Costa Pacifica Becomes First Ship to Watch Santos’ Firework Display

Costa Pacifica Becomes First Ship to Watch Santos’ Firework Display

The Costa Pacifica became the first cruise ship to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Santos, Brazil.

The Costa Cruises ship reached the town as part of an eight-night cruise to Brazil.

Before anchoring in Santos Bay for the 14-minute firework display, the Pacifica embarked guests in Santos and Rio de Janeiro.

In addition to its two homeports, the itinerary also included visits to Búzios, Angra dos Reis, Ilhabela, and Balneário Camboriú.

According to Santos Mayor Rogério Santos, the operation highlights the town’s status as a major cruise hub.

“It is an extremely important action to promote Santos not only during New Year’s Eve but throughout the season, in all seasons of the year,” he said.

Continuing its deployment in South America, the Costa Pacifica is set to offer a series of three- to seven-night cruises from Santos and Rio through late March.

Costa’s 2024-25 season in the region also includes the Costa Diadema and the Costa Favolosa, with itineraries departing from different homeports.

A traditional destination for cruise ships during New Year’s Eve, Rio de Janeiro received six ships to ring in 2025.

The lineup included two vessels from Costa Cruises, the Costa Favolosa and the Costa Deliziosa, as well as four ships from MSC Cruises, including the MSC Grandiosa, which is currently the largest vessel sailing in Brazil.

The 4,888-guest ship joined the MSC Seaview, the MSC Orchestra and the MSC Poesia for the 12-minute firework display.

In Portugal’s Madeira Island, 11 cruise ships gathered in Funchal for the port city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Nine different companies were represented, including AIDA, Cunard, and Fred. Olsen, Hapag-Lloyd, Marella, Phoenix Reisen, Saga and TUI.

The largest ship on the scene was the 3,000-guest Queen Anne, which entered service for Cunard in April 2024.

 

Gerolamo Scorza Completes Refit Projects on Norwegian Encore

Gerolamo Scorza Completes Refit Projects on Norwegian Encore

Gerolamo Scorza S.p.A., a member of Genova Industrie Navali S.p.A., has completed four refit projects onboard the Norwegian Encore.

The work was carried out during the ship’s recent drydock, which took place in Brest, France, in November 2024.

According to a statement, the challenging project was successfully completed within a two-week deadline and included the conversion of a tender lobby into a store.

Gerolamo Scorza also reinstalled the metallic ceiling and renovated tiles in Encore’s American Diner restaurant.

The Italy-based contractor also installed a new counter at the ship’s Cruise Next office and added new customized furnishings to the onboard photo gallery.

“This project gave us the chance to showcase both our technical skills and our craftsmanship attitude, as some furniture was manufactured in our workshop,” the company said.

After completing its drydock in Brest, the Norwegian Encore welcomed guests back onboard on Dec. 3, 2024, for a trans-Atlantic crossing.

Now cruising from Miami, the 2019-built vessel underwent a major refurbishment that included the creation of new features onboard.

According to Norwegian Cruise Line, the project followed guests’ feedback and included the debut of Spice H2O.

The complimentary adults-only sun deck was created in the area previously occupied by the ship’s laser tag arena.

Other enhancements included the expansion of two of Norwegian’s speciality dining venues, Cagney’s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, as well as the addition of over 20 new balcony cabins.

The ship’s Haven suite enclave was also updated with the expansion of the Premier Owner’s Suites, which now offer new bedrooms in addition to fully renovated living rooms and a new separate dining room.

Before returning to the Caribbean, the Norwegian Encore also underwent technical work, including class overhauls, planned routine maintenance and more.

During the 2024-25 winter season, the Encore is scheduled to offer a series of seven-night cruises departing from Norwegian’s cruise terminal in PortMiami.

A Look at Carnival’s New Year-Round Cruises Out of Norfolk

A Look at Carnival’s New Year-Round Cruises Out of Norfolk

The Carnival Sunshine is launching a year-round deployment out of Norfolk in February, following a drydock in Europe.

