Royal Caribbean Informs Guests of New Greek Cruise Taxes

Royal Caribbean Informs Guests of New Greek Cruise Taxes

Royal Caribbean International recently issued a statement informing guests about a new cruise tax that recently took effect in Greece.

The new seasonal fees were introduced in July and, according to the local government, are aimed at combating overtourism as well as improving the country’s tourism infrastructure.

“Beginning with sailings that depart on August 1, 2025, a seasonal cruise tax will be implemented across various ports in Greece, including iconic destinations like Mykonos and Santorini,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement.

“This initiative supports sustainable tourism and helps preserve the natural beauty and cultural heritage of these beloved destinations,” the company continued.

According to Royal Caribbean, guests who booked their sailings on or after September 20, 2024, have already paid for the fees, which were included within the taxes and fees section of their invoice.

The new taxes vary by destination being visited, as well as the time of the year.

For visits to Santorini and Mykonos taking place between June 1 and September 30, guests will pay 20 euros per person. During the same timeframe, each passenger will pay 5 euros when visiting other Greek ports.

Shoulder seasons will see passengers paying 12 euros for visits to Mykonos and Santorini that take place in October 2025, as well as between April 1 and May 31.

For other calls in Greece during the same timeframe, passengers will be required to pay 3 euros.

From November 1 to March 31, the fees decrease to 4 euros per person for visits to Mykonos and Santorini and to 1 euro per person for all other Greek destinations.

For guests who have already paid for the taxes along with their booking, Royal Caribbean will exchange the amounts at a monthly forecasted rate.

The company also said that for guests who choose to remain onboard and not go ashore in the Greek ports, the fee amounts will be automatically refunded to their onboard accounts at the end of the cruise.

Passengers who booked their cruises before September 20, 2024, will be required to pay the new taxes before disembarking in Greece.

Disney to Leave Australia and New Zealand Market After 2025-26 Season

Disney to Leave Australia and New Zealand Market After 2025-26 Season

Disney Cruise Line is leaving the Australia and New Zealand market after the 2025-26 season, the company confirmed in a statement.

“The Disney Adventure’s maiden sailings from Singapore in December 2025 will launch a magical expansion into the Asia-Pacific region,” the company said.

“As part of this growth, we will be repositioning the Disney Wonder to another part of the world following its 2025-26 season in Australia and New Zealand,” Disney continued.

The company did not reveal alternative deployment plans for the vessel, which is scheduled to spend the summer of 2026 sailing in Alaska.

“While the Disney Wonder will not return to Australia and New Zealand for the 2026-27 season, we want to reassure you that sailings from this region remain a strong consideration for future itineraries,” Disney noted.

“The response from guests during our local seasons has been overwhelmingly positive, and we are looking forward to a fantastic upcoming season starting on Oct. 19, 2025.”

Disney Cruise Line debuted in the Australia and New Zealand market in the 2023-24 season with the Disney Wonder. The 1999-built vessel later returned to the region for a second season in 2024-25.

As part of its farewell deployment in the South Pacific, the Disney Wonder is set to offer short cruises departing from Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland.

After starting in late October, the season runs through early February and includes three- to five-night itineraries to Eden, Hobart, Wellington and Christchurch.

In December, the 1,750-guest ship is also scheduled to offer a special ten-night cruise that sails from Sydney to Auckland.

The longer itinerary features visits to Fjordland National Park, Napier, Tauranga, Wellington and Christchurch.

Taking over Disney’s operations in the Asia-Pacific region, the Disney Adventure is set to offer short cruises to nowhere in Southeast Asia.

Currently in the final stages of construction in Germany, the 208,000-ton ship will sail from Singapore on a year-round basis.

Cunard Starts Charging for Select Shows Onboard

Cunard Starts Charging for Select Shows Onboard

Queen Anne on her Maiden visit to Historic Liverpool, Photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr

Cunard is now charging fees for specific live performances onboard its newest ship, the Queen Anne.

