ORLANDO, Fla. — Disney Cruise Line is setting up shop in Southeast Asia with a new cruise ship set to debut in 2025. The line announced along with the Singapore Tourism Board that it will begin sailing from that port beginning in 2025 for at least five years with a new ship. “Disney Cruise Line is currently undergoing an ambitious expansion with new ships and new destinations around the world,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. “We are incredibly excited to make Singapore the home port to our seventh-launched ship, which will sail from here year-round starting in 2025.” The ship in question will be the unfinished Global Dream currently under construction in Germany which DCL acquired this year. The 208,000-gross-ton ship was being built for Genting Hong Kong, which ran Dream Cruises, Crystal Cruises and Star Cruises as well as the Lloyd Werft and MV Werften shipyards. That holding group, though, filed for bankruptcy in January, and a court ordered the sale of its assets including the Global Dream. The line already has two other ships in its Trident class coming before 2025 as well, but those are bound for the North American market following the Disney Wish that debuted in Port Canaveral last summer. The next is named Disney Treasure and due in 2024, although where its initial homeport will be has yet to be announced. The unnamed Singapore-bound ship will be the largest in the DCL fleet. What was originally targeted to serve the Chinese market, the Global Dream would have had the capacity for about 9,000 passengers. Global Dream, though, will get renamed with new plans for a maximum capacity of about 6,000 guests along with 2,300 crew members. The line said it will get a classic Disney look and feel. Details about its maiden voyage, itineraries and what exactly is coming on board will be revealed at a later date, the cruise line stated. “The new Disney cruise ship will be an attraction itself and is expected to boost the tourism sector in Singapore for many years to come,” said Keith Tan, the CEO for the Singapore Tourism Board. Construction will continue at the MV Werften shipyard in Wismar, Germany, which is now run by Meyer Werft, the shipyard company that built DCL’s last three vessels — Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. Of note, the ship will run on green methanol, which would make it one of the first in the cruise industry to use the low-emission fuel for the vessel. In an effort to stem environmental emissions, cruise lines have been switching from traditional diesel on new ships including the use of liquefied natural gas, which is what powers Disney Wish. Construction of the Global Dream began in 2018 and original plans called for it to have the longest roller coaster at sea, but what exactly will be on board for Disney Cruise Line has yet to be determined beyond that it will “feature innovative Disney experiences.” By the end of 2025, the fleet will have grown to eight ships with the first two, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, having debuted in the late 1990s. Disney cited Singapore’s strategic location with access to airports and port infrastructure behind the move that will let the ship also access the Australian market. Southeast Asia features more than 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. “I think it will do well honestly knowing how much the Asian market devours Disney,” said Alanna Zingano, who runs the website Travel the World A to Z with an expertise in family cruising. source : https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/world_news/disney-cruise-line-to-send-new-ship-to-singapore/article_45ace261-2d33-5a85-b141-4f9b3c60a8c7.html

Seatrade Cruise Global, the world's largest cruise trade show and conference, will return to Miami Beach April 8-11, 2024. The four-day conference and three-day trade show, which just wrapped Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, historically has attracted more than 10,000 attendees, including high-level cruise line executives, thought leaders and innovators from all facets of the cruise industry. Expanded F&B@Sea Next year’s conference will also feature an expanded F&B@Sea event, following its debut this week. The interactive addition to the show highlights the importance of cruising's food and beverage area. 'We are absolutely thrilled to once again host Seatrade Cruise Global,” said Freddie Peterson, general manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center. Rickelle Williams, assistant city manager, added: 'Seatrade is extremely important for the city of Miami Beach. It's important for our economy; attendees support our local businesses, our hotels and restaurants. It's a vibrant part of the overall economy so we’re excited to have Seatrade back.' Cruise capital of the world 'Miami has long been synonymous with Seatrade Cruise Global and a great host for the largest annual cruise industry gathering, along with being a vital partner as the cruise capital of the world,' said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association. 'We look forward to reuniting in Miami in 2024.' Seatrade Cruise Global, first held in New York in 1985 and 1986, has been hosted in Miami during 32 years, at venues including the InterContinental Hotel, the Fontainebleau Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Convention Center. The event moved to Fort Lauderdale when the Miami Beach Convention Center was closed for renovations and in 2023 when the show dates overlapped with the Formula 1 Grand Prix, noted Andrew Williams, EVP Informa Markets, the owner of Seatrade. 'We thank Broward County/Fort Lauderdale for hosting us in those years and look forward to being back in Miami and at the Miami Beach Convention Center again in 2024,' he said. Copyright © 2023. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited. https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/seatrade-cruise-global-returns-miami-april-8-11-2024

