looking to escape the Canadian winter, these longer sailings offer a sun-soaked blend of relaxation, discovery, and award-winning service aboard Virgin Voyages’ beautiful, adults-only ships. Departing from Miami and San Juan, these 7+ night itineraries visit some of the most stunning destinations in the Caribbean -- think Aruba, Curaçao, St. Lucia, Antigua, and more. With extra time built into...
Ensemble adds Riverside Luxury Cruises as a Preferred Partner
Ensemble has added Riverside Luxury Cruises to its network of preferred partners, marking a significant addition to its luxury cruise portfolio and the first such partnership with a travel agency consortium for the river cruise line. Backed by the German hospitality group Seaside Collection, Riverside brings a fresh perspective to river cruising with its boutique-style, all-suite ships and an emphasis on personalized, high-touch service. Through this partnership, Ensemble members will benefit from exclusive advantages, including an enhanced commission structure. In addition,...
Ponant announces new French Polynesia itineraries for 2026-27
Ponant is deepening its presence in French Polynesia with the introduction of brand-new winter itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier beginning with the 2026-27 season. These new itineraries complement the Group’s long-established leadership in the region with Paul Gauguin Cruises, which has been sailing the islands year-round for more than 26 years as French Polynesia’s destination expert. The new itineraries aboard Le Jacques Cartier will take guests deeper into French Polynesia than ever before, with rare calls to the remote Gambier and Austral Islands. In addition to...