Cruise News – Spring 2024

 

CroisiEurope launches a Brand New Hotel Barge Cruise through Belgium

Europe’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope, has launched a brand new hotel barge cruise along Belgium’s little-known waterways, taking in beautiful towns with a rich cultural heritage as well as a wide range of architectural and culinary discoveries. This is CroisiEurope’s first hotel barge cruise itinerary outside of France.
The six-night cruise, which launches in April 2025, operates between Ghent and Halle and visits Bruges, Oudenaarde, Péronnes-Lez-Antoing, Mons, Strépy-Thieu and Brussels. The cruise takes place on the MS Raymonde which features just 11 en-suite outward facing cabins, restaurant, lounge bar, sun deck and relaxation area with Jacuzzi. And, with six crew members including a talented chef serving up a variety of mouth-watering dishes, guests are guaranteed a truly personalised service.
www.croisieurope.travel

 

Best in Alaska! UnCruise Adventures Clinches Four Prestigious Travel Awards

UnCruise Adventures, a US-flagged leader in small-ship, expedition-style cruising, proudly owned and headquartered in Juneau, Alaska, is officially named “Best Small-Ship Expedition Line” by U.S. News & World Report and “Best in Alaska” in the Cruise Critic Editor’s Picks’ Awards. Additionally, two ships, the Wilderness Legacy and the Wilderness Discoverer, occupy two top-five spaces in USA Today’s annual “10Best” Best in Alaska category (the only company to have two ships listed in the top five). UnCruise Adventures is proud to show the strength of a family-owned, locally run business that provides services and experiences that mega ships can’t offer. These accolades also highlight UnCruise Adventures’ commitment to excellence and reinforce its standing as a premier choice in Alaska tourism.
https://uncruise.com

 

Journey Beyond Boundaries On Crystal’s 2026 World Cruise

Crystal has recently announced the highly anticipated 2026 World Cruise onboard Crystal Serenity. Crystal’s 2026 World Cruise is an extraordinary 135-day journey traveling to 72 destinations throughout 27 countries, promising unparalleled experiences and cultural exploration.

Departing from Los Angeles, on Jan. 11, 2026, Crystal Serenity will traverse the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific, unveiling the enchanting landscapes of the Marquesas Islands, Bora Bora’s turquoise lagoons, and the lush greenery of New Zealand. From there, explore the iconic Sydney Opera House in Australia, and meander through the bustling streets of Hong Kong. Delve into the rich history of Mumbai and marvel at the architectural wonders of Dubai. From the sun-kissed beaches of Bali to the cultural tapestry of Athens, the voyage travels through the Mediterranean, including a stop in Monaco, just in time for the Grand Prix before concluding in the historic wonder of Rome on May 26. From wanderlust-inspired destinations and revived overland experiences to reimagined spaces, award-winning dining and one-of-a-kind service on board, the 2026 World Cruise promises a masterpiece of experiences like never before.

www.crystalcruises.com

 

Viking Announces First-of-Their-Kind China Voyages

Viking® has recently announced three new, first-of-their-kind itineraries that will provide guests with exclusive access to China in 2024. The new voyages range from 10 to 20 days and explore iconic cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Each itinerary also includes a domestic sailing of China’s coast that highlights rarely-seen destinations and ports to which only Viking has access—something that has never before been offered for international visitors. The new voyages will operate from September to November on the Viking Yi Dun—formerly the Viking Sun—a sister ship featuring the same award-winning design and service as all other ocean ships in Viking’s fleet. 
 
New China Voyages:  
     
Wonders of China, 20 days; Beijing roundtrip 
This comprehensive 20-day cruisetour itinerary delivers China’s main highlights. Guests can meet a Tibetan family at their home, walk on the Great Wall and see the Terra Cotta Warriors.
 
Classic China & the Coast
15 days; Beijing, Xian – Hong Kong (Shenzhen)
This voyage combines the experiences of Viking’s 10-day China Discovery voyage with opportunity to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, the Terra Cotta Warriors and other iconic landmarks. 
 
