On Saturday, the port of Marseille became the stage for a dramatic protest as environmental activists from the Stop Croisières and Extinction Rebellion collectives blocked the arrival of several cruise ships for nearly two hours. Their goal: to raise awareness about environmental pollution caused by the cruise industry. One of the impacted ships, the "Aidastella," which can carry 2,000 passengers, was forced to turn back and could only return to port after the blockade was lifted.

The Hague, located in the western Netherlands, will be the first city in the world to ban advertising of fossil fuel-related products and services. From January 1, 2025, advertisements promoting petrol and diesel cars, flights, and even cruises will be prohibited on public spaces like billboards and bus stops throughout the city.

Viking is celebrating a historic return to China, as the Viking Yi Dun completed her inaugural voyage from Shanghai to Hong Kong (Shenzhen). These new itineraries explore China’s coastline, offering rare access to lesser-visited destinations that only Viking guests can experience—a first for international travelers. From September to November, the 930-guest Viking Yi Dun, formerly known as Viking Sun, will operate these exclusive sailings. The ship is a sister vessel to others in Viking’s award-winning fleet, showcasing the same renowned design and exceptional service.

What better way to christen a luxury ship than with champagne toasts, VIP guests, and... a sizzling scene on the high seas? On September 15, 2024, all eyes were on Civitavecchia as the luxury ship Explora II set sail on its maiden voyage, but it wasn’t just the elegant speeches or the gleaming new ship that had people talking. The star of the day ended up being a couple who decided to make the most of their ocean-view balcony—in broad daylight and in full view of everyone at the dock.

Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed its newest Prima Class ship, Norwegian Luna, set to debut in March 2026. This marks the fourth vessel in the Prima Class and will be a twin to the upcoming Norwegian Aqua, boasting a 10% increase in size over its predecessors, Norwegian Prima and Norwegian Viva. The ship will be constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.

A Filipino crew member employed as a stateroom attendant was sentenced to 30 years in prison by Florida court for producing child pornography.
Arvin Joseph Mirasol, a stateroom attendant who serviced passenger staterooms, was sentenced by US District Court Judge Melissa Damian after previously pleading guilty to producing child pornography.  

The Disney Dream, one of the most beloved ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, has arrived at the Damen Shiprepair facility in Brest, France, for an extended dry dock. The ship will undergo a month-long refurbishment for significant upgrades.

Oktoberfest celebrations aboard AIDA ships have become a highly anticipated tradition, and this year’s festivities are no exception. While the Bavarian AIDA Special aboard AIDAprima is just around the corner, from September 14 to 21, 2024—featuring acts like Mickie Krause, the Hermes House Band, and voXXclub—the next big party is already open for booking.

Royal Caribbean International has announced it will resume trips to Labadee, Haiti, in October 2024, following a temporary suspension earlier this year due to rising violence and instability, Cruise Radio reported. The cruise line removed Labadee from its itineraries in March 2024, after concerns over safety were heightened by incidents.

International superstar Robbie Williams is set to become the official wellness ambassador for TUI Cruises' latest ship, the Mein Schiff Relax. The “Angels” singer, who’s sold a staggering 85 million albums and bagged 18 BRIT Awards (NBD), is diving headfirst into the world of cruising with TUI Cruises. Robbie is pumped to bring his personal motto, “Relaxing rocks,” to life on the Mein Schiff Relax, which is all about unwinding and recharging—two things the busy megastar definitely knows a thing or two about.