The cruise industry is back in South Korea as the port of Sokcho welcomed the Amadea from Phoenix Reisen on March 13. According to a statement, this is the first international cruise ship to call in a South Korea port since the pandemic started in 2020. The ship is next set to sail to Busan and then Jeju before calls in Japan and the Philippines. The ship is currently on a world cruise that started in France at the end of 2023, first sailing to the Caribbean and then through the Panama Canal, across the Pacific and to French Polynesia before continuing though Asia. The cruise ends in Villefranche on May 22. source : https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/03/first-cruise-ship-arrives-in-south-korea-since-2020/

The Westerdam is marking Holland America Line’s return to Japan today after a three-year gap. Following a short season in Southeast Asia, the 1,900-guest vessel arrived in Yokohama to kick off a spring program in the country. Sailing roundtrip from the port – which is located near Japan’s capital city, Tokyo – the Westerdam is set to offer a series of 11- to 14-day cruises to different ports including Kobe/Osaka, Tokushima, Kagoshima and Shimizu. For its first cruise in the region since early 2020, the ship is offering a 14-night itinerary named “Japan Explorer.” The voyage features visits to a total of ten ports in the region, such as Hiroshima, Kochi and Sakaiminato. Through April, the program also includes visits to Ishigaki, Naha and other destinations in Japan, as well as ports of call in Taiwan and South Korea. After completing its Asia schedule, the ship offers a 14-day North Pacific Crossing to Seattle – its homeport for the upcoming summer season in Alaska. Part of Holland America’s four-ship Vista Class, the Westerdam first entered service in 2004. Extensively refurbished over the years, the 82,000-ton ship underwent a drydock in January 2023 for routine maintenance and class work. Offering a premium cruise product, the vessel was designed with an array of dining, entertainment and bar venues that include the Exploration’s Café – a lounge that provides travel resources and enrichment opportunities for guests. Other features comprise the Billboard Onboard, where two pianists perform shows centered around facts and figures of the music industry, and the Lincoln Center Stage, which showcases a nightly ensemble of musicians performing chamber music. The ship also offers an extensive dining lineup that includes Holland America Line’s signature venues, such as the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and the Italian Canaletto Restaurant. source : https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/03/holland-americas-westerdam-returns-to-japan-for-spring-season/

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) reported a progressive revival of the local cruise industry with a total of five maiden calls expected between March and early April. March 9 saw four ships in port on the same day, with calls from the Mein Schiff 5, Europa 2, Silver Muse and Resorts World One. Dane Cheng, executive director of the HKTB, said: “With the efforts of the Government and the HKTB, cruises from various markets are visiting Hong Kong one by one. This not only marks Hong Kong’s return to the global cruise market, but also plays a significant role in consolidating Hong Kong’s status as a regional cruise hub and international travel destination. “The HKTB will continue to drive the relaunch of international cruise itineraries and arrange for more ship calls to Hong Kong, as well as stepping up our promotions in visitor source markets.” Other upcoming calls include the Borealis of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and the MSC Poesia of MSC Cruises, plus the Azamara Quest and Seven Seas Mariner of Regent will also be visiting during the week, making it six visiting cruise lines in total in just a week. Additionally, the Resorts World One arrived at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on Wednesday, March 8, bringing more than 1,000 visitors from Southeast Asia. Combined, the Government and the HKTB have secured 16 cruise lines to Hong Kong with over 150 ship calls. The HKTB will continue to provide support to cruise lines in maintaining their cruise calls to Hong Kong. In addition, it will launch promotional campaigns for the purpose of building partnerships in the Greater Bay Area. source : https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/03/hong-kong-cruise-traffic-quickly-returning/

Marella Cruises, the market leader in the UK market for All-inclusive and Fly-Cruises has announced the relaxation of its vaccination requirements on board its cruises, meaning customers travelling on sailings from 1st May 2023 will no longer have to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. The change will apply to all its cruises, except for destinations that require proof of vaccination as an entry requirement to the country as set by local authorities, such as the USA and US territories. Arrival of a ship in port is considered as entry to the destination, regardless of whether a passenger disembarks the ship. For any customers travelling on or before 30th April 2023, Marella Cruises’ existing vaccination rules apply, which require everyone aged 12 and over must be fully vaccinated to travel. Children aged 2 to 11 must follow the entry requirements for the destinations on their cruise. Chris Hackney, managing director of Marella Cruises said: “Health and safety is always our number one priority for all our guests and crew, and this decision has been carefully assessed by our teams. Many destinations no longer require vaccination as a condition to entry, and relaxing these rules is the natural next step as the travel and cruise industry progresses after the COVID-19 pandemic. We want to ensure our customers have a great cruise from start to finish, and we hope the relaxation of these rules means our guests can enjoy an easier pre-travel experience. We look forward to continuing to welcome both new and existing customers onboard our ships in the near future.” source : https://www.traveldailymedia.com/marella-cruises-removes-vaccination-requirements-from-1st-may-2023/

