Almaco Completes Modernisation Project on Harmony of the Seas

Almaco Completes Modernisation Project on Harmony of the Seas

Almaco Group has completed a modernisation project onboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas during the ship’s scheduled drydock at Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain.

The project was completed in May 2026 and included adding new stateroom areas in the forward part of the ship, as well as converting existing public spaces into accommodation.

In a press release, the group said the scope covered constructing a new forward accommodation block of seven panoramic suites and 21 staterooms.

In addition, the group converted areas of the two-deck-level Wonderland restaurant into accommodation, adding 29 new staterooms. The team also installed a noise-reduction ceiling in the Music Hall below the new cabin area.

According to the press release, the project’s preparation lasted approximately seven months and included design and engineering, procurement, planning and coordination with the owner and other contractors.

The Harmony of the Seas arrived in Cadiz in April for a 44-day drydock period. During execution, Almaco deployed up to 240 personnel on site and managed the delivery of approximately 86 TEUs of material to Cadiz.

The project was completed through collaboration including Almaco, the shipyard, the owner and other project partners.

The group has wished the Harmony of the Seas and its guests happy sailing and looks forward to continued collaboration with Royal Caribbean.

Carnival UK expects a single-digit percentage headcount cut amid restructuring

Carnival UK has said it expects to reduce its headcount by “a single-digit percentage” following a company-wide restructure.

 

The parent company of P&O Cruises and Cunard launched a consultation process in June to “help determine new roles and responsibilities” and “create cross-company teams” to work across both brands.

 

A spokesperson said: “In June, Carnival UK announced organisational changes to support operational efficiency and future growth across P&O Cruises and Cunard.

 

“Exact numbers are still being finalised, but it is anticipated that there will be a reduction in headcount of a single-digit percentage.”

 

The organisational changes also saw a shift in senior leadership, with Carnival UK and P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow taking on the additional role of Cunard president, and Katie McAlister moving from that role into the newly created position of chief commerce officer for Carnival UK.

 

Carnival UK responded to agents’ concerns about its restructure plan in July, insisting partners would see no decline in support.

 

Ruth Venn, associate vice-president of sales and distribution at P&O Cruises, said at the time: “Our partnerships with agents are key, as they always have been, and this will not change.

 

“There are still separate teams for P&O Cruises and Cunard, with separate leadership to retain relationships, individuality and distinction for the brands.

 

“Agents will continue to receive the same support and the same level of communication and collaboration.”

 

 

Explora and MSC to Enter River Cruise Market

Explora Journeys has signed a Letter of Intent with Den Breejen Shipyard for the construction of its first luxury river ships, marking the brand’s planned entry into river cruising for MSC Group.

The company said that since launching, Explora Journeys has sought to change the way people experience ocean travel through its Ocean State of Mind philosophy, “combining the freedom and discovery of travelling by sea with the elegance and refinement of European hospitality and design. The brand now intends to bring that same approach to Europe’s most iconic rivers.”

Further details regarding ship design, onboard experiences, delivery schedules and initial itineraries will be announced in due course, with sales planned to open in 2027.

The move follows Celebrity Cruises' entry into the river market, which will happen in 2027, as well as Lindblad Expeditions, which debuted its European river operation this year.

Solstice Kicks Off Celebrity’s First Grand Voyage

Solstice Kicks Off Celebrity’s First Grand Voyage

The Celebrity Solstice is currently offering Celebrity Cruises’ first Grand Voyage, a 110-night itinerary that will sail to 15 countries.

Sailing from Canada to Hong Kong, the cruise departed from the Port of Vancouver on September 13, 2026.

The complete voyage is scheduled to sail to 58 ports around the Pacific, including destinations in Alaska, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia and the Far East.

After sailing from the Canada Place Cruise Terminal, the 2008-built ship sailed to destinations in Alaska, including Ketchikan, Juneau and Icy Strait Point.

Cruising to Hawaii, the Solstice is now scheduled to visit Hilo, Kailua-Kona and Honolulu before visiting French Polynesia and Fiji.