According to the company’s website, an entry fee is essentially charged for three shows presented at the Bright Lights Society bar.

In its frequently asked questions section, the company explains that the fees also include additional perks, including beverages.

“Select shows such as Fizz and Noir now carry an entry charge of $20 per person, which includes a glass of champagne, a souvenir program, and the service charge,” Cunard states.

Guests attending a third show, Bitter Sweet Symphony, will be charged $46 per person. According to the company, the fare includes service charges and three cocktails.

Bright Lights Society is described by Cunard as the ship’s “most intimate and immersive entertainment venue,” offering exclusive live performances in a cabaret-style theatre with a premium cocktail lounge atmosphere.

Guests can make a reservation via the company’s My Voyage app or by visiting the Purser’s Office once onboard.

“Shows are popular and space is limited, so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment,” Cunard’s website adds.

Guest reports on social media indicate that the charges were introduced in late May 2025 and were received with mixed reactions.

“It’s worth every penny; the cast are very talented and entertaining,” a former passenger stated in a Facebook post.

“Disappointing that Cunard is going the same way as other cruise lines with ‘nickel and diming,’” a guest replied.

As the newest ship in Cunard’s fleet, the Queen Anne was built by the Fincantieri shipyard and entered service in May 2024.

At the time, the company said that the vessel was designed to reflect the evolution of its brand, introducing a new look, as well as new features and dining venues.

In addition to itineraries to Northern Europe, the Atlantic Islands and the Mediterranean, the 3,000-guest ship offers annual world cruises departing from Southampton.

Luxury Cruise Fleet Average Age: 12-Year-Old Ships

Luxury Cruise Fleet Average Age: 12-Year-Old Ships

Regent Seven Seas Grandeur photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr Account 

Data from the latest edition of the Luxury Market Report by Cruise Industry News shows that a luxury cruise ship has an average age of roughly 12 years in 2025.

After undergoing significant expansion in the past ten years, the luxury market saw newbuild after newbuild enter service over the last decade, led by aggressive growth from Viking, Ponant and others.

Ritz-Carlton, Swan Hellenic, Emerald and Explora are among the brands with the youngest fleets in 2025.

They also represent the newest brands, having all launched service with new vessels after 2020.

Brands such as Ponant, Silversea, Regent, Viking and Hapag-Lloyd have average fleet ages falling between ten and 15 years.

Among the brands owned by major public cruise corporations, Seabourn has the youngest fleet, with ships that are nine years old on average in 2025.

Silversea comes in second with an 11-year average fleet age, followed by Hapag-Lloyd with a 13-year average and Regent Seven Seas with a 14-year average.

Brands including SeaDream, Crystal, Paul Gauguin and Windstar have some of the oldest fleets in the market.

While extensively refurbished over the years, SeaDream’s yachts are among the oldest ships in the market, with a median age of 40 years in 2025.

Fresh from a major drydock in Singapore, Paul Gauguin’s sole ship, the Paul Gauguin, is another industry veteran with a nearly 30-year sailing career.

Amidst a rejuvenation project that includes the debut of two newer ships through 2026, as well as major refurbishment projects, the Windstar fleet had an average age of 28 years in 2025.

With a series of newbuilds scheduled to arrive starting in 2028, Crystal’s fleet currently has an average age of 26 years.

The Cruise Industry News’ report also shows that, with eight newbuilds scheduled to enter service for luxury brands, the market’s fleet median age is set to grow by nearly six months next year.

Celebrity Beyond Resumes Service Following Repairs

Celebrity Beyond Resumes Service Following Repairs

The Celebrity Beyond resumed its regular cruise schedule earlier this week after having a cruise cancelled due to propulsion issues.

Following repairs at a shipyard in the Bahamas, the 2022-built vessel welcomed guests back on July 27, 2025.

Sailing from PortMiami, the Beyond is now offering a seven-night cruise to the Western Caribbean that features visits to ports in the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and Mexico.

While all planned ports of call are set to be visited, Celebrity said that adjustments to the ship’s itineraries will be made.

