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Introducing Avalon After DarkIntroducing Avalon After Dark
Who says the river cruise adventure ends with the sun? In 2026, Avalon is turning up the night with Avalon After Dark – a dazzling new way to experience river cruising after hours. From dedicated entertainment to more after-dark port adventures and Sky Grill dinners under the stars. Whether sipping a perfectly crafted new cocktail on the Sky Deck, swaying to live music in the Panorama Lounge or stepping ashore for a moonlit city escape, Avalon After Dark ensures that every moment – day or night – is one to remember. “Sunsets don’t need to signal the end of the day’s adventure on a river cruise,” said Pam Hoffee, president of Avalon Waterways. “Instead, we’re keeping the night alive with unforgettable experiences, from moonlit toasts on the Sky Deck to impromptu dance parties and late-night explorations made possible by overnight docking in legendary cities and settings.” Raise a Glass to Raising the Bar. Back in 2023, Avalon Waterways raised the bar on Happy Hour by inviting guests to enjoy a selection of complimentary drinks before dinner. Now, guests can raise a glass to an all-new bar menu, with an elevated collection of premium and non-alcoholic cocktails. The new menu, with an exclusive lineup of cocktails designed to tantalize taste buds and turn every sip into an experience, was created by world-renowned mixologist Martin Hudák. Dinner With a View—And a Breeze. Dinners on the Sky Deck? Yes, please! New for 2026, Avalon is introducing Sky Grill Dinners – an open-air dining experience where fresh flavours and sunset views take centre stage. Think sizzling specialties, locally inspired dishes and crisp wines, all made for moonlight. The river cruise line is also doubling down on Sky Deck drink service, inviting guests to enjoy warm evenings under the stars, enjoying wine, beer and cocktails – served with a side of moonlight. A Little Lounge, A Little Let Loose. And, as the sun sets, the Panorama Lounge is set to light up with live music, special performances, themed trivia, karaoke and impromptu dance parties. Guests are invited to belt out a classic, test their knowledge over nightly cocktail specials or lose themselves in the rhythm of live entertainment. Avalon After Dark is encouraging guests to linger in the Panorama Lounge, sipping, swaying and savouring longer evenings on board. Moonlit Ports & Midnight Pubs. Who says the best sightseeing happens in daylight? As part of its Avalon After Dark program, Avalon is also encouraging guests to experience Europe’s most legendary cities and settings after the streetlights flicker on with more overnight docking in places like: Budapest. Sip cocktails at a ruin bar or enjoy the beauty of Buda Castle as it lights up the night sky. Vienna. Take in a classical concert, enjoy a Viennese coffee at dusk or indulge in a midnight craving of Sachertorte. Amsterdam. Wander the canals, find a speakeasy or enjoy live jazz in a candlelit club. Rüdesheim. Stoll the Drosselgasse where cozy wine taverns stay lively well into the night. Avignon. Enjoy a moonlit walk past the Palais des Papes or dine alfresco in a starlit square. Avalon’s commitment to late night docking in some of the world’s most fascinating places invite guests to linger longer, explore deeper and soak up the magic of the world’s best sights by night. “We’re re-writing the script for river cruising after hours,” added Hoffee. “Avalon After Dark promises evenings worth staying up for.” 13 June, 2025 -
MSC CRUISES OPENS WORLDS LARGEST CRUISE TERMINAL
MSC CRUISES OPENS WORLDS LARGEST CRUISE TERMINAL
MSC Cruises inaugurated the world’s largest and most advanced cruise terminal on Saturday at PortMiami. The new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal sets a global benchmark for cruise infrastructure as the first in the industry to implement a complete biometric journey with digital identity verification for a seamless embarkation experience. Imagined by global design firm Arquitectonica and built by Fincantieri Infrastructure, the 492,678 square foot facility is capable of processing up to 36,000 passengers daily and was developed with the guest experience at its core. As the first and last impression of a guest’s holiday, every step is carefully streamlined for a stress-free embarkation. The new terminal will serve both MSC Cruises’ and Explora Journeys’ ships sailing from PortMiami, including MSC Cruises’ new flagship,MSC World America, which will be named during a ceremony at the terminal on 9 April before she sets sail for her inaugural season in the Caribbean. From beginning to end – the MSC Miami Cruse Terminal streamlines processes including: Check in from the comfort of home:Guests can check in for their cruise online, via the MSC for Me app or the MSC Cruises website, uploading their travel documents, receiving their boarding pass in a