Norwegian shipping company, Havila Voyages, has announced its plans to be carbon neutral by 2028 and emission-free by 2030 – something the line says it can achieve with its current fleet. Havila Voyages, has announced its plans to be carbon neutral by 2028 and emission-free by 2030 – something the line says it can achieve with its current fleet. Chief executive of Havila Voyages, Bent Martini, said: “Last year, we made history as the world’s first cruise company to sail into the Geirangerfjord UNESCO World Heritage Site emission-free and silently, four years before the Norwegian government ..read more

European river cruise specialist, Viva Cruises, has announced that its third new-build, Viva Enjoy, will join its fleet in September 2024. Viva Enjoy will be mainly sailing on the Danube from September to December 2024 and itineraries can now be booked online. The cruise line currently has two ships – Viva One and Viva Two, which launched in 2022 and 2023 respectively – in its fleet. Viva Enjoy will embark on its 12-night maiden voyage on September 22, 2024, from Frankfurt to Vienna. The vessel is identical in design to Viva Two, with 95 cabins accommodating 190 passengers; three res ..read more

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced plans to sail 10 ships in Europe this year including its newest vessel Norwegian Prima   Norwegian Prima returned to Europe last week and will homeport in Reykjavik, Barcelona, and Southampton – one of 10 NCL ships based in European waters until December. Viva, the second of NCL’s Prima Class, will offer departures from brand firsts such as Bilbao (Spain), Tromsø (Norway), Marseille (France), and Ravenna (Italy). NCL, which has 18 ships in its fleet, is also moving towards offering longer European sailings with  87 per cent of its European vo ..read more

President of P&O Cruises, Paul Ludlow, has been named been named president of Carnival UK in a new consolidated position In Ludlow’s new position, which begins today (June 1), he will assume all commercial and operational responsibility for Carnival UK which includes P&O Cruises and Cunard globally. New Cunard president Katie McAlister, who joins the company in August, will report to Ludlow. As part of the leadership change, Sture Myrmell will be leaving the business after a long and illustrious career with the company. Commenting on the news, Josh Weinstein, Carnival Corporation and ..read more

  Sail Croatia has announced it will add a new ship to its fleet for the summer 2024 season. The cruise line will offer sailings on Katarina, described as a “deluxe super yacht with a sleek design, ideal for exploring the Croatian coastline in luxury”. Katarina will operate Sail Croatia’s Explorer and VIP Navigator itineraries during its first season with the line. The ship, which was built in 2019, can accommodate a maximum of 36 guests. Sail Croatia added that it features a “jacuzzi, modern décor and well-appointed dining salon”, as well as a terrace lounge and bar. A swimming platform ..read more

  TUI River Cruises has increased its range of on-board activities on its fleet of river ships. The line said the enhancements will provide guests with the “perfect opportunity to get the most out of their cruise while taking in the sights of Europe’s most picturesque rivers”. The activities, which are available on all three ships, all have a focus on mindfulness. A new Book Club will give guests the chance to read and discuss a bestseller while making connections with other guests. Bespoke stargazing is now available, while activities such as jewellery making, card making and seasonal wr ..read more

  APT has announced the appointment of Holly Piggott to the newly created role of sales executive to “support the operator’s expanded sales team and key partners”. Piggott first joined APT in 2019 as reservations consultant, before being promoted to sales team leader. Before that, Piggott was branch manager of Thomas Cook’s Chesham store, “adding great insight into the day-to-day needs of APT’s travel agent partners to her skillset”, a statement said. APT ‘driving trade sales’ plan APT & Travelmarvel head of sales and business development Brad Bennetts said: “Holly has been an integra ..read more

  Light Blue Travel has appointed Russell Fleming as reservations manager. Fleming will manage the sales and reservations team, as well as streamlining processes and improving efficiencies to maximise revenue. He joins the Cambridge-based company from HF Holidays, where he was customer success manager and prior to that was reservations manager at Freedom Destinations. Fleming – who will report to Light Blue Travel commercial director UK & Europe Michelle Daniels – will also focus on sales training programmes and developing the company’s CRM/booking system. Light Blue acts as the UK an ..read more

  Explora Journeys has unveiled the design of its Owner’s Residence on board Explora I, the first of up to six luxury ships in the fleet. Explora I is set to embark on its maiden journey in July 2023 – a 15-night sailing departing from Southampton. The Owner’s Residence “creates the largest living space on board”, the line said, featuring multiple spaces to “relax, entertain and unwind while enjoying panoramic ocean views from the private outdoor terrace”. It also has an infinity whirlpool and a dining table for eight guests. Guests staying in the Owner’s Residence will enjoy dedicated pr ..read more

  Holland America Line has reported “very positive” feedback for its upgraded wifi service on the Pinnacle-class ship Koningsdam. SpaceX’s Starlink technology was installed on the ship in April and has now been in operation for four weeks. Since receiving the new technology, Koningsdam has sailed an 18-day cruise roundtrip from Vancouver to Hawaii, and started seven-day Alaska Inside Passage voyages from Vancouver. A more reliable internet connection is “particularly important on ships in Alaska where weather interference and blockage from structures and mountains can challenge traditiona ..read more