“As you may have heard, our ship experienced a technical issue last week. Our experts responded swiftly and thoroughly, upholding the highest standards of safety and care,” the company explained in a statement sent to guests now onboard.

“We’re pleased to share that all necessary work is progressing and on track to be completed before our cruise together,” Celebrity continued.

“With smooth sailing ahead and to accommodate a lowered speed, we have a quick itinerary update to share,” the company added.

Adjustments include Falmouth and Cozumel being visited in reverse order and a change in the ship’s arrival and departure times for George Town.

Instead of docking at the port between 10 AM and 6 PM, the vessel will now arrive at 7 AM before sailing at 3:30 PM.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause,” Celebrity said.

Celebrity cancelled the July 20 sailing onboard the Celebrity Beyond on short notice after postponing guests’ embarkation by one day.

In a statement issued at the time, the company explained that the cruise had to be cancelled after further consideration.

“During our previous voyage, the ship experienced a technical issue that affected its speed,” Celebrity stated.

“While our teams have been working diligently, we need additional time to complete necessary assessments and repairs,” the company added.

The Celebrity Beyond was scheduled to offer a seven-night itinerary to the Eastern Caribbean that featured visits to St. Thomas, Nassau and St. Maarten.

Marella Cruises Signs with V.Ships Leisure for Ship Management

Marella Cruises Signs with V.Ships Leisure for Ship Management

V.Ships Leisure has been awarded a ship management contract by Marella Cruises, according to a press release.

It is believed to be the largest management contract in the cruise industry.

The five-year agreement will cover the full technical, crewing, digital and ESG management of all of Marella’s five cruise ships, with operations commencing towards the end of 2025.

Adrian Hibbert, Cruise Operations Director at Marella Cruises, commented: “Throughout the tender process, we were hugely impressed by the calibre of the team at V.Ships Leisure and the depth of their industry expertise. We look forward to working together to deliver safe, reliable and sustainable operations across our fleet.”

Per Bjørnsen, CEO of V.Ships Leisure, said: “This contract is a clear endorsement of our talented team, commitment to ESG and our digital-first approach. Above all, it’s a testament to our track record and further reinforces our leadership in the cruise sector. We are extremely proud to be working with Marella Cruises and are looking forward to collaborating to achieve operational excellence.”

The first two vessels will come into management by the end of the year, with the other three joining in the first half of 2026.

As part of the new partnership, V.Ships Leisure will build upon its already strong UK presence by establishing a dedicated Marella Cruises fleet cell in the UK, operating from its Southampton office and supported by the wider V. network. The decision reflects V.’s commitment to providing Marella Cruises with local expertise backed by global scale, reach and experience, according to a press release.

V. will leverage its ShipSure platform to enable data-driven decision-making across fleet maintenance and operations, supporting more efficient and proactive management and giving Marella Cruises enhanced transparency into the operations.

Marella Cruises will benefit both from V.’s end-to-end management services and from V.ERDE, our dedicated decarbonisation and environmental compliance program.

Princess Makes Further Changes to Premier and Plus Packages

Princess Makes Further Changes to Premier and Plus Packages

Princess Cruises is making further changes to its Premier and Plus Packages after announcing updates to the products earlier this week.

According to a statement, speciality coffee and teas are now unlimited in the Plus package and will not count towards the 15-drink daily limit.

The additional change was made after feedback from its Princess guests’ community, the company explained.

Princess initially announced changes to its packages on July 21, revealing new refreshed product additions, such as extra casual dining options and shore excursion credits.

The premium brand also raised pricing for the add-ons, with the Princess Premier Package costing $100 per person per day and the Princess Plus Package costing $65 per person per day. Prices are based on guests booking pre-cruise.

When booked before the cruise, these packages were previously priced, respectively, at $90 and $60 per person per day.

Guests sailing on the company’s new Sphere class ships, the Sun Princess and the Star Princess, will pay an additional $5 per person per day, regardless of the package chosen.

According to Princess, these packages offer savings of between 50 and 70 per cent compared to purchasing their components separately.

