38 | CRUISE NEWS
Royal Caribbean Marks
Milestone For Upcoming Icon Class Ship
www.nitravelnews.com
LEGEND of The Seas, the upcoming ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet, has officially touched water for the first time. The teams behind the construction
celebrated the moment as the newest Icon Class ship floated out at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland, where Legend will continue to take shape ahead of its August 2026 debut. As part of the milestone, the ship’s
dry dock was filled with water overnight in a process that took nearly 12 hours. Once the dock was filled, the legend in the making then floated over to the outfitting dock, marking an engineering feat that brings the ship one step closer to welcoming its first vacationers. Legend will also be the cruise-
line’s fourth ship fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) and feature industry- leading environmental programs. With applications ranging from waste heat recovery systems to shore power connection, Legend will help advance Royal Caribbean Group’s journey toward introducing a net-zero cruise ship by 2035.
Ponant Explorations Waives Single Supplement LUXURY expedition cruise
line Ponant Explorations is redefining possibilities for solo travellers to explore the world’s most remote frontiers – from Antarctica’s glacial majesty to the polar bears of the Arctic – without the traditional price tag. The leader in luxury cruising for solo explorers, especially in the expedition and boutique segments, it is one of the only luxury cruise lines to waive a single supplement, allowing solo guests to book double staterooms or suites without paying extra. As interest in solo travel hits new highs, Ponant Explorations’ focus on supporting solo travellers and
“solo friends”
travelling together on select polar departures is more in demand than ever,
offering
intrepid individuals the chance to check off the ultimate bucket- list experience without having to pay hefty single surcharges.
For groups of friends who
like to travel together – but prefer their own space – Ponant Explorations’s solo-friendly policy removes the premium traditionally associated with single occupancy. Whether it’s an expedition voyage or a luxury yachting experience,
enjoy spacious staterooms or suites for themselves,
or price.
guests with
no compromise on comfort, experience,
What
began as a trend for city breaks and mini getaways is now extending into the realms of far-flung polar expeditions and once-in-a-lifetime adventures thanks to these strong value-led offers. Ponant Explorations has over 160 cruises with solo staterooms available at any given time, each sold to a certain capacity on each ship. With demand for meaningful,
once-in-a-lifetime
experiences continuing to surge, Ponant Explorations is empowering agents to reframe
polar expeditions as accessible and enriching options for independent travellers. With its French-style flair,
expert-led programming, and sustainable small-ship fleet, Ponant Explorations invites solo travellers to curate their polar journey on the world’s only luxury ice-breaker,
Le
Commandant Charcot, or one of the Sisterships which are intimate ships fit for polar navigation – without breaking the bank.
Anthony Daniels, General
Manager for UK and Ireland at PONANT commented:
unmatched stillness,
EXPLORATIONS, “Solo travellers
often seek introspection, and the polar
regions provide vastness
and personal space – with no compromise on comfort. Equally, with as few as 132 guests,
Ponant Explorations’s
small ships make it easy to meet like-minded travellers on curated excursions and
The Cruise Globe Celebrates Huge User Growth with Launch of New App
Travel Solutions Celebrates Biggest Ever Cruise Programme with Major Discounts
TRAVEL Solutions has celebrated their biggest ever Norwegian Cruise Line fly/cruise holiday programme, announcing added discounts for 2026. Making the announcement, the company’s Cruise Manager, Lynsey Joy, explained: “With the official end of Summer and the thoughts of a dark and damp winter ahead, there is no better cure than to book next summers fly/cruise holiday with Norwegian Cruise Line, and the team at Travel Solutions want to make it easy for our cruise customers.” Lynsey continued: “To celebrate our biggest ever cruise
programme, we are pleased to announce a massive £150.00 per person discount off next year’s prices on our NCL Epic and NCL Dawn itineraries in the Mediterranean. This offer will apply to all bookings made during September 2025.”
WITH a vision to be the digital companion for every cruiser, The Cruise Globe has announced the launch of a new app version of its popular digital platform. The exciting launch is mark ed by a huge user growth which has totalled 60,000 u se r
s
since its conception in February 2025. Catering to both
also benefit from a full breakdown of the statistics from their entire cruise history, including the number of ports and countries visited, along with the exact total distance travelled.
