Luxury yachting brands are debuting new vessels and spreading their reach across the globe. Orient Express Sailing Yachts floated out its new Orient Express Corinthian, its first sailing yacht, at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Touted as the world’s largest sailing yacht, the 110-passenger ship will begin cruising in the Mediterranean and Adriatic seas during June 2026, according to sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor. Sister vessel Orient Express Olympian will launch in summer 2027.
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s lineup of new winter 2026-2027 luxury voyages also marks a brand milestone. It's the first time the collection's luxurious mega-yachts will sail within French Polynesia, Hawaii and the Asia-Pacific region. Look for the 296-passenger Evrima and 452-passenger Luminara to operate 32 voyages in the region.
For travelers who desire affordable cruising closer to home, Carnival Cruise Line previewed the top highlights of Celebration Key, its new private-island-style destination on Grand Bahama Island. Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president, will officially open the new Bahamian island destination on July 19, 2025. The centerpiece? That's the 10-story Suncastle, adorned with five massive conch shells. Guests will also enjoy two 350-foot-long water slides as well as the 275,000-square-foot Calypso (adult friendly) and Starfish (family-focused) freshwater lagoons.
The wait is over! Royal Caribbean International's guests sailing on Icon-class and Oasis-class ships on eastern Caribbean itineraries have port news to celebrate this week. After more than a year of canceled cruise calls for those mega ships at San Juan, Puerto Rico, Pier 3 -- the port's only pier that can accommodate those humongous ships -- has been cleared by the U.S. Coast Guard to reopen, according to Cruise Hive. The pier was damaged in April 2024 by an MSC Cruises ship.
More Cruise News
Loyal past guests of Silversea who are foodies and wine enthusiasts are likely salivating at details released about the line’s "2026 Venetian Society Reunion Voyage." Sailing roundtrip from Nice, France, on June 19, 2026, the 382-passenger Silver Shadow will call first at Livorno (Tuscany) and stay overnight. Other Italian ports of call will include Porto Santo Stefano, Civitavecchia (Rome), Giardini Naxos (Sicily), Salerno, Ponza, Portoferraio (Elba) and Portofino. Guests will also visit Valetta, Malta.
Exclusively for this voyage, Silversea will also offer a new, optional three-day overland journey through Tuscany, plus new S.A.L.T. (Sea and Land Taste) shore excursions. Separately on the gastronomic and wine front, Oceania Cruises has tapped a group of Food & Wine Best New Chefs alumni to serve as godparents of its newest ship, the 1,200-passenger Oceania Allura. The christening and naming ceremony will take place on November 13, 2025, in Miami, FL.
Did you know that Cunard first began operating regularly scheduled passenger service across the Atlantic Ocean in 1840? To celebrate, the line is commemorating its 185th anniversary by offering a sale on 185 ocean voyages across the globe. Separately, The Travel Corporation (TTC) unveiled its global growth plans for its tour and cruise divisions. Among the highlights, the company will segment its investments into three power segments: youth, led by Contiki; mainstream, with Trafalgar leading Insight Vacations and Costsaver; and luxury, represented by Uniworld Boutique Cruises and Luxury Gold.
Summer Cruise Trend
As the cruise industry is halfway through 2025. we asked Shane Smartt, owner/travel agent, Trapper Martin, Shane Smartt & Associates, a Dream Vacations franchise agency, in Belle Isle, FL, about any hot trend he's currently seeing, plus any tips for tapping into that trend. Smartt tells us that his clients are booking many more close-in Caribbean voyages and even some closer-in Europe bookings (within 60 to 90 days from the departure) -- "much more than normal in terms of vacation requests coming in."
So, how does he make those vacations a reality for last-minute bookers? "Leveraging supplier contacts and relationships to find availability as well as pricing advantages has been key for us to make these happen," Smartt explains. Specifically, he reaches out to suppliers' inside sales contacts for pricing concessions, perhaps for special pricing that can, at times, be used to close a sale.” Also helpful, particularly for those seeking a pre-or post-cruise land stay, is "reaching out to new DMC’s (destination management companies) who are in the market — leveraging their local knowledge of new hotels or tour operators," adds Smartt.
Cruise Executive Moves
After helping relaunch Victory Cruise Lines on the Great Lakes this spring, Kari Tarnowski, who’s served as that line's vice president of marketing, is leaving the small-ship line, according to Seatrade Cruise News. She’s returning to Elite Island Resorts in a new role as chief commercial officer. She’ll oversee marketing, sales, revenue and communications. Previously, she had served as Elite Island Resorts’ chief marketing officer.
In other cruise executive moves, Kiran Smith was appointed as the new chief marketing officer of Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). She succeeds Adam Malone who is assuming a new role as NCL's senior vice president of guest experience. Both will report to David Herrera, NCL’s president.
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