In addition to a new shore excursion credit varying by voyage length, the Premier Package includes unlimited casual and speciality dining, a four-device Wi-Fi package and unlimited digital professional photos.

Other benefits include the unlimited premier beverage package, as well as reserved seating for theatrical shows and the inclusion of daily crew appreciation fees.

The Plus Package features four casual meals per voyage, in addition to the Plus beverage package, Wi-Fi for a single device and the inclusion of daily crew appreciation fees.

When purchasing any of the packages, guests will also take advantage of waived fees for Princess’s OceanNow, as well as room service deliveries.

The changes will be in effect for all voyages starting in 2026.

Hays Travel has acquired Cruise.co.uk's parent, Victoria Travel Group Limited

Hays has hailed the deal, which includes Victoria’s Seascanner brand and its German division, Kreuzfahrtberater.de, its largest since acquiring Thomas Cook in 2019.

 

Victoria Travel Group Chief Executive Chris Gardner will continue to lead the business, alongside UK Managing Director Tony Andrews, Group Chief Financial Officer Carl Tromans, and German Managing Director Tom Reiter.

 

Existing majority shareholder Bridgepoint will now exit the Victoria Travel Group business, which reported a total transactional value of £252 million in its most recent financial year and said reflected its strong market presence and customer loyalty in the UK and Germany.

 

This is Hays Travel’s first online travel agency acquisition and a significant milestone for the north east headquartered company, which has been serving customers since 1980.

 

The move significantly expands Hays Travel’s footprint in the global cruise market and supports the UK’s largest independent travel agent’s strategic growth ambitions in the fast-growing cruise sector, both in the UK and internationally.

Dame Irene Hays, owner and chair of Hays Travel, said: “We have been hugely impressed by the strength of the Victoria Travel Group. 

 

"Their innovative approach to online cruise retailing and the calibre of their management team make Victoria Travel a compelling addition to our business, which aligns with our cruise strategy and growth ambitions.
 
“We are delighted to welcome Chris, Carl, Tony and Tom to our Hays Travel group; they share our values and are all exceptional at what they do. 

 

"We look forward to working alongside them, exploring opportunities and learning from each other as we seek to continuously improve the choice, experience and value we offer our customers.”

Meanwhile, Gardner added: “We’re delighted to be joining the Hays Travel family. Their values, customer-first approach, and long-term vision align with ours. 

"This partnership opens up exciting opportunities to grow our brands and deliver even more value to cruise customers in the UK and internationally.”

 

Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, chief operating officer of Hays Travel, and Jo Rzymowska, a respected cruise industry leader and non-executive director of Hays Travel, will join the Victoria Travel Group board.

MSC: Market Leader in Europe

MSC: Market Leader in Europe

MSC has 17 ships in the European market, with 13 sailing in the Mediterranean and four in Northern Europe, said Gianni Onorato, CEO, in an interview with Cruise Industry News.

Onorato also pointed out the new 5,400-guest World Asia, which will debut in Europe in 2026, making MSC the only brand putting new tonnage into the European market.

“The key feature for our European homeporting is accessibility,” he said, pointing to air, high-speed rail and drive-in potential.

“Some ports are responding to this type of need, while others are more difficult.

“With so many embarkation points, we pick up local guests that have easy access in France, Italy, Germany, Spain, the UK and elsewhere.”

MSC has key investments in Barcelona and Marseille in terminals, and Valencia continues to become more important as Spain is a key source market for MSC, Onorato said.

“It is really accessible with high-speed trains from Madrid; similar to Marseille with Paris,” he continued.

‘Potential’

The core European markets remain full of potential.

“In Italy, the market is about 1 million guests in a country of 60 million people,” Onorato said. “France is very tiny, as is Spain, and in Germany, we are offering a different product from the national brands; it’s the same in the UK. If guests want a British experience, they can consider one of the other brands; if they want a more international experience, they can choose MSC.”

Germany may represent the market with the most potential, as it's the largest holiday-package market in Europe, Onorato said.