Cruise Industry News takes a closer look at the new cruise schedule, which includes itineraries to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

Debut Voyage
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: Feb. 11, 2025
Length: 5 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Freeport and Bimini (Bahamas)

The Carnival Sunshine is set to debut the new deployment in Norfolk on Feb. 11, 2025, after completing a drydock in France.

For its first sailing from the port, the ship offers a five-night cruise to the Bahamas. In addition to two days at sea, the itinerary includes visits to Freeport and Bimini before returning to Virginia.

Eastern Caribbean
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: Six sailings between May and July 2025
Length: 8 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos); Amber Cove (Dominican Republic); and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

The new schedule for the Carnival Sunshine includes various sailings to the Caribbean, including this eight-night itinerary to Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

With six departures scheduled for 2025, the cruise will sail to the Eastern Caribbean and visit Grand Turk, Amber Cove, and San Juan.

Bahamas
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: 9 departures between March and December 2025
Length: 6 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Bimini, Nassau and Freeport (Bahamas)

The new deployment also features sailings to the Bahamas, visiting six destinations in the island country.

One of the itineraries is a six-night cruise with nine departures scheduled for 2025, featuring visits to Bimini, Nassau and Freeport.

Bermuda
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: Seven sailings between July and October 2025
Length: 6 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Two days in King’s Wharf (Bermuda)

For the summer, the Carnival Sunshine adds cruises to Bermuda to its schedule. Seven sailings to the island nation are scheduled for 2025, departing between July and October.

In addition to three days cruising in the North Atlantic, the itineraries feature an overnight visit to King’s Wharf.

Celebration Key
Ship: Carnival Sunshine
Date: Three sailings between September and December 2025
Length: 6 nights
Homeport: Norfolk (United States)
Itinerary: Bimini, Nassau and Celebration Key (Bahamas)

Starting in September, Carnival will offer cruises to its new private destination on Grand Bahama Island, Celebration Key, departing from Norfolk.

As part of one of its itineraries to the new port, the Carnival Sunshine sails for six nights and also visits Nassau and Bimini. Three departures are scheduled for 2025.

Queen Anne Departs Southampton for Maiden World Voyage

Queen Anne Departs Southampton for Maiden World Voyage

Queen Anne arrives at Historic Liverpool, photo credit Spacejunkie2 - Flickr

The Queen Anne set sail on her 107-night maiden world voyage from Southampton on January 9, 2025.

Spectators gathered to witness the ship’s 9 p.m. departure, highlighted by a fireworks display.

The 3,000-passenger ship will make its first stop in New York on January 17, 2025. 

Over the course of 107 nights, the Queen Anne will visit 30 ports across 18 countries. Destinations include Miami, San Francisco, the Panama Canal, Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney, and Hong Kong. Guests will also cross the International Date Line on February 12, experiencing the rare event of “jumping through time.”

The itinerary also includes overnight stops in New York, Honolulu, Sydney and Singapore, with Queen Anne returning to the south coast on April 27, 2025.

Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: “This is a significant moment for Cunard as Queen Anne begins her maiden world voyage. Her first visit to the USA should be to New York, a city that has long been at the heart of Cunard’s story. This voyage celebrates our heritage while offering guests the opportunity to explore the world in the style and luxury only Cunard can provide. Queen Anne truly reflects the evolution of our brand, and this journey will be an unforgettable experience for all on board.”

Fred. Olsen’s Bolette Featured in Susan Calman’s ‘Cruise of a Lifetime’

Fred. Olsen’s Bolette Featured in Susan Calman’s ‘Cruise of a Lifetime’

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Bolette will be featured in an upcoming episode of Susan Calman’s Cruise of a Lifetime on Channel 5 in the UK later this month.

The episode features Calman as she embarks on an eight-night journey to the Norwegian Fjords, departing from Liverpool. The cruise includes stops in Olden, Ålesund, Åndalsnes and Geiranger, with scenic sailings through Nordfjord, Geirangerfjord, and past the Seven Sisters Waterfall.