As the first global cruise line visiting and sailing out of Hong Kong since 2020, Silversea Cruises’ Silver Spirit’s sailing on January 19 sent a strong signal of recovery and a sense of normalcy for cruise business. In fact, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has secured 82 ship calls from at least 16 cruise lines for 2023, including brands such as Azamara Club Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Windstar Cruises. Throughout 2023, Silversea will also offer another seven voyages to Hong Kong on Silver Spirit, Silver Muse and Silver Whisper, ranging from 10 to 16 days in duration. Silversea’s managing director for Asia-Pacific, Adam Radwanski, told TTG Asia: “We contribute to the tourism sector by buying high-end hotel accommodation for our guests (and) buying experiences, tours, and transfers from local operators as well as (flights) from Cathay Pacific.” With seven calls in town next year, including the latest Silver Moon as well as Silver Nova, Radwanski said its first cruise will call on Shanghai in April 2024 as part of the line’s Pacific World Cruise “spanning 133 days around key Pacific Rim destinations”. While Royal Caribbean Cruises has no update or plan on resumption of ‘cruises to nowhere’ at press time, Resort World Cruises’ (RWC) Resort World One will be deployed to the homeport at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal from March 10 onward. Michael Goh, president, RWC, said: “We are delighted that cruises are gradually resuming in Hong Kong. The homeport deployment will further create employment opportunities from ship to shore and across the various network chain. “It will also further open up the cruise tourism industry via cross-border travel and the Fly-Cruise sector, as well as rejuvenate and create business opportunities across the related suppliers from the cruise terminal, bunkering, provisioning, etc.” Goh added that RWC will soon be expanding its two- and three-night high seas cruises with the re-introduction of new itineraries for the Greater Bay, as well as “explore new B2B and B2C platforms to reach a wider market segment”. According to Worldwide Cruise Terminals (WCT) which operates Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, 2023 will mark the beginning of the cruise market’s recovery in Hong Kong, with full recovery anticipated in 2026. WCT’s managing director, Jeff Bent, contended that Hong Kong’s reopening provides visiting cruise lines an international air hub with great “longhaul connectivity to the Americas, Europe, and the antipodes”; while homeporting lines can tap into the world’s highest per-capita tourism spending market (pre-pandemic) Hong Kong, and connectivity into the Greater Bay Area. This year’s line-up includes TUI Cruises, Fred.Olsen, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Viking Cruises, Holland America Line, Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises. Meanwhile, Azamara, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, Windstar Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Vantage Travel, AIDA Cruises, Nicko Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Regent Seven Seas, Ponant, Phoenix Reisen, The World, and Peace Boat will be calling on Hong Kong in the next two years; with inaugural calls by several ships include Mein Schiff 5, MSC Poesia, MSC Bellissima, Viking Orion, and Celebrity Solstice. source : https://www.ttgasia.com/2023/02/03/cruises-return-to-hong-kong/

