Cruise Industry News | Canada's Travel Industry

By TravelPress Staff

April 8, 2025

CHTA wants U.S. to consider Caribbean exemptions to port fees proposal

Tourism officials in the Caribbean are raising concerns about proposals by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to imposed significant fees on each port of call by a Chinese-made or flagged vessels. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA), pointing to the mutual benefits that tourism brings to both the Caribbean and the United States, particularly Florida, is recommending alternatives to the proposed U.S. port service fees and tariffs. The CHTA is advocating for modifications to the port-related policies currently under consideration, and is calling...

By Christine Roberti

April 7, 2025

MS Paul Gauguin emerges from multi-million dollar refurbishment project

Paul Gauguin Cruises has completed an extensive refurbishment of the 330-guest m/s Paul Gauguin. The vessel emerged from its seven-week drydock in Singapore on April 1 with transformed spaces, enhanced guest amenities, and sustainable upgrades all designed elevate the seamless and carefree cruise experience. The refurbishment included a contemporary redesign of the beloved Le Grill restaurant, a reimagined pool deck with an elegant, shaded cabana area, eight new connecting staterooms, refreshed soft furnishings throughout the ship, and the integration of sustainable...

By TravelPress Staff

April 7, 2025

Carnival shows off new ships, fleet updates and destination plans

Carnival Cruise Line is outlining its strategic plans over the next five years with the introduction of its “Innovation Itinerary,” focused on three pillars: sailing the most fun fleet at sea; creating compelling experiences and destinations; and building more Carnival loyalists. The line’s President Christine Duffy provided details on new ships, deployment, fleet enhancements and exclusive destinations at a media briefing today aboard Carnival Celebration at PortMiami. “Since our inception in 1972, we have defined and led the modern cruise industry and our plans for the next...

By TravelPress Staff

April 7, 2025

Explora Journeys commences Mediterranean Journeys Collection

Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand of the MSC Group, has officially launched its Mediterranean Journeys Collection. With immersive Mediterranean journeys aboard EXPLORA I and EXPLORA II, guests will experience the elegance, comfort, and discovery that define the Explora Journeys experience. Until November 2025, guests are invited to embrace the Ocean State of Mind as they sail through the Western and Eastern Mediterranean enjoying the sun-drenched coastlines of Italy, Greece, Türkiye, France, and beyond. All journeys combine iconic destinations with hidden gems and...

By TravelPress Staff

April 3, 2025

Swan Hellenic adds two itineraries in West Africa

Swan Hellenic has added two extraordinary Grand Voyages, each exploring the West Coast of Africa and beyond in an unforgettable seamless experience. The first departs Cape Town on March 25, 2026, combining five northbound cruises to create a unique 51-night Grand Voyage, sailing the entire West Coast of Africa to Casablanca and on to Lisbon. The second is an equally remarkable 35-night Grand Voyage sailing south from Lisbon to Luanda from Sept. 7, 2026. About the itineraries Each thoughtfully curated cultural expedition cruise will be enriched by the knowledge of renowned experts...

By TravelPress Staff

April 2, 2025

Carnival Adventure & Carnival Encounter join fleet in Australia

Marking an exciting new chapter for Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter are preparing to embark on their maiden voyages from Sydney and Brisbane. With the addition of these two ships, Carnival Cruise Line now has the largest fleet of ships in its 53-year history, totaling 29 ships. In Sydney, Carnival Adventure was officially welcomed into the Carnival fleet during a special celebration led by Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy on Friday. A second celebratory event is taking place on Saturday in Brisbane, homeport of Carnival Encounter. On that...

By TravelPress Staff

April 1, 2025

Fincantieri holds keel-laying ceremony for Regent’s Seven Seas Prestige

Fincantieri's keel-laying ceremony for Seven Seas Prestige, the ultra-luxury cruise ship being built for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, took place on March 27 at the Marghera shipyard. The vessel is slated for delivery in 2026. The ceremony was attended by key executives, including Harry Sommer, President & CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.; Jason Montague, Chief Luxury Officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises; and Daniele Fanara, Fincantieri’s Senior Vice President of New Building and After Sales, among others. In keeping with maritime tradition, three specially selected coins were...

By TravelPress Staff

March 31, 2025

Carnival Cruise Line’s Adolfo Perez announces his retirement

Carnival Cruise Line’s senior vice president of global sales and trade marketing, Adolfo Perez has announced that he is retiring. The 43-year veteran of the company began his career with Carnival as a ticket agent at the Miami pier while a high school student in 1982. Over the course of his career, Perez served as the vice president of Carnival’s contact centre and opened Carnival’s London office as vice president of Carnival UK & Ireland before being promoted to his current role in 2018, where he energized both the Carnival sales and trade team, as well as the company’s...

By TravelPress Staff

March 28, 2025

Virgin Voyages celebrates 45% growth; seeing demand for longer voyages

Virgin Voyages celebrates record-breaking revenue and bookings, delivering the strongest trading season in the company's history. Fuelled by its most successful wave season to date, the multi-award-winning cruise line has seen a 34 per cent growth in bookings, with revenue up +45 per cent. In addition to these impressive figures, since introducing new, longer itineraries of 8 nights to 14 nights, Virgin Voyages has also reported a more than 50% increase in bookings for these new products, indicating strong consumer interest in new ports and longer voyages onboard the Virgin...

By TravelPress Staff

March 28, 2025

AmaWaterways offers free roundtrip flights on select Egypt trips

As Canadian travellers continue looking to Egypt as a bucket-list destination, AmaWaterways has announced a new offer for its Egypt river cruise and land programs. From now through June 30, 2025, guests can enjoy Complimentary Roundtrip Airfare on select 2025 and 2026 Egypt river cruise and land journeys. This offer, available for bookings made within the promotional period, is the perfect opportunity to experience the timeless wonders of Egypt while enjoying outstanding value. Guests booking these select journeys can also choose Premium Air upgrades for C$2,699 and Business Class...