CRUISE NEWS: MSC Cruises unveiled Cliffhanger, an over-water swing, on World America. It will debut when the ship enters service in April 2025. The ride structure will tower above the new U.S. flagship’s top deck, nestled in the heart of the ship’s Family Aventura district and beckoning thrill seekers who want a rush of excitement. Cliffhanger’s four seats start off close to the deck before powered arms lift them into the starting position—up and out over the edge of the ship. From there, riders are propelled back and forth, high above the waterline and dangling 160 feet above the ocean below ..read more

CRUISE NEWS: Holland America Line enhances entertainment with new productions in 2024. Four new shows will put a fresh spin on the classic cruise production format. Additional new productions tailored to various regions will provide a variety of performances focusing on the local culture where ships are cruising. Beyond the mainstage, Holland America Line is adding Rolling Stone Lounge to more ships and enhancing its popular Billboard Onboard music experience. “Over the past several years we’ve built one of the strongest entertainment experiences at sea, working with world-class musician ..read more

CRUISE NEWS: Holland America Line unveils four new “Legendary Voyages” including a rare roundtrip 45-day cruise from New York to the Mediterranean and a unique 28-day exploration of the South Pacific Islands. As travelers’ interest in longer cruises grows, these region-centric journeys, which will depart in 2025 and early 2026, give guests the opportunity to foster deeper connections and engage more intimately with the destinations visited.   Departing Oct. 7, 2025, the 45-Day “Ultimate Mediterranean & Atlantic Passage” Legendary Voyage aboard Volendam is a special sailing roundtrip ..read more

CRUISE NEWS: Royal Caribbean Icon of the Seas arrived in Miami for the first time. The first-of-its-kind combination of the best of every vacation was welcomed with fanfare by air, land and sea, ahead of its official debut on Jan. 27. Counting down to the start of a new era of vacations, local residents and Royal Caribbean fans, executives and employees were on hand as the first to see Miami’s newest resident. Icon arrived to PortMiami in style, with celebratory fireboat salutes, banner planes in flight and a community celebration at Pérez Art Museum to mark the new vacation’s ..read more

CRUISE NEWS: MSC Cruises Seascape to home port in Galveston from November 2025, becoming MSC Cruises’ fourth U.S. home port.  The line today opened sales for year-round sailings from the port, offering seven-night itineraries with Sunday embarkation. Guests will be treated to a unique itinerary sailing to stunning destinations in the Caribbean including Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico) and Isla de Roatan (Honduras) with the first departure set for November 9, 2025. Marking a significant milestone in its ongoing U.S. expansion, MSC Cruises’ CEO Gianni Onorato commented, “This announce ..read more

CRUISE NEWS: Explora Journeys unveils its latest Destination Experiences, inviting travellers to immerse themselves in the unparalleled beauty and culture of Central America, the US and Canada Pacific Coast, and Hawaii between March to May 2024. A 14-night journey from Amador, Panama to Los Angeles, USA (March 29 – April 12, 2024) visiting ports such as Quepos, Costa Rica, San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, offers guests the chance to immerse themselves into Central American cultures. Explora Journeys unveils its latest Destination Experiences a ..read more

CRUISE NEWS: Fresh off its epic Australia debut Virgin Voyages is bringing back its most inclusive offer ever for the cruise industry’s annual wave season. The exclusively-adult Virgin Voyages is introducing 21 new ports for the summer of 2025 across Iceland, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, the Caribbean and more. Between now and Jan. 31, travelers can purchase a voyage for one Sailor and get 70% off the second Sailor, plus up to $600 USD in a Bar Tab, depending on the voyage length. Able to be used for specialty coffees, high-end, top-shelf cocktails or the brand’s signature Shake for Champagne fe ..read more

CRUISE NEWS: MSC Cruises observes a heightened demand for cruises that offer extended stays in destinations, holidays rich in cultural experiences, upgraded adventures with touches of luxury, sustained enthusiasm for Europe’s vibrant cities, and guests looking for the biggest experience-value return. LINGER FOR LONGER Cruise travellers are increasingly expressing a desire for more time in their destinations and itineraries with extended or overnight port calls gaining popularity. This extra time ensures guests can truly explore their destinations in an authentic and leisurely way, allowing e ..read more

CRUISE NEWS: Silversea announces full summer season in French Polynesia on 17 voyages between April and September 2026 aboard Silver Whisper — the most luxurious ship to sail in the region. Curated by Silversea’s destination experts following an extensive scouting mission in the region, the leading ultra-luxury travel brand will operate two itineraries in rotation, offering deep immersion into 11 of some of the world’s most remote destinations in three of the region’s five archipelagos — the Society, Tuamotu, and Marquesas Islands. “Silversea’s rapid increase in capacity has opened opportunit ..read more

CRUISE NEWS: Crystal Cruises wins Best Service and Best for Solo Travelers in the Luxury category at the 15th annual Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards. “We are honored to have Crystal recognized in two categories by the editors of Cruise Critic, both in the U.S. and U.K. awards,” said CEO of A&K Travel Group Cristina Levis. “Exceptional service is one of our key pillars and with more than 80% of our beloved crew returning during our relaunch, to once again be recognized by our industry peers is an esteemed accomplishment.” “With the trend of solo traveling continuing to rise ..read more