On Wednesday, the cruise liner Amadea operated by Phoenix Reisen, arrived at the port of Shizuoka, marking the first arrival of a foreign cruise ship in Japan in the past three years due to the government's suspension of cruises. The Amadea, operated by German company Phoenix Reisen, carried approximately 500 passengers and 300 crew members and was the first of 212 vessels scheduled to arrive in Japan in 2023, with some ships expected to make multiple port calls.

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Abdulatif Zagoub, a crew member of Silversea Cruises. The 32-year-old Tunisian national passed away in a hospital in Chile after he was disembarked from the cruise ship Silver Wind due to a medical emergency. After admission to the intensive care unit on February 25th, the clinic informed the company and his family of his passing.

Starting February 27, MSC Cruises will increase the prices of its onboard beverage packages and, at the same time, expand the offer of the included drinks. Additionally, the automatic service charge for drink orders without a package will increase from 15 to 18 percent on ships using the USD currency.

Royal Caribbean's latest episode of the "Making an Icon" video series showcases the exciting Thrill Island on the upcoming cruise ship Icon of the Seas. The largest water park at sea, Thrill Island, offers guests various activities, including numerous water slides, the Flow Rider surf simulator, mini golf courses, an outdoor sports deck, and a climbing park over the sea.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced seventh “Meet the Winemakers Cruise Series” that pairs wine enthusiasts and creators. The event is scheduled to take place on select departures starting from April to September 2023.

The MSC Group and the MSC Foundation have organized urgent aid and accommodation to support the population in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria in close coordination with national authorities.

We are deeply saddened to share the death of Costa Diadema crew member Amri Bin Mujono. The 55-year-old Indonesian National who was working in the engine department was found dead in his cabin by fellow crew members. 

The ship officers reported the death to the Italian maritime officials at the port of Cagliari, where the body was handed over to the authorities on February 20.

Portugal’s biofuel producer PRIO and Norwegian Cruise Line have successfully conducted their first trial with ECO Bunkers B30, an innovative biofuel manufactured and supplied by PRIO. The fuel is a blend of 30% advanced biofuel produced from waste feedstocks and conventional ULSD diesel, produced at PRIO's biodiesel plant in Portugal and mixed at a terminal in Aveiro. The higher biofuel concentration in the blend is expected to result in a more significant decrease in CO2 emissions.

About 316 passengers were stranded for nearly twenty hours when the five-masted schooner Club Med 2 plowed into a sand bar off the coast of Panama.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of losing yet another dear friend who departed way too soon. Gene Moimoi Young was a cruise director on many MSC Cruises ships, but most of all, he was an outstanding person full of positive energy that he spread among all he met. His passing is something that we are struggling to come to terms with. He passed away unexpectedly in Miami, Florida.