The segment is highlighted by a 17-hour visit to Tahiti, as well as stops in Lautoka, Moorea and Raiatea.

From the South Pacific Islands, the 2,850-passenger ship sails to New Zealand and Australia, visiting nearly 20 destinations in the region.

The journey continues in Southeast Asia, with the vessel visiting Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Guests will also celebrate New Year’s Eve in Hong Kong before concluding the Grand Voyage on Jan. 2, 2027.

The ship is then scheduled to kick off a winter season in Asia, including a series of 11- to 13-night cruises between Hong Kong and Singapore.

Before embarking on the Grand Voyage, the Celebrity Solstice underwent a major refurbishment that introduced a series of new features onboard.

In addition to increased capacity, the refit updated a series of public areas and dining venues, such as Trattoria Rossa.

The new speciality restaurant made its fleetwide debut onboard the Solstice, introducing a new upscale venue serving Roman and Southern Italian cuisine.

Boulevard Lounge was also added, creating a new entertainment venue that offers all-day programming, from piano bar shows to karaoke nights.

Ambassador Launches Second-Ever TV Advertising Campaign

Ambassador Launches Second-Ever TV Advertising Campaign

Ambassador Cruise Line will launch its second-ever TV advertising campaign on Wednesday, September 16, focusing on the moments, experiences and human connections that make a holiday at sea special.

The launch comes more than three years after Ambassador made its television debut with its ‘Enjoy Yourself’ campaign in April 2023 on the Ambience.

Developed in collaboration with independent creative agency Purple Creative and Production company Wonderhatch, the campaign, which will initially air across UK linear television and BVOD until October 18, introduces “The Warmest Welcome at Sea Because Moments Matter.”

Gordon Nardini, CEO at Ambassador Cruise Line, said: “Our first television campaign helped introduce Ambassador to a much wider audience and brought to life the warmth, personality and sense of fun that guests experience when they sail with us.”

“When we launched ‘Enjoy Yourself’ in 2023, Ambassador was still a very young brand. Three years on, we’ve grown considerably, and we wanted our next campaign to move that story forward. ‘The Warmest Welcome at Sea – Because Moments Matter’ feels like a natural evolution, focusing not just on enjoying yourself, but on the experiences, connections and memories that make a holiday really matter,” added Nardini.

“What sits at the heart of our brand hasn’t changed. Holidays aren’t just remembered for where you went. They’re remembered for the welcoming moments along the way, seeing somewhere you’ve always wanted to see, watching a spectacular sunset, sharing a great meal, laughing at a show or making a new friend. That’s what we wanted this campaign to capture.

“Together with Purple Creative and Wonder hatch, we’ve created a campaign that feels unmistakably Ambassador while giving us the flexibility to tell different stories as the business continues to grow,” said Nardini.

Added Nardini: “We want to be open about how we’ve made this campaign. We’ve used AI and CGI, but the starting point is genuine Ambassador footage: real ships, real destinations and real experiences – which technology has allowed us to enhance and bring together in a new way.”

The company said in a press release that the new campaign features two distinct executions: one showcasing Ambassador’s core no-fly offering aboard the Ambience and Ambition and the other dedicated to its Caribbean fly-cruise program aboard the Renaissance.

The campaign will run exclusively as 60-second ads during its launch week, with airtime split equally between the no-fly and Caribbean fly-cruise executions.

Activity will run across a broad mix of channels, with a particular focus on travel and holiday programming and shows that are popular with the 55+ demographic.

Carnival Freedom Gets New Funnel in Drydock

Carnival Freedom Gets New Funnel in Drydock

The Carnival Freedom is getting a new funnel during its routine drydock in France, according to an update published by Carnival Cruise Line.

In a social media post, the company shared a behind-the-scenes look at the new structure being added to the ship at the Chantier Naval de Marseille shipyard.

The pictures show a shorter funnel replacing the ship’s original, which was damaged by a lightning strike in March 2024.

