40 | CRUISE NEWS
MSC Celebrate MSC Poesia's Transit of Panama Canal Following Refurbishment
www.nitravelnews.com
June 2026
MSC Cruises has announced that the refurbishment of MSC Poesia has completed with a successful transition through the Panama Canal. This marks a key milestone as MSC
Poesia prepares for her inaugural Alaska season. MSC Poesia made its way through
one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels,
guests onboard experienced
a front-row seat on a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Refurbishments to the ship include
a brand new MSC Yacht Club, the cruise line’s
exclusive ‘ship-within-a-ship’
concept, offering private facilities and 24-hour butler and concierge service. The ship’s enhancements also include an upgraded MSC Aurea Spa, gym and speciality restaurants Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar. MSC Poesia’s Grand Voyage began with her departure from Miami and has since sailed through the Caribbean and Central America before transiting the Panama Canal. The ship sailed the Pacific and continued north along the coast on the final stretch of her journey to Seattle where she began her Alaska itineraries on 11th May 2026.
Virgin Voyages Introduces its First Ever AI Crew Assistant
Oceania to Debut Newly- Named Ship in 2027
Cunard Launches 190 New Voyages for 2028 Including Four Queens Celebration
CUNARD announced
has its
programme for 2028 which will include 190 voyages across 36 countries. The highlight of this
programme will be the historic meet up of its Four Queens in May 2028. The cruise line
will
VIRGIN Voyages announce the introduction of its first AI crew assistant Rovey. The introduction is part of Virgin
Voyages long-term AI initiative built with Google Cloud. Rovey is an AI travel planning
assistant that will be a tool for travel agents as it navigates cruise booking. Agents can rely on Rovey for planning support offering human like recommendations based on customers travel style, timing and preferences. Nirmal Saverimuttu, CEO of Virgin
Voyages said: “We sail to more than 150 destinations, with 60+ itineraries on sale more than two years out. It’s a complex decision, and it matters. Our advisors care about getting it right for their clients. Rovey helps with that. She brings the most relevant options into focus and makes it easier to tailor recommendations for clients. That’s always our goal with AI: to free up processes in favour of human-to- human connections.” Nathan Rosenberg, chief brand
experience, marketing and momentum officer at Virgin Voyages added: “The best First Mates we work with spend their time building relationships, not answering the same foundational questions every week. When a Sailor arrives having already worked through the basics, the conversation becomes about the person and less about the itinerary. That is where trust is built. That is what drives a Sailor to rebook and to send their friends. Rovey shows up first so the First Mate can finish strongest.”
visit 125 ports across the globe and will include 19 overnight stays and 37 late evening departures. The historic moment of the four queens uniting for the first time will take place in Liverpool and will see Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Anne come together. Katie McAlister,
President of Cunard, said: “Our new voyage collection is one of the most exciting programmes we’ve ever launched. From the historic moment all four Queens meet in Liverpool on 16 May 2028 to the extraordinary breadth of destinations we will visit. We have thoughtfully curated these voyages to give our guests more time in port, and the chance to explore the world with the signature elegance and sense of occasion that defines Cunard.”
AmaWaterways to Expand Fleet with More than 50 Ships Set to Debut by 2032 AMAWATERWAYS has announced its
largest
global expansion with more than fifty ships underway for 2032. Building on its current fleet of thirty one ships,
three new ships are set to debut for 2027 across the Rhine, Danube and Mekong. AmaWaterways are also expanding in Europe along with its original eight ships confirmed they will be adding an additional seven to its fleet. The company is also strengthening its presence in
Africa with one additional ship on the Chobe River and two new ships on the Nile in Egypt, with one set to debut in 2026. Catherine Powell, CEO of AmaWaterways, said: “Our expansion reflects strong demand across both our established and emerging markets,” “River cruising is on a clear growth trajectory, and
we are investing with purpose, expanding our global footprint while continuing to elevate the experience
for our guests and our travel partners.” In addition, AmaWaterways is advancing plans
for further growth in Africa, including a second ship on the Chobe River alongside Zambezi Queen.
OCEANIA Cruises has unveiled Oceania Aurelia, The Ultimate Explorer. Debuting in late 2027, she will be used for long, immersive journeys, including the line’s 2028 and 2029 Around the World voyages as well as a series of expansive Grand Voyages. Launching as part of the line’s OceaniaNEXT
programme, the completely reimagined ship is currently sailing as Oceania Nautica. The ship will welcome fewer than 500 guests,
served by 400 officers and crew onboard, with Oceania Aurelia focusing on relaxation spaces for guests. 179 of the ship’s 238 accommodations have been designed as spacious suites, with most exceeding 300 square feet with select spanning up to 1,000 square feet. The collection
of
suites includes remastered Owner’s, Vista and Penthouse Suites, plus new additions: Oceania Suites, Horizon Suites as well as a selection of
Holland America Line Announces Itineraries for 2028 Grand Voyages
Oceanview and Inside Suites. “Oceania Aurelia is our ultimate world explorer,”
said Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Oceania Cruises. “She is designed specifically for guests who desire greater space, more suites and a deeper level of personalised care, particularly for extended journeys. Oceania Aurelia will be a smaller, more club-like ship that truly feels like a home at sea, providing travellers a deeper connection to the ports they visit.”
HOLLAND America Line announces the itineraries for its two 2028 Grand Voyages. The two Grand Voyages include a 129-day
loop of the globe on the Grand World Voyage or a 90-day Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage. The Grand voyages will focus on less visited
ports and destinations with enrichment programmes, regional cultural performers and special guest headliners onboard. Evening entertainment will include gala
balls, dressy nights and the Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner. Beth Bodensteiner, president at Holland
America line, said: “What makes our Grand Voyage itineraries special is the opportunity to experience destinations more fully while visiting rare Mariners’ Collection ports exclusive to these cruises. “In direct response to our guests, the
2028 Grand Voyages are anchored by truly unforgettable moments, from exploring Antarctica and crossing the globe on the Grand World Voyage to sailing past Null Island, where the Prime Meridian and the Equator meet at zero, and calling at legendary destinations like Easter Island and Bora Bora.”
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