Explora III Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage

Explora III Sets Sail on Maiden Voyage

The Explora III recently sailed from the Spanish port of Barcelona to kick off its maiden voyage for Explora Journeys.

Delivered by the Fincantieri shipyard in late July, the luxury ship officially started its inaugural season on August 3, 2026.

The 922-passenger ship is now offering a seven-night cruise that includes visits to destinations in Portugal, Morocco and Spain.

The itinerary is highlighted by stops in off-the-beaten-path ports in the region, including Portimão and Puerto Banús.

Before ending in Lisbon, the maiden voyage will also include visits to Palma de Mallorca, Cádiz and Tangier, in addition to a full day of cruising in the Western Mediterranean.

The ship will later offer a second seven-night cruise to Southampton, which will sail to Spain, Portugal and France.

On its way to the United Kingdom, the Explora III will visit Porto, La Coruña, Bilbao and Bordeaux, as well as St. Jean de Luz.

In addition to sailing the individual cruises, guests were able to combine the two weeklong voyages for a 14-night itinerary sailing from Barcelona to Southampton.

As part of its inaugural season, the 70,000-ton vessel is also set to offer itineraries to Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America.

The ship is also set to offer cruises to the Caribbean departing from San Juan and Miami starting in December 2026.

Before kicking off its maiden voyage, the Explora III was christened during a special ceremony at the Port of Barcelona. Marking the debut of Explora Journeys’ first LNG-powered vessel, the inaugural event took place on August 1, 2026.

Cristina Ozores, a marine educator and National Geographic Educator, served as the ship’s godmother during the ceremony.

The Explora III also offered a pre-inaugural cruise in the Western Mediterranean, which departed from Genoa, Italy, on July 24, 2026.

The five-night preview journey included visits to destinations in France and Italy, including Marseille, Saint-Tropez, Livorno and Villefranche-sur-Mer.

Carnival to Reveal More Details on Destiny in November

Carnival to Reveal More Details on Destiny in November

After revealing the name and initial details of the new Carnival Destiny, Carnival Cruise Line will announce more about the new ship later this year.

According to the company’s President Christine Duffy, a further announcement is scheduled for this November.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the first Ace-class vessel will carry the name previously used by the 1996-built Destiny.

“It’s back (to the future) but it’s looking forward because we are very excited to cut the steel on our beautiful Carnival Destiny,” Duffy said in an interview with Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald.

“The next big update will probably come in November and then we’ll be talking more about it and putting out a link for people to learn more as we go forward,” she continued.

Carnival announced the name and first details of the new ship during an event at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, on July 10, 2026.

In addition to introducing the first details of the first Ace-class ship, the gathering celebrated the partnership between the company and the shipbuilder.

According to John Heald, the event also marked the 30th anniversary of the delivery of the original Carnival Destiny.

Captain Giovanni Gallo, who brought the ship out of the shipyard for its inaugural season, was also present in Monfalcone.

“Thirty years ago, I was a young cruise director onboard… and a lot of the crew members and I will have memories of a pretty rough crossing across the Atlantic but mostly of the pride and the extraordinary pomp and circumstance that came with delivering the ship,” Heald said.

Then the world’s largest cruise ship, the 101,000-ton vessel, was the first built for Carnival by the Italian shipyard.

Fincantieri later built over 15 vessels for the U.S.-based brand, including the Carnival Panorama, which was the latest Carnival newbuild delivered by Fincantieri in 2019.

Carnival and the shipyard are now working together again for the three Ace-class vessels that are set to be delivered between 2029 and 2031.

Four Seasons I Kicks Off Maiden Mediterranean Voyage

Four Seasons I Kicks Off Maiden Mediterranean Voyage

The Four Seasons I, Four Seasons Yachts’ first vessel, starts its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean today, March 20.

For its inaugural season, Mediterranean itineraries aboard the Four Seasons I will be paired with what the company describes as iconic ports and off-the-beaten-path coastal discoveries.

The debut year will see 32 voyages across 52 sailings, reaching 130 destinations in over 30 countries and territories throughout the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean and Bahamas in winter, the company said in a statement.

“Today’s luxury traveler values time, trust, and authenticity above all. With the confidence our guests place in Four Seasons comes an equally high expectation for excellence,” said Ben Trodd, CEO, Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings Ltd., joint owner/operator of Four Seasons Yachts.