Emerging source markets include Eastern Europe, highlighted by Poland, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

“These countries have residents who are travelling the world, and a cruise is an opportunity,” Onorato said.

Inventory Management

MSC has a unique differentiator in Europe which is its interporting program, meaning guests can board at any port on an itinerary and then disembark a week later. They are not tied in to starting their cruise on a Sunday for instance.

MSC will then allocate inventory based on multiple homeports on the same itinerary. This means that a ship with a set seven-day cruise with five ports is essentially five different programs from an inventory perspective.

“You need to respect the cabin allocation,” said Onorato. “For the local markets, this makes access to the ships very easy with lower transportation costs.”

‘Growing’

The LNG-powered World Asia will add to the company’s European presence in 2026, while the World Atlantic heads to the U.S. and Port Canaveral in 2027. After that, two more World Class vessels are on order from Chantiers de l’Atlantique with delivery dates in 2029 and 2030.

“We will have continuous and properly balanced growth,” Onorato said.

That includes sourcing European guests for cruises elsewhere, including in Alaska, where the Poesia debuts in 2026. MSC’s initial wave of bookings primarily came from European customers for the Seattle-based program.

Further south, there are programs out of Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, and from Brooklyn, while the company expands its Caribbean presence with a year-round program from La Romana with the 2004-built Opera beginning in winter 2026-27 through summer 2027. For the winter 2026-27 season, the Opera will be joined by the 2018-built Seaview, marking the first time the company operates two ships during the season in the South Caribbean.

“I’m bullish on this,” Onorato said. “It’s an interesting program, and going year-round is very exciting. The Dominican Republic is an attractive destination for Europeans, with no visa requirements and good airlift.”

Excerpt from the Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine Summer 2025

MSC Reveals New Venues for World Asia

MSC Reveals New Venues for World Asia

MSC Cruises today unveiled details of new and redesigned entertainment venues for MSC World Asia, which will start sailing in the Mediterranean in December 2026.

Among the highlights, the Clubhouse will be a new venue designed for families to enjoy classic table games, bumper cars, basketball, roller skating and the ship’s Lego family zone.

The two-deck Luna Park, also featured on sister ships MSC World Europa and MSC World America, will undergo a redesign with new additions including a bar, interactive game shows, parties, LED displays, and themed events. The main arena will have immersive digital displays, ceiling projections and dynamic lighting and sound to host daily youth activities.

The venue is also MSC World Asia’s main nightlife venue, featuring live DJ sets and party experiences, the company said.

The Harbour has been redesigned with an Asian theme, and the expansive outdoor park will feature Cliffhanger, an over-water swing ride sending guests over 50 meters above the ocean, making MSC World Asia the only ship in Europe to offer the attraction.

The Harbour will also be home to the longest dry slide at sea, beginning from a new Asian pagoda. The Tree of Life @The Spiral will transport guests 81.3 meters down 12 decks in just a matter of seconds.  Families can also explore a thrilling high ropes course, waterslides, a dedicated children’s playground and complimentary food at The Harbour Bar & Bites.

In addition, the MSC World Asia will also feature the Panorama Lounge with its backdrop of panoramic ocean views.  The venue during the day hosts dance classes and acoustic performances, with cocktail hours and cabaret-style entertainment in the evenings and live music at night.

The MSC World Asia’s open-air boardwalk, the World Promenade, will be an open-air space located at the heart of the ship, where dining, lounges, Sports Bar and entertainment options are paired with ocean views.

The MSC World Asia during winter 2026-27, will sail seven-night itineraries to Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia, Messina, and Valletta with embarkation available in every port.  In summer 2027, the ship will operate seven-night voyages to Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Messina, and Valletta.

Juneau Eyes New Seasonal Tax System Aimed at Cruise Visitors

Juneau Eyes New Seasonal Tax System Aimed at Cruise Visitors

After doubling the fees that cruise lines pay to dock in the town, Juneau is now pursuing a plan to introduce a new seasonal sales tax system.

