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Uniworld expands European fleet with three new vesselsUniworld expands European fleet with three new vessels
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is further expanding its European fleet with three new ships due to enter service in 2027. The new vessels will sail the Rhine, Main, Danube and Douro rivers. They will join the line’s other Super Ships, including SS Emilie debuting in 2026, SS Elisabeth this year and SS Victoria in 2024 – expanding the line’s fleet size by more than 10% since 2020. The new builds will be inspired by prominent figures with strong connections to the regions sailed. The new ships, each carrying an average of 120 passengers, will follow the same design approach, each with its own unique inspiration, look and feel, according to the company. President and chef executive Ellen Bettridge said: “2027 will mark an extraordinary milestone for Uniworld as we complete our transformation into a fully Super Ship fleet with the addition of three incredible new builds. “Our focus has never been on simply adding more ships, but on continually raising the bar on the luxury river cruise experience. These new vessels will embody our unwavering commitment to innovation and craftsmanship, delivering something truly unparalleled for our valued guests – where no detail is too small.” 04 March, 2025 -
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines to welcome two new members to Senior Leadership Team
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines to welcome two new members to Senior Leadership Team
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has today announced the appointment of two new members to its Senior Leadership Team. On Monday, 3rd March, Phil Gardner will become Commercial and Product Director, taking over from Clare Ward who will be retiring from the role at the end of April. Phil brings a wealth of experience from the cruise, travel, and tourism sectors, having held senior leadership roles at Ambassador, Tui Cruises, Fosun, and Thomas Cook. With expertise spanning commercial strategy, distribution, marketing, digital transformation, and revenue growth, Phil will oversee all aspects of commercial strategy, revenue management, product development, and itinerary planning. On 7th April, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines will welcome Colin Parselle into the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). With over 20 years of experience in senior financial roles within the travel industry, Colin is a highly accomplished financial leader. He has a proven track record of implementing strategies that enhance profitability and drive long-term growth, while fostering highly engaged teams. As CFO, Colin will oversee all financial operations, including financial planning, reporting, and analysis. He will work closely with the Board and Senior Leadership Team to align financial strategies with the company’s long-term goals. These appointments come as Clare Ward prepares to retire from her current role at the end of April, after 13 years with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Clare will work closely with Phil during a four-week handover period and will also support Colin’s induction into the business. Samantha Stimpson, CEO at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: "I am delighted to announce these new appointments to our Senior Leadership Team. Their knowledge, leadership and expertise will be instrumental as we continue to grow our business and evolve our brand and product. I’d like to thank Clare for all her hard work and innovation since she joined Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines in 2012, and on a personal level for all the support she has given me over the past year since I took up the helm.” On his appointment, Phil said: “I’m delighted to be joining Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines at such an exciting time for the business. It’s a brand that has built a fantastic legacy over the last 175 years, and as a result has a very strong customer base to build on. There’s a significant growth opportunity and I look forward to being part of that journey.” On joining the Senior Leadership Team in April, Colin said: “I’ve had a fantastic four years with Hotelplan Group in the UK, helping to lead the businesses to significant evolution with CEO Joe Ponte, the UK Board and my amazing team. I am very excited to be joining Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines during this transformational period and look forward to joining Samantha and the rest of the team in early April.” 04 March, 2025 -
Holland America Line to introduce Morimoto By Sea sushi bar
Holland America Line to introduce Morimoto By Sea sushi bar
