Showing posts with label Spacejunkie2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spacejunkie2. Show all posts

Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Star Voyager Returning to Hong Kong in Fall 2026

Star Voyager Returning to Hong Kong in Fall 2026


StarCruises has announced that the Star Voyager will return to Hong Kong for a fall season sailing from September 30 to November 13, 2026.

Coinciding with the region’s peak travel period, the cruise line will offer two-, three- and five-night cruises sailing from Ocean Terminal, located in central Hong Kong. 

To celebrate the occasion, StarCruises is offering 30 percent off on bookings made on or before August 31, 2026, with the third guest cruising free on selected sailings under its Autumn Sales Promotion. 

“Hong Kong has always been one of StarCruises’ key homeports, and we are delighted to return this autumn with Star Voyager during one of the busiest holiday seasons of the year,” said Michael Goh, president of StarDream Cruises. 

“From short getaways over weekends and public holidays to longer vacations, we have curated a variety of itineraries to suit different travel preferences. Combined with the convenience of sailing from the heart of Hong Kong, guests can simply step onboard and enjoy a memorable holiday filled with great dining, world-class entertainment and exciting destinations.” 

Some of the destinations guests can explore include Xiamen and Sanya, the port city of Kaohsiung and the Penghu islands, or Okinawa, with calls at Miyakojima, Ishigaki and Naha. 

Available sailings: 

  • two-night Xiamen cruises (Sept. 30; Oct. 14 and 28; Nov. 11) 
  • three-night Kaohsiung & Penghu Cruises (Oct. 11) 
  • three-night Sanya cruises (Oct. 25 and Nov. 8) 
  • five-night Okinawa cruise 
  • Miyakojima & Naha (Oct. 4 and Nov. 1) 
  • Ishigaki & Naha (Oct. 18) 

 

In addition is the convenient two-night High Seas Cruise on weekends, departing every Friday at 8:00 p.m. and returning on Sunday afternoon. 

Also offered will be a special five-night one-way voyage to Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh and finally Singapore as the Star Voyager repositions for her next homeport deployment on November 15.

Monday, 22 June 2026

Tauck Launches More Women’s Only Departures in 2027

Tauck Launches More Women’s Only Departures in 2027


Tauck has announced the opening of additional bookings for 2027 Women’s Only Departures, expanding from three itineraries to seven and extending the collection beyond Europe to include North America for the first time.

All 2027 Women’s Only Departures are now open for booking.

The expanded collection spans Italy, France, Portugal, Scandinavia, England and Canada, with departures running from June to October.

Every Women’s Only Departure operates as a small-group itinerary averaging 24 guests and is led by a female Tauck Director, with one upfront price covering airport transfers, accommodations, most meals, exclusive access experiences and expert local guides, the company said in a press release.

European Itineraries

“A Week In… Champagne & Alsace” is a new eight-day itinerary exploring two of France’s most renowned wine regions, from the Alsatian villages of Kaysersberg and Colmar to the Champagne capital of Reims.

“A Week In… Italy’s Hidden Wine Country” is an eight-day immersion in Italy’s slow-food heartland, combining truffle hunting in the Langhe hills, a guided tasting of the region’s celebrated Barolo and Barbaresco wines and an exclusive early-opening visit to La Venaria Reale.

“A Week In… Copenhagen & Oslo” is an eight-day journey through two of northern European capitals. Highlights include a private palace dinner at Copenhagen’s historic Odd Fellows Mansion.

“Tuscany, Cinque Terre & the Portofino Coast” traces the arc of northwestern Italy from Chianti to the Ligurian coastline, combining the art and gastronomy of Tuscany with Cinque Terre and Portofino.

“England and the West Country” explores the landscapes, country houses and cathedral cities of southwestern England, the storied countryside that inspired Jane Austen and generations of English writers.

“A Week In… Portugal” is an eight-day journey from Porto’s historic riverfront to Lisbon’s grand avenues, tracing Portugal’s wine traditions, UNESCO World Heritage sites and coastal character.

North American Itinerary

“Canada’s Capital Cities plus Niagara Falls” explores the cultural and natural breadth of eastern Canada, and the spectacle of Niagara Falls.

