Cruise Events
449 articles
Celebrity Ascent successfully completes Sea Trials
The sea trials are always a crucial step, not only from a technical standpoint but also symbolically, marking the maiden voyage of a new ship in open waters. It’s a shared success, as demonstrated by the ship’s two brother captains, who guided her into open waters for a series of tests. This achievement is significant […]
A-ROSA Expands Its Fleet with the addition of two ships
A-ROSA is expanding its fleet for the 2024 season with the addition of two ships, A-Rosa Alea and A-Rosa Clea, which will set sail from April on the Rhine, both to the north towards Amsterdam and Rotterdam, and to the south towards Basel and Strasbourg. Starting in the 2025 season, one vessel will be transferred […]
Explora Journeys: Order for 2 Hydrogen-Powered Ships
MSC Group’s Cruise Division has confirmed an order for two hydrogen-powered ships for its luxury brand, Explora Journeys, as part of its commitment to achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. The ships, Explora V and Explora VI, are scheduled to be delivered in 2027 and 2028, respectively, and will feature innovative energy efficiency systems. Additionally, […]
AIDA Cruises: Building Schools for a Better Future
Traveling, exploring the world, and doing good at the same time: AIDA Cruises has been following this approach with its charitable initiative, “AIDA Cruise & Help,” since 2019. On board the fleet, frequent charitable activities are organized. What’s new is that since mid-2023, each AIDA ship has been responsible for its very own partner project. […]
Hanseatic Nature: it’s First Northwest Passage
Since 1906, only a few ships have ventured on this marvelous route, made possible by the Arctic summer. This marks the 21st time that Hapag Lloyd has offered its guests this extraordinary journey and the very first for the Hanseatic Nature. The first ship in Hapag-Lloyd Cruises‘ new expedition fleet has successfully completed the Northwest […]
Scaling Sustainably: Seatrade Europe in Hamburg
Scaling sustainably. This was the central theme of the recent Seatrade Cruise Europe, held in the splendid setting of Hamburg from September 6th to 8th, 2023. A crucial moment of gathering and discussion for all industry stakeholders, aiming to steer growth towards a sustainable process that respects both natural resources and local communities. The effort […]
Explora Journeys: The Fleet Construction Continues
Just two months after the delivery of Explora I, Explora Journeys, the new luxury cruise brand within the MSC Group, is advancing the construction of its fleet with a dual ceremony held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Sestri Ponente: the technical launch (float-out) of Explora II and the steel cutting for Explora III. The ceremony […]
Crystal Symphony returns to service
Crystal Symphony, one of the jewels of the luxury cruise industry, has officially returned to service after an extensive refurbishment. Following its acquisition by A&K Travel Group last summer, the second of Crystal Cruises‘ two units has undergone a transformation that promises to redefine the standards of luxury cruising. The refurbishment operations have encompassed a […]
Seabourn Pursuit Sets Sail on Its Inaugural Voyage
Seabourn Pursuit, Seabourn‘s second ultra-luxury expedition ship, embarked on its maiden journey and welcomed its first guests on board on Saturday, August 12, 2023, with an eight-day itinerary from La Valletta, Malta, to Rome. “For 10 years, we have provided engaging expedition experiences with our team of experts, and now we have two cutting-edge ultra-luxury […]
Silver Nova Sets Sail on its Inaugural Journey
Silver Nova, the first ship of the Nova class and the twelfth vessel in Silversea‘s ultra-luxury fleet, has embarked on its inaugural journey from Venice, Italy. With a seven-day itinerary traversing the Adriatic, it will make stops at Piran, Slovenia; Zadar, Dubrovnik, Split, and Rovinj in Croatia; and Kotor, Montenegro. “Silver Nova revolutionizes ultra-luxury cruising […]
Crystal Symphony successfully completes sea trials
Crystal Symphony, the second ship by Crystal to resume operations following the recent return of Crystal Serenity, has successfully completed sea trials in anticipation of its inaugural cruise from Athens, Greece, on September 1st. Currently in the final stages of an extensive refurbishment at the Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste, Italy, the ship carried a full […]
Silver Nova: Senior Officers Onboard
On August 14th, Silver Nova will embark its first passengers for its inaugural cruise departing from Venice. Silversea Cruises has announced the lineup of its expert senior officers for what will be one of the most environmentally-conscious cruise ships ever built. Silver Nova will visit many of the Adriatic’s most iconic destinations in seven days, […]
Emerald Sakara Embarks on Inaugural Cruise