With Carnival’s traditional whale-tail top removed after the incident, the ship had been sailing with a straight funnel.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the lightning strike marked the second time that the vessel’s funnel suffered significant damage.

Previously in May 2022 the structure was partially destroyed by a fire incident during a visit to Grand Turk.

The funnel had later been rebuilt to its signature form and size during a drydock at the Navantia shipyard in October 2023.

After completing a trans-Atlantic crossing from Port Canaveral, the Carnival Freedom arrived at the Chantier Naval de Marseille in early September.

The 2007-built vessel will spend over 30 days at the shipyard before resuming service on October 9, 2026 as the ship is scheduled to kick off an eight-night cruise to the Western Mediterranean that sails roundtrip from Barcelona.

Visiting destinations in Italy, Malta and France, the sailing will be followed by a repositioning voyage back to Port Canaveral.

The 13-night cruise will sail to Spain, the United Kingdom and the Bahamas before arriving in Central Florida in early November.

The Carnival Freedom is then scheduled to resume its regular schedule of four- and five-night cruises to the Bahamas.

In addition to Nassau, the itineraries sail to the company’s private island destinations in the island country, including Celebration Key and RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.

In 2027, the 2,974-passenger ship will be redeployed to Virginia for year-round cruising out of the Port of Norfolk.

MSC Adjusts Last Alaska Itinerary of the Season

MSC Adjusts Last Alaska Itinerary of the Season

MSC Cruises informed guests that it’s adjusting the itinerary of one of its upcoming cruises to Alaska and British Columbia onboard the MSC Poesia.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the September 21, 2026, voyage will no longer include scenic cruising through Endicott Arm.

“We understand this is an experience many guests look forward to, and we sincerely regret that this portion of the itinerary will not be possible,” the company said, noting that the change was caused by seasonal operational considerations.

“However, we are pleased to inform you that this adjustment will allow the MSC Poesia to arrive in Juneau at 8:00 AM instead of 2:00 PM, allowing you six additional hours to experience this remarkable destination,” MSC continued.

Sailing roundtrip from Seattle, the MSC Poesia is scheduled to offer a seven-night cruise to Alaska and British Columbia on September 21, 2026. In addition to Juneau, the itinerary features visits to Sitka, Ketchikan and Victoria.

According to guest reports, MSC will offer a $50 onboard credit per person as compensation for the change.

The credits are reportedly being applied directly to guests’ accounts, with a limit of up to $100 per stateroom.

The adjusted sailing will close out MSC’s inaugural summer season in Alaska, which started in May and included a series of seven-night cruises from Seattle.

Following the cruise, the MSC Poesia kicks off a repositioning voyage to PortMiami via the Panama Canal ahead of a winter season in the Caribbean.

After departing from Seattle, the 19-night cruise includes visits to destinations in California, Mexico and Central America.

Before returning to Alaska for a second season in 2027, the MSC Poesia offers five- and 11-night cruises to the Caribbean during the 2026-27 winter.

The itineraries sail from PortMiami and include visits to destinations in the Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean.

Virgin Voyages' Valiant Lady gets a refresh: 7 upgrades travel agents need to know

Stepping onboard Valiant Lady following its May dry dock, returning passengers would be forgiven for overlooking the ship’s spring revamp.

Virgin Voyages’ second vessel is back after undergoing a number of tweaks, all of which aim to maximise previously underused areas and improve dining and entertainment offerings.

From renovated communal spaces to brand new restaurants, here’s everything agents need to know about Valiant Lady’s refreshed look.

The Roundabout

The Roundabout on Valiant Lady has been given a soft makeover in the hope that it will attract more guests during the day and early evening. 

Loud colours have been swapped for plummy tones, and furniture has been reorganised to encourage groups to gather and solos to unwind. Expect clusters of cushy seating, discreet nooks and laptop-friendly tables.

In the space, Roots Reggaeton can be heard and lots of plants add to the relaxed aesthetic. 