Carnival Cruise Line has opened reservations for unique sailings to Asia, including Long Beach, California to Tokyo, Japan and Sydney, Australia to Singapore. The new sailings feature a pair of first-ever ports of call in the Philippines and Indonesia. "Offering guests new destinations to explore and make fun memories builds on our incredible portfolio of Carnival Journeys sailings," the cruise line's president Christine Duffy said in a statement. "We have over 150 long cruises open for sale right now, with itineraries taking guests to beautiful places all over the world, and now Carnival Panorama and Carnival Splendor will expand on that with these truly unique sailings." The new itineraries will be served by the Carnival Panorama and the Carnival Splendor. The dates currently available include: Carnival Panorama -August 22, 2024: 18-day Transpacific Carnival Journeys sailing from Long Beach to Tokyo (Yokohama) including Ketchikan, AK; Cruise Endicott Arm Fjord; Sitka, AK; Icy Strait Point, AK; Kushiro, Japan, and Aomori, Japan. -October 12, 2024: 25-day Transpacific Carnival Journeys sailing from Singapore to Long Beach and including visits to Ho Chi Minh (Phu My), Vietnam; Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; Manila, Philippines; Guam; Honolulu, HI, and Maui (Kahului), HI. Carnival Splendor -July 21, 2024: 15-day Carnival Journeys sailing from Sydney to Singapore and including Brisbane, Australia; Airlie Beach, Australia; Cairns, Australia; Lombok Island, Indonesia; Benoa (Denpasar), Bali -August 24, 2024: 16-day Carnival Journeys sailing from Singapore to Sydney and including Tanjung Priok, Jakarta, Java; Benoa (Denpasar), Bali; Lombok Island, Indonesia; Darwin, Australia; Airlie Beach, Australia and Moreton Island, Australia Carnival Panorama will be the first Carnival ship to visit Manila, Philippines while Carnival Splendor will mark the cruise line's first visit to Tanjung Priok in Indonesia. Both the 4,000-guest Carnival Panorama and 3,000-guest Carnival Splendor offer a variety of guest favorites, including Carnival Waterworks, Piano Bar 88, and Cloud 9 Salon & Spa. source : https://www.travelpulse.com/News/Cruise/Carnival-Cruise-Line-Announces-Unique-New-Asia-Cruises

Royal Caribbean International has announced new 12-night Asia voyages aboard Spectrum of the Seas exploring Asia. The cruises will depart from Singapore to Japan later this year, with fares beginning at $1,583 per person. Due to the high demand for longer itineraries, new sailings will visit Hong Kong and Vietnam. The new 12-night cruises depart Singapore and Tokyo on 19 September and 1 October, respectively, and can be experienced back-to-back, allowing customers to visit up to ten destinations across three countries over the 24-night voyage. The new destinations are Hue, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Okinawa, and Ishigaki. Guests may visit Vietnam’s imperial capital or Japan’s cities on their own or through a selection of shore excursions that will lead them to discover Asia’s sights, sounds, and cultures. These new itineraries are now open and available for booking, as Asian cruises continue to be extremely popular with Australian guests, according to David Humphrey, Director of Sales Australia & New Zealand at Royal Caribbean. “On our longer sailings, passengers may go on an extended holiday and visit must-see places at their leisure,” he said. “Because most of our cabins on 12-night Singapore-to-Tokyo sailings were sold out by the end of 2022, we listened to our loyal customers and modified our timetable to incorporate additional voyages to this vibrant region.” This incredibly popular Spectrum of the Seas sailings provides passengers even more options onboard Asia’s largest and newest cruise ship.” source : https://www.traveldailymedia.com/royal-caribbean-announces-additional-asia-cruises/

The gigantic MSC World Europa is the centrepiece of MSC Cruises’ new “Future of Cruising” campaign, which is being released worldwide. The campaign’s goal is to make customers more conscious of the impact of their vacation choices on the environment and the company’s future. Ad campaigns for “Discover the future of cruising” appear on television and in outdoor, print, internet, and social media platforms in more than 30 countries. MSC Cruises released a new concept video worldwide on 19 January that demonstrates the company’s long-term vision for the cruise industry by displaying the fleet’s environmental performance and providing peeks into onboard life. There are several moving parts to the programme. A significant contributor is the cruise line’s marine conservation initiative at Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay was once used for mining industrial sand, but now it is a private island where passengers may relax amid the clear blue seas that are home to numerous marine creatures and coral reefs. The MSC World Europa, the first LNG-powered and most ecologically advanced ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, can carry 6,762 passengers and has a gross tonnage of 215,863. A television programme highlights the innovative environmental technology and solutions available on board. Over the last few months, the special was shot on set on the cruise ship. The campaign highlights MSC Cruises’ and the Cruise Division of MSC Group’s shared commitment to environmental protection and sustainable practices throughout the cruise line’s 21 ships. Many of our passengers don’t understand that sailing has crucial sustainability features as well,” stated Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group. Guests, staff, and the communities in which we operate have always been at the forefront of our minds. We have never wavered from our commitment to conducting business in a way that respects the environment. MSC Cruises must support and develop sustainable tourism practices; hence the company works closely with tour operators and industry partners. The beach excursion staff of MSC Cruises collaborates with travel agencies worldwide to find excursions built on solid ecological standards. These excursions, which we call “Protectours,” are designed to teach visitors about the area. More than two-thirds of Protectours involve eco-friendly modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, or kayaking, and many participants directly aid in conserving endangered animals or habitats. Vago continued, saying, “Today more than ever, brands like MSC Cruises recognise the vital importance of the environment and a healthy and viable planet, and this is why we think it is important for us to take a leadership role and make our sustainability commitments a key element of our discourse.” By increasing the carbon efficiency of its fleet by 35% since 2008, MSC Cruises is well on its way to fulfilling the International Maritime Organization’s goal of a 40% reduction in carbon by 2030. The cruise line and MSC Group’s Cruise Division are dedicated to reaching their 2050 goal of producing zero net emissions from their maritime activities. In its pursuit to remain the industry standard in environmentally responsible cruising, MSC Cruises’ “Discover the future of cruising” campaign is an important step. It has raised the bar for sustainability with features like noise-reducing hulls that are better for wildlife, cutting-edge waste processing technologies, smart heating, cooling, and lighting systems, and cutting-edge LED lighting. As the cruise industry develops and expands, the need to maintain a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility will rise to new heights. By launching a worldwide marketing campaign, MSC Cruises is making it clear that they intend to be the industry leader in sustainable tourism. Several recent measures demonstrate that the cruise industry has heard the need to reduce pollution and emissions. It will take more than just making it until 2050 to realise the full potential of these aims. To be considered a sustainable holiday choice in the future, the sector has a long way to go. source : https://www.traveldailymedia.com/msc-cruises-unveils-future-of-cruising-sustainability-campaign/

