Protecting the environment is high on the regulatory agenda for the global shipping industry. On 1 January 2024, the Maritime into the European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS) entered force, requiring operators to pay for the carbon dioxide they emit. With today’s fuel prices, the additional cost is estimated to be around €150 ($163) per ton of fuel.  EU ETS covers 100 per cent of intra-EU voyages and 50 per cent of voyages from/to the EU for all ships above 5,000gt. It is likely that the UK will introduce a corresponding scheme in future. There is a phase-in period with 40 per cen ..read more

Just when seasoned cruise professionals think they know all about Hong Kong, the city continues to deliver immersive festive and cultural events, and attractions to create more new and exciting onshore experiences.   This East-meets-West metropolis gives international cruise brands countless more reasons to make it a must-see port.  Spectacular events   Hong Kong hosts spectacular events throughout the year. While international and Western festivals such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas are widely celebrated in the city, it also retains traditions such as the Hong Kong In ..read more

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Glory has returned to service following a 21-day refurbishment project in Barcelona, Spain. The vessel departed on a 14-day transatlantic cruise destined for its new homeport of Port Canaveral in Florida, USA.  As well as refreshed decor and furnishings across all public areas, the ship also now has a new casino layout and a Dreams Photography Studio. The ship’s Warehouse video arcade was refreshed, and upgrades were made to the ship’s spa too.  Carnival Glory has a newly expanded casino following the dry dock refurbishment Carnival Glory also has a ne ..read more

Carnival Cruise Line has christened its newest ship, Carnival Firenze, at the Long Beach Cruise Terminal in California.   The ship’s godfather, American actor Jonathan Bennett, was joined by Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line, and Captain Enzo Palomba at the naming ceremony. Celebrating all things Italian, the ceremony included a performance of Puccini’s Nessun Dorma by Carnival's Playlist Productions cast and Father Charbel Grbavac of the Mary Star of the Sea Catholic church, in nearby San Pedro, making a running jump onto the stage to deliver a blessing.  The n ..read more

Just when seasoned cruise professionals think they know all about Hong Kong, the city continues to deliver immersive festive and cultural events, and attractions to create more new and exciting onshore experiences.   This East-meets-West metropolis gives international cruise brands countless more reasons to make it a must-see port.  Spectacular events   Hong Kong hosts spectacular events throughout the year. While international and Western festivals such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas are widely celebrated in the city, it also retains traditions such as the Hong Kong In ..read more

The USA’s Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is to use ABB technology to power a new double-ended, hybrid-electric vessel, which will operate   between Lincolnville and the island community of Isleboro. The newbuild ferry will replace the 35-year-old diesel-powered ferry Margaret Chase Smith to reduce fuel consumption by 100,000 gallons per year. ABB will provide the hybrid-electric propulsion and energy storage system. It will integrate its Onboard DC Grid power distribution solution and Ability Marine Remote Diagnostic System for optimal energy usage and monitoring. Funded un ..read more

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has floated out Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua  at its dry dock in Marghera, Italy. The construction milestone was celebrated by Fincantieri welding two ceremonial coins into Norwegian Aqua to bestow good luck and safe sailing for ship. “We are excited to celebrate another milestone with our partners at Fincantieri, who are integral to the Prima-class journey and supporting us in evolving the amazing experience we design and deliver for our guests,” said David Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line. “Building upon the guest-favourite features o ..read more

The number of passengers sailing on expedition cruises more than doubled from 2016 to 2022, according to the Cruise Lines International Association’s State of the Cruise Industry 2023 report. With this, the expedition cruise industry should anticipate increasing consumer demands for the safety of navigation, passenger experience and environmental impact. In response, KNUD E.HANSEN is enhancing its designs for passenger expedition vessels, built for 100-400 passengers, to support cruise lines in strengthening their operations.  To ensure safe navigation in remote and pristine env ..read more

Expedition cruising is on the rise. According to the Expedition Cruise Network’s (ECN)’s Insights Report 2023/2024 , 71 per cent of expedition cruise operators recorded an increase in business in 2023, and 94 per cent expect it to grow further in 2024. The network attributes this to the post-pandemic realisation that it is unwise to put off bucket-list trips. This surge in interest underscores the necessity for operators to invest in specialised systems and equipment to ensure safety and sustainability when taking guests to remote regions of the world.   “To provide an exceptional ex ..read more

Princess Cruises has christened its newest ship, Sun Princess, at a naming ceremony at the Port of Barcelona in Spain.   British actor Hannah Waddingham, who was named godmother of the ship earlier this month, activated the traditional champagne bottle smash against the ship’s bow by placing a final ray into a sun sculpture.  The sun ray represents the 16th ship in the Princess Cruises’ fleet “As much as theatre ripples through my bloodstream, I have the strongest history of maritime in my family,” said Waddingham when asked how she felt to be named as godmother to Sun Princess ..read more