The cruise ship Aida Blu aided a small yacht overcrowded with refugees off the coast of Sicily on Monday. The yacht, carrying approximately 40 refugees, approached the cruise ship and was secured alongside Aida Blu. A spokesperson for Aida Cruises addressed the situation, stating that the captain had previously been asked to provide emergency assistance by the Italian authorities.

The Port of San Diego officially started the cruise season by welcoming back longtime homeport partner Holland America Line. This year's launch was marked by a donation from the Holland America Line Foundation to the San Diego Harbor Police Foundation, underscoring the strong commitment between the cruise line and the port. 

Iceland has taken a significant step toward preserving its natural beauty by welcoming cruise ships to connect to the shore power grid. This environmentally conscious initiative aims to reduce emissions and minimize the impact of cruise ships on the country's picturesque ports. The MS Maud, operated by Hurtigruten Expeditions, has led the way as the largest cruise ship to date to utilize shore power in Reykjavik.

Costa Cruises returns to the world of advertising with a new international campaign, marking the start of a new strategic and creative journey. The creative concept at the heart of this campaign, curated by Herezie, revolves around the belief that the most effective way to convey the experiences of a Costa cruise, where the sea and destinations harmoniously coexist, is through the emotions they evoke in their guests.

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection celebrated a construction milestone as their upcoming superyacht, Ilma, was floated out at the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. This traditional maritime event gathered senior leaders and shipbuilders, marking the exciting moment when Ilma touched the water for the first time.

Holland America Line has completed shore power installation on its entire fleet, marking a significant milestone in sustainability efforts. This initiative began in 2006, and now all their ships, including the newest ones, can connect to shore power during port visits, reducing emissions and noise.

The crew member who was reported missing from the Royal Caribbean International cruise ship, Serenade of the Seas, has been located and is safe. The Serenade of the Seas arrived at the port of Sydney, Nova Scotia, on Tuesday, September 26, as part of its 7-day round-trip Canada cruise from Boston. However, after the ship departed from Sydney, the crew failed to return by 5 p.m.

Amsterdam is embarking on a significant tax increase targeting tourists and cruise ship passengers to bolster its budget for initiatives including additional shelter accommodations, poverty measures, and healthcare support, among other vital services. Hester van Buren, the city's finance chief, expressed the city's commitment to sparing its residents from higher costs while shifting the burden towards visitors.

Christopher Prelog, the President of Windstar Cruises, is marking a significant milestone in his career as he celebrates three years at the helm of the small ship cruise line. Prelog has steered Windstar Cruises through a remarkable period of change, cementing the company's position as a leading player in the luxury cruise industry. According to a recent release by the company, Windstar has witnessed substantial growth and innovation under his guidance.

Quark Expeditions, the leader in polar adventures, has proudly announced its global membership in the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world's largest cruise industry association.