Many upscale travelers heading out to sea are increasingly seeking a luxurious, yacht-like vacation. In the latest yachting development, Ponant Exploration Group announced that it is creating a new, intimate yachting brand. By late 2026, the new Ponant Yachting will operate three catamarans that can accommodate nine to 12 guests. They include Spirit of Ponant, La Desirade and the new Spirit of Ponant II, which will be based in French Polynesia.
On the river cruise front, Tauck will debut two new river vessels on France’s Seine and Portugal Douro rivers in 2027. Combined with two other new ships launching in 2026, the four-vessel expansion will increase Tauck’s river cruise capacity by 30%.
Looking at big ships, Disney Cruise Line's new 208,000 gross-ton Disney Adventure will debut March 10, 2026, in Singapore, a delay of three months from the line's previously announced December 15, 2025, launch, according to Seatrade Cruise News. Guests who were slated to sail on the maiden voyage are automatically being rebooked by Disney onto the new March 10 inaugural cruise with a 50% fare reduction.
More Cruise News
Ultra-luxury Silversea introduced a new fare structure with three different levels — All-Inclusive Plus, All-Inclusive, and Last-Minute. Oceania Cruises announced new voyage inclusions for its guests, and HX Expeditions unveiled a new fall campaign for travel to Antarctica, the Norwegian Arctic, Greenland, Alaska and the Galapagos.
Virgin Voyages sailed onto Bravo’s hit TV series, “The Real Housewives of Miami” in two episodes that aired last week. Explora Journeys announced its 2026-2027 voyages including details about Asia sailings and the launch of Explora V. Holland America Line unveiled its 2027 Canada and New England cruise season, while Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced solar eclipse voyages for 2026 and 2027.
Costa Cruises also revealed its new Asia sailings on the refurbished Costa Serena. On the excursion front, Princess Cruises introduced 13 new shore excursions for Mexico. Viking announced a partnership with “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale." Cunard Line will bring "Come from Away," the Tony-Award-Winning Show, to sea. The production will debut on Queen Elizabeth’s maiden Caribbean voyage on October 16, 2025.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) released its latest “Environmental Technologies and Practices (ETP) Report.” Tracking progress between 2018 and 2024, the report reveals improvements in such areas as alternative fuels, energy efficiency, shore power, advanced wastewater treatment and waste reduction.
Meanwhile, the continuation of violence in Haiti and a U.S. State Department Level 4 warning, “Do Not Travel,” continue to impact cruise tourism. According to Cruise Hive, Royal Caribbean International's ships won’t call at Labadee, the cruise line’s private-isle-style destination along Haiti’s northeast coast, for at least the next six months – through at least May 2026.
And here's an odd cruise tale with several money twists. After Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas began disembarking guests in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 7, 2025, one passenger, Jey Xander Omar Gonzalez-Diaz, jumped from the ship into the water. According to multiple media sources, he'd allegedly incurred $16,000 in gambling debt onboard. Helped from the water by consumers on jet skis, he then encountered U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, was found to be in possession of $14,600 cash, and charged with failing to report the transport of monetary instruments over $10,000 from outside the United States.
On the Personnel Front
To better align with its brand priorities, Princess Cruises has created a single global sales and marketing team. Negin Kamali, a Princess corporate spokesperson, confirmed to Travel Agent on Friday that Jim Berra, most recently Princess' chief marketing officer, was promoted to chief commercial officer (CCO); he now reports to Gus Antorcha, Princess’ president. In turn, reporting to Berra are Terry Thornton, former COO and now the line's new senior vice president of revenue management, as well as Carmen Roig, Princess' vice president of sales.
Mitsui Ocean Cruises has named industry veteran Joe Maloney as head of sales for its general sales agent partner in North America. The Japanese line is now expanding sourcing to include luxury American and Canadian travelers. “My recent sailing aboard Mitsui Ocean Fuji with leading travel advisors underscored the tremendous opportunity ahead of us in North America," said Mahoney, who added that North American luxury travelers are increasingly seeking completely new and different experiences. Stay tuned for what Luxury Travel Advisor discovered firsthand on that recently updated ship.
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