64 | CRUISE NEWS
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Construction Starts on Next Icon-Class Ship for Royal Caribbean
ROYAL Caribbean has celebrated an iconic milestone within its newest class of ship. The keel-laying ceremony for the fourth addition to the
Icon Class lineup took place at the Finnish shipyard Meyer Turku to mark the start of the ship’s physical construction. The new ship is officially underway and will continue to take shape over the next two years for its 2027 debut. At the celebration, the very first building block was put
MSC Cruises To Be Title Sponsor of Three Formula 1 Grand Prix Races in 2026
MSC Cruises has announced it will be the proud title sponsor of three 2026 Formula 1® World Championship Grand Prix races next year – FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRAN PREMIO DE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA 2026, FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2026 and FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2026. Earlier this year, Formula 1 and The Cruise Division
of MSC Group, made up of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys, announced a multi-year extension of their
Global Partnership through 2030, further
strengthening the cruise company’s collaboration with the prestigious motorsport. The three newly announced title sponsorships are in addition to existing trackside branding and hospitality activations as part of the long-established global partnership. Race branding from both brands in MSC Group’s Cruise Division, with MSC Cruises and sister brand Explora Journeys will feature across different Grands Prix races throughout the 2026 season. SPAIN – FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRAN PREMIO DE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA 2026 Held
from June 12–14, the MSC CRUISES
BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GRAND PRIX 2026 brings the thrill of Formula 1® to the Mediterranean coast. The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is renowned for its mix of high-speed straights and technical corners, making it a true test for both the car and driver. Recently renovated, the circuit now offers a world- class hospitality experience. Just minutes from vibrant Barcelona, fans can enjoy an electrifying weekend filled with a unique mix of culture, gastronomy, and leisure. USA – FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2026 Taking place from October 23–25, the FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX 2026 at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, is one of the most modern and fan-centric venues in Formula 1®. Known for its dramatic elevation changes, and expansive entertainment zones, it has become a favourite among fans and drivers alike. With a capacity of approximately 150,000, it delivers a festival-like experience that blends motorsport with music, culture, and Texan hospitality. BRAZIL – FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2026 Voted Best Race of 2024 by F1 fans, the FORMULA 1 MSC CRUISES GRANDE PRÊMIO DE SÃO PAULO 2026 is one of the most beloved events on the Formula 1® calendar. Held from November 6–8 at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, also known as Interlagos, the race is famous for its carnival-like atmosphere, passionate fans, and unpredictable weather.
into the dry dock, where construction of the ship will take place. The teams at Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku sealed the deal – and good fortune – by placing a layer of freshly minted coins before an enormous steel block, known as the keel, was lifted and placed. Joining the ranks of Icon, Star and Legend of the
Seas, the yet-to-be-named fourth Icon Class vacation will deliver similar vacations to its sister ships.
New Emerald Star Liberty to Launch on Irish Waterways in 2026
November/December 2025
Scenic Celebrates Historic Meeting of Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Gem in Honfleur
IN the picturesque harbour of Honfleur in France, two of Scenic’s custom-designed river and yacht cruising ships met for the first time.
Scenic Gem, purpose-built for
the historic Seine River, and Scenic Eclipse, The World’s First Discovery Yacht marked a significant milestone, demonstrating
Scenic’s
commitment to innovation and ultra-luxury cruising on both rivers and oceans. Scenic Gem is
among the few river ships able to dock in the heart of Honfleur, which connects the Seine River with the English Channel. While Scenic Eclipse with its state- of-the-art technology, is as equally equipped for polar exploration as it is to the coastlines of Europe and the Mediterranean. The Discovery Yacht’s sleek profile and unrivalled design enable it to traverse iconic oceans and rivers, setting the benchmark for ultra- luxury discovery. “I absolutely loved our most recent milestone, when two of our custom- designed river and ocean ships came together in Honfleur for the very first time,” said Nichola Absalom, Managing Director, Sales & Marketing, UK. “It was
2026 is poised to be a groundbreaking year for boating holidays in Ireland, as more travellers seek out meaningful, nature-led experiences closer to home. In response to growing demand, Emerald Star
operated by Le Boat has announced that its brand-new premier Liberty cruiser will set sail on Irish waterways for the very first-time next season, operating on routes ideal for both newcomers and experienced cruisers. Available from both Carrick-on-Shannon and
Portumna, the two-cabin Liberty represents the most luxurious boat ever offered by Emerald Star operated by Le Boat in Ireland.
