Viking has officially added a new ship to its ocean fleet: the Viking Vela. The delivery ceremony took place on December 3 at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy.
Vela is classified as a small ship, with 499 staterooms that can accommodate 998 guests. It will sail exciting itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe during its first season.
Recent moves by Mexico to impose a $42 immigration levy on cruise passengers have sent shockwaves through the cruise industry. This fee, which could push total port charges in Cozumel to $70 per passenger, is more than triple the average in the Caribbean. Industry leaders fear that this could deter cruise lines from visiting Mexican ports, especially with popular competitors like Jamaica and the Bahamas charging significantly less.
The sudden and mysterious death of a young crew member aboard Disney cruise ship has left her family and friends searching for answers. Gessica Disertore, a 27-year-old pastry chef from Italy, was on her first contract when tragedy struck on September 27, 2023. Her roommate found her lifeless body hanging in their cabin—a scene ruled a suicide by U.S. authorities. However, numerous inconsistencies raise serious doubts about the circumstances of her death.
A man was airlifted from the cruise ship ms Zaandam early Tuesday morning, about 50 miles off the coast of Oahu. The U.S. Coast Guard responded after receiving a call from the ship’s doctor, reporting that the 32-year-old man was showing signs of a stroke. The ship was approximately 330 miles northeast of Oahu when the request for help came in on Monday morning.
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.
