The top news of the week centers on new river cruise options. Notably, Trafalgar announced its expansion into river cruising. Launching in spring 2026, Trafalgar will debut in Europe with two river cruise journeys along the Rhine and Danube rivers. One will be aboard the 128-passenger Trafalgar Reverie, formerly Uniworld’s River Princess, and the other onboard the 128-passenger Trafalgar Verity, formerly Uniworld’s River Queen. Trafalgar has opened booking for two new itineraries for travel advisors, ahead of the general public.
Lindblad Expeditions, which has sailed for more than 50 years on global rivers including the Nile, Columbia/Snake and Amazon Rivers, is now adding a new river region: Europe. The expedition line inked a multi-year charter agreement with Transcend Cruises, a B2B company that is building new luxury river vessels. More details will are coming soon. Parent company Lindblad Expeditions Holdings also released its first quarter financial report, which that total quarterly revenue increased 17 percent, year-over-year, to $179.7 million, while the net loss quarterly loss improved by $5.1 million to a loss of $0.04 million.
More Cruise News
It’s farewell to Costa Fortuna, launched in 2003 and the oldest ship in Costa Cruises’ fleet, as the ship will be delivered to a new owner this fall. In addition, Costa plans an extensive drydock revitalization for the 2007-launched Costa Serena, according to Seatrade Cruise News. Princess Cruises has announced a 129-day "World Cruise Grand Circle Pacific Voyage" visiting 61 destinations across 20 countries and three continents. Coral Princess will depart from Port Everglades (Greater Fort Lauderdale), FL, to Los Angeles on January 6, 2027.
Carnival Cruise Line is shifting one port call for another on three Carnival Venezia cruises between May 11 and June 9, 2025, and one Mardi Gras sailing on June 7, 2025, says Cruise Industry News. Booked guests were sent communications stating that their ship will now call at Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic instead of Grand Turk in Turks and Caicos. Carnival is also piloting a new mobile application with select tour operator partners in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Eliminating paper tickets, the service will be offered on all excursions from its new exclusive destination, Celebration Key on Grand Bahama, which will open July 19. Instead of utilizing paper tickets, guests can check in for shore excursions operators using their Sail & Sign card.
On the entertainment front, Royal Caribbean International unveiled five new signature shows plus new all-day entertainment options for Star of the Seas, debuting August 2025 at Port Canaveral, FL. Oceania Cruises is also revamping onboard entertainment across its fleet of eight ships. Many new experiences will debut with the new Allura’s launch this July. Highlights include the fleet-wide debut of "The Blue Horizons Party," alongside new original productions, wellness-led experiences and themed evenings.
Also on the entertainment front, Virgin Voyages announced a "2026 Red Hot Sailing Club Voyage" aboard Brilliant Lady on March 12, 2026. Spice Girls alumna Melanie C, along with disco icon Kathy Sledge, are headliners for the cruise line’s remaining "2025 Celebration Voyages." Seeking wellness programming? Paul Gauguin Cruises announced the return of its “Yoga and Wellness” program on board the new revitalized Paul Gauguin. The 10-night “Society Islands & Tuamotus” itinerary will depart September 27, 2025.
In heartwarming news, Holland America Line hosted a special ceremony onboard Rotterdam to honor Joska, the first service dog to become a Holland America 5-Star Mariner and receive the prestigious Platinum Medallion from the cruise line.
Trade Moves
Sea Cloud Cruises promoted its senior leadership in North America as part of its market expansion. Mirell Reyes was appointed CEO of North America and Kevin Smith as chief sales officer (CSO). Reyes will oversee all sales, marketing and communications in the region, while Smith, as CSO, will lead North American sales and take on responsibility for global consortia partnerships. Reyes will report to newly appointed Global Chief Operating Officer Victoria Seidel, who is based in Germany.
MSC Cruises, separately, appointed Erin Douglas as senior vice president of trade sales in the U.S. effective May 12. And former MSC Cruises sales executive Lori Sheller was appointed by Virtuoso as vice president of cruise. Leading the luxury travel consortium's global cruise strategy, she’ll oversee cruise line partnership, drive revenue growth, and develop new initiatives.
Lastly, Windstar Cruises has named Helen Beck to the new role of managing director, global commercial, according to Seatrade Cruise News. She will lead efforts to build commercial operations in the U.K., as well as key markets in Europe, Australia and Latin America. Beck brings 26 years of travel experience to the role, including the last four years as head of global sales excellence at Explora Journeys.
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