Aroya Set For First Season in the Mediterranean

Aroya Cruises is ready to begin its inaugural season in the Eastern Mediterranean later this month.

The Aroya recently arrived at the company’s new homeport in Istanbul after embarking on a repositioning voyage from Jeddah.

The 3,400-guest ship is now set to undergo some routine maintenance before kicking off its inaugural cruise from the Galataport on June 28, 2025.

“We’re excited to be bringing Aroya to some of the Mediterranean’s most popular cruise destinations this summer,” said Dr. Joerg Rudolph, president of Aroya Cruises.

“Aroya Cruises first set sail just six months ago, and we’re incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved so far, with passenger numbers in the Red Sea exceeding expectations. We look forward to welcoming our valued guests aboard this season,” he added.

As part of its inaugural season in the region, the Aroya will offer a series of six- and seven-night cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Extending through September, the season includes two itineraries to ports in Turkey, Greece and Egypt, such as Kas, Bodrum, Marmaris, Athens, Mykonos, Rhodes, Alexandria and Souda Bay.

According to Aroya, the product blends iconic destinations with its Arabian-inspired onboard experience.

“The move to the Mediterranean marks a strategic next chapter for Aroya Cruises as it expands its itineraries and brings a taste of Arabian culture and hospitality to Europe,” the company stated in a press release.

Aroya also celebrated the successful completion of its maiden season in the Red Sea, which started in December 2024.

Sailing from Jeddah, the company welcomed more than 70,000 guests onboard for sailings that visited Egypt, Jordan and the Saudi Red Sea private island of Jabal AlSabaya for Saba Beach.

Originally in service for Dream Cruises, the Aroya was acquired by the company in late 2023 and underwent a year-long refurbishment before launching service for its new owners.

Royal Caribbean Reports 2025 Q1 Results

Royal Caribbean Reports 2025 Q1 Results

Jewel of the Seas visiting the Historic port of Liverpool, photo credit Spacejunkie2 Flickr

Royal Caribbean Group today reported first quarter Earnings per Share (“EPS”) of $2.70 and Adjusted EPS of $2.71, according to a press release.

These results were better than the company’s guidance due to stronger-than-expected pricing on close-in demand and lower costs, mainly due to timing. The company is increasing its full year 2025 Adjusted EPS guidance to $14.55 to $15.55. The increase in earnings expectations is driven by the better-than-expected revenue performance in the first quarter and the benefit of currency exchange rates and lower fuel costs for the remainder of the year.

“Our strong first quarter results are a testament to the enduring appeal and attractive value proposition of our leading brands and the incredible vacations they deliver,” said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “As we navigate the complexities of the current macroeconomic landscape, we remain focused on what we can control — delivering the best vacation experiences, optimising revenue, and managing costs, while continuing to invest in our future and drive further differentiation. With our industry-leading brands, state-of-the-art ships, exclusive destinations, and a fortified balance sheet, we will continue dreaming and innovating to win a greater share of the growing $2 trillion global vacation market.”

First Quarter 2025:

• Load factor in the first quarter was 109%.
• Gross Margin Yields were up 13.9% as-reported. Net Yields were up 4.7% as-reported and 5.6% in Constant Currency.
• Gross Cruise Costs per Available Passenger Cruise Days (“APCD”) decreased 1.1% as-reported. Net Cruise Costs (“NCC”), excluding Fuel, per APCD decreased 0.3% as-reported and increased 0.1% in Constant Currency.
• Total revenues were $4.0 billion, Net Income was $0.7 billion or $2.70 per share, Adjusted Net Income was $0.7 billion or $2.71 per share, and Adjusted EBITDA was $1.4 billion.

 

Full Year 2025 Outlook:

• Net Yields are expected to increase 2.5% to 4.5% as-reported (2.6% to 4.6% in Constant Currency).
• NCC, excluding Fuel, per APCD are expected to be 0.1% to 1.1% as-reported and (0.1%) to 0.9% in Constant Currency.
• Adjusted EPS is expected to grow approximately 28% year-over-year and be in the range of $14.55 to $15.55.