Holland America Line is expanding its Morimoto By Sea dining experience with a new specialty sushi bar. The intimate 12-guest venue will feature a menu created by the cruise line’s Global Fresh Fish Ambassador, chef Masaharu Morimoto, offering a selection of signature sushi, sashimi, rolls and smaller dishes. The Morimoto By Sea sushi bar will be introduced on Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam, from March through to June 2025. It is also available on Nieuw Amsterdam, which introduced the sushi bar with a Morimoto By Sea stand-alone restaurant in 2023. Items on the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar menu, available beginning in March 2025, include: Appetiser delights to start * Toto tartare: wasabi, nori paste, sour cream and chives Sushi and sashimi selections * Chef’s combination: Sushi sashimi * Nigiri and Sashimi: seasonal white fish, maguro tuna, sake salmon, hamachi yellowtail, kampachi amberjack, unagi freshwater eel, hotate scallop, ebi shrimp, tako octopus, Ikura salmon roe, otoro fatty tuna and cutoro medium fatty tuna. Chef’s signature sushi rolls * Shrimp tempura: California roll, tempura shrimp and gochujang aioli * Lobster tempura: tempura lobster, avocado, romaine lettuce, tobiko, cucumber and scallion * Tako yaki: tempura octopus, cabbage, tonkatsu sauce, mayo and bonito flakes * Aburi salmon: salmon avocado roll and spicy mayo, torched * California: snow crab, cucumber and avocado * Spicy tuna: tuna, scallion and spicy sauce * Spicy salmon: salmon, scallion and spicy sauce Additional signature plates * Tuna pizza: anchovy aioli, kalamata olives, red onion and jalapeno * Sticky ribs: hoisin sweet chili sauce and cilantro * Pork gyoza dumplings: with scallion ginger sauce * Poke bowl: marinated fresh fish, cucumber, avocado, seaweed and rice * Chicken katsu curry: panko crusted chicken breast, Japanese curry sauce and rice * Angry lobster pad Thai: Maine lobster, rice noodles and Thai red curry sauce Dessert * White chocolate lime ganache: coconut foam, mango yuzu sorbet and rice pudding Morimoto By Sea is part of Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish programme, which features locally sourced fresh fish, from port to plate in less than 48 hours, offering more than 80 varieties of fresh fish from across a worldwide network. In addition to the Morimoto By Sea sushi bar, chef Morimoto’s first restaurant at sea, Morimoto By Sea, is available on Nieuw Amsterdam and as a pop-up experience at least once per cruise on all other ships. Michael Stendebach, vice president of food, beverage and rooms division for Holland America Line, said: “With chef Morimoto’s knowledge and expertise in the sushi world, it made sense for him to expand beyond his Morimoto By Sea restaurant and develop a specialised sushi bar featuring his signature style and flavours. We’re excited to extend our fresh fish options and give our guests access to another specialty venue with cuisine by such a renowned chef.” Morimoto By Sea sushi bar, which will be located in the former Nami Sushi venue, is an a la carte menu offered for a surcharge. Reservations can be made pre-cruise or once onboard. 04 March, 2025 -
Royal Caribbean to deploy 11 ships on Caribbean breaks
Royal Caribbean to deploy 11 ships on Caribbean breaks
Royal Caribbean International is to deploy 11 ships on short Caribbean cruises from US ports in 2026-27. Oasis Class vessels Utopia, Wonder, Harmony and Oasis of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral, Miami and Fort Lauderdale in Florida. Mariner, Explorer, Liberty, Freedom, Vision, Rhapsody and Grandeur of the Seas will also offer two to five-night itineraries from ports such as Tampa and Galveston. Destinations include the line’s Perfect Day at CocoCayprivate island inThe Bahamas and its exclusive beach destination in Labadee, Haiti. The new Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, due to open in December 2025, and Royal Beach Club Cozumel from late 2026 are featured among the extensive range of itineraries. Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas and Falmouth, Jamaica are also featured across eastern and western Caribbean sailings. 04 March, 2025 -
Seabourn Announces New Authors At Sea Programme
Seabourn Announces New Authors At Sea Programme
Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, is further enhancing its diverse enrichment offerings with the launch of "Authors at Sea," a new programme available on select sailings featuring best-selling authors, historians and biographers, along with live events and hands-on workshops for aspiring authors. Beginning in 2025, Seabourn will welcome on board a star-studded line-up of literary luminaries on select sailings between March and December 2025, including Debbie Macomber; Ann Cleeves OBE; Robert King Wittman, Lord Jeffrey Archer and more. “Authors at Sea” is part of the line’s popular Seabourn Conversations enrichment and guest entertainment programme, and guest authors will also engage with guests, sharing meals, adventures ashore and casual chats throughout the voyage. “Onboard entertainment and enrichment are so important to the Seabourn experience, and our ‘Authors at Sea’ programme brings together celebrated writers to connect with guests in a