“At Four Seasons Yachts, we answer that call by combining our global standard for luxury hospitality with renowned maritime leadership, inviting our guests to explore the world from an entirely new vantage point.”

The company added that the maiden voyage coincides with the 65th anniversary of Four Seasons and the opening of its first hotel on the first day of spring in 1961.

Honoring this legacy, Four Seasons founder and chairman Isadore Sharp and his wife Rosalie Sharp have been named godparents of Four Seasons I.

Alejandro Reynal, president and CEO, Four Seasons, commented: “Four Seasons Yachts is a continuation of the pioneering ambition on which Four Seasons was built, and will reflect the same genuine care, service excellence, and exceptional moments we create for guests on land. We are proud to introduce a new expression of our brand at sea, opening an entirely new horizon for our guests.”

The ship was built by Fincantieri and delivered to Marc-Henry Cruise Holdings, the joint owner and operator of Four Seasons Yacht, in late February.

 

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.

Asuka III Arrives in Japan Ahead of Maiden Season

Asuka III Arrives in Japan Ahead of Maiden Season

The new Asuka III arrived in Japan earlier this week after her long journey from Europe to Asia.

Built by the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, the new Asuka Cruise ship arrived at the port of Yokohama on June 2, 2025.

The LNG-powered vessel is now getting ready to embark on its inaugural season in late July, kicking off a series of cruises departing from ports in Japan.

Upon being delivered, the Asuka III sailed from Northern Europe in mid-April, embarking on a journey that included technical stops in Africa and Asia.

With no guests onboard, the ship sailed to the Canary Islands, South Africa and Singapore before arriving in the Far East.

In an update on its website, Asuka Cruise highlighted the ship’s rendezvous with the previous Asuka ships.

According to the company, in late April, the ship met at sea with the original Asuka off the Canary Islands.

Currently operated by Phoenix Reisen, the 1991-built vessel, which now sails as the Amadea, sailed for the brand until 2006.

Asuka also arranged a meeting of the new ship with its fleetmate, the Asuka II, which is currently offering a world cruise.

The two vessels sailed alongside near the coast of the island of St. Helena, a British overseas territory in the South Atlantic.

To mark the occasion, special ceremonies were held onboard the vessels, with crew and guests taking part in a themed celebration.

According to Asuka III’s Chief Engineer Takaaki Nakano, the ship’s delivery voyage was key to evaluating and testing various systems onboard.

“We inspected the operating conditions of various equipment, striving to provide a comfortable cruise experience for the future passengers of the Asuka III,” he said.

“We did our utmost to deliver the Asuka III safely to Yokohama so that everyone can see its beautiful sight,” he added.

Celestyal Journey Debuts in the Eastern Mediterranean

Celestyal Journey Debuts in the Eastern Mediterranean

The Celestyal Journey is now in service for Celestyal Cruises.

After a $21 million refit, the ship kicked off its inaugural season on Saturday.

Taking over the schedule of the Celestyal Crystal, the vessel set sail from Piraeus on a seven-night cruise to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Following Celestyal’s Idyllic Aegean itinerary, the maiden voyage includes visits to six destinations in Greece and Turkey, including Thessaloniki, Heraklion and Milos. The cruise also includes overnight visits to Santorini and Mykonos before returning to Piraeus.

Continuing its maiden season, the Celestyal Journey is scheduled to offer different itineraries during the fall, such as the “Steps of Paul” and the “Three Continents.”

While the first includes additional stops in Greece and Turkey, such as Kavala, Dikili and Istanbul, the second sails to the Holy Land, with visits to destinations in Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel, including Kusadasi, Rhodes, Limassol and Port Said.

Joining the Celestyal Olympia in Celestyal’s fleet, the Celestyal Journey was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. Part of Holland America’s S-Class, the ship first entered service in 1994 as the Ryndam.

After two decades of service, it was transferred to P&O Cruises Australia in 2015, becoming the Pacific Aria.

Five years later, in 2020, the vessel was sold to Seajets, remaining laid-up in Greece before being resold to Celestyal in February.

Following the recent refit, the 55,000-ton ship introduced several new features, including a selection of eight dining venues.

The Celestyal Journey also offers a total of eight bars and lounges, in addition to two lido decks, a two-deck theatre, a casino, a tennis court, a video arcade and a shopping area.