 

First Quarter 2025 Results

Net Income for the first quarter of 2025 was $0.7 billion or $2.70 per share, compared to Net Income of $0.4 billion or $1.35 per share for the same period in the prior year. Adjusted Net Income was $0.7 billion or $2.71 per share for the first quarter of 2025, compared to Adjusted Net Income of $0.5 billion or $1.77 per share for the same period in the prior year. The company also reported total revenues of $4.0 billion and Adjusted EBITDA of $1.4 billion.

Capacity for the first quarter was up 3% year over year, and the company delivered memorable vacations to 2.2 million guests, a 9% increase year over year. Gross Margin Yields increased 13.9% as-reported, and Net Yields increased 4.7% as-reported (5.6% in Constant Currency), when compared to the first quarter of 2024. Load factor for the quarter was 109%. Net Yield growth exceeded the company’s guidance mainly due to higher pricing across key products driven by strong close-in demand.

Gross Cruise Costs per APCD decreased 1.1%  as-reported, compared to the first quarter of 2024. NCC, excluding Fuel, per APCD decreased 0.3% as-reported (and increased 0.1% in Constant Currency), when compared to the first quarter of 2024.

Update on Bookings

During the first quarter, the company took record bookings during the WAVE season. Additionally, during April, the company’s bookings were greater than the same period last year, including continued strength in close-in bookings. Booked load factors remain in line with prior years and at higher rates. Guest spending onboard and pre-cruise purchases continue to exceed prior years, driven by greater participation at higher prices. To account for broader external factors, the company has expanded its guidance ranges in response to the complexity of the current macroeconomic landscape.

“Bookings for 2025 have remained on track, cancellation levels are normal, and we continue to see excellent close-in demand”, said Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “This year continues our guest experience innovation with the debut of Star of the Seas, Celebrity Xcel, and the opening of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island by year-end – all of which continue to generate consumer excitement and strengthen our competitive moat.”

The cadence of yield growth throughout the year, as expected, is driven by the timing of new hardware entering service, with the arrival of Star of the Seas in late summer and the related ramp-up of load factors, as is typical for new ship launches.

Second Quarter 2025

Capacity in the quarter is expected to increase 6%, driven by lower dry dock days and a full year of Utopia of the Seas, compared to the second quarter 2024. Net Yields are expected to increase 4.4% to 4.9% as-reported and 4.3% to 4.8% in Constant Currency as compared to the same period in the prior year. The expected growth in yield is driven by healthy demand across all key products and onboard spend, both from new and like-for-like hardware.

NCC, excluding Fuel, per APCD, is expected to increase 4.1% to 4.6% as reported and 3.7% to 4.2% in Constant Currency compared to the same period in the prior year. Approximately 140 bps of cost growth is attributable to the timing shift from the first quarter.

Based on current fuel pricing, interest rates, currency exchange rates, and the factors detailed above, the company expects second quarter Adjusted EPS to be between $4.00 and $4.10.

Fuel Expense

Bunker pricing, net of hedging, for the first quarter was $655 per metric ton, and consumption was 423,000 metric tons.

The company does not forecast fuel prices, and its fuel cost calculations are based on current at-the-pump prices, net of hedging impacts. Based on current fuel prices, the company has included $286 million of fuel expense in its second quarter guidance at a forecasted consumption of 428,000 metric tons, which is 59% hedged via swaps. Forecasted consumption is 59%, 55%, 45%, and 15% hedged via swaps for 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively. The annual average cost per metric ton of the hedge portfolio is approximately $487, $476, $393, and $426 for 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively.

MSC Poesia to Offer Longer Cruises from Miami in 2026-27

MSC Poesia to Offer Longer Cruises from Miami in 2026-27

The MSC Poesia is set to offer a series of ten- and 11-night cruises from PortMiami during the 2026-27 winter season.

According to published deployment, the 2009-built ship is scheduled to offer longer itineraries to the Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas.

The MSC Poesia is set to arrive in South Florida in mid-October, following MSC’s first-ever season in Alaska.

