New in Cruise: Cunard's Demand, New Viking Ship, Cannes Incident

As the cruise industry hits the mid-year mark, Cunard  announced a "significant uplift in demand" following the launch of its 2027 cruise schedules. The storied brand posted a 55 percent increase in nights booked during the first seven days compared to the equivalent period for the 2026 launch. Both the UK and North American markets contributed significantly to this success, the line said in a press release. 

In fact, Cunard's bookings were up almost 50 percent in the U.K. and more than 100 percent in North America. Cunard also reported a "notable surge in demand" — almost 100 percent — for its most exclusive Queens Grill and Princess Grill luxury suites, year-over year. In addition, Cunard said that Queen Mary 2's transatlantic crossings "continue to perform strongly," as one of the line's most popular routes.  

Also positive is Viking’s fleet growth. That continues as the line has taken delivery of its newest ocean vessel, Viking Vesta. The 998-passenger ship will sail Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries during its inaugural season this summer. 

Cannes Mayor, NCL Cancellations

But within Europe, some major port destinations have taken action to stifle cruise tourism, particularly by larger vessels carrying thousands of passengers. Some have passed limitations on a cruise ship's size — banning ships carrying "above" a certain number of passengers), while others have capped ship calls or set a daily maximum passenger count for cruise visitors. 

For instance, the government of Cannes, France, recently imposed a limit of one large ship a day (no more than 3,500 passengers), while allowing smaller vessels. This past week, though, the Mayor of Nice attempted to “expel” a Royal Caribbean International cruise ship in the harbor, traveling via police boat to the ship, according to Seatrade Cruise News. That said, the ship’s captain denied boarding to the mayor, passengers reboarded as normal after their day ashore, and the ship departed without incident. 

Separately, this past week, travel advisors received a communication from Norwegian Cruise Line explaining that 41 cruises on two ships for 2026 or 2027 have been cancelled due to fleet redeployments, according to Cruise Hive, which published the complete list of cancellations. Those include voyages on Norwegian Breakaway from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to the southern Caribbean and on Norwegian Prima from New Orleans, LA, to the western Caribbean. NCL hasn't announced the new deployment details for both ships as yet. 

Norwegian Bliss in Ketchikan, Alaska
Norwegian Bliss, shown above in Alaska, is one of two Norwegian Cruise Line ships with some 2026-2027 sailings cancelled due to ship redeployments.  (Norwegian Cruise Lines Holding)

Outcomes: Good and Sad

Earlier last week, a 45-year-old male guest sailing on Disney Cruise Line jumped 45 feet overboard into the Atlantic Ocean to save his young daughter who had fallen from a railing and then through a porthole into the sea. The incident happened as Disney Dream was returning to Florida. Alerted by the child's mother, the father dived in to rescue his daughter and then treaded water until the ship’s small rescue boat arrived. Both were rescued, the father was hospitalized, and the investigation is continuing.

In a less positive outcome, a 62-year-old doctor sailing on Norwegian Bliss during an Alaska cruise got off the ship in Juneau last week for a daytime hike. She never returned to the ship. Later, her body was discovered by rescuers some 1,700 feet below a popular trail, according to the Associated Press. Authorities are investigating.

New Cruise Developments

Itinerary-wise, Ponant unveiled its Central American and Caribbean sailings for 2026-2027. In addition, Sea Cloud Cruises will host a 2026 culinary sailing with celebrity Chef Ben Robinson, known from Bravo TV’s "Below Deck” and “Below Deck Mediterranean." That seven-night culinary voyage on the 136-guest Sea Cloud Spirit will sail roundtrip from St. Maarten, departing January 25, 2026. 

Sea Cloud Spirit
One of the accommodations on Sea Cloud Spirit. The ship will welcome celebrity Chef Ben Robinson onboard for a culinary sailing.  (Sea Cloud Cruises)

Starting January 2, 2026, Heritage Line will launch a new two-night itinerary on Vietnam’s Bai Tu Long Bay, a tranquil, lesser-known extension of the famed Halong Bay. Separately, Holland America Line is collaborating with Sony Electronics for this year's summer Alaska season. The partners have launched select photo experiences, as well as an “Alaska Through Your Lens” photo sweepstakes. 

Travel Agent recently returned from a week-long sailing on Celestyal Cruises’ 1,260-passenger Celestyal Journey. Check out the first article in our two-part series, “On Site: Celestyal Journey – Past and Present.” It covers the ship’s recent revitalization, the line’s destination immersion focus, our Grand Dream Suite accommodations, and a few tidbits from the writer's past journey on the ship when it previously sailed as Holland America’s Ryndam. Stay tuned for our second article about Celestyal Journey, encompassing  dining, enrichment, entertainment and onboard activities.  

This original dolphins leaping statue is a remnant from the former Holland America Ryndam. Today it still graces the magradome pool area of Celestyal Journey.
One of Celestyal Journey's two onboard pools.  (Photo by Susan J. Young)

On select Caribbean cruises, Costa Cruises’ “Summer Sale” promotion is offering cruise travelers a complimentary upgrade to the “Cruise Plus Drinks” package for the price of “Cruise Only.” To take advantage of this offer, a booking must be made by August 29, 2025. 

Summer Trend and Tips

Travel advisors tell Travel Agent Central that many clients are now gravitating toward a more intimate voyage experience, perhaps to a luxury yacht, expedition ship or river cruise vessel. These customers often desire to travel with fewer people and to prioritize destination-rich itineraries that allow for deeper cultural connections. 
 
So, how can advisors hit the right buttons for attracting more small-ship cruise guests (perhaps non-cruisers who would never take a big ocean ship vacation)? How can they close the sale? Travel Agent Central spoke to Robert Castro, vice president of marketing, US and LATAM, Scenic Group, about what messaging he believes works best to entice these clients to book. 
 
"For advisors looking to tap into this, a few strategies can help," he said. 
 
"Among them, is highlighting access to smaller ports," Castro added. "Many travelers don’t realize that intimate vessels — on both rivers and ocean — can visit boutique ports and hidden coastal villages that larger ships simply can’t. Emphasizing this exclusivity can be a powerful motivator." 
 
He also suggested advisors educate clients about the onboard enrichment opportunities, talking about chefs, historians, naturalists and other experts who can add tremendous value to their vacation. "Framing these experiences as a way to truly understand a destination resonates with sophisticated travelers," he says.  
 
Also, it's advantageous to promote flexibility, Castro added. 
 
Small-ship voyages frequently include bundled pricing or curated shore excursions. That can simplify decision-making for clients who seek ease of planning. Most importantly, "stay close to the inventory," he stressed. "Given the limited capacity, space on these vessels can disappear quickly. Advisors who monitor availability closely or build waitlists for clients often have an edge securing the most sought-after sailings."

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