56 | CRUISE NEWS
www.nitravelnews.com
April/May 2025
Riviera Travel Reveals SIX New Itineraries for 2026
RIVIERA Travel has launched six new itineraries for 2026 in its Ocean & Yacht Cruise category, including another voyage to the Arctic. The new cruise schedules include an adaption of
the popular Dubrovnik & the Splendours of Dalmatia Cruise, now available as a new route for solo travellers. Additionally, it includes an updated itinerary for the Splendours of Dalmatia Yacht Cruise with Dubrovnik & Montenegro, and the Dalmatian Island Yacht Cruise with Plitvice Lakes. The Opatija, Zadar & Northern Gems of the Adriatic
Cruise launches aboard the latest ship to join Riviera’s programme, the five-star MS Equator. Also, the brand new Voyage to the Arctic & Svalbard is now available to UK holidaymakers.
The Riviera Travel team has also released new
dates for 2026 to popular existing Ocean & Yacht Cruise itineraries to meet customer demand. These include Dubrovnik, Split & Jewels of
the Dalmatian Coast, the Dubrovnik & Southern Croatia Yacht Cruise with Bosnia & Herzegovina, Split, Rab & Undiscovered Islands of the North (also available as a dedicated cruise for solo travellers), Zadar and Islands of the North Yacht Cruise with Krka Waterfalls, Split, Zadar & Secrets of the North (again, also available for solo travellers), and, finally, the Split, Hvar & the Delights of Dalmatia cruise. Riveria Travel’s six new itineraries have been available to book from March 19th 2025.
Celestyal Refines Popular Arabia Sailings for 2025
HX Expeditions has announced the introduction of its new fleet livery colours. In line with the changed brand, HX Expeditions will showcase ‘Indigo Blue’ and ‘Sand’, marking a new milestone in the continued evolution of its standalone brand. This follows HX’s initial brand launch in December 2023
as HX officially separated last month from its Norwegian heritage sister brand of Hurtigruten. The new livery colour palette is said to take inspiration from marine wildlife with colours such as ‘Pearl, Sand and Arctic
CELESTYAL has launched itineraries for its new-for-2025 three and four-night ‘Iconic Arabia’ sailings aboard Celestyal Discovery, as the cruise line’s inaugural Arabian Gulf season ends. The itineraries will now feature additional stops in
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, with the introduction of Ras Al Khaimah as a new port of call. Lee Haslett, chief commercial officer at Celestyal,
said: “We strive to deliver unmissable experiences, and
in doing so constantly listen to our guests and travel agent community. Following a hugely successful first season in the Arabian Gulf we learnt more about what our guests and partners would like to see and are excited to announce these changes based on their feedback. Since launching our winter season Arabian Gulf itineraries, we’ve been thrilled by the positive response and the growing interest from both repeat and new-to-cruise customers in exploring this spectacular region. “Our guests have told us they love iconic destinations like Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, as well as discovering more off-the-beaten-track ports that are synonymous with a Celestyal voyage, such as Sir Bani Yas Island and the coastal resort of Khasab. We’re known for our destination immersive and port intensive cruises, so we have refined our 2025 itineraries to offer more time in our guest’s favourite ports, while adding an additional port in the stunning Ras Al Khaimah.”
CARNIVAL Cruise Line ship Carnival Spirit has returned to service following a month-long dry dock in Cadiz. The 2,124-guest ship departed
Barcelona on March 16, for a 14-day transatlantic voyage to Miami, after which it will cruise the Panama Canal en route to Seattle, as it repositions for the Alaska summer season. Carnival Spirit now features a new
Heroes Tribute Bar while updates were also made to the Cloud 9 spa, fitness centre and retail shops, including a new Carnival Adventures
Holland America Line to Introduce New Speciality Sushi Bar
MSC Cruises has announced that Drew Barrymore will be the Godmother of its new U.S. flagship, MSC World America. Barrymore will be cutting the ribbon and triggering the
HOLLAND America Line is expanding its Morimoto By Sea dining experience with a new specialty sushi bar. The 12-guest venue will include a menu created
by the cruise line’s chef Masaharu Morimoto, offering a selection of signature sushi, sashimi, rolls and smaller dishes.