After a 19-night repositioning voyage via the Panama Canal, the vessel embarks on a five-night cruise to Grand Cayman and Jamaica before kicking off a series of ten- and 11-night sailings.

The longer cruises visit destinations around the region, including Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao in the Southern Caribbean; Roatán, Colón and Puerto Limón in Central America; as well as St. Thomas, St. John’s and St. Kitts in the Eastern Caribbean.

The deployment also includes visits to Cartagena de Indias in Colombia, Montego Bay in Jamaica, and Cabo Rojo in the Dominican Republic.

With sailings currently scheduled through late March, the ship’s winter season includes nearly 20 cruises.

The Poesia joins two other ships scheduled to sail from PortMiami in 2026-27: the new MSC World America and the MSC Seaside.

While the World-class vessel offers seven-night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, the Seaside is set to operate three- and four-night sailings to the Bahamas.

All itineraries onboard the two ships include visits to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s private island destination near Bimini.

In addition to the three ships sailing from Miami, MSC is deploying four vessels in other homeports across the United States in 2026-27.

The MSC Meraviglia is set to return to New York City for the season, while the MSC Seascape continues to sail from Galveston. Port Canaveral will welcome two vessels: the MSC Seashore and the MSC Grandiosa.

MSC USA: Readying for Big Moves

MSC USA: Readying for Big Moves

“We’re excited about how the product is positioned in the U.S. market with very clear points of distinction, with our European style and American comfort, and how we bring that together,” said Lynn Torrent, executive vice president and chief commercial officer.

Torrent said MSC had tweaked the product for U.S. passengers and was gaining ground on marketing and driving wider brand awareness ahead of the MSC World America’s arrival in Miami this spring.

“We’re expanding our U.S. deployment,” she continued. “We’re adding Galveston this year, a second ship in Port Canaveral and sailing to Alaska from Seattle in 2026.”

Much of the immediate focus has been revealing feature after feature on the new World America for her Miami-based deployment of week-long cruises. These include a new sports bar concept and a comedy club, in addition to the first Eataly at Sea concept which will feature dishes and cocktails only available on the World America.

A new terminal with shore power will be awaiting World America in Miami, and a second new terminal will be ready for the MSC Seascape in Texas.

“We’re investing significant yin marketing and trade sales support in Texas,” said Torrent.

More ships in the market mean MSC has the attention of travel advisors, said Torrent, and continues to enhance tools and training options. Travel agents can benefit from lunch-and-learn seminars, virtual training, and more. Torrent said the company had a lot of on-the-ground support for advisors in Texas.

While Torrent focuses heavily on North American deployed ships, the company is also busy sourcing guests for cruises in Europe and elsewhere.

“We have a significant offering in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, and the World Europa and Euribia have driven more interest. The Yacht Club is popular with American guests looking for a premium, unforgettable experience.”

2026 brings more deployment and more berths to the U.S. market, as MSC will debut in Alaska, with the Poesia offering a week-long program from May to September.

“Alaska is a marquee destination. It completes our global portfolio,” Torrent said. “We think there is a lot of demand globally for Alaska. There is significant momentum already.”

Excerpt from the Cruise Industry News Quarterly Magazine Winter 2024-25

 

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.”

Norwegian Luna Revealed, Sailing from Miami in 2026

Norwegian Luna Revealed, Sailing from Miami in 2026

Norwegian Cruise Line today unveiled and opened for sale the next evolution of its Prima Plus Class, the all-new Norwegian Luna, according to a press release.

The new ship will sail from Miami beginning April 4, 2026, through November 2026. The Norwegian Luna will kick off its inaugural Caribbean season with two western itineraries to Roatan Island, Honduras; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Harvest Caye, Belize.

The ship will then sail seven-day cruises with calls to the beautiful Eastern Caribbean destinations of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL’s private island in the Bahamas, which will feature a brand-new pier by late 2025.

At 1,056 feet long, 156,300 gross tons, and accommodating approximately 3,550 guests at double occupancy, the Norwegian Luna will boast an overall 10 per cent size and capacity increase from Prima Class ships and will be built at Fincantieri.

