Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas will receive a $100 million revitalization prior to the start of its 2025 European season. One new venue for the popular Oasis-class ship will be The Pesky Parrot, a Caribbean tiki bar concept that recently debuted on the new Utopia of the Seas.
On the new ship front, Walt Disney Company announced a robust expansion for Disney Cruise Line, revealing that the family-friendly line will add four new vessels to its fleet between 2027 and 2031. That will increase its fleet size to 13 ships. While announcing its quarterly financial results, the company, which has diverse business lines, also said that it's seeing moderating consumer demand toward the end of the third quarter that has exceeded its expectations. But the company also said: "Despite this demand dynamic, other parts of the portfolio delivered improved results versus the prior year, including Disney Cruise Line."
Travel Agent talked one-on-one with John Waggoner, who purchased Victory I and Victory II, two former American Queen Voyages ocean vessels, and will relaunch them in service for Victory Cruise Lines in 2025.
Lindblad Expeditions Holdings reported a 9 percent increase in second quarter 2024 revenue to $136.5 million, and a net loss that increased to $0.3 million. Advance bookings for future travel increased 17 percent versus the same period in 2023. Separately, the company also revealed that its expedition line will rebrand as National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions, according to Seatrade Cruise News.
Swan Hellenic unveiled new 2025 Maris gourmet cruises on Diana and Vega. Each showcases rising star chefs within JRE-Jeunes Restaurateurs; all the chefs are under 40 years of age and have won international accolades. Also, Swan Hellenic is partnering with Approach Guides on advisor content.
According to sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor, Explora Journeys’ Explora II will offer a new 2025 Monaco Grand Prix Experience. On a Scenic Eclipse sailing departing October 12, 2024, from New York, Scenic Cruises is bringing aboard Broadway star Carrie St.Louis to sail with guests.
Both Crystal and Viking unveiled new booking engines for advisors. In addition, Regent Seven Seas announced a new travel advisor incentive.
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