Last Month in Cruise June 2024 - Written By Sara Macefield
As demand for cruises continues to ride high, so new ship orders keep rolling out, reflecting the industry’s mood of optimism. A silver lining of the Red Sea security situation, which has forced lines to redeploy ships, is that compelling new itineraries are springing up for the Caribbean and Mediterranean this winter.
More ships on the horizon
Crystal is going for growth after signing an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for two new 690-passenger vessels, with the first arriving in spring 2028, while Regent Seven Seas Cruises has unveiled details of Seven Seas Prestige. Due to be delivered in 2026, and carrying 850 guests, it will be the luxury line’s first new class of ship in 10 years. Windstar Cruises’ revealed that new ship Star Seeker will sail to Alaska and Japan upon joining the fleet in 2026. Meanwhile, the keel was laid for Celebrity Cruises’ fifth Edge-class ship Celebrity Xcel, while Royal Caribbean International officially welcomed its second new ship this year, the Oasis-class Utopia of the Seas.
River news
New vessels continue to flow into the world of rivers with AmaWaterways announcing two newcomers for 2026, AmaMaya, which will sail the Mekong, and AmaSofia which will sail the Rhine and Danube. Avalon Waterways has announced a smattering of new sailings for 2025, including a 22-day European Masterpiece cruise on the Rhine, Seine and Rhone, while American Cruise Lines has tripled the number of 2025 departures on its new week-long Hudson River Summer Classic sailings following high demand for the debut cruises this year.
French line CroisiEurope is debuting two five-day Seine sailings this summer: a round-trip from Rouen that explores the history of Normandy and a round-trip Paris voyage celebrating the 150th anniversary of impressionism.
Winter warmers . . .
With its Arabian Gulf debut set for this November aboard Celestyal Journey, Greek line Celestyal is expanding the programme by 30 per cent by adding second ship Celestyal Discovery for winter 2025. In the Caribbean, Emerald Cruises is redeploying Emerald Azzurra to the islands from its original planned season in the Seychelles due to the security situation in the Red Sea, joining Emerald Sakara. Windstar has unveiled its 2025/26 programme of off-season Mediterranean sailings from October to March featuring ports such as Valencia, Crotone in Italy and Catania in Sicily that it doesn’t usually visit in summer, plus debut port, Genoa.
. . . and ones to watch for 2025 & 2026
Guests can stretch back and relish these longer Grand Yachting Voyages from SeaDream Yacht Club for 2025 and 2026, ranging from 21 to 35 days and covering Northern Europe, Scandinavia, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Oceania Cruises is promising more in-depth voyages to Polynesia than ever before for 2025 aboard Nautica and Regatta.
On your marks . . .
Catch this summer’s sporting action on Princess Cruises and MSC Cruises which are showing UEFA European football fixtures; Royal Caribbean, which is serving up Wimbledon matches; and Fred Olsen which is broadcasting these events and the Paris Olympics too.