“Inspired by the relationship between the moon and the tides of the ocean, we are excited to introduce Norwegian Luna as the vessel that perfectly complements her sister ship, Norwegian Aqua,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “The debut of Norwegian Luna truly showcases our ongoing commitment to providing guests more of what they enjoy and value – a brand-new ship with the latest, innovative offerings sailing to the beautiful, tropical destinations of the Caribbean. It’s important to give our guests more to see, more to do, more to enjoy on board and ultimately more out of their cruise vacation. We can’t wait for them to experience Norwegian Luna!”

The company said the Norwegian Luna’s hull art will showcase a vibrant dreamscape by ELLE, the highly acclaimed street artist from Napa, Calif., who has partnered with popular brand names such as Nike, Reebok and Ralph Lauren. Entitled ‘La Luna,’ the artwork is a visual exploration of humanity’s deep-rooted connection with the celestial forces in space as human beings are intrinsically linked to the ebb and flow of the moon. ‘La Luna’ will display proudly on the bow of the ship, leading guests on an extraordinary voyage and an epic journey of discovery.

Alma Cruceros Reveals First Details of its New Cruise Line

Alma Cruceros Reveals First Details of its New Cruise Line

Alma Cruceros has revealed the first details of its new cruise operation.

The startup brand is set to operate SunStone’s Ocean Victory during summer seasons starting in 2025.

According to its website, Alma is based in Málaga and plans to become the first luxury cruise line based in Spain.

The company is led by Elisardo Sánchez Burgos, who also serves as Executive President of the Premium Hotels Group.

“An idea that was conceived in May 2018 soon became a dream and is now becoming reality thanks to the enthusiastic and persevering efforts of a wonderfully talented team,” he said in a social media update.

Alma Cruceros is set to embark on its maiden season in April 2025. The maiden voyage sails from Las Palmas, in the Canary Islands, to Málaga, in the Western Mediterranean.

According to Burgos, the ship will operate primarily from Málaga, offering itineraries to ports in the region of Andalucía, as well as Ceuta and Melilla, two Spanish ports on the North African coast.

“Our project is very important to support the growth and consolidation of the cruise industry in these ports. In some of them, we will be the first shipping company in terms of number of calls,” he said in a LinkedIn post.

Bookings for the maiden season opened in June, with 16 cruises currently on sale for departures between April and October 2025.

In addition to Málaga, the Ocean Victory is also set to offer cruises departing from Barcelona and Tarragona for itineraries to different regions of Spain, including Costa Brava, Costa Azul and the Balearic Islands.

The 186-guest vessel will also sail to international destinations, with planned visits to ports in Corsica, France, and Sardinia, Italy. According to the company’s website, prices for a seven-night cruise start at 3,570 euros per person.

With an all-inclusive product, Alma Cruceros plans to offer an “oasis of sustainability and luxury experiences,” according to its website.

Originally designed for upscale cruises in remote parts of the globe, the Ocean Victory represents the “perfect fusion of modern luxury and eco-responsibility, offering an unparalleled onboard experience,” the company added.

Alma also said that its product will focus on the Spanish identity, with a celebration of the local culture that will resonate with Spanish-speaking guests.

Different aspects of the onboard experience, from gastronomy to entertainment, were tailored to reflect the Spanish heritage.

Part of SunStone’s Infinity Class, the Ocean Victory will operate for Alma Cruceros as part of a charter agreement announced back in April.

The 2021-built vessel also offers winter seasons in Antarctica for Albatros Expeditions as part of a different charter deal.

Oceania Cruises Floats Out New Ship Allura In Italy

Oceania Cruises Floats Out New Ship Allura In Italy

Oceania Cruises celebrated the float out of its new ship, the Allura, at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente, Italy.

The 1,200-guest ship was floated from the drydock and moved to the fitting-out berth to begin outfitting interiors, the company announced.

The Allura was blessed by the shipyard’s chaplain, Father Stefano and christened by Caterina Romeo, a designer in Fincantieri’s technical department.

