Category: Cruise News and Reviews
Cruise News and Reviews
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Oceania Cruise’s Newest Ship: the Allura Class Vista Makes a Shining Debut
Some things like good wine simply take time. In the case of Oceania Cruises, it took a decade to...
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Norwegian Cruise Line Giving Joy To 100 School Teachers
During the beginning of this school year Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) awarded 100 deserving...
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Celebrity Solstice is Back in Los Angeles
On September 24, I was invited onboard the luxury Celebrity Solstice, after she has been on a...
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Celebrity’s New Beyond Offers Luxury, Wellness Options And Lots Of Choices For Cruise Lovers
It might have been the dolphins cavorting just outside the window where I was savoring one of the...
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Silversea Officially Welcomes Silver Endeavour to Fleet
Silversea Cruises® has welcomed Silver EndeavourSM to its fleet—one of the world’s most luxurious expedition ships. The fifth expedition ship in its fleet of 11, Silver Endeavour strengthens Silversea’s position as the leader in ultra-luxury expedition cruising, broadening the industry’s most diverse polar offering for guests’ enjoyment. Designed specifically to take travelers to the world’s most remote destinations, including both Polar Regions, Silver Endeavour will enter service in November 2022, replacing Silver Explorer from the 2022/2023 Antarctica season—including the ship’s highly popular Antarctica Bridge sailings.
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Lindblad Expeditions Offers New Mediterranean Itineraries Aboard Sea Cloud
Lindblad Expeditions has announced two brand-new itineraries aboard the 58-guest Sea Cloud, a luxurious 30-sail vessel that blends old-world traditions with modern-day comforts. On these new rarefied journeys, guests will discover the magic of sailing along the stunning coasts of Croatia and Slovenia or to ancient sites in the Western Mediterranean—and the thrill of life under sail on an historic ship.
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Holland America Line Adds Second Commemorative 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing in April 2023
As its 150th anniversary approaches April 18, 2023, Holland America Line is adding a second commemorative transatlantic crossing aboard Rotterdam to the schedule of celebratory events. Departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 3, 2023, the 16-night itinerary sails to Rotterdam, the Netherlands, retracing in reverse the company’s first voyage.
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New Riviera River Cruises Itinerary Sails from Burgundy to Mediterranean Sea
Riviera River Cruises has announced a new itinerary on France’s Saône and Rhône Rivers for...
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Cruising Alaska Onboard The Discovery Princess
Boarding the Discovery Princess in Seattle, this MedallionClass ship is the 15th Princess cruise...
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Alaska’s Newest Cruise Port: Klawock
Alaska’s next cruise ship destination to open in Klawock in 2023; Developed by Alaska Native...
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Royal Caribbean Makes a Los Angeles Comeback
After more than a decade, Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas is back in...
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Riviera River Cruises Adds Lake Geneva, Alps Extension to Rhône Itinerary
Riviera Cruises has enhanced their Burgundy, the River Rhône & Provence cruise by continuing to travel into the scenic region surrounding Lake Geneva on a new extension from Riviera River Cruises.
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Atlas Announces Luxe-adventure Seminars at Sea
Following its bonus commission offer to recognize Travel Advisors for Travel Advisor Appreciation Month, Atlas Ocean Voyages announced new Seminars at Sea to offer Travel Advisors and their family and friends the opportunity to experience luxe-adventure cruising first-hand at an incredible value starting from $200 per night
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MSC Cruises Seaside to Homeport at Port Canaveral Starting April 2023
Seaside-class cruise ship will feature 3 and 4-night itineraries to The Bahamas and 7-night...
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Silversea Offers Seamless Journey to Antarctica with Departures from Puerto Williams, Chile
Silversea Cruises has enhanced guests’ journeys to Antarctica with a more comfortable and convenient connection. Guests travelling aboard the line’s three ice-class expedition ships—Silver Cloud®, Silver Wind® and Silver Explorer®—will embark and disembark in Puerto Williams, Chile, for the 2022-2023 season, enjoying more convenient flight times, personalized service during an exclusive charter flight, and quicker transfers to the ship, among other advantages.
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Holland America Line’s Noordam Returns to Service in Fort Lauderdale
After more than two years since the industrywide pause began due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Holland America Line’s Noordam returned to service Sunday, April 24, 2022, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship embarked guests for a 21-day Panama Canal transit to Vancouver, Canada, that will position it in Alaska through September.