Emerald Cruises‘ second luxury vessel, Emerald Sakara, set sail from Piraeus port on August 5 for its sold-out inaugural cruise against the captivating backdrop of ancient Athens. The following morning, its twin ship, Emerald Azzurra, officially welcomed it to the fleet as both ships embarked on a picturesque journey through the Corinth Canal. Under the […]
Norwegian Viva delivered to Norwegian Cruise Line
The cutting-edge vessel by Norwegian Cruise Line is now officially part of the fleet, following its delivery to the operator on August 3rd. This marks the nineteenth addition to NCL’s fleet and the second ship in the groundbreaking Prima Class, built at the acclaimed Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy. This historic event heralds the arrival […]
Celebrity Cruises wins 18 Wine Spectator Awards
The cruise company is undoubtedly among the most frequent winners of the prestigious “Best Of Awards of Excellence,” thanks to its various restaurants spread across the fleet. Celebrity Cruises has been honored for its outstanding wine program in Wine Spectator’s 2023 Restaurant Awards, which celebrate the world’s best restaurants for their wine offerings. Celebrity was […]
Two sisters will be the godmothers of Celebrity Ascent
Celebrity Cruises has revealed the godmothers of Celebrity Ascent, the new ship that will join the fleet in the next month of November. Sandy Yawn, known for her appearance on the famous Bravo TV series “Below Deck,” along with her sister Michelle Dunham, founder of the Jacksonville School for Autism (JSA), have been selected as […]
Explora I sets sail for its inaugural voyage
Explora I, the first ship of the Explora Journeys fleet, has begun its inaugural journey with a seven-night cruise that will take guests through the majestic landscapes of Lerwick in the Shetland Islands and Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands before heading towards Reykjavik, Iceland. The journey has been designed to emphasize the company’s “Ocean State […]
Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux Delivered
On Tuesday, August 1st, the coastal cruise ships Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux were officially handed over to Havila Voyages during a ceremony at the Tersan Shipyard in Turkey. “A milestone for the company,” says CEO Bent Martini. On Tuesday afternoon Turkish time, the Norwegian flag and the flag of Havila Voyages were finally hoisted […]
Crystal Announces Plans for Four New Ships in 6 Years
During an executive briefing for media and travel agents aboard a short preview cruise of Crystal Serenity, Cristina Levis, CEO of A&K Travel Group, announced that the brand is collaborating with their advisors and financiers to sign a memorandum of understanding with two European shipyards for four new ships. This will include two classic ships […]
Havila: Sustainability and Environmental Report
Havila Voyages is actively working to reduce emissions and meet future environmental requirements. “Last year we made history. We were the first cruise line in the world to sail into the Geirangerfjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with zero emissions and zero noise,” says CEO Bent Martini. “This is clear proof and underlines our ambitions. […]
Silversea Cruises: Delivery of Silver Nova
Silversea is proud to announce that the all-new Silver Nova, the most luxurious and eco-friendly cruise ship ever built, was finally delivered on July 19 in Eemshaven, the Netherlands. Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO Jason Liberty joined Silversea President Barbara Muckermann, Meyer Werft executives and other distinguished guests to officially welcome this landmark ship […]
Delivery of Explora I, the first ship of Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys has officially taken delivery of Explora I, marking the official launch of MSC Group’s new luxury brand. The handover ceremony, which took place at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, was attended by the top management of the MSC Group, including Gianluigi Aponte, Founder and Chairman of the MSC Group, Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman […]
Methanol as a possible green fuel
Cruising Journal has previously covered traditional fuels, LNG, cold ironing, and hydrogen batteries and fuel cells. Today, we will discuss green methanol as a possible fuel of the future to reduce the environmental impact of cruise ships. It should be remembered that the calorific value of hydrogen is 5 times lower than that of the […]
Silversea: Executive Preview of Silver Nova
On July 11, Jason Liberty, Royal Caribbean Group President and CEO, Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group President, and Barbara Muckermann, Silversea President, enjoyed a preview of Silver Nova as it embarked from Eemshaven, the Netherlands. Royal Caribbean executives were welcomed by Meyer Werft CEOs Jan and Bernard Meyer and had the opportunity to enjoy an […]