Other features include a full spa and wellness centre equipped with a gym, a beauty centre, saunas, a thermal suite, massage rooms and a relaxation room.

Carnival Luminosa Kicks Off Inaugural Season in Alaska

Carnival Luminosa Kicks Off Inaugural Season in Alaska

The Carnival Luminosa is kicking off its inaugural season in Alaska today.

After joining the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in late 2022, the 2009-built ship is also embarking on its maiden cruise in the United States.

Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the vessel’s first Alaska voyage features visits to three ports in Alaska: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

Before returning to its Washington homeport, the seven-night cruise also includes scenic cruising at the Tracy Arm Fjord, in addition to a visit to Victoria, in Canada’s British Columbia.

The itinerary is set to be repeated through mid-September – when the Carnival Luminosa sails to Australia via a 30-night transpacific cruise.

Part of Carnival’s three-ship summer program in Alaska, the 2,260-guest vessel is set to offer a total of 19 cruises in the region.

Sailing from San Francisco and Seattle, respectively, the Carnival Miracle and the Carnival Spirit will also spend the next months in the Last Frontier.

Transferred from the Costa Cruises fleet, the Carnival Luminosa spent its inaugural season with Carnival in Australia.

Between November 2022 and April 2023, the ship offered a series of itineraries to South Pacific, New Zealand and more departing from Brisbane.

Before debuting, the Carnival Luminosa was subjected to a refit that added Carnival’s signature features to its public areas and staterooms.

Among the new additions are extra dining venues, including the company’s Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and the upscale Chef’s Table.

The Luminosa also received the Bonsai Sushi Express, as well as Carnival’s new blue, red and white hull livery and different new entertainment venues.

Among them are The Punchliner Comedy Club, the Limelight Lounge, the Piano Bar 88 and the Alchemy Bar.

Other new venues added to the 92,700-ton ship include the RedFrog Rum Bar, the adults-only sundeck Serenity Retreat and the Cherry on Top candy shop.

Carnival Opens Sales for New Venezia, Year-Round Cruising from NYC

Carnival Opens Sales for New Venezia, Year-Round Cruising from NYC

Carnival Cruise Line today opened reservations for the inaugural season of its next new ship, the Carnival Venezia, which will begin sailing year-round from New York City starting June 15, 2023, and will showcase "Carnival Fun Italian Style," the company said.

The ship will offer guests a wide range of sailing options, with 10 different cruise durations and 22 unique itineraries featuring visits to 25 ports across 14 countries.

"Our summer season in New York has been extremely popular, so increasing our offerings with a larger, newer ship that sails year-round provides the opportunity for more guests in the tri-state area and beyond to enjoy the convenience of sailing right from Manhattan," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Carnival Venezia will give guests our signature fun, combined with Italian theming, to beautiful destinations from The Bahamas and the Caribbean to Bermuda and Canada."

Following a 15-day trans-Atlantic Carnival Journeys cruise from Barcelona that departs on May 29, 2023, the Carnival Venezia will sail a variety of cruises from New York's Manhattan Cruise Terminal, and for the summer will alternate between sailing four-, five- six- and eight-day sailings to the Caribbean, Bermuda and ports in Canada and New England, including Halifax and Saint John.

Beginning Sept. 29, 2023, the ship will alternate between operating eight- to 12-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean and The Bahamas, visiting destinations like St. Thomas, San Juan and Aruba, along with four of Carnival's private destinations: Half Moon Cay, Princess Cays, Amber Cove and Grand Turk. In addition, Carnival Venezia's nine-day cruises will feature Miami as a port of call.

Sample Cruises: 

• Nine-Day sailing to Miami and the Bahamas (10/14/2023) – Miami, Nassau, Half Moon Cay and Freeport, Bahamas
• 10-day Eastern Caribbean sailing (1/23/2024) – Princess Cays, Bahamas; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic and San Juan, Puerto Rico
• 12-day Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys sailing (2/11/2024) – Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Maarten
• 15-day Caribbean Carnival Journeys sailing (9/29/2023) – Grand Turk, Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and St. Thomas

Built-in 2019 and set to undergo enhancements before entering service, Carnival Venezia will be home to many of the activities and experiences guests enjoy aboard other Carnival ships, including Carnival Waterworks, Piano Bar 88, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, Bonsai Sushi, Seafood Shack, Cloud 9 Salon & Spa and the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat.