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Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America Celebrates Great Cruise Comeback in Hawai’i
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel, today announced the...
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First Cruise Ship HAL’s Koningsdam, Returns to Canada, Line Introduces New Experiences in Alaska
Holland America Line will be the first cruise line to return to Canadian cruising following a more than two year industrywide pause due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Koningsdam will call at Victoria, British Columbia, Saturday, April 9, restarting the cruise industry in Canada. The following day the ship will end its current seven-day cruise at Port of Vancouver, its homeport for the summer Alaska season.
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Atlas Announces New Fjords and W. Europe Voyages
Bringing travelers to captivating destinations in luxe-adventure style, Atlas Ocean Voyages announced three new Western Europe voyages aboard World Navigator today. The new Norwegian Fjords and London, Holland, and France voyages depart in August and September 2022 and feature multiple overnights in culture-rich ports, which provide opportunities for guests to opt for extensive tour options. Because of her small size, World Navigator will navigate up narrow waterways and rivers to dock in the center of Amsterdam, London, Antwerp, and Bordeaux for convenient access to each city.
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Silversea Christens Silver Dawn in Lisbon
Introduces Otium, Travel’s Most Indulgent New Wellness Program Silversea Cruises, the...
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Scenic Eclipse Offers Guests Unique Helicopter Excursion
For the first time, ultra-luxury discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse is offering guests the exclusive opportunity to embark on a unique helicopter excursion to witness first-hand the incredible 5,000 breeding pairs of Emperor penguins of Snow Hill Island. A colony that was only discovered in the 90’s and situated on the brink of the Antarctic Circle, Snow Hill Island is only accessible by helicopter. Scenic is one of the only cruise lines able to facilitate this rare once-in-a-lifetime moment for guests visiting this region of the Antarctic Peninsula.
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Budget-Friendly Yacht Trips, Small Group Experiences at Sea
As many ease back into traveling and are looking for unique experiences that don’t require much planning and won’t break the bank (plus include most meals, drinks, and experiences), there are a few unique opportunities for travelers to get their feet wet (literally) and get back out there to explore the world and sea in small groups (perfect for those who might not be ready for a cruise just yet). Skip the family vacation house rental for the opportunity to have your own family skipper and vacation on a yacht.
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AmaWaterways Launches 2022 European Season, Notes High demand for Unique Experiences
AmaWaterways is welcoming the arrival of its 2022 European season with strong reservations and easing of entry requirements signaling a rebound of international travel. The extraordinary AmaMagna on the Danube River became the first of its 21-ship European fleet to start the spring season on March 6th in Budapest. The launch of the new season in Europe continues from March 17th onward with five ships dedicated to the popular Tulip Time cruises, five ships cruising the scenic rivers of France and another ten ships welcoming guests on the Rhine, Moselle, Danube and Douro rivers.
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Poseidon Expeditions Cancels Cruise Programs to Russian High Arctic, North Pole
Poseidon Expeditions has canceled its Summer 2022 polar programs in Russian territorial waters. The news affects a total of seven voyages, three aboard the Russian icebreaker that Poseidon has chartered and marketed since 2001 and another four aboard the 114-passenger expedition ship Sea Spirit. The balance of the summer expedition cruises aboard the Sea Spirit remain unchanged.
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Lindblad Expeditions Launches New Itineraries Along U.S. East Coast
Starting this fall, Lindblad Expeditions is launching seven new itineraries for 2022 and 2023 designed to explore the most ecologically and culturally diverse destinations along the East Coast. They will take a unique expeditionary approach as they go in search of the wild, seldom-seen side of the Eastern Seaboard. Along this dynamic coastline, often not too far from bustling cities, you’ll find uninhabited islands with wildlife refuges and abandoned forts and castles, many of which are unknown even to locals.
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Kontiki Expeditions Launch Cruises Along Coastal Ecuador
Beginning late March 2022, Kontiki Expeditions will set forth on an eight-day exploration of the seldom-visited Ecuadorian coast, allowing for a rich cultural adventure and an exclusive voyage. With only nine staterooms and excursions to sparsely populated coastal ports, social distancing on the 132-foot M/S Wayra is the norm rather than the exception. Kontiki Expeditions is the first water-based member of Small Luxury Hotels and a proponent of sustainable, “neo-luxury” travel.