During the sailing, Calman participates in various activities, including visiting the Briksdal Glacier and kayaking in the Brosundet Canal. Onboard, she joins guests in a behind-the-scenes tour of the food stores, laundry and galley to meet with the crew and learn more about cruise operation.

Samantha Stimpson, CEO at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are all incredibly excited to see our flagship Bolette make her Channel 5 debut later this month. It was a pleasure to welcome Susan aboard our fleet for the first time, and I’d like to thank her for the time she spent with our guests and our crew.

“As a business, our heritage stems from Norway, and we are well known for our sailings to this beautiful part of the world. Our fleet really comes into its own in the heart of the fjordlands thanks to the smaller size of our ships, which allow us to reach the depths of the fjords that aren’t accessible to larger vessels. To be able to share this experience far beyond those who joined us onboard for this cruise is a truly exceptional opportunity.”

Zuiderdam Embarks on Holland America’s Grand World Voyage

Zuiderdam Embarks on Holland America’s Grand World Voyage

The Zuiderdam is sailing from Port Everglades on Saturday for Holland America Line’s 2025 Grand World Voyage.

According to Holland America Line, the 124-night itinerary is highlighted by bucket-list destinations, including Machu Picchu, Easter Island and the Great Barrier Reef. The full itinerary includes ports in 34 different countries.

The cruise also features six overnight stays across the globe, including extended visits to Tahiti, Sydney, Cape Town and Barcelona.

After departing from Port Everglades, the Zuiderdam heads south for visits to destinations in the Caribbean before crossing the Panama Canal.

The 2,000-guest ship then heads to South America and the South Pacific, visiting destinations in Ecuador, Peru, Chile and French Polynesia.

Ports of call set to be visited during this segment include Manta, Easter Island, Callao, Moorea, and Raiatea.

The cruise continues with visits to additional island destinations in Polynesia and Melanesia, such as Tonga and New Caledonia, before arriving in Australia.

In late February, the Zuiderdam arrives in Southeast Asia for calls in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and more.

On its way back to the United States, the itinerary includes destinations in the Indian Ocean, such as the Maldives, the Seychelles and Mauritius.

The ship will also visit South Africa, Cape Verde, Namibia, and the Canaries before entering the Mediterranean.

After sailing to destinations in the United Kingdom, Spain, Malta, Egypt, Italy, Portugal and Morocco, the Zuiderdam finally crosses the Atlantic Ocean.

The vessel will return to Fort Lauderdale on May 9, 2025, after a visit to San Juan in Puerto Rico.

In addition to its Grand World Voyage onboard the Zuiderdam, Holland America is set to offer a second world cruise in 2025.

Sailing onboard the Volendam, the Pole to Pole Grand Voyage departs from Port Everglades on Jan. 25, 2025.

Carnival Adjusts Cruise Itineraries in 2025 and 2026 for Six Ships

Carnival Adjusts Cruise Itineraries in 2025 and 2026 for Six Ships

Carnival Cruise Line is adjusting itineraries for cruises set to take place onboard six ships in 2025 and 2026.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, 15 sailings onboard the Carnival Celebration, the Carnival Sunshine, the Carnival Vista, the Carnival Magic, the Carnival Sunrise and the Carnival Spirit saw minor changes.

Four sailings onboard the Carnival Celebration were adjusted, including the cruises scheduled to depart on March 23 and Nov. 16, 2025, which will now operate with a revised order of port visits.

The departures scheduled for Nov. 28, 2025, and Feb. 22, 2026, will see a visit to San Juan replaced with a stop in Amber Cove.

Onboard the Carnival Sunshine, the cruises set to depart on Nov. 9 and Nov. 15, 2025, will see Half Moon Cay replacing a previously scheduled visit to Bimini.

The vessel’s Dec. 13, 2025, cruise also saw an itinerary change, with a visit to Bimini replaced with Princess Cays.

