Royal Caribbean is celebratieng a major milestone this week—Icon of the Seas is officially one year old. And what a year it’s been! Since setting sail, the world’s largest cruise ship has welcomed 192,000 families on board, redefining what it means to take a family vacation at sea.
Brazilian Authorities have arrested a 41-year-old man at the port of Salvador de Bahia for an onboard fraud scheme involving fake credit cards, which allowed him to make illegal purchases and gamble in the ship’s casino. The arrest, was conducted on Wednesday January 22, as the suspect disembarked, sheds light on how technology and vigilance intersect in modern-day crime prevention.
The countdown is on! Mein Schiff Relax, TUI Cruises' latest and greatest addition, is welcoming its start-up crew as the ship nears completion at Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. With construction in its final phase, the ship is looking more like a luxury resort than a construction site. And now, it’s showtime for the crew to move in, roll up their sleeves, and turn this floating marvel into a well-oiled hospitality machine.
A 28-year-old Bangladeshi worker was injured aboard the Star Princess, cruise ship under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone. The incident occurred on January 20, 2025, around 8:20 a.m. while the shipyard was operating as usual. The incident took place at around 8:20 a.m. on deck four of the ship. The victim, a plumber working for contractor, was stabbed with a 10-centimeter fruit knife by a 24-year-old fellow worker. The victim sustained several cuts to his arms, legs, and buttocks, but the injuries were not serious.
Starting this year Iceland has introduced a new fee which will affect cruise ship passengers. The new "infrastructure fee" of 2,500 Icelandic Krona (approximately €18) per person per day is now being charged to all cruise passengers staying in Icelandic territorial waters. This fee replaces the previous accommodation tax, which was abolished earlier this year.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) and leaders from the Bahamas marked a significant milestone Friday, breaking ground on a new cruise pier at Great Stirrup Cay.
The $150 million project, scheduled for completion in late 2025, will enable two large ships to dock simultaneously, improving access to the private island for guests sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Jameson just dropped some exciting news that’s about to shake up the cruise industry—literally. According to Cruise Industry News, the famed Jameson Black Barrel Bartender Series is back for its fourth year, and is opening up to bartenders aboard cruise ships.
Mario Salcedo, aka "Super Mario," the ultimate cruise legend who’s been living on Royal Caribbean ships for the past 25 years, just hit an incredible milestone — his 1,000th cruise aboard the Explorer of the Seas!
Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) has introduced the Cruise Crew Pass, a special discount program for cruise ship crew members visiting the Arabian Gulf. For just $1 crew members can access discounts on retail, dining, and attractions across Abu Dhabi, encouraging exploration of the emirate’s offerings.
With 147 cruise calls scheduled this season, crew can utilize the pass multiple times during repeat ship visits. Access to the discounts is available via a unique invitation code through the Abu Dhabi Pass App.
Disney Cruise Line has revealed plans for a new class of smaller, fuel-efficient ships, with three of the four upcoming vessels designed at approximately 100,000 gross registered tons and a capacity for 3,000 guests. The fourth ship will be another Wish-class vessel, accommodating 4,000 passengers and powered by LNG.