meaningful way through engaging conversations and interactive sessions,” said Handre Potgieter, Seabourn’s Director of Entertainment and Enrichment. “We are dedicated to creating extraordinary experiences and memorable moments at sea, and this new programme was designed to further inspire and enrich our guests when they sail on Seabourn”. Seabourn’s current line-up of guest authors include: Lord Jeffrey Archer is a global best-selling author who has sold more than 275 million copies in 115 countries and 48 languages. He is the only author to have been a number one bestseller in fiction, short stories, and non-fiction. A former athlete and politician, he has served in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. His latest novel, “Traitors Gate,” is part of the William Warwick series. Sailing: 1-11 July 2025 - 10-Day Spain & Moroccan Gems - Seabourn Ovation – Roundtrip Barcelona Ann Cleeves, OBE is a mystery crime writer and author of 37 critically acclaimed novels and an international bestseller translated into over 20 languages worldwide. In 2017, she was awarded the CWA Diamond Dagger, the highest accolade in crime writing. She is the creator of popular detectives Vera Stanhope, Jimmy Perez and Matthew Venn who can be found on television in ITV’s Vera, BBC One’s Shetland and ITV’s The Long Call, respectively. During the voyage, she will offer fascinating insights into her books and characters and host two hands-on workshops: Crime Writing Workshops - Cleeves will offer crime-writing workshops helping budding authors write their own mystery. The Glass Room Murder Mystery – Hosted by Cleeves, guests who enjoy a classic mystery during this live event as a mystery plays out before them. As an audience, they must discover who the culprit is and bring them to justice. Sailing: 20 December 2025 – 4 January 2026 - 15-Day Australia & New Zealand Holiday - Seabourn Quest – Sydney to Auckland Sailing: 30 May – 6 June 2026 - 7-Day Scotland & Iceland's North Coast - Seabourn Ovation – Dover to Reykjavik Debbie Macomber is a New York Times best-selling author with more than 200 million copies of her books in print. Her novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, with 15 hitting the number one spot. Known as “the official storyteller of Christmas,” six of her Christmas books have been adapted into Hallmark Channel movies. She is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series, which inspired Hallmark Channel’s first scripted TV series. Writing Workshop - In addition to offering fascinating insights into her books and characters, Macomber will host a writing workshop for aspiring authors. Sailing: 27 April – 16 May 2025 - 20-Day Pacific Passage: Golden Week to Glacier Bay - Seabourn Quest - Yokohama to Vancouver Lady Sandra Howard was a top international model in the 1960s and the only model to appear on the cover of American Vogue for two consecutive months. She is now a novelist and freelance journalist, and her novels often draw from her extraordinary experiences, including encounters with Frank Sinatra and the Kennedys. Her latest novel is set during WWII in Cairo and East Africa. Sailing: 10-8 May 2025 - 8-Day Western Mediterranean Mosaic - Lisbon to Civitavecchia (Rome) Robert K Wittman is a former FBI Special Agent who specialised in art crime, recovering more than £200 million worth of stolen art and cultural property. He founded the FBI’s Art Crime Team and authored the FBI Cultural Property Investigative Manual. Wittman’s memoir, “Priceless” and his book, “The Devil’s Diary” are bestsellers. Sailing: 17-30 May 2025 - 14-Day Iberian Coast & Bordeaux - Seabourn Sojourn - Barcelona to Dover Sailing: 30 August – 9 September 2025 - 10-Day Tyrrhenian Treasures & Malta - Seabourn Ovation - Monte Carlo to Barcelona Sailing: 24 April – 15 May 2026 - 22-Day World Cruise: Golden Week To Glacier Bay - Seabourn Sojourn – Tokyo to Vancouver Zelda La Grange is an international motivational speaker. After serving Nelson Mandela for almost 20 years in many roles and as his closest aide, she now shares her life-changing experiences inspired by one of the most influential statesmen and humanitarians. Sailing: 27 April – 9 May 2026 - 14-Day Atlantic Crossing - Seabourn Quest Designed to enlighten, inform and entertain guests, Seabourn Conversations is the line’s complimentary onboard enrichment programme and offers guests the opportunity to interact with the finest minds in literature, history, science and more. 04 March, 2025 -
Tauck reveals details of two new ships
Tauck reveals details of two new ships
