Hurtigruten, the leader in Norwegian coastal voyages, has once again proven its commitment to sustainability and innovation, earning the top spot in the 2024 Friends of the Earth (FoE) Cruise Ship Report Card. Achieving a B+ rating, the highest awarded this year, underscores Hurtigruten’s efforts to redefine the future of eco-friendly voyages.
Over the weekend, an altercation involving several passengers broke out aboard the world’s largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas. The incident occurred on the final night of the cruise, which was reportedly sailing at full capacity. Videos capturing the incident have surfaced on social media like YouTube, gaining widespread attention.
According to passengers who witnessed the brawl, the conflict began in an elevator and eventually spilled onto other area of the ship. Reports suggest that the fight lasted more than 30 minutes, involving teenagers aged approximately 16-19.
Windstar Cruises has celebrated the float-out of its new ship, Star Seeker, at a shipyard in Portugal. This marks the first of two vessels in the cruise line’s Star Class series.
The suspect involved in the attack on foreign tourists in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea, has voluntarily surrendered to police, according to NBC East New Britain.
The Saudi Arabian cruise line Aroya Cruises is set to launch its first ship, the Manara, following extensive preparations that began in 2023. The vessel, originally delivered as the World Dream in 2017 by the Papenburg-based Meyer Werft for Dream Cruises, is now transformed and ready for operations in the Red Sea.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced that two-time Emmy Award-winning actor Eric Stonestreet, best known for his role on Modern Family, will serve as the godfather of its newest ship, Norwegian Aqua. The ship is set to debut in April 2025, offering cutting-edge features and innovative experiences.
Oceania Cruises is celebrating the 15th anniversary of its groundbreaking Culinary Center, the first hands-on cooking school at sea. Since debuting aboard Marina™ in 2011, the Culinary Center has expanded to four ships, including Riviera™, Vista™, and the upcoming Allura™, set to launch in summer 2025.
For the first time in its 160-year history, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) has taken its gaming expertise beyond Monaco’s borders. On November 14, 2024, the inaugural Monte-Carlo Casino outside Monaco was unveiled aboard the luxury cruise ship Crystal Symphony in Venice, Italy. The event was attended by industry leaders, including Manfredi Lefebvre, Executive Chairman of A&K Travel Group, and Stéphane Valeri, Chairman-Elect of SBM.
Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Treasure, was officially christened in a grand celebration in New York City.
The festivities kicked off with an electrifying performance by American singer Jordin Sparks, who sang the ship’s theme song, “Live the Adventure.” The event reached new heights with an aerial drone display, featuring a treasure chest that opened to reveal scenes from beloved Disney movies like Moana, Coco, Aladdin, and more. The spectacle culminated with a giant virtual champagne bottle, symbolizing the christening of the vessel.
Italian Customs in coordination with Anti-Fraud Office of the Territorial Directorate of Lazio and Abruzzo conducted inspections on several passenger ships and seized slot machines in the port of Civitavecchia belonging to several shipping companies.
Some devices, which had expired authorizations for commissioning, and others without the necessary authorizations, were seized and left in custody. The administrative sanctions for the irregularities found amount to approximately 9 thousand euros.