“Our hearts and minds are with the entire team at Fincantieri as they mourn the passing of General Graziano,” stated Frank A. Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises.

“The float out is an important moment for all at Oceania Cruises and Fincantieri, as we progress closer to Allura joining our family. Now that we have completed her shell, we are excited to get started on her interior. We have lots of exciting enhancements on Allura, our eighth vessel, further elevating our offerings and firmly cementing Oceania Cruises as the only ultra-premium cruise brand.”

The Allura will enter service from Trieste, Italy, on July 18, 2025, sailing to Athens, Greece, and visiting Rijeka, Croatia; Ravenna, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Kotor, Montenegro. After her summer season in the Mediterranean, the Allura will sail to Canada and New England for a series of voyages in North America before her inaugural winter season in the Caribbean, homeporting in Miami. 

MSC Cruises: Building New Technologies and Features

To introduce new technologies to ships, the cruise industry needs to simplify access for guests as much as possible, said Francesco Pugliese, vice president of mobile and onboard digital technology at MSC Cruises.

While new developments pile up ashore, cruise lines need to be careful in the way they are implemented onboard, he said.

“We call it ‘keep it simple,’ which means simplifying access as much as possible for our guests. You need to consider all the scenarios and make sure they have a smooth experience,” Pugliese said, mentioning MSC Cruises’ MSC for Me mobile app.

While some guests will embark with the app installed on their phones, others will download it onboard, which can lead to different experiences.

“So, you need to ensure there’s always a smooth path but, of course, not forgetting the cybersecurity issues and challenges that we have,” Pugliese added.

The digital ecosystem onboard also needs to focus on the features that the guests are looking for, he said.

In addition to training crew to help passengers deal with the new technologies, cruise lines also need to ensure that they are communicating with guests in the right way, Pugliese said.

“It’s very important. That’s why we work in close collaboration with our marketing colleagues to explain to the guests, for instance, that the app is for free, which is something that they don’t always realize.”

Pugliese also said that, with new features on ships, the vessels are becoming one of the reasons why guests choose to embark on a specific sailing.

“They are not selecting their cruise based on itinerary anymore, they want to focus on the attractions and experiences that a ship can offer,” he explained.

“That’s why we developed a series of concepts that we implemented on our new ships, which are basically immersive,” Pugliese continued.

One of the new attractions is Starship Club, which is a bar that features a robot bartender who can make cocktails and entertain guests.

The venue was introduced onboard the MSC Virtuosa in 2021 and was later rolled out to other new buildings.

“You order your drink on a list of pre-defined cocktails and, while you wait for it to be prepared by the robotic bartender, you get immersed in a kind of experience that brings you to outer space,” Pugliese explained.

Pugliese highlighted the uniqueness of the cruise industry, which allows cruise lines to collect more data than other companies.

“We start collecting data from the very beginning when passengers purchase their cruise and want to personalize it. Once they get onboard, they usually stay seven days with us, so this means you can collect a huge amount of data,” he explained.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help in the process of understanding and analyzing this information, Pugliese added.

AIDAsol Arrives in Mauritius; Begins Last Leg of World Tour

AIDAsol Arrives in Mauritius; Begins Last Leg of World Tour

AIDA Cruises’ AIDAsol arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius on Friday, Jan.19, starting the last leg of its world cruise.

Having sailed on October 2023 when it departed from Hamburg, the AIDAsol has so far crossed each of the major oceans once during this world voyage.

Mauritius serves as the last port of transfer for guests on the 2023-24 world cruise.

After leaving Port Louis, the ship will head for Saint-Denis, Reunion, before exploring several ports in South Africa including Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth. Other ports of call on the last leg of the journey are Walvis Bay, Namibia; Praia, Cape Verde Islands; Tenerife, Canary Islands; Funchal, Madeira; Lisbon, Portugal; Porto, Portugal; and Portland, England. The ship is scheduled to arrive back in Hamburg on Feb. 21.

In October 2024, the AIDAsol will again embark on a world tour with some destinations in New Zealand that have not previously been visited by AIDA Cruises.