Wade Cleophas representing Norwegian Cruise Line was crowned 2017 Bacardi Legacy Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year in the finals held in Miami, on 13 February.

Step aside Psy and make way for the Carnival’s favorite Cruise Director John Heald. The latest video by Mr. Heald went viral with his “Gangnam Style” amazing dance in the ships dining room. All guests and crew were surprised when the Senior Cruise Director got on top of the side stand and started busting his moves. Marvelous, silly, funny, amazing, no matter how you call his dance, one thing is for certain, that The Fun Ships are even more fun with people like John Heald.

The Oprah Magazine O, have announced an exclusive partnership with Holland America Line to share the adventure cruises to Alaska. The inaugural cruise is set to sail this July together with the Oprah Magazine editor at large Gayle King. Oprah will also join the cruise and additional cruises with O Magazine-inspired activities are scheduled aboard select HAL ships through 2018.

This year, Holland America Line will celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its award-winning private island, Half Moon Cay. For 20 years, this private island has been a favorite stop to almost every Holland America Line Caribbean voyages.

From the highest point of a cruise ship – the funnel, skier Anders Backe, performed extreme stunt. For the purposes of their movie Supervention 2, Anders and his friend, decided to build a ramp on top of the funnel and ski downhill. First try was a failure as Andres falls from the ramp and luckily ends on top of the highest deck.

The German Cruise Line Aida has announced their partnership with the American premium coffeehouse chain, Starbucks. The first coffeehouse was officially open yesterday, January 10, onboard AIDA latest cruise ship AidaPrima.

Hong Kong, 5 January 2017 – Have you have ever imagined what it would be like to swim with a mermaid? Myth becomes a reality for guests on Genting Dream with the visit of a ‘real’ mermaid - the aquatically astounding ‘Mermaid Kat’. This epic voyage also marks her first-ever cruise experience which will be a milestone for every passenger who joins Mermaid Kat on the upcoming 5-Night Cruise on 22 January 2017.

At the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki in Japan, the kiss mouth, symbol of AIDA cruises, was completed at the bow of their latest cruise ship AIDAperla. The hull painting began In October with red lips, eyes and waves. The kissing lips, hallmark of the Aida fleet, are spread over 152 square meters, in addition, there are two eyes and waves on the starboard and portside.

The fifth largest pizza chain in the world, Telepizza announces their partnership with Pullmantur Cruises with intention to open Pizza joints on their cruise ships. Onboard the cruise ships Monarch and Sovereign will be added specifically designed spaces for Telepizza, In order for passengers to feel even more at home and enjoy a pizza while enjoying a dream vacation at sea. The Spanish leaders in cruising and pizza delivery didn’t reveal when this service will start on the Pullmantur cruise ships.

Epic ocean race will set off next year, between the Cunard’s ocean liner Queen Mary 2 and four Ultime trimarans. This transatlantic race will start on 25 June, 2017 from Saint-Nazaire, France across the North Atlantic and finish at the entrance of the New York harbour. The amazing idea, by Damien Grimont, supported by the French Minister of Defense, was finalized following The Bridge Association signing agreement with Cunard Line to charter their flagship, Queen Mary 2 for this epic ocean race.