Royal Caribbean Group raised its annual profit forecast after record bookings and higher ticket prices. CEO Jason Liberty highlighted the success of their fleet, including the launch of Icon of the Seas. The company expects adjusted earnings per share to increase and net cruise costs to rise about 5.5% for the year.
Norwegian Cruise Line celebrated the float out of the upcoming mega cruise ship, the Norwegian Aqua, at Fincantieri in Italy. The ship, set to debut in 2026, is part of the company’s revised strategy to enhance passenger amenities and capacity. The Aqua will feature a hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide, among other upgrades.
The Westpac Rescue Helicopter performed a medical evacuation of a crew member from the P&O Australia cruise ship, Pacific Adventure, near Newcastle, NSW. The patient received urgent medical assistance on land after being stabilized by a NSW Ambulance critical care paramedic and an NSW Health doctor. Passengers and crew praised the aircrew and medical team for their role in the successful mission.
Cunard Line received its first new cruise ship in 14 years, the Queen Anne, from Fincantieri. The ship, at 114,000 gross tons, marks one of Carnival Corporation’s pre-pandemic orders. With a capacity for 2,996 passengers, the Queen Anne continues Cunard’s traditions while offering modern amenities like fitness and spa facilities.
The construction of TUI Cruises newest ship, Mein Schiff 7, at Meyer Turku in Finland is nearing completion. The cruise line unveiled the ship’s environmental innovations and details of its maiden voyage, including the naming ceremony on June 22, 2024, with environmental officer Fenia Kalachani as the godmother. Guests can expect a luxurious and sustainable experience on the maiden voyage through the Danish South Sea.
Norwegian architecture firm YSA Design created a sustainable luxury catamaran cruise ship with sail power, catering to environmentally conscious travelers. The innovative design includes 164-foot sails for propulsion, bio-methane fueled engines, and batteries for silent navigation in sensitive areas. The unique vessel offers 100 cabins, private balconies, and immersive ocean experiences.
Luxury cruising brand Windstar announced at Seatrade Cruise Global the expansion of its fleet with two new motor-driven vessels, the future Star Seeker and Star Explorer. These smaller 224-passenger “motor yachts” will be ice-strengthened for high-latitude markets. The newbuilds will allow the Wind Star to return to Tahiti in 2027.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported significant growth in the industry, with 31.7 million passengers in 2023, a 7% increase from 2019. The industry is rebounding from the pandemic, with 82% of consumers planning a cruise vacation. CLIA forecasts a 10% capacity increase from 2024 to 2028, reflecting a promising future.
A cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas turned into a nightmare when a young man jumped overboard off the coast of Cuba. His family watched in horror as the 18-story ship’s crew and the US Coast Guard launched a search and rescue operation. Overboard incidents on cruise ships are rare but often deadly.
Cruise ship workers must undergo STI tests before boarding. Crew members reveal that sexual relationships are common onboard, regardless of rank or relationship status. Medical examinations are intense and mandatory. Strict regulations prohibit crew members from engaging in inappropriate relations with guests. Cruise ship jobs offer various opportunities but come with intense work environments.
Eleven people were injured when a Bulgarian cruise ship crashed into a concrete wall in a Danube lock in the northern Austrian town of Aschach an der Donau. The passengers were traveling from Bavaria to Linz. Six others suffered minor injuries that did not require hospital treatment.
