Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has today (April 22, 2026) revealed holidaymakers from the UK and Ireland took 2.54 million ocean cruises last year, surpassing the previous highest total of 2.4 million in 2024. 34.5% of passengers sailed in the Mediterranean, 27.2% Northern Europe and 13.7% the Caribbean. The Caribbean saw year-on-year passenger growth of 12%.

Across the cruise sector and wider travel industry, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: in a world of digital tools, virtual training and AI-powered content, face-to-face connection still drives the strongest commercial results. Travel remains a relationship business, and nowhere is that more evident than in how we support and engage our agent partners - or as we call them at Virgin Voyages, our First Mates.

AROYA Cruises, the first Arabian cruise line, is currently making its way to Jeddah, its homeport in the Red Sea, where it will resume scheduled sailings during the month of May. The upcoming programme features multi-country itineraries across the Red Sea, with calls in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, combining regional destinations with AROYA’s distinctive onboard experience.

Online travel specialist cruise.co.uk has expanded its collection of cruise and stay packages with the launch of a ‘Florida Thrill and Hero Caribbean Chill’ itinerary. The 15-night trip consists of a seven-night Caribbean cruise on Royal Caribbean’s upcoming new ship Hero of the Seas; a five-night stay in Orlando; two nights in Miami; and complimentary one-day ticket to Universal Epic Universe.

Celestyal has confirmed the successful and safe transit of both its vessels, Celestyal Discovery and Celestyal Journey, through the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant operational milestone and demonstrating leadership across the cruise industry during a period of heightened regional sensitivity. On Friday, April 17, Celestyal Discovery, under the command of Captain Nikolaos Vasileiou, became the first cruise vessel to depart the Arabian Gulf, executing a carefully coordinated voyage plan developed in close collaboration with regional authorities and maritime security teams. This pioneering movement established a safe and proven route through the Strait, enabling other cruise operators to follow.

Royal Caribbean Group, a global vacation leader rooted in South Florida for nearly 60 years, today announced the launch of the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation, a formal expansion of the company's long-standing commitment to strengthening ocean communities around the world. Advancing the Foundation's focus on education, its inaugural pledge goes towards a cutting-edge emergency medicine residency program at Jackson Health System. Offering world-class clinical training, the Royal Caribbean Group Foundation Emergency Medicine Residency Program will shape and empower future physicians in South Florida.