Carnival Spirit Sets Sail Again After Month Long Revamp
Shop and a Dreams Studio. A dedicated space for the Chef’s Table and a new mini golf course were added and new gaming machines installed in the casino. Additionally, the ship’s nightclub was refreshed and all youth programme spaces upgraded. Lisa McCabe, vice president of
refurbishments at Carnival, said: “The new Heroes Tribute Bar and all the other upgrades to Carnival Spirit are part of our ongoing effort to continually enhance our existing fleet with
features we know our guests appreciate and enjoy.”
traditional breaking of a bottle of champagne on the ship’s bow alongside Orlando Bloom, who co-stars with her in the company’s “Lets Holiday” campaign that debuted during the Big Game. MSC World America’s Naming Ceremony will be held on
the evening of Wednesday, April 9, at the new MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, which will be the largest in the world. “When MSC Cruises asked me to be the Godmother of
MSC World America, I immediately said yes!” stated Drew Barrymore, actress and host of the Drew Barrymore Show. “I absolutely love to travel-it fuels my soul and being part of something that helps people set off on incredible adventures is just amazing. There’s something so magical about cruises; they let you discover the world in this really fun, unexpected way. And to be able to name MSC World America and send the ship off with well wishes and good luck is such an honour.” “As a family company with over 300 years of seafaring
heritage, these events hold a special and personal significance for us. We value the important maritime tradition where our Godmother breaks a bottle of champagne on the hull and officially names the ship, bringing good luck and protection,” noted Suzanne Salas, EVP, Marketing, eCommerce & Sales, MSC Cruises USA. “Drew is the perfect Godmother for MSC World America,
and we are thrilled to continue to partner with her for this campaign. She embodies our brand perfectly, with her exquisite style and grace, and her passion for the comfort
and adventure we find through travel.
CroisiEurope Unveil Details of New Luxury Ship
CROISIEUROPE has announced that it is building a new luxury ship that will offer a unique eco- tourism experience on the Amazon. This new, as yet un-named ship, is CroisiEurope’s first new build since 2020 and its first to operate in South America. The 32-guest, four-deck ship will measure 49
metres long by 15 metres wide and will feature plenty of wood, vibrant colours and local arts and crafts inspired by Amazonian culture. Accommodation will comprise 16 suites with private balconies including two presidential suites suspended between the sky and water. There will also be a gourmet restaurant serving Brazilian inspired dishes, a spa, fitness room, sun deck and conference room. As part of its commitment to protecting and
preserving the Amazon, CroisiEurope is implementing the latest eco innovations including engines that meet the strictest environment standards, an advanced wastewater treatment system and solar panels which will allow the ship to shut down its generators at night and operate on batteries. Sustainable practices will be observed onboard
while ashore, respectful tourism will benefit local communities through meetings with Amazonian communities in order to share knowledge and stories, supporting local initiatives and protecting bio-diversity and ensuring that each guest uses their experience to become an ambassador for the Amazon. Starting in 2027, the new ship will home port
in Manaus and offer 12-day itineraries that unveil the treasures of the Brazilian Amazon, navigating the Amazon River, the Rio Negro, the Solimões, the Arapiuns and the Tapajós up to the Colombian border. Various extensions will also be available. Itineraries will be open for booking soon.
MSC Cruises Announce Godmother of MSC World America
HX Expeditions Parts Ways with Iconic Colours
Holland America Line Add New Food Offerings Across Its Fleet
HOLLAND America Line has updated its ‘Made Fresh Daily’ offerings with the launch of a signature bread and new pasta dishes. The bread, available from summer 2025, is de-
scribed as a ‘flavourful sourdough raisin loaf with pumpkin seeds’. This will be offered across HAL’s entire fleet in the Pinnacle Grill speciality restaurant every night and in the Dining Room on formal nights. An Italian-inspired menu of pasta dishes have also become available in the Lido Market. ‘Primo’, a pizza including a salami, pickled peppers and red onion will also be available at New York Pizza.
White.’ The iconic red and black colours previously used by the Hurtigruten Group have long been associated with the heritage sister brand of Hurtigruten, which will continue to use those colours and will remain unchanged. “This is the next important step in the HX brand evolution” said Gebhard Rainer, CEO of HX Expeditions “The rebrand of our fleet is not just about aesthetics, it’s about creating an experience that resonates with our guests on every level. Our new fleet colours are a reflection of who we are today and where we are heading, while also maintaining a respectful distinction from our heritage brand, which will continue to proudly represent its own legacy in red and black.”
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