The itinerary offers a rich cross-section of Canadian heritage, architecture and landscape, with Tauck’s signature access and guided depth throughout.

Royal Caribbean’s Legend to Drydock in Spain Ahead of Maiden Voyage

Royal Caribbean’s Legend to Drydock in Spain Ahead of Maiden Voyage


Royal Caribbean’s new Legend of the Seas is scheduled to drydock in Cadiz ahead of its maiden voyage, according to reports by Spanish media.

Recently delivered by the Meyer Turku shipyard, the LNG-powered vessel is scheduled to welcome its first guests at the Italian port of Civitavecchia on July 4, 2026.

According to a report by Diario de Cadiz, the Legend is scheduled to arrive at the Navantia shipyard on June 22, 2026.

The 250,800-ton vessel will reportedly enter the facility’s Dique 4 to undergo final adjustments over the course of five days.

The local news source said that Navantia workers will prepare the gardens and green areas of Legend’s Central Park.

In late 2023, the Spanish shipyard installed over 10,000 natural plants aboard the Icon of the Seas.

The drydock will also include other technical work, Diario de Cadiz said, as well as be the location for various inspections and provisioning.

As part of its inaugural season, the Legend of the Seas is scheduled to offer a series of seven-night cruises to the Western Mediterranean.

The itineraries feature visits to destinations in Spain, France and Italy, including Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Marseille and La Spezia.

Following a repositioning voyage to Florida, the Icon-class ship will kick off a series of cruises from Port Everglades.

As part of its 2027-28 winter season, the Legend will operate six- to eight-night itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.

After the delivery of the 5,610-passenger ship, Royal Caribbean’s orderbook now has seven vessels, including the Hero of the Seas.

Set to enter service in 2027, the fourth Icon-class ship will offer seven-night cruises to the Caribbean sailing from PortMiami.

According to data from Cruise Industry News’ global cruise ship orderbook, six other vessels are scheduled to enter service through 2031.

Friday, 12 June 2026

Legend of the Seas Delivered to Royal Caribbean Ahead of July Debut

Legend of the Seas Delivered to Royal Caribbean Ahead of July Debut


Royal Caribbean has welcomed the Legend of the Seas, its third Icon-class ship, to its fleet.

Following nearly two years of construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, and sea trials that started in April, the ship is ready to make its European debut in July 2026, the cruise line said in a statement.

More than 1,200 crew members and partners gathered for a ceremony led by Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley, and Meyer Turku CEO Casimir Lindholm.

The event marked the transfer of ownership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku.

“Today’s delivery of Legend of the Seas marks another important milestone in our ambition to continuously redefine the vacation experience. This new ship reflects the strength of the vacation ecosystem we are building – combining industry-leading ships, innovative technology, and exceptional experiences for our guests,” noted Liberty.

“It is an achievement only possible through the extraordinary partnership and expertise of Meyer Turku and the thousands of talented people whose creativity and commitment continue to help us design the future of vacations.”

The ship is scheduled to travel from Turku to Cadiz, Spain, soon, for finishing touches by Royal Caribbean.

After that, it will operate seven-night Western Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona, Spain, and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, this summer, as part of its inaugural season.

In November, the ship will arrive in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to deliver six-night Western Caribbean and eight-night Southern Caribbean cruises.

The delivery is part of the company’s long-term framework agreement with Meyer Turku, securing shipbuilding capacity through 2036.

Under it, the shipyard will build the Icon 5, to be delivered in 2028, as well as the sixth and seventh Icon Class ships, coming in 2029 and 2030, respectively.

“Legend of the Seas is the third Icon Class ship built at our shipyard, and constructing the series has enabled us to develop our production processes in a systematic way. We have built on the experience gained from the previous vessels and further improved efficiency with the customer and our extensive partner network,” added Lindholm.

“The ship is an exceptional project in terms of both scale and technical complexity, requiring strong expertise and seamless collaboration across the entire maritime cluster. At the same time, Legend of the Seas moves shipbuilding towards more energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions.”

The Legend will be the company’s fourth ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) as it continues on its journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.