On The Rocks 

On The Rocks, Virgin Voyage’s glitzy cocktail lounge, has also had a few tweaks.

The layout has been updated to improve the quality of its live entertainment, with the removal of a partition wall making it easier to view the bandstand while also creating space for extra seating. 

The Grounds Club 

Espresso martini lovers rejoice – The Grounds Club is officially open for nightcaps.

Virgin Voyages’ Chicago-inspired cafe is now a day-to-night venue, transforming every afternoon into a full-service cocktail bar.

Warm lounge seating, woven pillars and wooden stools complete the nocturnal makeover. 

Ariya by Razzle Dazzle 

Taking over Razzle Dazzle every evening, Ariya marks Virgin Voyages’ first ever restaurant dedicated to Indian cuisine. 

The menu features dishes like Eggplant Saag Napoleon and Lamb Shank Biryani, as well as spice-infused cocktails and cheesecake filled with gulab jamun. 

Razzle Dazzle, which is best known for its plant-based fare, will continue to operate a breakfast and brunch service. 

The Red Room

Though the Red Room’s architecture remains the same, its programming has undergone a major shake-up.

The ship’s scarlet-hued theatre will host a number of new experiences, including Sink ‘Oar’ Swim, an energetic game show and an interactive unboxing contest called Nice Box!

The Manor

Virgin Voyages was widely praised when it launched in 2021 for its electric nightlife – and it looks like that energy isn’t going anywhere. 

The line has made significant structural changes to its nightclub, The Manor, removing the raised seating area and rear wall to create an expanded dance floor.

The result is a single level venue with improved sight lines along with additional capacity, giving guests even more room to show off their best moves. 

Virgin Voyages

The Manor

Fitness and wellness

The Athletic Club has been refreshed with shaded daybed clusters, upgraded lounge seating and enhanced pool access. Walkways have also been widened via the removal of certain gym equipment, allowing for easier transitions between circuits. 

Other improvements include The Runway Racetrack, which has been given new customer signage and high visibility vinyls to prevent joggers and walkers from colliding along the 255-metre-long route. 

As for new classes, VHS Volume 2: The Great British Burn Off serves as the successor to the fleet’s 1980s aerobic sessions. Expect 90s Britpop, upbeat choreography and accessible routines.

GPH Launches Network-Wide Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

GPH Launches Network-Wide Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program

Global Ports Holding (GPH) has announced the launch of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program across its network of 35 global cruise ports.

According to a press release, the symbol helps people with non-visible disabilities, conditions or chronic illnesses indicate that they may need additional time, understanding or support.

This follows the introduction of the Sunflower at Nassau Cruise Port last year, the first port within the GPH network to adopt the program.

Mehmet Kutman, chairman and CEO of Global Ports Holding, said: “At Global Ports Holding, we believe every guest should feel welcome at our ports. Accessibility and inclusion are an important part of the passenger experience we provide. Introducing the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower across our entire global network is another meaningful step in making our ports more welcoming and accessible for everyone.”

As part of the program, teams across the network have received dedicated training to recognize the Sunflower symbol and better understand how to support guests with a wide range of non-visible disabilities and conditions.

The Sunflower is recognized in more than 95 countries and is used by organizations across the travel, tourism, transport, retail and public sectors worldwide.

Paul White, CEO of Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, added: “Following a successful pilot of the Sunflower at Nassau Cruise Port, we are thrilled at the announcement of global launch across 35 ports.

“This is an outstanding achievement by GPH, who recognizes the benefits of inclusive travel and how the Sunflower supports that. They have committed to training teams, which is an essential part of the Sunflower’s success and ensures that every passenger feels seen, valued and heard.”

Disney Cruise Line to return to New York in 2027-28 programme

Disney Treasure in New York

Disney Cruise Line will return to New York for the first time in four years as part of its autumn 2027 and spring 2028 programme.

 

Disney Wish will sail seven four to seven-night cruises from the city from September 2027, featuring New England and Canada’s Atlantic Coast, with ports of call including Boston, Saint John and Halifax.

