Cruise News – Fall 2024

 

‘Heroes and Villains’ Themed Disney Destiny Sets Sail for Legendary Family Vacations in November 2025

Beginning in November 2025, the Disney Destiny will draw on the legacies of Disney’s larger-than-life heroes and villains to forge a legendary cruise vacation steeped in the lore of illustrious Disney stories. The new Disney Cruise Line ship will debut one-of-a-kind venues and experiences that complement the extraordinary entertainment, world-class dining and unparalleled hospitality that make every Disney Cruise Line vacation legendary.

Part of Disney Cruise Line’s unprecedented period of growth and expansion, the Disney Destiny – sister ship to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure – will sail its maiden voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in November 2025, followed by an inaugural season of four- and five-night cruises to The Bahamas and Western Caribbean, including visits to one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com

 

AmaWaterways Introduces the Magnificent AmaLilia on the Nile

Unique experiences await travelers on the river cruise line’s second ship on the Nile

As North American travelers continue looking to Egypt as a bucket-list destination, the award-winning river cruise line AmaWaterways has launched its latest addition to the fleet, AmaLilia, on the enchanting waters of the Nile River. Specially curated with upscale regionally inspired décor and 41 staterooms, including 13 suites, the luxurious new ship embarked on its inaugural journey in April 2024. The 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile cruise and land experience includes a seven-night round trip river cruise from Luxor and is paired with three nights pre- and one-night post-cruise stays in historic Cairo at the prestigious St. Regis Cairo, overlooking the Nile River.
www.amawaterways.com

 

Seabourn Unveils New Ultra-Luxury Voyages on Seabourn Quest for the 2025 Holiday and Spring Seasons

Seabourn, the leader in ultra-luxury cruising and expedition travel, has announced a new program of immersive itineraries available on Seabourn Quest as the ship explores Australia & New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii and the Panama Canal from December 2025 to April 2026. Seabourn Quest will sail a total of 22 itineraries with 46 destinations in 13 countries, including a new series of 10-day voyages sailing roundtrip from Papeete (Tahiti) that provide a full immersion in French Polynesia.
www.aurora-expeditions.com

 

Viking Named a “World’s Best” for Oceans, Rivers and Expeditions by Readers of Travel + Leisure in 2024 Awards

Travel + Leisure readers have voted Viking® a “World’s Best” for oceans, rivers and expeditions in the 2024 World’s Best Awards, which were announced today. Viking was once again named #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions and was again voted one of the World’s Best river lines. Viking is also rated #1 for Oceans, #1 for Rivers and #1 for Expeditions by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler. No other travel company has simultaneously received the same honors by both publications—something Viking has achieved two years in a row.

Since 1995, Travel + Leisure, the largest travel magazine brand in the U.S., has invited readers to cast their vote for the World’s Best in cruising with considerations in the following features: cabins/facilities, food, service itineraries/destinations, excursions/activities and value.

With a clear focus on creating experiences for The Thinking Person, Viking does not try to be all things to all people. This approach has resonated with guests, and today’s announcement is just the latest milestone in a series of recent accolades. In addition to the awards from Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler, Viking dominated the 2023 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards with seven awards – more than any other line – across the luxury, river and expedition categories – including Best Cabins and Best Spa in the luxury category. Viking was named Best Luxury Line, Best Line for Couples and Best Line in the Mediterranean in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Cruise Lines ranking; among the Best Cruises by the editors and panel of experts in both the Women’s Health and Men’s Health 2024 Travel Awards; and two of Viking’s ocean ships, the Viking Sky® and the Viking Neptune® were rated and “Recommended” as part of the Forbes Travel Guide 2024 Star Awards, an annual independent evaluation for luxury travel brands.

www.viking.com

 

MSC Cruises Rolls Out Red Carpet with Exclusive Shore Excursions for MSC Yacht Club Guests

MSC Cruises has recently revealed that for the first time, guests traveling in the MSC Yacht Club will have the opportunity to book a carefully curated selection of exclusive shore excursions so that they can discover new places, new cultures and new people, immersing themselves fully in the destinations they visit.

