Cruise News

Cruise News
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  • PLACES & TRAVEL
  • UPDATED DAILY

Cruise News brings you the latest headlines, ship updates, and insights from across the cruise industry. Each week, we cover what’s new in cruise travel, from ship launches and itinerary changes to environmental policy, innovation, and onboard trends. Whether you’re a frequent cruiser, travel professional, or just dreaming of your next voyage, Cruise News helps you stay informed without the fluff. Expect timely coverage of major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, and Disney Cruise Line, along with interviews and analysis that explain what the headlines really mean for travelers. Join us for clear, credible updates on the business, destinations, and experiences shaping the world of cruising. Learn more at https://www.cruisenews.io

  1. 2D AGO

    New Ships, New Ports, New Ways to Cruise

    This episode unpacks three announcements that reveal how the cruise industry is locking in its future for the next decade. Celebrity Cruises has ordered 10 additional river ships from Teamco shipyard in the Netherlands, targeting a fleet of 20 vessels on European rivers by 2031. With the inaugural 2027 season selling out in under six minutes and 2028 bookings already open across 160-plus sailings to more than 50 destinations, the hosts examine how Celebrity is leveraging its ocean brand loyalty to challenge established river cruise heavyweights like Viking and AmaWaterways. The episode then dives into Royal Caribbean Group's announcement of the Discovery class — a completely new category of ocean ships being built at Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France, with deliveries set for 2029 and 2032 and options for four more. With virtually no specs released and CEO Michael Bayley calling online speculation inaccurate, the hosts analyze the clues: a focus on bringing the world closer to guests that suggests a destination-oriented, outward-facing design philosophy distinct from the mega-ship Icon class. Finally, MSC Cruises is making a $450 million infrastructure play in Freeport, Bahamas, building a new cruise terminal and beach club on the man-made Diak Billy Key within the harbor. Notably, the Bahamian government has framed this as a multi-user facility open to all cruise lines, reflecting MSC's container shipping DNA and landlord business model. The hosts discuss how this investment, alongside upgrades to MSC's private island Ocean Cay, positions the company to generate revenue from competitors while cementing its Caribbean footprint.

  2. 3D AGO

    NCL Air Goes Day-Early, Icon 4 Rises, MSC Expands

    This episode examines three developments that reveal how major cruise lines are asserting control over an increasingly complex industry. Norwegian Cruise Line's new NCL Air policy now mandates day-early arrival for all passengers booking through its air program — even on domestic flights — a direct response to the mounting unreliability of air travel that saw over 15,000 flight delays on the policy's launch day alone. The hosts break down the operational logic behind the change, the legal complexities of the Passenger Vessel Services Act that make missed embarkations nearly impossible to fix, and the hidden cost trap that could catch deal-savvy travelers off guard. The episode then travels to Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, where Royal Caribbean's fourth Icon-class ship is taking shape with the installation of its signature 52-foot glass Pearl — a structure that's both stunning art piece and load-bearing engineering marvel. The hosts explore how the sphere's mounting system handles the ship's flex at sea and how modular cabin construction at offsite factories is revolutionizing shipbuilding quality and speed for vessels approaching 250,000 gross tons. Finally, MSC Cruises signals its serious North American ambitions with a $100 million, 130,000-square-foot headquarters in downtown Miami, strategically located near the Brightline high-speed rail station. The hosts discuss how this investment, projected to generate $300 million in annual economic impact, positions MSC to compete head-to-head with Royal Caribbean and Carnival in the world's most competitive cruise market.

    13 min

  3. 4D AGO

    Ports at a Crossroads: Bans, Builds, and Bigger Ships

    This episode of Cruise News examines a fascinating split-screen moment in the cruise industry, where major ports are moving in completely opposite directions. The Port of Los Angeles has selected Pacific Cruise Terminals to build a next-generation outer harbor terminal designed for the biggest ships afloat, complete with shore power and a waterfront destination experience. The port set records in 2025 with 241 cruise calls and 1.6 million passengers. Meanwhile, the Port of New Orleans continues its remarkable consistency, topping 1 million cruise passenger movements for the ninth consecutive year. The city's unique position as the only US home port supporting both ocean and river cruises gives it a distinctive edge. On the other side of the Atlantic, Amsterdam is weighing a dramatic proposal to ban ocean-going cruise ships entirely by 2035. City officials have calculated that eliminating ships is actually cheaper than relocating the terminal, while improving livability. The episode explores what this growing European pushback means for the future of city-center cruising.

    13 min

  4. FEB 7

    New Year Cruises: Fireworks, Maiden Calls, and an Emergency

    In this episode of Cruise News, we take a comprehensive look at the cruise industry's busiest night of the year: New Year's Eve 2025/2026. In Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Bay, seven massive cruise ships anchored offshore with over 25,500 passengers and crew celebrating the holiday. Meanwhile, Funchal in Madeira hosted an even larger gathering of 12 ships from European cruise lines, creating a floating population of 30,000 people. The episode also covers important maiden calls in St. Martin, where both the massive Sun Princess and the boutique luxury Allura made their first port visits on New Year's Day. However, tragedy struck aboard Holland America Line's Nieuw Statendam in the early hours of January 1st, leading to an eight-hour search and rescue operation involving the U.S. Coast Guard. From fireworks spectacles to maritime emergencies, this episode balances the remarkable logistical achievements of the cruise industry with the humbling reality that no amount of planning can guarantee control over every variable at sea.