matter of minutes, and preparing in advance for biometric processing, saving them valuable time when they enter the terminal. Arrive at the terminal with ease:Guests can arrive by car, bus, taxi or ride share without hassle. Those arriving by car can park in the terminal’s impressive six-level garage with over 2,400 spaces and reserve their parking spot in advance via the MSC for Me app or the MSC Cruises website. There is also a covered drop-off zone for buses, taxis and ride shares. All forms of arrival share a covered path straight to the terminal’s main entrance. Dropping your bags is a breeze:Guests who have checked in online can simply scan their boarding pass and drop their luggage at one of the secure, strategically placed drop-off points in the parking garage before continuing to the terminal. Check-in and security are faster than ever thanks to biometrics:Guests who have opted into the biometric journey can simply scan their passport and look at the camera of one of the terminal’s 18 biometric face pods for validation. The 20 security lanes that follow ensure a fast, efficient, and seamless screening process. Relax before your cruise:Guests will enjoy a terminal bathed in natural light, where Biscayne Bay’s sparkling waters reflect through the facility’s expansive glass façade.Before guests embark, they can take a moment to unwind in one of the comfortable waiting areas situated throughout the spacious terminal. Guests of the MSC Yacht Club, the cruise line’s luxury “ship-within-a-ship” concept, will also have exclusive access to a private lounge to enjoy premium drinks and snacks, the ultimate luxury prior to embarkation. One last step to embarkation, powered by biometrics: The terminal uses 22 biometric E-gates to finalize the embarkation process before guests enter the gangway. With onboarding now performed terminal side, rather than on the vessel, guests can start their holiday immediately. Seamless disembarkation and luggage collection:Guests will benefit from an easy, quick disembarkation thanks to an advanced baggage handling and processing system. That way, guests can get home quicker and get a head start on planning their next cruise. More about MSC Miami Cruse Terminal’s artwork:Inside the terminal, guests will discover seven curated works of art commissioned through the Miami-Dade County Art in Public Places programme. The most striking piece—a first-of-its-kind is a 10,816-square-foot digitally projected installation—which adorns the exterior of the terminal, using real-time NOAA oceanic data to create an ever-evolving display of tides, currents, and weather patterns. Additional exclusive artworks enhance the MSC Yacht Club private lounge, offering a refined pre-cruise experience. The MSC Miami Cruse Terminal In numbers: 492,678 square feet – making it the world’s largest cruise terminal Spans 4 levels The first terminal in the world to be able to welcome three cruise ships simultaneously Features 7 pieces of artwork including a 10,816-square-foot digital art installation displayed on the outside of the terminal Capable of processing up to 36,000 guests daily 2,400+ - Parking spots available in the adjacent parking garage 42 – Luggage screening machines 18 – Biometric face pods verify passport and identification 22 – E-gates used for embarkation 13 June, 2025 -
Carnival Cruise Line unveils five-year strategic growth plan
Carnival Cruise Line unveils five-year strategic growth plan
Carnival Cruise Line has outlined its upcoming plans for new ships and destination experiences as part of a five-year ‘Innovation Itinerary’ concept. It has confirmed that its fourth Excel class ship will be named Carnival Festivale, launching in spring 2027. The vessel will sail from Port Canaveral, with further information regarding itineraries to be announced this summer. The ship will introduce new onboard areas, such as music-themed venues and an outdoor family zone on the top three decks, named Sunsation Point, which will replace the Bolt rollercoaster. Additionally, it will have 1,000 interconnecting cabins, nearly 70% more than on the first three Excel class ships. Meanwhile, the fifth Excel-class ship will be named Carnival Tropicale, with the homeport and open for sale date to be unveiled ahead of the scheduled delivery of the ship in spring 2028. Carnival Tropicale will include many of the new features to be found on Carnival Festivale, alongside additional new concepts and theming. The cruise line will also launch the largest ships in the Carnival Corporation global fleet as part of a project named ‘Project Ace’. Three ships will enter service in 2029, 2031 and 2033, respectively, with each carrying almost 8,000 passengers. Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, said: “These ships clearly represent the next generation of ‘Fun’ ships. They will be experiences unto themselves, and, partnered with itineraries that call in part on our exclusive destinations, will provide amazing cruise holidays for guests. This class will introduce new dining outlets, entertainment and re-imagined outer deck amenities.” In addition, Carnival Corporation’s collection of cruise destinations across the Caribbean and Mexico – used by many of its brands – are to be promoted as part of a ‘Paradise Collection by Carnival’. This comprises: * Celebration Key: Located in Grand Bahama, opening July 19, 2025. It will feature five ‘portals’, each with a different theme, including family-friendly activities and adult-only areas. * RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay: Enhancement work for the private island – to be completed by the end of 2026 - includes the addition of a pier that can support Excel class and Project Ace ships. * Isla Tropicale: In 2026, Mahogany Bay, in Roatan, Honduras, will be renamed Isla Tropicale. A pool with a swim up bar and new cabanas will be added. Future enhancements will also include an expanded beach and a beach club. Duffy said: “Since our inception in 1972, we have defined and led the modern cruise industry and our plans for the next five years and beyond are no different. The excitement and energy continue at Carnival. Having just integrated two ships into the Carnival fleet in Australia, we now stand at 29 ships, the largest global fleet in our history. “Looking ahead, we have the opening of Celebration Key this July, followed by our expansion at RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay in 2026; the delivery of our fourth and fifth Excel ships in 2027 and 2028; and then the introduction of three ships in our new platform, Project Ace, beginning in 2029, plus fleet enhancements and new investments at some of our existing destinations.” For more information, visit carnival.comor call 0808 234 0680. 13 June, 2025 -
Celebrity Cruises to spend 250m refurbishing Solstice Class ships
Celebrity Cruises to spend 250m refurbishing Solstice Class ships
Celebrity Cruises will invest $250 million to modernise its Solstice Class ships with new venues and "bow to stern enhancements". The refurbishment will start with Celebrity Solstice in 2026, followed by four other ships in the series. Eight ’experiences’ will be introduced to Solstice, including three new venues: Boulevard Lounge entertainment venue, Boulevard Bar and Celebrity Barcade sports bar. New dining options, Trattoria Rosa and Fine Cut Steakhouse, will be added, and the top deck will be “transformed” with an expanded Sunset Bar, Sunset Park and new private cabanas. All 1,479 staterooms on board, including suites in Aqua Class and The Retreat will be upgraded, with four new categories available to book from mid-June this year. Meanwhile, venues such as Café Al Bacio, Cellar Masters,World Class Bar, Martini Bar, Pool Bar, Passport Bar and Blu will be updated. In addition, areas that are exclusive to Aqua Class guests, such as Luminae, will undergo changes, alongside spaces for passengers in The Retreat such as The Fitness Centre and Camp at Sea. The renovated Solstice will sail again from March 2026, with voyages in Alaska, Hawaii, Fiji and southeast Asia, followed by a 110-night Grand Voyage from September to December 2026. Celebrity Cruises president Laura Hodges Bethge said: “Our Solstice Series ships represent the best of classic cruising, and now we’re elevating this vacation experience even further by adding brand new experiences and enhancements at every turn. “Guests will enjoy more ways to explore and restore, all while staying true to what made our guests fall in love with these ships in the first place.” 13 June, 2025 -
CroisiEurope reveals first itineraries for new-build Amazon ship
CroisiEurope reveals first itineraries for new-build Amazon ship
CroisiEurope has revealed its first Amazon itineraries on its new-build ship launching in 2027. RV Brasilian Dream, the operator’s first ship in South America, will put on three 11-day itineraries: The Amazon & Rio Negro roundtrip from Manaus, The Amazon & Rio Tapajos between Manaus and Santarém and Cruise Along the Amazon Between Brazil & Colombia between Manaus and Tabatinga. Highlights of each itinerary include visits to major parks and protected areas to observe wildlife on foot and in dinghies and canoes, as well as meetings with indigenous communities, night-time excursions and a variety of onboard lectures. Details such as general sale date, voyage schedule and prices will be announced at the beginning of July. The new vessel will have capacity for 32 passengers across four decks with the design featuring vibrant colours and artworkinspired by Amazonian culture. It will feature 16 suites with private balconies, including two presidential suites suspended above the water, alongside a restaurant serving Brazilian-inspired dishes, a spa and fitness room, sun deck and conference room. CroisiEurope will implement “the latest eco innovations” and sustainable practices on the Amazon itineraries, including engines that meet the strictest environment standards, an advanced wastewater treatment system, solar panels to allow the ship to shut off its generators at night and operate on batteries and respectful tourism with local communities. 13 June, 2025 -
