58 | CRUISE NEWS
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AmaWaterways Announce Major Expansion of Africa & Safari Cruise Programme
AMAWATERWAYS has announced a major expansion of its popular Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruise programme, introducing four new itineraries beginning August 2026. Designed to highlight the continent’s remarkable
diversity, these new journeys combine a luxurious three-night Chobe River cruise aboard the intimate 24-passenger Zambezi Queen with immersive land programs featuring Victoria Falls and newly added destinations such as Kenya, Namibia, Zanzibar and the Skeleton Coast. Each new itinerary blends exceptional wildlife
viewing with opportunities to experience the region’s rich culture, cuisine and landscapes. Ranging from 9 to 18 nights, the new journeys include From the Cape to the Falls, Iconic Africa, Classic Kenya & Southern Africa and African Wonders & the Skeleton Coast.
“Our Africa programme is very meaningful to me,
as it was one of the first cruises I experienced with AmaWaterways after becoming CEO and it truly left an unforgettable impression,” said Catherine Powell, CEO of AmaWaterways. “We’re thrilled to offer even more opportunities for our guests to experience the trip of a lifetime – seeing wildlife right on the riverbanks, connecting with amazing people, and exploring the rich cultures and landscapes that make this region so special. Our guests can now explore even more of Southern and Eastern Africa in comfort and style, while supporting local communities through sustainable tourism.”
Explora Journeys Reveal Details of 2029 Inaugural World Journey
EXPLORA Journeys has unveiled Endless Worlds, its highly anticipated Inaugural World Journey taking place aboard EXPLORA I. Spanning 128 days from 6th January to 14th May 2029, this extraordinary east-to-west Journey is the brand’s first opportunity for guests to explore the globe through one continuous Journey across four continents, 29 countries and territories, and 63 unique destinations. The Endless World journey traces the routes of ancient trade,
cultural exchange and human
connection, crossing the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and offers a fluid rhythm of discovery from Dubai’s sunlit coastline, through to its conclusion at Barcelona’s Mediterranean shores. Endless Worlds also takes Explora Journeys to Australia and New Zealand for the first time, offering a truly global curation of extraordinary ocean travel opportunities. “Endless Worlds represents a milestone in the evolution of Explora Journeys,” said Anna Nash, President of Explora Journeys. “Our Inaugural World Journey embodies our deepest values – boundless exploration,
cultural curiosity and a meaningful
connection to the ocean. It enables our guests to experience the world as an uninterrupted story, told gradually and gracefully, with the time and space to absorb its beauty in full.”
Celestyal Cruises Celebrate Success of 2025 Mediterranean and Adriatic Season
CELESTYAL has concluded its most successful Mediterranean and Adriatic season on record, with Mediterranean passenger numbers in- creasing by 4% and revenue up 10% on 2024. Operating from April to November, 10 ‘Heaven-
ly Greece, Italy & Croatia’ sailings, and 22 ‘Idyllic Greece’ voyages took place on the 1260-guest Ce- lestyal Journey, with both itineraries offering seven ports over seven nights. The 1360-guest Celestyal Discovery sailed 69 departures of the three- and four- night ‘Iconic Greek Islands’. The season also saw Celestyal Discovery become
the first cruise vessel in Greek waters to operate on a locally produced marine biofuel blend, reducing CO emissions by approximately 21% Both ships are now preparing to reposition to the Arabian Gulf for the winter.
Newest Ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Fleet Officially Arrives in Fort Lauderdale
CELEBRITY Xcel has arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, introducing seven new experiences for guests. The fifth ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series, Celebrity Xcel was created with the help of holiday-goers globally through the Xcel Dream Makers program, where participants played a key role in finalising many elements of the holiday experience from culinary through to entertainment. “With each new ship, we raise the bar for the ultimate vacation experience – and Celebrity Xcel stands in a class of her own,” said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. “Celebrity
Dream Makers program, where our guests played a direct role in shaping the ship’s features, Celebrity Xcel lives up to her name in every way.” Onboard Celebrity
Xcel, guests will be able
Xcel was thoughtfully designed with our guests in mind to be the happy place of vacationers globally,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, president of Celebrity Cruises. “From the seven new spaces guests will experience, to the innovative Xcel
to experience transformational experience that erases the line between ship and shore with the introduction of The Bazaar. Each day, the three-story space will transform, introducing new ways for guests to immerse themselves in the destinations called on throughout their sailing. The Bazaar blends guests’ onboard and in-port experiences in an elevated, authentic and unique way through food, activities and live music. Guests will find two distinct, destination-inspired dining venues – Mosaic and Spice Cafe, The Market featuring local artisan products, four destination-inspired festivals specific to each itinerary, and unforgettable entertainment.