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Atlas Opens Two Ships for Summer 2023 Season
Expanding its selections of luxe-adventure voyages to remote and captivating destinations around the world, Atlas Ocean Voyages announced new summer and autumn 2023 voyages today.
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Emerald Cruises Welcomes First Guests on Board Emerald Azzurra
Against the backdrop of the Jordanian city of Aqaba, Emerald Cruises’ first oceangoing yacht, Emerald Azzurra, departed on its inaugural sailing this past weekend.
Over two years in the making, Emerald Azzurra marks a milestone as the small ship cruise line’s first ocean-going vessel. Carrying just 100 guests in 50 deluxe staterooms and suites, Emerald Azzurra is now sailing the eight-day Best of the Red Sea itinerary. Guests will call at the Egyptian resort towns of Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, as well as Eilat in Israel, before returning to Aqaba for an included guided tour of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Petra.
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Holland America Gets Ready for Wave Season, Allows Kids Under 5 to Sail
Holland America Line is getting ready for Wave Season with “The Ultimate Upgrade Event” featuring stateroom upgrades, reduced deposits, $75 fares for kids on Alaska cruises and up to $200 onboard spending money — plus shore excursions, beverages, specialty dining and Wi-Fi with the “Have It All” premium package.
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New Published Canadian Cruise Procedures Clear Way for Holland America Line
Alaska cruises depart from Vancouver and call at Victoria; Canada/New England itineraries depart Montreal and Quebec and explore 13 Canadian ports
Publication of procedures for the safe resumption of cruises to Canadian ports allows Holland America Line to complete preparation for a full season of Alaska explorations and Canada/New England sailings. Holland America Line will sail itineraries as scheduled that include Canadian homeports and ports of call from late spring through fall.
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Access Cruise Partners with Cruise the Saint Lawrence
Access Cruise and Cruise the Saint Lawrence Partner to Market Nine Canadian Ports
When Viking Expeditions’ Octantis sails into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in April, it will mark the first time in over two years that the ports of the Cruise the Saint Lawrence group have welcomed cruise guests. To ensure the flow of cruise ships to its nine ports continues and increases, Cruise the Saint Lawrence has partnered with Miami-based Access Cruise Inc. to actively market the region to cruise lines.
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Silversea Christens Silver Origin® in the Galápagos Islands
Leading ultra-luxury cruise line, Silversea Cruises, christened Silver Origin on February 25, 2022, during an expedition-inspired ceremony in San Cristobal, the Galápagos Islands. Guests took to the water on Silver Origin’s Zodiacs, raising a glass of champagne as Silversea officially welcomed the ship to its fleet of 10, before Johanna Carrión, esteemed conservationist and permanent resident of the Galápagos Islands, was unveiled as the ship’s Godmother—a selection that underpins Silversea’s long-term commitment to sustainability.
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MSC, Sea Cloud Suspend Calls to St. Petersburg
MSC Cruises announced that it has suspended its ships’ calls to St. Petersburg, Russia due to recent developments in the region and related security concerns. Sea Cloud Cruises has cancelled this year’s St. Petersburg calls of its new sailing vessel the Sea Cloud Spirit.
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Viking Octantis Cruising to Antarctica
Viking Octantis is now cruising to Antarctica as the company’s first of two new purpose-built expedition ships. Viking Octantis will be officially named in April in New York City by her ceremonial godmother, Liv Arnesen, the famed explorer and educator.
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The Yacht Portfolio to Acquire Sea Cloud Cruises
The Yacht Portfolio, a strategic maritime investment company, has announced that it has entered into a letter of intent to acquire Sea Cloud Cruises of Hamburg, Germany. The company operates a fleet of three masted, full-rigged luxury tall ships; the Sea Cloud (109.5 meters; 64 passengers), the Sea Cloud II (117 meters; 94 passengers) and the recent newbuild Sea Cloud Spirit (138 meters; 136 passengers).