Crystal appoints Luke Smith as VP of UK and EMEA sales
Crystal appoints Luke Smith as VP of UK and EMEA sales
Crystal has appointed former Carnival Cruise Line international sales director Luke Smith as vice-president of sales for UK and EMEA. In the newly created role, Smith will overseetrade sales distribution and the performance of agency sales, as well as managing inside sales functions and liaison with the luxury line’s marketing team. He will report to Matias Lira, Crystal senior vice-president for trade sales – Americas, UK and EMEA. Smith worked for Carnival Cruise Line for over 12 years, starting as partnership manager and becoming senior partnership manager before taking on the sales director role in 2017. He previously spent six years with Carnival UK in a range of sales roles. Lira said: “I am delighted to welcome Luke to the team and am confident that his knowledge, experience and impressive track record will prove invaluable as we continue to expand our sales presence within these important markets.” Smith added: “I am excited to be joining Crystal and working closely with the great team that we already have in place. “Our trade partners are going to be pivotal to our success going forward and so my primary focus will be on them, how we can work together as a true partnership and what they need from us both commercially and in order to fully understand what makes Crystal exceptional compared with our competition. “There is work to be done and I am open to feedback and honest conversation with trade partners across all markets to ensure that we build long-lasting and successful relationships.” Crystal operates two ships, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, which were “reimagined” and reentered service in 2023 after the brand and vessels were acquired by A&K Travel Group in 2022. 13 June, 2025 -
Cunard hosts Princess Anne on board Queen Anne in Liverpool
Cunard hosts Princess Anne on board Queen Anne in Liverpool
Cunard welcomed Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal on board Queen Anne during the ship’s visit to Liverpool on 27 May. Liverpool holds a special place in the company’s 185-year history and was the birthplace of Cunard’s first Transatlantic Crossing, 185 years ago in May 1840, and was the company’s headquarters for 128 years. The city was named – in a world first – as Queen Anne’s Godparent during an historic naming ceremony at the iconic Liverpool Waterfront last May. Her Royal Highness joined city representatives, crew, and guests in the Queens Room to reflect on the enduring bond between Cunard and its spiritual home. She also met with members of Cunard’s Women Officers Network—an inspiring group of women from across the maritime and hospitality sectors. Katie McAlister, President of Cunard, said: “While this was intended to be a moment of celebration for Cunard’s 185th anniversary, instead it’s now a moment of solidarity with the city and our thoughts are with all those affected, and with the entire community at this time. “Liverpool is not just where Cunard was founded — it’s where our story began. This great city, with its proud maritime history and strong sense of identity, has shaped Cunard from the very beginning. The docks, the river, and the people of Liverpool are all part of our heritage and remain central to who we are today. “The bond between Cunard and Liverpool has grown over generations. It is built on shared values — resilience, pride, and a deep respect for tradition — and it continues to mean a great deal to us. We feel a strong connection to this city and are always proud to return.” The visit coincided with Sea of Glamour, a special exhibition curated by Mary McCartney and featuring 184 images from Cunard’s past and present defining the heritage of transatlantic travel pioneered by Cunard's first Atlantic crossing which sailed from Liverpool in 1840. Agents can visit www.ShineRewardsClub.com for the latest Cunard news and information, as well as to earn Shine points for bookings and training. For more information about Cunard, or to book a voyage, visit www.cunard.com. 13 June, 2025 -
Diana Ross named godmother of Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas
Diana Ross named godmother of Royal Caribbean Star of the Seas