    32 min

  5. FEB 7

    Hurricane Reroutes, Balcony Stunts, and Man Overboard

    Hurricane Melissa forced Disney Cruise Line to reroute the Disney Treasure and Disney Wish away from the Eastern Caribbean, while a Viking Star crew member went overboard in the Mediterranean during a transit between Crete and Sicily. Meanwhile, a viral TikTok video shows teenagers climbing outside balcony railings on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. From Category 5 storms scrambling itineraries industry-wide to the grim statistics on overboard survival rates, this episode examines how quickly safety conditions can shift at sea and why respecting the maritime environment matters more than ever. Stories covered: Disney Cruise Line reroutes Treasure and Wish around Hurricane Melissa- Viking Star crew member overboard in Mediterranean, search ongoing- Viral TikTok shows teens climbing between cruise ship balconiesVisit CruiseNews.io for the full stories and to sign up for email alerts.

    14 min
  6. Carnival Expands Down Under, Wi-Fi Prices Rise, and Royal Caribbean’s New Loyalty Play

    JAN 23

    Carnival Expands Down Under, Wi-Fi Prices Rise, and Royal Caribbean’s New Loyalty Play

    Carnival Cruise Line makes big moves in Australia and New Zealand, quietly raises Wi-Fi prices, and Royal Caribbean shakes up loyalty across its brands. From new homeports to higher onboard costs and cross-brand points, here’s what cruisers need to know right now. Carnival is expanding its presence Down Under with new seasonal homeports in Adelaide and Auckland for the 2027–2028 season, adding more ships, more destinations, and new itinerary options across Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific. At the same time, the line has quietly increased pre-purchase Wi-Fi prices across all plans, with some guests already seeing higher rates for future sailings. We also break down Royal Caribbean Group’s upcoming Points Choice program, which will let cruisers use loyalty points across Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. It’s a notable shift in cruise loyalty strategy as Carnival prepares its own rewards overhaul.

    13 min

  7. JAN 21

    New Expedition Cruise Ships, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Hawaii Tax, and The World’s Award-Winning Wine Program

    First, we look at the float-out of Magellan Discoverer, a new expedition cruise ship built by ASENAV in Chile for Antarctica21. Designed for fly-cruise operations to Antarctica, the Polar Class 6 vessel features hybrid-electric propulsion, battery energy storage, and reduced noise and emissions. We also touch on SELAR’s Captain Arctic, another low-impact expedition ship aiming for near-zero emissions when it launches in 2027. Next, Norwegian Cruise Line begins preparing guests for a new Hawaii Transient Accommodations Tax starting in 2026. The tax, applied to cruise fares based on time spent in Hawaiian ports, could add hundreds of dollars per passenger on some itineraries. We break down how the tax is calculated, why Pride of America is most affected, and why the cruise industry is legally challenging the measure. Finally, luxury residential ship The World earns the Best Ship Wine List award for the 11th consecutive year. We explore what sets its wine program apart, including a 15,000-bottle cellar, global sourcing, a new private-label Bordeaux, and the appointment of a new beverage manager with deep cruise industry experience.

    15 min

  8. JAN 20

    Adora Cruises in China, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas, and Princess Cruises Named Best for Dining

    Princess Cruises has been named home to the world’s best cruise ship dining, highlighting how onboard culinary programs are becoming a key differentiator in the cruise industry. At the same time, Adora Cruises is rapidly expanding in China toward a one-million-passenger milestone, while Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas is being used as a high-tech test platform for next-generation energy efficiency and sustainable propulsion. In this episode of Cruise News, we break down what these developments reveal about where the global cruise industry is heading, from premium guest experiences to regional market growth and environmental innovation. We begin with Princess Cruises, which has received international recognition after the Royal Princess was named the world’s best cruise ship for dining. The honor reflects the increasing importance of culinary quality as cruise lines compete beyond ship size and itinerary alone. Next, we turn to Adora Cruises, which is accelerating its growth in China through domestically built ships and localized supply chains. The line is approaching a major passenger milestone and strengthening China’s position as a self-contained cruise market. Finally, we look at Royal Caribbean and the debut of Star of the Seas, a vessel designed not only for guests but also as a floating laboratory for testing energy-saving systems and future propulsion technologies. Together, these stories show how cruise lines are investing in premium experiences, regional expansion, and long-term sustainability to shape the next phase of cruising.

    11 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Cruise News brings you the latest headlines, ship updates, and insights from across the cruise industry. Each week, we cover what’s new in cruise travel, from ship launches and itinerary changes to environmental policy, innovation, and onboard trends. Whether you’re a frequent cruiser, travel professional, or just dreaming of your next voyage, Cruise News helps you stay informed without the fluff. Expect timely coverage of major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, and Disney Cruise Line, along with interviews and analysis that explain what the headlines really mean for travelers. Join us for clear, credible updates on the business, destinations, and experiences shaping the world of cruising. Learn more at https://www.cruisenews.io

Information

  • Creator
    Cruise News
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © BetterSIM LLC
  • Show Website
    Cruise News