Top Stories

Explora Journeys is a new lifestyle travel brand with two luxury ships sailing global itineraries and offering travelers an Ocean State of Mind.  Explora Journeys promises guests their own private yacht, with effortless European elegance awaiting them aboard.Explora ShipsExplora Journeys’ ships are designed with European family heritage in mind by owners MSC Group. A sense of style is reflected in its modern, cosmopolitan and boutique hotel vibe onboard the Explora I and Explora II.The ships are designed to be vibrant, yet intimate with a luxurious experience. They feature 461 oceanfront suites, all with floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies.The[...]

As Virgin Voyages’ first cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady was delivered by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri five years ago.Built at the yard’s facility in Genoa Sestri Ponente, the 110,000-ton vessel officially joined Virgin’s fleet on Feb. 13, 2020.The Scarlet Lady was then scheduled to embark on a series of introductory events before entering revenue service in Miami in mid-March 2020.While a few events did take place in Europe, the ship’s inaugural season was cancelled due to the pandemic.The Scarlet Lady only welcomed its first paying guests over a year after its delivery, kicking off a series of staycations in[...]

After departing from Fremantle earlier this month, the Pacific Explorer has completed its final voyage for P&O Cruises Australia on Feb. 18, 2025.The 11-night cruise included visits to ports of call in Indonesia and Malaysia before arriving at its final destination in Singapore.Wrapping up an eight-year sailing career for the Australian brand, the 1997-built ship was sold to Resorts World Cruises.Part of P&O Australia’s merger into Carnival Cruise Line, the sale of the ship was announced by Carnival Corporation in late 2024.Joining the Resorts World One and the Genting Dream, the vessel is now scheduled to offer cruises[...]

The next Icon Class ship will carry the name Legend of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International said in a press release.Currently under construction at the Meyer Turku shipyard, the 250,800-ton vessel will debut in the Western Mediterranean in July 2026.Following a summer season in the region, the new Legend of the Seas repositions to the Caribbean for six- and eight-night cruises departing from Port Everglades.“On the heels of celebrating one year of the record-breaking Icon Class and the memories made by vacationers of all ages on Icon, we are thrilled to announce the name of Royal Caribbean’s third[...]

Costa Cruises has announced that bookings for the 2027 edition of the World Cruise are now open.The company said in a press release that the cruise, onboard the Costa Deliziosa, will offer a 139-day experience, departing on Nov. 25, 2026, from Savona and arriving on April 12, 2027. The ship will cross five continents, visit 29 countries and call at 47 destinations.Costa added that the cruise offers an additional booking opportunity for the 100-day cruise with boarding in San Francisco.“With the World Cruise 2027, we want to offer a truly unique and unforgettable experience, combining the exploration of[...]

2025 will see various cruise ships undergoing significant refurbishments with the return of big drydock programs.Cruise Industry News looks at some of the key projects already announced for the year.For a complete overview of the global cruise ship drydock market, see the new 2025 Drydock and Refurb Report by Cruise Industry News.Norwegian BlissCruise Line: Norwegian Cruise LineCapacity: 4,200 guestsTonnage: 164,600Year built: 2018Date: January 2025Following the Norwegian Encore and the Norwegian Joy, the Norwegian Bliss underwent a significant refurbishment in early 2025.During the drydock, the Norwegian Cruise Line vessel saw several upgrades to its public areas and facilities. This[...]