PRINCESS Cruises revealed its largest and most diverse Caribbean programme, with 31 ports sailing from five homeports for the new- ly announced 2027-28 season. New for the cruise line, Princess will introduce port calls to Celebration Key as part of its expanded Car- ibbean deployment beginning November 1, 2026, with the first call from its newest ship, Star Princess. Purpose-built on Grand Bahama Island; the exclusive destination is the largest of its kind ever undertaken by Carnival Corporation. Celebration Key combines premium relaxation with sun-soaked adventure, featuring calm, crys- tal-clear water lagoons and a variety of activities de- signed for all ages. Celebration Key island experienc- es like cabanas can be booked starting December 17. In addition to Star Princess, Regal Princess will be the second Princess ship to call in Celebration Key on November 9, 2026, with additional ships, Caribbean Princess, Enchanted Princess, Sky Princess and Sun Princess, scheduled to visit during the 2026-27 and 2027-28 Caribbean and Panama Canal seasons. “We’re incredibly excited to bring our guests an
expanded Caribbean season filled with more of what they love – sun-soaked destinations, immersive experiences, and the elegance of our two newest Sphere-class ships,” said Jim Berra, Princess Cruis- es Chief Commercial Officer. “Celebration Key is an extraordinary destination oasis and adding it to our itineraries gives guests even more ways to savour the Caribbean.”
MSC Seascape To Homeport in Galveston Ahead for First Time
7-night Galveston cruises to the Western Caribbean, with stops in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; and Isla de Roatan, Honduras. Departing every Sunday, the ship will continue these sailings year-round from the port’s new state-of-the-art Cruise Terminal 16.
Emerald Cruises Marks Two Significant Milestones in Expansion of Fleet
MSC Seascape arrived at its new homeport in Galveston ahead of MSC Cruises’ first-ever sailings from the Texas port. MSC Seascape will deliver Texas-sized fun on
January 2026
Princess Cruises Reveal Details of 2027-2028 Caribbean Programme
EMERALD Cruises & Tours has celebrated two milestones in the expansion of its fleet with the float out of Emerald Kaia, and laying the keel for Emerald Raiya. In November, the company held a float out
ceremony for Emerald Kaia, as the ship touched water for the first time in Halong Bay, Vietnam, while simultaneously laying the keel for Emerald Raiya, again in Vietnam. Emerald Kaia will make its debut in April 2026, with an inaugural voyage through Cyprus, Greece and Turkey. The yacht will then spend the summer exploring the coastlines from Italy to Montenegro, Albania and Croatia, the Greek Islands and the Corinth Canal, before cruising through the Red Sea to reposition to the Seychelles from December 2026 to March 2027. Meanwhile, Emerald Raiya will launch in June
2027, with an inaugural season in the Eastern Mediterranean and Seychelles. This will be followed by the introduction of Emerald Xara in April 2028. Glen Moroney, founder and chairman of Scenic
Group, said: “The first launch of Emerald Kaia into the sea and keel laying for Emerald Raiya represents a significant milestone for Emerald Cruises and our continued expansion. Each has been thoughtfully designed by our team at MKM Yachts to deliver a unique luxury experience for up to 128 guests, meeting the growing demand for yacht-style cruising in the Mediterranean, Seychelles and Caribbean.” The new yachts, all accommodating 128 guests,
will join sister ships Emerald Azzurra and Emerald Sakara, expanding the Emerald Yacht Cruises fleet to five by 2028.
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