50 | CRUISE NEWS
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NCL Welcome Newest Ship Norwegian Luna To it’s Fleet
April/May 2026
Ambassador Cruise Line Launches Earliest Season with 2028/29 Itineraries on Sale Now
AMBASSADOR Cruise Line has
launched its 2028/29 season, marking the earliest season launch since the company was founded in 2021.
The new
programme will see the cruise line continue to offer guests a collection of no-fly cruise experiences sailing from 23 April 2028 through to 29 March 2029. The new season features sailings
from London Cruise Terminal in Tilbury, Newcastle Tyne, Dundee, Liverpool, Belfast and Portsmouth. As with recent seasons, all itineraries
in 2028/29 will be adult‑only, following extensive guest feedback. With more ex‑UK departures than
DEBUTING in Miami in Late March, Norwegian Luna Will Be the Newest Ship to Sail Year- Round Caribbean Itineraries. Norwegian Luna will be the 21st addition to NCL’s
fleet of ships, and will be debuting in Miami in Late March. The 3,565‑passenger ship features 1,809
staterooms and an exceptional collection of intentionally designed venues and experiences. With 17 dining options as well as 18 bars and lounges, the ship offers remarkable culinary variety and social settings to suit every mood and moment. From wide open spaces and immersive entertainment to moments beyond expectation, Norwegian Luna ensures that every experience feels effortless.
New Indian Restaurant to Feature on Popular Virgin Voyages Ship
Marc Kazlauskas, president of Norwegian Cruise
Line, said, “As our newest ship, Norwegian Luna is a powerful reflection of NCL’s ‘It’s Different Out Here’ brand ethos. We are deeply appreciative of the world‑class
architects and designers, as well as our talented partners at Fincantieri who brought Norwegian Luna to life. We’re proud to continue this strong partnership as we look ahead to building more exceptional NCL vessels together over the next decade.”
Norwegian Luna will arrive to the U.S. on March
23, 2026, marking her grand debut in Miami, the Cruise Capital of the World, and will officially be
christened on March 27, 2026 at PortMiami. Princess Cruises Announces
VIRGIN Voyages has announced the debut of a new Indian restaurant, named ‘Ariya’, exclusively on Valiant Lady following her dry dock in May. Developed in partnership with Indie Culinaire
by acclaimed celebrity chef, television personality and cookbook author, Maneet Chauhan, Ariya will offer guests a range of Indian cuisine. The restaurant’s name was inspired by Sir
Richard Branson’s great‑great‑grandmother – Ariya. The restaurant will use Valiant Lady’s breakfast and brunch venue, Razzle Dazzle, as a 220‑seat restaurant each evening, offering a semi‑private dining space framed by decorative screens, made to resemble the interior of a traditional jewellery box. Ariya’s menu is inspired by regional Indian
cuisine, showcasing flavours and ingredients from across the country. The menu also features a selection of chaat, a traditional Indian street food. This will join other Indian dishes such as lamb shank biryani, Goan curried mussels and Malabar coconut crab cake on the menu. Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO at Virgin Voyages,
said: “Ariya is the next chapter in our food and beverage collection that we’ve been building with real intention since day one. Every restaurant we open is a statement about what we believe dining at sea can be, and Ariya says something we haven’t said before. Indian cuisine, done with this level of craft and this much heart, belongs on Valiant Lady. Sailors who’ve sailed with us before will understand immediately why this belongs here. For those who haven’t, Ariya might be the reason they book.”
2028 World Cruise PRINCESS Cruises has announced its 2028 World Cruise onboard Coral Princess. The cruise will take place across 115‑nights, with a globe‑ spanning journey to 49 destinations across 24 countries and five continents – featuring 39 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, more overnight and late‑night stays, and a maiden call to Mossel Bay, South Africa. Departing January 3, 2028, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, or Los Angeles, the 115‑night sailing offers guests the opportunity to experience the world. Onboard 2,000‑capacity Coral Princess, guests will cross the Equator and International Date Line on this grand exploration covering 36,000 nautical miles. The itinerary transits the legendary Panama Canal before immersing guests in the natural beauty and vibrant cultures of Hawaii and the South Pacific, including Samoa and Fiji. The voyage continues to Australia and New Zealand, showcasing iconic cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland, along with extraordinary wildlife and landscapes.