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Crystal Ceases Operations, Scenic Offers to Help
Scenic Issues Offer to Assist Crystal Cruises Guests and Travel Advisors
After Crystal Cruises ceased operation, Scenic Cruises offered to help. “Our hearts go out to all the employees and crew members of Crystal Cruises as they have been a long-standing member of the cruise industry family and, although they are competitors, we have always been impressed with their outstanding brand and professionalism,” stated Ann Chamberlin, vp of sales for Scenic Group USA, in a recent email to travel advisors.
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CLIA Releases 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook Report
Cruise Lines International Association, the leading voice of the global cruise community, today released the 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report.
The annual report shows how the industry has continued to resume responsibly with proven protocols that are leading the way, underscores the value of cruise tourism to local communities and national economies around the world, and charts the industry’s continued progress towards achieving carbon neutrality.
UniWorld News: Cruise Line Adds New Course
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises has added a new 2022 course to Uniworld University, the brand’s online travel advisor education program. The course, titled New for 2022, will give advisors a sense of what their clients can expect onboard Uniworld cruises this year. After completing the course, advisors will receive a special discounted rate of up to 60% off 2022 cruises.
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The Poshest Digs at Sea
Experiential Family Travel Adds a New Level of Sophistication to Cruise Travel. If intellectual and thought-provoking activities are what you desire from a family vacation, the cruise lines provide many outstanding choices. In addition to offering the very best in family accommodations, these lines also present the best in cultural and mind-expanding activities and programs.
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Star Clippers Ushers in Wave Season with Two-Plus-Two Offer
This wave season, Star Clippers is offering a “Two-Plus-Two” deal good on select...
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American Queen Voyages’™ Ocean Voyager™ Embarks on 2022 Lakes and Ocean Season
American Queen Voyages™, part of Hornblower® Group, welcomed guests for the cruise line’s...
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Scenic Eclipse Returns to Antarctica
Scenic Eclipse is making its way to Antarctica from the Red Sea as it prepares for its highly...
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Pandaw Cruises Update
Last month Pandaw Cruises announced that they would close due to a lack of funds as a result of Covid-19. Following the announcement, the company was inundated with hundreds of goodwill messages from regular passengers. In addition, several would-be investors emerged keen to acquire the iconic brand.
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Seabourn Unveils Expedition Itineraries to the Northwest and Northeast Passage
Seabourn has announced an exciting line-up of adventurous voyages for the summer of 2023 on its two new purpose-built expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit. The program includes the line’s first-ever voyages to the Northeast and Northwest Passages in the Arctic, where guests will discover two of the world’s most remote and fascinating regions filled with an abundance of history, wildlife, and unique landscapes.
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Scenic Unveils New 2023/2024 Antarctica Program with New Fly-Cruise Itineraries
As the popularity of expedition cruising to Antarctica continues to gain momentum, Scenic is introducing new itineraries that allow guests to avoid the nearly two-day Drake Passage journey — flying from Punta Arenas, Chile, to meet the line’s ultra-luxury Discovery Yacht, Scenic Eclipse, at Antarctica’s King George Island, the largest of the South Shetland Islands. Utilizing the two-hour flight allows guests on the new nine- and 10-day offerings to be able to enjoy a fully-focused Antarctica adventure. Scenic is also introducing a 16-day bucket list dream cruise for expedition lovers – the opportunity to explore south of the Antarctica Circle – latitude 66° 33’ south – a rarely visited region of the world.
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Royal Caribbean’s New Wonder of the Seas to Homeport at Port Canaveral
Royal Caribbean International has announced its new, highly anticipated ship, Wonder of the Seas, will homeport at Port Canaveral beginning November 2022. Set to become the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in March 2022, Wonder will sail 7-night itineraries to the eastern and western Caribbean. Destination highlights include Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and San Juan, Puerto Rico; and each cruise will visit Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island destination in The Bahamas that features thrill and chill – from the tallest waterslide in North America to The Bahamas’ first floating cabanas.
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Hurtigruten Expands Galápagos Offering
Hurtigruten Expeditions’ inaugural Galápagos expedition cruise departs on January 7, 2022, but the company has already revealed an additional three new itineraries available for 2023 and 2024.
Guests will be able to choose from four different small-ship expedition cruises, ranging from four to eight nights – essentially covering the full span of the remote 19-island archipelago considered one of the most unique places on Earth.