 

Five of the sailings will also call at Bermuda, with three offering an extra day in port.

 

The season features expanded sailings to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic including the port on selected itineraries.

 

Three Wish Class ships will homeport from Port Canaveral from November 2027, including newest vessel Disney Destiny, alongside Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.

 

Disney Destiny will initially sail three to five-night itineraries from Fort Lauderdale in autumn 2027, before homeporting from Port Canaveral for the first time to offer three to seven-night sailings to the Bahamas and western Caribbean.

 

Disney Wish will offer three and four-night voyages to the Bahamas following its New York season, while Disney Treasure will operate seven-night sailings to the eastern and western Caribbean.

 

Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy also join the Port Canaveral line-up from November 2027.

 

On the US West Coast, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder will sail from San Diego through to early November 2027, offering three to seven-night Baja and Mexican Riviera itineraries.

 

Disney Magic will complete two Panama Canal repositioning cruises: a 14-night eastbound sailing to Galveston in November 2027 – featuring a maiden call at Fuerte Amador for Panama City – and a westbound voyage from San Diego in March 2028 with a maiden call at Colon, Panama.

 

The ship will also operate a series of seven-night cruises from Galveston.

 

In Asia, Disney Adventure will continue operating three and four-night itineraries from Singapore, including a maiden port call at Langkawi, Malaysia.

 

Early bookings for Castaway Club members open on August 31, ahead of general sale on September 8.

 

Tracy Wilson, senior vice-president and general manager of Disney Cruise Line operations, said: “Disney Cruise Line is proud to be a leader in family cruising, helping our guests create lasting memories in even more destinations.

 

“We are delighted to return to a guest-favourite port in New York, introduce maiden calls in Panama and continue visiting destinations throughout the Caribbean and beyond with our growing fleet.”

MSC Cancels Repositioning Voyage to South Africa

MSC Cancels Repositioning Voyage to South Africa

MSC Cruises cancelled a repositioning voyage to South Africa that was scheduled to take place onboard the MSC Armonia in late 2026.

According to a statement sent to booked guests, the sailing cannot take place due to the geopolitical situation in the Red Sea region.

“Due to the persistent geopolitical situation in the Suez region and the impact this is having on maritime transport, it is now clear that we will not be able to guarantee safe transit through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea,” the company said.

The cruise onboard the MSC Armonia was scheduled to depart from Marghera, Italy, on November 1, 2026.

Sailing to Durban, the 26-night voyage was set to visit destinations in Croatia and Greece before transiting the Suez Canal.

The 2001-built vessel was then scheduled to sail to ports in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, such as Aqaba, Mahé, Diego Suarez and Port Louis.

“Your safety and well-being are our highest priority, and we want to offer you the certainty and peace of mind you need before leaving for your cruise,” MSC continued, noting that the decision to cancel the cruise was taken “after careful consideration.”

“We know that you have dedicated time to planning your cruise, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.”

The company said affected passengers will have three options, including canceling the booking with no penalty for a full refund.

Guests will also be able to transfer their reservations to any other MSC Grand Voyage of similar duration, the company said, adding that sailings with up to three additional nights are eligible.

In this case, MSC will guarantee the more favorable cruise fare between the original departure and the new one.

The company said passengers can also move their reservations to any other cruise currently scheduled without penalty.

The price of the newly selected cruise will be applied, and any payment already made for the previous cruise will be transferred to the new one, the company explained.

Debuting in the region, the MSC Armonia is scheduled to offer cruises in South Africa during the 2026-27 winter season.

Disney Cruise Line Teases Big Announcement

Disney Cruise Line Teases Big Announcement

Disney Cruise Line is preparing to make a “big announcement” this week, according to an update shared on social media.

Further details were not revealed, but the announcement appears to be related to the company’s deployment plans.

The teaser post includes latitude coordinates corresponding to six locations across the Northern Hemisphere.

“Looks like the set is a little incomplete. What could this list be?” Disney Cruise Line asked its followers in the post.