any other cruise line, the 2028/29 season comprises 74 sailings and four Christmas Party Event dates, with 35 sailings plus four Christmas Party dates on Ambience and 39 itineraries aboard Ambition. In total, the Ambassador fleet will call at 108 ports across 30 countries and three continents, travelling more than 130,000 nautical miles, with itineraries ranging from 1 to 42 nights. The 2028/29 programme will see
Tilbury‑based Ambience embark on her sixth season accompanied by her sister ship Ambition, sailing primarily from the regions on her fifth year of itineraries. Ambassador Cruise Line Chief
Executive Officer, Christian Verhounig, said:
“Since Ambassador Cruise Line was
Coral Princess then ventures across the Indian Ocean to remote island gems including Mauritius and Réunion Island, before arriving in South Africa for an overnight stay in Cape Town and a special maiden call to Mossel Bay. Mossel Bay is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring coastal caves that hold some of the earliest evidence of modern human behaviour, dating back more than 160,000 years. Sailing north along Africa’s western coast, the journey continues into the Mediterranean with visits to Barcelona, Sicily, and the Adriatic Sea, including Dubrovnik, as well as Casablanca, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean back to North America.
“Our 2028 World Cruise is an unparalleled voyage designed for travellers to see the world in a meaningful,
immersive way – with more overnight stays, more time
in port, deeper cultural connections and unforgettable moments at every turn,” said Jim Berra, Princess Cruises Chief Commercial Officer.
Holland America Line Grand Voyage Guests Celebrate in Sydney
HOLLAND America Line brought together guests from its two 2026 Grand Voyages on March 7, following a rare meetup of Zaandam and Volendam. The ship’s simultaneous calls to Sydney, Australia, were celebrated with a special Chocolate Afternoon Tea. Hosted onboard Zaandam, the tea was led by Holland
America Line Culinary Ambassador, Jacques Torres, who created a menu of signature chocolate treats. Guests were offered a selection that included
scones and finger sandwiches, chocolate madeleines, chocolate canelé de Bordeaux, Le Lion chocolate dipped marshmallows and Gâteau de Voyage. The captains and senior officers from both ships joined the occasion. Volendam is currently sailing on the 133‑day Grand
World Voyage, heading to Asia before crossing the Pacific Ocean and transiting the Panama Canal to end in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Zaandam will continue exploring Australia and New Zealand before sailing to French Polynesia and will then end its 93‑day Grand Voyage in San Diego, California. Darren Lewis, Zaandam’s hotel general manager,
said: “Moments like this are what make a Grand Voyage truly unforgettable. When guests sail with us for months at a time, they become a community. Seeing that community from two ships come together in Sydney to share stories, celebrate the journey and enjoy a beautifully crafted afternoon tea was a powerful reminder of what makes Grand Voyages so
special.”
founded in January 2021, our aim has been clear: to offer an affordable quality, no‑fly cruise experience that is traditional, authentic, welcoming and sustainable. Our faith in what makes us truly unique has proved to be a winning formula: more than a quarter of a million guests have enjoyed the ‘warmest welcome at sea’ with us since
Royal Caribbean Launches First America's Got Talent Experience at Sea
ROYAL Caribbean announce their newest vacation experience debuting America’s Got Talent on board Legend of the Seas. It will be the first time the series will headline at
sea, delivering a reimagined extension of the well‑ known global show in August 2026. It will showcase talent from around the globe,
with deck‑defying high divers, aerialists, robots and dancers in the AquaTheater and show‑stopping performances at Absolute Zero, the largest ice arena at sea. Erica Gadecki, Executive Vice President of
Partnership Solutions, Fremantle, said, “We’re thrilled to bring Got Talent to an all‑new at sea experience as we set sail for the first time with Royal Caribbean, We can’t wait to showcase incredible acts from around the world on a brand‑new stage onboard, creating an unforgettable experience for fans.”
our inaugural sailing in April 2022, with 94% saying they would recommend us to friends and family and travel with us again.
“Launching our 2028/29 season
earlier than ever before not only reflects the confidence our guests place in Ambassador to deliver truly exceptional cruise experiences but also their desire to plan meaningful travel further ahead. “We are proud to have built a
strong and loyal community at sea, underpinned by traditional maritime values and outstanding value, that sees guests return to us time and again. Accordingly, our all‑new itineraries have been shaped by guest feedback and designed to offer the right balance of discovery, relaxation and enrichment to repeat and new‑to‑brand guests. “With no‑fly cruising from six UK gateways providing travellers with a hassle‑free opportunity to start their holiday from a port that’s close to home, adult‑only experiences and a continued focus on delivering exceptional service to all those who sail with Ambassador, we look forward to welcoming new and returning guests aboard for many years
to come.”
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