Cruise
NCL prepares to unveil Great Tides Waterpark on Great Stirrup Cay
Norwegian Cruise Line has released the first images of the Great Tides Waterpark on its private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, ahead of the official grand opening celebration on Sept. 4, 2026. The waterpark experience will be NCL’s biggest and boldest splash yet, sitting at nearly six acres and bringing together exhilarating thrills and family fun. Set on NCL’s 270-acre private island, guests visiting Great Tides Waterpark can float through the industry’s first immersive tunnel at The Wandering River; race down The Great Slide, the Caribbean’s only four-person...
Explora Journeys expands Canadian sales team
Explora Journeys has significantly expanded its Canadian team. Julie Golding has been appointed to the role of Business Relationship Lead, Quebec & Atlantic Canada. Golding brings over 27 years of experience in luxury travel sales, business development, and strategic partnerships to her new role. She is passionate about supporting travel advisors through strong relationships, practical expertise, and a commitment to helping them grow their business. Most recently Golding served as business development manager at CroisiEurope. As well, Andi Bacho has been appointed Business...
Pinelo named CSO, North America for Azamara Cruises
Azamara Cruises has appointed Alex Pinelo as Chief Sales Officer. In his new role, Pinelo will lead Azamara's sales organization across North America, overseeing sales strategy, trade partnerships and commercial growth throughout the region. His appointment reflects Azamara’s continued investment in the travel advisor community and its commitment to strengthening its presence across the North American market. Pinelo brings more than 40 years of experience in the cruise industry, with an accomplished career focused on building high-performing sales teams and cultivating...
Transcend Cruises sets sail with MS Connect on Europe’s rivers
Transcend Cruises celebrated the official naming ceremony of MS Connect and its inaugural sailing from Dordrecht to Zaandam, Netherlands. With MS Connect, the international company is introducing the world’s first river cruise ship developed exclusively for the charter and group market. A high-profile group of VIPs gathered to celebrate the naming ceremony and inaugural voyage. The official naming ceremony took place on Aug. 3, 2026, in Dordrecht. The ship’s godmother was Marja van Bijsterveldt, former Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science. She also served as the...
Holland America expands Europe offerings in 2028
Holland America Line has unveiled details of its 2028 season in Europe, offering more sailings across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and beyond, with the new season combining iconic destinations with opportunities to connect more deeply with the cultures, landscapes and traditions that define them. The 2028 season features the cruise line’s highest number of Europe port calls in nearly a decade, including record numbers of visits to Norway, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands. Guests can discover more than 200 UNESCO World Heritage sites — including in-depth...
Scenic unveils 2028-2029 Scenic Eclipse II voyages
Scenic Group has unveiled its new 2028-29 collection of Scenic Eclipse II voyages and handcrafted land journeys across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the South Pacific, marking the Discovery Yacht’s return to the region following her successful 2024 and 2025 seasons. From the Kimberley region and Tasmania, to New Zealand, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines and the islands of the South Pacific, this collection combines iconic cities with some of the region’s unique coastlines. Guests can circumnavigate Japan during its celebrated cherry blossom season, while new itineraries add...
Tennis star Jannik Sinner sets sail aboard Explora Journeys’ EXPLORA III
Jannik Sinner, the World No. 1 tennis player and Explora Journeys Global Brand Ambassador, was the first guest to sail onboard EXPLORA III, joining the opening leg of its Mediterranean Prelude Journey from July 24 to 25. During the voyage from Genoa to Marseille, guests had the unique opportunity to participate in interactive wellness and social experiences with Sinner and members of his Performance team aboard the brand's first LNG-powered ship. While onboard, guests had the chance to engage directly with Sinner during a series of exclusive experiences. In dedicated Q&A...
MSC Cruises opens sales for 2028 Alaska summer season
MSC Cruises has opened sales for its Summer 2028 Alaska itineraries. It will mark the cruise line’s third season in Alaska when it begins on April 24, 2028, with the MSC Poesia sailing weekly seven-night Alaska itineraries from Seattle through Sept. 18, 2028. The MSC Poesia has recently completed a major refurbishment and now features a brand-new MSC Yacht Club, the cruise line’s luxury “ship-within-a-ship” concept offering 69 elegantly appointed suites, 24-hour butler and concierge service and access to a private oasis of facilities including a dedicated restaurant,...