Situated 600 miles off the Ecuador coast, the Galapagos Islands is the best vacation spot for lovers of wildlife and enthusiasts of nature. The volcanic islands feature some of the rarest plant and animal species, and these are ones that you won’t find in other parts of the world. The archipelago is wealthy in flora and fauna that has held captive many scientists and researchers.
On June 8, 2023, the cruise ship MSC Euribia was christened in Copenhagen, and the honor of being its godmother was bestowed to the iconic Sophia Loren. This marked the 19th time that the legendary film diva had christened a cruise ship for MSC Cruises, solidifying her status as a record godmother in the maritime industry.
Hurtigruten Norway, renowned for its historic mail route, celebrates its 130th anniversary this year while embarking on an ambitious mission to create the world's first zero-emission ship. The visionary "Sea Zero" initiative aims to revolutionize shipping by developing innovative, emission-free solutions. After a year of intensive research, Hurtigruten Norway has unveiled concrete plans for the first zero-emission mail ship, which will connect 34 ports between Bergen and Kirkenes by 2030.
Royal Caribbean Group is taking significant initiative towards reducing its environmental impact. This summer, the company plans to conduct tests on two of its ships in Europe, Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Apex and Royal Caribbean International's Symphony of the Seas, using sustainable biofuel as an alternative to traditional fuels. This initiative aims to gather crucial data and insights on biofuels' capabilities and assess the supply chain infrastructure.
Starboard Cruise Services, a subsidiary of luxury goods conglomerate LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, has announced an exciting partnership with Blue Dream Cruises, a prominent Chinese cruise operator. This milestone collaboration marks a significant step forward in the cruise industry, as Starboard becomes the first retailer to offer onboard retail services on a Chinese-owned cruise ship since the outbreak of the pandemic.
Costa Cruises has announced the much-anticipated return of Costa Serena to service in Asia. Following two successful cruises between Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam, Costa Serena set sail today from the port of Busan in South Korea, with Nagasaki and Yatsushiro in Japan as its next destinations. This marks a significant milestone as the first outbound cruise to resume in South Korea after the lifting of travel restrictions.
The cruise industry is excited as the former Mein Schiff Herz makes its grand return to the seas, this time under the name Marella Voyager. Operated by Marella Cruises, the renowned British cruise line belonging to the TUI Group, the vessel embarked on its inaugural voyage from the port of Palma de Mallorca on Saturday, 3rd June. This marks the first official voyage for Marella Cruises, with the ship undergoing notable changes and sporting the brand's distinctive hull livery.
The cruise ship Carnival Sunshine recently encountered a treacherous storm on its way back to Charleston, leaving passengers and crew members in fear and uncertainty. As the ship battled turbulent waves and powerful winds reaching speeds of up to 70 mph, the vessel's interior and guests' areas suffered damage. Although no injuries were reported, the incident was a distressing experience for all involved during this intense storm.
In a heartwarming gesture, Carnival Cruise Line has played a pivotal role in renovating a learning center at St. Ann's Bay Regional Hospital in Jamaica. As part of their Labor Day Volunteer Project, approximately 20 Carnival Horizon crew members dedicated their time to cleaning up, painting, and repairing the Learning Centre. Additionally, Carnival Cruise Line generously donated essential items to enhance the facility.
Norwegian Cruise Line canceled all European cruises aboard the Norwegian Epic from December 1, 2023, to April 9, 2024. As a result, the cruise line will be temporarily withdrawing from the European market for the winter season. Initially, the Norwegian Epic was scheduled to embark on a series of voyages exploring the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. However, the ship's itinerary has been altered, and it will now be deployed in a different region during the winter months of 2023/24.
