The Governor of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama, announced signing of an agreement with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) to establish a Cruise Tourism Development Fund. The new fund will be financed through a $5 fee charged to each cruise passenger visiting the ports of Cozumel and Mahahual. The revenue generated from this tax will be dedicated to improving tourism infrastructure, strengthening natural disaster prevention measures, and enhancing security at these popular destinations.

The Spanish multinational oil and gas company Cepsa has begun supplying second-generation biofuels to Norwegian Cruise Line ships at the Port of Barcelona. The first ship to receive this fuel was the 'Norwegian Escape,' in late July. Cepsa plans to continue providing this greener fuel to the ship throughout the European cruise season. In August, Cepsa supplied this type of fuel to two other ships operated by the NCLH. Further supplies have been confirmed for the coming months, with biofuels available on a regular basis from the Ports of Barcelona and Algeciras.

Royal Caribbean Group has signed a deal with Finnish shipbuilder Meyer Turku for a fourth Icon Class ship, which will be delivered in 2027. The agreement also includes options for two more ships in this class. Jason Liberty, the CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, highlighted the success of Icon of the Seas, which launched in January 2024, and expressed excitement about expanding the fleet. The new ships are expected to build on the innovative experiences offered by the Icon Class, with the next ship, Star of the Seas, debuting in 2025.

Four passengers sailing on the cruise ship MSC Magnifica out of Miami were arrested for using fraudulent credit cards in the ship’s casino. The suspects, Michael F. Emmanuel, 35; Tyrisha Delgado, 38; Devin Jones, 28; and Quentin Marcellus Tuck, 32, were charged with several crimes, including grand theft and fraud. They tried to take out large cash advances using fraudulent credit cards to gamble on slot machines and other games during the four-day cruise, which started on August 19.

After a three-week dry dock in Singapore from August 5th to 24th, Carnival Splendor set sail for Australia, with a new Southern Cross livery. This design pays tribute to the legacy of P&O Cruises Australia ships, which will soon join the Carnival fleet. The ship's fresh red, white, and blue hull, first introduced by Carnival in 2021, now includes the Southern Cross constellation—a symbol that has guided sailors to Australia for centuries. 

TUI Cruises has just shared new pictures of their upcoming cruise ship, 'Mein Schiff Relax,' being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. This ship, which is set to start sailing in spring 2025, has been docked at the shipyard since November 2023. From the outside, the ship's construction is already looking pretty far along.
Inside, work is also moving great. The cabins are mostly finished since they were prefabricated on land and then installed on the ship. 

A website by a new startup cruise company called Globe Cruises caught our attention today, offering travelers a three-year round-the-world cruise. This voyage sounded very familiar, of a similar startup that left many without their life savings after they paid for a voyage that never happened.

Christine Duffy, the president of Carnival Cruise Line, has earned a spot on the Forbes 50 Over 50 List in the lifestyle category. This list honors 200 extraordinary women who show that it's never too late to achieve great success. Duffy is the only executive from the cruise industry and one of just two from the travel sector to be recognized this year, joining an impressive group of women from various industries.

MSC Cruises is expanding its presence in the United States by building a new cruise terminal at the Port of Galveston. The new facility, called Cruise Terminal 16, is part of a $151 million project that will transform old cargo warehouse into a modern terminal. Set to open in November 2025, this terminal will serve as the homeport for MSC Seascape, a state-of-the-art cruise ship.

Norwegian Cruise Line is making an important change to help protect the environment by introducing new reusable serveware. This serveware, which looks like a bento box, is made from 50 percent recycled materials. It's designed to make room service more convenient for guests by replacing heavy plates and eliminating the need for plastic wrap.