Carnival Spirit officially kick-started the 2022-2023 Panama Canal cruise season this week, as it became the first cruise ship to pass through the iconic waterway. The cruise ship departed Seattle, Washington on September 20 for a 16-day voyage, during which the ship sailed along the Pacific coast to Mexico and Costa Rica. Carnival Spirit left the Pacific side of the Panama Canal on October 2nd and is now on its way to Miami.

Bermuda's Health Minister Kim Wilson said the mask requirements and travel regulations related to COVID-19 will be dropped this month.

As of Monday, October 3, masks will no longer be required in most indoor and outdoor public spaces, except in places such as healthcare facilities, nursing homes and prisons. They are no longer needed on public transport.

Carnival Cruise Line announced that it will impose $500 fines and additional detention costs for those found guilty of unruly behavior on board. The cruise line recently updated their guest code of conduct to reflect the new policy changes, reaffirming its ongoing commitment to keeping passengers safe and providing an excellent experience for all guests.

The Italian Police arrested a 26-year-old crew member at the port of Cagliari, Italy on charges of sexual assault involving a co-worker. The victim is a 27-year-old female crew member.

Preparations for the upcoming South American cruise season are well underway, with a record number of cruise ships scheduled to visit 17 destinations in Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. The 2022/2023 season will be the longest one in the past decade, spanning from October 29, 2022 to April 20, 2023. The leaders in the region’s cruise market MSC and Costa Cruises will deploy a total of eight ships.

Oceania Cruises will implement an innovative bar program on its latest cruise ship Vista, set to debut on May 20, 2023. The Vista, the first of the all-new brand's Allura-class ships, will feature the latest cocktail trends and techniques such as flavored smoke bubbles, a wide selection of low-sugar and sugar-free wines and non-proof cocktails, plus barrel-aged Negronis and specialty beverage carts such as Bubbli Bar and Ultimate Bloody Mary Bar.

With a fleet of 21 ships in 2023, MSC Cruises now plays one of the leading roles in the world of cruises, and to support its growth, the company wishes to become a full tour operator".

"We are emerging from the crisis stronger than ever " launched Patrick Pourbaix, Managing Director France of MSC Cruises during a press conference on October 4, 2022. 

Leading specialist cruise retailer Harding has rebranded as Harding+ in a move that better reflects the brand's ambitions, culture and growth. The fresh identity, which is focused on business and cultural transformation, is revealed at the TFVA World Exhibition in Cannes.

Norwegian Cruise Line announced updates of its global health and safety protocols removing all requirements for testing, masking and vaccination for COVID-19 as of October 4, 2022.

In light of significant, positive developments in the public health environment, Cruise Line has updated its health and safety guidelines, which are now more aligned with other global travel organizations.

Viking marked the company's 25th anniversary with a historic celebration in Amsterdam. To commemorate this milestone, for the first time ever, three classes of Viking ships — a river ship, an ocean liner and the company's newest expedition ship, the Viking Polaris — met in Amsterdam and sailed in a special convoy to IJmuiden, the Netherlands. Participating in the convoy with Viking Polaris were Viking Longship, Viking Mani and the ocean liner, Viking Mars.