China Discovery,10 days
Shanghai – Hong Kong (Shenzhen)
This 10-day itinerary allows guests to experience the Buddhist shrines of Zhoushan and the cliffs of Dongtou, follow the steps of 19th-century European diplomats on Gulangyu Island in Xiamen, or try Cantonese dim sum in Shenzhen. 

www.viking.com

 

Seabourn Unveils Top 10 Reasons to Experience the South Pacific in 2024 and 2025

Seabourn, a leader in ultra-luxury voyages and expedition travel, has unveiled the top 10 expedition experiences in the South Pacific during the 2024 and 2025 seasons on board Seabourn Pursuit. The line’s new purpose-built expedition ship will visit some of the least-traveled islands and atolls in the world, with itineraries designed with no two experiences alike. The voyages will offer a number of unique experiences, including exploring unspoiled coral reefs with diverse fish populations, discovering relics of World War II action in the Pacific Theater and immersing in fascinating local communities that openly share their traditions and culture.

Seabourn’s top 10 South Pacific experiences include the following:

1. Visit some of the most remote and fascinating locations on the planet.
2. Snorkel among some of the more pristine coral reefs in the world at the incredibly remote Ducie Island.
3. Be invited to witness the otherworldly Baining Fire Dance ritual under the jungle moon of Papua New Guinea.
4.Visit the mysterious and stunning Sawa-I-Lau Caves in the Yasawa Islands of Fiji.
5. Take the Zodiacs up the Sepik River to Kopar Village to encounter the people of East Sepik.
6. Come ashore at Kitava Island to learn from the Trobriand people about their unique culture.
7. Arrive at Bakawari Island in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.
8. See the enigmatic archaeological site of Nan Madol on the island of Pohnpei.
9. Take a Zodiac through the Asewet River delta of West Papua, Indonesia.
10. Stand on the deck of Seabourn Pursuit as it sails into Chuuk Atoll.

www.seabourn.com

 

Celebrity Cruises Announces Unique New Places and Elevated New Spaces for 2025-2026 Season

Features the inaugural season of Celebrity Xcel, year-round sailings in the Caribbean, new immersive itineraries throughout both Japan and Iceland, and more
 
Celebrity Cruises has announced its 2025-2026 season of sailings, its most ambitious ever with more than 800 sailings to over 290 destinations in 72 countries across 7 continents. The newly announced summer and winter program for the premium cruise line’s fleet of 16 award-winning ships includes the debut Caribbean season for the highly anticipated fifth ship in the industry-transforming Edge Series, Celebrity Xcel, along with new ports in Europe; year-round offerings in the Caribbean; and new experiences in 29 cities with single and double overnights. 
 
Highlights of the new 2025-2026 season include:
 
• Celebrity Xcel, the brand’s newest and most innovative Edge Series ship, making her Caribbean debut with 7-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale;
 
• Year-round sailings from Miami to the Caribbean on guest favorite, Celebrity Beyond;
 
• Three new European ports to discover: 
Bar, Montenegro; Trondheim, Norway and Djupivogur, Iceland;
 
• Four brand-new itineraries circumnavigating Iceland on Celebrity Silhouette;
 
• Two new distinct, immersive Asia itineraries.
 
The Ultimate Asia Experience
With the resurgence of Asia, guests have the unique opportunity to explore must-see destinations and hidden treasures with overnight stays in 11 different cities in the region, paired with elevated offerings onboard Celebrity’s two ships in the region Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Solstice.  

www.celebritycruises.com

 

Farewell to Ocean Adventurer, Welcome Ocean Explorer!

The much-loved Ocean Adventurer, a longtime favourite among guests and crew, embarks on its last voyage with Quark Expeditions at the end of the Arctic 2024 season. Just as Quark Expeditions bids farewell to the time-honoured Ocean Adventurer, the polar operator welcomes a new vessel into the fleet: the stunningly beautiful Ocean Explorer.

The 138-passenger Ocean Explorer will set sail under the Quark Expeditions banner at the start of the Antarctic 2024/2025 season. “Going beyond in the polar regions requires the best expedition team operating the best ships,” says Andrew White, President of Quark Expeditions. “And we’ve got both. Ocean Explorer is the perfect addition to our fleet—for adventure, for luxury, and for leading-edge technology, this purpose-built polar expedition ship truly delivers for our discerning polar explorers.”

Ocean Explorer‘s state-of-the-art expedition technology elevates the polar experience in every way: extensive adventure capability for thrilling off-ship adventures, exceptional safety and sustainability features, plus outstanding interior space and comfort. With its distinctive X-Bow design and remarkable two-story forward lounge, Ocean Explorer sets a striking stage for unforgettable polar expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic.

www.quarkexpeditions.com