Commenters speculated that the numbers represent homeports in North America and the Caribbean, with some pointing to a number that could refer to New York City.

Disney’s deployment plans currently cover sailings through late 2027, with its fleet offering itineraries in the Caribbean, the West Coast, Europe and Alaska.

The company also plans to continue operating the Disney Adventure in Southeast Asia, with a series of cruises from Singapore.

Disney said that it will reveal more details about its upcoming ship, the Disney Believe, in October.

Currently being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, the LNG-powered vessel is set to enter service in late 2027.

In a social media post earlier this month, the company said that it will preview the new ship’s features during a show onboard the Disney Wish.

Featuring Susan Egan, the one-night-only performance will take place onboard the vessel on October 7, 2026.

Disney also recently revealed the first details of its new series of three ships, which are scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030.

As previously reported by Cruise Industry News, the vessels will be built at Meyer Werft and will be slightly smaller than those in the Wish-class series.

MSC Installs Dragon Sculpture Aboard World Asia

MSC Installs Dragon Sculpture Aboard World Asia

MSC Cruises has announced that the installation of the dragon sculpture aboard the World Asia is now complete, marking a milestone as the ship readies to welcome its first guests.

Marco Balich, chairman of Balich Wonder Studio, said: “For the first time, an icon becomes the defining symbol of a ship: a powerful expression of identity, created to inspire dreams and enrich every journey.”

“The dragon brings together vision, craftsmanship and emotion, creating an experience that will remain with guests long after their journey,” added Balich.

The company said in a press release that the dragon sculpture measures   12 meters in length and 3.5 meters in width. The stainless-steel sculpture is suspended 10 meters above the Outdoor World Promenade, the ship’s outdoor destination.

Finished in pearlescent white, the dragon sculpture features nearly 700 mirrors, 400 meters of integrated strip lighting and more than 3,000 LED light points.

According to the press release, Balich Wonder Studio designed the installation, which is set to become one of the ship’s most recognizable visual landmarks.

The centerpiece complements the World Asia’s design elements that reflect Asia’s rich culture, art and landscapes. The detailing aims to capture movement and reflection, creating the impression of a powerful figure flying above the ship.

The company added that when night falls, the sculpture illuminates, enhancing the atmosphere of the Outdoor World Promenade.

Currently under construction at Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France, the World Asia will begin Mediterranean cruises from December 4, 2026, offering seven-night itineraries to Mediterranean destinations including Barcelona, Marseille, Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), Messina and Valletta.

The World Asia is the third ship in MSC Cruises’ World Class series.

Disney Cruise Line Reveals First Details of New Ship Class

Disney Cruise Line Reveals First Details of New Ship Class

Disney Cruise Line revealed the first details and images of its new ship class, which will be built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

With deliveries scheduled for 2029 and 2030, the series of newbuild's will initially include three 105,000-ton vessels.

During its D23 Expo, the company revealed a rendering of the ships, which will feature a look similar to Wish-class vessels.

Of note, the ship will feature a three-deck-high glass area amidship, while bringing back the company’s traditional look with a black and gold hull and two funnels.

In a video, the company also highlighted a few fundamentals of the new class project, noting that it will have an optimized hull.

The class will also feature what Disney called a state-of-the-art lightweight design, which will allow for more energy efficiency.

According to the company, the new ship was designed to capture the magic of the ocean, with new features set to be revealed at a later date.

“From sketches and finished drawings, thinking ahead and creating new attractions for months and years to come, we keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things,” Disney said.

Slightly smaller than the company’s more recent newbuild, the new vessels are expected to have capacity for up to 3,000 passengers.

Before welcoming the first of the new ships into its fleet, Disney is introducing the new Disney Believe in 2027.

Currently under construction at Meyer Werft, the 140,000-ton vessel will be the fourth in the company’s Wish-class series.

The series also includes a fifth, yet-unnamed vessel, which is scheduled for delivery in early 2029.

The 2,500-passenger vessel will mark Disney Cruise Line’s debut in Japan through a partnership with Oriental Land Company.

