70 | CRUISE NEWS
www.nitravelnews.com
November/December 2025
MSC Poesia Prepares for Major Upgrades Ahead of Inaugural Alaska Season
MSC Cruises is bringing its all-inclusive cruising concept, the MSC Yacht Club, to MSC Poesia as part of a major upgrade. The revamp will also introduce Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar speciality restaurants, All-Stars Sports Bar, a refreshed MSC Aurea Spa and enhanced MSC Gym Powered by Technogym®.
Guests on MSC Cruises’ inaugural season in
AE Expeditions Unveils 2027 Small Ship Cruises: Storytelling at Sea Across 22 Countries
AE Expeditions has announced the launch of its Small Ship Cruises 2027 Season. With 21 extraordinary voyages across 22 countries,
the season explores the sun-soaked Mediterranean and Adriatic, the vibrant Atlantic & African Coast, and the wild landscapes of Central America (Costa Rica & Panama), along with the historic treasures of Northern Europe and the UK & Ireland. These unique journeys range from 9 to 17 days aboard AE’s three purpose- built small ships – Greg Mortimer, Sylvia Earle and the soon-to-launch Douglas Mawson – vessels designed to take travellers closer to the heart of each destination, and into harbours that larger ships simply cannot reach.
Storytellers:
Onboard, every sailing is enriched by Master acclaimed historians,
genealogists,
art experts and more who bring destinations to life through captivating presentations and personal insights in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. Crafted pre- and post-voyage city stays ensure effortless travel from beginning to end. Together, these elements make each voyage a seamless blend of iconic sights and untold stories. On shore, travellers enjoy a selection of immersive
“Your Choice” experiences allowing them to personalise each journey, while enrichment programs – from wine tastings to historical immersions – make every day a delight. Highlights range from UNESCO World Heritage sites and marquee ports like Bonifacio, Nice and Dubrovnik, to hidden gems such as Alberobello’s whitewashed Trulli houses, the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, or the olive groves of Istria. “Our new season goes beyond cruising – it’s storytelling at sea,” said Katie Malone, CMO, AE Expeditions. “Whether it’s a wine tasting in Bordeaux, tracing Viking sagas in Scandinavia, standing on the battlegrounds of Culloden, or visiting Prince Albert’s private car garage in Monaco, every voyage connects travellers to history, culture and community in a way that only small ships can.
Celestyal Confirms Two Ships to the Arabian Gulf for 2025/26 Season
CELESTYAL has confirmed it will visit the Arabian Gulf with both the 1260-guest Celestyal Journey and 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery deployed to the region from December 2025. This follows their maiden 2024/25 programme and represents a 211% year-on-year capacity increase. Celestyal Journey will open the season on December 6, 2025, with a Abu Dhabi Grand Prix celebratory cruise, before operating the seven-night ‘Desert Days’ itinerary for the rest of the season, sailing roundtrip from Doha and calling at Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, as well as two full days and an overnight stay in Dubai. Celestyal Discovery will then join her fleet
mate for her inaugural season in the region, departing December 12, 2025 and launching the line’s new three-, four- and seven-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ cruises, sailing roundtrip from her winter homeport in Abu Dhabi, calling at
Scenic Group Introduce Four New Itineraries to Signature Journey Collection
SCENIC Group has announced the expansion of its signature combined journey collections – Scenic’s Ultimate Journeys and Emerald Cruises’ Epic Voyages – introducing four new itineraries to the brand’s portfolio. “We are thrilled to expand our combined journeys collection with these four exceptional new itineraries,” said Nichola Absalom, Managing Director, Sales & Marketing, UK. Absalom continued, “This concept was born
from guest feedback, with travellers looking for new ways to discover Europe in an immersive and effortless way. Scenic Group stands apart in the industry, combining unparalleled expertise and service with custom-built ships, allowing guests to enjoy a seamless and luxurious journey across both river and ocean. These new journeys promise an extraordinary way to experience Europe, we can’t wait to welcome guests onboard.” New itineraries included within Scenic’s Ultimate Journeys and Emerald Cruises’ Epic
Voyages
include: Scenic’s Ultimate Journeys The Grand Epicurean
Journey: Bordeaux,
Portofino & the Mediterranean Icons This 16-day journey combines a seven-night
ocean cruise from Nice to Barcelona onboard Scenic Eclipse with an overnight stay at the InterContinental Bordeaux, followed by a seven-night round-trip river cruise through Bordeaux’s world-renowned wine region.
Gems of France & the Italian Riviera On this 20-day itinerary, guests will sail from Nice
to Rome on board Scenic Eclipse for an eight-day ocean cruise, stay two nights at the elegant Hotel
Star Princess Officially Delivered to Princess Cruises
Splendide Royal in Rome, and then journey to Paris for a 11-day round-trip river cruise along the Seine. Highlights include the glamour of the Italian Riviera, the romance of Paris, and the timeless charm of Normandy. Emerald Cruises’ Epic Voyages Iconic Europe – From Budapest to Venice This 18-day journey begins with an eight-day river cruise from Budapest to Munich on an Emerald Cruises Star-Ship, followed by three nights at Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice, before continuing with an eight-day luxury yacht cruise sailing round-trip from Venice. Guests will experience the beauty of Central Europe’s rivers, combined with the magic of the Adriatic coastline. Mediterranean & Iberian Discovery This 19-day itinerary combines a 12-day luxury yacht cruise from Rome to Lisbon with an eight-day round-trip river cruise through Portugal’s spectacular Douro Valley. Guests can discover the charm of the Mediterranean and the vibrant culture of Iberia, before savouring the rich wines and landscapes of Portugal on an eight-day Douro river cruise.
