Two major executive appointments were announced this past week. First, Explora Journeys appointed Anna Nash as its new president. She reports to Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman, MSC Group’s Cruise Division. Most recently, Nash served as chief commercial officer at Aman, which she joined in 2014. This past week, Explora Journeys also took delivery of Explora II and celebrated both the keel laying for Explora III and the first steel cutting for Explora IV. The small-ship luxury line plans a fleet of six oceangoing ships by 2028.
In addition, cruise industry veteran Lisa Lutoff-Perlo was appointed by Hornblower Group as its chairwoman of the board. Lutoff-Perlo is best known to advisors as the former president of Celebrity Cruises. Having ceased overnight cruise operations with American Queen Voyages earlier this year and sold that line's four paddle wheelers, Hornblower has just exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and has emerged under new ownership.
Pandaw Cruises is launching a new small ship to sail India’s Kerala Backwaters. Late on September 14, Carnival Cruise Line communicated with guests sailing on Carnival Vista's September 15, 2024, cruise from Port Canaveral, explaining that their ship had been repaired and was ready to sail. Carnival Vista has had continuing engine propulsion issues that have impacted the ship's speed and caused changes to previous itineraries.
Itinerary-wise, Oceania Cruises will send Riviera to Alaska for the first time in 2025, while Azamara has unveiled new Europe and solar eclipse sailings for summer 2026. Seabourn also outlined its 2024-2025 Asia season with some itinerary enhancements, two new shore excursions and two Seabourn Conversations expert speakers.
Princess Cruises announced a series of location changes for restaurants onboard the new Sun Princess, prior to the start of the ship's winter Caribbean season. For instance, the new Sanctuary Restaurant, exclusive for all Sanctuary Collection guests, will be located on Deck 8 aft in the prior location of the Americana Diner. Also, the Catch by Rudi and the Butcher's Block by Dario are moving to Deck 7, according to Seatrade Cruise News. Many other restaurant location moves were also announced, and several venues were renamed.
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Travel Agent published its second on-site article in a three-part series about Viking's “Heartland of America” itinerary on the Upper Mississippi River between St. Louis, MO, and St. Paul, MN. This story looked at facets of the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi and the ship's shoreside options at Burlington, Quad Cities (Davenport) and Dubuque, all in Iowa.
Scenic announced that Chef Bryan Voltaggio will return for a culinary-themed cruise. On the sustainability front, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said that its member cruise lines are progressing toward a net zero emissions goal by 2050.
Jerne, a platform that connects travel curators and experience providers, and PBS's “World’s Greatest Cruises” program have partnered to highlight the benefits of working with a local travel advisor expert. Also, viewers of “World’s Greatest Cruises” will have the opportunity to book cruises with Jerne’s community of verified top North American travel professionals.
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