Cruise News Page 13
Holland America Line unveils Caribbean offer
Holland America Line has launched a ‘Fly and Cruise Caribbean’ offer for its 2026/27 season from today (April 7, 2026) to August 31, 2026. The offer comprises: * £600pp air credit * A free one-night pre cruise hotel stay * Free return transfers from the airport, hotel and ship
Holland America Line Marks 153 Years of Exploration with Special 'Anniversary Sale'
For 153 years, Holland America Line has perfected the art of leisurely travel, inviting guests to connect to the world and each other. This April, the brand celebrates with a monthlong Anniversary Sale featuring fare discounts, onboard credits, reduced deposits, and free fares for kids. Running from April 2–30, 2026, the Anniversary Sale includes departures from April 2026 through spring 2027, with cruises ranging from four to 69 days. The promotion features up to 30% off cruise-only fares, onboard credits up to $400 per stateroom, 50% reduced deposits, and free third and fourth kids when traveling in the same stateroom—making it the perfect time to book a cruise vacation.
Virgin Voyages doubles First Mate loot and offers Sailors up to $550 in free drinks
Virgin Voyages has announced a new trade incentive, offering £10 per booking on select European sailings. From now through to May 28, First Mates (agents) will earn £10 per booking, double the standard £5 reward ‘Loot’. The incentive applies to 12 Virgin Voyages cruises onboard Scarlet Lady and Valliant Lady, departing in May and June, 2026.
Scenic and Emerald offer sight-seeing helicopter tour in new trade incentive
Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and Emerald Cruises & Tours have launched a new trade incentive, offering travel agents the chance to win a sight-seeing helicopter tour. Running until April 9, 2026, the prize will see one lucky agent awarded a helicopter tour over London, to coincide with the arrival of the 228-guest Scenic Eclipse II into the capital on July 31, 2026. It will be the first time the ultra-luxury Scenic discovery yacht enters UK waters.
Viking Announces Float Out of Newest Nile River Ships
Viking® today announced its two newest ships for the Nile River—the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet—have been “floated out,” marking a major construction milestone and the first time the ships have touched water. Set to debut in September and November 2026, respectively, the Viking Ptah and the Viking Sekhmet will join the company's growing fleet of state-of-the-art ships in Egypt and will sail Viking's popular 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary. “Egypt is truly a phenomenal destination, distinguished by its remarkable history, enduring culture and the singular power of the Nile,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “With the float out of our two newest ships, we look forward to further expanding our elegant fleet on the Nile and welcoming more curious travellers to experience this extraordinary region in the years to come.”
Holland America Line launches Anniversary Sale
Holland America Line today (April 2, 2026) opened a month-long Anniversary Sale to mark its 153rd year. Running to April 30, 2026, the sale features up to US$400 onboard credit per stateroom on departures from now to spring 2027, for cruises ranging from four to 69 days. The credit can be used on amenities including speciality dining, beverages, spa services, shore excursions, gift shop purchases and onboard photography.
Virgin Voyages launches spring campaign - with £750 instant savings
Virgin Voyages has unveiled a new sales campaign, offering up to £750 in instant savings and 70% off a second Sailor (guest). Running from April 1 to May 28, 2026, the promotion is available across Virgin Voyages’ full programme of kid-free sailings, including the Caribbean, Mediterranean and North America.
Avora Residences Launches "Continuum," Introducing a New Private Membership Club at Sea
Avora Residences today announced the launch of Continuum, a private, membership-based concept designed to deliver a global yachting lifestyle without the responsibilities of ownership. Created for a new generation of ultra-high-net-worth travelers, Continuum introduces a new model that blends the intimacy of a private yacht with the consistency and reach of a residential platform at sea.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN GROUP ENHANCES TRAVEL LOYALTY
Today, Royal Caribbean Group and Bank of America announced the upcoming launch of the Royal ONE™ Visa Signature® and Royal ONE Plus™ Visa Signature® credit cards — the industry's first tri-branded cards that simplify how travelers earn and redeem rewards across the company's brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. The Royal ONE cards continue Royal Caribbean Group's multi‑year journey to reimagine loyalty and unlock more value for guests to maximize their vacation experiences. The cards will be available in the coming weeks.
Oceania Cruises® Announces the Industry's First Floating Pastry Academy
Oceania Cruises®, the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line, today revealed The Floating Pastry Academy, a new multi-year training program for its onboard chefs, and first of its kind for the cruise industry, created in partnership with revered digital training platform, The Butter Book®. Through the new training partnership, more than 200 Oceania Cruises pastry and bakery chefs will complete the three-year program which will mix theory with practical assessments, both online and in person on board its vessels.
Upgraded Koningsdam returns ahead of Alaska season
Holland America Line’s Koningsdam is back in service following a two‑week dry dock in the Bahamas. The Pinnacle-class ship has received a series of enhancements ahead of its upcoming Alaska season. The line has added five new, larger ocean view staterooms. Each stateroom accommodates up to four guests and features two beds that convert to a queen-size bed, along with a double sofa bed. Four of the staterooms are connecting, allowing larger groups to book together. 22 Vista Suites were also upgraded with new sofa beds.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN'S HERO OF THE SEAS INTRODUCES THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF FAMILY VACATION EXPERIENCES
Introducing the hero of family vacations: Royal Caribbean has revealed Hero of the Seas, the fourth Icon Class ship and bold evolution of family adventure arriving in Miami in August 2027. As part of the game-changing Icon Class that combines beach retreats, resort escapes and theme park thrills, Hero will raise the bar with more records and iconic ways for families to make lifelong memories. Hero's eight neighborhoods will be home to the most pools at sea, a record-breaking 28 dining venues and cooking classes for all ages, brand-new family raft slides, new accommodations for multigenerational families – including the three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse – and more