Musical icon Diana Ross has been named godmother of Royal Caribbean’sStar of the Seas. Ross will attend the naming ceremony of the line’s second Icon Class ship, which is set to take place in Port Canaveral, Florida, in August. Royal Caribbean said she will “join a longstanding maritime tradition of bestowing safekeeping onto the ship, its crew and the millions who will make memories on the ultimate family vacation for years to come”. “I am truly honoured to join the Royal Caribbean family,” said Ross, whose hits include I’m Coming Out, Baby Love and Chain Reaction. “Having spent years of creating beautiful music and memories and bringing people together from all over the world, this feels like a perfect continuation of my journey as godmother of Star of the Seas.” Star of the Seas will sail western and eastern Caribbean itineraries which stop at the line’s private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas. It will have capacity for 5,610 passengers across eight neighbourhoods. Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean president and chief executive, said: “We are thrilled to have Diana Ross join us for the debut of Star of the Seas, the next bold vacation in our revolutionary Icon Class designed to encompass the best a vacation experience can offer. “We couldn’t imagine a more fitting godmother than Diana Ross, who is a true icon known for creating music that transcends generations while celebrating life and bringing people together. “We can’t wait to welcome Ms. Ross, our guests and crew to celebrate the arrival of Star this August.” 13 June, 2025 -
Emerald Cruises reveals transformational plans for three new ships
Emerald Cruises reveals transformational plans for three new ships
Emerald Cruises will add two superyachts and a river ship to its fleet for 2027. The purpose-built river vessel, called Emerald Lumi, will be the brand’s first to sail on the Seine in France with round-trip sailings from Paris slated for 2027. The new superyachts, Emerald Raiya and Emerald Xara, will debut in winter 2026-27 and winter 2027-28 respectively, with full itineraries and booking details to be made available in June this year. Each will have capacity for 128 passengers and offer all-suite accommodation. Raiya will have its inaugural season in the Seychelles before sailing the eastern Mediterranean in summer 2027 and returning to the Seychelles in winter 2027-28. Xara will start its sailings in the Mediterranean in summer 2027 and then operate in the Caribbean for winter 2027-28, where it will be joined by Emerald Kaia, Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara. The three new ships will follow the launches of Emerald Kaia and Emerald Astra, which are due for April 2026. Emerald Cruises will also preview details of its 2027-28 deployment to "support increasing demand from the charter and group market", with particularly focus on its luxury superyacht fleet. Selected yacht voyages will have early access and planning support for agents to enable advance planning and custom group offers. Glen Moroney, chairman and founder of Emerald Cruises parent Scenic Group, said: “This is a transformational moment for Emerald Cruises. “From our first yachts to today’s growing fleet, our vision remains clear: to deliver curated experiences in some of the world’s most captivating destinations – both by ocean and river.” 13 June, 2025 -
Emirates and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to offer combined luxury cruise-air packages
Emirates and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to offer combined luxury cruise-air packages
Emirates has partnered with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to offer combined luxury cruise and air packages from the 2026/27 season. The combined product will be available across the five-ship fleet, with additional options available for MV Europa 2, Hanseatic Inspiration and Hanseatic Spirit, and targets premium customers and “upscale trade partners”. Both brands will also create dedicate fares for passengers and there will be capacity to align with the cruise season and luxury demand to give passengers more options to reach ports across the Indian Ocean islands, Africa, the Far East, Australia and New Zealand. Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer, said: “We’re eager to start our partnership with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and are confident that we have the right approach in place to deliver a premium, consistent and seamless sea-air journey for our cruise customers. “In Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, we also have a partner that shares our commitment to curating unique and personalised travel experiences for discerning travellers, which is aligned with our efforts to offer our customers high-quality, award-winning service and best-in-class products.” Corinna Fritsch, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises’ director flight and ground operation services, added: “It is a great privilege to have a partner who shares our deep understanding of luxury and who values the exclusive, personal travel experience in the most remote corners of the world just as much as we do. “We’re confident that our well-travelled and discerning guests will truly appreciate this and benefit from the offering.” 13 June, 2025