Tauck has unveiled the names and itineraries of its two newest ships, which are due to join its fleet in 2026. Serene andLumière, selected from more than a thousand names submitted by agents, passengers and employees, will sail in France, on the Seine andRhone respectively. Serene will sail a 11-day itinerary a new 11-day cruise calledBordeaux, Paris & The Seine which starts at £5,690, as well as another eight-day itinerarycalled Family Fun Along The Seine: Paris to Normandy costing from £4,640. Prices include all shore excursions, gratuities, onboard beverages, transfers, luggage handling, taxes and fees. Serene will have a capacity for 124 passengers andLumière 130. Both ships will have a sun deck, wellness area and 80% of the cabins on board will be 225 square feet or larger. Each ship will have category 5 suites with300 square feet of space, balconies, a seating area and king-sized bed, with Serene racking up 20 andLumière 22. Serene will also have 30,225 square foot cabins and 12 180 square foot cabins. Lumière will include 34,225 square foot cabins and 12 180 square foot cabins. 04 March, 2025 -
Ambassador Cruise Line unveils first Caribbean fly-cruise programme
Ambassador Cruise Line unveils first Caribbean fly-cruise programme
Ambassador Cruise Line hasunveiledits first-ever Caribbean fly-cruise programme, which will run through winter 2025/26. Between October 2025 and March 2026 the 1,200-passenger Renaissance, whichwasrenovated in 2023, will homeport in Bridgetown, Barbados and operate 10 fly-cruise sailings. Each cruise will be 14 nights in length, aside from two repositioning cruises bookending the season which will be longer. Flights will be provided through Virgin Atlantic from Manchester and Heathrow to Barbados every other Monday, with options to upgrade to Economy Delight, Premium and Upper Class. Prices for the 14-night fly cruises start at £1,799 per person including flights, transfers,luggage service and full-board accommodation based on two people sharing an inside twin cabin. Direct and trade bookings will only be taken on a “call to book” basis via the Ambassador contact centre. One highlighted itinerary is the ‘Tropical Autumn Escape’ on November 17 which will visit eight Caribbean destinations including St Kitts, Martinique, Antigua, St Maarten and Curaçao. Longer repositioning cruises will be an 18-night sailing from London to Bridgetown on October 30, 2025 and a 17-night voyage on March 9, 2026. The move follows the line’smerger with French cruiseoperatorCompagnie Française de Croisières (CFC). Christian Verhounig, Ambassador Cruise Line chief executive officer, said: “As we embark on a new and exciting era for Ambassador, I am delighted to unveil our range of exciting itineraries for winter 2025/26 on board Renaissance. [It is] a significant milestone in Ambassador’s journey to becoming a leader in the European affordable value silver cruise market and an appropriate answer to our guests’ requests for a warm winter season fly option. This new Caribbean season really showcases what makes us special, and each itinerary has been hand-crafted to celebrate Renaissance’s smaller size and the opportunities it provides to offer the perfect blend of adventure, relaxation and cultural immersion. With a host of exciting winter itineraries, Renaissance allows us to reinforce our commitment to offering our guests the very best affordable quality experiences and a greater selection of sailings and destinations than ever before, with our team ensuring that each guest enjoys the ‘warmest welcome at sea’ effortlessly and sustainably.” 04 March, 2025 -
CroisiEurope to make Amazon debut with newbuild ship
CroisiEurope to make Amazon debut with newbuild ship
CroisiEurope will build a new luxury ship to sail on the Amazon, its first in South America. Theship will be the river cruise operator’s first new-build since 2020 andwillsail 12-day itineraries from Manaus, Brazil to the Colombian borderfrom 2027. It will have capacity for 32 passengers across four decks with the design featuring vibrant colours and artworkinspired by Amazonian culture. The ship will have 16 suites with private balconies, including two presidential suites suspended above the water, alongside a restaurant serving Brazilian-inspire dishes, a spa and fitness room, sun deck and conference room. Bookings will open soon for itineraries including the Brazilian Amazon, the Rio Negro,the Solimões, the Arapiuns and the Tapajós. 04 March, 2025 -
February 2025 ReviewFebruary 2025 Review
As 2025 settles into an even keel, the industry is gearing up for another exciting year of new ships and fresh itineraries. Cool cruises loom large to Alaska and the Polar regions, while 2027 is starting to gain momentum as more lines bring out programmes. New, and as good as new Prepare to welcomeRoyal Caribbean International’sthird Icon-class ship to Europe in July 2026, with the announcement thatLegend of the Seaswill debut with summer Western Med sailings from Barcelona.MSC Cruiseshas opened sales of the inaugural Western Med season of its third world-class ship,MSC World Asia,which launches in December 2026, whileCarnival Cruise Lineis counting down to the opening of private resortCelebration Keyin Grand Bahama this July.Windstar CruisesandCelestyalhave welcomed back new-look fleet members with Windstar’s flagship yachtWind Surfreturning with redesigned public spaces and new suites, whileCelestyal Journeyhas a new livery and upgraded operational systems. Looking