Designed for couples, families and small groups, it combines the freedom of self-drive cruising with the comfort of a floating boutique hotel, featuring full air conditioning, memory foam mattresses, a flybridge with BBQ and fridge, and even a Nespresso machine and dishwasher on board. For new customers thinking about embarking on their
first boating holiday, no previous experience is required, steering is a breeze, with easy park sideway thrusters at the front and back, gliding sideways or rotating 360 degrees is simple. Cheryl Brown, Managing Director at Emerald Star
operated by Le Boat, said: “We’re thrilled to bring Liberty to the Shannon and Erne waterways in 2026. Ireland is one of our most beautiful and unspoiled cruising regions, and we’re seeing more customers looking to explore it in greater style and comfort. Liberty offers exactly that, and we’re confident it will be a game-changer for the Irish fleet.”
With wide, open rivers, manned locks, and a famously warm welcome in every waterside pub, Ireland’s Shannon and Erne waterways are ideal for first-time boaters and seasoned cruisers. From Portumna to Athlone, or up towards Lough Erne from Carrick-on-Shannon, boaters can moor in peaceful bays, discover heritage sites like Clonmacnoise, or simply take a dip in the clear waters near Carnadoe. “If you get the chance, pull in at The Silver Eel for a
proper pub lunch,” recommends Liz McAvoy, Assistant Base Manager in Carrick-on-Shannon. “And don’t rush, the beauty of boating here is taking your time, chatting to the locals, and letting the river set the pace.”
CELEBRITY Cruises’ latest ship, Celebrity Xcel, has reached a major milestone, completing its first ocean sailing. The fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ revolutionary
Edge Series ships, helmed by Captain ‘Kirk’ Kyriakos Matragkas, completed a series of manoeuvrability skills designed to test the ship’s functional and operational capabilities near the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France – where
the ship has been under construction. After completing sea trials with flying colours,
Celebrity Xcel will welcome guests in November. Celebrity Xcel will sail her inaugural season from
Fort Lauderdale, offering seven-night itineraries alternating between The Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, and Puerto Plata, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten. In Summer 2026, Celebrity Xcel will set sail on her inaugural European season.
French Riviera To Implement Cruise Restrictions in 2026
RESTRICTIONS are set to be imposed on cruise ships visiting the French Riviera, after discussions were finalised between three local governments.
Set to be implemented gradually throughout
2026, cruise ships carrying more than 1,300 passengers will be limited to one call, per day, per port across the affected regions. Passenger disembarkation limits are also set to
be introduced, with new regulations enforcing that an average of 2,000 passengers will be permitted ashore, with the absolute maximum capped at 3,000 passengers. Despite the roll-out of these new regulations being set for 2026, ships which have booked port calls two or more years in advance are expected to be granted permission to proceed with those cruise-calls. In the peak summer months of July and August, cruise calls are expected to be capped with only 15 cruise ships permitted to drop anchor at each port per month. Discussions were solely focused on the Bay of
Cannes, where jurisdictions overlap between the ports of Nice, Cannes, and Villefranche led to months of talks between port officials before a decision was reached.
a wonderful celebration, giving our guests the rare opportunity to step aboard and experience the unique highlights of each of these beautiful vessels. With our continued growth and investment in shipbuilding, opportunities like this will become more frequent in the future, which is exciting for us all.” This meeting in Honfleur reflected
Scenic’s
philosophy: to put guests at the heart of enriching all-inclusive journeys,
elevating
their experience to the Nth Degree. To mark the occasion, Scenic Gem Captain Ludovic Libs and Scenic
Eclipse Captain Radomir Novosel came together for a ceremonial presentation. Inspired by the occasion, Scenic
Eclipse Pastry Chef Jed Samson, Executive Chef Viktor Malek, and the culinary team unveiled an elaborate cake masterpiece. The creation showcased Honfleur’s picturesque harbour, complete with delicately crafted edible Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Gem ships. Guests on board were also invited to visit each of the ships for a view into the unique opportunities to sail on these vessels.
Celebrity Cruises Newest Ship Completes Sea Trials Ahead of Inaugural Sailing
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