In 2024, Carnival Cruise Line will welcome a second Carnival Fun Italian Style ship, when the Carnival Firenze joins the fleet, scheduled to sail year-round from Long Beach, Calif.

 

 

MSC Signs Five-Year Deal With Cruise Saudi

MSC Cruises has signed a five-year agreement with Cruise Saudi for preferential berthing rights at the port of Jeddah.

According to the cruise line’s press release, this is a “further sign of its long-term commitment to support the development of the local tourism sector by operating cruises in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.”

The announcement was made in Jeddah as one of the company’s most modern ships, the MSC Bellissima, celebrated the opening of the city’s new passenger terminal with a commemorative event onboard.

The new cruise terminal will welcome guests onboard for MSC Bellissima’s inaugural season in the Red Sea with three- and four-night cruises from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to both Egypt and Jordan until the end of October.

The event onboard the MSC Bellissima was hosted by Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises and Fawaz Farooqui, managing director of Cruise Saudi, for local dignitaries, senior officials from the Saudi Tourism Authority, Cruise Saudi, the Saudi Ports Authority – Mawani as well as members of the Saudi Arabian media and travel community.

The Master of the ship Captain Roberto Leotta, who will helm the MSC Bellissima in the months ahead, exchanged crests with Fawaz Farooqui in a traditional maritime ceremony to celebrate a vessel’s maiden port call.

MSC said that those onboard for the event were given guided ship tours, treated to a special show by MSC Cruises’ entertainment team and also enjoyed fine dining in a range of the ship’s specialty restaurants.

“This is a very special, historic day for all of us. The largest and most modern cruise ship to operate in the Red Sea has set sail from Jeddah’s new terminal to mark a new beginning for cruising in Saudi Arabia and, more broadly, for its growing tourism industry,” said Vago.

“We can now allow our global guest base to come and experience our unique itineraries in this beautiful country with its historic UNESCO World Heritage sites and pristine shores. And with the new agreement in place, together with Cruise Saudi we will work in unison to develop this very special aspect of Saudi Arabia’s determined and sustainable growth in tourism which mirrors exactly our own strategy and ambition … And we will work together in attracting guests from all corners of the world as well as local markets for a Red Sea and Arabian Gulf holiday like no other onboard our modern and environmentally high performing vessels,” he added.

Chief Operations and Commercial Officer for Cruise Saudi, Mark Robinson, said that the event marked a great milestone for Cruise Saudi and for the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia, “in line with Vision 2030.”

“The creation of Cruise Saudi, tasked with launching the cruise industry in Saudi Arabia, happened just six months ago at FII in Riyadh. Yet in these few months we have been able to work with international partners such as the Cruise Division of MSC Group and national bodies such as the Saudi Ports Authority, MAWANI, the Red Sea Gateway Terminal, the Saudi Tourism Authority, the Ministries of Transport, Culture, Health and Tourism, Saudi Customs and Immigration, the Saudi Border Guard, Jeddah Chambers of Commerce and many more such organizations to build Saudi Arabia’s first cruise terminal at Jeddah Islamic Port, and to mobilize the infrastructure, manpower and systems required to host global cruise lines for Saudi Arabia’s first full summer and winter cruise seasons,” Robinson said.

He added: “The remit of Cruise Saudi; to create 50,000 jobs by 2025, to facilitate the building of an additional five ports, with Jeddah as a homeport, and to welcome 1.5 million annual passenger visits by 2028; is an ambitious one, which will play a major part in strengthening the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia. It is a vision that we would not be able to accomplish were it not for our trusted business partners such as MSC.”

MSC Seaview's preview cruise cancelled

The MSC Seaview is slightly behind schedule, and will now be delivered on June 4, forcing the cancellation of a preview cruise scheduled June 7 through 10.

While a nearly 4,000-strong team at the Fincantieri shipyard is working 24/7 around the clock to finish the ship for her inaugural season, she will now require a few extra days of final fitting," MSC Cruises said.

MSC said that the inauguration ceremony will no longer take place in Civitavecchia, the port city for Rome. Instead, the ceremony will be moved to Genoa, where the ship is scheduled to take its initial cruise on June 10.

Following delivery, the Seaview is scheduled to cruise in the Mediterranean this summer. It will move to South America for the 2018-19 winter season.