According to KTOO, the change is aimed at capitalising on the 1.7 million cruise ship passengers that visit the town every summer.

The new structure would raise sales taxes in the summer months and lower them in the winter, according to the local news website.

After being greenlighted by the Juneau Assembly, the proposal will now be presented to residents later this month.

Assembly members want to hear from locals before deciding whether to put it on a municipal ballot scheduled for October.

Other Southeast Alaskan towns, including Ketchikan, Sitka and Skagway, already adopt seasonal taxes, KTOO said.

Residents and visitors currently pay a five per cent tax on year-round sales in Juneau, the website explained.

If voters approve the proposed seasonal tax system, consumers will instead pay a 7.5 per cent tax in the summer and a 3.5 per cent tax in the winter.

The proposal determines that the summer season starts in April and ends in September, while the winter season runs from October through March.

In June, Juneau agreed to double the fees that cruise lines pay to dock their ships at the city-owned piers.

The change was unanimously approved by the town’s assembly and applies only to large cruise vessels.

At the time, Juneau’s Visitor Industry Director, Alix Pierce, said that the change was aimed at making the dockage fees in the town more competitive with the private sector.

“We know that our rates are definitely low compared to the private docks here, and other ports in the region are also looking at their fee structure,” she explained.

While dockage fees were previously calculated using vessels’ tonnage and length figures, the new rates are based on the ships’ passenger capacities.

Majestic Princess Kicks Off Repositioning Cruise to Boston

Majestic Princess Kicks Off Repositioning Cruise to Boston

The Majestic Princess recently sailed from Southampton to kick off a repositioning cruise to Canada and New England.

After sailing from the British port on July 18, the Princess Cruises vessel is now offering a 15-night voyage that will end in Boston.

The trans-Atlantic cruise features visits to destinations in Iceland and Canada, including Reykjavik, Isafjord and Grundarfjordur, as well as Charlottetown, Sydney and Halifax.

After arriving at its new homeport in North America, the Majestic Princess is set to kick off its first-ever fall foliage season in Canada and New England.

Sailing round-trip from Boston, the vessel offers seven-night cruises around the region that include visits to Portland, Halifax, Sydney, Eastport and Saint John.

In September, the Majestic Princess is also scheduled to offer open-jaw itineraries that sail between Quebec City and Boston.

Upon completing the deployment on the East Coast, the 141,000-ton ship is set to reposition to Fort Lauderdale for itineraries in the Caribbean.

Before arriving in Florida, the vessel offers a 14-night “Canada and Colonial America” itinerary that sails between Quebec City and Port Everglades.

The open-jaw itinerary includes visits to Saguenay, Charlottetown, Sydney, Halifax, Boston, New York City, Newport and Norfolk.

As part of its 2025-26 winter season, the Royal-class ship offers six- to eight-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale to destinations in the Western, Southern and Eastern Caribbean.

Originally designed for service in China and Asia, the Majestic Princess was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in 2017.

Before kicking off its maiden season in the Mediterranean earlier this year, the 3,600-guest ship underwent a major refurbishment at a shipyard in Italy.

As part of the modernisation project, the vessel debuted new venues, reimagined spaces and refined touches, including the addition of O’Malley’s Irish Pub and Bellini’s Cocktail Bar.

The Majestic Princess also got new dining options, such as the Ocean Terrace Sushi Bar, Alfredo’s Slice and The Salty Dog Grill.

Carnival Vista Becomes First Ship to Arrive in Celebration Key

Carnival Vista Becomes First Ship to Arrive in Celebration Key

The Carnival Vista arrived in Celebration Key on Saturday morning, July 19, becoming the first cruise ship to visit Carnival’s new private island destination in Grand Bahama.

The 4,000-guest vessel docked at the new port as part of an eight-night cruise that sailed from Port Canaveral on July 12, 2025.

To mark the debut of the new private destination, Carnival held an opening ceremony attended by local authorities, travel advisors, media and partners, as well as Carnival Vista’s officers and guests.

