Expedition Cruise Network Announces First Conference Tuesday 1 & Wednesday 2 October 2024 Bankside Hotel, London SE1 9JU Lead Sponsor: HX Hurtigruten Expeditions The Expedition Cruise Network (ECN) is delighted to announce the world’s first ever conference wholly dedicated to expedition cruise – The Expedition Cruise Network Conference 2024 with lead sponsor HX Hurtigruten Expeditions. The event will be held across two days, Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 October 2024 in the state-of-the-art venue of Bankside Hotel, which is part of the Autograph Collection, London, SE1 9JU. Akvile Marozaite E ..read more

Full Steam Ahead This April: American Cruise Lines Opens Biggest Season Yet on the Columbia & Snake Rivers American Cruise Lines is celebrating the growth of US River cruising with its biggest season yet on the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Following recent major announcements about the company’s rapidly expanding fleet, including five more new US ships coming in 2024 and 2025, American continues to lead the US industry’s expansion west, featuring five riverboats and an extensive collection of itineraries on the Columbia and Snake Rivers from April through early November. The line also has t ..read more

Virgin Voyages opens up Status Match to Hotel & Airline Travel Loyalty Programs Cruising is undoubtedly a hot topic for summer travel, as indicated by CLIA's 2024 State of the Industry Report revealing that a significant 82% of respondents are planning to embark on a cruise. To meet the escalating demand and cater to the evolving preferences of travellers, cruise lines are introducing innovative programs. One such example is Virgin Voyages' groundbreaking initiative - the Summer Season Pass. This month-long work onboard program in the Mediterranean promises a unique blend of work and leisu ..read more

  First Impressions of Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam in Dover, UK. Image: Kathy Taylor, Cruise Lowdown We were invited onboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam this weekend for a fleeting visit whilst the ship was in Dover, ahead of her first U.K. season next year (2025). Having never had the opportunity to enjoy Holland American Line before, we were really excited for our first experience of a cruise line whose wonderful reputation goes before it. I must admit to having some preconceptions - for example, I’d heard they were more trad ..read more

Holland America Line enhances Alaska sailings with ‘Glacier Day’ experience ‘Glacier Day’ new for 2024 Alaska programme New food and beverage options available on all cruises Alaska season starts on April 27, departing from Vancouver Holland America Line has launched a new ‘Glacier Day’ on its 2024 Alaska cruises As the cruise line offering more glacier experiences than any other, ‘Glacier Day’ will feature sighting times, talks by Glacier Bay National Park Rangers and Huna cultural interpreters, scenic commentary, presentations, informational viewing stations, photo opportunities and G ..read more

Carnival Glory returns to service follow dry dock Carnival Cruise Line ship Carnival Glory has returned to service following a 21-day dry dock to refurbish onboard public spaces. The 2980-guest vessel departed Barcelona on April 18 on a 14-day Carnival Journeys transatlantic cruise to its new homeport of Port Canaveral. Carnival Glory now features refreshed furnishings and décor across all public areas; a newly added Heroes Tribute Bar & Lounge, which honours military veterans and active-duty service members; and Dreams Photography Studio. Camp Ocean, which is designed for younger cruisers ..read more

Holland America Line launches £1 deposit sale Holland America Line is offering over 800 cruises for a £1pp deposit, in a new five-day sale. The limited-time offer is valid on new bookings made between April 18 and April 22, 2024.  Guests can choose from select sailings departing through to April 2026, including itineraries in Alaska, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Panama Canal, Hawaii, South Pacific, South America and Antarctica, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.   The low-deposit offer is combinable with Holland America Line’s current Anniversary Sale, featuring up to 35% off cruise ..read more

Celestyal launches new spa treatments  Celestyal has unveiled a range of new wellbeing and spa treatments as part of its ‘Sozo Experience’ on its two ships, Celestyal Journey and Celestyal Discovery.  The Sozo Experience is inspired by the ancient Greek tradition of sozo, or wellness, with activities and concepts designed to rejuvenate the mind, body and spirit. Guests can now indulge in new facial treatments, known as the Vie Collection, in the Sozo Spa. These are inspired by aesthetic medicine, in collaboration with experts in the field and comprise: * Three-dimension wrinkle-smoot ..read more

Holland America Line enhances entertainment and unveils destination-specific productions Four new mainstage shows to expand entertainment offering Region-specific productions tailored to itineraries Rolling Stone Lounge added to Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam Holland America Line is adding to its entertainment programme with the introduction of four new mainstage shows in 2024. The line has also unveiled several new productions, tailored to the regions where guests are sailing. The new shows, which first appeared on Eurodam in February this year, comprise: Song & Dance - set on a studio ..read more

ActorJonathan Bennett Named as Godfather of Carnival Firenze Carnival Cruise Line has named actor Jonathan Bennett as godfather of Carnival Firenze. Bennett is a seasoned television actor and appeared in the 2004 movie ‘Mean Girls’. He has since gone on to star in multiple feature films, Hallmark Channel productions and hosted programmes for the Food Network. The 5260-guest Carnival Firenze is the second ship to transfer to the Carnival fleet from sister line Costa Cruises, following Carnival Venezia. Christine Duffy, president at Carnival Cruise Line, said: “Jonathan is a true brand ambassado ..read more