Royal Caribbean International officially expanded its fleet on January 27th, 2022, after taking over the new Wonder of the Seas from the shipyard Chantiers de l'Atlantique. From April 2019 to January 2022, the world’s largest cruise ship was under construction at the well-known French shipyard in Saint-Nazaire The newest ship in the Oasis-class has now been handed over to Royal Caribbean International with a flag ceremony in Marseille. The company's fleet now consists of 26 cruise ships.

MSC will adjust the routes of its cargo and cruise ships in the Eastern Mediterranean to avoid collision with the sperm whales, which are in danger of extinction in this part of the world. The MSC Group, one of the main maritime transport and logistics operators, will modify its itineraries on the west coast of Greece to reduce the risk of collision with these endangered species.

Signalling its confidence in the British cruise market, the new cruise company Ambassador Cruise Line has announced the purchase of the cruise ship AidaMira, which will  be renamed Ambition. The ship will enter service in 2023, as the second vessel in the Ambassador Cruise Line fleet after the company purchased the former bitcoin cruise ship Satoshi.

Princess Cruises has promoted Chef Rudi Sodamin as a first head of culinary arts. Chef Sodamin is currently the master chef for Holland America Line, and his position at HAL will retain as he takes on his new role as head of culinary arts for Princess Cruises.

The sale of some of Genting Group global assets, including shipyards and cruise ships, could become a reality after the company announced appointment of joint provisional liquidators by a Bermuda court.

A 36-year-old crew member has died on the cruise ship Norwegian Escape this morning. The crew member had reportedly completed his 10-day COVID isolation, and one day after his release he passed away. According to our source, the deceased crew member is an Indian national who was working in the bar department. The cause of the death is unknown.

After the bankruptcy of the parent company, Genting Hong Kong, Crystal Cruises announced it will temporarily cease cruise operations. The luxury cruise line is suspending all cruises aboard its three ocean going ships currently in service through April 29, 2022, and river cruises are suspended through the end of May 2022. After completing current voyages the crew will be sent back home and the vessels will be placed in lay-up.

Tahiti welcomed the arrival of Viking Orion, the first international cruise ship in nearly two years, to visit French Polynesia. As the Viking Orion, docked in Papeete the ship was welcomed by orchestra and dancers, on the dock while busses and tourist guides were all ready to show the beauty of the island to the guests. With its 228 meters and 450 passengers on board out of the maximum capacity of 930, the vessel is the first transpacific cruise ship to stop in Tahiti since March 2020.

One more cruise ship was forced to cancel its Caribbean voyage due to COVID-related circumstances. The German-based cruise line TUI Cruises has informed guests booked on the 14-day Caribbean voyage of Mein Schiff 2, which was scheduled to depart from Bridgetown - Barbados on January 17th, that the crusie was canceled. The reason for this short notice cancellation is that several COVID cases were identified onboard the cruise ship affecting important service operations. 

Costa Cruises has signed an exclusive partnership and has become the Official Cruise Line of the Ryder Cup 2023, the most important team golf turnement, which will take place for the first time at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome, Italy from 29 September to 1 October 2023.