After nearly five decades of dedicated service, Haike Witzke, AIDA Cruises’ long-time head of human resources, has retired, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and impact. The Rostock-based shipping company marked the occasion with heartfelt tributes, as Witzke passed the torch to her successor, Christina Hankel, who has been with AIDA Cruises since July 2024.
The cruise ship Costa Fascinosa became a lifeline for a stranded sailing yacht during its transatlantic voyage to the Caribbean. On December 14, 2024, while crossing the Atlantic toward the Caribbean Islands, the Costa Fascinosa received a call from a nearby Canadian-flagged vessel that had run out of fuel.
The MSC World America embarked on its first sea trials on Thursday, December 12, just before 2 p.m. The ship left the Chantiers de l'Atlantique C-class dock for a two-day testing period, with several hundred people on board to oversee the ship’s performance. Among the team are representatives from Chantiers de l'Atlantique, MSC Croisières, and the Bureau Veritas certification body, as well as co-developers continuing the final stages of outfitting.
The Norwegian Aqua, the third vessel in Norwegian Cruise Line’s Prima Plus class, has set sail for its first sea trials. Departing from the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, near Venice, on December 10, the ship is heading to the Mediterranean for a series of rigorous tests.
The yacht My Aurora accidentally collided with Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas on Wednesday while the cruise ship was docked in Nassau, Bahamas, Royal Caribbean Blog reported.
Passengers aboard the massive cruise liner witnessed the moment the smaller vessel drifted into the port side of the ship, with videos of the incident quickly making rounds on social media.
The Bahamas’ beloved Half Moon Cay is getting a serious makeover and a fresh new name: RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay. Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line just spilled the tea on this major rebranding, and it’s all about upgrading the island vibes while keeping that pristine tropical paradise energy.
MSC Cruises has partnered with the Sky Original show, X Factor Italia, produced by Fremantle, to bring the groundbreaking entertainment experience to the seas. Starting in January 2025, the cruise ship MSC Lirica will host the official castings for the 2025 edition of the talent show.
Lisbon has been recognized as Europe’s Best Cruise Destination at the 4th annual World Cruise Awards, held in Funchal, Madeira. In addition, the Lisbon Cruise Port was awarded the title of Europe’s Best Cruise Terminal, marking a significant achievement for the city’s cruise tourism sector.
Viking has officially added a new ship to its ocean fleet: the Viking Vela. The delivery ceremony took place on December 3 at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona, Italy.
Vela is classified as a small ship, with 499 staterooms that can accommodate 998 guests. It will sail exciting itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe during its first season.
Recent moves by Mexico to impose a $42 immigration levy on cruise passengers have sent shockwaves through the cruise industry. This fee, which could push total port charges in Cozumel to $70 per passenger, is more than triple the average in the Caribbean. Industry leaders fear that this could deter cruise lines from visiting Mexican ports, especially with popular competitors like Jamaica and the Bahamas charging significantly less.
