Ocean cruise

Windstar to homeport ship in the UK for the first time in 2026

Star Pride to operate five ex-London cruises to Belgium, France and Norway’s fjords during May 2026

Plans for 'disastrous' Mexican cruise tax pushed back after sector hits out

Mexico’s federal government had planned to implement a $42 fee for each cruise passenger arriving into the country from 1 January – three times the average cost at Caribbean ports – but has now postponed the levy for six months

Inspire targeting 'significant' growth with launch of 'one-stop-shop' cruise website

Inspire Europe customers can search different live cruise options according to their preferences on the new website – www.cruisecollection.uk – but must call one of the agency’s 90 homeworkers or ring its call centre to book. The site features 44 lines from across the cruise sector

Panache Cruises invests £500k to support UK and US expansion plans

Money will be spent on additional office space for Panache Cruises at Strawberry Fields Digital Hub in Lancashire, and a larger premises in the US as well as more staff on both sides of the Atlantic

Virgin Voyages hands SJ Walker bigger remit in sales team shake-up

UK sales director SJ Walker’s remit has been broadened so she is responsible for all of the adults-only line’s UK trade distribution while global training manager Luke Day has been promoted to global trade engagement senior manager

'Expect news of new ships next year,' new Azamara boss tells agents

However, chief executive Dondra Ritzenthaler tells TTG a new ship announcement is dependent on how the Wave period goes

New Explora Journeys vessel to touch UK soon after debut

Explora III will arrive in Quebec City, Canada, on 27 September 2026 via Southampton following its maiden cruise from Barcelona on 3 August. The vessel will be slightly larger than its sister ship – Explora I and II

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth to undergo 'significant' refit next year

The 2,000-passenger ship, which launched in 2010, will enter dry dock from 25 February to 13 March 2025 at Seatrium’s Admiralty Yard in Singapore

'Agents – make it your business to find the right holiday for everyone'

Champion accessible holidays to tap into a growing market, writes Aaron Langford, Royal Caribbean International’s senior sales director UK and Ireland, for TTG

Silversea's Mediterranean, expedition and 2026 voyages In The Spotlight

Get the inside scoop on Silversea’s Mediterranean cruises and what makes them unique, hear why your clients will love an expedition voyage with the line and discover the new ocean voyages for 2026, in this short In The Spotlight video

A&K and Crystal bosses on making their marriage work

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal have been working together since 2019.

Hurtigruten and HX finalise separation following buyouts

The lines have been acquired by investment consortia, both led by asset management firm Arini Capital Management. The buyouts are expected to be completed in January 2025.

MSC World America: Join TTG for a video tour of the new ship

In April 2025, MSC Cruises will welcome MSC World America, its second World-class ship and the sister ship to MSC World Europa, into its fleet

Marella boss reveals how line managed to win over third-party agents

Managing director Chris Hackney tells TTG this year has been the best in the line’s history. More than 350,000 passengers have sailed with the Tui-owned line and almost 200 new agents have booked a Marella sailing

Tui agent reveals 2,000th cruise booking celebration plans

Assistant store manager Rachel Liversidge, who has spent 24 years with the travel giant, has sold an average of 75 cruises a year. Yet, she reckons she has only personally sailed on a cruise ship ’five or six’ times

Gus Antorcha named Princess Cruises president amid Carnival Corp shake-up

The leadership reshuffle sees Holland America Line president Gus Antorcha replace Princess Cruises boss John Padgett who will leave the cruising giant in February. While Beth Bodensteiner, senior vice-president and chief commercial officer at HAL, will become HAL’s president as well as have executive responsibility of Seabourn

MSC Cruises confirms talks under way with shipyards over new ship class

The line will launch MSC World America in April 2025, with MSC World Asia to follow in 2026 and a fourth World-class vessel in 2027, but discussion has also already turned to what MSC’s next ship class will look like

Celestyal revamps fare structure in response to customer feedback

The Greek Islands specialist’s new Celestyal One fare includes the cruise fare, WiFi, coffee, tea, water and juice, soft drinks, port fees, taxes and gratuities. Plus, the line is also adding cabins to Celestyal Discovery in the coming months

Windstar hopes new website will help agents introduce the brand to clients

’This website is going to help more people in the UK get to know Windstar – now we have a place we can direct agents to,’ UK and Ireland head of sales Augustus Lonsdale told TTG

Crystal to launch new ship in 2032 after firming up option with Fincantieri

The order comes after the ultra-luxury line agreed a ‘two-unit’ deal with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri in the summer

Ponant bolsters UK trade team with Celebrity BDM hire

Andrew Bolton moves from the premium cruise line – part of Royal Caribbean Group – where he spent more than 20 years in a range of roles including acting head of sales

'Liberty of the Seas can be another ex-UK success story', says Royal's EMEA chief

The 4,960-passenger ship will replace its sister Freedom-class vessel, Independence of the Seas, which can carry 4,375-passengers, in the UK in 2026

Celestyal vows not to discount 'core' products ahead of debut Arabian Gulf season

The Greek Islands specialist is expanding operations into the Arabian Gulf at the end of November 2024

Hays Travel's Hayley Gadd to take up trade team role at P&O Cruises

Former Hays Travel Weymouth store manager Gadd to join the line’s ranks as a partnerships development manager