Cruise
Carnival captain honoured with award for saving 16 lives at sea
Carnival Cruise Line Captain Niccolo De Ranieri and his team on Mardi Gras were honoured April 9 by the Association for Rescue at Sea (AFRAS) for saving the lives of 16 people. Ranieri accepted the Cruise Ship Humanitarian Assistance Award at the AFRAS annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., an event that recognizes heroism at sea by the U.S. Coast Guard, merchant mariners and cruise ship personnel. Captain De Ranieri was at the helm as Mardi Gras was returning to its homeport, Port Canaveral, Fla., on June 3, 2022 when the crew spotted a stranded vessel carrying eleven men and five...
Scenic Group unveils Emerald Cruises’ new luxury ocean yacht
Scenic Group has unveiled its next generation luxury ocean yacht, Emerald Kaia, the latest innovation in Emerald Cruises' yacht fleet. Merging increased capacity with an intimate ambiance, the yacht will accommodate 128 guests and introduce a suite of innovations that underscores Emerald Cruises' pioneering spirit in luxury yacht cruising. Of note, the Sky Deck has been expanded, now incorporating a new internal Sky Lounge, and offering guests a luxurious open-air experience alongside expansive panoramic views. All cabins and suites boast a 10 percent larger floorplan, offering...
Windstar adds two new yachts to fleet
Windstar Cruises is expanding its fleet with the addition of two all-suite motor yachts, Star Seeker and Star Explorer. The first of the two ships, new-build Star Seeker which is currently being constructed in the WestSEA shipyard, is expected to be delivered in December of 2025, followed by Star Explorer in December, 2026. “Our goal was to ensure these ships are unmistakably Windstar, and a significant amount of effort has gone into achieving this,” says Windstar Cruises’ president Christopher Prelog. “We are thrilled for this expansion, building on the success of...
Ponant’s new six-stateroom catamaran sets sail this summer
Ponant has welcomed the 24-meter Spirit of Ponant, a six-stateroom catamaran that will set sail in Corsica in July 2024 before heading to the Seychelles for winter 2024. The intimate vessel will be available as a private charter for week-long voyages as well as on a per-cabin basis on select itineraries — a rarity for sailing yachts of this scale. Rates start at $8,250 (€7,500) per person based on double occupancy for a single cabin booking in Corsica. The Spirit of Ponant will sleep up to 12 guests and four crew and will offer all the refinements and personalized service that...
NCLH reveals 10-year fleet expansion plans & new pier in Bahamas
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has shared details of its bold expansion plans. Starting in 2026, the cruise line will welcome eight state-of-the-art vessels, representing nearly 25,000 additional berths, with new classes of ships for each of its three brands. NCL will also construct a multi-ship pier at Great Stirrup Cay, the Company’s private island destination in the Bahamas and its top-rated Caribbean port of call. This unprecedented decade-long strategy enhances its product offering, guest experiences, and operational infrastructure, supporting the Company’s sustained...
Atlas appoints Isabel Galvan as VP, business development
Atlas Ocean Voyages has appointed cruise veteran Isabel Galvan as vice-president of business development, effective immediately. In her new role, Galvan, who brings more than 20 years of experience, will drive business growth through strategic business development initiatives. She will work closely with Atlas president and CEO James A. Rodriguez to elevate Atlas Ocean Voyages into the luxury expedition space. “Isabel’s extensive expertise spans relationship cultivation, business development for key commercial accounts, and partnership nurturing with consumer trade brands,” said...
MSC Cruises brings pop-up bar program to select ships
MSC Cruises has unveiled a new beverage program: ‘World’s Greatest Bars’ which brings some of the most acclaimed ashore bars to MSC Cruises ships. The program sees world-famous bars open as pop-ups for six months on board select MSC Cruises’ ships. Maestros from each partnering bar have personally and comprehensively trained the skilled onboard bar teams, passing on the secrets of the flavour combinations and techniques to prepare the cocktails that have made them so famous. About the bar program The program includes bars Paradiso and Sips from Barcelona, Spain, allowing...
MSC World America will have 7 exciting districts for guests
MSC Cruises' new flagship, MSC World America (coming April 2025) will feature seven distinct districts each bringing together a range of tailored experiences. Combining bars, restaurants, entertainment and leisure facilities, each district will meet the needs, moods and desires of travellers throughout their time on board. During her inaugural season, MSC World America will sail from Miami with seven-night itineraries to some of the most sought-after destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean, with stops at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve – MSC Cruises’ unique private...