ahead to 2027 . . . Itineraries for 2027 are increasingly popping up.Crystalhas unveiled voyages for the first six months of 2027 spanning more than 170 destinations across six continents, whileExplora Journeys’2026/27 winter schedule seesExplora Iin the Caribbean and Central/South America,Explora IIin the Red Sea and Arabian Peninsula, andExplora IIIin the Caribbean, Panama Canal and the Pacific.Virgin Voyageshas new five-night itineraries to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, plus new ports Panama City and St Thomas, whileWindstar’s2026/27 Caribbean and Latin America programme features 13 itineraries onWind StarandStar Pride. . . . and 2025/6 too Ambassador Cruise Lineis riding high with a debut fly-cruise programme to the Caribbean for 2025/26 with 14-night sailings onRenaissancefrom Barbados, andSeabournis promoting its 2025 Northern Europe season onSeabourn Sojournaround the British Isles, Norwegian fjords and Iceland. Foodie lineOceania Cruisesis tempting gourmands with 12 new chef-led culinary discovery tours for 2025, while new shipAllurapromises the next evolution of seagoing fine-dining with more than 270 new recipes and signature specialities. Rivers update It’s been a busy month forAmaWaterwayswhich announced co-branded cruises with US cultural specialist Smithsonian Journeys; new wellness voyages and Soulful Experience sailings celebrating Black culture; and additional African safari cruises.Uniworldintroduced a festive Magical Parisian Holiday Seine cruise on theJoie de Vivrethis November/December, andCroisiEuropehas charteredStar of Luxorfor new Nile sailings this summer.Amadeus River Cruiseshas unveiled its 2026 programme for the first six months featuring new shipAmadeus Aureaand a new Rhine Concert Cruise featuring violinist and conductor Andre Rieu. Cool additions Turning up the heat isSeabournshipSeabourn Questwhich embarks on its maiden Alaska season this summer, whilePrincess Cruisesis expanding its Alaskan land adventures this summer and next with more national park Cruisetours. Meanwhile French linePonant’sluxury icebreaker,Le Commandant Charcot,is returning to the Arctic not for the summer (as most ships do), but for the 2026/27 winter season, whileQuark Expeditionshas unveiled new Antarctic adventures for 2026/27 with new shipWorld Voyager,debut itineraries and a new interactive science programme. 28 February, 2025 -
Brent Street performers return for CLIA Awards
Brent Street performers return for CLIA Awards
February 26, 2025 – Fresh from success on America’s Got Talent, Sydney’s Brent Street performing arts school will return to the stage at the 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards next month in a new tribute to cruise line entertainment. Dozens of talented young Brent Street performers will again take the spotlight at this year’s awards – hosted by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) – creating a spectacular salute to the thousands of artists who perform aboard cruise ships worldwide. It will be the third time Brent Street has led the entertainment at the CLIA Awards, and the first since the school took the US by storm on America’s Got Talent last year. Brent Street went on to make the show’s finals after a ‘golden buzzer’ audition involving a routine that had been performed at last year’s CLIA Awards. This year’s entertainment at the CLIA Awards will include one of Brent Street’s routines from America’s Got Talent as well as performances by Australian musical theatre star Ryan Gonzalez and winner of So You Think You Can Dance Australia Talia Fowler. The 22nd annual Cruise Industry Awards will be held in Sydney on 8 March, with more than 500 industry guests gathering to honour the top achievers in CLIA’s Australasian travel agent community. The night’s feature entertainment will be sponsored by Norwegian Cruise Line and guests are in for a treat. CLIA Managing Director in Australasia Joel Katz said Brent Street had come to typify the proliferation of Australian talent on board the world’s cruise ships. “Brent Street is a leading source of stand-out performers for cruise lines around the world and the talent they produce has a big impact internationally,” Mr Katz said. “The energy and excitement they bring is phenomenal and we’re delighted to have them return for this year’s CLIA Awards.” Brent Street Managing & Creative Director Lucas Newland said cruise lines had become major employers of Australian dancers, singers and entertainers internationally. “The cruise industry is one of the most dynamic areas of the entertainment industry right now, which is creating enormous opportunities for young talent,” Mr Newland said. “Thousands of our students have gone on to work in cruise line productions and I’m incredibly proud of their contribution to the arts and entertainment at sea.” CLIA’s 22nd Cruise Industry Awards for Australasia will be hosted by actor and television presenter Luke Jacobz and are supported by. See CLIA Cruise Industry Awards for more info. 26 February, 2025