Cruise
(Un)Ravel on the River: Riverside Luxury Cruises hosts leadership retreat in France
This week, Riverside Luxury Cruises and industry coach Geraldine Ree are hosting an aptly named leadership retreat, Unravel, aboard the stunning Riverside Ravel. Baxter Media is exclusively reporting from the Rhône River as we sail from Lyon to Avignon on this eight-day itinerary. As industry veteran and business coach Geraldine Ree explains, “The Unravel Retreat is designed for busy travel business owners ready to step back and focus on what truly matters. Our goal is simple: to unravel the knots holding their business back. We’ll address the core barriers to growth—lack of...
Construction officially begins on Carnival Cruise Line’s next new ship
Just days after Carnival Cruise Line announced its next new ship will be named Carnival Festivale, construction is now officially underway with the first piece of steel cut on April 8 at Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany. The steel cutting ceremony is the first milestone of the ship’s construction, and the shipyard hosted a traditional ceremony to launch the beginning of the shipbuilding journey. Carnival Festivale will be Carnival’s fourth Excel class ship, powered by Liquefied Natural Gas. At 180,000 gross tons, the ship will accommodate up to 6,400 guests. “The steel...
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...