A similar change was made to the Carnival Vista’s Nov. 15, 2025, departure, with Grand Turk replacing a previously scheduled visit to Half Moon Cay.

The Nov. 21, 2025, and Feb. 21, 2026, cruises onboard the Carnival Magic were also adjusted, with a visit to St. Croix replacing a previously scheduled call to St. Thomas.

The itinerary of the ship’s Nov. 29, 2025, departure was was revised and is now scheduled to sail to Princess Cays instead of Half Moon Cay.

Three cruises onboard the Carnival Sunrise, which are scheduled to depart on Dec. 4 and Dec. 13, 2025, as well as Feb. 26, 2026, will visit Princess Cays instead of Half Moon Cay.

The Feb. 22, 2026, cruise onboard the Carnival Spirit was also adjusted and is now scheduled to sail to Nassau instead of Bimini.

According to Carnival, shore excursions purchased through the company will be automatically adjusted based on these changes.

For cancelled ports, the excursions will be automatically refunded to the original form of payment, the company added.

Key Ship Conversions in 2024

Key Ship Conversions in 2024

2024 was a strong year for the drydock and secondhand ship market, which led to a number of ships debuting for new operators.

These are some of the key conversion jobs that took place during the year:

Celestyal Discovery
Former: AIDAaura
Capacity: 1,270 guests
Year built: 2003
Previous operator: AIDA Cruises
New operator: Celestyal Cruises
Debut: March 2024

After being sold by Carnival Corporation in late 2023, the former AIDAaura underwent a conversion project before debuting for Celestyal Cruises.

Previously operated by AIDA Cruises, the 2003-built vessel saw a complete transformation for its new market.

Carnival Firenze
Former: Costa Firenze
Capacity: 4,232 guests
Year built: 2020
Previous operator: Costa Cruises
New operator: Carnival Cruise Line
Debut: April 2024

After being transferred to Carnival Cruise Line, the former Costa Firenze underwent a major refit at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz in early 2024. In addition to receiving Carnival’s branding and livery, the 4,232-guest vessel was updated with Carnival’s public areas, with various spaces converted into the company’s trademark venues, such as the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and the Limelight Lounge.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander
Former: Costa Atlantica
Capacity: 2,100 guests
Year built: 2000
Previous operator: Adora Cruises (never debuted)
New operator: Margaritaville at Sea
Debut: June 2024

After a long refurbishment at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Northern Ireland, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander debuted for its new operator in June 2024.

Villa Vie Odyssey
Former: Braemar
Capacity: 977 guests
Year built: 1993
Previous operator: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
New operator: Villa Vie Residences
Debut: September 2024

The former Braemar of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was turned into Villa Vie Residences’ first residential ship in 2024. After a refit at the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, the ship emerged as the Odyssey in September, welcoming guests for a continual world cruise.

Aroya
Former: World Dream
Capacity: 3,400 guests
Year built: 2017
Previous operator: Dream Cruises
New operator: Aroya Cruises
Debut: December 2024

The Aroya entered service in December as the first cruise ship dedicated to the national market in Saudi Arabia.. According to Aroya Cruises, several venues onboard the ship were essentially rebuilt during a long conversion that included shipyard visits in the Netherlands and Germany.

Others:

• Mitsui Ocean Fuji (former Seabourn Odyssey) – now in service for Mitsui Ocean Fuji
• Celestyal Journey (former Pacific Aria) – now in service for Celestyal Cruises
• Marella Voyager (former Mein Schiff Herz) – now in service for Marella Cruises
• Ambition (former AIDAmira) – now in service for Ambassador Cruise Line
• Resorts World One (former Explorer Dream) – now in service for Resorts World Cruises
• Carnival Venezia (former Costa Venezia) – now in service for Carnival Cruise Line
• Exploris One (former Silver Explorer) – now in service for Exploris Expeditions & Cruises

Cruise Saudi Welcomes First Guests to Saba Beach on New Private Island

Cruise Saudi Welcomes First Guests to Saba Beach on New Private Island

Cruise Saudi welcomed its first guests to Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya, the destination’s newly developed private island, on December 21, according to a company statement.

