In what’s shaping up to be a busy Atlantic hurricane season this year, Tropical Storm Ernesto threatened Puerto Rico with rain and winds last week and then transformed into Hurricane Ernesto prior to crossing over Bermuda later in the week. Among the cruise lines shifting ships out of the storm’s path were Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean International, as outlined in Cruise Hive.
New Itineraries and Destinations
On the new itinerary front, Windstar Cruises unveiled its 2026 "European Voyages," with many new itineraries, 34 first-time ports, new "Star Collector" sailings (combining several itineraries into one longer itinerary) and a first-ever Windstar solar eclipse. Seabourn also announced an additional 2026 Antarctica sailing. Scenic will introduce three new wellness retreat cruises on Scenic Eclipse, according to sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor. Also, Virgin Voyages announced new Eclipse-themed voyages for 2026.
Carnival Cruise Line revealed more about Celebration Key, its new private island-style experience that will open next year on Grand Bahama Island in the Bahamas. Princess Cruises unveiled a new enhanced premier package for guests and Poseidon launched new polar season deals for 2025.
Charter-only river cruise line Transcend Cruises has signed a construction agreement with Den Breejen Shipyard for its first river cruise ship to be delivered in fourth quarter 2025. A second new build will follow in 2026, subject to additional financing. Transcend covers the affinity market, tour operators, travel advisors and meeting and incentive planners with new options on the river of Europe as an alternative to land-based conferences and meetings.
More Cruise News
On the corporate front, Stella David, a director at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) since 2017, has succeeded Russell Galbut, as chairman of the NCLH board of directors. Galbut has served in that role since 2018,
Travel Agent caught up with Andrew Garnett, founder, president and CEO, Special Needs Group, on board Royal Caribbean's Utopia of the Seas recently. Our feature story today discusses trends in mobility/accessibility equipment rentals for cruise guests and the commission potential for advisors. It also gives a few firsthand tidbits about how those renting an electric scooter can select the right accommodations. Plus, Kristi Lacroix, travel advisor and franchise owner, Cruise Planners, provides a bit of insight.
Riverside Luxury Cruises and Jerne are partnering to streamline the process for familiarization trips for travel advisors. Separately, HX, Hurtigruten’s expedition brand, has also launched a new advisor portal that provides a streamlined space for advisors to access and use various resources and tools.
Finally, on the sustainability front, MSC Cruises is now using a new OPTIMeasy itinerary planning tool designed to help cut emissions.
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