The Westerdam is marking Holland America Line’s return to Southeast Asia. As the first ship of the premium brand to cruise in the region since 2020, the 2,000-guest vessel is currently visiting a series of ports in Indonesia. The port calls are part of a 16-night repositioning voyage that started in Australia earlier this month. Sailing from Sydney to Singapore, the itinerary included four ports in Queensland and the Northern Territory before arriving in Indonesia. In the Asian country, the Westerdam is set to call at Komodo Island, Lombok and Bali before arriving in Singapore on Jan. 19. Following a routine drydock, the ship kicks off a full program in the continent in early February. In addition to extra sailings in Southeast Asia, the schedule includes Holland America’s return to Japan, with five different itineraries in the macro region. Highlighting the program, Japanese destinations being visited include Yokohama, Kobe/Osaka, Tokushima, Kagoshima, Shimizu, Ishigaki, Kochi and more. The complete, three-month program in Asia, features the exploration of a total of five countries: Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, Thailand and Malaysia. The ship will then end the Asian season in late April, with a 14-day North Pacific Crossing to Seattle – its homeport for the upcoming summer season in Alaska. Part of Holland America’s Vista-Class, the Westerdam entered service in 2004. In line with the rest of the company’s fleet, the 82,000-ton vessel offers an array of dining, entertainment and bar venues. Among the public areas is Explorations Café, a lounge that provides travel resources and enrichment opportunities for guests. The cruise ship also offers Billboard Onboard, where two pianists perform shows centered around facts and figures of the music industry. Westerdam’s dining lineup includes Holland America’s signature steakhouse, the Pinnacle Grill, in addition a Italian option, the Canaletto Restaurant, and more. source : https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/01/westerdam-marks-holland-america-return-to-asia/

Regent Seven Seas Cruises is launching Upgrade Your Horizon , inviting guests to enjoy An Unrivalled Experience™ with a generous included 2-Category Suite Upgrade, up to a Penthouse Suite, when booked between January 9 and March 31, 2023. Guests from the UK can also benefit from the flexibility of booking early with Reduced 10% Deposits. Luxury travellers will be spoiled for choice with 404 voyages included in the offer, including cruises through May 2025 sailing to Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Alaska, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific, Canada and New England, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and South America. In addition, Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering generous savings of up to 40% on 37 destination-immersive voyages. “The success of our Travel Partners in the UK is incredibly important to us which is why we strive to provide them with the richest possible value-added promotions to entice their clients into an unrivalled Regent experience,” said Paul Beale, Senior Director of Sales UK, Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “Our Upgrade Your Horizon 2-category Suite upgrade offers just that to our valued network, where this newest incentive can be combined with enviable staff-to-guest ratios, exceptional on-board service, luxuriously spacious suites and exquisite culinary experiences – all in the world’s most incredible destinations.” Upgrade Your Horizon gives guests the chance to enjoy suites that provide even more space and additional advantages such as an included 1-Night Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay when elevated to a Concierge Suite, or the enhanced service that comes with a personal butler when staying in a Penthouse Suite. World Cruises and Grand Voyages are not included in the Upgrade Your Horizon offer. source : https://www.traveldailymedia.com/regent-seven-seas-cruises-announces-elevated-levels-of-luxury-on-voyages-across-all-destinations/