The MSC Yacht Club is MSC Cruises ‘ship-within-a-ship’ concept offering added privacy and exclusivity to elegant suites in a keycard-access area of the ship. Offering its guests added luxury in a relaxed and elegant atmosphere, this exclusive area provides dedicated facilities, with its own sundeck and pool, restaurant and lounge, as well as personalized service, such as the 24-hour butler and concierge desk.

Available on many of MSC Cruises’ ships, the MSC Yacht Club offers its guests a secluded retreat while allowing them to enjoy the countless facilities and entertainment possibilities available throughout the rest of the ship.

In keeping with the MSC Yacht Club experience, the cruise line has now introduced more than 90 specially designed MSC Yacht Club shore excursions in various ports in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Northern Europe, with more to come in other regions later this year. Providing even more exclusivity, the excursions run with only small groups, enabling guests to explore their destinations more intimately.

From the MSC Yacht Club, guests will have priority disembarkation and then move into private transportation for extra comfort during travel, ensuring a feeling of relaxation with all the details taken care of.

www.msccruises.com

 

Princess Cruises Announces Extended 2025-26 Japan & Southeast Asia Cruise Season

On the heels of record-breaking travel to Japan by U.S. visitors in 2023, and another strong season underway this year, Princess Cruises has recently announced it will extend the number of itineraries in Japan during the 2025-26 season.

The 2025-26 cruise season to the must-see island nations of Japan and Southeast Asia onboard a Princess ship has just been announced. On sale now, Japan-built Diamond Princess returns featuring an expanded Japan season showcasing the region’s breathtaking fall foliage, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto and more.

From ancient temples and castles, to bustling markets and breathtaking gardens, cruisers experience the best way to see Japan with Princess with a new fall 2025 season offering 11 new voyages ranging in length from nine to 22 days, visiting 25 destinations throughout the Land of the Rising Sun, as well as stops in Korea and Taiwan.

Highlights of the season include:

• 13-day Circle Japan Fall Foliage sailing taking place during the beautiful autumn leaves season
• 9-day Circle Japan voyage a circumnavigation of the country with stops at Nagasaki, Akita and Sakaiminato
• 9-day Southern Islands departures to the southernmost part of Japan and the lush islands of Okinawa and Ishigaki
• 10-day Kyushu & Korea cruise, which sails these large islands of Japan including visits to Hiroshima, Osaka (for Kyoto) and Shimizu (for Mt. Fuji)
• For the ultimate Japan exploration, guests can combine these 18- to 22- day itineraries for an unforgettable 40-day adventure

www.princess.com

 

Explora Journeys Unveils Unique Destination Experiences in the Caribbean

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group unveils a series of exclusive Caribbean destination experiences. Guests can discover these meticulously crafted experiences during their Caribbean journeys, blending celebrated destinations with off-the-beaten-path ports.

With EXPLORA II arriving in the Caribbean in November 2024 and EXPLORA I in December 2024, guests will have unparalleled opportunities to immerse themselves in the Caribbean’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures, all while indulging in exceptional luxury.

EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II will visit a varied array of destinations in the Caribbean until March 2025. These include Gustavia in St. Barts, Oranjestad in Aruba, and St. John’s in Antigua. Itineraries also feature ports such as Belize City, Bequia in the Grenadines, and Cozumel and Progreso in Mexico. Each destination is selected to provide a unique and enriching exploration experience.

Highlight Destination Experiences include:

• Willemstad, Curaçao Natural Wonders, a Voyage of Learning
• Saint-Pierre, Martinique, Privileged Access and Rum Tastings on the Rhum Clément Estate
• Gustavia, Saint Barthélemy, Luxurious Beachside Relaxation and Lunch at Rosewood Le Guanahani
• Progreso (Merida), Mexico, An Unforgettable Journey to Uxmal and Hacienda Xocnaceh
• Cozumel, Mexico, Exclusive Flight to Chichén Itzá.

https://explorajourneys.com