24 | CRUISE NEWS
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Riviera Travel Unveil Name of Newest River Cruise Ship
RIVIERA Travel has officially announced the name of its newest river cruise ship – Riviera Reflection. The newest ship in Riviera’s Radiance Class, Riviera
Reflection is set to debut on the Danube River from September 2027.
Sister ship to the popular Riviera Radiance, and forthcoming Riviera Resplendence, Riviera Reflection will offer immersive itineraries through Europe’s historic and culturally rich destinations. “The unveiling of Riviera Reflection marks an
exciting milestone for our River Cruise fleet” said Will Sarson, Product Director at Riviera Travel. Sarson continued, “Following the amazing reception
of Riviera Radiance from both guests and agent partners, we are proud to continue expanding our collection with a ship that truly embodies the spirit of refined travel. Riviera Reflection is another step in our commitment to offering the best quality on the river and we can’t wait for guests to experience the Danube on this beautiful vessel.”
February 2026
P&O Cruises Sister ships Arvia and Iona Visit Caribbean in Rare Joint Call
P&O's newest ships Arvia and Iona arrived together in the Caribbean in a spectacular moment for the island of St Maarten. The landmark call saw the two Excel class ships, each boasting a capacity of 5,200 guests, dock side-by-side in the port of Philipsburg. Arvia’s Captain Robert Camby and Iona’s Captain Andrew Wolverson greeted each other on the quayside, with guests and crew waving to each other from decks and balconies to mark the special occasion. St Maarten, renowned for its white-sand beaches, vibrant culture and thriving culinary scene, is a highlight on Caribbean itineraries for both ships. Arvia will remain in the Caribbean as part of her 2026 winter fly-cruise season, sailing on two different 14-night itineraries, visiting iconic islands such as Martinique, St Lucia, Tortola and more. Carnival UK & P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “Seeing Arvia and Iona together in St Maarten is a fantastic moment for us all at P&O Cruises. The Caribbean is a hugely popular destination for our guests, and this joint call reflects both the scale of our ambition and the exceptional experiences we’re able to offer on board two of the most innovative ships ever built for the British market.”
MSC Cruises
Reports Strongest Start to January
MSC Cruises have recorded it's best January performance, as demand continues to grow. MSC Cruises have found that overall bookings for
2026 are already up by 10% this year. Their performance comes from growing demand
driven by high-interest destinations. Hotspots such as Dubai are proving to be very popular for winter holidays.
Antonio Paradiso, VP of International Sales at MSC Cruises, said that, " This is the most consistent Wave season we’ve ever had. Our TV campaign, PR & Marketing activities are also helping to drive sales. We have superb itineraries with a nice spread of bookings to the Mediterranean across multiple em- barkation ports, and our ex-UK, Caribbean and Dubai sailings are performing very strongly too."
Construction Begins for Royal Caribbean’s Fifth Icon Class Ship
PRODUCTION has officially started on their fifth ship, marking the next milestone in Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class expansion. The new vacation experience is set to launch in
2028 and will offer a range of holiday destinations from beach escapes, resort getaways and theme park thrills. The fifth Icon Class ship will join Royal
Caribbean’s expanding fleet that includes Legend of the Seas. The Royal Caribbean’s Icon Class expansion reinforces the cruise line’s long-term fleet investment strategy and growth.
Time for Kick Off! Norwegian Cruise Line To Showcase World Cup Matches Across Fleet
NORWEGIAN Cruise Line has announced plans to show all 104 Fifa World Cup 26 games on board this summer. Taking place between 11th June to
19th July in multiple cities across the United States, Mexico and Canada, every ship across the NCL fleet will be broadcasting live coverage of the tourna- ment, meaning guests don’t have to miss a single goal, pen- alty decision or trophy-lifting moment while at sea.
Whether guests want to enjoy the games in the comfort of their staterooms, or enjoy some friendly ri- valry while watching along with other guests from around the world, football fans can enjoy every piece of the action:
Two Dedicated Special Event Channels: All ships will have two channels airing all live matches. This ensures that on certain occasions where matches kick off simultaneously, guests can choose which game to follow. 24-Hour Catch-Up: In keeping with
NCL’s signature freedom and flexibil- ity concept, working around guests’ own schedules games can be record- ed and replayed on board for a 24- hour period. This means that guests can still head out to enjoy shore ex- cursions or simply relax on deck and still catch up on the full 90 minutes at a time that suits them. Gary Anslow, Vice President and Head of
UK & Ireland at NCL, commented: ”This is a unique
moment that unites nations like no other event. Whether guests are cheering for their home team or simply soak-
ing up the exciting spirit of the tournament, we want to make sure no one misses out on these historic moments while exploring the world with us.” Whether guests are sailing the Caribbean or is- land-hopping in the Greek Isles, the football will be right there with our guests. This service will be available across all NCL ships, including the newest Prima and Prima Plus Class vessels.
Scenic Launches New River Cruise and Tour Itineraries
SCENIC Luxury Cruises & Tours has unveiled its 2026-2027 Asia river cruising and land journeys programme. The season includes seven and nine-night
cruises, running from July 2026 to May 2027. Cruises will sail along the Mekong on the 68-guest Scenic Spirit, with extensions available in Vietnam and Laos, and land tours in Japan. The programme features nine river cruise
itineraries and four Japan land journeys. Highlights include:
* 13/15-day ‘Treasures of the Mekong’, from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap. Highlights include Wat Hanchey; the Silver Pagoda in Phnom Penh; and several ancient sites.
* 18/20-day ‘Highlights of Vietnam, Cambodia
& Luxury Mekong’. Beginning in Hanoi and visiting Halong Bay, before travelling to Ho Chi Minh City to board Scenic Spirit. Sails along the Mekong to Siem Reap, followed by a three-night land stay in Angkor Wat.
* 25/27-day ‘Grand Indochina & Luxury Mekong’.
Visiting destinations in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, including Halong Bay and the temples of Angkor Wat.
Included in the programme are Scenic Enrich
events, which are private experiences offering behind-the-scenes access. Examples include an Apsara dance performance and a gala dinner at an Angkor temple; a Champagne breakfast at sunrise at Angkor Wat; a water puppet performance in Hanoi; and a Royal Dinner in a private garden house with Hue Royal Court music. In
addition, the season features new hotel
options for guests. Dominic Keely, head of marketing, rivers & land,
UK at Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours, said: “Our ultra-luxury Asia river cruise and land
itineraries offer the perfect way to discover this fascinating region. Travelling along the Mekong allows guests to experience destinations at a natural pace, with seamless access to cities, towns, and rural communities while still enjoying luxury surroundings onboard. In addition, our thoughtfully planned land journeys add yet more dimension to the experience.”
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