Located approximately 220 nautical miles from Jeddah, Jabal AlSabaya will be exclusively accessible to cruise passengers, offering a Red Sea experience that highlights local culture and the natural beauty of the coastline.

Lars Clasen, CEO of Cruise Saudi, said: “Since the inception of Cruise Saudi, our vision has been to create unique and exceptional cruise experiences for passengers from around the world. The launch of Saba Beach represents not only a world-class destination but also our commitment to enhancing Saudi’s tourism industry. We are opening up a truly unique area of the region and look forward to welcoming cruise passengers from around the world.”

The destination will include a floating park, a full-service restaurant, retail shops, a VIP beach and VVIP beachfront villas. Guests can also enjoy a spa experience and a shisha lounge, as well as a variety of land and water activities.

Barbara Buczek, chief destination experiences officer of Cruise Saudi, said: “The soft launch of Saba Beach on Jabal AlSabaya is another pioneering and innovative development in the creation of Saudi Arabia’s cruise sector. At the heart of what we offer is the guest experience, showcasing Saudi’s incredible and diverse natural assets, culture and history to our passengers and the launch of Saba Beach represents a milestone in bringing a previously unseen Saudi to the local, regional and international markets.”

Disney: Adventure, Heritage and Families

Disney: Adventure, Heritage and Families

What sets Disney Cruise Line apart is the fact that it is an entertainment company first and then an experienced business that is also in the cruise business, according to Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager.

“Entertainment is a big component,” she told Cruise Industry News aboard the Disney Treasure. “We have a big commitment to bringing stories to life.

“When it relates to the individual ships, we have a little bit of a different story to tell aboard all of them,” she added.

The bottom line, according to Siskie, is that guests will have a Disney-quality cruise experience.

“While we focus on some level of differentiation between each ship with new shows and new spaces, we also focus on the elements that are consistent and constant across the fleet.”

With Marvel, Star Wars and Pixar stories and characters onboard, thinking about Disney over time, people still love the traditional classics, Siskie added, referring to the “Fab Five” that includes Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

“For the younger audiences, the new characters may be more relevant and we have diversity within the ranks of the characters. All of our characters have a special place and role to play in the mosaic of the character interactions and experiences that we have.”

The ships are designed with families in mind with staterooms that have split bathrooms and plenty of storage space. But everyone in a family should feel it is designed just for them, Siskie said.

“When you think about it, we are designed with kids in mind, but if I am a mom, I should feel it is designed for me too.”

She explained how the family market can be geographically dispersed, it can be within the U.S. and out of Florida ports, or on a global scale, and the very definition of families can be different. There can be multigenerational families, with grandparents bringing kids and grandkids. Or there can be couples without kids who are also families just defined a little bit differently.

“It goes back to the point of spaces that they feel are designed just for them,” she added.

“It is more a mindset than a demographic. If you have a passion for creativity and fun and enjoy fantasies getting away from the real world, you may just want a touch of that. It is like when you step into the Grand Hall (atrium aboard the Disney Treasure), you feel like you have stepped into a very unique kind of immersive space and experience.

“When you overlay the service and the details with the design and the approach to how we deliver it with our crew, it is a combination of all these factors that sets us apart.

“And how we can contribute to the greater Disney company in terms of the experiences we deliver and really be what we call a brand deposit, that’s what we try to do,” she said.

“We know how to run this business and we know how to run it very well, and the economics are very strong.”

Growing the cruise line makes a lot of sense for Disney, Siskie said.

“First of all, we have more demand than we have supply today, and by a pretty wide margin. We know there is a lot of interest in Disney’s cruises. So that allows us to think about expanding the footprint for Disney experiences globally.”

With seven more ships coming, she admitted there are many decisions to be made about future deployment.

