MSC Cruises and Chantiers de l’Atlantique marked three major milestones in Saint-Nazaire, France, last week. First was the delivery of the new 5,252-passenger MSC World America, set to be christened in Miami on April 9. Travel Agent will attend that event, sail for three nights, and provide firsthand insight about the new ship for advisors. Second of MSC Cruises' milestones was the traditional coin ceremony for MSC World Asia. Third was the steel cutting for the newly named MSC World Atlantic, the line’s fourth World Class ship, scheduled to enter service from Port Canaveral, FL, in winter 2027-2028.
As part of its global fleet deployment strategy, Princess Cruises canceled 15 sailings of Majestic Princess from Galveston, TX, between November 2026, and March 2027, according to Seatrade Cruise News. Guests booked on those voyages will receive a full refund. Plus, the line is offering assistance with shifting to other options. Regal Princess will continue to sail from the port through March 2026.
In addition, Celebrity Cruises has removed many 2025-2026 port calls for Labadee, Haiti, Royal Caribbean Group’s private- island-style destination. According to Cruise Industry News, the cancelations sent to booked guests affect at least eight cruises of Celebrity Apex and two for Celebrity Beyond, in addition to other shifts previously announced. Celebrity will substitute another Caribbean region port of call. While the U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning for Haiti, Labadee is in a remote, private, security-controlled area far from the unrest. Sister brand Royal Caribbean International continues to call there.
Executive Moves
Trade-friendly veteran cruise executive Adolfo Perez, senior vice president of global sales and trade marketing, Carnival Cruise Line, is retiring after more than 43 years with the "Fun Ship" line. He started working for Carnival in 1982 as a cruise embarkation agent at PortMiami. “Adolfo has been a valuable leader at Carnival for over four decades, and it’s hard to imagine Carnival without Adolfo,” emphasizes Christine Duffy, the line’s president.
In addition, the Cruise Division of MSC Group has announced that Ruben Rodríguez has been appointed as CEO, Cruise Division, North America. He’ll oversee growth for both MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys. Under the guidance of Gianni Onorato, global CEO of MSC Cruises, and Anna Nash, global president of Explora Journeys, Rodríguez will work with each brand’s respective leaders: Lynn Torrent as president, MSC Cruises North America; and Chris Austin, president Explora Journeys, North and Central America.
More Cruise News
Celestyal Cruise Lines’ 1,360-passenger Celestyal Discovery has returned to service after a major refit, while Atlas Ocean Voyages announced new 2026-2027 Antarctic voyages. Azamara unveiled shore excursions for its maiden voyage visiting Greenland. Costa Cruises has introduced a simplified rate structure for the North American market. Rates are now either “Cruise Only” or “Cruise Plus Drinks.
Orient Express Sailing Yachts has opened reservations for the Orient Express Corinthian, according to sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026 with new offerings including the debut of its newest river vessel, Emilie, on the Danube River. Plus, the river line will offer a 50-night “Rivers of the World” sailing, three new “Mystery Cruises” and new family-friendly “Generations Collection” sailings. Riviera Travel also introduced new river cruises for 2026.
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