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- CroisiEurope
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- Tauck
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- Seabourn
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- Viking
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- MSC
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- Princess
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- Explora
Cruise News – Winter 2024-25
Main photo: MSC World Europa at Sea
CroisiEurope Expands its 2025 Cruise & Hike Program to include the Rhine Valley & The Gironde
Europe’s largest river cruise operator, CroisiEurope, has expanded its popular Cruise & Hike program for 2025, adding two new itineraries through the Rhine Valley and along the Gironde. The cruises, which feature guided walks through some of the most beautiful scenery, are perfect for walkers and non-walkers alike with a selection of excursions available for those who don’t want to hike.
The Rhine Valley: A five night cruise round trip from Strasbourg through the Rhine Valley taking in a stunning mix of landscapes, cultures and history via Rüdesheim, Koblenz, Mainz and Rastatt.
The Gironde: A four-night cruise round trip from Bordeaux exploring the Gironde, trekking across the banks of an estuary dotted with traditional fishing cabins, through Bordeaux and its historic downtown.
www.croisieuroperivercruises.com
Tauck to Launch Two New Riverboats in France in 2026
Tauck has announced that two new ships will be joining the company’s fleet of award-winning riverboats in 2026. The two ships, which have not yet been named, will launch in spring 2026 following construction next year in Serbia and The Netherlands.
The newbuilds include a 135-meter vessel that will sail on Tauck itineraries along the Rhone. Accommodating a maximum of just 130 guests in sixty-eight cabins.
A slightly smaller (125-meter) sister ship will host up to 124 guests along the River Seine. In keeping with Tauck’s tradition of welcoming solo travelers, all Category 1 cabins on the new ships will have the single supplement waived on every sailing.
www.tauck.com
Seabourn Revises Fall 2025 Itineraries for Seabourn Encore to Asia, the Caribbean, Mediterranean and More
Seabourn, has modified the fall 2025 itineraries for Seabourn Encore to include a series of voyages through the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, the Southern Caribbean, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, and Japan between October 2025 and January 2026. The new deployment features seven itineraries from eight to 17 days, with visits to 33 destinations in 17 countries, including three maiden calls.
Seabourn Encore’s originally planned itineraries were revised to prioritize the safety of guests and to avoid the Red Sea. Instead, the ship will head westbound from the Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas to Japan, traveling more than 18,500 nautical miles across five continents and two oceans. www.seabourn.com
Viking Announces Expansion of China Offering with New Voyages Starting in 2025
Viking has recently announced six new itineraries in Asia that will expand exclusive access for guests to Japan and China, with Tibet (Xizang) in 2025. The new voyages range from 15 to 22 days and explore iconic destinations in China, including Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an and Lhasa in Tibet (Xizang), as well as Osaka, Japan. The itineraries will continue to highlight rarely-seen destinations and ports in China to which only Viking has access. Each voyage will offer guests immersive destination-focused experiences, insightful lectures and regionally inspired cuisine. The new itineraries will operate from September 2025 to November 2025 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 Asia Voyages in 2025: Jewels of Japan & China (15 days; Beijing to Tokyo), Classic China Discovery (20 days; Hong Kong to Beijing), Pearls of Japan & China (22 days; Tokyo to Beijing), Gems of China & Japan (22 days; Beijing roundtrip), 2025 Wonders of China (22 days; Beijing roundtrip) and 2025 Best of China (22 days; Hong Kong to Beijing).
Pre and Post Land Extensions
For additional immersion in Asia, Viking is also offering a variety of pre and post land extensions for its 2025 China itineraries, including: Beijing, Hong Kong, Hong Kong & Guilin, Spirit of Mongolia and Tokyo.
The Viking Yi Dun
Dedicated specifically to exploring destinations in China, with an onboard experience that complements guests’ discoveries ashore, the Viking Yi Dun is a sister ship in Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking’s ocean vessels have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that host 930 guests; the ships feature all veranda staterooms, Scandinavian design, light-filled public spaces and abundant al fresco dining options.
MSC Cruises Offers the Ultimate Winter Escape to the Caribbean’s Most Idyllic Destinations
Guests looking for the ultimate sunshine-filled winter escape need to look no further than MSC Cruises’ vast array of Caribbean itineraries, which showcase some of the most idyllic destinations the region has to offer.
With its pristine white sand beaches, clear turquoise water, tropical weather and rich cultural heritage, the Caribbean continues to grow in popularity as a holiday destination.
MSC Cruises has a total of five ships sailing the Caribbean this 2024/2025 winter season with varied itineraries from a range of easily accessed departure ports in north America including Miami, Port Canaveral, New York City.
The itineraries range from short mini getaways to extended sailings to some of the most coveted and sun-drenched destinations in the region including The Bahamas, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, Mexico and more.
Those guests looking for the ultimate comfort, privacy and personalized service on holiday can make the most of the MSC Yacht Club, the cruise line’s luxury ‘ship within a ship’ concept, with all five ships that call to the Caribbean this winter, MSC Seascape, MSC Seaside, MSC Seashore and MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina offering the MSC Yacht Club to book. With 24-hour butler and concierge service, premium drinks, elegant and spacious accommodations, an exclusive restaurant, lounge and pool, the MSC Yacht Club provides a secluded sanctuary, all within easy reach of everything a larger ship has to offer.
Princess Cruises Debuts Most Destination-Rich Voyage Ever with 131-Day Circle Pacific Cruise in Early 2026
Princess Cruises has recently announced the cruise line’s most destination-rich voyage ever offered with its new 131-day Circle Pacific Voyage departing January 2026 and visiting 60 ports in 19 countries around the Pacific Ocean. This voyage replaces the previously announced 2026 World Cruise to bypass the Red Sea and surrounding region.
This new itinerary aboard Coral Princess departs Ft. Lauderdale on January 5, 2026, and sails through Hawaii, French Polynesia, the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia, before continuing north on a tour of Asia highlighted with an extensive journey through Japan, followed by a Pacific crossing to experience the natural wonders of Alaska. Finally, after cruising southbound along the scenic Pacific Coast, the adventure culminates in Los Angeles on May 16, 2026. Guests may also choose a shorter 115-day roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles, departing January 21, 2026, as well as shorter segments sailing in various regions.
Iconic destinations await including Auckland, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Fiji, Osaka, Singapore, Sydney and Tahiti, with many late-night stays to enjoy the most time in port.
Coral Princess Amenities and Entertainment
With enrichment speakers, destination experts, ambassadors, performers and theatrical productions, Coral Princess brings each destination to life through immersive onboard programming. These thoughtfully crafted experiences, combined with an expertly curated itinerary, ensure a truly memorable voyage.
Additionally, the exclusive Princess MedallionClass vacation experience delivers exceptional, personalized experiences typical of small ships, while enjoying the best large-ship amenities. With expedited boarding, located loved ones anywhere on the ship, and enhanced service like having whatever they need delivered.
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.
On both EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, 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.
About Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys is the privately-owned luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, created at the heart of Swiss luxury hospitality. The brand stems from the long-held vision to redefine the ocean experience for a new generation of discerning luxury travellers, drawing on the Aponte family`s 300 years of maritime heritage. The brand’s aspiration is to create a unique ‘Ocean State of Mind’ by connecting guests with the sea, with themselves, and like-minded others, while remarkable itineraries blend renowned destinations with lesser-travelled ports, for a journey that inspires discovery in all its forms.