Happy Christmas

2024

Have a Great Day

Carnival Corporation Actively Managing Brand and Ship Portfolio

Carnival Corporation Actively Managing Brand and Ship Portfolio

“We’ve been actively managing the portfolio and allocating ships differently, moving vessels and winding up a brand in the case of P&O Australia,” said Josh Weinstein, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation.

“I think it’s setting ourselves up to really put the assets where the highest returns are in the immediate term and the medium term, while we help all the brands who aren’t yet where I think they should be, get to those levels,” he continued, speaking on the company’s year-end and fourth-quarter earnings call.

“At a base level, it’s a continuation of all of those things in the commercial space and having those great brand leaders really lean in even further. We’re investing in our people. We’re investing in our tools, our revenue management tools, to make sure that we are utilizing the technology effectively to optimize the yields.”

Weinsten also pointed to strength in onboard spending.

“We’ve got a good amount of runway to continue the progress we’ve been making around pulling forward the spend, which as everybody knows, opens up the second wallet and the more people spend before they get on the cruise, the more they spend on the cruise. So our brands are again working hard to continue that and we’re nowhere near what the cap could be on those types of efforts.”

MSC Grandiosa Completes Five Years in Service

MSC Grandiosa Completes Five Years in Service

The MSC Grandiosa recently completed five years of service for MSC Cruises after being delivered by the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard on Oct. 31, 2019.

Before embarking on its maiden season in the Western Mediterranean, the ship sailed to Germany for a christening ceremony in Hamburg.

MSC’s fleet godmother, Italian actress Sophia Loren, named the vessel during the event, which took place on Nov. 10, 2019.

After offering a repositioning cruise to Southern Europe, the MSC Grandiosa kicked off its maiden season in the Western Mediterranean in late November 2019.

The deployment included a series of seven-night winter cruises to Italy, Malta, Spain and France that featured visits to Genoa, Civitavecchia, Palermo, Valletta, Barcelona and Marseille.

During its five-year sailing career, the vessel has also cruised in Northern Europe, the Atlantic and South America.

After undergoing routine maintenance at the Palumbo shipyard in Malta, the MSC Grandiosa is currently offering a repositioning cruise ahead of its second season in South America.

Through early April, the vessel is scheduled to offer a series of seven-night cruises that sail between Brazilian ports.

Following a summer program in the Mediterranean, the Grandiosa repositions to Port Canaveral in late 2025.

Debuting in the U.S., the vessel will offer a series of seven- to 14-night cruises to the Caribbean departing from the Central Florida homeport.

The year-round deployment also features short cruises to the Bahamas that sail to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s private island destination near Bimini.

Following the MSC Meraviglia and the MSC Bellissima, the MSC Grandiosa entered service as the third ship in MSC’s Meraviglia series.

Slightly larger than its predecessors, the 4,888-guest vessel is considered part of a sub-class known as Meraviglia Plus.

Other vessels with a similar design include the 2021-built MSC Virtuosa and the 2023-built MSC Euribia, which was further modified to become the first in the series powered by LNG.

Funchal Sets New Record for Passenger Arrivals in November

Funchal Sets New Record for Passenger Arrivals in November

The Port of Funchal set a new record last month with 145,232 cruise passengers, surpassing the previous peak of 108,221 passengers in December 2023.

This marks the highest passenger traffic in the port’s history, according to the Administration of Ports of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (APRAM, SA).

The port welcomed 63 cruise ship calls throughout the month, matching the record set in November 2012. However, passenger numbers this year surpassed the 90,327 recorded in 2012.

Additionally, November saw a significant increase in crew activity. A total of 58,685 crew members passed through Funchal and Porto Santo, surpassing last year’s record of 41,685. 

There was also a 50 per cent increase in cruise ship calls and a 57.68 per cent rise in passenger movement compared to November 2023. Madeira is on track to break last year’s record of over 624,000 passengers, having already welcomed 590,969 passengers and 221,391 crew members by November.

November was also a month of recognition for the Port of Funchal, which received the award for the World’s Best Cruise Terminal for Sustainability from the World Cruise Awards.

