In a tragic outcome for a family cruise, Anna Kepner, an 18-year-old guest, was found dead earlier this month aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Horizon. The FBI is investigating but no criminal charges have yet been filed.
That said, ABC News reported on Friday that one of its sources briefed on the investigation was told that Kepner died by asphyxiation caused by a bar hold and also had bruises on the sides of her neck. Multiple sources previously reported that a cabin steward discovered the teen's body under a bed in her cabin. She had been wrapped in blankets and covered with life jackets.
During the family's six-night sailing to the Caribbean, Kepner’s father and stepmother stayed in one stateroom while the victim, her 16-year-old stepbrother and a 14-year-old brother occupied a separate cabin. Separately, as part of a court custody case between Kerper's stepmother and the 16-year-old boy's biological father, papers filed have referred to the victim's stepbrother as a potential suspect.
Expansion in Africa
River cruising in Africa is expanding in new ways. Abercrombie & Kent Group just announced an order for its second A&K Sanctuary new-build riverboat for the Nile River. Launching in 2028, the yet-unnamed, 64-passenger vessel is a sister to another new-build, Nile Seray, set to launch in 2026.
Thousands of miles farther south on the continent, AmaWaterways has expanded its popular “Africa Safaris & Wildlife” cruise program with four new 2026 itineraries. Each will combine a three-night Chobe River cruise aboard the 24-passenger Zambezi Queen with land programs to Victoria Falls and such newly added destinations as Kenya, Namibia and Zanzibar.
More Cruise News
Carnival Cruise Line changed its 2027-2028 deployment plan to send the 3,000-passenger Carnival Sunrise to high-growth Galveston. In turn, the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit, originally slated to sail from that Texas port, will shift to offering new Caribbean itineraries from Tampa, Florida.
On the new itinerary front, Costa Cruises plans two new 2026 Asia itineraries, while Norwegian Cruise Line unveiled nearly 50 new 2027-2028 voyages to Asia-Pacific destinations in Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere.
Atlas Ocean Voyages has introduced its new 2027-2028 expedition program. European river cruise specialist VIVA Cruises has announced a one-of-a-kind sailing, the “LGBTQ+ & Friends Cruise,” sailing seven nights roundtrip from Dusseldorf, Germany, on July 29, 2026. It coincides with World Pride 2026 in Amsterdam.
Adventure Canada announced 2027 expeditions on Ocean Victory. Two new options are a 14-day “East Greenland: Stories of Ice and Light” from Kangertittivaq (Scoresby Sound) to Nuuk, and a nine-day “Ireland and the Celtic Shores: Wildlife, Culture & Coastal Wonder,” roundtrip from Troon (Glasgow), Scotland.
Tasty Drinks and Bites
Readying to sail the ocean blue, cruise guests typically can’t wait to chow down on delicious food and socialize with fellow travelers over drinks. Newly announced, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has added vegetarian caviar and pop-up dining on its ships, according to Seatrade Cruise News.
In addition, thanks to a new Princess Cruises partnership with Handshake Speakeasy of Mexico City, Princess Cruises’ guests can say, “Bottoms up” with five new cocktails. Three are available in the fleet's Crooners bars, while Sanctuary Collection guests staying in designated suites can savor two others. Creating the libations, Handshake Speakeasy was recently named Best Bar in North America 2025 by "World's 50 Best Bars.”
Black Friday and Trade News
On the Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotional front, Ponant Explorations Group has launched a winter offer. Look for additional deals here at Travel Agent Central this week.
Riverside Luxury Cruises and Approach Guides are now partnering to support travel advisors. Separately, Dream Vacations and CruiseOne became the first Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Premier Agency Member (PAM) to earn CLIA elective credits for their franchise training program.
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