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MSC Cruises’ Full Fleet Returns for Summer 2022 Sailings
MSC Cruises has confirmed that the Company’s entire fleet of 19 ships will be sailing during summer 2022 offering an outstanding choice of cruises. With almost 500 departures to choose from, different length cruises, an incredible choice of convenient embarkation ports and a modern fleet of ships offering an unparalleled onboard experience, there truly is something for everyone.
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Variety Cruises Brings Passengers Back to the Seychelles
The Greek-Owned Small Ship Company Returns to the Seychelles Variety Cruises has relaunched its...
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America’s Only 100% U.S. Fleet Grows to 15 Small Ships
America’s Only 100% U.S. Fleet Grows to 15 Small Ships and Takes All-American Names for 2022...
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Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board Announces New Hotel, Residential and Cruise Port Developments
Turks and Caicos Islands Tourist Board, the exclusive tourism authority for the Turks and Caicos...
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Norwegian Cruise Line Resumes Sailings from Orlando
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) continues its Great Cruise Comeback celebration with aboard Norwegian Escape from Orlando, Fla. (Port Canaveral) to the Eastern Caribbean. Norwegian Escape, the first of the Brand’s successful Breakaway Plus Class ships becomes the eighth vessel in the Company’s 17-ship fleet to resume operations.
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Ruby Princess Debuts at Port of San Francisco
San Francisco’s hometown cruise ship, Ruby Princess, became Princess Cruises’ sixth MedallionClass ship back in service on Oct. 31, setting sail from the Port of San Francisco. The ship welcomed the first guests back onboard with a special ceremony before sailing underneath the iconic Golden Gate Bridge on a seven-day California Coast cruise, returning on Nov. 7.
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MSC Cruises to Offer Winter Sailings in the Southern Caribbean
MSC Cruises has reconfirmed its winter 2021/22 sailing program in the Southern Caribbean where MSC Seaview will be based during the season for 7- and 14-night cruises from St. Maarten and Barbados, starting December 5.
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MSC Adds Second Ship For World Cruise 2023
MSC Cruises has announced that a second ship, MSC Magnifica, will be joining MSC Poesia on the MSC World Cruise 2023. The two ships in an industry first will host over 5,000 guests for a journey around the world and they will both depart on Jan. 4, 2023, from Civitavecchia and Jan. 5, 2023, from Genoa, Italy, for simultaneous world cruises, taking different routes around the globe.
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Koningsdam Marks Holland America Line’s Return to West Coast Cruising
Waving flags, cheering team members and a “Welcome Home” sign greeted guests as they joined Holland America Line’s Koningsdam at the Port of San Diego today for the cruise line’s first West Coast departure since the start of the industry-wide pause.
The Pinnacle Class vessel is the largest Holland America Line ship to be sailing from the West Coast, and Oct. 10 is the first in a series of 23 seven-day cruise to the California Coast or Mexico that run through April 3, 2022.
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MSC Group’s New Luxury Cruise Brand Begins Construction on Second Ship
Explora Journeys, the newly-launched luxury brand of the MSC Group, today marked another major important milestone in its coming-to-market phase with the steel cutting of its second ship, EXPLORA II, in Italy.
Construction today started on the second vessel in Explora Journeys’ fleet of luxury ships and is due to welcome its first guests in Spring 2024.
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Emerald Cruises Announces Second Superyacht, Emerald Sakara
Emerald Cruises has announced the build of a second superyacht, Emerald Sakara, which will be welcomed to the brand’s yacht cruising fleet in 2023. Emerald Sakara – a Sanskrit mantra meaning ‘thoughts become things’ – will also travel to a brand-new sailing destination for Emerald Cruises: the Seychelles.
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Hurtigruten Expeditions Returns to Antarctica
Hurtigruten Expeditions, the world’s leading and largest expedition cruise company, returns to Antarctica with the battery-hybrid powered MS Roald Amundsen, and MS Fram. Both will once again bring guests to explore the White Continent as of November and December, departing from Punta Arenas, Chile.
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Grand Princess First Ship to Set Sail from the Port of Los Angeles
Princess Cruises sailed guests from the Port of Los Angeles on September 25th, marking the first cruise vacation departure from San Pedro since the cruise industry’s pause in operations early last year. Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises, visited Grand Princess to take part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony officially welcoming the first guests on board.
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