“It is extremely important for us that these international awards, which recognize the quality of our destination and port infrastructure, continue to be accompanied by these economic results. They represent a significant added value not only for us, as the Port Authority, but also for the entire regional business ecosystem,” said Paula Cabaço, president of APRAM’s Board of Directors. “We work for the benefit of the Region.”

 

Ritz Carlton’s Ilma Christened in Ft. Lauderdale

Ritz Carlton’s Ilma Christened in Ft. Lauderdale

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection celebrated the christening of the Ilma on Dec. 11, 2024, at Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

The company said in a press release that in honour of maritime traditions, the ceremony featured a ceremonial blessing and the iconic breaking of a Champagne bottle, symbolizing good fortune and safe travels for all guests and employees on board.

Jim Murren, executive chairman and CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and Ernesto Fara, president and CFO, joined from Seafarers’ House at Port Everglades.

They were joined by the Ilma’s Captain Magnus Bengtsson and General Manager Sasha Tyas, along with Father Sandford Sears, who is said to be known as “Father Sandy.”

Together, they celebrated a group of female leaders from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, both shipboard and shoreside, who collectively fulfilled the role of the Alma’s godmothers.

“The christening of the Ilma marks a significant moment in our journey as we officially welcome this extraordinary yacht into our fleet. The Ilma represents growth and the exciting future of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection,” said Murren.

“We are incredibly grateful to all those who have worked tirelessly to bring this beautiful yacht to life, from our dedicated team members to our global partners,” added Murren.

The celebration was held aboard the Ilma at Port Everglades and attended by employees from the company’s Ft. Lauderdale office, local officials and guests.

Joining the Evrima, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s first ship, the Ilma debuted in the Mediterranean in September 2024, sailing from Monte Carlo to Rome.

For the 2024-25 winter season, the Ilma joins the Evrima in the Caribbean, offering voyages to the region’s islands. In summer 2025, the Ilma will explore Northern Europe, marking the company’s first itineraries in the North and Baltic Seas, calling on cities like Copenhagen, Reykjavík and Bordeaux.

Photo: From left: Ernesto Fara and Jim Murren

Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral Getting Upgrades in Drydock

Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral Getting Upgrades in Drydock

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral is currently undergoing upgrades at the drydock of the A&P Shipyard in Falmouth, England.

According to an update shared by the company, the 1988-built ship is not only undergoing technical maintenance but also hotel upgrades.

One of the projects being carried out includes the addition of a digital photo gallery, which replaces the vessel’s current photo walls.

The Balmoral is also seeing new central computer systems being set up in the Neptune Lounge. The hardware will be used to control the lounge’s audio and lighting, as well as a new set of LED walls that is also being added.

Wi-Fi coverage and access points are being worked on, Fred. Olsen said, allowing guests to have better access to the internet when on balconies and out on open decks.

On the technical side, the Balmoral is having its lifeboats serviced with general maintenance and upgrades.

Fuel, ballast, potable water and grey water tanks are being emptied, cleaned, inspected and recertified while a new coat of silicon-based antifouling paint is being applied to the ship’s hull.

The 1,340-guest vessel is getting a new propeller that features an optimized design to improve energy efficiency and minimize emissions.

Balmoral’s main engines are also being overhauled to ensure optimal performance, while any steel that is showing signs of corrosion will be replaced.

After completing its drydock, the ship is welcoming guests back for a six-night cruise to Northern Europe on Dec. 16, 2024.

Sailing roundtrip from Southampton, the “European River Cities & Christmas Markets” features visits to destinations in France and Belgium, including Rouen and Antwerp.

Originally built for the Royal Cruise Line at the Meyer Werft shipyard, the Balmoral was acquired by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2007.

Before entering service for the brand, the ship was lengthened at the Blohm + Voss shipyard, receiving a new 30-meter midsection.

Crew Advocate Pushes for Monthly Full Day Off

Crew Advocate Pushes for Monthly Full Day Off

Crew advocate Rinell Banda has called on cruise lines to implement a full day off for all crew members, according to a post from CrewCenter.

