The cruise industry is carefully monitoring a labor dispute that has the potential to impact U.S. ports and thus cruise operations from Maine to Texas. The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) have not yet agreed on a new contract. ILA workers resupply both cargo and cruise ships at many Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico ports, among them Miami, New York, Boston, New Orleans and others.
If no labor agreement is reached on increasing wages and changes in workplace policies, an ILA strike could potentially start October 1, 2024. A labor walk-out could result in some ship departure delays, or if the labor action is extended, even the possibility of some cancelled sailings. While the two parties had ceased labor talks, USMX last week issued a media statement advocating for resumption of the negotiations. What exactly will occur is yet unknown, so stay tuned for any updates.
In major personnel news, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is now in the market for a new president and CEO to begin service by year's end. “After nearly six years, Kelly Craighead has decided to depart the association, at the end of the year as part of a thoughtful transition,” said CLIA in a media statement sent to Travel Agent. In that statement, Jason Liberty, chair of CLIA’s executive committee, also said that “Kelly has worked tirelessly and overseen incredible accomplishments in her five-plus years at CLIA—from navigating an unprecedented industry shutdown to aligning our ambitious sustainability initiatives to positioning cruise at the forefront of responsible tourism and championing the unparalleled growth in our industry and record-breaking passenger numbers.”
More Cruise News
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) shared a first look at Norwegian Luna, its news Prima-plus-class ship that will sail roundtrip from Miami from April 4, 2026, through November 2026. Separately, late last week, Virgin Voyages told Travel Agent that it's sending Scarlet Lady into drydock later this fall. Starting in November, guests will discover 24 new suites; a new evening menu concept and fresh interiors in Razzle Dazzle; luxury cabanas overlooking the Aquatic Club; transformation of the ship’s coffee bar into a stylish new nighttime spot; and even a new mermaid symbol on the ship’s bow.
Marking the start of Viking’s new series of fall voyages targeted at English speaking guests, last week the 930-passenger Viking Yi Dun (formerly the Viking Sun) completed its inaugural voyage from Shanghai to Hong Kong (Shenzhen). Calls were made at multiple Chinese ports. Other new Viking Yi Dun voyages will cater to the Japanese market, and the line will continue to offer many voyages for Chinese travelers as well.
In other Asia news, Silversea’s Silver Nova will set sail in Asia and the Pacific region for the first time in late 2024 and in 2025, as reported in sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor. In addition, Silversea announced that its 2025 Venetian Society Reunion voyage aboard Silver Spirit will sail from Fusina (Venice), Italy, to Piraeus (Athens), Greece, on October 17, 2025. It will be hosted by Silversea’s President Bert Hernandez.
Carnival Cruise Line, which celebrated 30 years sailing from Tampa, FL, this past weekend, unveiled new 2026-27 cruises from both U.S. East Coast and West Coast ports. Among them are voyages from Miami and Port Canaveral, FL; Norfolk, VA; and San Francisco. Sister brand Holland America Line is introducing new stateroom décor packages for guests who are celebrating birthdays or anniversaries.
On Saturday, French protestors from Extinction Rebellion and Stop Croisieres, an environmental group, used a canoe blockade to stop ship traffic into Marseille's cruise port. The blockade caused disruptions in cruise ship and ferry traffic for a few hours, with one ship docking elsewhere, but the port reopened later in the morning.
Small Ship Adventures
On the small-ship front, UnCruise Adventures announced a new Baja holiday sailing, while HX, Hurtigruten’s expedition line, unveiled new itineraries for the 2026-2027 season. Lindblad Expeditions has launched a series of new chartered Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic voyages along the Upper Amazon River and Peru aboard the all-suite, 42-guest Delfin III.
In addition, Quark Expeditions has announced the launch of the “Antarctica by Helicopter: Icebergs, Mountains, and Remote Lands” itinerary, allowing guests to access rarely visited areas. And in our third and final article about Viking’s “America’s Heartland” itinerary, Travel Agent looks at Viking Mississippi and the Upper Mississippi river cruise experience at La Crosse, WI, and Red Wing, MN, as well as the post-cruise stay in St. Paul, MN.
Promotions and Trade News
Princess Cruises extended its “Better than Best Price Guarantee” through December 15. So, guests can continue to book their 2025 or 2026 cruise vacation at what the company calls "the absolute best cruise fare available." Sister brand Seabourn also unveiled a new “Sail into Savings” promotion for bookings made by October 29, 2024; travelers will be eligible for savings of up to 15 percent on select 2024-2026 Seabourn voyages.
On the trade front, Nexion Travel Group is addressing surging consumer cruise interest by expanding its Cruise Group Space program. It’s added new supplier partners and introduced a multi-day summit designed to enhance members’ cruise sales skills. Joining the program this year are Azamara Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Other participating partners include Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Cunard, Princess, Regent Seven Seas and Holland America Line.
Carnival Cruise Line has completed its “Your Peek at Paradise” events for travel advisors; those provided details about the line’s Celebration Key destination which opens on Grand Bahama Island in July 2025. Separately, Travel Agent sailed late last week with hundreds of travel advisors on a two-night HX (Hurtigruten Expeditions) cruise on the Fridtjof Nansen. Look for our article soon.