Small ship lines are atop the headlines recently. Most notably, Ponant – backed by Artemis Group -- acquired a majority stake in Aqua Expeditions. Operating five ships, that small-ship expedition and river cruise line is now part of Ponant’s portfolio of brands that includes the French-flagged namesake Ponant as well as Paul Gauguin Cruises. The latter also rolled out the “Take Your Sweetie-to-Tahiti” Wave Season promotion.
Separately, luxury hotel barge cruising company European Waterways acquired the Shannon Princess. This luxury hotel barge has cruised southern Ireland’s River Shannon since 2003. European Waterways has utilized the barge over the years for its Ireland vacation offerings but the barge is now fully under the company’s control.
UnCruise Adventures also announced the return of the 60-passenger Wilderness Adventurer for the 2025 season. It was recently refreshed under the guidance of Captain Dan Blanchard, the company’s founder and CEO. This revitalized, updated ship will sail the seven-day “Glacier Bay Adventure with Two Days in Glacier Bay” itinerary, along with another UnCruise vessel, Wilderness Discoverer.
Aurora Expeditions unveiled Wave Season offers for 2025 and 2026. It also launched a trade incentive for travel advisors entitled the "Big Polar Giveaway. In the yacht segment, Unforgettable Croatia unveiled its 2025 “Yacht Cruise Collection" lineup of six voyages. Between June and September, the 28-passenger Alfa Mario mega-yacht will depart on cruises from Split to Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik to Split and Zadar to Dubrovnik.
More News, Larger Ships
In what's expected to be a positive move for guests of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Bahamian leaders broke ground Friday on a $150 million cruise pier at Great Stirrup Cay, NCLH's private island-style destination in the Bahamas. Currently, when waters are choppy, guests are often unable to go ashore by tendering at the destination, but that will change when the pier is completed later this year. According to Seatrade Cruise News, two ships will be able to dock simultaneously at the pier.
Crystal is celebrating its 35th anniversary with a portfolio of themed cruises. So, guests on these voyages can sail with such luminaries as Michelin-star Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa; Abercrombie & Kent Founder Geoffrey Kent; veteran captains John Oekland and Egil Giske; cruise directors Paul McFarland and Gary Hunter; or other notables. Also on the theme front, Holland America Line will welcome Chef Ethan Stowell and Chocolatier Jacques Torres on its 2025 Grand Voyages. They’ll join a segment of the “Grand World Voyage” and “Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole,” respectively, offering guests a series of events and interactive culinary sessions.
Royal Caribbean International is gearing up for a 42-day drydock this spring for its Allure of the Seas, an Oasis-class vessel, as reported in Cruise Industry News. The large scope project, far longer than most drydocks, will unfold in Cadiz, Spain. Separately, Cunard's new Queen Anne arrived last week for a maiden call at New York City.