January 2025 Review
What a rip-roaring start it’s been to 2025. Amid reports of record-breaking bookings with some lines smashing sales targets, there have been cruise company tie-ups, a debut ship announcement and a surprising new name to enter the world of rivers.
Rivers are rockin’
Who could have predicted the newest player to make a splash on the rivers scene? Celebrity Cruises says it will usher in a new era to the world’s waterways with Celebrity River Cruises, and an initial plan for 10 ships. The premium brand is due to debut in 2027 and will open for bookings this year. Meanwhile, CroisiEurope has unveiled special offers to mark its 30 years of sailing the Rhone and 25 years on Venice’s waterways. VIVA Cruises christened its third ship Viva Enjoy in Dusseldorf, while Riverside Luxury Cruises is promoting selected zero single supplements on 2025 and 2026 departures.
Industry moves make waves
This was a mergers and acquisitions month with news of Ambassador Cruise Line joining forces with French cruise company Compagnie Française de Croisières to form the Ambassador Group as a springboard for future expansion and Ponant Explorations Group acquiring a majority stake in boutique line Aqua Expeditions. Following the float-out of its newest ship Celebrity Xcel, Celebrity upped the ante by announcing its sixth Edge-class ship to launch in 2028.
World cruises and far-flung adventures
As this year’s world cruises depart, so ones in 2027 are being unveiled with Azamara Cruises’ longest-ever global voyage at 188 nights from San Francisco to Copenhagen aboard Azamara Quest. Crystal is inviting guests on its 140-night Pacific Rim journey from San Diego to Vancouver aboard Crystal Serenity. Seabournis offering six voyages, from eight to 24 days, on Seabourn Venture along the Northwest Passage in 2026, while Cunard has put its 2026 Alaska season on sale with 23 round-trip voyages on Queen Elizabeth from Seattle. Holland America Line has unveiled its 2026/27 programmes to Australia, New Zealand and Asia featuring itineraries of 13 to 35 days, plus South America and Antarctica.
Stay a little closer
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has unveiled five new 2026 voyages from Liverpool on Bolette, including sailings to the Mediterranean, Norway and Scotland, while Windstar Cruises is to operate its first full winter season of Canary Islands cruises from November 2025 until February 2026 aboard its newly-renovated sailing ship Wind Star. Ambassador Cruise Lines has axed single supplements on remaining sailings this winter.
Special interests and famous faces
Cunard guests can go all honky tonk with jazz stars Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum who are headlining exclusive performances on Queen Victoria this year. Meanwhile Fred. Olsen has teamed up with Jim Moir aka comic Vic Reeves, comedian and novelist Jenny Eclair and celebrity snapper Scarlet Page – dubbed its “Moments Crew” – who will join specific voyages to capture guests’ onboard moments through painting (Jim is a comedian turned artist); writing journals, led by Jenny, and photography with Scarlet. Crafting cruises led by actress Julie Peasgood, Orca wildlife voyages and an 80s nostalgia sailing are special-interest cruises unveiled by Ambassador Cruise Lines for this year, while Swan Hellenic has launched its first-ever cultural expedition cruise focusing on wine and gastronomy from Lisbon to Portsmouth this May.