General

Tourism in French Polynesia is expected to remain at record levels in 2025, according to a press release.The newly inaugurated Papeete cruise termina, launched in February 2024 and has become a key hub in the region’s growing cruise market. In 2025, 52,000 passengers are expected to embark on cruises from Tahiti, with seven- to 10-day itineraries across the five archipelagos. This represents a 15 percent increase from 2019 and nearly 20 percent growth from 2023. Additionally, 62,000 passengers will arrive and depart on transit cruises, a 45 percent increase compared to 2023.“More than a third of visitors to French[...]

The Renaissance has resumed service for CFC this weekend after undergoing a six-week drydock in Germany.After completing a New Year’s cruise earlier this year, the 1993-built ship sailed for the Lloyd Werft shipyard in Bremerhaven in early January.As part of a major refurbishment project, the Renaissance underwent significant upgrades to its technical systems and green technologies.The 15-million-euro refit included the addition of a new exhaust gas cleaning system, as well as steelwork and painting.A shore power connection was also created to allow the ship to operate using land-sourced energy while docked in ports.According to CFC, the Renaissance now[...]

Anglo-Eastern has announced further developments in its cruise and leisure business with a new office in Miami and the joining of Neil McNeil as Managing Director of Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management International (AECMI) and Frits van der Werff as Vice President of Commercial, Cruise and Leisure Management.Having acquired the Cruise Management International Group at the end of 2022, Anglo-Eastern Cruise Management Inc. (AECMI) and Anglo-Eastern Leisure Management (AELM) are now fully integrated into Anglo-Eastern’s eco-system, and the Group is now ready to drive the combined entity forward, having undergone advanced knowledge transfers across the business, the company said in[...]

Four Seasons Yachts today revealed the culinary collection onboard its first yacht, the Four Seasons I.According to a press release, the new luxury vessel is set to enter service in 2026 with 11 unique restaurant and bar concepts.The venues will feature nods to the yachting lifestyle while embodying Four Seasons’ dedication to category-defining dining experiences.With a unique concept and personality, each venue will feature ever-evolving menus curated by Four Seasons craftspeople, including acclaimed chefs, sommeliers and mixologists.“From indulgent omakase to refined Mediterranean specialties and creative cocktail menus, all dining venues promise an exceptional gastronomic experience amid the expanse[...]

Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas arrived in Port of Spain as part of the EPIC Carnival Experience 2025, a chartered cruise bringing 1,200 visitors to Trinidad for Carnival.The ship, which departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was welcomed by officials from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts (MTCA), Tourism Trinidad Limited and local authorities.Passengers were greeted with a cultural showcase featuring Carnival characters, live steelpan music by En ToTo and local cuisine, including Trinidad’s signature doubles.This marks Rhapsody of the Seas’ second EPIC charter following its 2023 visit.Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall[...]

The SS United States completed a major step towards becoming the largest artificial reef in the world as the ship arrived in Mobile, Alabama on Monday, completing an 1,800-nautical mile journey from Philadelphia.The 1952-built vessel is now set to undergo preparation work before being submerged into the Gulf of Mexico to become the world’s largest artificial reef for Okaloosa County and Destin-Fort Walton Beach.“We are proud to continue the story of this historic vessel as an artificial reef along with the land-based museum,” said Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon.“I applaud the Destin-Fort Walton Beach team in their[...]