This week's cruise coverage reflects a mixed bag for the industry. On the positive side for industry growth, Transcend Cruises, a new B2B river cruise operator in Europe, plans to begin charter sailings with the first of two ships in 2024. It will operate on rivers including the Rhine, Danube and Moselle.
In addition, as reported by our sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor, Viking christened its new 930-passenger Viking Mars in Valletta, Malta. The ship is now operating Mediterranean region voyages.The ship was officially named by godmother Lady Fiona Carnarvon, the Countess of Carnarvon..
In an update to our coverage earlier this month, plans by Alaska Railroad to replace an aging passenger dock and terminal facility in Seward, AK, got a needed boost from the Alaska state legislature late last week. The legislature approved the issuance of bonds by the railroad to help pay for the dock. Royal Caribbean Group is also supporting the project and is now working with the railroad on a berthing agreement.
That said, the world is still not yet fully open to cruise travel or uncertainty exists about potential future opening dates. That's still causing some schedule shifts. Last week, Windstar Cruises opted to cancel Star Breeze’s Asian itineraries in fall 2022, citing the continuing uncertainty about ports reopening in that region. Instead, the ship will operate an Alaska cruise, West Coast sailing and multiple Tahiti and South Pacific cruises.
In addition, the end of a sad chapter appears to be near, as The Supreme Court Commercial Division of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas has published an official notice of sale for both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, according to an update in Cruise Maritime Executive. Set to be auctioned off, the ships have been at Freeport for months, following the financial woes of parent company Genting Hong Kong and the cessation of Crystal Cruises operations in January 2022. Bids are due to the court by June 7 along with a 10 percent deposit. Any winning bidder (if there is one) must take possession by June 14, with a week to complete the acquisition.
In other scheduling news, Seabourn unveiled its lineup of fall 2023 voyages, as reported by Luxury Travel Advisor.
More Cruise Developments
Travel advisors and many cruise lines report that many travelers interested in a European cruise desire the western Mediterranean region. Luxury Travel Advisor recently looked at luxury cruises planned for the Iberian Peninsula.
AmaWaterways announced that it has added European wine hosts for its upcoming "Celebration of Wine" cruises on European rivers.
On the trade side, Celebrity Cruises realigned its sales organization. Among the moves was aligning inside sales with national accounts under the leadership of Jennifer Suarez, Celebrity's associate vice president of national accounts.
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