Alaska aboard MSC Poesia will be able to enjoy these new features and for the first time. Itineraries sail through destinations including Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm, and Juneau (Alaska), along with Victoria (British Columbia, Canada). Guests booking the newly added MSC Yacht Club will experience an exclusive, all-inclusive experience
featuring 24-hour butler and
concierge service, appointed suites, and access to private facilities, including a dedicated restaurant, lounge, private sundeck with whirlpools, and grill restaurant and bar. MSC Yacht Club highlights on MSC
Poesia include: 63 suites across five suite types for every type of
traveller, including ocean-view balcony suites and connected options for families. The ultra-luxurious Royal Suite accommodates up to six guests and features a private whirlpool, an expansive 78 sqm terrace as well as a private outdoor shower with panoramic ocean views, while the Two- Room Grand Suite offers a more intimate setting coupled with a spacious balcony. All suites include bathrooms with marble finishings, premium bespoke embroidered towels, a Nespresso coffee machine and a complimentary minibar, plus 24- hour room service. Private sundeck with a Grill & Bar and two whirlpools, offering cabanas, sun loungers, and relaxed outdoor dining in a serene and a modern setting. Exclusive MSC Yacht Club Restaurant, delivering
a dining experience with refined menus, 24/7 culinary staff, and sommelier service. Top Sail Lounge private bar and lounge, a
space located on the foredeck, featuring floor-to- ceiling windows and cocktails, live music, or quiet moments included. Butcher’s Cut - In this traditional American-style
steakhouse, guests may have a taste of premium cuts of meat, including beef from Meat by Linz and a wide selection of steaks and classic sides. Kaito Sushi Bar - In this reimagined venue
inspired by the Far East, guests can enjoy expertly crafted sushi and authentic Asian dishes. All-Stars Sports Bar - In this venue, guests can watch a game in an authentic game-day atmosphere with bite-sized snacks, engage in friendly competition with signature sports bar games, or sit back and enjoy a refreshing drink. MSC Aurea Spa - Guests looking for an escape
from daily life will find a wealth of wellness options, including the Ocean View Sauna, two steam rooms, a salt room, Kneipp path, emotional showers and a tranquil area.
Doha, Qatar; Khasab, Oman; Dubai, UAE; Sir Bani Yas Island, UAE and maiden visits to Ras Al Khaimah, UAE. As part of its updated deployment plans,
Celestyal has amended its two 14-night repositioning sailings, departing November 22, 2025, onboard Celestyal Journey, and November 28, 2025, onboard Celestyal Discovery. A majority of the guests who are booked on the original segments departing Athens, sailing to Sharm El Sheik and Jeddah will be unimpacted, for some there will be port changes or shorter sailings offered. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at
Celestyal said: “Our maiden Arabian Gulf season firmly established Celestyal as a standout in the region, with exceptional feedback from both guests and our trade partners. These refinements give us great confidence as we return stronger to the Arabian Gulf for 2025/26 with two ships and significantly increased capacity to meet soaring demand for winter sun.
STAR Princess - the second Sphere-Class ship in the Princess Cruises fleet - was officially delivered on Friday 26th September during a celebratory handover ceremony at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The stunning Star Princess is the 17th ship in the cruise line’s dynamic line up of vessels sailing worldwide. The Star Princess handover ceremony
was attended by Gus Antorcha, President of Princess Cruises; Star Princess Captain Gennaro Arma; Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri; Biagio Mazzotta, President and Chairman of Fincantieri; Luigi Matarazzo, General Manager of the Fincantieri Merchant Ships Division; Cristiano Bazzara, Director of the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, and local government officials. The ceremony signifies the official transfer of the ship from Fincantieri to Princess, marking the completion of construction and the beginning of final preparations ahead of
its inaugural sailings. Gus Antorcha, Princess Cruises President
stated, “This remarkable vessel is a testament to the innovation and craftsmanship of our long-standing partners at Fincantieri, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the shipbuilding team for bringing our newest ship to life.” With her 1,600 crew now onboard preparing
to welcome the first guests, Star Princess will depart the shipyard and sail to Barcelona ahead of her inaugural voyage, an 11-night Western Mediterranean cruise departing October 4. The 177,800-tonne, 4,300-guest Star
Princess - sister to the award-winning Sun Princess - will feature 30 distinct dining and bar venues, curated entertainment and activity offerings. Unique to Star Princess and Sun Princess is The Sanctuary Collection, an elevated private escape at sea with access to an exclusive restaurant; the Sanctuary Club, a tranquil, adults-only pool deck; and thoughtfully curated amenities that set a new standard for luxury at sea.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
