MOL Cruises, Ltd., operator of MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES, celebrated a major milestone with the handover ceremony of the cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey which will be rebranded and renamed to MITSUI OCEAN FUJI.
 

The event took place onboard the Seabourn Odyssey after the ship arrived in Yokohama, Japan, following a 22-day Farewell Voyage from the U.S. In keeping with maritime tradition, the MITSUI OCEAN CRUISES flag was raised, marking the ship’s official transition to MITSUI OCEAN FUJI, set to debut on December 1, 2024.

The Star Princess, Princess Cruises' second liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered ship, was floated out today at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. Weighing in at 178,000 gross tons, this vessel is a sister ship to the Sun Princess, which was also built at Monfalcone and delivered earlier this year. This makes the Star Princess the second-largest ship ever constructed in Italy, as well as the second LNG-powered cruise ship built by Fincantieri for Princess Cruises.

Royal Caribbean has canceled the upcoming Icon of the Seas sailing, originally scheduled for September 28, 2024, due to unplanned maintenance. 

In a statement to travel agents, Royal Caribbean explained, "We are currently conducting unplanned maintenance onboard Icon of the Seas." Although specific details about the issue have not been disclosed, the ship will remain docked to complete the necessary repairs.

The Azamara Journey has completed an extensive dry dock at the Elefsis shipyard in Greece. As part of the ship’s makeover, a range of key upgrades have been implemented. From enhanced propulsion systems, thrusters, and stabilizers to refreshed interiors and brand-new carpets, the Azamara Journey is all set to welcome guests with improved comfort and smoother sailings. This refurbishment is just part of Azamara's ambitious plan to enhance its entire fleet this year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness aboard a P&O Cruises ship, affecting both passengers and crew members. The illness, which has led to symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, has yet to be confirmed as norovirus. The CDC boarded the ship when it docked in New York to evaluate the situation and investigate further.

On Saturday, the port of Marseille became the stage for a dramatic protest as environmental activists from the Stop Croisières and Extinction Rebellion collectives blocked the arrival of several cruise ships for nearly two hours. Their goal: to raise awareness about environmental pollution caused by the cruise industry. One of the impacted ships, the "Aidastella," which can carry 2,000 passengers, was forced to turn back and could only return to port after the blockade was lifted.

The Hague, located in the western Netherlands, will be the first city in the world to ban advertising of fossil fuel-related products and services. From January 1, 2025, advertisements promoting petrol and diesel cars, flights, and even cruises will be prohibited on public spaces like billboards and bus stops throughout the city.

Viking is celebrating a historic return to China, as the Viking Yi Dun completed her inaugural voyage from Shanghai to Hong Kong (Shenzhen). These new itineraries explore China’s coastline, offering rare access to lesser-visited destinations that only Viking guests can experience—a first for international travelers. From September to November, the 930-guest Viking Yi Dun, formerly known as Viking Sun, will operate these exclusive sailings. The ship is a sister vessel to others in Viking’s award-winning fleet, showcasing the same renowned design and exceptional service.

What better way to christen a luxury ship than with champagne toasts, VIP guests, and... a sizzling scene on the high seas? On September 15, 2024, all eyes were on Civitavecchia as the luxury ship Explora II set sail on its maiden voyage, but it wasn’t just the elegant speeches or the gleaming new ship that had people talking. The star of the day ended up being a couple who decided to make the most of their ocean-view balcony—in broad daylight and in full view of everyone at the dock.

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed its newest Prima Class ship, Norwegian Luna, set to debut in March 2026. This marks the fourth vessel in the Prima Class and will be a twin to the upcoming Norwegian Aqua, boasting a 10% increase in size over its predecessors, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. The ship will be constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.