Also present were Carnival Cruise Line’s President Cristine Duffy, who was joined by Carnival Corporation’s CEO Josh Weinstein and other members of the company’s global executive leadership team, as well as its global port destination development team led by Chief Maritime Officer Lars Loen.

“You can imagine the resources and support that it took to bring this property to life,” Duffy said, noting that the project was completed on time and on budget.

Duffy highlighted team support from both Carnival and Carnival Corporation, as well as the features of the $600 million destination, which will see further investments in the future.

Now officially opened, Celebration Key is set to welcome 20 Carnival ships sailing from 20 homeports in the United States.

The port of call was designed to host two of the company’s large ships simultaneously (and soon four) and will be able to welcome Carnival’s new Ace Class ships starting in 2029.

One million guests are expected to visit Celebration Key in 2025, Duffy said, adding that the destination will serve as an economic asset for the island of Grand Bahama.

“All of us at Carnival are proud to have hired over 1,200 Bahamians to help build and now operate Celebration Key,” she said.

Features of the private destination include the largest freshwater lagoon in the Caribbean, the largest sandcastle in the world, as well as beach clubs, bars, restaurants, and waterslides.

Work Begins on New Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal in PortMiami

Work Begins on New Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal in PortMiami

Work has begun on the new cruise terminal being developed by the Royal Caribbean Group in PortMiami.

According to The Next Miami, the new facility will replace the current Terminal G as part of a $345 million project.

The first stage of the development project includes the demolition of the structures of the current terminal building, which first opened in 1999.

Targeting a LEED Silver certification, the new single-berth facility will be able to host up to 7,000 passengers per call.

In addition to a new building for guest operations, the project also includes the construction of a multi-story parking garage with ground-level bus parking and designated passenger drop-off areas.

According to the NV2A Group, which is working on the construction in a joint venture with Lemartec, the main building features a design that strategically separates passenger flow by floor, optimising circulation and reducing congestion throughout embarkation and disembarkation.

“This approach minimises wait times, eliminates bottlenecks and ensures a streamlined process for cruise passengers, crew and transportation services,” the company stated.

The terminal is also said to feature an architectural design aimed at contributing to the evolving skyline of PortMiami.

“The project adds significant value to the port’s existing terminal infrastructure and delivers a product that inspires civic pride and strengthens Miami’s position as a premier cruise capital,” the NV2A Group added.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the new cruise terminal will be able to accommodate Icon-class vessels and is set to open by the fall of 2027.

Royal Caribbean also operates PortMiami’s Terminal A, which was built by the company and opened in late 2018.

The facility currently hosts the company’s largest vessels, including Oasis- and Icon-class ships, welcoming over 10,000 guests per call.

In related news, Royal Caribbean is also building a new ten-story office campus at PortMiami as part of a deal that was first announced in 2019.

Located near the company’s current headquarters on Dodge Island, the new office buildings are expected to be completed by 2026.

 

Mein Schiff: Aggressive Growth

Mein Schiff: Aggressive Growth

With the new Mein Schiff Flow to be introduced next year, following the sister ship, Mein Schiff Relax, this spring, and Mein Schiff 7 last year, the brand is on an aggressive growth path, more than doubling its guest capacity from 2023 to 2026.

With nine ships in service, Mein Schiff will have a 35.5 per cent share of the German-speaking cruise market as estimated by the 2025 Cruise Industry News Annual Report.

Mein Schiff is sailing into 2025 with a tailwind, according to the cruise line, noting strong demand from the German-speaking markets, Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and also increasingly from neighbouring European countries.

According to Wybcke Meier, CEO, the clear and differentiated position of the brand and the Mein Schiff fleet is in the premium segment of European cruises, thus seeking to appeal also to customers beyond the German market.

Clas Eckholt, Vice President of Commercial, said in a prepared statement that the focus is on offering an international cruise experience with a distinctly German touch.