Live cruise
tracking will also be a pr ominent feature on the app which was pr eviously launched on the digital platform in June 2025. Utilising AIS satellite data,
Android and iOS
users, the new free-to-use app will include the existing elements of the digital platform including the ability to accurately and visually log the exact satellite-derived route of their cruise holiday on an interactive map. Users
the live tracking displays cruises in a vivid satellite view, with more in-port detail than existing ship trackers. It uses the best live data
available
on the market for maximum accuracy and offers users the first ever 3D imagery of live cruises across the globe.
shared experiences. The value of all-inclusive pricing, expert- led
excursions and seamless
logistics also offer true peace of mind and clarity for solo bookers.”
September/October 2025
More Than Just a Pretty Port
BY KIRSTY JOHNSTON
Kirsty@nitravelnews.com
Art, castles, churros and spectacular sea views - Malaga has it all
IF your cruise ship itinerary includes a stop in Malaga, don’t make the rookie mistake of treating it as just a pitstop en-route to the Costa del Sol. Oh no, Málaga is more than just a pretty port. It’s a vibrant, sun-drenched city bursting with art, tapas, history, and possibly the best churros you’ll eat this side of Madrid. One of the beauties of cruising into Malaga is that the port is right next to the
action. No long coach transfers or endless shuttle rides transfers, here you can practically roll off the ship and find yourself in the heart of the city in minutes. The walk from the cruise terminal into the old town is a scenic 15-minute stroll along the palm-lined waterfront, past trendy cafes, ice cream stalls, and some very photogenic yachts you’ll definitely want to pretend you can afford - take the opportunity for a quick social media snap. First things first, this is Pablo Picasso’s hometown and Malaga wears that badge proudly. The Museo Picasso Malaga, located in a gorgeous 16th- century palace, showcases over 200 works by the maestro himself. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just here for the air conditioning, it’s well worth a visit. Just a short walk away, you’ll find Picasso’s birthplace, the Casa
Natal, complete with charming exhibits, childhood photos, and possibly the tiniest gift shop in Spain. If you like your sightseeing with a sprinkle of sweat and a side of
epic views, hike up to the Gibralfaro Castle - or, if memory serves, you can save your feet and hop on the big red bus to the top. Either way, the panorama from the top is absolutely worth the trip. From here you can look down on the sparkling Mediterranean waters, your cruise ship looking majestic in port, and the rooftops of Malaga stretching out like a mosaic. On the way down (or up, depending on your preferred level of
exertion), don’t miss the Alcazaba, a stunning 11th-century Moorish fortress that’s part Game of Thrones, part peaceful garden paradise. It’s remarkably well-preserved and a perfect spot for a few more jealousy-inducing Instagram posts. By now, you’ll have earned some serious tapas time. Head to
Atarazanas Market, a 19th-century iron-and-glass building packed with fresh produce, sizzling seafood, and enough Iberian ham to make a vegetarian reconsider their life choices. Here you can snack
your way through the stalls or head to one of the tapas bars just outside for a sit- down feast. Try the espeto de sardinas (sardines grilled on the beach over open flames) or a
dish of berenjenas con miel (fried eggplant drizzled with molasses). And, of course, wash it all down with a glass of tinto de verano, Spain’s lesser-known but wildly refreshing answer to sangria. Malagueta Beach is a five-minute dander from the port. Dip your toes in the sea, or just lie back and pretend you’re not heading back to work in three days. The nearby Calle Larios is the main shopping street. Polished, posh, and perfect
for a little retail therapy or an obligatory souvenir fridge magnet. Even if you only have an hour to spare before you’re due back on board, spend it diving into Churros and chocolate at Café Aranda. They are the crispy, golden goodness that will ruin you for all future churros. Malaga is often overlooked in favour of its more famous Andalusian siblings such as Seville, Granada, Cordoba, but spend even a few hours here and you’ll discover a city that’s warm, welcoming, and wonderfully walkable. It’s got the beach, the history, the art, and the eats, all within easy reach of your floating hotel. So next time your cruise docks in Malaga, don’t treat it as just another port. Lace up your walking shoes, grab your camera, and get ready to fall for a city that’s as charming as it is underrated. And if you do nothing else, at least get the churros.
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