Regent to Cut Capacity on Explorer Class Ships by 10 Percent

Regent to Cut Capacity on Explorer Class Ships by 10 Percent

Regent’s Explorer-class ships will feature improved crew- and space-to-guest ratios following their upcoming refits.

According to the company’s website, passengers will take advantage of more space and more personalized service following the updates announced in late July.

The Seven Seas Explorer, the Seven Seas Splendor and the Seven Seas Grandeur are set to undergo drydocks between late 2027 and late 2028.

Described by the company as a “transformative reimagining of select onboard accommodations,” the project will reduce the vessels’ overall capacity to 688 passengers.

With larger suites replacing smaller staterooms, the ships will see nearly a 10 percent drop in their cabin and guest count.

Regent said the crew-to-guest ratio will change from 1:1.3 to 1:1.2, allowing for more attentive and personal service.

Guest-to-space ratio will have a larger upgrade, going from 1:74 to 1:80, which Regent said provides more room for every onboard experience.

Following the changes, the ships will also offer what Regent called the largest entry-level suites, spanning between 38 and 43 square meters.

The company said the enhanced accommodations were designed for comfort and effortless livability, “offering more room to relax, entertain and settle into life at sea.”

Other updates include the debut of a new category, Horizon Penthouse Suite, and the addition of three extra Distinctive Suites on each ship.

The Splendor will be the first ship to debut the enhancements, offering its reimagined suites starting on December 6, 2027.

The Explorer and the Grandeur follow suit in 2028, introducing the upgrades on May 22 and November 13, respectively.

Built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the Explorer-class vessels are currently the newest ships in Regent’s fleet and entered service between 2016 and 2023.

In addition to refurbishing its Explorer-class ships, the company is introducing a new ship class later this year with the debut of the Seven Seas Prestige. The 822-guest vessel will be followed by sisters in 2030, 2033 and 2036.

Madeira Receives Double Nomination for 2026 World Cruise Awards

Madeira Receives Double Nomination for 2026 World Cruise Awards

Madeira Ports has announced that it has received a double nomination for the World Cruise Awards, marking the fifth consecutive year that the international awards program has recognized the destination.

“These nominations are an important international recognition of the work that has been carried out in Madeira to develop an increasingly sustainable, high-quality and competitive cruise tourism sector,” said Jose Manuel Rodrigues, regional secretary for economy, who oversees the Madeira Ports Administration (APRAM, S.A.).

He added that the double nomination further strengthens Madeira’s reputation as one of the world’s leading cruise destinations.

For Paula Cabaco, president of APRAM, the nominations “reflect the commitment and dedication” of the company’s employees, as well as all the professionals who make up Madeira’s cruise tourism value chain.

“Being shortlisted for these awards also highlights APRAM’s commitment to environmental sustainability and to continuously enhance the experience offered to both passengers and crew,” added Cabaco.

“More than an institutional recognition, these nominations are an honor for Madeira and for the Madeiran people, whose hospitality makes every cruise call a truly memorable experience.”

The nominations follow the destination winning “Europe’s Best Cruise Destination” in 2022, 2023 and 2025, and being named “World’s Best Cruise Terminal for Sustainability” in 2024.

Madeira is among the finalists in both categories, the ports said in a press release.

In the category of “Europe’s Best Cruise Destination,” Madeira is competing alongside Athens, Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Kotor, Lisbon, Monte Carlo, Nice, Oslo, Rome and Southampton.

For the title of “World’s Best Cruise Terminal for Sustainability,” the Port of Funchal is shortlisted alongside the cruise terminals of Steinwerder, Flam, Kai Tak, Montreal, Copenhagen, Kiel, Valletta and Victoria.

Voting is free and open to the public and takes place online through the World Cruise Awards website until August 21.

The winners of the 2026 edition will be announced on October 14 during the annual gala, which this year will take place in Jamaica.

Madeira stated that it has already won the title of “Europe’s Leading Island Destination” on twelve occasions.