Founder of Buhay Sa Cruise Ship and a social media influencer with over 900,000 followers, Banda proposed the initiative after hearing concerns from thousands of cruise ship crew members on his platforms.

The initiative aims to help crew recharge, increase productivity and ultimately enhance the guest experience.

In a video shared on his page, Banda called for action, stating, “To all the amazing CEOs of the cruise ship industry, I have a suggestion that could transform the lives of our hard-working crew members and make our ships even more efficient and happier places to work: implementing a day off at least once a month for all crew members.”

Currently, most crew members only receive partial time off. Banda suggests a full day off each month to address these challenges.

“Think about it: Happy crew members lead to happy guests. It’s a win-win for everyone! So, to all the cruise ship CEOs out there: Let’s lead by example and set a new standard in the maritime industry. One day off a month can make all the difference. Your crew, your strength. Let’s give them the break they deserve,” concludes Banda.

Crew Center has supported the proposal, highlighting its potential benefits for crew members and the cruise industry as a whole.

 

MSC Cruises Celebrates 10th Anniversary of MSC Book Platform

MSC Cruises Celebrates 10th Anniversary of MSC Book Platform

MSC Virtuosa in Liverpool Photo Credit Spacejunkie2 - Flickr images

MSC Cruises marked the 10th anniversary of MSC Book, its online reservations platform for travel agents, highlighting its success with the support of 120,000 agents worldwide.

Since its launch in 2014, the platform has helped agents book over 10 million guests on MSC voyages. The company expressed gratitude to agents for a decade of collaboration and reaffirmed its commitment to growing partnerships with current and new agencies.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, MSC Cruises is offering digital gifts to agents who complete a short survey to gather feedback on MSC Book. The company will also host webinars to showcase planned upgrades to the reservations platform.

MSC Cruises’ local sales teams will lead these online sessions in collaboration with senior representatives from the headquarters-based e-commerce team. Additionally, MSC Book’s home and promotions pages have been redesigned to reflect agent feedback and improve the platform’s functionality.

Three New Cruise Lines to Alaska in 2026

Three New Cruise Lines to Alaska in 2026

Three cruise lines are adding cruises to Alaska to their schedule in the summer of 2026: Azamara, MSC, and Virgin.

Returning to the destination after a seven-year hiatus, Azamara will offer a series of ten- to 13-night cruises in Alaska and Canada starting in May 2026.

Sailing in the region for the first time, the Azamara Pursuit will operate open-jaw itineraries that sail between Whittier and Vancouver.

According to Azamara, the voyages were created to prioritize unspoiled destinations, visiting locations such as Kodiak, Dutch Harbor and Icy Strait Point.

The deployment will also include excursions aimed at bringing guests closer to natural beauty, unparalleled wildlife and authentic culture, Azamara said.

MSC Cruises will debut for the first time in Alaska in 2026, with the MSC Poesia offering a series of seven-night cruises from Seattle.

The season runs from early May to late September and includes a regular itinerary that visits Ketchikan, Icy Strait Hoonah, Tracy Arm, Juneau and Victoria.

In a press release, MSC Cruises CEO Gianni Onorato said that the new operation in Alaska and Canada further expands the company’s global offerings by sailing to a must-see region.

Virgin Voyages is also debuting in Alaska in 2026 with the new Brilliant Lady. After entering service in late 2025, the ship is scheduled to spend its first summer season in the region.

From May to September, the Brilliant Lady offers 17 voyages to 12 destinations in Alaska, including Sitka, Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

Ranging from seven to 12 nights, Virgin’s itineraries sail from Seattle and Vancouver and also include destinations in Canada, such as Prince Rupert and Victoria.

According to the company, the cruises will give guests opportunities to experience Alaska’s wildlife and landscapes while taking part in activities that include salmon fishing, glacier trekking, lumberjack shows and dog sledding.

As one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, Alaska accounted for nearly five per cent of the industry’s market share this year, according to data from the 2024 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.