At some 160,000 tons and with a double occupancy capacity of more than 4,000 guests, the new ship class is introducing a new era for the brand. The new ships are not only significantly larger than the rest of the fleet but are also fueled by LNG and are described as being future-compatible with low emissions bio- and e-LNG.

Also, introduced last year, the Mein Schiff 7 is said to be methanol-ready.

The rest of the ships are kept up to date with the latest project being the drydocking of the 2015-built Mein Schiff 4, which underwent a facelift earlier this year.

AIDA Cruises Cancels 2025-26 Season in the Middle East

AIDA Cruises Cancels 2025-26 Season in the Middle East

AIDA Cruises is cancelling its 2025-26 season in the Middle East due to security concerns in the region.

It impacts sailings set to take place on the AIDAprima between October 3, 2025, and March 25, 2026.

In a statement sent to booked guests, the company noted that the vessel will now sail in Northern Europe and the Atlantic Islands during this timeframe.

“With this decision, the company wants to provide its guests with reliable clarity about their vacation trips in the coming winter season as early as possible. At the same time, the safety of guests and crew is our top priority,” AIDA reportedly said.

In addition, cruise lines are said to be concerned about transit time around Africa if they cannot transit the Suez Canal.

The company also noted that the safety of its guests and crew is a top priority, adding that the “situation in the Middle East cannot currently be reliably assessed for the foreseeable future.”

The new itineraries will sail from Kiel and Hamburg, visiting destinations in the North and Baltic Seas, as well as the Canary Islands.

Bookings for the new AIDAprima sailings will open on July 30, 2025, cruisetricks.de reported.

Affected guests are being offered rebooking alternatives, in addition to a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) valued at ten per cent of the fare paid for the cancelled cruises.

AIDA had been offering itineraries in the Middle East for nearly two decades.

Excluding the pandemic years, the company’s 2025-26 season will be the first without a ship sailing from UAE ports.

AIDA first introduced itineraries in the region during the winter of 2006-07, with the AIDAcara offering weeklong cruises from Dubai.

Other ships that sailed in the region over the years include the AIDAdiva, the AIDAblu, the AIDAstella, the AIDAprima and the AIDAnova.

With the AIDAprima repositioning to Northern Europe and the Canaries, AIDA also cancelled some sailings that were scheduled to take place onboard the AIDAbella in early 2026.

Carnival Breeze Cruises Cancelled Due to Drydock Change

Carnival Breeze Cruises Cancelled Due to Drydock Change

Carnival Cruise Line is cancelling five cruises onboard the Carnival Breeze that were scheduled to take place in January and March 2027.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the sailings will no longer go ahead due to a change in the ship’s maintenance plans.

Sailing from Galveston, the Carnival Breeze was set to offer short four- and five-night itineraries to the Western Caribbean and Mexico.

Affected sailings include the cruises set to depart on Jan. 11, Mar. 5, Mar. 13, Mar. 18, and Mar. 22, 2027.

The changes come after a short-term alteration in itinerary and drydock plans for the Carnival Breeze during the specific timeframe, Carnival explained.

“We sincerely apologise for this change and thank you for your understanding,” the company continued.

According to the letter, guests will be offered the option to either reschedule their bookings or receive a full refund of the fare paid for the original sailing.

“We have a variety of alternatives and are confident that you will find another Carnival Cruise that is filled with an equal amount of fun,” Carnival said.

Guests who opt to reschedule their reservations will have their cruise rate protected on a comparable sailing in similar accommodations.

Additionally, Carnival is also offering an onboard credit based on the duration of the cancelled voyage, which will be automatically posted to guests’ onboard accounts.

Passengers who were originally set to embark on Jan. 11, 2027, and from Mar. 17, 2027, through Mar. 22, 2027, will receive $25 per person, up to a maximum of $50 per cabin.

For guests who were sailing on the Mar. 5, 2027, departure, Carnival is offering a $50 onboard credit per person, up to $100 per stateroom.

Passengers who opt not to reschedule their cruises will be automatically refunded after July 21, 2025.

Refunds could take up to three weeks to be processed, the company said.